More than Film

After the news that the long running BBC Film programme here is a list of programmes in the same vein.


Moviedrome

At first presented by Alex Cox and then by Mark Cousins. Each week a film that could classed as a cult would be shown with an introduction explaining it's unique. Films shown range from the commercial fare like The Terminator, Scarface and Mad Max 2 to more arthouse fare like Walkabout and Girl On a Motorcycle.

Talking Pictures

After a first series that took it self far seriously Howard Schuman came as a far more witty presenter. The programme had items that focused on upcoming releases and aspects of film making such as storyboarding.

Scene by Scene

Another programme presented by Mark Cousins. Each week he would show big screen legends (Sean Connery, Kirk Douglas, Lauren Becall to name 3) scenes from their films. One memorable exchange came when Cousins asked Terence Stamp what it was liked working with Marlon Brando on Superman. 'Funny' was Stamp response, 'in what way funny' and Stamp responded 'Tommy Cooper funny' referring to the famed comedian/magician.

June Whitfield (1925-2018)

The death has been announced of June Whitfield. Rightly considered to be the Grand Dame of the British Sit-Com, her early work included the role of an nurse in the the famed The Blood Donor episode of Hancock's Half Hour. Whitfield appeared in an number of Carry On films. One of her most productive working relationships was starring with Terry Scott, Happy Ever After and Terry & June. In 1992 Jennifer Saunders wrote the role of her mother for her. It lead to an new beginning in Whitfield's career and she played the role up to the 2016 film version of the show. On radio Whitfield played Agentha Christie's spinster sleuth Miss Marple and she would later appear in an episode of the ITV series Marple. June Whitfield leaves behind an impressive body of work.

June Whitfield R. I. P

Film no more

The BBC has announced the end of the long running Film programme. The show which started in 1971 was a mix of reviews, interviews, news and reports in including on-set items on froth coming films. The most famous host was Barry Norman who hosted the show from 1972 to 1998. The last couple of years has seen rotating hosts. In recent years viewers have complained of the many changes show has had. It appears they did not save the show.

TV review - The ABC Murders

Starring John Malkovich, Rupert Grint, Tara Fitzgerald

BBC1 21:00 Wednesday

Nearly 2 years ago I did a count down of the best episodes of David Suchet's tenure as Agretha Christies dapper Belgian dective Poirot. Coming out on top was The ABC Murders which in a bit of mischief was aired on ITV3 just before this new 3 parter started. This version finds Poirot alone in the world and having to make do with hosting murder theme parties. Just as the same Poirot starts receiving taunting letters from a taunting killer however when he goes to Scotland Yard in the hope of receiving help from his good friend Inspector (Kevin McNally) Japp he finds that he has retired and when he goes to visit him he dies from a heart attack. Poirot then finds himself dealing with a younger policeman (played by Grint) who has no respect for Poirot and even questions his background. This new continues the grim and gritty vein of recent Christie adatatopms by Sara Phelps, One victim is a very hateful character who flaunts her sexuality in an manner that when she turns up dead on a beach you glad she is dead. Another loathsome character is landlady played by Shirley Henderson who rents out her daughter for her tenants sexual needs, Not without it's problems such as Grint even with a moustache looking far too young to be a senior policeman, this version of The ABC Murders is not for every one

The ABC Murders continues tonight and concludes tomorrow.

TV ratings 22-12-2018

Once upon a time the festive period would see a dramatic viewership however these days are long gone as evidenced by last night ratings. The first part of BBC1's CG animated version of Watership Down was watched by 3.67 million viewers, the second and final part is on tonight. However ITV have nothing to crow about as a repeat showing of Return of the Jedi got a million less viewers as Watership Down at the same time. We are looking at what might be record low of festive viewership.

Not Going Out anytime soon

Tonight on BBC1 a special live edition of the Sit-Com Not Going Out is being shown. The show has been going out since 2007 and has on one occasion survived he axe. Though never a spectacular ratings hit in the manner garnering a viewership of around 5 million viewers. So how did it survive the axe? It is said that DVD sales of the show were so large that the cancellation of the show would mean a large loss of income for the BBC!

Mary vs Julie

This week sees the release in cinemas of Mary Poppins Returns starring Emily Blunt as the titular magical nanny. The role was first played on the big screen by Julie Andrews in an Oscar winning performance. Julie has a part in a competing release, in comic book adaptation Aquaman she provides the voice to the sea Leviathan Karathean who in standing guard over an ancient trident that provides the film it's resolution.

You catch both Aquanan and Mary Poppins Returns at cinemas this weekend

Lewis and his choice of words

Though he may have not won BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lewis Hamilton made an impact but for the wrong reason. When interviewed by Gary Lineaker about his unique background for a F1 driver Lewis said he came from the slums. Reaction in his hometown of Stevenage was that of outrage, Lewis has since admitted to a wrong choice of words.

