Good shows ruined by bad presenters
3 examples of the above
Room 101
Paul Merton took over from Nick Hancock and his bored looking method of hosting may have pleased some people but the show was relaunched in an new format.
Time Commanders
After 5 years the show that had teams pit their wits in simulation of real life battles was brought back. However it was hosted by Gregg Wallace whose brusque style did not go down well with everyone even the show's historical experts.
Call my Bluff
The word game was revied in 1996 with the genial Bob Holness as host. After 7 years Holness was replaced by Fiona Bruce and the ratings slip soon meant the show was soon axed though perhaps the biggest blame should go to regular panel member Rod Liddle and his rather stumbling manner
Thursday, 31 August 2017
Wednesday, 30 August 2017
GBBO opening night 2017
After it's much publicised transfer to Channel 4 Great British Bake Off had it's first showing of this year. Overnight viewing figures show 6.5 million viewers tuned in. This is lowest total for the show since 2013 but is by far the biggest show Channel 4 has had this year. Many will watching the figures for the coming years with great interest.
After it's much publicised transfer to Channel 4 Great British Bake Off had it's first showing of this year. Overnight viewing figures show 6.5 million viewers tuned in. This is lowest total for the show since 2013 but is by far the biggest show Channel 4 has had this year. Many will watching the figures for the coming years with great interest.
Tuesday, 29 August 2017
The power of the Iron Throne
The season 7 finale of Game of Thrones continued it's record of breaking viewership records for HBO. The episode was watched by 16 million viewers. The figures are impressive when it is considered that live TV viewing is considered unfashionable in these days of streaming. HBO will be hoping that the final season will be ready to air sometime next year. One thing that is not in doubt is that Game of Thrones has cemented it's place as the TV programme of the decade.
The season 7 finale of Game of Thrones continued it's record of breaking viewership records for HBO. The episode was watched by 16 million viewers. The figures are impressive when it is considered that live TV viewing is considered unfashionable in these days of streaming. HBO will be hoping that the final season will be ready to air sometime next year. One thing that is not in doubt is that Game of Thrones has cemented it's place as the TV programme of the decade.
Monday, 28 August 2017
TV review Strike,
Sunday 9pm BBC1
Starring Tom Burke and Holliday Grangier
The opening episode of the adaptions of the crime novels written by J K Rowling under the pen name of Robert Galbrieth has the same themes of class and identity in her other non Potter literary outing. Burke plays the title role of a one time Military Policeman who had a leg amputated in the line of duty who now works as a Private Detective who works on the case of the supposed suicide of a model when asked by a friend of his. Giving a decent take on a man who has suffered greatly both on physical and mental levels Burke makes a low key but very effective impression as Strike. Grangier plays a sectary temp who ends up helping Strike on the case and manges to make what could have be an irritating role into a likable one. Though the one actor who makes the biggest impression is in it for only 5 minutes, Playing the role of a lawyer trying to get Strike off the case Martin (and remember the last legal role he played was the title role in the pious Judge John Deed) Shaw just exudes slime in his brief screen time. The opening episode has set up an intriguing mystery
Sunday 9pm BBC1
Starring Tom Burke and Holliday Grangier
The opening episode of the adaptions of the crime novels written by J K Rowling under the pen name of Robert Galbrieth has the same themes of class and identity in her other non Potter literary outing. Burke plays the title role of a one time Military Policeman who had a leg amputated in the line of duty who now works as a Private Detective who works on the case of the supposed suicide of a model when asked by a friend of his. Giving a decent take on a man who has suffered greatly both on physical and mental levels Burke makes a low key but very effective impression as Strike. Grangier plays a sectary temp who ends up helping Strike on the case and manges to make what could have be an irritating role into a likable one. Though the one actor who makes the biggest impression is in it for only 5 minutes, Playing the role of a lawyer trying to get Strike off the case Martin (and remember the last legal role he played was the title role in the pious Judge John Deed) Shaw just exudes slime in his brief screen time. The opening episode has set up an intriguing mystery
The all new most righteous kill in Game of Thrones is....
