These are forgotten
A couple of days ago I wrote about an Youtube video about forgotten 1980s British sit-coms. However the list included some baffling choices. Ever Decreasing Circles, Just Good Friends, Only When I Laugh and Shelly. Down below is a list of truly forgotten shows/
The Bounder
Peter Bowles coming off both Only When I Laugh and To the Manor Born stars a released fraudster who moves in with his sister (played by Roslind Ayres and his brother in law played by George Cole. The Bounder ran for 2 series between 1982-83. Of course round Cole was playing the iconic role of dubious businessman Arthur Daley in Minder
Laura and Disorder
Wendy Craig best known for being the downtrodden wife in Butterflies starred as a woman forever embarrassing her strait laced son. It ran for only 1 series in 1989
Morris Minor's Marvellous Motors
Under the nom-de-plume Morris Minor and the Majors Tony Hawks enjoyed a hit with the Beastie Boys spoof Stutter Rap (No Sleep Until Bedtime) which reached No 4 in the UK in 1988. A year later Hawks starred as the main character who was trying to prolong his music career. The character did not succeed and the show only lasted a year.
Tuesday, 30 April 2019
Monday, 29 April 2019
Put the lights on!
SPOILER
For those who have not yet seen the latest episode of Game of Thrones do not read this article until you have.
Some Game of Thrones fans were not happy with the lighting of the most recent episode. The episode entitled The Long Night saw our heroes defend Winterfell during a night time battle. Some viewers have complained that the episode was too dark to make out what was going on. As the episode ended with the Night King being by Ayra Stark just before the breaks out. Reports suggest that the next battle will place so viewers who were not happy can rest easy this time.
SPOILER
For those who have not yet seen the latest episode of Game of Thrones do not read this article until you have.
Some Game of Thrones fans were not happy with the lighting of the most recent episode. The episode entitled The Long Night saw our heroes defend Winterfell during a night time battle. Some viewers have complained that the episode was too dark to make out what was going on. As the episode ended with the Night King being by Ayra Stark just before the breaks out. Reports suggest that the next battle will place so viewers who were not happy can rest easy this time.
Sunday, 28 April 2019
What makes you think they are forgotten?
A Youtube channel called The Foot of Our Stairs a few months ago put up a video which was an A to Z of Forgotten 1980s British Sit-coms. And as the title suggest there some that deserve the title of forgotten. Who can remember either Bottle Boys or Valentine Park with David Thewlis before his varied film career of the gritty social realism of Naked to the Comic book adventure of Wonder Woman. However the list has 4 entries that quite frankly baffling. They are Ever Decreasing Circles, Just Good Friends, Only When I Laugh and Shelly. Ever Decreasing Circles starred Richard Briers as a control freak, Penople Wilton his long suffering wife and Peter Egan as the suave new neighbour. A ratings hit, regularly repeated on the GOLD channel and one of current comedy king Ricky Gervis favourites so much he cast Wilton in his new show After Life. From John Sullivan creator of Only Fools and Horses told the story of a woman played by Jan Francis who hooks up with the man (played by Paul Nicholas) who jilted her at the alter on their wedding day. The final episode which saw the couple finally wed in Paris was watched by millions. Only When I Laugh told the stories of a group of hospital patients and their constantly exasperated doctor. Starring 3 actors who had or would have other big sit-coms to their name. James Bolam who had done The Likely Lads/Whatever Happened to the Likely Lad, Peter Bowles who at the same time as doing Only When I Laugh had an even bigger hit with To the Manor Born and Richard Wilson who would go to play the iconic role of Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave. Only When I Laugh is now and again repeated on ITV3. Shelley starring Hywell Bennett as an often unemployed sardonic wit. When Bennett died in 2017 many people commented their favourite role of his was as Shelley.
