Alan Partidge: The low lights
Tonight on BBC2 there is an new documentary exploring the career of the famed broadcaster from Norwich. Here are 3 of the famed moments that have made Alan's name.
Changing Rooms
Alan follows a Female Australian Showjumper into the changing rooms after an event. Conducts the interview there and then with only a slight pause when she takes of her bra to put on an new one.
More than meets the eye.
On his chat show Alan interviews an agony Aunt. Throughout Alan flirts with her until she reveals she was born a man. Alan then orders her off the set which she does but not before sticking her tongue down his thoart.
Don't play with those.
Alan interviews a writer who has just brought Bryon's duelling pistols just to annoy Micheal Winner. Things take a deadly turn when Alan accidentally shoots dead the writer with on of the pistols. Alan is last seen helping the Police with their enquires.
Wednesday, 27 December 2017
Tuesday, 26 December 2017
Xmas Day TV rout
BBC1 dominated the Xmas Day TV ratings. Mrs Brown's Boys was the most watched programme of the night with nearly 7 million viewers. Elsewhere Peter Calpadi last episode as the Doctor in Doctor Who was watched by around 5 and half million viewers. Meanwhile ITV had a very bad night. Emmerdale which currently holds the title of the UK's second soap was watched by under 4 million viewers while historical drama Victoria fared even worse with 2.72 million viewers. So Game, Set and Match to BBC1.
BBC1 dominated the Xmas Day TV ratings. Mrs Brown's Boys was the most watched programme of the night with nearly 7 million viewers. Elsewhere Peter Calpadi last episode as the Doctor in Doctor Who was watched by around 5 and half million viewers. Meanwhile ITV had a very bad night. Emmerdale which currently holds the title of the UK's second soap was watched by under 4 million viewers while historical drama Victoria fared even worse with 2.72 million viewers. So Game, Set and Match to BBC1.
Sunday, 24 December 2017
Unlikely Xmas viewing
For the last 2 years BBC1 have at Christmas shown an new adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel, in 2016 it was And There Were None and the following year Witness for the Prosecution. This year there was supposed to be another Ordeal by Innocence but following allegations concerning one of it's stars it was dropped from the Xmas schedules. In it's place is The Miniaturist based on an novel by Jessie Burton. Set 17th Century Holland it is a tale in which a miniature predicts the events of the home it is located in. The novel won an number of prizes but may prove to be too niche for a mainstream Xmas audience.
For the last 2 years BBC1 have at Christmas shown an new adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel, in 2016 it was And There Were None and the following year Witness for the Prosecution. This year there was supposed to be another Ordeal by Innocence but following allegations concerning one of it's stars it was dropped from the Xmas schedules. In it's place is The Miniaturist based on an novel by Jessie Burton. Set 17th Century Holland it is a tale in which a miniature predicts the events of the home it is located in. The novel won an number of prizes but may prove to be too niche for a mainstream Xmas audience.
Friday, 22 December 2017
3 memorable Xmas specials
Xmas is upon us so here are 3 Christmas specials that left a mark.
Blackadder's Christmas Carol
Dickens classic is giving a makeover by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton. A caring Blackadder is shown how his ancestors behave and gets some ideas.
Only Fools and Horses - Dates
Del Boy goes out on a date and finds the love of his life. Meanwhile Rodney goes out one of his own only to find himself in the middle of a high speed chase.
Yes Minister - Party Games
The Prime Minister resigns leading to all out back stabbing. The last man standing turns out to be the unlikely figure of Jim Hacker but only after being pushed into the role by Sir Humphrey.
Xmas is upon us so here are 3 Christmas specials that left a mark.
Blackadder's Christmas Carol
Dickens classic is giving a makeover by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton. A caring Blackadder is shown how his ancestors behave and gets some ideas.
Only Fools and Horses - Dates
Del Boy goes out on a date and finds the love of his life. Meanwhile Rodney goes out one of his own only to find himself in the middle of a high speed chase.
Yes Minister - Party Games
The Prime Minister resigns leading to all out back stabbing. The last man standing turns out to be the unlikely figure of Jim Hacker but only after being pushed into the role by Sir Humphrey.