SPOILERS FOR THE SEASON FINALE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN YET
After 7 seasons of backstabbing and dripping poison in other people's ears, Lord Petyr Baelish finally got what was coming to him. After trying to get sisters Ayra and Sansa Stark against each other Baelish found himself on trial for various crimes. With Bran Stark's new found mystical skills as the 3 Eyed Raven providing evidence against him, Littlefinger was begging on his knees only for Ayra to cut his throat with the knife he used to foment a war between the Starks and the Lannisters. A fitting end for such a vile character.
SPOILERS FOR THE SEASON FINALE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN YET
After 7 seasons of backstabbing and dripping poison in other people's ears, Lord Petyr Baelish finally got what was coming to him. After trying to get sisters Ayra and Sansa Stark against each other Baelish found himself on trial for various crimes. With Bran Stark's new found mystical skills as the 3 Eyed Raven providing evidence against him, Littlefinger was begging on his knees only for Ayra to cut his throat with the knife he used to foment a war between the Starks and the Lannisters. A fitting end for such a vile character.
Saturday, 26 August 2017
Forgotten panel shows
In the wake of the BBC saying it wants to cut down on the number of panel shows that are their channel here are 3 forgotten examples.
Bygones
Shown for just 1 series in 1994 and hosted by Danny Baker, this nostliga based quiz show had 2 teams compete over rounds on what they could remeber many years back. One round had panel members trying to pop hits on the obscure Stylophone instrument to see if anyone could recongise what they were playing, regular team captain (and keyboard wizard) Rick Wakeman used 8 and was guessed right away.
If I Ruled the World
Devised by Pointless co-host Richard Osman and hosted by Clive Anderson, this was a politics based show. One round saw panel members make groveling appeals for votes to audience members. While an other saw panel members ask rivals what seemed resonable only for them to be rebuffed, one such example saw Tim Brooke-Taylor ask (fellow Goodie) Grame Garden that it should be time for the Goodies to repeated which Garden responds with 'No I disagree The Goodies should have been repeated a long time ago'.
It's only TV .... But I Like It
Hosted by Jonathan Ross this was a show in which 2 teams competed over an number of TV based rounds. One saw panel members act out TV shows, an example of which saw Peter Davison putting his hand up the back end of a fake cow, pull out some custard and put some in his mouth. Between rounds Ross would banter with panel members, one such exchange was with Terry Wogan who talked about his feud with the Danish host of the 2001 Eurovison song contest who may have called him a c********r.
In the wake of the BBC saying it wants to cut down on the number of panel shows that are their channel here are 3 forgotten examples.
Bygones
Shown for just 1 series in 1994 and hosted by Danny Baker, this nostliga based quiz show had 2 teams compete over rounds on what they could remeber many years back. One round had panel members trying to pop hits on the obscure Stylophone instrument to see if anyone could recongise what they were playing, regular team captain (and keyboard wizard) Rick Wakeman used 8 and was guessed right away.
If I Ruled the World
Devised by Pointless co-host Richard Osman and hosted by Clive Anderson, this was a politics based show. One round saw panel members make groveling appeals for votes to audience members. While an other saw panel members ask rivals what seemed resonable only for them to be rebuffed, one such example saw Tim Brooke-Taylor ask (fellow Goodie) Grame Garden that it should be time for the Goodies to repeated which Garden responds with 'No I disagree The Goodies should have been repeated a long time ago'.
It's only TV .... But I Like It
Hosted by Jonathan Ross this was a show in which 2 teams competed over an number of TV based rounds. One saw panel members act out TV shows, an example of which saw Peter Davison putting his hand up the back end of a fake cow, pull out some custard and put some in his mouth. Between rounds Ross would banter with panel members, one such exchange was with Terry Wogan who talked about his feud with the Danish host of the 2001 Eurovison song contest who may have called him a c********r.
Friday, 25 August 2017
The war of what is a strong female role model
A war of words has erupted over current hit Wonder Woman. James Cameron has called the film a step back in depicted a strong female character, he cites the character of Sarah Connor in his own Terminator films as played by his one time wife Linda Hamilton as a better example for women. In response Patty Jenkins has pointed out some flaws in Cameron's argument. Most of these come from the second Terminator film, Jenkins cites that Connor has become a bad mother and has undergone a physical transformation that has striped away most of her female facets. This is one of most interesting conversation between 2 film maker about a film made by one of them ever seen.
