Political commentary with Danny Dyer
Last night ITV broadcast an one off Evening version of Good Morning Britain (imaginatively called Good Evening Britain) with an number of guests. One of them was the Actor Danny Dyer who made his name in an number of low budget British films such as The Business, Severance and Vendetta before playing the role of Mick Carter in Eastenders. However when Dyer started to talk about politics things got a bit heated. Dyer twice called former UK Prime Minister David Cameron a tw** over his role in Brexit. What made the outburst all the more extraordinary was that one of the other guests was none other than Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn who looked rather uncomfortable during this. Dyer's rant has gone viral with US comic Lena Durham flagging it up. Could Danny be the new host of Question Time?
Friday, 29 June 2018
Thursday, 28 June 2018
What to expect from a heat wave in the media
The UK is basking in a heatwave so expect the follow cliches
Pictures of pretty young Ladies in bikinis
Newspapers use the excuse of printing photographs of sun bathing girls in bikinis under the excuse of news value.
Pictures of people eating Ice Cream
Well we all do it
Pictures of kids playing in the water
There are so few opportunity's to do so.
The UK is basking in a heatwave so expect the follow cliches
Pictures of pretty young Ladies in bikinis
Newspapers use the excuse of printing photographs of sun bathing girls in bikinis under the excuse of news value.
Pictures of people eating Ice Cream
Well we all do it
Pictures of kids playing in the water
There are so few opportunity's to do so.
Wednesday, 27 June 2018
Tuesday, 26 June 2018
How old are you Mum?
Harry Hill the comic whose list of TV shows including TV Burp have featured such surreal flights of fancy as Eric Clapton performing the Casualty theme is making a Sit Com pilot for BBC1 which at this stage is simply known as The Harry Hill Sit Com. Playing his on screen will be Jennifer Saunders who in real life is only 6 years older than Hill. Hopefully the show will get a series order and we will get more of Harry's trade mark wackiness.
Harry Hill the comic whose list of TV shows including TV Burp have featured such surreal flights of fancy as Eric Clapton performing the Casualty theme is making a Sit Com pilot for BBC1 which at this stage is simply known as The Harry Hill Sit Com. Playing his on screen will be Jennifer Saunders who in real life is only 6 years older than Hill. Hopefully the show will get a series order and we will get more of Harry's trade mark wackiness.
Monday, 25 June 2018
Sunday, 24 June 2018
DVD commentary to listen to: Part 3
On early seasons of Game of Thornes George RR Martin on whose A Song of Fire and Ice novels the show is based would write an episode. For the Second season he wrote Blackwater which was the most spectacular the show had seen up to that point. Most time of the time Martin talks the about the differences between the TV show and his novels. Though there are some things that stand out, Martin thinks that Jerome Flynn who plays the role of Sellsword Bronn had just been a singer who turned to acting which as most people in the UK knows is wrong as Flynn shot to fame in the TV Drama Soldier Soldier which had a scene with Flynn and co-star Robson Green's characters singing at a wedding reception which started off their singing careers in real life. We also get hear about Martin's bug bear of Battle scenes which featured combatants who do not wear helmets. Martin relates on how he witnessed on a previous production he worked on a stunt man's nose accidentally cut off when he was not wearing a helmet. And throughout the episode Martin comments on when characters suffer fatal head injuries or just wounds to the head that they should have worn a helmet. A must for fans of the biggest show in the world today
On early seasons of Game of Thornes George RR Martin on whose A Song of Fire and Ice novels the show is based would write an episode. For the Second season he wrote Blackwater which was the most spectacular the show had seen up to that point. Most time of the time Martin talks the about the differences between the TV show and his novels. Though there are some things that stand out, Martin thinks that Jerome Flynn who plays the role of Sellsword Bronn had just been a singer who turned to acting which as most people in the UK knows is wrong as Flynn shot to fame in the TV Drama Soldier Soldier which had a scene with Flynn and co-star Robson Green's characters singing at a wedding reception which started off their singing careers in real life. We also get hear about Martin's bug bear of Battle scenes which featured combatants who do not wear helmets. Martin relates on how he witnessed on a previous production he worked on a stunt man's nose accidentally cut off when he was not wearing a helmet. And throughout the episode Martin comments on when characters suffer fatal head injuries or just wounds to the head that they should have worn a helmet. A must for fans of the biggest show in the world today
Friday, 22 June 2018
Thursday, 21 June 2018
Wednesday, 20 June 2018
Tuesday, 19 June 2018
Sting goes to Hell!
