"Reminiscent of a caricature of Emmerdale's Adele Silva"

So, what to make of the Victoria Beckham-sprinkled episode of Ugly Betty?

The big question has to be does Posh have an enormous, self-deprecating sense of humour or was she stitched up by the writers? I'm really hoping it's the former because I really like the idea that she finds the whole media frenzy about her moving to America as funny as everyone else. The constant news updates featuring ever-more-crazy tales of the Beckhams taking over New York to the point where they were named rulers of the city were both scarily accurate and hugely hilarious. And in the light of the Tesco advert fiasco, the scene where Posh used Wilhelmina's wedding to plug her new energy drink was pitch perfect.

Thankfully Victoria wasn't actually called on to act very much, though when she did her pouting, mock cockney persona was reminiscent of a caricature of Emmerdale's Adele Silva. Which is no bad thing. The rest of the cast were on fine-form too, from Wilhelmina's desperation to get Bradford to say I do no matter what to Amanda's impromptu Kelis impersonation. Only the grating Betty and Henry relationship dragged the episode down, and the introduction of Christina's husband (Derek Riddell from the excellent Book Group) could prove seriously dull.

And poor Alan Dale - killed off by a heart attack yet again (as he was in both Neighbours and The OC). He might not have been happy that the show had become more comedy than comedy drama, but expiring on your wedding day after learning you've been cuckolded isn't a nice way to go.