Broght back but was it worth it?

With the news of the revival of All Creatures Great and Small being brought to TV screens here are 3 shows that were revied to mixed results

Doctor Who

After 16 (barring a couple of charity specials and an American TV Movie) Doctor Who made a triumpmahnt return. Still making news with it's cast of it's first female lead.

Polsark

Winston Graham Cronwell set novels inspired a TV in the early 1970s. 40 years later the BBC brought back the character for an new production which proved to be a hit.

Upstairs Downstairs

In the early 1970s Upstairs Downstairs the series about astriocrats and their servants was a translatanic hit. An early 2010s version could not repeat the success.

The return of Mr Herriot

Channel 5 have announced that they are making an new version of All Creatures Great and Small. The series that recounting the life of vet James Alf Wight aka James Herriot. The BBC series ran on and off between 1978 and 1990. No news of casting as yet.  Channel 5 do not have a good record of remaking drama hits of yesteryear, their take on Minder lasted only 1 series and their version of Science Fiction classic Doomwatch did not go beyond a pilot.

Angels coming again

The trailer has been unveiled of the latest version of Charlie's Angels. Hitting cinema screen in November the film will see Kristen Stewart as 1 member of the titular crime fighting group. This will be the third revival of the title. In the early 2000 there a couple of spoof films starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu while in 2011 there was a failed TV revival.

Tales from the Cup

A couple of interesting stories from the Women's World Cup. England player Georgia Stanwy asking organisers of the Glastonbury music festival if they could show the England versus Norway on Thursday because her brother is attending the event. The organisers have obliged her. The other revoles round an extraordinary feud between US President Donald Trump and US co-captain Christin Rapinoe. The dispute follow an interview in which Rapinoe states she would not visit the White House in the event of an American triumph. Things then took a bizarre turn with the president taking to twitter to personally the player but instead got a different person with the same surname!

Tests and grillings

A group of ITV executives faced questioning by a  parliamentary committee over the use of lie detector tests on the now axed The Jeremy Kyle Show.. The chair of the committee Damien Collins found it astoxhing the producers lack of knowledge about the tests. Anther member of the committee Paul Farrelly called the programme trash TV. However ITV executives defending themselves by saying guests were told in advance what was happening. The committee will also hear about how the welfare of those who take part in other shows like Love Island is taken care of.

TV ratings 24-06-2019

Beecham House which in prior publicity was hailed as ITV's new Downton Abbey launched to to 2.6 million viewers. It's BBC1 rival Gentleman Jack in contrast was seen by 4.2 million viewers. It was good night overall for BBC1 as the Women's World Cup match which saw England beat Cameroon in contersvial circumstances was at one point by 6 million viewers. Both Coutryfile and Antiques Roadshow were both seen just under 6 million viewers. The second episode of Beecham House is shown tonight but with it receiving reviews it may be fighting a losing battle.

They went away Martin

The actor Martin Clunes has criticised the BBC for axing his recent sit com Warren. Clunes accused the BBC of being biased against elderly and working class viewers. The show starred Clunes in the title role, a grumpy diving instructor. However when you take a look at the shows ratings you will find Clunes is clutching at straws somewhat. The first episode was watched by just under 6 million viewers however by the sixth and final episode was watched by just under 2 million viewers so hence the axe. The out burst by Clunes could considered to be one from someone unwilling to accept that they had a dud on their hands.

Getting it wrong big time

A Christian organisation sent a petition to Netflix asking them to stop showing Good Omens, the adaptation of the Neil Gaiman/ Terry Pratchett novel. The organisation complaints included the decipation of God as a Woman and the Anti Christ as an normal teenage boy. The organisers of the petition soon ran into a major problem, Netflix does not show Good Omens but their main streaming rivals Amazon Prime. Gaiman wrote a joking tweet about the mistake but it must be disconcerting for Amazon Prime for people not to know what service one of they most highly promoted shows goes out on.

They are going to the Con

After the news that an extended version of Avengers Endgame will be released Marvel studios have announced that they will be attending this year's San Diego Comic Con. This could seen as both a response to the news that arch rivals Warner Brothers are not attending this year and a victory lap for the stellar box office of Avengers Endgame. No word as yet what will be at this years presentation though some footage from the upcoming solo Black Widow may be shown.