A war of words has erupted over current hit Wonder Woman. James Cameron has called the film a step back in depicted a strong female character, he cites the character of Sarah Connor in his own Terminator films as played by his one time wife Linda Hamilton as a better example for women. In response Patty Jenkins has pointed out some flaws in Cameron's argument. Most of these come from the second Terminator film, Jenkins cites that Connor has become a bad mother and has undergone a physical transformation that has striped away most of her female facets. This is one of most interesting conversation between 2 film maker about a film made by one of them ever seen.
An advance for women
In a change to the advertised schedules ITV will be showing the final of this year's women's Rugby World Cup with England playing New Zealand. This has shown the great strides Women's sporting events in the last 10 years. Events like the Women's Rugby World Cup would have relegated to short items on news bulletins.
In a change to the advertised schedules ITV will be showing the final of this year's women's Rugby World Cup with England playing New Zealand. This has shown the great strides Women's sporting events in the last 10 years. Events like the Women's Rugby World Cup would have relegated to short items on news bulletins.
Thursday, 24 August 2017
End of the panels?
In a speech at the Edinburgh Television Festival BBC entertainment commissioning editor Pinki Chambers has said that the BBC may cutting down on panel shows. Panel shows have been a staple of the BBC for the last 2 decades but ratings have been decline for them, with the biggest of them all Have I Got New for You only getting over 4 million viewers. The viewing public will just have to see what take their place.
In a speech at the Edinburgh Television Festival BBC entertainment commissioning editor Pinki Chambers has said that the BBC may cutting down on panel shows. Panel shows have been a staple of the BBC for the last 2 decades but ratings have been decline for them, with the biggest of them all Have I Got New for You only getting over 4 million viewers. The viewing public will just have to see what take their place.
Wednesday, 23 August 2017
From The Chase to The Doctor
Bradley Walsh currently best known as the host of game show The Chase has been rumoured to be lined up to be the companion of Jodie Whittaker's The Doctor. If confirmed this would be another breaking of Who traditions as companions tended tended to be young females, Walsh is 57 while Whittaker is 35. This would not be Walsh's first involvement in the world as he had appeared in spin off show The Sarah Jane Adventures. As for game show hosts appearing in Doctor Who, Nicholas Parsons who hosted Sale of the Century between 1971 and 1983 appeared in 1989 story The Curse of Fenric.
Bradley Walsh currently best known as the host of game show The Chase has been rumoured to be lined up to be the companion of Jodie Whittaker's The Doctor. If confirmed this would be another breaking of Who traditions as companions tended tended to be young females, Walsh is 57 while Whittaker is 35. This would not be Walsh's first involvement in the world as he had appeared in spin off show The Sarah Jane Adventures. As for game show hosts appearing in Doctor Who, Nicholas Parsons who hosted Sale of the Century between 1971 and 1983 appeared in 1989 story The Curse of Fenric.
Tuesday, 22 August 2017
What the Game could have been
Details of the first draft of George R R Martin A Song of Fire and Ice emerged. Among the original details are Sansa turning against her family and bearing Joffery's child, Tyrion being more accepted by his family and Jamie claiming the Iron Throne for himself. Would the public have accepted this plot line one has to wonder.
Details of the first draft of George R R Martin A Song of Fire and Ice emerged. Among the original details are Sansa turning against her family and bearing Joffery's child, Tyrion being more accepted by his family and Jamie claiming the Iron Throne for himself. Would the public have accepted this plot line one has to wonder.
Sunday, 20 August 2017
Hey Peter! Read this
In his column in today's Mail on Sunday Peter Hitchens blasts current cinema release Atomic Blonde. One of his particular bugbears bearing the film's stylised fight scenes which he compares to those of a cartoon strip. The irony is that Atomic Blonde is based on a graphic novel called The Coldest City (which I reviewed in a earlier blog) which is much more in the vein of le Care and Deighton of no frills spy craft tales. Perhaps someone should give Peter Hitchens a copy to keep him happy.
In his column in today's Mail on Sunday Peter Hitchens blasts current cinema release Atomic Blonde. One of his particular bugbears bearing the film's stylised fight scenes which he compares to those of a cartoon strip. The irony is that Atomic Blonde is based on a graphic novel called The Coldest City (which I reviewed in a earlier blog) which is much more in the vein of le Care and Deighton of no frills spy craft tales. Perhaps someone should give Peter Hitchens a copy to keep him happy.