A Youtube channel called The Foot of Our Stairs a few months ago put up a video which was an A to Z of Forgotten 1980s British Sit-coms. And as the title suggest there some that deserve the title of forgotten. Who can remember either Bottle Boys or Valentine Park with David Thewlis before his varied film career of the gritty social realism of Naked to the Comic book adventure of Wonder Woman. However the list has 4 entries that quite frankly baffling. They are Ever Decreasing Circles, Just Good Friends, Only When I Laugh and Shelly. Ever Decreasing Circles starred Richard Briers as a control freak, Penople Wilton his long suffering wife and Peter Egan as the suave new neighbour. A ratings hit, regularly repeated on the GOLD channel and one of current comedy king Ricky Gervis favourites so much he cast Wilton in his new show After Life. From John Sullivan creator of Only Fools and Horses told the story of a woman played by Jan Francis who hooks up with the man (played by Paul Nicholas) who jilted her at the alter on their wedding day. The final episode which saw the couple finally wed in Paris was watched by millions. Only When I Laugh told the stories of a group of hospital patients and their constantly exasperated doctor. Starring 3 actors who had or would have other big sit-coms to their name. James Bolam who had done The Likely Lads/Whatever Happened to the Likely Lad, Peter Bowles who at the same time as doing Only When I Laugh had an even bigger hit with To the Manor Born and Richard Wilson who would go to play the iconic role of Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave. Only When I Laugh is now and again repeated on ITV3. Shelley starring Hywell Bennett as an often unemployed sardonic wit. When Bennett died in 2017 many people commented their favourite role of his was as Shelley.
Saturday, 27 April 2019
Mike Smith and the missing month
In death Radio DJ and TV personality Mike Smith has proved to be an awkward customer. When he was alive Smith barred the old UK Gold TV channel from showing repeats of editions of Top of the Pops he hosted for unknown reasons. Smith died in 2014 just as when BBC4's repeats of Top of the Pops entered the period when Smith worked on the show and again the blackout has continued. We now have come to a point in September/October 1987 where Smith with Gary Davies hosted 4 consecutive editions. For those unaware of the situation will have the shock of seeing the Bee Gees coming out of nowhere to displace Rick Astley from No 1. Rick had already lost his second of five weeks to a Smith edition and loses his final 2 at the top but at least he gets to be seen. House music Pioneers M/A/R/R/S lose their 2 weeks at No 1 and are not seen at all. Smith stopped presenting Top of the Pops in 1988 so with a very small number of exceptions the days will be behind us very soon..
In death Radio DJ and TV personality Mike Smith has proved to be an awkward customer. When he was alive Smith barred the old UK Gold TV channel from showing repeats of editions of Top of the Pops he hosted for unknown reasons. Smith died in 2014 just as when BBC4's repeats of Top of the Pops entered the period when Smith worked on the show and again the blackout has continued. We now have come to a point in September/October 1987 where Smith with Gary Davies hosted 4 consecutive editions. For those unaware of the situation will have the shock of seeing the Bee Gees coming out of nowhere to displace Rick Astley from No 1. Rick had already lost his second of five weeks to a Smith edition and loses his final 2 at the top but at least he gets to be seen. House music Pioneers M/A/R/R/S lose their 2 weeks at No 1 and are not seen at all. Smith stopped presenting Top of the Pops in 1988 so with a very small number of exceptions the days will be behind us very soon..
Thursday, 25 April 2019
The name is 25, Bond 25
Today saw the official launch of the production of the 25th James Bond. Daniel Craig returns for his fifth (and possibly final) film . Rami Malek who won the Oscar for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody is the bad guy. Lea Seydoux returns in her Spectre role of Madeline Swann. Bond's MI6 support are back with Ralph (M) Fiennes, Naomie (Miss Moneypenny) Harris, Ben (Q) Wishaw and Rory (Bill Tanner) Kinnear along with making his first appearance since 2008's Quantum of Solace Jeffery Wright as Bond's CIA associate Felix Leiter. Bond 25 (whatever it is titled) comes out April 2020.
