Would I miss this? As If!!

Advantages: Brilliant Cast, Excellent Storylines
Disadvantages: Massively under-rated

...I first came across As If when an episode of the first series was screened on E4. I was instantly hooked. If I remember correctly, the episode focussed on Sooz, a character who I can identify with. So what is As If. For starters, it is not your typical teen-aimed programme. Whilst Dawson's Creek and others tackle hard hitting issues, they seem to be covered in sugar. And then when I try to think of something that remotely parallels As If, I can't. 'As If' stars six London students, Jamie, Sooz, Nicki, Sasha, Rob and Alex. Each character is very individual and each seem to reflect the behaviour exhibited by everyday teenagers. There is no glorifying of the characters. They all have their faults, be it Sooz's struggle with depression to Rob's abusive home life. However, they are incredible enjoyable to watch, especially Jaime, who...

AntBeki 07.05.2004 · Read review
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Review of Channel 4 - As If

As If is possibly the most understated show on tv

Advantages: Funny, sensitive and always tackling hardline subjects with a great deal of aplomb
Disadvantages: The restrictive time-slot makes you feel like it could be added to

...Not seen As If yet? Well, if you haven't then you're probably one of the many millions who have never heard of or been bothered to watch it. Championed by entertainment magazine "Heat", As If is a grittier, more realistic alternative to Dawson's Creek, set in London. It follows the lives of 6 17/18 year old college students (alex, jamie, rob, sasha, nicki and sooz) and their daily trials and tribulations as they tackle the rollercoaster that is adolescene. It deals with many of the taboo subjects which Channel 4 seem so revolutionary in tackling; underage gay sex, abusive parents and infidelity to name a few. Its viewing time of 6pm on wednesdays and thursdays (with an omnibus show at 12pm on sundays) limits the depth and graphicness which can be shown, but never-the-less they are tackled with sensitive, uncontrived script...

jambo5678 30.04.2001 · Read review
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Review of Channel 4 - As If

Economics as if people mattered

Advantages: This is a profound, humane and challenging book.
Disadvantages: Schumacher's analysis does need updating in the current political climate.

...If there's one book you should read to understand why those anti-capitalist demonstrators are out there shaking up Genoa, it's not a new book but E.F. Schumacher's classic, 'Small is Beautiful: a Study of Econcomics as if People Mattered'. Schumacher was born in Germany but came to England in 1930 as a Rhodes Scholar, studying economics at New College, Oxford. He found the purely academic life too cloistered, though, and ended up as Economic Adviser to the British Control Commission in Germany from 1946 to 1950. Latterly his views on issues of rural development were sought by a number of overseas governments. First published in Britain in 1973, 'Small is Beautiful had a profound effect on the environmental consciousness which later became the Green Movement. So what is 'Small is Beautiful' about? One of the first things that is...

plwood 13.08.2001 · Read review
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Review of Small Is Beautiful (A Study of Economics as If People Mattered) - E.F. Schumacher

The crappiest show on earth - As If

Advantages: Wonderful cast and storylines
Disadvantages: fast moving, but at least it keeps you awake!

...As If is brittish tv at its best. The cast are amazing and i feel this programme is so unheard of its a crime. The director uses a unique style of his own and the soundtrack is up to the minute and funky. A set of friends, 3 girls and 3 boys, i know what you are thinking typical 3 coulpes falling in and out of love, but its not like that. One of them, Alex is gay. Nikki is a HYOWGE flirt, Rob is gorgeous and unfortunatly for the whole human race of females is goin out with Sasha. Jamie is a typical hormone full lad and Sooze is my favourite character of them all. She dresses as a goth/mosher type and acts all hard but under it all shes v.sensitive. She doesnt have much luck witht the boys and she really does deserve someone to care for her. I think you must be non-human if you manage to watch the episode where she is going to commit...

Sheriff_Clow 08.08.2001 · Read review
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Review of Channel 4 - As If

As If - Why not

Advantages: Doesn't clash with Family Affairs on channel 5
Disadvantages: Stops me from studying

...Take six friends - three boys and three girls. I know what you're thinking Channel 4 are attempting to create a British, adolescent version of "Friends". And you know what the 'British' version is like - usually heavily cliched and not as amusing. However, As If is different. It is on the forefront of terrestial television entertainment. The cinematography alone was enought o get me hook, line and sinker from episode one - and I'm no media boff! These fancy features are usually wasted on mere mortals such as myself, but As If seeks to inculde everyone. The characters are not unrealistically good looking (see Beverley Hills 90210 and all other Spelling creations), and unlike the Dawson Creek-ers, their vocabulary is not so unbelievably extensive and verbose. Serious youth issues that concern...

