An unwanted front cover
Normally the front page of The Radio Time is devoted to a puff piece article on an upcoming programme but this week is entirely different. The cover features current Radio 2 Drivetime hosts Simon Mayo and Jo Whiley though the article about them is not a happy one. Instead the article focuses on the current troubles that are plaguing Radio 2. Since the late 1990s Radio 2 has become the UK's most listened to radio station. However the ratings to the station have been on the slide for the past year. Breakfast host Chris Evans has seen his show sink to it's lowest ratings, Evans is now moving to commercial broadcaster Virgin with Zoe Ball taking over the show at the end of year. The Drivetime show has been the centre of much debate ever since Whiley joined Mayo as co-host. However this move proved unpopular with listener with some voicing hostile reactions with Mayo having to defend Whiley. It has since been announced that Mayo will be leaving Radio 2 (he will still his Radio 5 Live Film Show with Mark Kermode) with Whiley leaving the show to be replaced by Sara Cox. Another changes that have raised the ire of include the dropping of long time Blues music programme Paul Jones in favour of Cerys Matthews. One could compare the current situation at Radio 2 to that of Radio ! in the early 1990s that some would say led to Radio 2 gaining the most listened title in the first place.
Tuesday, 30 October 2018
Monday, 29 October 2018
TV ratings 28-10-2018
The fourth episode of the current run of Doctor Who attracted nearly 6 and a half million viewers while the first part of The Little Drummer Girl was seen by almost 5 million viewers. Meanwhile The X-Factor continued it's downward slide with barely 4 million. The big winner of the night was Strictly Come Dancing (which it has to said has been going just as long as The X-Factor) was watched by just over 9 million.
The fourth episode of the current run of Doctor Who attracted nearly 6 and a half million viewers while the first part of The Little Drummer Girl was seen by almost 5 million viewers. Meanwhile The X-Factor continued it's downward slide with barely 4 million. The big winner of the night was Strictly Come Dancing (which it has to said has been going just as long as The X-Factor) was watched by just over 9 million.
Sunday, 28 October 2018
Drummer Girls
Starting tonight on BBC1 is the adaptation of the John le Care novel The Little Drummer Girl. The tale of an English actress who finds herself caught up in a Mossad operation to catch the bombers targeting Jewish targets in Europe. This is not the first time the novel has been brought to the screen, in 1984 Dianne Keaton starred in a Hollywood film version. The main character is inspired by le Care's own half sister the actress Charlotte Cromwell, she had a bit part in another film adaptation in one of his novels The Russia House. Charlotte Cromwell's other TV/Film credits include New Tricks, The Mentalist, Toast of London and The Saint.
Starting tonight on BBC1 is the adaptation of the John le Care novel The Little Drummer Girl. The tale of an English actress who finds herself caught up in a Mossad operation to catch the bombers targeting Jewish targets in Europe. This is not the first time the novel has been brought to the screen, in 1984 Dianne Keaton starred in a Hollywood film version. The main character is inspired by le Care's own half sister the actress Charlotte Cromwell, she had a bit part in another film adaptation in one of his novels The Russia House. Charlotte Cromwell's other TV/Film credits include New Tricks, The Mentalist, Toast of London and The Saint.
Wednesday, 24 October 2018
Not enough tweeting
A report has emerged that suggests what are the standards that shows have to meet if they are to survive on Netflix. It appears that the number of tweets about a programme following it;s release. The report points the number of tweets about the second series of Luke Cage after a week were sharply lower that the first series at the same point. If true it seems to be rather trivial.
A report has emerged that suggests what are the standards that shows have to meet if they are to survive on Netflix. It appears that the number of tweets about a programme following it;s release. The report points the number of tweets about the second series of Luke Cage after a week were sharply lower that the first series at the same point. If true it seems to be rather trivial.
