Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson's new HBO series "True Detective" is being touted as "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/true-detective-best-show-on-tv-2014-2" target="_blank">The best new show on television.</a>" Even Obama is a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-asked-hbo-chief-for-advanced-episodes-of-true-detective-and-game-of-thrones-2014-2" target="_blank">huge fan</a>!
Twitter, too, went nuts over the show yesterday when #TrueDetectiveSeason2 became a trending hashtag.
Here's how it works: pair the hashtag with a photo of an unlikely duo and voilá, McConaughey and Harrelson are humorously re-cast as the Olsen twins, Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski, or Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Devito. 
Casting directors take note, here are some of our favorite ideas below:
Oprah and Gayle:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23truedetectiveseason2&amp;src=hash">#truedetectiveseason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/jFvzlTXFN7">pic.twitter.com/jFvzlTXFN7</a>
- kelly oxford (@kellyoxford) <a href="https://twitter.com/kellyoxford/statuses/436716937721044992">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23truedetectiveseason2&amp;src=hash">#truedetectiveseason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/A4sIkMwsVn">pic.twitter.com/A4sIkMwsVn</a>
- kelly oxford (@kellyoxford) <a href="https://twitter.com/kellyoxford/statuses/436722811332071424">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrueDetectiveSeason2&amp;src=hash">#TrueDetectiveSeason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/hztTc5BMjt">pic.twitter.com/hztTc5BMjt</a>
- David J. Loehr (@dloehr) <a href="https://twitter.com/dloehr/statuses/436626520623153152">February 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
Former "Today" co-hosts Ann Curry and Matt Lauer:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrueDetectiveSeason2&amp;src=hash">#TrueDetectiveSeason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/29ZFDcTTXL">pic.twitter.com/29ZFDcTTXL</a>
- Jordan Valinsky (@jordan327) <a href="https://twitter.com/jordan327/statuses/436652328075399168">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrueDetectiveSeason2&amp;src=hash">#TrueDetectiveSeason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/ufMacPsROF">pic.twitter.com/ufMacPsROF</a>
- Ryan McGee (@TVMcGee) <a href="https://twitter.com/TVMcGee/statuses/436666177708773376">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
"Twins" co-stars Danny Devito and Arnold Schwarzenegger:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/sepinwall">@sepinwall</a> <a href="http://t.co/RCCfeOOBTm">pic.twitter.com/RCCfeOOBTm</a>
- Jason Horwitz (@jgwitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/jgwitz/statuses/436727905607884800">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrueDetectiveSeason2&amp;src=hash">#TrueDetectiveSeason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/A4yZ7RKEBC">pic.twitter.com/A4yZ7RKEBC</a>
- Tom Ganjamie (@tomgam) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomgam/statuses/436621247758090240">February 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
Shaquille O'Neal and Bill Gates:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrueDetectiveSeason2&amp;src=hash">#TrueDetectiveSeason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/4e2BJb0rDT">pic.twitter.com/4e2BJb0rDT</a>
- Alan Simpson (@AlanSimpson84) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlanSimpson84/statuses/436812836497817600">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
Michael Jackson and E.T.:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrueDetectiveSeason2&amp;src=hash">#TrueDetectiveSeason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/8U3XPHx7iv">pic.twitter.com/8U3XPHx7iv</a>
- Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikeryan/statuses/436629285533933568">February 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
Drake and Toronto "Crack Mayor" Rob Ford:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrueDetectiveSeason2&amp;src=hash">#TrueDetectiveSeason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/gEhpum28i3">pic.twitter.com/gEhpum28i3</a>
- Ayesha A. Siddiqi (@pushinghoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/pushinghoops/statuses/436707810962059264">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
Cee lo Green and his cat:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrueDetectiveSeason2&amp;src=hash">#TrueDetectiveSeason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/MoFMElRXJm">pic.twitter.com/MoFMElRXJm</a>
- Actually Matt C (@ActuallyMattC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ActuallyMattC/statuses/436885257443233792">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
Jimmy Kimmel and Justin Timberlake:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrueDetectiveSeason2&amp;src=hash">#TrueDetectiveSeason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/j7UoRKKdQs">pic.twitter.com/j7UoRKKdQs</a>
- GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) <a href="https://twitter.com/GQMagazine/statuses/436881409622282240">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
Siskel and Ebert:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrueDetectiveSeason2&amp;src=hash">#TrueDetectiveSeason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/3xL3Nyq4PC">pic.twitter.com/3xL3Nyq4PC</a>
- Kristopher Tapley (@kristapley) <a href="https://twitter.com/kristapley/statuses/436667703881777152">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep from "Death Becomes Her":
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Here's one option. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrueDetectiveSeason2&amp;src=hash">#TrueDetectiveSeason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/66a94AazWm">pic.twitter.com/66a94AazWm</a>
- Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) <a href="https://twitter.com/akstanwyck/statuses/436652844276396032">February 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
And finally ... cuddly animals:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TrueDetectiveSeason2&amp;src=hash">#TrueDetectiveSeason2</a> <a href="http://t.co/PRi2v5wBIO">pic.twitter.com/PRi2v5wBIO</a>
- Patrick (@pattymo) <a href="https://twitter.com/pattymo/statuses/436620723571146752">February 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>