Thursday, 21 December 2017
The Jedi backlash
The fallout of the fan backlash over new Star Wars The Last Jedi continues. Sales of toy figures for this film are massively down for those for the last film The Force Awakens at the same point of release. There are videos on Youtube decrying the film for it's treatment of classic characters like Luke Skywalker. Weather Disney take on those views as director Rhian Johnson has announced plans for a separate trilogy. The fans will be watching The House of Mouse's next move.
The fallout of the fan backlash over new Star Wars The Last Jedi continues. Sales of toy figures for this film are massively down for those for the last film The Force Awakens at the same point of release. There are videos on Youtube decrying the film for it's treatment of classic characters like Luke Skywalker. Weather Disney take on those views as director Rhian Johnson has announced plans for a separate trilogy. The fans will be watching The House of Mouse's next move.
Wednesday, 20 December 2017
Tuesday, 19 December 2017
TV Review: The League of Gentlemen
Monday 10pm BBC2
Starring Mark Gattis, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith
After a gap of 15 years (excluding a 2005 film version) the village of Royston Vasey and it's inhabitants make a return to the TV screen. And in it's first few minutes it maintains it reputation to be both shocking and hilarious in the same moment. A regular character is swallowed by a photo booth while another the World's worst vet Dr.(Gatiss) Chinnery blows out the insides of a Hedgehog over a Mother and her Daughter. Elsewhere there is plot revolving around the town getting redrawn in a boundaries exercise which lead to some characters plotting to vent their fury. The League of Gentlemen is a show that plays by it's own rules so will never gain a mainstream audience, one way to describe is to think of an episode of Last of the Summer Wine as directed by David Lynch. If you are in a mood for dark laughs then these 3 new episodes will be right up your street.
Monday 10pm BBC2
Starring Mark Gattis, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith
After a gap of 15 years (excluding a 2005 film version) the village of Royston Vasey and it's inhabitants make a return to the TV screen. And in it's first few minutes it maintains it reputation to be both shocking and hilarious in the same moment. A regular character is swallowed by a photo booth while another the World's worst vet Dr.(Gatiss) Chinnery blows out the insides of a Hedgehog over a Mother and her Daughter. Elsewhere there is plot revolving around the town getting redrawn in a boundaries exercise which lead to some characters plotting to vent their fury. The League of Gentlemen is a show that plays by it's own rules so will never gain a mainstream audience, one way to describe is to think of an episode of Last of the Summer Wine as directed by David Lynch. If you are in a mood for dark laughs then these 3 new episodes will be right up your street.
Monday, 18 December 2017
Whoops Sir Mo
Sir Mo Farah the long distance with 4 Olympic and 6 World Gold medals was named BBC Sports Personality 2017. However things did not go to plan, the event was held in Liverpool while Sir Mo was in London. When Sir Mo was announced as the winner he was supposed to be interviewed over a video link however it broke as soon as it went to him. So Sir Mo could not make an acceptance speech. Elsewhere during the event one of Sir Mo's fellow British 2012 Olympics Super Saturday heroes Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill was given a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sir Mo Farah the long distance with 4 Olympic and 6 World Gold medals was named BBC Sports Personality 2017. However things did not go to plan, the event was held in Liverpool while Sir Mo was in London. When Sir Mo was announced as the winner he was supposed to be interviewed over a video link however it broke as soon as it went to him. So Sir Mo could not make an acceptance speech. Elsewhere during the event one of Sir Mo's fellow British 2012 Olympics Super Saturday heroes Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill was given a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sunday, 17 December 2017
Friday, 15 December 2017
R Rated Disney
There has been some concern that R rated Marvel comic adaptions like Deadpool could be a thing of the past due to the Disney take over of Fox. However Disney has put more adult fare under subserdies they own.
Pulp Fiction
Quintin Tarintino's interweaving tale of bloody murders, accidental drug overdose and damn fine burgers was released under the banner of Miramax the company Disney brought from Harvey Wienstein.
Good Will Hunting
The Oscar winning tale of a troubled maths genius which launched the careers of both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck was an another Miramax release.
Con Air
The all action tale of convicts taking over the plane transporting them to a new prison was released by another Disney subsidiary Touchstone.
