Matt's Old Masters (C4): Every time Channel Four wants someone to talk about art in a heavyweight but approachable way, they call on Matthew Collings.

There is no denying that, as a critic, Collings knows what he likes - he calls it painterly paintings - pictures that can be appreciated for the skill of the brush-strokes as much as for the subject.

For this new series, Collings has been allowed to indulge his passion and talk about his four favourite painters.

He started last night with Titian, a late Renaissance artist who set the benchmark for many of his contemporaries.

The show started well with Collings transforming himself into "Matt" - the cool, down-to-earth fan of art who you could easily chat to down the pub.

Even his language changed - he told us that a painting called Ecce Homo was Titian being Titian to the max, and casually referred to the masters in one art gallery as stuff.

It is obvious what Collings is trying to do with this series - bring high-brow art criticism to the masses without blatantly dumbing down.

But somehow it just does not work, mainly because Collings is high-brow.

His view that art can be appreciated by everybody is very noble but he just doesn't look like he is truly comfortable talking to people who have little or no grasp of high art.

What he does have going for him is an immense passion, which comes across with every wave of his arm and point of his finger.

But his cheery hello to camera after every advert break was toe-curlingly embarrassing and reminiscent of an episode of Play School, not a documentary featuring an artist some will not have heard of.

The main problem facing Collings is that art has already been made accessible to the masses on television thanks to Rolf Harris.

BBC's Rolf on Art gave us a presenter and skilled artist who appealed to everyone - no matter what their age or social background.

And how could anyone feel patronised by the loveable Australian who gets so excited by paint and a brush?

His passion was infectious and viewers used to his sing-song presenting style could not help but warm to him.

Sadly Collings is not well enough known by a mainstream audience to be given the time or attention he deserves by the viewers.

Rather like an over-enthusiastic teacher, he tried too hard to be trendy and likeable. He should stick to what he does best - presenting high-brow, intellectual shows that suit his undeniable wealth of arts knowledge.

Published: 24/11/2003