Today saw the official launch of the production of the 25th James Bond. Daniel Craig returns for his fifth (and possibly final) film . Rami Malek who won the Oscar for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody is the bad guy. Lea Seydoux returns in her Spectre role of Madeline Swann. Bond's MI6 support are back with Ralph (M) Fiennes, Naomie (Miss Moneypenny) Harris, Ben (Q) Wishaw and Rory (Bill Tanner) Kinnear along with making his first appearance since 2008's Quantum of Solace Jeffery Wright as Bond's CIA associate Felix Leiter. Bond 25 (whatever it is titled) comes out April 2020.
Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Tuesday, 23 April 2019
Look who's talking Peter
Peter Hitchens the conservative (in philosophy only) writer who in his latest column for The Mail on Sunday has taken out his fury on Game of Thrones. Hitchens has only read the original Song of Fire and Ice novels by George R R Martin was so repulsed by the sex and violence in the novels that he has never watched the TV series based on them saying it was the latest in the moral decay in Great Britain. Peter's column was reprinted digitally on the Mail Online website which printed a story on the shock of Game of Thrones fans seeing the character of Ayra (Masie Williams) Stark stripping off to have sex. The article had screen shots of her doing so. If you want to lecture us Peter make sure your house is in order
Peter Hitchens the conservative (in philosophy only) writer who in his latest column for The Mail on Sunday has taken out his fury on Game of Thrones. Hitchens has only read the original Song of Fire and Ice novels by George R R Martin was so repulsed by the sex and violence in the novels that he has never watched the TV series based on them saying it was the latest in the moral decay in Great Britain. Peter's column was reprinted digitally on the Mail Online website which printed a story on the shock of Game of Thrones fans seeing the character of Ayra (Masie Williams) Stark stripping off to have sex. The article had screen shots of her doing so. If you want to lecture us Peter make sure your house is in order
Thursday, 18 April 2019
What happened to bank holiday TV?
From this Friday to the following Monday it will be the Easter. However you will find very few programmes about the death and Resurrection of Christ the Lord. You would also get showings of classic films like Ben Hur plus one off drama and entertainment. With other bank holidays you would get the same special schedules. However the last decade has seen the TV schedules remain to their usual weekly patterns of antiques, property and celeb gossip. And the reason for this? Media execs say that older viewers do not like changes to their usual viewing patterns. The question has to be asked what evidence is there to support this claim and if it is disproved should the current policy be reversed.
From this Friday to the following Monday it will be the Easter. However you will find very few programmes about the death and Resurrection of Christ the Lord. You would also get showings of classic films like Ben Hur plus one off drama and entertainment. With other bank holidays you would get the same special schedules. However the last decade has seen the TV schedules remain to their usual weekly patterns of antiques, property and celeb gossip. And the reason for this? Media execs say that older viewers do not like changes to their usual viewing patterns. The question has to be asked what evidence is there to support this claim and if it is disproved should the current policy be reversed.
Tuesday, 16 April 2019
TV review - Ghosts
Starring Charlotte Ritchie, Simon Farnaby, Mathew Baynton
9:30PM Monday BBC1
Ghosts is the latest production from the team behind widely acclaimed kids show Horrible Histories. Ritchie plays a woman who on the death of distant relative inherits a manor house. She moves into it with her boyfriend and they then start to plan to turn it a hotel which does not go down well with the spirts (including 2 played by Farnayt and Baynton) already residing there. So as to be expected the ghosts embarked on a campaign to expel the newcomers. However it is the interaction the ghosts themselves that is the main selling point here. On the death of the old woman one of them (an Army officer) laying claim to her only to have to deal with the wailing and falling out of the window!Sometimes the ghosts frighten themselves as when they lay their eyes on a plague stricken girl. Ghosts may not be earth changing but it gives you a good laugh. For some reason Ghosts has been given a rather late slot which gives the impression that it is a lot more aldut than it is.