Saturday, 19 August 2017
Bruce Forsyth highlights
In tribute to Bruce Forsyth who died yesterday here is a rundown of 3 shows that he hosted to great success.
The Generation Game
Based on a Dutch format, Bruce hosted this show in 2 (1971-77 and 1990-94) stints. Each 2 pairs of family members competed against each other in a series of challenges in which after seeing a professor doing their skills and they try to copy them. The winners would then take in a memory test final round in which they had recall the objects that gone by them, usually including a cuddly toy. Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson both hosted the show but Bruce remains the one host everyone remembers.
Play Your Cards Right
An another show that Bruce hosted in multiple stints, this time 3 (1980-87,1994-99 and 2002-03) though in this case Bruce was the sole host. The show saw couples trying to guess whether the as yet to be unveiled card was higher or lower than the card that was on show before the winning couple tried their luck on winning a bonus prize like a new car.
You Bet!
Hosted by Bruce between 1988-90, You Bet! was a show with a sense of altruism. Each week a group of celebrities would sponsor challenges that could be mental or physical. The 100 strong audience would be asked if they thought the challenger would succeed. The other celebrities would also be asked if their fellow member's bet would succeed. If the challenge was met with success, the celebs who thought it would get points based on many audience members backed and with those that did not vice versa. Unsuccessful sponsors would have to do a forfeit like flamboyant cocktail making. At the end of the show the winning celeb would be given a cash prize to donate to the charity of their choosing. Also hosted by Matthew Kelly and Darren Day. Simon Cowell created Red or Black that had many similarities with You Bet! only without the charity element, it was an absolute failure.
In tribute to Bruce Forsyth who died yesterday here is a rundown of 3 shows that he hosted to great success.
The Generation Game
Based on a Dutch format, Bruce hosted this show in 2 (1971-77 and 1990-94) stints. Each 2 pairs of family members competed against each other in a series of challenges in which after seeing a professor doing their skills and they try to copy them. The winners would then take in a memory test final round in which they had recall the objects that gone by them, usually including a cuddly toy. Larry Grayson and Jim Davidson both hosted the show but Bruce remains the one host everyone remembers.
Play Your Cards Right
An another show that Bruce hosted in multiple stints, this time 3 (1980-87,1994-99 and 2002-03) though in this case Bruce was the sole host. The show saw couples trying to guess whether the as yet to be unveiled card was higher or lower than the card that was on show before the winning couple tried their luck on winning a bonus prize like a new car.
You Bet!
Hosted by Bruce between 1988-90, You Bet! was a show with a sense of altruism. Each week a group of celebrities would sponsor challenges that could be mental or physical. The 100 strong audience would be asked if they thought the challenger would succeed. The other celebrities would also be asked if their fellow member's bet would succeed. If the challenge was met with success, the celebs who thought it would get points based on many audience members backed and with those that did not vice versa. Unsuccessful sponsors would have to do a forfeit like flamboyant cocktail making. At the end of the show the winning celeb would be given a cash prize to donate to the charity of their choosing. Also hosted by Matthew Kelly and Darren Day. Simon Cowell created Red or Black that had many similarities with You Bet! only without the charity element, it was an absolute failure.