To mark the 30th anniversary of the start of the long running Hellblazer Comic Book DC Comics are publishing a collection of the first few issues of the series. The volume will feature an introduction by Sting. The reason for this is that the Rock legend was used as the physical basis for the character John Constantine in the influtienial Swamp Thing run of the mid 1980s. The character would prove to so popular that he was given his own title Hellblazer. The comic would be the basis of both a film starring Keanu Reeves and a short lived TV series. The collection will out this October.
To mark the 30th anniversary of the start of the long running Hellblazer Comic Book DC Comics are publishing a collection of the first few issues of the series. The volume will feature an introduction by Sting. The reason for this is that the Rock legend was used as the physical basis for the character John Constantine in the influtienial Swamp Thing run of the mid 1980s. The character would prove to so popular that he was given his own title Hellblazer. The comic would be the basis of both a film starring Keanu Reeves and a short lived TV series. The collection will out this October.
Monday, 18 June 2018
No more Questions for David
It has been announced that after 24 years David Dimbleby is stepping down from the role as host of Question Time the programme that has members of the public quizzing politicians and other notable figures about the issues of the day. Dimbleby became the third host after Robin Day and Peter Sissons in 1994. No word as yet on who will be replacing but it is thought that BBC bosses are looking for a Female presenter.
It has been announced that after 24 years David Dimbleby is stepping down from the role as host of Question Time the programme that has members of the public quizzing politicians and other notable figures about the issues of the day. Dimbleby became the third host after Robin Day and Peter Sissons in 1994. No word as yet on who will be replacing but it is thought that BBC bosses are looking for a Female presenter.
Sunday, 17 June 2018
Friday, 15 June 2018
Leslie Grantham (1947-2018)
The death has been announced of Leslie Grantham forever known as Dennis 'Dirty Den' Watts in Eastender. After he shot to fame in Eastenders it emerged that Grantham had served for killing a West German taxi driver when he was stationed as a soldier in the country. It was in prison when he met the actress Louise (best known for her roles in Doctor Who, Bergerac and Tenko) Jameson who encouraged him to take up acting. One of his early roles was in Doctor Who as a mercenary working for the Daleks who is brainwashed by their creator Davros. In 1985 came his signature role. Viewers were both appalled and entranced by his misdeeds such as serving his wife Angie (played by Anita Dobson) divorce papers on Christmas Day night and getting his daughter's best friend pregnant to name 2 of his misdeeds. Den's sins caught up with him when it looked that he had been gunned down by a canal. After his Eastenders exit Grantham had 2 star vehicles in the shape of The Paradise Club and 99-1 though neither had the impact of the role that made him famous. In 2003 Den made a sensational return but after Grantham got caught up in an Internet Sex Scandal the character was killed off. Grantham worked infrequently in his last few years and had moved to Bulgaria but his illness made him return to the UK.
Leslie Grantham R. I. P.
The death has been announced of Leslie Grantham forever known as Dennis 'Dirty Den' Watts in Eastender. After he shot to fame in Eastenders it emerged that Grantham had served for killing a West German taxi driver when he was stationed as a soldier in the country. It was in prison when he met the actress Louise (best known for her roles in Doctor Who, Bergerac and Tenko) Jameson who encouraged him to take up acting. One of his early roles was in Doctor Who as a mercenary working for the Daleks who is brainwashed by their creator Davros. In 1985 came his signature role. Viewers were both appalled and entranced by his misdeeds such as serving his wife Angie (played by Anita Dobson) divorce papers on Christmas Day night and getting his daughter's best friend pregnant to name 2 of his misdeeds. Den's sins caught up with him when it looked that he had been gunned down by a canal. After his Eastenders exit Grantham had 2 star vehicles in the shape of The Paradise Club and 99-1 though neither had the impact of the role that made him famous. In 2003 Den made a sensational return but after Grantham got caught up in an Internet Sex Scandal the character was killed off. Grantham worked infrequently in his last few years and had moved to Bulgaria but his illness made him return to the UK.