Twitter Came Up With Amazing Casting Suggestions For Viral Hashtag #TrueDetectiveSeason2

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/572efcd6dd089523728b45d0-1611-1208/sadiqkhanceremony.jpg" alt="sadiqkhanceremony" data-mce-source="PA" data-mce-caption="File photo dated 7/5/2016 of Sadiq Khan who has said in a in a clear message to party leader Jeremy Corbyn that Labour can only win elections if it reaches beyond its own activists." />PAFile photo dated 7/5/2016 of Sadiq Khan who has said in a in a clear message to party leader Jeremy Corbyn that Labour can only win elections if it reaches beyond its own activists.</div></div></div>Sadiq Khan of the Labour party <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/mayor-of-london-election-results-winner-sadiq-khan-for-labour-wins-exit-polls-zac-goldsmith-stats-2016-5">became the new Mayor of London on Friday</a> after securing a comfortable victory over his closest rival - the Conservative party's Zac Goldsmith - <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/elections-liveblog-mayor-of-london-results-winner-sadiq-khan-zac-goldsmith-exit-polls-2016-5">with </a><a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/elections-liveblog-mayor-of-london-results-winner-sadiq-khan-zac-goldsmith-exit-polls-2016-5">1,310,143 votes.</a>But his election wasn't just a stand out win in the Mayor of London race - it was a a record number of votes for a single politician in the <keyword id="6354868" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="UK">UK</keyword>.And how did he do this? - He appealed to all types Londoners; natural Labour voters, those who usually vote Conservative and more than just the <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/momentum-the-inside-story-of-how-jeremy-corbyn-took-control-of-the-labour-party-2016-2">staunch activists that got the leader of the Labour party that got Jeremy Corbyn elected last year</a>.Khan's victory was a sharp contrast to Labour's overall performance in the May elections. The unthinkable happened as Labour was <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/labour-third-in-scotland-parliament-elections-may-results-2016-5">beaten to second place by the Conservatives</a> in the Scottish Parliament elections. It also lost 23 seats in the council elections in England. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2016/wales">It also failed to secure a majority in Wales</a>, where UKIP saw a huge gain.<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/07/sadiq-khan-londoners-deserve-better-tory-campaign">So in an opinion piece written for The Observer</a>, Khan unveiled what he thinks is the recipe to his success and what the Labour party could learn from it when it comes to the General Election in 2020.Here's the key extract from his article (emphasis ours):Labour has to be a big tent that appeals to everyone - not just its <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/momentum-the-inside-story-of-how-jeremy-corbyn-took-control-of-the-labour-party-2016-2">activists</a>. Campaigns that deliberately turn their back on particular groups are doomed to fail. Just like in London, so-called natural Labour voters alone will never be enough to win a general election. We must be able to persuade people who previously voted Conservative that Labour can be trusted with the economy and security, as well as improving public services and creating a fairer society.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/572efcd6dd089523728b45d1-1735-1301/khanmckellen.jpg" alt="khanmckellen" data-mce-source="PA" data-mce-caption="Sir Ian McKellen greets the newly elected Mayor of London Sadiq Khan ahead of his signing ceremony at Southwark Cathedral, central London." />PASir Ian McKellen greets the newly elected Mayor of London Sadiq Khan ahead of his signing ceremony at Southwark Cathedral, central London.