FlashForward is Channel 5’s hot new US TV show that literally some people are talking about.

The writers of FlashForward came up with the idea while cleaning their kitchen surfaces and thought to themselves, “Goodness! I wish I could fast-forward this arduous task!” A two minute pause followed. “Hold on…Flash kitchen cleaner, Fast-Forward…..FlashForward!”

Handily, that’s also the premise of this new Lost-esque sort of sci-fi, but definitely action/drama, genre series.

Everyone across the world loses consciousness for two minutes, sees a glimpse of their future, and then wakes up. The writers decided not to wake up, but instead bring FlashForward to the present for us all to see, signal permitting, on Five.

Joseph Fiennes plays serious agent Mark Benford of the F-ing B.I. It’s not all plain sailing though we’re afraid; he’s also a recovering alcoholic. Jack “For everything else there’s Mastercard” Davenport is also starring, along with Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane. A veritable feast of people you sort of recognise but aren’t really sure why.

In reality, it is safe to say that most people would wake up from this two-minute premonition with their face in jelly, on their keyboard, or on the floor of WH Smiths. But in US TV world, most if not all aeroplanes have fallen from the sky, Big Ben’s clock face is on fire for no discernible reason, and yet we bet the bloody X Factor would still be on.

If you already watch Five’s only decent programme (that’s The Gadget Show, not Fort Boyard), FlashForward is on immediately afterwards, so you might as well watch it, eh?

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