TV Review: World's Most Dangerous Roads – Madagascar

And I have absolutely no idea why.

In fact, as I watched them bouncing their big 4X4 along a route that was sometimes a river, sometimes a mudbath, occasionally a trench and at no time like anything that you and I would call a road, I did find myself asking – out loud, mind – exactly why are you doing this?

But my question was never answered – now possibly that's something to do with me talking to my TV, and possibly it's something to do with the BBC2 production crew not having a clue either.

So instead of a point, they gave us Dramatic Voice Over Man, who was on fine form throughout.

"There are over five billion kilometres of roads on the planet," he boomed, magisterially, over the opening credits.

"These roads might be seen as a sign of progress, but driving them takes skill . . . stamina . . . and a steady nerve."

So, obviously your first port of call should be that bloke who used to present Have I got News for You and the bird who does the book programme on Radio 4.

My point is, if you're watching a Top Gear special, you know you're tuning in to see three overgrown idiots going overseas to mess about. That's what they do.

But Angus and Mariella are a bit more upmarket. Was their journey highlighting the problems facing the poor people of the fourth biggest island in the world? Was their struggle designed to make us realise how lucky we are to be living in Britain? Or was it a nice jolly for two celebs who aren't on the telly quite as much as they used to be? It was never made entirely clear.

Apparently, Madagascar's roads have been crumbling away ever since the island gained its independence from the French in 1960. A route that would have taken our heroes a day 50 years ago now takes about a week. If you're lucky.

However, why the roads are so bad, why the Government isn't investing in something that would: a) bring real benefits to the people and b) open up a beautiful island to tourist income, was never explained.

Instead the presenters got on very well with each other, laughed a lot, and seemed like very good company.

And so it was left to Dramatic Voice Over Man to keep telling us how dramatic it all was. "They are now way behind schedule and desperately need to gain some ground," he told us as we watched their 4X4 encounter yet another bridge that had been washed away by a cyclone. (Quite who was filming their 4X4 was never explained, but it's a safe bet to say that Angus and Mariella were never quite as alone as was being made out – i.e. there was a film crew following them all the way. You could see their 4X4 in some shots.)

Still, it was an enjoyable hour – I just wish it had had a purpose.

Anyway, tonight, Hugh Bonneville and Jessica Hynes tackle Georgia, while in the third and final episode Phill Jupitus and Marcus Brigstocke take on Bolivia.

And in 2013, Floella Benjamin and Christopher Biggins will be trying their hand at heart transplant surgery for no apparent reason in a new programme I've just made up. (I expect there'll be a production crew ringing me this very afternoon to buy the rights.)

By Andrew Owen