</div></div></div>He isn't the only one within the Labour party that has remarked on how Corbyn style policies - more traditional socialist policies that date back to the 1970s - is not working for the political party overall.During the elections on Friday, the Labour MP who was the former shadow chancellor before he resigned when Corbyn became leader in 2015, said he was "mortified" with the Scotland loss for Labour, that it is "a lesson in what the public want" and "what they want is a centreground, like what Sadiq is providing for London." "Scotland doesn't want to go down that militant experiment" under Corbyn, Leslie added.In September 2015, Jeremy Corbyn <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/labours-jeremy-corbyn-names-front-bench-mps-after-lots-quit-2015-9">won the Labour leadership</a> vote with a landslide 59.5% of the vote over the weekend.This was huge. Andy Burnham came second with 19%, and Yvette Cooper finished with just 11%. Around <a href="https://twitter.com/IainMcNicol/status/643004671343370240" class="story-body__link-external">15,500 new members joined Labour in the 24 hours</a> since Corbyn's win.<a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-corbynomics-the-new-labour-leaders-radical-economic-platform-2015-9">It was a massive deal because Corbyn is politician who is happy to reverse the Blairite policies of the past</a>. He is a staunch socialist and even sang a socialist anthem after winning the Labour Party leadership race. He wants a government that will nationalise more companies, abolish austerity, and levy more taxes on business. <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/momentum-the-inside-story-of-how-jeremy-corbyn-took-control-of-the-labour-party-2016-2">It was activists that got him elected.</a>In contrast, Khan is a lot more business friendly and has regularly <a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/86411474-5d2f-11e5-a28b-50226830d644.html#axzz483Is3c7K">criticised Corbyn's right-hand man (Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell) for the last nine months over business and economic proposals.</a>However, it has been less than a year since Corbyn came to power in the Labour party and criticism and infighting has dogged the group. High profile politicians like Burnham is also thinking of leaving to become the Mayor of Manchester.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/572efdb8dd08955a628b456e-1124-843/rtx29we0.jpg" alt="Jeremy Corbyn smiling" data-mce-source="Stefan Wermuth / Reuters" />Stefan Wermuth / Reuters</div></div></div>Khan, in his article for The Observer, pointed out that the party needs to pull together and stop fighting to focus on the job at hand."Squabbles over internal structures might be important for some in the party, but it is clear they mean little or nothing to the huge majority of voters. As tempting as it might be, we must always resist focusing in on ourselves and ignoring what people really want," he said."Throughout my campaign, we focused on the issues that Londoners care about most - the lack of affordable housing, transport infrastructure and fares, the NHS, the need for real neighbourhood policing and pro-business policies."It might seem like stating the obvious, but offering solutions to the challenges most people face every day is the only way to win elections. How can you expect to enthuse an undecided voter, or persuade a previous Tory voter, if you can't gain their trust on the key issues, or you don't want to talk about what they care about most?" <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/property-brothers-what-tricky-real-estate-code-words-really-mean-2016-4">Be sure to learn the actual meaning of these real estate 'code words' before looking for a new place</a></h3> <div> <div> <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="pwMHIzMzE6ScSRLxmN5b0zjEe3_Nvmgy" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> <script> if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; } RunFunctions.push(function() { var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'pwMHIzMzE6ScSRLxmN5b0zjEe3_Nvmgy',{ autoplay: 'false' }); }); </script> <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div> </div> <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script> </div>

