Channel 5 at 20
It is now 20 years since Channel 5 was launched and in that time it has gone through many changes both on and off screen. When it launched it had a mix of Football, films, comedy and chat. Channel 5 covered most of Chelsea's path to winning the 1998 European Cup Winners Cup with only the final being covered by BBC1. One of Channel 5's big selling points was that there would be a film on at 9 PM every night though this tended to be a mix of actual cinema releases, Direct to Video releases and US TV movies of variable quality. Stars like Simon Pegg and Graham Norton made early appearances in comedy shows made by Channel 5. Jack Docherty hosted a late night chat show only when he went on holiday he came back to find that his stand in Melinda Messenger had replaced him full time. After a few years Channel 5 had become more reliant on US imports such as CSI (and spin offs), Law and Order (and spin offs) and NCIS (and spin offs) to names just a few. In 2010 Richard Desmond bought the broadcaster, and one of the first things that happened was that Big Brother was brought back from the TV graveyard after being axed by Channel 4 with some suggesting this was done only to keep filling the pages of the Desmond owned newspaper The Daily Star. In 2014 Desmond sold Channel 5 to US giant Viacom for £700 million, one of the most curious things to happen under Viacom was the transferring of the US imports to the smaller sister channels with the schedules given over to home made factual programmes. The next few years for Channel 5 may be unknown but it will not be uneventful.
Friday, 31 March 2017
Thursday, 30 March 2017
TV Review: Brian Pern - A Tribute
Starring Simon Day, Rhys Thomas
Channel: BBC4
After the sudden death of the one time Thotch front man and inventor of World Music the BBC broadcast a tribute featuring contributions from other rock legends like Paul McCartney, Phil Collins and Elton John. Brian Pern is or course the fictional creation of Simon Day who plays Pern and Rhys Thomas who kinds of plays himself as the director of the film. The show plays with the format of such programmes with various talking heads like Brian's band mates played by Nigel Havers and Day's Fast Show cast mate Paul Whitehouse, his ex wives with his first one played by Jane Asher who had her own relationship with Paul McCartney in the 1960's and his manger played by deadpan wit of the highest order by Michael Kitchen. Another Fast Show cast member John Thomson makes a hilarious appearance as a Thotch fan who believes that Brian has faked his death and is now living in the Amazon. Doctor Who fans will be delighted by the appearances of both Christopher Eccleston and Peter Davison, Eccleston plays an edgy record producer who is not happy with producing a Prog Rock record while Davison as himself lambasted Brian's acting abilities when Brian appeared on Doctor Who with clips showing his non acting ability. Brian's Advenntures in sound have provided some of the biggest laugh out moments of recent years so it is sad to see him go though they may be a chance that this is not the last we have seen of him.
Starring Simon Day, Rhys Thomas
Channel: BBC4
After the sudden death of the one time Thotch front man and inventor of World Music the BBC broadcast a tribute featuring contributions from other rock legends like Paul McCartney, Phil Collins and Elton John. Brian Pern is or course the fictional creation of Simon Day who plays Pern and Rhys Thomas who kinds of plays himself as the director of the film. The show plays with the format of such programmes with various talking heads like Brian's band mates played by Nigel Havers and Day's Fast Show cast mate Paul Whitehouse, his ex wives with his first one played by Jane Asher who had her own relationship with Paul McCartney in the 1960's and his manger played by deadpan wit of the highest order by Michael Kitchen. Another Fast Show cast member John Thomson makes a hilarious appearance as a Thotch fan who believes that Brian has faked his death and is now living in the Amazon. Doctor Who fans will be delighted by the appearances of both Christopher Eccleston and Peter Davison, Eccleston plays an edgy record producer who is not happy with producing a Prog Rock record while Davison as himself lambasted Brian's acting abilities when Brian appeared on Doctor Who with clips showing his non acting ability. Brian's Advenntures in sound have provided some of the biggest laugh out moments of recent years so it is sad to see him go though they may be a chance that this is not the last we have seen of him.