Leslie Grantham R. I. P.
Thursday, 14 June 2018
When Stephan talked to Stanley
Ewan McGregor has been announced as playing the role of Danny Torrance in Doctor Sleep Stephan King's follow up to The Shining. In 1980 The Shinning was brought to the big screen by cinematic Titan Stanley Kubrick and the film was hailed as a masterpiece by critics. However one person who did not share that view was King himself, his main complaint was that Kubrick had taken a too clinical approach to his novel. Many years later at a fan Q&A. King related a conversation he had with Kubrick before filming. King was having a morning shave when his wife told him Kubrick was on the phone. Kubrick asked King that all Ghost stories had to optimistic because they assumed that there had to be an afterlife to which King responded with 'what about Hell?' Kubrick then replied 'I don't believe in Hell'.
You can see a clip of King recounting the conversation on Youttube
Ewan McGregor has been announced as playing the role of Danny Torrance in Doctor Sleep Stephan King's follow up to The Shining. In 1980 The Shinning was brought to the big screen by cinematic Titan Stanley Kubrick and the film was hailed as a masterpiece by critics. However one person who did not share that view was King himself, his main complaint was that Kubrick had taken a too clinical approach to his novel. Many years later at a fan Q&A. King related a conversation he had with Kubrick before filming. King was having a morning shave when his wife told him Kubrick was on the phone. Kubrick asked King that all Ghost stories had to optimistic because they assumed that there had to be an afterlife to which King responded with 'what about Hell?' Kubrick then replied 'I don't believe in Hell'.
You can see a clip of King recounting the conversation on Youttube
Wednesday, 13 June 2018
Not a good start
With just a day to go before it starts for real the World Cup has claimed it's first victim. Julen Lopetegur who had been manager of Spain has been sacked after being appointed manager of Real Madrid. Spanish Football bosses were not happy with Julen not telling them that he was going for the job.. How this affects the team will be seen in the next couple of weeks.
With just a day to go before it starts for real the World Cup has claimed it's first victim. Julen Lopetegur who had been manager of Spain has been sacked after being appointed manager of Real Madrid. Spanish Football bosses were not happy with Julen not telling them that he was going for the job.. How this affects the team will be seen in the next couple of weeks.
Tuesday, 12 June 2018
Before the Game
One of the proposed spin off prequels to Game of Thrones has been giving the go ahead for a pilot. Written by Jane Goldman best known for writing films such as Kick-Ass and Kingsman: The Secert Service. Work on the pilot will not began after the Eighth and final season is aired next year.
One of the proposed spin off prequels to Game of Thrones has been giving the go ahead for a pilot. Written by Jane Goldman best known for writing films such as Kick-Ass and Kingsman: The Secert Service. Work on the pilot will not began after the Eighth and final season is aired next year.
Monday, 11 June 2018
Loose end tied up
A while back I did a series of loose ends that have occurred in various TV shows. One such example was the fate of nefarious tycoon Ian (Dean Conrad) Quinn in Marvel's Agents of S. H. I. E. L. D last seen on the run in the Season 1 finale. Now in the most recent episode shown on British we see Quinn being consumed by the super substance Gravitonium. This scene was done in a flash back with the caption 4 years ago. The show is now in it's fifth season.
A while back I did a series of loose ends that have occurred in various TV shows. One such example was the fate of nefarious tycoon Ian (Dean Conrad) Quinn in Marvel's Agents of S. H. I. E. L. D last seen on the run in the Season 1 finale. Now in the most recent episode shown on British we see Quinn being consumed by the super substance Gravitonium. This scene was done in a flash back with the caption 4 years ago. The show is now in it's fifth season.
Sunday, 10 June 2018
Comic Review: Doctor Who - The Seventh Doctor
Written by Andrew Cartmel, Art by Christopher Jones
Going by the subtitle of Operation Volcano this is the first issue of an new storyline written by the last script editor of what is known as Classic Who (1963 -89) which features characters from the 1988 story Remembrance of the Daleks. The Doctor and Ace find themselves in the Australian outback after answering a call for help from Group Captain 'Chuckey' Gilmore to assist in the investigation of the discovery of a space ship after an nuclear bomb test. Adding to the mystery is we get flash forwards to 2029 when another space ship of the same design if found floating in space with a barely aged though hirsute Gilmore aboard. Cartmel does a good job setting up the various plot lines with the time hop scenes further deepen the mystery with Jones providing some clean looking art. Getting an Executive Producer is Ben Aaronvitch who wrote Remembrance of the Daleks and best selling author of the London Bridges novels for the use of his creations.