Sadiq Khan nailed exactly why he won the elections by a landslide while his party Labour had disastrous results

<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/52e157206da811625a40e236-1200-924/mirror-3.jpg?maxX=800" border="0" alt="mirror" width="800" />Channel 4</div></div>Several hundred channels seems like a lot. So why is there nothing to watch? 
That's where Hola, a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox, comes in. The program disguises your device's location, allowing you to sneak past geoblocking tools like those employed by overseas TV networks.
You got it, Sherlock….
That means you can stream certain beloved series (think "Dr. Who," "Downton Abbey" and yes, "Sherlock") when they air in the UK rather than waiting months for the US airdates. 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hola-tv-watch-olympics-vpn-blocker-netflix-world-2014-1">How to Watch Whatever TV Program You Want Anywhere in the World »</a> 
A note of caution: Some sites require users to register with an email address, and it might be prudent to create a new address for the purpose. Although using Hola and other VPN proxies is not illegal, it does violate the Terms of Service for many sites. Business Insider does not advocate doing that ever, under any circumstances. As for the links below, you'll need to live in the UK (or install <a href="https://hola.org/" target="_blank">Hola</a>), to make them work.
In any case, there's also a ton of great TV that most Americans have never heard of. It's not all must-see TV - far from it - but there are a few gems out there. Some of our favorites:
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/52e156f56bb3f7887e40e236-600-340/black%20mirror%202.jpg" border="0" alt="black mirror 2" width="800" />Channel 4</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">Black Mirror (<a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od">Channel 4</a>)</h3>
Named 2012's best TV movie/miniseries at the International Emmys (who knew?), the show - often compared to a latter-day "Twilight Zone" - consists of individual dramas examining the excesses of the digital era. In the jaw-dropping premiere, an anonymous hacker kidnaps the British princess, then demands that the prime minister have sex with a pig on live TV or watch the royal be murdered on YouTube.
 
 <div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/52e14517ecad04d94bad5620-1200-706/screen%20shot%202014-01-22%20at%203.53.55%20pm.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 01 22 at 3.53.55 PM" width="800" />BBC</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">Uncle (<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/">BBC</a>)</h3>
British comic and musician Nick Helm makes his TV debut as a loser musician who has to keep an eye on his young nephew.
 
 <div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/52e14568eab8eaa37d5bb2bc-1200-706/screen%20shot%202014-01-22%20at%2011.49.15%20am.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 01 22 at 11.49.15 AM" width="800" />Channel4</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">Dates (<a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od">Channel 4</a>)</h3>
Think "My Dinner With Andre," only way sexier. Each episode follows a different couple on a date. It's a wee bit slow by American standards, but brilliantly written, expertly acted (including a great turn by "Game of Thrones'" Oona Chaplin, and highly addictive. (s1e3)
 
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/52e148fe6bb3f7336140e237-1200-706/screen%20shot%202014-01-23%20at%2011.10.16%20am.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 01 23 at 11.10.16 AM" width="800" />Channel 4</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">Educating Yorkshire (<a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od">Channel 4</a>)</h3>
A documentary series following a beleaguered British middle school for a year, as a new administrator works to turn it around. One Direction's Louis Tomlinson is a <a href="https://twitter.com/Louis_Tomlinson/status/375731326240161792">fan</a>.
 
<div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/52e149556da8113d3040e236-1200-706/screen%20shot%202014-01-23%20at%2011.17.42%20am.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 01 23 at 11.17.42 AM" width="800" />Channel 4</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">Secrets of the Living Dolls (<a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od">Channel 4</a>)</h3>
Back off, Barbie. Men who dress up as dolls, known as "female maskers" are the subject of this much-blogged-about documentary, coming soon to Logo. 
 