Monday, 22 October 2018
Sunday, 21 October 2018
No more Cage
Streaming giants Netflix has announced that Luke Cage has been axed. This follows hot on the heels of another Marvel based series Iron Fist being axed. No official reason was given and given Netflix's sercery over ratings we don't know if it was down to low viewership. Others have suggested that with Marvel's oweners Disney about to launch it's own streaming service some would say Netflix are being underhanded. No word as yet on the 3 remaining Netflix Marvel shows Daredevil, Jessica Jones and The Punisher.
Streaming giants Netflix has announced that Luke Cage has been axed. This follows hot on the heels of another Marvel based series Iron Fist being axed. No official reason was given and given Netflix's sercery over ratings we don't know if it was down to low viewership. Others have suggested that with Marvel's oweners Disney about to launch it's own streaming service some would say Netflix are being underhanded. No word as yet on the 3 remaining Netflix Marvel shows Daredevil, Jessica Jones and The Punisher.
Friday, 19 October 2018
Gamesmaster is over
After 25 years Gamesmaster magazine is closing down. Taking it's name from the TV show of the same name. And like it was a mix of reviews and features about video games. However the TV show ran for only 6 years compared to the magazine. Gamesmaster At the same time another video games magazine is being axed with Games TV.
After 25 years Gamesmaster magazine is closing down. Taking it's name from the TV show of the same name. And like it was a mix of reviews and features about video games. However the TV show ran for only 6 years compared to the magazine. Gamesmaster At the same time another video games magazine is being axed with Games TV.
No playback for Owen
On tonight's repeated edition of a 1986 edition of Top of the Pops will be Owen Paul. Performing his sole Top 40 hit My Favourite Waste of Time in a more successful manner than his appearance on Daytime chart show Pebble Mill at One. For the performance Owen and his backing band were standing outside the studio for the performance. However after the introduction Owen and co were still standing still despite the song playing.Owen's explanation was that if he and his band did not hear the audio playback of the of song then they would not mime to it.
Yon can see the incident on Youtube as part of a Room 101 clip featuring Paul Merton and Davina McCall.
On tonight's repeated edition of a 1986 edition of Top of the Pops will be Owen Paul. Performing his sole Top 40 hit My Favourite Waste of Time in a more successful manner than his appearance on Daytime chart show Pebble Mill at One. For the performance Owen and his backing band were standing outside the studio for the performance. However after the introduction Owen and co were still standing still despite the song playing.Owen's explanation was that if he and his band did not hear the audio playback of the of song then they would not mime to it.
Yon can see the incident on Youtube as part of a Room 101 clip featuring Paul Merton and Davina McCall.
Thursday, 18 October 2018
Not for my daughter
Oscar nominated actress Kiera Knightley has revealed that she won't allow her daughter to watch the Disney films Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. Knightley explained her reasoning, on Cinderella she has issue with the idea of waiting around for a rich man to whisk you away from your troubles. While she likes the songs in The Little Mermaid she doesn't like the idea of giving up your voice for a man. Knightley most popular role was in the Pirates of the Caribbean films which were produced by Disney!
Oscar nominated actress Kiera Knightley has revealed that she won't allow her daughter to watch the Disney films Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. Knightley explained her reasoning, on Cinderella she has issue with the idea of waiting around for a rich man to whisk you away from your troubles. While she likes the songs in The Little Mermaid she doesn't like the idea of giving up your voice for a man. Knightley most popular role was in the Pirates of the Caribbean films which were produced by Disney!
Wednesday, 17 October 2018
Tuesday, 16 October 2018
TV ratings 15-10-2016
Bredan O'Carroll's trivia quiz show For Facts Sake got off to a bad start with just over 2 million viewers The programme that preceded it on BBC1 Peter Kay's Comedy Shuffle, the show which is a mix of Kay's stand up routine and clips from shows like Phoenix Nights and Carshare was watched by 3 million a million more than FFS. Is O'Carrolls golden touch deserting him?