Friday, 18 August 2017
Michael Barrymore: the forgotten star
Today Michael Barrymore was awarded damages for his claims of wrongful arrest against Essex Police in charges they filed against him surrounding the death of Stuart Lubbock in 2001. It brings back into the spotlight a man who for many years the man who was without a doubt the biggest star on British TV. Born Michael Parker, Barrymore was always destined for a career in showbiz being a Butlins red coat, winning an edition of talent show New Faces and being the warm up act for Larry Grayson's Generation Game. His big break came in 1986 as the host for the game show Strike It Lucky where it was his interaction with the contestants than the actual game show element was the big draw to the audiences at home. At it's peak Strike It Lucky had viewing figures of over 20 million. In the 1990's Barrymore went from strength to strength. He had his own TV show bearing his (adopted) name which saw him interacting with members of the public and just like Strike It Lucky it was a massive success. Barrymore even made a sit-com, though Bob Martin was a far more introspective offering that any one would expect from some one with such wide spread appeal as Barrymore but it had a sense of the autobiographical to it. Like many others who have brought joy and laughter to countless Michael Barrymore has had his share of personal demons. Like so many he had problems with the bottle and sometimes it came out in public, one particular incident being a speech he made at the National Television Awards. Barrymore also faced much tabloid speculation about his sexuality at a time when he was married. This came to a head when Barrymore took to the stage at a gay club and basically admitted he was gay. The death of Stuart Lubbock would become the biggest cloud to haunt Michael Barrymore's life. Lubbock's body was found in the swimming pool of Barrymore's home after a party. With only an Open verdict following Lubbock's death the case still hangs over Barrymore. In 2007 Barrymore and 2 other men were charged in connection with the death of Stuart Lubbock but were released without charge that led to the verdict today. Michael Barrymore has made the odd media appearance over the years but nothing like at the peak of his stardom.
Today Michael Barrymore was awarded damages for his claims of wrongful arrest against Essex Police in charges they filed against him surrounding the death of Stuart Lubbock in 2001. It brings back into the spotlight a man who for many years the man who was without a doubt the biggest star on British TV. Born Michael Parker, Barrymore was always destined for a career in showbiz being a Butlins red coat, winning an edition of talent show New Faces and being the warm up act for Larry Grayson's Generation Game. His big break came in 1986 as the host for the game show Strike It Lucky where it was his interaction with the contestants than the actual game show element was the big draw to the audiences at home. At it's peak Strike It Lucky had viewing figures of over 20 million. In the 1990's Barrymore went from strength to strength. He had his own TV show bearing his (adopted) name which saw him interacting with members of the public and just like Strike It Lucky it was a massive success. Barrymore even made a sit-com, though Bob Martin was a far more introspective offering that any one would expect from some one with such wide spread appeal as Barrymore but it had a sense of the autobiographical to it. Like many others who have brought joy and laughter to countless Michael Barrymore has had his share of personal demons. Like so many he had problems with the bottle and sometimes it came out in public, one particular incident being a speech he made at the National Television Awards. Barrymore also faced much tabloid speculation about his sexuality at a time when he was married. This came to a head when Barrymore took to the stage at a gay club and basically admitted he was gay. The death of Stuart Lubbock would become the biggest cloud to haunt Michael Barrymore's life. Lubbock's body was found in the swimming pool of Barrymore's home after a party. With only an Open verdict following Lubbock's death the case still hangs over Barrymore. In 2007 Barrymore and 2 other men were charged in connection with the death of Stuart Lubbock but were released without charge that led to the verdict today. Michael Barrymore has made the odd media appearance over the years but nothing like at the peak of his stardom.
Wednesday, 16 August 2017
Gaiman on screen
Following from the news that Good Omens the novel that Neil Gaiman co-wrote with Terry Pratchett is being made into a TV mini series here are some other productions to have bore Gaiman's name.
Neverwhere
This fantasy aired on BBC2 in 1996. Given that this was a time when the BBC was barely making any genre TV productions the fact that this tale of a hidden city beneath London got made at was a miracle. Despite featuring future Doctor Peter Capaldi as an angel the show was not a success. Though the idea has carried into the likes of comics and radio.
Stardust
Gaiman's graphic novel was made into a film by Matthew Vaughan in 2007. When a fairy crashes to Earth various parties go after her for various for various reasons. the cast includes Clarie Danes as the fairy, Michelle Pfeiffer as a witch, Robert de Niro as a cross dressing pirate and Peter O'Toole as an ailing King whose sons are jostling to take his throne.
Doctor Who
Gaiman wrote 2 stories for Matt Smith's Doctor. The Doctor's Wife's see the TARDIS given humanoid form when the Doctor answers a distress call, Suranne Jones plays the title character. Meanwhile in Nightmare in Silver finds the Doctor fighting his old foes The Cybermen inside his own mind. Warwick Davis and Jason Watkins are the guest stars in this episode.
American Gods
TV series based on Gaiman's award winning novel. A released convict finds himself in a war between old and new gods. Ian McShane plays Mr. Wednesday a character who may be more than he seems. Gillian Anderson plays the new god Media, the role sees her takes on guises of Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland and David Bowie.