We want that record

Disney have announced that an extended cut of Avengers Endgame will be released in cinemas. The studio has admitted that it is a ploy for the film to take the place of Avatar as highest grossing film of all time., There is currently $44 million currently separating. We just have to see if the ploy works.

No show for Jeremy

Jeremy Kyle has refused to testify before a parliamentary committee on reality television. Kyle's programme was axed when a guest. An number executives involved with the programme will give evidence about the after show care provided to those who appear on such shows. Another show which will be scrutinised will be Love Island which has seen 2 former contestants commit suicide.

Where is Boris?

Last night saw a live debate between 5 of the candidates for the Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister of Great Britain.The one missing candidate was runaway favourite Boris Johnson with an empty lectern taking his place. Johnson's excuse was that he was busy preparing for another debate on Tuesday. Despite his non showing Johnson is still over whelming favourite.

Bruce and Franco

The death of Italian film maker Franco Zeffielli herald many tributes to him but there are those who think less of him. At a screening of his cult film Whitnall and I writer-director Bruce Robinson related how an incident involving Zeffielli inspired one of the most famous scene in the 1987 film about 2 out of work actors. In his days as an actor Robinson was cast in the famed 1968 film version of Romeo and Juliet directed by Zeffrielli. At their first meeting during filming Robinson found the director in a room surrounded by other and was told by him to take a shower. After taking the shower Robinson found it was just him and Zeffrielli. Bruce used this experience for the where Paul McGann's I is sexually propositioned by the character of Uncle Monty played by Richard Griffiths.

You can see Bruce Robinson talking about this on Youtube.

The Raptors do it

Toronto Raptors have become the first non US team to win the NBA championship after beating Golden State 4-2 in the final series. However the finals have earned the unenviable record of being the least watched in terms of TV ratings for the last 3 years. Some have blamed how easily 3 pointers are while others blame the presence of a team from Canada though the won't matter to the Raptors as they celebrate.

It won't be Esther

Esther McVey bid to become leader of the Conservative Party has failed. She failed to gain the backing of more than 17 of her fellow Tory MPs to go the next round of voting. In fact she came last with just 9 backers. McVey has been headlines for unwanted reason when a feud with Breakfast TV show host Lorraine Kelly came to light. McVey blamed this on a trio of left leaning colleagues including current Labour MP Gloria Del Peiro. The next round of voting will whittle down to 2 candidates  to decide who becomes leader.

Lorraine vs Esther

News has emerged of an extaordinay feud between one of the candidates to be leader of the Conservative Party and one of the UK's most high profile TV presenters. When Esther McVey went on ITV's Good Morning Britain to star her campaign to be Tory leader host Piers Morgan that in her prior morning show GMTV alongside Lorraine Kelly another presenter on Good Morning Britain. When asked Kelly gave a short curt response about barely remembering. McVey. 2 reasons have emerged. First is Kelly having opposing views to McVey on such subjects as Gay marriage. While the other dates back to 1999 when McVey stood in for regular GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips who was on materinty leave which lead to McVey position herself as the new star presenter on GMTV putting Kelly's noose out of joint. Due to her low profile McVey is not likely to be leader so will hope for a cabiner post while Lorraine has her fan base.

TV review - Year of the Rabbit

Starring Matt Berry, Freddie Fox and Alun Armstrong

10PM Channel 4 Monday

Matt Berry has his first starring role since his award winning turn in Toast of London in this spoof of Victorian Crime drama Ripper Street. Matt plays Rabbit a tough as nails (his dog chew off an eyebrow) cop bringing the law in his own way. From the start Year of the Rabbit gives you belly laughs as we see Rabbit demonstrate to School kid how to get confessions by beating up their teacher in front of them! Paul Kaye is a highlight as a rival of Rabbit while Armstrong as Rabbit's superior is a fine example of comic exasperation. The only weak point being the case of the week element of the show though we get a running plot of a conspiracy with a cameo appearance by Keeley Hawes whose husband Matthew MacFadyen was the star of Ripper Street. Year of the Rabbit with it's first episode has set a comic standard.