 <div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/52e149dc6da811ca3040e23c-702-394/screen%20shot%202014-01-22%20at%205.21.24%20pm.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 01 22 at 5.21.24 PM" width="800" />ITV</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">Vicious (<a href="https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/">ITV</a>)</h3>
Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi play a deliciously venomous old gay couple in this otherwise by-the-book sitcom from a former "Family Guy" producer. Rarely has so much Shakespearean firepower been put to less high-minded use - which in itself makes this worth a look.
 
 <div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/52e154beecad042e73ad561b-660-413/deadset.jpg" border="0" alt="deadset" width="800" />Channel 4</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">Dead Set (<a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od">Channel 4</a>)</h3>
The stars and producers of a fictional season of "Big Brother" must fight for their lives when a bizarre outbreak begins turning London residents into cannibalistic monsters. It's a weird mashup of reality TV satire and zombie thriller, but it works.
 
 <div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/52e1549ceab8eabf215bb2bc-604-340/blackout.jpg" border="0" alt="blackout" width="800" />Channel 4</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">Blackout (<a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od">Channel 4</a>)</h3>
What if cyberterrorists took out Britain's electricity grid? This chilling speculative TV movie - stitched together with supposedly found footage from cell phones - is so realistic it's guaranteed to have you stockpiling provisions.
 
 <div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/52e14b26ecad04655aad561f-1200-706/screen%20shot%202014-01-22%20at%204.16.36%20pm.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 01 22 at 4.16.36 PM" width="800" />BBC</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Bridge (<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/">BBC</a>)</h3>
The Danish/Swedish crime drama was remade for FX, but the original is way creepier, because, of course, it's Scandinavian.
 
 <div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/52e14b7f6da811ba3740e239-1200-706/screen%20shot%202014-01-22%20at%204.30.27%20pm.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 01 22 at 4.30.27 PM" width="800" />Channel 4</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Undatables (<a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od">Channel 4</a>)</h3>
In this popular reality series expert matchmakers work with lonelyhearts considered "undateable," due to various physical and mental differences, like Ruth (pictured), a jazz singer with Tourettes Syndrome.
 
 <div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/52e14c2f6da811a43840e236-1200-706/screen%20shot%202014-01-22%20at%204.37.28%20pm.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 01 22 at 4.37.28 PM" width="800" />Channel 4</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents (<a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od">Channel 4</a>)</h3>
Wayward British youth are sent off for booze-soaked vacations in Thailand in this reality series. The catch: their parents secretly make the trip as well, and spy on their every indiscretion.
 
 <div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/52e14c6969bedd0c5b325dd8-1200-632/screen%20shot%202014-01-22%20at%205.08.28%20pm.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 01 22 at 5.08.28 PM" width="800" />BBC</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">Benidorm (<a href="https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/">ITV</a>)</h3>
An amusing sitcom set in a Spanish resort hotel frequented by middle class Brits.
 
 <div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/52e1538069bedd9f66325dda-1200-706/screen%20shot%202014-01-23%20at%2012.37.19%20pm.png" border="0" alt="Screen Shot 2014 01 23 at 12.37.19 PM" width="800" />Channel 4</div></div>
<h3 dir="ltr">The Fried Chicken Shop (<a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od">Channel 4</a>)</h3>
Set in a down-at-the-heels fast food joint that attracts a colorful (and often intoxicated) clientele, this documentary series has surprisingly poignant charm. 
<div></div>

'Sherlock,' 'Downton Abbey,' And 13 Other Great British TV Shows You Can Watch For Free Right Now