Written by Andrew Cartmel, Art by Christopher Jones
Going by the subtitle of Operation Volcano this is the first issue of an new storyline written by the last script editor of what is known as Classic Who (1963 -89) which features characters from the 1988 story Remembrance of the Daleks. The Doctor and Ace find themselves in the Australian outback after answering a call for help from Group Captain 'Chuckey' Gilmore to assist in the investigation of the discovery of a space ship after an nuclear bomb test. Adding to the mystery is we get flash forwards to 2029 when another space ship of the same design if found floating in space with a barely aged though hirsute Gilmore aboard. Cartmel does a good job setting up the various plot lines with the time hop scenes further deepen the mystery with Jones providing some clean looking art. Getting an Executive Producer is Ben Aaronvitch who wrote Remembrance of the Daleks and best selling author of the London Bridges novels for the use of his creations.
Friday, 8 June 2018
New man in charge of The Mail
Geodie Greig has been announced as the new editor of The Daily Mail. Currently Greig is the editor of sister paper The Mail on Sunday. What makes the appointment interesting is that Greig has opposing views on the EU compared to his predecessor Paul Darce. How this will affect the current direction of The Daily Mail remains to be seen.
Geodie Greig has been announced as the new editor of The Daily Mail. Currently Greig is the editor of sister paper The Mail on Sunday. What makes the appointment interesting is that Greig has opposing views on the EU compared to his predecessor Paul Darce. How this will affect the current direction of The Daily Mail remains to be seen.
Thursday, 7 June 2018
Darce's reign is over
Paul Darce is stepping down from the postion of editor of The Daily Mail. Darce earned a fearsome reputation when pursing a certain agenda. Be it Brexit or bringing the killers of Steven Lawrence killers to justice. Darce made very few public appearance with one such being him providing testimony at the Leveson enquiry into press intrusion. No one has named as taking over the post as yet.
Paul Darce is stepping down from the postion of editor of The Daily Mail. Darce earned a fearsome reputation when pursing a certain agenda. Be it Brexit or bringing the killers of Steven Lawrence killers to justice. Darce made very few public appearance with one such being him providing testimony at the Leveson enquiry into press intrusion. No one has named as taking over the post as yet.
Wednesday, 6 June 2018
Writing partners
Following on Yesterday's article on the collaboration of best selling novelist James Patterson and former US President Bill Clinton on the new Thriller novel The President is Missing brings to mind other famous who have had writing partners. here are 3 examples.
Dick Francis
The one time steeple chase jockey became world famous for his Crime Thrillers that often set with the back ground of Horse Racing. However any non racing subject (kidnap consultants being 1 example) research would be done by his Wife Mary. Francis though so much of his Wife's efforts that he wanted her to have co-author credit but she refused. After her death in 2000 Francis did write another novel until he wrote one with his (credited) Son Felix. Francis himself died in 2010.
Tom Clancy
Having shot to fame with such high stakes espionage tales as The Hunt for Red October, Clear and Present Danger and The Sum of All Fears Clancy became on the World's best selling novelists. In 2010 after a seven year gap since his last novel (Teeth of the Tiger) Clancy came back with Dead Or Alive though he had a co-author which was the case with every one of novels published before his death in 2013.
Stephen King
Famous for tales of terror (Carrie, The Shining and IT to name just 3) King joined force with fellow novelist Peter Straub to write 2 novels The Talisman and Black House. What makes these novels interesting is that they make use of elements used in King's other work. In particular The Dark Tower which features heavily in King's Gunslinger tales.
Following on Yesterday's article on the collaboration of best selling novelist James Patterson and former US President Bill Clinton on the new Thriller novel The President is Missing brings to mind other famous who have had writing partners. here are 3 examples.