Following from the news that Good Omens the novel that Neil Gaiman co-wrote with Terry Pratchett is being made into a TV mini series here are some other productions to have bore Gaiman's name.
Neverwhere
This fantasy aired on BBC2 in 1996. Given that this was a time when the BBC was barely making any genre TV productions the fact that this tale of a hidden city beneath London got made at was a miracle. Despite featuring future Doctor Peter Capaldi as an angel the show was not a success. Though the idea has carried into the likes of comics and radio.
Stardust
Gaiman's graphic novel was made into a film by Matthew Vaughan in 2007. When a fairy crashes to Earth various parties go after her for various for various reasons. the cast includes Clarie Danes as the fairy, Michelle Pfeiffer as a witch, Robert de Niro as a cross dressing pirate and Peter O'Toole as an ailing King whose sons are jostling to take his throne.
Doctor Who
Gaiman wrote 2 stories for Matt Smith's Doctor. The Doctor's Wife's see the TARDIS given humanoid form when the Doctor answers a distress call, Suranne Jones plays the title character. Meanwhile in Nightmare in Silver finds the Doctor fighting his old foes The Cybermen inside his own mind. Warwick Davis and Jason Watkins are the guest stars in this episode.
American Gods
TV series based on Gaiman's award winning novel. A released convict finds himself in a war between old and new gods. Ian McShane plays Mr. Wednesday a character who may be more than he seems. Gillian Anderson plays the new god Media, the role sees her takes on guises of Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland and David Bowie.
Tuesday, 15 August 2017
Omens of the future
Good Omens the 1990 novel co-written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett is set to go into production as a 6 part TV mini-series being co-produced by the BBC and Amazon. The plot which is a mickey take of The Omen sees the Anti-Christ being raised in a sleepy English village with an American airbase nearby. An angel and a demon team up to stop the Apocalypse happening. Michael Sheen will play the angel while David Tennant will play the demon. Good Omens should be seen next year.
Good Omens the 1990 novel co-written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett is set to go into production as a 6 part TV mini-series being co-produced by the BBC and Amazon. The plot which is a mickey take of The Omen sees the Anti-Christ being raised in a sleepy English village with an American airbase nearby. An angel and a demon team up to stop the Apocalypse happening. Michael Sheen will play the angel while David Tennant will play the demon. Good Omens should be seen next year.
Monday, 14 August 2017
Blown up Athena
In 1988 while hosting a segment from the military display event The Royal Tournament for the long forgotten Saturday morning kids show UP2U, Athena Turner found herself in a dangerous situation. Sitting on the back of a truck Turner was doing a piece to camera when she forgot that a motorcycle stunt rider would jump out of the truck with accompanying pyrotechnics. The resulting blunder left Turner with second degree burns though she did recovered to maintain a long career.
You can see the incident on Youtube
In 1988 while hosting a segment from the military display event The Royal Tournament for the long forgotten Saturday morning kids show UP2U, Athena Turner found herself in a dangerous situation. Sitting on the back of a truck Turner was doing a piece to camera when she forgot that a motorcycle stunt rider would jump out of the truck with accompanying pyrotechnics. The resulting blunder left Turner with second degree burns though she did recovered to maintain a long career.
You can see the incident on Youtube
Sunday, 13 August 2017
Goodbye Bren
This year's World Atheltics Championships will see the end of the track careers of 2 of the biggest names the sport has seen in recent years. Usain Bolt and Mo (though he will he still compete in road races) Farah. However off the track will see the retirement of someone after a 37 year career as an analyst. Foster began his career behind the microphone after years of competing as a high level athlete, among his many achievements were an Olympic bronze, European gold and being voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1974. Foster at one point was going to hang up the microphone after the 2012 Olympics but decided against it after seeing Farah win 2 gold medals. His reasoning was that Farah would provide even more moments like that and he was proved right with Farah adding even more gold medals. Thanks for giving us your views Bren.