Tuesday, 28 March 2017
What links Pointless with Star Wars/
In a round which contestants were asked to name actors from the biggest film series of all time from clues given about them, Warwick Davis was given as an answer which of course was right. Host Alexander Armstrong then added that Pointless was made at the same studio where Davis filmed his scenes for Return of the Jedi.
In a round which contestants were asked to name actors from the biggest film series of all time from clues given about them, Warwick Davis was given as an answer which of course was right. Host Alexander Armstrong then added that Pointless was made at the same studio where Davis filmed his scenes for Return of the Jedi.
Monday, 27 March 2017
Eurovison and the coup
The recent banning of the Russian entry for this years Eurovison song contest by hosts Ukraine because the singer set foot on hotly disputed territory has set many people shaking their heads over politics spoiling a event that was creating to bring nations together. This is not the first time politics has cast it's shadow over the event, in 1974 the year ABBA won with Waterloo would see the military in Portugal launch a coup when the first bars of the country's entry was played. Russia may still take part in the year's contest but it has been overshadowed by more serious matters.
The recent banning of the Russian entry for this years Eurovison song contest by hosts Ukraine because the singer set foot on hotly disputed territory has set many people shaking their heads over politics spoiling a event that was creating to bring nations together. This is not the first time politics has cast it's shadow over the event, in 1974 the year ABBA won with Waterloo would see the military in Portugal launch a coup when the first bars of the country's entry was played. Russia may still take part in the year's contest but it has been overshadowed by more serious matters.
Saturday, 18 March 2017
Who watches these shows?
Below is a list of TV shows that for some (to me) that people watch
Escape to the Country
Rich people are guidied around various expensive homes in the ultimate of property porn. Great viewing in these times of fiscal dire straits.
Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs
Sorry but Dogs and me do not get on , so watching a programmes full of them is the biggest turn off of them all.
The Jeremy Kyle Show
Now you can do a very long essay on the many moral problems that this show brings with it but you can just watch videos on Youtube to save you time.
Below is a list of TV shows that for some (to me) that people watch
Escape to the Country
Rich people are guidied around various expensive homes in the ultimate of property porn. Great viewing in these times of fiscal dire straits.
Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs
Sorry but Dogs and me do not get on , so watching a programmes full of them is the biggest turn off of them all.
The Jeremy Kyle Show
Now you can do a very long essay on the many moral problems that this show brings with it but you can just watch videos on Youtube to save you time.
Friday, 17 March 2017
Change of career for George
In a surprise move George Osborne the former Chancellor has announced as the editor of London newspaper The Evening Standard. Osborne had before entering politics had pursed a career in journalism having job interviews with the likes of The Times (to name just one) before operating as a freelance journalist. After getting a job at the Conservative party headquarters Osborne devoted himself the cut and thrust of politics rising to the post of Chancellor before being sacked by Theresa May when she became Prime Minster and is said to have given him a lecture on humility. The appointment has of course raised some eyebrows, Jeremy Corbyn has called on Osborne to resign his Taton seat (which is actually due to be abolished at the next General Election) saying that he can not be both an MP and newspaper editor at the same time. Alistair Campbell has suggested that person who has most to fear from Osborne in his new job is Prime Minister May. A lot of people will be interested in what The Evening Standard has to say in the future.
In a surprise move George Osborne the former Chancellor has announced as the editor of London newspaper The Evening Standard. Osborne had before entering politics had pursed a career in journalism having job interviews with the likes of The Times (to name just one) before operating as a freelance journalist. After getting a job at the Conservative party headquarters Osborne devoted himself the cut and thrust of politics rising to the post of Chancellor before being sacked by Theresa May when she became Prime Minster and is said to have given him a lecture on humility. The appointment has of course raised some eyebrows, Jeremy Corbyn has called on Osborne to resign his Taton seat (which is actually due to be abolished at the next General Election) saying that he can not be both an MP and newspaper editor at the same time. Alistair Campbell has suggested that person who has most to fear from Osborne in his new job is Prime Minister May. A lot of people will be interested in what The Evening Standard has to say in the future.