There has been some concern that R rated Marvel comic adaptions like Deadpool could be a thing of the past due to the Disney take over of Fox. However Disney has put more adult fare under subserdies they own.
Pulp Fiction
Quintin Tarintino's interweaving tale of bloody murders, accidental drug overdose and damn fine burgers was released under the banner of Miramax the company Disney brought from Harvey Wienstein.
Good Will Hunting
The Oscar winning tale of a troubled maths genius which launched the careers of both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck was an another Miramax release.
Con Air
The all action tale of convicts taking over the plane transporting them to a new prison was released by another Disney subsidiary Touchstone.
Thursday, 14 December 2017
The Mouse buys the Fox
After weeks of speculation (even at one belived to have stalled.) Disney have taken over 21st Centenuary Fox. This creates the media group in the world. It would take too long too name all the assets that cover the deal but here some. The ABC network in the US, Walt Disney Filma and ESPN sports network. What happens to Fox owner Rupert Murdoch will be of much interest.
After weeks of speculation (even at one belived to have stalled.) Disney have taken over 21st Centenuary Fox. This creates the media group in the world. It would take too long too name all the assets that cover the deal but here some. The ABC network in the US, Walt Disney Filma and ESPN sports network. What happens to Fox owner Rupert Murdoch will be of much interest.
Wednesday, 13 December 2017
Tuesday, 12 December 2017
Bullseye non-gamblers
In a clip of from mid 1980's edition of Bullseye, the mix of Darts and general knowledge quiz the star prize is turned down by all 3 pairs. First Jim Bowen asks the winners of the edition to gamble their cash and prize winnings against winning the prize but they decline. One member of the runner ups declines on the basis that he is a treasurer so is against gambling, so again the star prize is turned down. The last pair come on and turn the prize down again. So the show ends with Bowen revealing that the star prize is a dining set (table, chairs, etc) and saying his goodbyes to the audience at home. You can find the clip on Youtube.
In a clip of from mid 1980's edition of Bullseye, the mix of Darts and general knowledge quiz the star prize is turned down by all 3 pairs. First Jim Bowen asks the winners of the edition to gamble their cash and prize winnings against winning the prize but they decline. One member of the runner ups declines on the basis that he is a treasurer so is against gambling, so again the star prize is turned down. The last pair come on and turn the prize down again. So the show ends with Bowen revealing that the star prize is a dining set (table, chairs, etc) and saying his goodbyes to the audience at home. You can find the clip on Youtube.
Monday, 11 December 2017
Keith Chegwin (1957-2017)
The death has been announced of Keith Chegwin or as some people knew him 'Cheggers'. A career as a child actor saw him appear in TV shows like Z Cars and even in Roman Polanski's Macbeth. However by the late 1970's he would his greatest fame as the presenter of Kids TV shows like Saturday Swap Shop, Saturday Superstore and Cheggers Plays Pop. However by the late 1980's an alchol problem saw a breakdown in his marriage to Swap Shop co-presenter Maggie Philbin and he retreated from the limelight. In 1992 in an interview on ITV's This Morning he confessed to his problems with alchol. Chegwin saw a career upturn as he hosted shows like Channel 4's Big Breakfast. He was not adverse to making fun out of himself as a guest spot BBC2's Extras. Keith Chegwin can claim that he had diverse career.
The death has been announced of Keith Chegwin or as some people knew him 'Cheggers'. A career as a child actor saw him appear in TV shows like Z Cars and even in Roman Polanski's Macbeth. However by the late 1970's he would his greatest fame as the presenter of Kids TV shows like Saturday Swap Shop, Saturday Superstore and Cheggers Plays Pop. However by the late 1980's an alchol problem saw a breakdown in his marriage to Swap Shop co-presenter Maggie Philbin and he retreated from the limelight. In 1992 in an interview on ITV's This Morning he confessed to his problems with alchol. Chegwin saw a career upturn as he hosted shows like Channel 4's Big Breakfast. He was not adverse to making fun out of himself as a guest spot BBC2's Extras. Keith Chegwin can claim that he had diverse career.
Sunday, 10 December 2017
Friday, 8 December 2017
Prime time footie
As part of an new package for broadcasting live games from the English Premier League broadcasters have the opportunity to bid for Saturday night games. These games will effectively be going out during what is said to Prime time during which programmes like Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor. The broadcaster who will show these games will be announced soon.
