Media: Things we like.(ITV PLC's Opportunity Knocks and Gruner and Jahr Aktiengesellschaft und Co.'s View)

X-FACTOR

It's cheesy, predictable and at times infuriating, but ITV1's reality update of Opportunity Knocks is a much-needed hit for the network. Simon Cowell pompously driving up to auditions in his black Rolls-Royce before laying into the contenders was a highlight of last week's show. We have two concerns, though. First, it's only watchable at the moment because of the dross involved. Nearer the end of the series, the polished acts are much less entertaining. Second, who is that Billy Connolly lookalike dressed like a wizard who helps Sharon Osbourne?

VIEW

Never write off the Germans. Their ad market is shrinking, consumer confidence is on the floor, five million are unemployed, and their choices for chancellor are rubbish. But, amid one of the worst recessions ever, a company still has the balls (and the cash) to launch a magazine. Gruner + Jahr is introducing View, a current affairs monthly full of the most provocative pics of the month. That the publication is picture-heavy is also daring for a print market where photography on the front of newspapers is deemed risque. Expect a UK imitation very soon.

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT

For years it seemed that Channel 4 had the monopoly on buying American TV comedies and piling them into the schedule. However, BBC2 has got in on the act and found a real gem with the wonderfully paced and often hysterically funny Arrested Development - although we reckon it's lost in the ...