Bredan O'Carroll's trivia quiz show For Facts Sake got off to a bad start with just over 2 million viewers The programme that preceded it on BBC1 Peter Kay's Comedy Shuffle, the show which is a mix of Kay's stand up routine and clips from shows like Phoenix Nights and Carshare was watched by 3 million a million more than FFS. Is O'Carrolls golden touch deserting him?
Monday, 15 October 2018
Sunday, 14 October 2018
From Dublin to London
Famous Irish TV chat show The Late Late Show is going is going to London for a special edition. Among the guests lined up to appear are Graham Norton and Brendan O'Carroll. There is also a debate about Brexit between Alistair Campbell and Nigel Farage. No news on whether this edition will turn up on British screens. If it does it will not be the first time it has appeared for a British audience. Between the mid 1980s and the late 1990s it was a Monday afternoon fixture when hosted by Gay Bryne. Bryne was succeeded by Pat Kenny who had to deal with a stage invasion when a man came on shouting Bryne and Kenny wer A*******. The show is now presented by Ryan Tubridy.
You can see Kenny's awkward situation on Youtube.
Famous Irish TV chat show The Late Late Show is going is going to London for a special edition. Among the guests lined up to appear are Graham Norton and Brendan O'Carroll. There is also a debate about Brexit between Alistair Campbell and Nigel Farage. No news on whether this edition will turn up on British screens. If it does it will not be the first time it has appeared for a British audience. Between the mid 1980s and the late 1990s it was a Monday afternoon fixture when hosted by Gay Bryne. Bryne was succeeded by Pat Kenny who had to deal with a stage invasion when a man came on shouting Bryne and Kenny wer A*******. The show is now presented by Ryan Tubridy.
You can see Kenny's awkward situation on Youtube.
Thursday, 11 October 2018
Awful quiz show answer of the day 11-10-2018 part 2
On today's Pointless contestants were asked to name a film starring one four actors, Gregory Peck, James Dean, Michael Keaton and Ryan Gosling. One contestant offered as answer Rear Window. As everyone with even the most passing knowledge of films knows it starred James Stewart.
On today's Pointless contestants were asked to name a film starring one four actors, Gregory Peck, James Dean, Michael Keaton and Ryan Gosling. One contestant offered as answer Rear Window. As everyone with even the most passing knowledge of films knows it starred James Stewart.
Wednesday, 10 October 2018
LL in the hall?
Currently best known for his role as tough as nails Navel investigator Sam Hanna in NCIS: Los Angles rapper turned actor LL Cool J is up for an accolade for his musical side. He has been name as one the nominees for 2019 Rock and Hall Fame inductions. Among the other acts aiming to be one of the five acts to be inducted are Def Leppard, Janet Jackson,, Rage Against the Machine, Roxy Music and Stevie (already in as part of Fleetwood Mac) Nicks. The first act of the process is a fan vote with the top 5 vote earners gaining a point in the final decision process. The inductees will be announced at the start of next year.
Currently best known for his role as tough as nails Navel investigator Sam Hanna in NCIS: Los Angles rapper turned actor LL Cool J is up for an accolade for his musical side. He has been name as one the nominees for 2019 Rock and Hall Fame inductions. Among the other acts aiming to be one of the five acts to be inducted are Def Leppard, Janet Jackson,, Rage Against the Machine, Roxy Music and Stevie (already in as part of Fleetwood Mac) Nicks. The first act of the process is a fan vote with the top 5 vote earners gaining a point in the final decision process. The inductees will be announced at the start of next year.
Tuesday, 9 October 2018
Cringeworthy title of the year goes to...
Starting on BBC1 next Monday is an new quiz show hosted by Brendan O'Carroll the man who gave life to the foul mouthed. The premise of the show is ordinary people with extraordinary facets to their lives. The name of the show? For Facts Sake, given the past work of the host you don't need long to figure out why the title cringeworthy.
Starting on BBC1 next Monday is an new quiz show hosted by Brendan O'Carroll the man who gave life to the foul mouthed. The premise of the show is ordinary people with extraordinary facets to their lives. The name of the show? For Facts Sake, given the past work of the host you don't need long to figure out why the title cringeworthy.