<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5490514fecad043f75ab552d-1200-924/the-hobbit-battle-of-five-armies-3.jpg" border="0" alt="the hobbit battle of five armies">Warner Bros./MGMGandalf (Ian McKellen) and Bard (Luke Evans) collaborate in the final film.</img>Warning: There are some minor spoilers ahead for "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies."
Two years after the release of the first "Hobbit" movie, this is the one we've been waiting for.&#xa0;
Dwarves and elves battling orcs, an angry dragon decimating an entire town, and a seemingly ageless Orlando Bloom slinging back arrows and taking names as the sleek archer Legolas.
"The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" (BOTFA) is definitely the best of the trilogy.&#xa0;Of course, that may not be saying much overall. The first movie, "An Unexpected Journey," felt like a lot of filler time on screen just to stretch out the franchise into three films. It took nearly the entire second film, "The Desolation of Smuag," for the fearsome dragon to make his grand appearance.
As the (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/apr/24/peter-jackson-hobbit-battle-of-the-five-armies">new</a>) title suggests, BOTFA is the one where the majority of the non-stop action takes place.&#xa0;
If you haven't seen the second film, catch up before heading to theaters or you'll be a bit confused since the movie immediately picks up where the last one left off. They're not wasting any time with this one.&#xa0;
For those who don't have about three hours to kill, here's the too-long-didn't-watch synopsis:
 After stumbling along for much of two movies, the company of 13 (dwarves + hobbit Bilbo Baggins) has finally arrived at the Lonely Mountain to reclaim the treasure of Erebor from a treacherous dragon Smaug. They've chased the dragon from the mountain, setting it loose upon the poor, unexpecting inhabitants of Lake Town.
Thematically, the entire film feels very familiar. Like the third "The Lord of the Rings" movie, "The Return of the King," BOFTA is a lead up to a giant battle. The former is against the dark Lord Sauron. The latter, as the title suggests, is between five armies.
<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548ecc6d6da811bd26f2bb4a-1200-522/hobbit-five-armies.jpg" border="0" alt="hobbit five armies">Warner Bros. / MGM</img>And here's where it gets a little confusing. If you don't follow the books, you'll sit there trying to figure out who these five armies are throughout the film.&#xa0;If you've read the books, you'll instantly know. But the film makes it slightly less clear.
Obviously, the elves are one army and the dwarves another. Then there are the Orcs. The people of Lake Town are another, but do you categorize them with the elves and dwarves since they eventually team up? Then the Orcs have two armies. So does that count as one or two? Later on, the Eagles join in. Are they an army? If so, I'm counting about six. (For the record, the OFFICIAL FIVE armies are the elves, the men, the dwarves, the Goblins, and Wargs in case you're wondering.)&#xa0;
Army counting aside, the 45-minute battle itself in BOFTA is awesome.
<a title_source="Warner Bros. / MGM" title_caption="We could watch Legolas in his own spin-off movie to " The="" Lord="" of="" the="" Rings="" and="" be="" equally="" entertained.="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548fa2e76bb3f7206bde614d-960/legolas-the-hobbit-battle-of-the-five-armies-1.jpg"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548fa2e76bb3f7206bde614d-1200-600/legolas-the-hobbit-battle-of-the-five-armies-1.jpg" border="0" alt="legolas the hobbit battle of the five armies" /></a>Warner Bros. / MGMWe could watch Legolas in his own spin-off movie to "The Lord of the Rings" and be equally entertained.There are fantastic action sequences involving Legolas (Orlando Bloom), his father, the Elvenking Thranduil (Lee Pace), on a gorgeous elk,&#xa0;and, Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly). Once Thorin and his dwarf companions join the fight things really pick up. For fans of the series, director Peter Jackson's immense attention to detail is a plus. Viewers will notice a small reference to Sting, Bilbo's sword that turns blue when Orcs are near. The fight even manages to address one thing that probably bothered many while watching the original LOTR trilogy - <a href="https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110111035922AAl4gbQ">how does Legolas never run out of arrows while fighting</a>?
The visuals of Middle Earth continue to astound. It's no wonder why director Peter Jackson has filmed in New Zealand for the better part of a decade.