If feel inclined you can watch all episodes on All 4

TV ratings 09-06-2019

Just over 6 million viewers tuned in the Women's Football World Cup group game between England and Scotland which England won 2-1. The figure represents the highest ever ratings for a Women's Football match beating the previous record of 4 million who tuned to see England in the Euros semi finals 2 years ago.

Where do you come From?

After winning the Ladies Singles at Tennis's French  Open Australian player Ashleigh Barty decide to look at how many of her country women had won the title. Barty discovered one huge mistake.  The 1976 winner was classed as coming from Australia however the player turned out to be Sue Barker.. The last British player to win the title Barker went on to have a high profile media career. Organisers have said that they will rectify the mistake.

TV Review - Killing Eve

Starring Jodie Cormer, Sandra Oh, Fiona Shaw

9:15 PM Saturday BBC1

Picking up seconds after the conclusion of the first series the opening episode saw both main characters Oh's Eve and Cormer's Villanelle at low points. Oh gives a masterclass in emotional confusion as she stumbles through Paris after stabbing Villanelle in the stomach. along the way there is a humorous encounter as Eve tries to get back to London. Meanwhile Villanelle stumbles around seeking treatment for her wound ending in a hospital wearing a boy's superhero pyjamas! This opening episode was more of a set up of what is to come though very much enlivened by some sparkling dialogue. The forthcoming episodes should be some of the most unique viewing experiences of recent years.

Girls doing it for themselves

Tonight sees the start of this year's Women's World Cup in Football. The competition will see extensive coverage on the BBC. The game with the most interest for British is the match on Sunday between old rivals England and Scotland. This year will be the one Women's Football makes a premant on the UK conscious.

Not going to the con

Warner Bros Pictures have announced that for the first time in 20 years is not making a major presentation at this year's San Diego Comic. The event is the biggest Pop culture event with various companies previewing their offerings for the forthcoming year. It not as if Warner Bros have little to show the massed crowds this year. Among them the Wonder Woman sequel, The Shining follow up Dr. Sleep and the new version of Science Fiction classic Dune. Warner Bros will be holding a preview screening of It: Chapter 2 at a side event.

Paul Darrow (1941-2019)

The death has been announced of the Paul Darrow. His best known role was as Kerr Avon in the BBC's cult Science Fiction show Blake's 7. Avon was a reluctant member of the titular group of freedom fighters forever in a tense relationship with leader Roj (Gareth Thomas) Blake. However when Blake was killed Avon took over only for a twist in the final episode that Blake had faked his death only for the group to die in a blood bath. Darrow appeared in 2 serials of that other famous BBC SF show Doctor Who, 1970's Doctor Who and the Silurians and 1985's Timeleash. For the latter Darrow tried to channel Laurence Oliver's famed performance in his role as a bad guy however producer John Nathan-Turner was not impressed and told to stop playing the role in that way. Other show Paul appeared on include The Saint, Little Britain and Toast of London. With Blake's 7 Darrow can claim to have a cult following.


Paul Darrow R.I.P

The gambler's run is over

One of the longest winning runs on US game show Jeopardy! has come to an end. James Holzhauer won 2 and a half million dollars on the show where contestants win money by answering clues with an question. The key to James long run on the show was that he would answer the most difficult but most profitable questions first. James met his match in university librarian Emma Bottcher. James run was the second longest in the shows history.

Robert is Bruce

After some speculation Robert Pattinson has been confirmed as the latest actor to play the role of Bruce Wayne aka Batman. This will not go down well with those who associate Pattinson with the Twilight series of films which are frown upon in some cirlces because of their teenage girl fan base. The new film is said to focus on the caped crusader's skills as a detective and a large number of his rouge galleries including The Penguin. Pattinson is currently filming Tenant with Christopher Nolan who is famous for his own cinematic take on Batman with the Dark Knight trilogy of 2005-12. Filming on the new film is due to start within the year.

James not impressed with how his creation turned out

1997 saw the release of LA Confidential the film version of James Ellroy's crime novel of the starring Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey and Kim Basinger. The film received rave reviews and many awards including an Oscar for Basinger for her role as a prostitute. Though one of the few people not happy with the family was Ellroy himself. According to a report in The Guardian newspaper he called the film as deep as a tortilla and character actions made no sense. Though Ellroy admitted the money he has received from the film is very nice.