Dick Francis
The one time steeple chase jockey became world famous for his Crime Thrillers that often set with the back ground of Horse Racing. However any non racing subject (kidnap consultants being 1 example) research would be done by his Wife Mary. Francis though so much of his Wife's efforts that he wanted her to have co-author credit but she refused. After her death in 2000 Francis did write another novel until he wrote one with his (credited) Son Felix. Francis himself died in 2010.
Tom Clancy
Having shot to fame with such high stakes espionage tales as The Hunt for Red October, Clear and Present Danger and The Sum of All Fears Clancy became on the World's best selling novelists. In 2010 after a seven year gap since his last novel (Teeth of the Tiger) Clancy came back with Dead Or Alive though he had a co-author which was the case with every one of novels published before his death in 2013.
Stephen King
Famous for tales of terror (Carrie, The Shining and IT to name just 3) King joined force with fellow novelist Peter Straub to write 2 novels The Talisman and Black House. What makes these novels interesting is that they make use of elements used in King's other work. In particular The Dark Tower which features heavily in King's Gunslinger tales.
Tuesday, 5 June 2018
Bill Clinton- Novelist
The President is Missing is a novel that has just been published that is by an unique duo, best selling Thriller writer James Patterson and former US president Bill Clinton. Patterson best known as the author of the Alex Cross has roped in the real life former Commander in Chief to help him pen the tale of a fictional President who goes on the run with his Secert Service in order to fight off a cyber attack that has crippled the USA. Reviews have not been kind the novel. One of Clinton's predecessors as President, Jimmy Carter fared better with his 2003 Historical novel The Hornet's Nest.
The President is Missing is a novel that has just been published that is by an unique duo, best selling Thriller writer James Patterson and former US president Bill Clinton. Patterson best known as the author of the Alex Cross has roped in the real life former Commander in Chief to help him pen the tale of a fictional President who goes on the run with his Secert Service in order to fight off a cyber attack that has crippled the USA. Reviews have not been kind the novel. One of Clinton's predecessors as President, Jimmy Carter fared better with his 2003 Historical novel The Hornet's Nest.
Monday, 4 June 2018
Best of: Father Ted
Following on the news of a forthcoming Stage Musical version, here are the 5 best episodes of the show chronicling the misadventures of the priests of Craggy Island and their housekeeper. As played by Dermot (Father Ted Crilly) Morgan, Ardal (Father Dougal McGuire) O'Hanlon, Frank (Father Jack Hackett) Kelly and Pauline (Mrs Doyle) McLynn.
1. Competition Time
Ted is desperate to win the local Stars In Their Eyes to one up his rival Father Dick (Maurice O'Donaghue) Bryne stages the 3 Ages of Elvis. The Priests play host to the Judge, a TV host with a bit of a drink problem.
2. The Plague
The fearsome Bishop Len (Jim Norton) Brennan comes to Craggy Island when Jack's nocturnal wanderings cause some ructions. However Dougal's new found love of Rabbits may cause problems as the Bishop suffers from a phobia of the animal.
3. A Song for Europe
Ted and Dougal decide to write a song to represent Ireland in the Eurosong Contest. However their creation may have been plagiarised. Neil Hannon who composed the show's theme tune provides his talents to My Lovely Horse
4. Cigarettes and Alchol and Rollerblading
After arguing with Bryne about who could keep to their Lent vows Ted brings in a Nun to keep him and the others on the straight and narrow. However her techniques (beds made up of bricks) prove to be not very popular.
5. Speed 3
After Ted gets the local Milkman fired for his philandering Dougal seizes the chance to be a Milkman. However the previous Milkman has rigged the float to explode after it exceeds a certain speed hence the title of the episode.
Following on the news of a forthcoming Stage Musical version, here are the 5 best episodes of the show chronicling the misadventures of the priests of Craggy Island and their housekeeper. As played by Dermot (Father Ted Crilly) Morgan, Ardal (Father Dougal McGuire) O'Hanlon, Frank (Father Jack Hackett) Kelly and Pauline (Mrs Doyle) McLynn.
1. Competition Time
Ted is desperate to win the local Stars In Their Eyes to one up his rival Father Dick (Maurice O'Donaghue) Bryne stages the 3 Ages of Elvis. The Priests play host to the Judge, a TV host with a bit of a drink problem.