e.s.ince 17.05.2001 · Read review
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Review of Channel 4 - As If

Dead as a Doornail

Advantages: Exciting and surprising novel
Disadvantages: too many non-human types

.... She writes in such a way as the build up these features and in a way you are never have a clue as to what will happen next. Any criticism I have in terms of the story is the addition of several other non human types to the book. The first concentrated on Vampires but in this one there were four types. This can get a little confusing and something I find difficult to get my head round. I am concerned if this continues in future books it could become not only confusing but silly. I believe Sookie Stackhouse is a fantastic character. I like the fact she is nervous and sensitive at times and lacks believe and confidence in herself. Her character and personality are so well described and there is a consistency that I like in the author's writing when dealing with her. I get the impression the author likes her too. The only criticism I...

CPTDANIELS 01.11.2008 · Read review
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Review of Dead as a Doornail - Charlaine Harris

As if by magic!

Advantages: No mess, portable mats, easy to take out to keep children occupied
Disadvantages: Only one pen supplied, mats are quite thin

...contains water, it wouldn't be a major problem if a particularly wily toddler also managed to work it out. The small size of these mats makes them ideal for travelling or for keeping in your changing bag for those times when you need to keep a toddler occupied - meals out and holidays, for example. I have to admit that these don't hold my two year old's attention for quite as long as I hoped they would! I took them with us to use when we went to his brother's sports day but they didn't keep him amused for very long. Never mind - it was worth a try! Surprisingly, my six year old seems to enjoy playing with these more than his little brother at the moment. Perhaps that's why he chose them! The packs only contain one pen, which is a bit of a shame when the pack contains four mats as, obviously, only one child can play with the pen at a time...

jo-1976 12.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Tomy Winnie the Pooh Aquadraw Mini Mat

Will you go to bed with me

Advantages: Covers some 'heavy' material, not bad Sunday viewing,
Disadvantages: No particularly great story lines since i've been watching it

..."As If" is one of Channel 4's newest "teen drama's". As with most of Channel 4's programmes though, you usually have to wait a good few months for the new series'. Unless you have E4 on a digital service! ~ What's As If about? ~ Well, as with all 'teen dramas' you can expect to get content along the lines of booze, drugs and of course a bit of sex thrown in for good measure. As If traces the everyday lives of six London teenagers. And that's about it to be honest! You don't really get much more out of this show. Each half-hour show is devoted to a different member of the gang. This can get a little tedious if you watch it regularly because thier lives don't really change much. = ~ Who's in it? ~ = Characters include...

Sarah_Louise 18.03.2002 · Read review
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Review of Channel 4 - As If

As If One's Enough

Advantages: Some big tunes
Disadvantages: Not too special

.... I felt that as a result it can?t be see as anything more than an average one for its inconsistencies. **Three Stars** 5. ?Busted? (Lude) 6. ?What Would You Do? After a short interlude you see that he gets back down to things here as he keeps it all down to the Dirty South style with the style of the beats and the way that he comes with explicit rhymes that have been rooted in the southern scene since it began with the 2 Live Crew?s material in the mid eighties. Here you see 8Ball assisting him to show that they are nowhere near splitting as they rhyme about what would be done if they found their girls cheating. **Four Stars** 7. ?Mack Life? T-Mack, the man behind most of the production on this one, is seen to do some of the rhymes on this one as you see that he comes out with some pretty fresh rhymes that he felt he should get in...

XICripZ 14.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of This Might Be The Day - MJG

Clueless? As if!

Advantages: Fun, light-hearted comedy; great performances; witty dialogue
Disadvantages: none

...Fifteen year old Cher Horrowitz has the perfect life. The perfect Beverly Hills mansion, the perfect designer wardrobe and the perfect convertible jeep to go cruising round town in. And, like, what else matters? But after her geeky older stepbrother Josh accuses her of being shallow and self-centered (as if!), Cher decides to prove him wrong. And in new girl at school, Tai, she sees the perfect opportunity to do so. Tai is ‘clueless’. Dressed in baggy jeans and, heaven forbid, a plaid shirt, and with sloppily home dyed hair, she so does not fit in with the well dressed rich kids. But not to worry, because Cher is going to do … a makeover! With Cher’s (and best friend Dionne’s) help, Tai might just become the most popular girl in school! Cher’s matchmaking attempts see her trying to pair Tai...

bubblegum_princess 02.07.2004 · Read review
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Review of Clueless (DVD)