Starring Charlotte Ritchie, Simon Farnaby, Mathew Baynton
9:30PM Monday BBC1
Ghosts is the latest production from the team behind widely acclaimed kids show Horrible Histories. Ritchie plays a woman who on the death of distant relative inherits a manor house. She moves into it with her boyfriend and they then start to plan to turn it a hotel which does not go down well with the spirts (including 2 played by Farnayt and Baynton) already residing there. So as to be expected the ghosts embarked on a campaign to expel the newcomers. However it is the interaction the ghosts themselves that is the main selling point here. On the death of the old woman one of them (an Army officer) laying claim to her only to have to deal with the wailing and falling out of the window!Sometimes the ghosts frighten themselves as when they lay their eyes on a plague stricken girl. Ghosts may not be earth changing but it gives you a good laugh. For some reason Ghosts has been given a rather late slot which gives the impression that it is a lot more aldut than it is.
Monday, 15 April 2019
Sunday, 14 April 2019
A Skywalker will rise
The ninth main Star Wars film will bear the title of Rise of Skywalker. The film has a lot of expectations to deal with after the furious backlash from fans over previous Stars Wars film The Last Jedi treatment of beloved character such as the turning of Luke Skywalker into a mistranhopic hermit. The new film will see the return of a couple of familiar faces of the series. One is the previously announced return of Billy Dee Williams as intergalactic rogue Lando however the big surprise is the reappearance of Emperor Palpatine as played by Ian McDarmid. The Emperor of courser died in Return of the Jedi so this has led to frenzied fan speculation about the circumstances. We shall know when Rise of Skywalker is released in cinemas this Christmas.
The ninth main Star Wars film will bear the title of Rise of Skywalker. The film has a lot of expectations to deal with after the furious backlash from fans over previous Stars Wars film The Last Jedi treatment of beloved character such as the turning of Luke Skywalker into a mistranhopic hermit. The new film will see the return of a couple of familiar faces of the series. One is the previously announced return of Billy Dee Williams as intergalactic rogue Lando however the big surprise is the reappearance of Emperor Palpatine as played by Ian McDarmid. The Emperor of courser died in Return of the Jedi so this has led to frenzied fan speculation about the circumstances. We shall know when Rise of Skywalker is released in cinemas this Christmas.
Friday, 12 April 2019
We need new judges
After one series Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda are quitting as judges on The X Fact. Despite the presence of recording star Williams The X Factor saw it ratings slipped to a level that saw it being beaten by BBC1's long running Antiques Roadshow. No word on who will replace the couple.
After one series Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda are quitting as judges on The X Fact. Despite the presence of recording star Williams The X Factor saw it ratings slipped to a level that saw it being beaten by BBC1's long running Antiques Roadshow. No word on who will replace the couple.
Thursday, 11 April 2019
TV ratings 13-04-2019
Despite starring Hollywood star Richard Gere the latest episode of the BBC2 drama MotherFatherSon was seen by just over a half a million viewers, that figure made BBC2 rank last of the 5 main channels in the time slot. The drama sees Gere playing a media mogul who finds himself at the centre of various traumatic events. The failure of MotherFatherSon brings to mind the failure last year of BBC1's Press another drama about newspapers. Perhaps the subject is not for viewers tastes.
Despite starring Hollywood star Richard Gere the latest episode of the BBC2 drama MotherFatherSon was seen by just over a half a million viewers, that figure made BBC2 rank last of the 5 main channels in the time slot. The drama sees Gere playing a media mogul who finds himself at the centre of various traumatic events. The failure of MotherFatherSon brings to mind the failure last year of BBC1's Press another drama about newspapers. Perhaps the subject is not for viewers tastes.
Wednesday, 10 April 2019
Madge sings for Europe but not USA
In an impressive move it has been announced that Madonna will be the interval act at this year's Eurovison Song Contest. With the odd exception such as Irish Dancing extrangava Riverdance those providing the buffer between the performance of the songs and the much talked about scoring process. However Logo the US station that has broadcast the contest for the last 3 years will not do so this just when ESC has gotten one of the biggest names in Pop ever to perform at it.
