Games of Thrones

"You win or you die..."

10 reasons to watch HBO's new epic fantasy drama, Games of Thrones, on Sky Atlantic:

1. The story: based on George R.R. Martin's hit fantasy novel series, A Song of Ice and Fire, this medieval fantasy romp brings to life the world of Westeros and the epic conflict between two houses (Stark and Lannister) to assert power. Blood, love, greed, betrayal, corruption - and that's just the beginning...

2. Monday night escapism: Whoever thought of screening this on a Monday should get a pay rise, chase away the Sunday fear and monotonous drudgery of a new working week with a good old dose of fantasy.

3. Sean Bean: Nuff said.

Creepiest one I could find *smirks*

4. Richard Madden: Hottest new talent to come out of Renfrewshire (and how often can you say that?) Madden is set to impress in the pivotal role of Robb Stark, and I'm NOT just saying that because we're childhood friends...*proud face*

I taught him how to smoulder like that. True story.

5.  Mark Addy (King Robert Baratheon) : Dress him up as the King all you want, but I'm sure I'm not the only one smirking in memory of him in The Full Monty, cling-wrapping himself whilst chowing down on a king-sized mars bar. "I've heard of anti-wrinkle cream but I've never heard of anti-fat-bastard cream." (The Full Monty)

"Where for art mine Tesco Clubcard?"

6. The rest of the intensely beautiful cast: Makes for easy watching, innit.

And they say pets look like their owners...

7. Setting: David Benioff and D.B Weiss bring the adventure to life on a backdrop of jaw-dropping scenery and breath-taking fantasy lands that'll make you forget where you are for the entirety of the show.

8. Violence: Who doesn't enjoy a bit of bloody brutality on a Monday night?

9. Sex: Not quite as raunchy as Rome, but more buff bods, butts and boobs than you can shake a medieval stick at.

10. Bite-sized drama: Because who has Lord of the Rings kind of time these days? I mean honestly.

Games of Thrones airs Mondays at 9pm on Sky Atlantic

Let the stories begin...

                        Atlantic City, 1920. When alcohol was outlawed, outlaws became kings

Apparently the original concept derives from Largs...

I write this short blog with one eye on the time as in but 10 minutes a potential rival for my Mad Men obsession is hitting the screens of smug Sky viewers everywhere.

Boardwalk Empire is the hotly anticipated and widely acclaimed new offering from one of the masterminds behind the Sopranos, Terence Winter, and it's about to set imaginations and hearts alight with the promise of as much suave ganster drama and televisual stimulation as you can get from an hour-long episode.

With Martin Scorsese at the directorial helm, and Steve Buscemi in the lead role of Nucky Thompson, this tale of politics and crime on the boardwalks of Atlantic City looks set to enthrall and excite. Hopes are high for sterling performances from supporting actors Michael Pitt and Kelly MacDonald as well.

Will it live up to the Hoffman hype? (those ads really cut to the core of me) I certainly hope so.