Thursday, 16 March 2017
New faces for GBBO
Channel 4 have announced who will be joining Paul Hollywood when The Great British Bake Off makes it move later this year. Joining Hollywood as judge will be Prue Leith, that could considered a like for like change for Mary Berry. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect is the choice of presenters with the near ever present Sandi Toksvig filling one of the spots, however it is the other choice that has raised some eyebrows with Noel Fielding of The Mighty Boosh fame taking the role. GBBO will almost certainly be the largest audience Fielding will and the big question being is how will they take to his unique sense of humour. We will find out soon.
Channel 4 have announced who will be joining Paul Hollywood when The Great British Bake Off makes it move later this year. Joining Hollywood as judge will be Prue Leith, that could considered a like for like change for Mary Berry. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect is the choice of presenters with the near ever present Sandi Toksvig filling one of the spots, however it is the other choice that has raised some eyebrows with Noel Fielding of The Mighty Boosh fame taking the role. GBBO will almost certainly be the largest audience Fielding will and the big question being is how will they take to his unique sense of humour. We will find out soon.
Wednesday, 15 March 2017
ITV's Racing results
This is the first week in which Horse Racing made it's return to the main ITV channel after a 30 year gap, coverage of the sport so far has been on ITV4. The channel has given over it's daytime schedule over the Cheltenham Festival with the likes of Loose Women, Tipping Point and Judge Rinder making way for the event. And much interest was on the ratings and for yesterday they were just over hundred thousand more than what Channel 4 got for the same day last year. Yes it is early days but there will some concerned execs given the money ITV spent on the rights for Horse Racing.
This is the first week in which Horse Racing made it's return to the main ITV channel after a 30 year gap, coverage of the sport so far has been on ITV4. The channel has given over it's daytime schedule over the Cheltenham Festival with the likes of Loose Women, Tipping Point and Judge Rinder making way for the event. And much interest was on the ratings and for yesterday they were just over hundred thousand more than what Channel 4 got for the same day last year. Yes it is early days but there will some concerned execs given the money ITV spent on the rights for Horse Racing.
Monday, 13 March 2017
Ed of the charts
Ed Sheeran had made UK chart history, the 16 tracks from his new album Divide dominate the top 20. Ed's dominance had been put down to streaming sites and some have declared the relevance of the charts now to be dead. It is worth to wonder that if Top of the Pops was still running it would just Sheeran who would be on.
Ed Sheeran had made UK chart history, the 16 tracks from his new album Divide dominate the top 20. Ed's dominance had been put down to streaming sites and some have declared the relevance of the charts now to be dead. It is worth to wonder that if Top of the Pops was still running it would just Sheeran who would be on.
Friday, 10 March 2017
The dangers of being interviewed at home
During an interview conducted with the BBC via Skype, Professor Robert Kelly an expert on Political Science was being asked questions about recent developments in South Korea there was a sudden appearance. Both of Professor Kelly's children wandered into the room where he was conducting the interview, Professor Kelly's wife then rushed into the room to take away the children. To his eternal credit Professor Kelly maintained his calm.
During an interview conducted with the BBC via Skype, Professor Robert Kelly an expert on Political Science was being asked questions about recent developments in South Korea there was a sudden appearance. Both of Professor Kelly's children wandered into the room where he was conducting the interview, Professor Kelly's wife then rushed into the room to take away the children. To his eternal credit Professor Kelly maintained his calm.