In an impressive move it has been announced that Madonna will be the interval act at this year's Eurovison Song Contest. With the odd exception such as Irish Dancing extrangava Riverdance those providing the buffer between the performance of the songs and the much talked about scoring process. However Logo the US station that has broadcast the contest for the last 3 years will not do so this just when ESC has gotten one of the biggest names in Pop ever to perform at it.
Tuesday, 9 April 2019
TV ratings 08-04-2019
Last night saw the airing of the first episodes of 2 heavily promoted thrillers, BBC1's The Victim starring John Hannah and Kelly MacDonald facing ITV's The Widow with Kate Beckinsale. The Widow took last nights honours with 4.2 million viewers compared with The Victim's 3.6 million. Both shows second episodes are on tonight with The Victim's last 2 going out this Wednesday and Thursday while The Widow's remaining 6 playing out the next few weeks..
Last night saw the airing of the first episodes of 2 heavily promoted thrillers, BBC1's The Victim starring John Hannah and Kelly MacDonald facing ITV's The Widow with Kate Beckinsale. The Widow took last nights honours with 4.2 million viewers compared with The Victim's 3.6 million. Both shows second episodes are on tonight with The Victim's last 2 going out this Wednesday and Thursday while The Widow's remaining 6 playing out the next few weeks..
Monday, 8 April 2019
Richard and his potty mouth
Richard Madeley caused a bit of a stink last year when he stood in for Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain. He cut short an interview with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson on the grounds that he was not answerng his questions. This time Richard has got trouble after using the swear word s*** during an interview with the winner of singing talent contest show The Voice UK. Richard apologised claiming that at the time he did not know that he had used the offending word. Weather Richard completes this week subbing remains to be seen.
Richard Madeley caused a bit of a stink last year when he stood in for Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain. He cut short an interview with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson on the grounds that he was not answerng his questions. This time Richard has got trouble after using the swear word s*** during an interview with the winner of singing talent contest show The Voice UK. Richard apologised claiming that at the time he did not know that he had used the offending word. Weather Richard completes this week subbing remains to be seen.
Sunday, 7 April 2019
Clash of the idols - the winner is Elton
In an exciting FA Cup semi final Watford twice came back from being twice behind to win 3-2 in extra time. The result see's Elton John team is going to it's first FA Cup final in 35 years to face Manchester City in the final. Elton will be be hoping Watford win this time.
In an exciting FA Cup semi final Watford twice came back from being twice behind to win 3-2 in extra time. The result see's Elton John team is going to it's first FA Cup final in 35 years to face Manchester City in the final. Elton will be be hoping Watford win this time.
Clash of the idols
Today sees the FA Cup semi final between Watford and Wolverhampton Wanders. Both teams have very famous fans from the world of Rock. Watford most famous fan is Elton John who at one point owned the club during which time they reached the 1984 FA Cup Final losing to Everton. For Wolves they have Robert Plant who as lead singer of Led Zeppelin made himself a rock god. At the end of last season Robert performed a couple of Led Zeppelin's classics at a club dinner and he has been given lifetime achievement in recognition of his devotion to the club. Which of the stars will be singing today we will find out in a few hours.
Today sees the FA Cup semi final between Watford and Wolverhampton Wanders. Both teams have very famous fans from the world of Rock. Watford most famous fan is Elton John who at one point owned the club during which time they reached the 1984 FA Cup Final losing to Everton. For Wolves they have Robert Plant who as lead singer of Led Zeppelin made himself a rock god. At the end of last season Robert performed a couple of Led Zeppelin's classics at a club dinner and he has been given lifetime achievement in recognition of his devotion to the club. Which of the stars will be singing today we will find out in a few hours.
