TELEVISION

hree shows about con artists arrive for sentencing this month. Two deserve slaps on the wrist. (BBC1, iPlayer) has metabolised the many internet articles about gaslighting but displays scant idea of (ITVX) initially frames high-rolling Sydney grifter Melissa Caddick’s mid-pandemic demise as trashy, semi-fun soap, before making pious excuses for its heroine, deemed more sinned against than sinning (it also features a cover of the Pet Shop Boys’ “Opportunities” that really is a sin). The pick of this shifty pack is (BBC1, iPlayer), a sharply realised sitcom that regards the early 1990s as a hangover from the excesses of the 1980s, and boasts a superlative villain in Conleth Hill’s Martin Parker, a peacocking wheeler-dealer brought low by the sisters he’s been two-timing. Sian Gibson spars effectively with Rosie Cavaliero as the Silvikrinned avenging angels and—alongside co-writer Paul Coleman—distributes big laughs around an excellent ensemble: Sheila Reid as a lusty retiree and Abby Vicky-Russell as Parker’s underengaged secretary are among the beneficiaries. One reason TV crooks may be flourishing is that TV cops are becoming more distractible. (BBC2, iPlayer), an earlier work by Team , was likely conceived as a send-up of , drily observing detectives and police back-up staff as they talk the nonsense that doubtless gets actual lawmakers through their duller stakeouts. It’s often hilarious nonsense, though, and doesn’t preclude character development or gratifying plotting: trust me when I say this is a worthy investment.