As part of an new package for broadcasting live games from the English Premier League broadcasters have the opportunity to bid for Saturday night games. These games will effectively be going out during what is said to Prime time during which programmes like Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor. The broadcaster who will show these games will be announced soon.
Thursday, 7 December 2017
Hanging plot thread no. 4
In The Assest an episode from the first season of Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D Ian Hart plays the role of scientist Franklin Hall is kidnapped by one time business partner and nefarious industist Ian (David Conrad) Quinn. However this turns out to be a part of plot by Hall to use a gravity field to cause mass destruction until he finds himself dropped into the gravity field by S.H.E.I.L.D agent Phil (Clark Gregg) Coulson thereby turning him into a gravity force called Graviton and put into S.H.E.I.D custody. But halfway through the season agents of the evil organisation H.Y.D.R.A take control of Graviton and place under the control of Quinn. In the season finale Quinn is seen fleeing from the scene of H.Y.D.R.A's defeat with the container that has Graviton. There has been no mention of either even though Graviton is an actual comics character in the 4 season that have followed
In The Assest an episode from the first season of Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D Ian Hart plays the role of scientist Franklin Hall is kidnapped by one time business partner and nefarious industist Ian (David Conrad) Quinn. However this turns out to be a part of plot by Hall to use a gravity field to cause mass destruction until he finds himself dropped into the gravity field by S.H.E.I.L.D agent Phil (Clark Gregg) Coulson thereby turning him into a gravity force called Graviton and put into S.H.E.I.D custody. But halfway through the season agents of the evil organisation H.Y.D.R.A take control of Graviton and place under the control of Quinn. In the season finale Quinn is seen fleeing from the scene of H.Y.D.R.A's defeat with the container that has Graviton. There has been no mention of either even though Graviton is an actual comics character in the 4 season that have followed
Wednesday, 6 December 2017
Tuesday, 5 December 2017
The Spotify related artist game
As users of Spotify will know that when you type in the name of an artist once they come up you get the option of related artists, this tends to be contemporaries of the artist though this throws up some weird choices. For example when you pick the World Music influenced Red Box who had 2 sizable top ten hits (Lean on Me and For America) in the mid 1980's you will find in selection of the frothy Bucks Fizz. ABBA have a much more varied, a couple of fellow Swedish acts whose careers came after their more famous compartiots and again those who were around the same time. You can play a game of making a chain by a going through different artists. Down below is an example using ABBA as an start.
ABBA
Blondie
The Pretenders
Spandau Ballet
The Human League
Banarma
Kim Wilde
Now that is a rather small chain but you get the idea. So if you have a day to spare and have Spotify there is something for you to do.
As users of Spotify will know that when you type in the name of an artist once they come up you get the option of related artists, this tends to be contemporaries of the artist though this throws up some weird choices. For example when you pick the World Music influenced Red Box who had 2 sizable top ten hits (Lean on Me and For America) in the mid 1980's you will find in selection of the frothy Bucks Fizz. ABBA have a much more varied, a couple of fellow Swedish acts whose careers came after their more famous compartiots and again those who were around the same time. You can play a game of making a chain by a going through different artists. Down below is an example using ABBA as an start.
ABBA
Blondie
The Pretenders
Spandau Ballet
The Human League
Banarma
Kim Wilde
Now that is a rather small chain but you get the idea. So if you have a day to spare and have Spotify there is something for you to do.
Monday, 4 December 2017
Sunday, 3 December 2017
Friday, 1 December 2017
2018 World Cup draw
the draw for next year's World Cup draw has thrown up some intriguing match ups in the group stages. The most appealing is the match up between Spain and Portugal, it already has the feel of a local derby. Other juicy matches include England vs Belgium, Germany vs Sweden and Saudi Arabia vs Egypt. The cup starts next June.
the draw for next year's World Cup draw has thrown up some intriguing match ups in the group stages. The most appealing is the match up between Spain and Portugal, it already has the feel of a local derby. Other juicy matches include England vs Belgium, Germany vs Sweden and Saudi Arabia vs Egypt. The cup starts next June.
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