reedywomble96 The new series of Minder was broadcast on Five at 9pm on Thursday 4th February 2009, in all honesty I have to say, I didn't think much of it.The first episode didn't get off to a promising start, I was glad when the adverts came on. Shane Richie has already ruffled Dennis Waterman and George Cole's feelings by banning them from guest starring in the show even though the original series made household names for Dennis & George.Real smooth Richie, you've got a funny way of showing your appreciation and respect as a fan of the original show by not even having the decency to let the two stars who made the show enjoyable, have a guest appearance in your show, when he presented Minder Must See TV, he said himself he was a huge fan of the show, he was saying how he'd love to have been in Minder and he loved the partnership of the ex-boxer and wheeler dealer. He even had the cheek to ask George Cole and Dennis Waterman to help promote the new series on Five and they weren't even appearing in the programme. He upset them further by not even recommending to the producers to let them appear in the show.Shane Richie just isn't likable as Archie Daley (Arthur Daley's nephew), what is really irritating is that right from the start, Shane Richie has started copying the mannerisms and sayings that George Cole's character made famous, at least he hasn't started uttering the phrase "Er Indoors", yet!! Richie seems to think that he came up with the mannerisms and quotes, as though he spent a week thinking about what to say and just came up with them off the top of his head, all by himself. Lex Shrapnel's character Jamie Cartwright is a taxi driver, like Terry McCann he knows how to look after himself and he knows how to handle himself in a fight, at times he does look bored, Dennis Waterman's character made you chuckle with the things he came out with and the things he did to wind Arthur up, Jamie just doesn't seem to be very funny, plus Richie's performance doesn't have me rolling in the aisles. 1/10 for entertainment, but I won't be buying this when it comes out on DVD

derektrotteresq As far as pilot episodes go, this wasn't bad and seeing as the pilot is usually the worst episode, i imagine that this can only get better. If you watch it as a standalone series and don't compare it to the original then its pretty good. Richie and Shrapnel don't try to copy Cole and Waterman and the characters aren't supposed to be Arthur and Terry which is a plus as no-one could do justice to those characters apart from George Cole and Dennis Waterman. The show is fast paced, mildly amusing and well filmed. Some of the supporting cast's acting leaves a lot to be desired (whoever played the Gold brothers were absolutely awful) but they're only in the pilot (i hope)but Richie and Shrapnel put in a decent enough performance. All in all, its pretty good, just don't compare it to the original.

DJ FatSkank As far from the charm and wit of the original as you could possibly get. Embarrassing to watch, from the church hall acting to the bizarre over use of often completely unsuitable music - make it to the first ad break and you can feel a sense of achievement. It seems as the show was created not as an extension of the Minder shows but as a tribute to Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels mixed with a swig of TFI Friday but without the fun of either. The truly shocking 'acting' within a paper thin script and feeble plot (often it seems with actors who have at least some credible work to their name) seems to be frequently highlighted by visible pauses in their dialogue as if they were told to slow it down or have simply forgotten their lines.Simply drivel.

joe collins I loved the original minder. I was expecting an upset but was pleasantly surprised. Shane Richie is ace He's probably the best Arthur possible (sorry Archie) he's got all his mannerism down to A tea. really plays the lovable rogue well.Lex shrapnel is a little on the small size for a minder but so was Terrence if I recall but like terry his character should grow as the Show runs.Excellent! The fight choreography was iffy but I'll allow it !. Just improve that and I'm sold. Only thing that could make it any better is a few cameo appearances' from the original show to show some continuality. Welcome back to my heart MINDER my long lost friend.