2. The Plague
The fearsome Bishop Len (Jim Norton) Brennan comes to Craggy Island when Jack's nocturnal wanderings cause some ructions. However Dougal's new found love of Rabbits may cause problems as the Bishop suffers from a phobia of the animal.
3. A Song for Europe
Ted and Dougal decide to write a song to represent Ireland in the Eurosong Contest. However their creation may have been plagiarised. Neil Hannon who composed the show's theme tune provides his talents to My Lovely Horse
4. Cigarettes and Alchol and Rollerblading
After arguing with Bryne about who could keep to their Lent vows Ted brings in a Nun to keep him and the others on the straight and narrow. However her techniques (beds made up of bricks) prove to be not very popular.
5. Speed 3
After Ted gets the local Milkman fired for his philandering Dougal seizes the chance to be a Milkman. However the previous Milkman has rigged the float to explode after it exceeds a certain speed hence the title of the episode.
Sunday, 3 June 2018
The return of Father Ted
It has been announced that a stage musical of Father Ted will be produced. Entitled Pope Ted it will see the relcant Priest ascend to the position of the Holy Father. This new production is written by the show's writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Matthews with music by Neil Hannon who providing the music for the TV show including the theme and faux Eurovison entry My Lovely Horse. Linehan revealed that the inspiration for Ted's return was the many recent events like Donald Trump's election as US President that seemed ludicrous years ago. No word as yet on who will be playing the role that was so memorably played by the late, great Dermot Morgan.
It has been announced that a stage musical of Father Ted will be produced. Entitled Pope Ted it will see the relcant Priest ascend to the position of the Holy Father. This new production is written by the show's writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Matthews with music by Neil Hannon who providing the music for the TV show including the theme and faux Eurovison entry My Lovely Horse. Linehan revealed that the inspiration for Ted's return was the many recent events like Donald Trump's election as US President that seemed ludicrous years ago. No word as yet on who will be playing the role that was so memorably played by the late, great Dermot Morgan.
Friday, 1 June 2018
Book review: Forever And a Day by Anthony Horowitz
After 2015's Trigger Mortis Anthony Horowitz becomes the first novelist since Raymond Benson to write more than one James Bond novel. Whereas Trigger Mortis followed up on the events of Goldfinger (the novel) Forever And a Day acts as a prequel to the very first Bond novel Casino Royale. We see Bond committing the second kill he needs to attain double 0 status as he confronts a WWII double the names of the men who died violent deaths when he betrayed then to the Nazis. Bond takes on the code number of 007 when his predecessor's dead body is found floating in Marseille harbour. What then follows is a fast path tale as Bond crosses the path of a morbidly obese Corsican gangster who features in one brutal torture scene though that is not to say he does not suffer a suitable comeuppance. There is of course a glamorous leading Female character though Horowitz makes a couple of twists on the typical Bond Femme. First of all she is 10 years older than him and perhaps the more vital to the plot she served as a SOE agent during WWII which gave her skills that come in useful when she and Bond are both in tight spots. Forever And a Day is such a fast paced tale that if the news came that Horowitz would be writing a third novel I for one would not complain.
After 2015's Trigger Mortis Anthony Horowitz becomes the first novelist since Raymond Benson to write more than one James Bond novel. Whereas Trigger Mortis followed up on the events of Goldfinger (the novel) Forever And a Day acts as a prequel to the very first Bond novel Casino Royale. We see Bond committing the second kill he needs to attain double 0 status as he confronts a WWII double the names of the men who died violent deaths when he betrayed then to the Nazis. Bond takes on the code number of 007 when his predecessor's dead body is found floating in Marseille harbour. What then follows is a fast path tale as Bond crosses the path of a morbidly obese Corsican gangster who features in one brutal torture scene though that is not to say he does not suffer a suitable comeuppance. There is of course a glamorous leading Female character though Horowitz makes a couple of twists on the typical Bond Femme. First of all she is 10 years older than him and perhaps the more vital to the plot she served as a SOE agent during WWII which gave her skills that come in useful when she and Bond are both in tight spots. Forever And a Day is such a fast paced tale that if the news came that Horowitz would be writing a third novel I for one would not complain.
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