Thursday, 9 March 2017
Comic review: James Bond - Eidolon
Writer - Warren Ellis. Artist - Jason Masters
Eidolon collects the second James Bond story written by Warren Ellis. It sees Bond facing against his old foes the nefarious organisation SPECTRE. What starts out as a routine mission to escort a MI6 agent out of Los Angles after her cover is blown turns out to be the unmasking of the infiltration of intelligence organisation by SPECTRE. Ellis provides a muscular tale as Bond roots out SPECTRE from it's position of power. Eidolon features scenes of visceral action as Bond fights the bad guys, Jason Masters art brings across the exit wounds of people being shot and the force of punches being landed. Although Ellis brings a new flavour to the Bond mythos he also uses some familiar elements such as the MI6 staff (M. Miss Moneypenny, Q and Bill Tanner) and a Female character with a somewhat absurd name in the shape Cadence Birdwhistle the MI6 agent whose discovery of shady transactions kicks off the action and of course she enjoys a romantic encounter with Bond. Eidolon features perhaps the most unique way Bond vanquishes an enemy in any medium, if I was to say any more would spoil your enjoyment if you have not read it. If you in the mood for an unique take on Bond you can not go wrong with Eidolon.
Writer - Warren Ellis. Artist - Jason Masters
Eidolon collects the second James Bond story written by Warren Ellis. It sees Bond facing against his old foes the nefarious organisation SPECTRE. What starts out as a routine mission to escort a MI6 agent out of Los Angles after her cover is blown turns out to be the unmasking of the infiltration of intelligence organisation by SPECTRE. Ellis provides a muscular tale as Bond roots out SPECTRE from it's position of power. Eidolon features scenes of visceral action as Bond fights the bad guys, Jason Masters art brings across the exit wounds of people being shot and the force of punches being landed. Although Ellis brings a new flavour to the Bond mythos he also uses some familiar elements such as the MI6 staff (M. Miss Moneypenny, Q and Bill Tanner) and a Female character with a somewhat absurd name in the shape Cadence Birdwhistle the MI6 agent whose discovery of shady transactions kicks off the action and of course she enjoys a romantic encounter with Bond. Eidolon features perhaps the most unique way Bond vanquishes an enemy in any medium, if I was to say any more would spoil your enjoyment if you have not read it. If you in the mood for an unique take on Bond you can not go wrong with Eidolon.
Wednesday, 8 March 2017
A master spy returns
The new John le Care novel 'Legacy of Spies' will feature the return of George Smiley. The character last appeared in 'The Secret Pilgram' 25 years ago. Plot details are thin on the ground but what is known is that an number of characters from le Care novels will be having to answer for their activates during the Cold War. It will be intriguing to see what the author thinks about the current East-West relationship.
The new John le Care novel 'Legacy of Spies' will feature the return of George Smiley. The character last appeared in 'The Secret Pilgram' 25 years ago. Plot details are thin on the ground but what is known is that an number of characters from le Care novels will be having to answer for their activates during the Cold War. It will be intriguing to see what the author thinks about the current East-West relationship.
Tuesday, 7 March 2017
When to warn and when not to
Former weather forecaster Bill Giles has attacked the number of storm warnings that have been given recently, saying it is nothing more than 'nannying'. Though this does recall the infamous incident in 1987 when Giles's colleague Micheal Fish when having apparently having been phoned by a women who told him that a hurricane was heading towards the United Kingdom and Fish refuted this. But what did happen was the UK was hit by a storm that killed 19 people. Many years later Fish said that there was no such female caller and the whole hurricane business was being told by a BBC staff member that they Mother was going on holiday to the USA and said to her son that a 'storm was coming'. Fish decided to use this as a opening line little knowing how history would judged him. Perhaps Giles should have remembered what happened to his old colleague.
Former weather forecaster Bill Giles has attacked the number of storm warnings that have been given recently, saying it is nothing more than 'nannying'. Though this does recall the infamous incident in 1987 when Giles's colleague Micheal Fish when having apparently having been phoned by a women who told him that a hurricane was heading towards the United Kingdom and Fish refuted this. But what did happen was the UK was hit by a storm that killed 19 people. Many years later Fish said that there was no such female caller and the whole hurricane business was being told by a BBC staff member that they Mother was going on holiday to the USA and said to her son that a 'storm was coming'. Fish decided to use this as a opening line little knowing how history would judged him. Perhaps Giles should have remembered what happened to his old colleague.