Friday, 5 April 2019
Moving into a fuss
The BBC has come under fire for moving this week's edition of Question Time from Bolton to London. Some claim that the move was due to Bolton voting during the Brexit refendrum. BBC bosses claim that due to the extraordinary events engulfing Westminster just now it would be impossible for guests to be anywhere far from London, Some critics claim the move was to get more remain voices on the programme as London voted remain, It is interesting to note that Question Time has also been accused of pandering to the leave viewpoints.
The BBC has come under fire for moving this week's edition of Question Time from Bolton to London. Some claim that the move was due to Bolton voting during the Brexit refendrum. BBC bosses claim that due to the extraordinary events engulfing Westminster just now it would be impossible for guests to be anywhere far from London, Some critics claim the move was to get more remain voices on the programme as London voted remain, It is interesting to note that Question Time has also been accused of pandering to the leave viewpoints.
Thursday, 4 April 2019
Home at last
After playing their home games at none other Wembly Stadium for the last 2 years Tottenam Hotspur have moved to their premeant new base. They celebrated with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. In other good news for the club they recorded a profit of £115 million despite the new stadium costing £1 billion.
After playing their home games at none other Wembly Stadium for the last 2 years Tottenam Hotspur have moved to their premeant new base. They celebrated with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. In other good news for the club they recorded a profit of £115 million despite the new stadium costing £1 billion.
Wednesday, 3 April 2019
Helen not for streaming
Dame Helen Mirren is the latest big name to speak out against Netflix. The Oscar winning actress complained that streaming giant were taking the cinema experience for many young film makers. Her speech was made at the annual Cinemacon event where distributors and exhibitors have a get together so Mirren's speech was warmly received. On related news the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have been warned by the US Department of Justice that if they accept Steven Spielberg's proposals demanding that Netflix change their release patterns they could be breaking the law.
Dame Helen Mirren is the latest big name to speak out against Netflix. The Oscar winning actress complained that streaming giant were taking the cinema experience for many young film makers. Her speech was made at the annual Cinemacon event where distributors and exhibitors have a get together so Mirren's speech was warmly received. On related news the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have been warned by the US Department of Justice that if they accept Steven Spielberg's proposals demanding that Netflix change their release patterns they could be breaking the law.
Tuesday, 2 April 2019
Zammo goes to the square
It has been that Lee McDonald is joining the cast of Eastenders. Best known for playing Zammo McGuire in Grange Hill. His character was at centre of a plot line about drug addiction that saw the cast record a charity single that proved to be so highly successful that the cast then met the then US First Lady Nancy Reagan. Later however one cast member John Alford was convicted of drug dealing in a highly contersial case. McDonald is not the first Grange Hill actor to appear in Eastemders, the 2 most famous being Todd Carty and Susan Tully as on screen brother and sister Mark and Michelle Fowler. Lee will be seen on Eastenders later in the year.
It has been that Lee McDonald is joining the cast of Eastenders. Best known for playing Zammo McGuire in Grange Hill. His character was at centre of a plot line about drug addiction that saw the cast record a charity single that proved to be so highly successful that the cast then met the then US First Lady Nancy Reagan. Later however one cast member John Alford was convicted of drug dealing in a highly contersial case. McDonald is not the first Grange Hill actor to appear in Eastemders, the 2 most famous being Todd Carty and Susan Tully as on screen brother and sister Mark and Michelle Fowler. Lee will be seen on Eastenders later in the year.
Monday, 1 April 2019
TV ratings 30-03-2019
The first episode of the fifth series of BBC1's Line of Duty started with an impressive 7.8 million viewers. While on ITV custome drama Victoria was watched by 3.1 million viewers. The 2 shows will be facing each other for the next 5 weeks so Victoria may suffer even more but it's international sales guarntee it's future.
The first episode of the fifth series of BBC1's Line of Duty started with an impressive 7.8 million viewers. While on ITV custome drama Victoria was watched by 3.1 million viewers. The 2 shows will be facing each other for the next 5 weeks so Victoria may suffer even more but it's international sales guarntee it's future.
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