Wim Hof, the grooviest of gurus, sits cross-legged in a poncho atop an Alp, dispensing wisdom; then he stands up, and does a bit of fake tai chi. At his behest a gaggle of celebs - whom I would categorise as 'recognisable, but not very interesting' - take quarter of an hour to walk to a frozen lake, and another quarter of an hour to make up their minds to jump in; then quarter of an hour to rope-walk down a cliff, and the final quarter of an hour to go home and go to bed.
That's one problem: it's an unintentional addition to the 'slow TV' genre. The second problem is that the affirmatory, you-can-do-it vibe is too cuddly; there's no edge, no jeopardy. If they do it they're so brave, they would never have thought etc; if they don't they have also been brave, and so true to themselves; either way it's hugs all round. And the third is that, given the vibe, Lee Mack's usual sarky schtick is totally out of place. He seems to have been included as light relief, but it unbalances the entire show. Is this whole thing kinda ridiculous, and are we laughing at the fame-hungry (and emotionally needy) celebs driven to do it - like the challenges on I'm A Celeb - in which case we are basically taking the mick out of Guru Wim? Or is it life-changing wonderment - in which case Lee Mack, who can't say 'good morning' without sounding sarcastic, is an unsympathetic scoffer who is spoiling it.
But I think the first problem is the biggest. Six hours of this promises to be a LOT.
That's one problem: it's an unintentional addition to the 'slow TV' genre. The second problem is that the affirmatory, you-can-do-it vibe is too cuddly; there's no edge, no jeopardy. If they do it they're so brave, they would never have thought etc; if they don't they have also been brave, and so true to themselves; either way it's hugs all round. And the third is that, given the vibe, Lee Mack's usual sarky schtick is totally out of place. He seems to have been included as light relief, but it unbalances the entire show. Is this whole thing kinda ridiculous, and are we laughing at the fame-hungry (and emotionally needy) celebs driven to do it - like the challenges on I'm A Celeb - in which case we are basically taking the mick out of Guru Wim? Or is it life-changing wonderment - in which case Lee Mack, who can't say 'good morning' without sounding sarcastic, is an unsympathetic scoffer who is spoiling it.
But I think the first problem is the biggest. Six hours of this promises to be a LOT.