Monday, 8 October 2018
TV ratings 7-10-2018
After much hype the debut of Jodie Whittker in the role of The Doctor in Doctor Who finally hit the screens. It pulled 8.4 million viewers the highest rating for a regular episode for 10 years. Weather the rest of this series can be maintained will of great interest to many people.
After much hype the debut of Jodie Whittker in the role of The Doctor in Doctor Who finally hit the screens. It pulled 8.4 million viewers the highest rating for a regular episode for 10 years. Weather the rest of this series can be maintained will of great interest to many people.
Saturday, 6 October 2018
Ray Galton (1930-2018)
The death has been announced of Ray Galton who in partnership with Alan Simpson can be considered as pioneers of the British Sit Com. The pair made their mark working with Tony Hancock on his radio show Hancock's Half Hour. The show was then transferred to TV where Galton and Simpson provided scripts to such classic episodes as Twelve Angry Men and The Missing Page. However Hancock in one of his charactisly eccentric moves fired not only Galton and Simpson but his agent Beryl Veture after a meal at an expensive hotel on the basis he could not crack the States with the trio. Then in 1962 the pair created Steptoe and Son. The show ran for 12 years even had a couple of spin off films. Though the pair would never have any other shows that had the impact their previous work had enjoyed. the fact that Galton and Simpson worked on 2 all time classics has seen them earn their reputations as TV legends.
Ray Galton R I P
The death has been announced of Ray Galton who in partnership with Alan Simpson can be considered as pioneers of the British Sit Com. The pair made their mark working with Tony Hancock on his radio show Hancock's Half Hour. The show was then transferred to TV where Galton and Simpson provided scripts to such classic episodes as Twelve Angry Men and The Missing Page. However Hancock in one of his charactisly eccentric moves fired not only Galton and Simpson but his agent Beryl Veture after a meal at an expensive hotel on the basis he could not crack the States with the trio. Then in 1962 the pair created Steptoe and Son. The show ran for 12 years even had a couple of spin off films. Though the pair would never have any other shows that had the impact their previous work had enjoyed. the fact that Galton and Simpson worked on 2 all time classics has seen them earn their reputations as TV legends.
Ray Galton R I P
No more Hannibal
It has been announced that Thomas Harris will have an new novel published in 2019. It will be the first since his 1975 debut Black Sunday not to feature the character of Hannibal Lecter. Lecter first appeared in 1981's Red Dragon but became a pop culture phenomenon thanks to Anthony Hopkins portrayal in the 1991 film version of Silence of the Lambs. Other than the exclusion of Lecter nothing is known about the novel.
It has been announced that Thomas Harris will have an new novel published in 2019. It will be the first since his 1975 debut Black Sunday not to feature the character of Hannibal Lecter. Lecter first appeared in 1981's Red Dragon but became a pop culture phenomenon thanks to Anthony Hopkins portrayal in the 1991 film version of Silence of the Lambs. Other than the exclusion of Lecter nothing is known about the novel.
Thursday, 4 October 2018
Lethal no more
It has been announced that Damon Wayans is leaving his role as Roger Murtuagh in the TV version of Lethal Weapon. This is the latest setback the show has suffered, Clayne Crawford who played the Mel Gibson role of Martin Riggs was forced after complaints about his on set behaviour. Seann William Scott best known for his role in the American Pie films took over as an all new character. The show came back with a 13 episode count shorter than the standard 20+. With Wayans exit it is now likely that this iteration of Lethal Weapon is no more.
It has been announced that Damon Wayans is leaving his role as Roger Murtuagh in the TV version of Lethal Weapon. This is the latest setback the show has suffered, Clayne Crawford who played the Mel Gibson role of Martin Riggs was forced after complaints about his on set behaviour. Seann William Scott best known for his role in the American Pie films took over as an all new character. The show came back with a 13 episode count shorter than the standard 20+. With Wayans exit it is now likely that this iteration of Lethal Weapon is no more.