<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548ecc6f69beddcc25d4050d-1200-522/hobbit-the-five-armies.jpg" border="0" alt="hobbit the five armies">Warner Bros. / MGM</img>The main problem is that the stakes never feel large enough. In "The Return of the King," Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Gandalf, Legolas, and more all team up to take down the dark force of Sauron. That's a pretty noble cause worth dying for. There were plenty of times where you're on the verge of tears while watching the Oscar winner. It's a classic you can watch over and over again. BOTFA&#xa0;leaves something to be desired.&#xa0;
Here, everyone's fighting to gain possession of the Lonely Mountain and its many riches after the dragon Smaug abandons it. The story is more about greed and control than necessarily fighting against the forces of evil.&#xa0;
<a title_source="Warner Bros. / MGM" title_caption="This sums up a big portion of " The="" Hobbit:="" Battle="" of="" the="" Five="" Armies.="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548ecc75eab8ea355cb5e4bb-960/hobbit-battle-of-the-five-armies.jpg"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548ecc75eab8ea355cb5e4bb-1200-522/hobbit-battle-of-the-five-armies.jpg" border="0" alt="hobbit battle of the five armies" /></a>Warner Bros. / MGMThis sums up a big portion of "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies."Since it's a prequel, you more or less go in with a fair idea of where you'll end up by the end of the movie (i.e. you know who will live vs. who may die).
The other main issue with the "Hobbit" trilogy is that many of&#xa0;the characters aren't that likeable. I've said this before in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hobbit-the-desolation-of-smaug-review-2013-12">my review of the last film</a>, but they're pretty much all selfish jerks - even Gandalf at times (magnificently played by Sir Ian McKellen) - which makes it difficult to root for many of them.&#xa0;
- The (majority of the) dwarves: At the start of the first film, they show little concern for Bilbo's life. They bust into his home and raid his food before hiring him to work as a burglar to retrieve the Arkenstone, a family heirloom, guarded by the dragon Smaug. They don't care if he dies as long as they get their stone.&#xa0;He's simply a means to an end.&#xa0;Even in the second film, they toss him into the dragon's lair alone.&#xa0;
- Gandalf: The old wizard is in on tricking Bilbo into joining the dwarves on their journey to the Lonely Mountain. Nobody actually thinks he'll make it home alive.&#xa0;
- Thranduil: The Elvenking makes it clear in the second film he's only interested in what's best for his own welfare. He's not going to stick his neck out for anyone else. (I get this. He's a king. I can get behind that.) But then, in this film, *mini-spoiler* he wants to go to war with the dwarves over a few priceless glistening heirloom gems. Those are worth risking lives over? Sigh. *mini-spoiler* By the end of the film, he's much more likeable.&#xa0;<a title_source="Warner Bros. / MGM" title_caption="This isn't just here. Actor Lee Pace has this piercing gaze throughout much of the trilogy." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548ecc766bb3f7023546bc7a-960/thranduil-the-hobbit.jpg"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548ecc766bb3f7023546bc7a-1200-800/thranduil-the-hobbit.jpg" border="0" alt="thranduil the hobbit" style="line-height: 1.5em;" /></a>Warner Bros. / MGMThis isn't just here. Actor Lee Pace has this piercing gaze throughout much of the trilogy.- Bilbo: The main protagonist of the film steals the "one ring to rule them all" and then constantly lies about it to Gandalf, who, it turns out *mini-spoiler* knows he's lying to his face about it *mini-spoiler*.
Bard (Luke Evans) Legolas, Tauriel, and Kili are probably the only redeemable characters with Evans playing the one real hero of the series. In many ways, he's the Aragorn of this trilogy and you wish there was more screen time with the widowed father of three.
<a title_source="Warner Bros. / MGM" title_caption="Bard, in the center, one of the few redeemable character in this series." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54904d5e6bb3f79339163a71-960/bard-the-hobbit-1.jpg"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54904d5e6bb3f79339163a71-1200-600/bard-the-hobbit-1.jpg" border="0" alt="bard the hobbit" /></a>Warner Bros. / MGMBard, in the center, one of the few redeemable character in this series.All of the performances are great.&#xa0;
The unseen Benedict Cumberbatch returns to voice both films villains, Smaug and the Necromancer.