Monday, 6 March 2017
Remembering Brass Eye
It is 20 years since the broadcast of Brass Eye, the show that dug into the increasingly sensation driven agenda of TV news gathering and along the way making fools of a large number of famous people. After being part of the ensemble efforts (most famously Steve Coogan got his big break withe the introduction of Alan Partidge) of BBC Radio's On the Hour and it's TV spin off The Day Today, Morris got to be the main focus being backed by a company of supporting players including Gina McKee, Mark Heap, Clare Skinner and Morris's co-star from On The Hour/The Day Today Doon MacKichan, Morris fronted each episode as a Paxmanesque host introducing news report with Morris playing most of the reporters with the most memorable of these being Ted Maul who during a report performs a SAS style crash into the top floor office of 2 unscrupulous Harley Street Doctors only to get into a shouting match with one while the other gets away leading Maul to vandalise the sports car of his sparring partner. The other famed aspect was it's treatment of famous people. There were fake campaigns with the most famous being the one for 'fake' drug CAKE, others including a video for prisoners where convicted murderers would have Vanessa Feltz shout at them 'Look at me I am Marvin Gaye killed by own Father' or Steven Berkoff demonstrating the effects of heavy electricity by smashing various objects. One hopes that Morris can get back doing something in these somewhat turbulent times
It is 20 years since the broadcast of Brass Eye, the show that dug into the increasingly sensation driven agenda of TV news gathering and along the way making fools of a large number of famous people. After being part of the ensemble efforts (most famously Steve Coogan got his big break withe the introduction of Alan Partidge) of BBC Radio's On the Hour and it's TV spin off The Day Today, Morris got to be the main focus being backed by a company of supporting players including Gina McKee, Mark Heap, Clare Skinner and Morris's co-star from On The Hour/The Day Today Doon MacKichan, Morris fronted each episode as a Paxmanesque host introducing news report with Morris playing most of the reporters with the most memorable of these being Ted Maul who during a report performs a SAS style crash into the top floor office of 2 unscrupulous Harley Street Doctors only to get into a shouting match with one while the other gets away leading Maul to vandalise the sports car of his sparring partner. The other famed aspect was it's treatment of famous people. There were fake campaigns with the most famous being the one for 'fake' drug CAKE, others including a video for prisoners where convicted murderers would have Vanessa Feltz shout at them 'Look at me I am Marvin Gaye killed by own Father' or Steven Berkoff demonstrating the effects of heavy electricity by smashing various objects. One hopes that Morris can get back doing something in these somewhat turbulent times
Sunday, 5 March 2017
Radio Review: War of the Worlds
Drama starring Blake Ritson, Samuel James
BBC Radio 4 2:30 pm Saturday
When you talk of any adaptation of H. G. Wells classic tale of an alien invasion in any medium the conversation will bring in Orson Welles famed radio version, that with it's fake radio news bulletins caused a bit of a stir when it was first broadcast. BBC Radio 4 have just started a much more traditional 2 part adaption of the novel, set in the late 19th century, it takes on ideas like the fear of emerging technologies that can capture a persons image or their voice, another being the fear of a Europe wide war being fought. Of course the main plot line is the invasion of the Martians, the production gives you the sense of the sheer terror the invaders bring through the use of sound effects, in particular the sound of those humans who make the mistake of getting to close and end up getting blasted. With the second part to come this is shaping to be one of the adaptations in any medium that they has been.