This year's World Atheltics Championships will see the end of the track careers of 2 of the biggest names the sport has seen in recent years. Usain Bolt and Mo (though he will he still compete in road races) Farah. However off the track will see the retirement of someone after a 37 year career as an analyst. Foster began his career behind the microphone after years of competing as a high level athlete, among his many achievements were an Olympic bronze, European gold and being voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1974. Foster at one point was going to hang up the microphone after the 2012 Olympics but decided against it after seeing Farah win 2 gold medals. His reasoning was that Farah would provide even more moments like that and he was proved right with Farah adding even more gold medals. Thanks for giving us your views Bren.
Thursday, 10 August 2017
Worst advert on TV just now
The title of the worst advert currently airing on UK TV goes without a moment's hesitation to the one that currently airs for Warner Leisure Hotels. For those who are not familiar with Warner Leisure Hotels it is a chain of hotels who operate an adult only policy. The current advertising campaign features guests saying how good it was to get away from their grandchildren before behaving in a childish manner. The reason why I hate this advert so much is the smug and self satisfied way the people act. Feel free to put in the advert you most in the comments section
The title of the worst advert currently airing on UK TV goes without a moment's hesitation to the one that currently airs for Warner Leisure Hotels. For those who are not familiar with Warner Leisure Hotels it is a chain of hotels who operate an adult only policy. The current advertising campaign features guests saying how good it was to get away from their grandchildren before behaving in a childish manner. The reason why I hate this advert so much is the smug and self satisfied way the people act. Feel free to put in the advert you most in the comments section
Tuesday, 8 August 2017
Doctor Deja Vu Who
Tonight on BBC1 an new drama called Trust Me begins. It is the tale of a nurse who finds herself out of a job due to workplace politics. She then takes on the identity of a doctor friend of hers to get a job. Of course trouble rears it's ugly head. The role of the nurse turned doctor is played by Jodie Whittaker who recently made headlines by becoming the first female actor to play The Doctor in Doctor Who. One of Whittaker's predecessors in the role appeared in a film with a simaller premise. In 1990's Paper Mask Paul McGann plays an orderly who takes on the identity of a recently deceased doctor to take up a post at an A&E department. However things start to go wrong and McGann's character is forced to resort to murder to keep up his charade.
Tonight on BBC1 an new drama called Trust Me begins. It is the tale of a nurse who finds herself out of a job due to workplace politics. She then takes on the identity of a doctor friend of hers to get a job. Of course trouble rears it's ugly head. The role of the nurse turned doctor is played by Jodie Whittaker who recently made headlines by becoming the first female actor to play The Doctor in Doctor Who. One of Whittaker's predecessors in the role appeared in a film with a simaller premise. In 1990's Paper Mask Paul McGann plays an orderly who takes on the identity of a recently deceased doctor to take up a post at an A&E department. However things start to go wrong and McGann's character is forced to resort to murder to keep up his charade.
Monday, 7 August 2017
More Gatlin fallout
In the aftermath of Justin Gatlin's 100m win at the World Atheltics Championships there was a bit of fall out between Steve Cram and Michael Johnson 2 members of the BBC TV team covering. Johnson complained that Cram was not as critical of other drug cheats. Gatlin continues to be a much discussed prescence at theese championships.
In the aftermath of Justin Gatlin's 100m win at the World Atheltics Championships there was a bit of fall out between Steve Cram and Michael Johnson 2 members of the BBC TV team covering. Johnson complained that Cram was not as critical of other drug cheats. Gatlin continues to be a much discussed prescence at theese championships.
Sunday, 6 August 2017
A story where the bad guy wins
Last night saw the Men's 100m final at the World Athletics Championships. It was the final major individual for that sporting titan Usain Bolt. However the dream finale did not happen as he only came away with the bronze. Adding to the disappointment of the crowd in the stadium was Justin Gatlin. Gatlin has served 2 bans for doping, though he blamed the first one on medication he had taken as a child. During the Championships each time Gatlin.s name was announced there were loud boos. The race itself saw Gatlin taking victory away from his fellow American Christian Coleman. The result was greeted with large boos around the stadium. Bolt will however be remembered for his achievements for the ages to come.
Last night saw the Men's 100m final at the World Athletics Championships. It was the final major individual for that sporting titan Usain Bolt. However the dream finale did not happen as he only came away with the bronze. Adding to the disappointment of the crowd in the stadium was Justin Gatlin. Gatlin has served 2 bans for doping, though he blamed the first one on medication he had taken as a child. During the Championships each time Gatlin.s name was announced there were loud boos. The race itself saw Gatlin taking victory away from his fellow American Christian Coleman. The result was greeted with large boos around the stadium. Bolt will however be remembered for his achievements for the ages to come.