<a title_source="Warner Bros. / MGM" title_caption="Thorin loses his way a bit in the final film." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548fa0e56bb3f76256de6164-960/thorin-the-hobbit-2.jpg"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548fa0e56bb3f76256de6164-1200-600/thorin-the-hobbit-2.jpg" border="0" alt="thorin the hobbit" /></a>Warner Bros. / MGMThorin loses his way a bit in the final film.Richard Armitage's&#xa0;Thorin grapples with an overemphasized illness called dragon sickness that probably could have been downplayed a bit more. This happens in the book, but here it feels a bit weird, forced, and conveniently resolved to move the plot along.
Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, and Christopher Lee return all-too briefly in&#xa0;one of the film's best scenes *mini-spoiler* to face off with the film's villain and future villain of The Lord of the Rings series, the Necromancer *mini-spoiler*. Blanchett is equal parts enchanting and commanding while exemplifying a horrifyingly haunting side to Elf Queen&#xa0;Galadriel. You wish there was more screen time with them.&#xa0;
<a title_source="Warner Bros./MGM" title_caption="A brief scene with Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, and Christopher Lee is definitely among the film's best." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548fa14eecad040227de6158-960/cate-blanchett-hobbit-five-armies-1.jpg"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548fa14eecad040227de6158-1200-600/cate-blanchett-hobbit-five-armies-1.jpg" border="0" alt="cate blanchett hobbit five armies" /></a>Warner Bros./MGMA brief scene with Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, and Christopher Lee is definitely among the film's best.This is one thing that's a bit surprising about the third and final film. It's the shortest of the series at just under two and a half hours and some of the best sequences feel rushed through.
After his menacing presence in the last film, we barely get to see Smaug. As Cumberbatch describes it in the film's production notes, his role is reduced to the likes of "a child having a tantrum" in 15 minutes of BOTFA.
15!? Yes. 15.&#xa0;
Remember, the first film&#xa0;spent around 45 mins in Bilbo's home introducing us to all of the dwarves for a sing-along dinner.&#xa0;
It feels like one of those cliffhanger storyline at the end of your favorite show that gets resolved in the next five minutes of the following episode.&#xa0;
<a title_source="Warner Bros. / MGM" title_caption="Oh great Smaug. How we wish there was more of you." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548ecc67eab8ea8156b5e4b9-960/smaug-the-hobbit.jpg"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/548ecc67eab8ea8156b5e4b9-1200-522/smaug-the-hobbit.jpg" border="0" alt="smaug the hobbit" /></a>Warner Bros. / MGMOh great Smaug. How we wish there was more of you.That was highly a bummer because our screening of the film was&#xa0;in the controversial high-frame rate which shows the movie at 48 frames per second (fps). Normally, audiences view films at 24fps. It's&#xa0;definitely an assault on the eyeballs, at least for the first half hour as your eyes adjust to the screen. Unfortunately, this took away from the scenes with Smaug. Everyone from the people of Lake-town to the dragon looked so sped up at points &#xa0;that some&#xa0;movements started to appear comical. I wouldn't let this deter you, I'd just recommend seeing in another format.&#xa0;
Overall, are you going to have a good time? Yes.&#xa0;
This is one of the few big screenings I've attended this year where the audience, filled with critics, gave a round of applause at the film's end. Illustrated caricatures of the actors at the film's end are a nice touch to the end of the series.
"The Battle of the Five Armies," unlike "The Return of the King" just isn't something you're going to sit around and rewatch over and over again. It's "The Return of the King" lite.
The film is in theaters Wed. Dec. 17.
Watch the trailer.
<iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iVAgTiBrrDA"></iframe>

You Searched For "Sir Ian McKellen" and got 4 results

Twitter Came Up With Amazing Casting Suggestions For Viral Hashtag #TrueDetectiveSeason2

Aly Weisman

Sadiq Khan nailed exactly why he won the elections by a landslide while his party Labour had disastrous results

Lianna Brinded

'Sherlock,' 'Downton Abbey,' And 13 Other Great British TV Shows You Can Watch For Free Right Now

Aaron Gell

The New 'Hobbit' Movie Is Basically A Toned-Down Version Of The Final 'Lord Of The Rings'

Kirsten Acuna