Wednesday, 3 October 2018
Radio history sort of repeats itself
Zoe Ball has been announced as replacing Chris Evans as the host of BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show from next. This not the first time Ball has replaced Evans as the host of a radio breakfast show. In 1997 Evans quit as host of BBC Radio 1's show that then saw a 8 month interim period that saw Mark Radcliffe and his comic partner Lard then followed by that with Ball co-hosting with the late Kevin Greenig. After a year Ball took over on a solo basis and presented it until March 2000. Weather Ball is accepted by the Radio 2 morning audience remains to be seen.
Zoe Ball has been announced as replacing Chris Evans as the host of BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show from next. This not the first time Ball has replaced Evans as the host of a radio breakfast show. In 1997 Evans quit as host of BBC Radio 1's show that then saw a 8 month interim period that saw Mark Radcliffe and his comic partner Lard then followed by that with Ball co-hosting with the late Kevin Greenig. After a year Ball took over on a solo basis and presented it until March 2000. Weather Ball is accepted by the Radio 2 morning audience remains to be seen.
Tuesday, 2 October 2018
Memories of kids afternoons
After the death of Geoffrey Hayes here are 3 more examples of kids afternoon shows
Mr Benn
Created by David McKee it centred on the titular business suit and bowler hat wearing character's adventures when he goes to his nearest fancy dress shop when upon changing into an either a knight or a spaceman he enjoys a maleficent adventure. Narrated by Ray Brooks
Pigeon Street
Before Eastenders there was Pigeon Street. Each episode focused on a resident of the titular street all the while being observed by (would you guess) pigeons. Narrated by Derek Griffiths.
The Raggy Dolls
Before Toy Story popularised the idea of toys coming to life when unobserved there was The Raggy Dolls. A group of discard toys come to life go on adventures when no one is watching, Monty Python collabetr Neill Innes provided both the narration and theme tune.
After the death of Geoffrey Hayes here are 3 more examples of kids afternoon shows
Mr Benn
Created by David McKee it centred on the titular business suit and bowler hat wearing character's adventures when he goes to his nearest fancy dress shop when upon changing into an either a knight or a spaceman he enjoys a maleficent adventure. Narrated by Ray Brooks
Pigeon Street
Before Eastenders there was Pigeon Street. Each episode focused on a resident of the titular street all the while being observed by (would you guess) pigeons. Narrated by Derek Griffiths.
The Raggy Dolls
Before Toy Story popularised the idea of toys coming to life when unobserved there was The Raggy Dolls. A group of discard toys come to life go on adventures when no one is watching, Monty Python collabetr Neill Innes provided both the narration and theme tune.
Monday, 1 October 2018
Geoffrey Hayes (1942-2018)
The death of Geoffrey Hayes has been announced. For 18 years between 1974 and 1992 Hayes entertained childetn on the show Rainbow, simply named Geoffrey he would with the help of his house mates Bungle, George and the mouthy Zippy would teach kids life lessons in a cheerful manner. Hayes started out as a serious actor with his biggest credit was a recurring role on long running BBC cop show Z Cars. Rainbow came to an end in 1992 when it's makers Thames lost it's ITV franchise. Hayes tried to restart his acting career but found directors could not shake his Rainbow image from their heads though Hayes would still talk about Rainbow.
Geoffrey Hayes R I P
The death of Geoffrey Hayes has been announced. For 18 years between 1974 and 1992 Hayes entertained childetn on the show Rainbow, simply named Geoffrey he would with the help of his house mates Bungle, George and the mouthy Zippy would teach kids life lessons in a cheerful manner. Hayes started out as a serious actor with his biggest credit was a recurring role on long running BBC cop show Z Cars. Rainbow came to an end in 1992 when it's makers Thames lost it's ITV franchise. Hayes tried to restart his acting career but found directors could not shake his Rainbow image from their heads though Hayes would still talk about Rainbow.
Geoffrey Hayes R I P
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