Drama starring Blake Ritson, Samuel James
BBC Radio 4 2:30 pm Saturday
When you talk of any adaptation of H. G. Wells classic tale of an alien invasion in any medium the conversation will bring in Orson Welles famed radio version, that with it's fake radio news bulletins caused a bit of a stir when it was first broadcast. BBC Radio 4 have just started a much more traditional 2 part adaption of the novel, set in the late 19th century, it takes on ideas like the fear of emerging technologies that can capture a persons image or their voice, another being the fear of a Europe wide war being fought. Of course the main plot line is the invasion of the Martians, the production gives you the sense of the sheer terror the invaders bring through the use of sound effects, in particular the sound of those humans who make the mistake of getting to close and end up getting blasted. With the second part to come this is shaping to be one of the adaptations in any medium that they has been.
Saturday, 4 March 2017
Crazy story of the week
This week Rickey Tomlinson who in the days before acting in TV shows like Brookside and The Royale Family was a leading figure in a builders union, made a somewhat extraordinary claim. Tomlinson and an number of others were jailed for illegal strike action in the 1970's., Tomlinson claims a TV programme shown during the trial made the jury to find Tomlinson and his co-defendants guilty. Tomlinson accused the presenter of the programme Richard Whiteley of being a MI5 agent. Whiteley who died in 2005 would of course find greater fame as the host of Countdown. Family and friends of Whiteley have naturally have shown a great deal of anger towards Tomlinson's claim. As for the truth of the matter we may never know.
This week Rickey Tomlinson who in the days before acting in TV shows like Brookside and The Royale Family was a leading figure in a builders union, made a somewhat extraordinary claim. Tomlinson and an number of others were jailed for illegal strike action in the 1970's., Tomlinson claims a TV programme shown during the trial made the jury to find Tomlinson and his co-defendants guilty. Tomlinson accused the presenter of the programme Richard Whiteley of being a MI5 agent. Whiteley who died in 2005 would of course find greater fame as the host of Countdown. Family and friends of Whiteley have naturally have shown a great deal of anger towards Tomlinson's claim. As for the truth of the matter we may never know.
Friday, 3 March 2017
Selina courts fate
In a Newsnight interview taped before last year's US Presidential election Kristy Wark asks Selina Scott about her opinion of future President Donald Trump. Scott made a programme about Trump in the 1990's, what Scott says does not stray too far from the much held opinion of the future President as bit of a brusque figure. Trump called Scott a loser after the interview. Wark concludes by asking Scott about Trump's chances, Scott answered that Trump would turn off female voters who proved important in Barack Obama's victories. History would prove Scott wrong.
You can watch the interview on Youtube
In a Newsnight interview taped before last year's US Presidential election Kristy Wark asks Selina Scott about her opinion of future President Donald Trump. Scott made a programme about Trump in the 1990's, what Scott says does not stray too far from the much held opinion of the future President as bit of a brusque figure. Trump called Scott a loser after the interview. Wark concludes by asking Scott about Trump's chances, Scott answered that Trump would turn off female voters who proved important in Barack Obama's victories. History would prove Scott wrong.
You can watch the interview on Youtube
Thursday, 2 March 2017
Nightly problems
ITV's new late night entertainment The Nightly Show has made a less than impressive start. The show that will see an new host every week has seen it's ratings crash in just a couple of days. No word on weather there will any major changes for the forthcoming weeks the show is on. On a related note ITV late night news bulletin which was displace by The Nightly Show has also seen it's ratings suffer.
ITV's new late night entertainment The Nightly Show has made a less than impressive start. The show that will see an new host every week has seen it's ratings crash in just a couple of days. No word on weather there will any major changes for the forthcoming weeks the show is on. On a related note ITV late night news bulletin which was displace by The Nightly Show has also seen it's ratings suffer.
Wednesday, 1 March 2017
Saturday morning kids show revival?
With the news of Ant and Dec are looking to revive their Saturday morning show SM:TV Live, comes news that the BBC are also looking to bring back their own Live and Kicking. Whether either show does come back remains to be seen and given the changing nature of TV over the years they will succeed.
With the news of Ant and Dec are looking to revive their Saturday morning show SM:TV Live, comes news that the BBC are also looking to bring back their own Live and Kicking. Whether either show does come back remains to be seen and given the changing nature of TV over the years they will succeed.
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