Saturday, 5 August 2017
More leaked episodes
Early this year the final episode of the third season of Sherlock leaked online. Now the same has happened with this Sunday's episode of Game of Thrones. Clips have appeared on Youtube. With 2 of the biggest TV shows suffering such cases in the space of a year, one wonders what measures networks will take to stop the same happening again.
Early this year the final episode of the third season of Sherlock leaked online. Now the same has happened with this Sunday's episode of Game of Thrones. Clips have appeared on Youtube. With 2 of the biggest TV shows suffering such cases in the space of a year, one wonders what measures networks will take to stop the same happening again.
Thursday, 3 August 2017
Goodbye Shelly and Siegfried
Today the the deaths of 2 British actors who appeared in some of the biggest film and TV projects in the last half centuary.
Robert Hardy biggest role in recent years was the role of Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic in the Harry Potter films. Though his most famous role was that of Siegfried Farnon the vet he played between 1978 and 1990. Hardy played Winston Churchill in 3 different TV productions. He made guest appearences on TV shows like The Saint, Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders and Spooks to name just a few. Outside of Potter his film credits included The Spy Who came in from the Cold, Mary Shelly's Frankenstein and Sense & Sensilbity.
Hywell Bennett best know role was that of the title character of Shelly, a work shy man who lives his life by own code. Another well known TV role was that of Ricki Tarr in the 1979 adapatation of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Other TV appearences included Doctor Who , Eastenders, The Sweeney and Last of the Summer Wine. His best known film was the starring role in The Virgin Soldiers, a film in which before his days as a Rock legend David Bowie appeared in as an extra.
Today the the deaths of 2 British actors who appeared in some of the biggest film and TV projects in the last half centuary.
Robert Hardy biggest role in recent years was the role of Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic in the Harry Potter films. Though his most famous role was that of Siegfried Farnon the vet he played between 1978 and 1990. Hardy played Winston Churchill in 3 different TV productions. He made guest appearences on TV shows like The Saint, Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders and Spooks to name just a few. Outside of Potter his film credits included The Spy Who came in from the Cold, Mary Shelly's Frankenstein and Sense & Sensilbity.
Hywell Bennett best know role was that of the title character of Shelly, a work shy man who lives his life by own code. Another well known TV role was that of Ricki Tarr in the 1979 adapatation of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Other TV appearences included Doctor Who , Eastenders, The Sweeney and Last of the Summer Wine. His best known film was the starring role in The Virgin Soldiers, a film in which before his days as a Rock legend David Bowie appeared in as an extra.
More bad news for Chris
In new figures released today it has be shown that Chris Evans breakfast show on BBC Radio 2 has lost half a million listeners in the last year. Given the recent boo ha about his status as the BBC's highest paid personality some will question his worth. On top of his short lived stint as the host of Top Gear this not been the best of times for him.
In new figures released today it has be shown that Chris Evans breakfast show on BBC Radio 2 has lost half a million listeners in the last year. Given the recent boo ha about his status as the BBC's highest paid personality some will question his worth. On top of his short lived stint as the host of Top Gear this not been the best of times for him.
Tuesday, 1 August 2017
And the Games goes to...
The hosts of both 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympics have been announced as the only 2 cities that were bidding Paris and Los Angles came to a deal. Paris will host the games in 2024 100 years after it last hosted them, these were of course the games that were the focus of the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire. And four years later LA will host the games having previously hosted them in 1932 and 1984. It has been bit of a come down for the IOC as the bidding process for previous Olympics had seen multiple bidders leading to fervent speculation about who would win the grand prize.
The hosts of both 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympics have been announced as the only 2 cities that were bidding Paris and Los Angles came to a deal. Paris will host the games in 2024 100 years after it last hosted them, these were of course the games that were the focus of the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire. And four years later LA will host the games having previously hosted them in 1932 and 1984. It has been bit of a come down for the IOC as the bidding process for previous Olympics had seen multiple bidders leading to fervent speculation about who would win the grand prize.
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