Goodbye Jose or perhaps not

Jose Mourinho has been sacked as manager of Manchester United after a being beaten 3-1 by arch rivals Liverpool. One person not shedding any tears was Man U player Paul Pogba. The World Cup winner posted a tweet that was somewhat mocking of Jose which he then deleted. Some have called for Pogba to be given the axe himself. Man U meanwhile are searching for their fourth boss in 5 years.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2018

Last night Tour De France winner Geriant Thomas was named this year winner. He beat out F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton and Harry Kane who lead England to the semi finals of the FIFA World Cup and earning himself the Golden Boot for the most prolific goalscorer in the competition. Tennis legend Billie Jean King was given the Lifetime Achievement award in recognition for her work in advancing the Women's game.

Cibnall and those on Youtube

When Chris Chibnall was first announced I wrote about how in 1986 he and various other members of the Liverpool branch of the Doctor Who Appreciation Society confronted the show's then producer John Nathan-Turner with their displeasure at the show's direction on the BBC1 TV discussion programme Open Air. Now it is Chibnall is the man in charge and thanks to the rise of the internet and Youtube in particular the scrutiny is even more higher. Here are the 3 most outspoken of Chibnall's critics.

Bowlestrek

Without a doubt the most outspoken of Chibnall critics. His reviews of the last series episode are scathing. His dismay at the political content of the episodes is massive. He does not think much of Jodie Whitaker's acting skills.

El Patron

His main complaint of the new fans have attracted. His main complaint is that their political ideology makes them over sensitive to criticism of the shows new direction.

Alteroi

For those who complain that critics of the shows new direction are nothing but misogynistic men here is a women.. She gives a measured approach in describing the weak points in the shows new approach.

You can see videos from all 3 on Youtube

TV Ratings 09-12-2018

The final of this year's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! was watched by 12.10 million viewers. They saw Harry Redknapp being crowned this year's King of the Jungle. While over on BBC1's social drama Care was watched over 3 million viewers. Earlier on the same channel the final episode of this years Doctor Was watched by 5.32 million viewers. Apart from a special on New Year's Day there will be no new Who in 2019 with the next series being broadcast in 2020.

Hey Jimmy do you want to be ratings fodder?

Tonight on BBC1 an one off drama called Care will be screened. It is about a woman (played by Sheridan Smith) who seeks to find the proper accommodation for her Mother (as played by Alison Steadmen) after she suffers a severe stroke. It is written by Jimmy McGovern who is best known for many hard hitting dramas some of which are based on true life events like the Hilsbourgh disaster. However Care will be facing an uphill task to gain a large audience as it will be facing the final of this year's I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!. This has IAC most successful year in terms of ratings. To make up for absence of Ant McPartlin while he recovers from well documented personal problems producers put together the most high profile line up of camp mates (Noel Edmonds, John Barrowman to name just 2) in years. The result has been that IAC seen it's best ratings for 5 years. While the winner of this year's IAC will not be known until they are announced the ratings battle between BBC1 and ITV is in no doubt.

Fiona is in charge

After much speculation it has been confirmed that Fiona Bruce is the new host of BBC1's political discussion programme Question Time. She will become the first women to moderate the some times fiery exchanges that tend to happen on the programme. No news as yet on Fiona's other hosting duties on The 10 O'clock News and The Antiques Roadshow.

Herclue and the case of deja vu

On Boxing Day BBC1 will be showing the first part of it's adaptation of Agretha Christie's Herclue Poirot novel The ABC Murders starring John Malkovich as the Belgian defective. However earlier that day ITV3 will showing the 1993 version starring David Suchet as Poirot. However this not the first time the rival broadcasters have had a battle over different versions of the authors work. In the mid 2000s ITV started producing their own version of Miss Marple the BBC responded by repeating the much admired Joan Hickson adaptations from the mid 1980s to early 1990s. How the new version of ABC Murders compares the previous will be decided this Xmas.

No I don't move like that

Last night the World governing body of Football FIFA gave out it's annual awards. There was raised eyebrows when Ada Hegerberg collected the award for Women's Player of the Year, As she collected the award Ada was asked by host Martin Solvig if she Twerk. Twerk for those who don't know is a sexually provactive dance. Ada tersely responded that she did not. Solvig's question provoked outburst of fury world wide. One person who vented their fury was 3 time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray. What should have a major showcase for Solvig has turned into a PR disaster.

TV ratings 31-11-2018

The penultimate episode of the current series of Doctor Who was watched by 5.1 million viewers. This was down from the 5.7 million who watched the previous episode, There are currently rumours that both star Jodie Whitaker and show runner Chris Chibnall are going after the next series. Despite being the least watched series of X-Factor, the final was watched 7 million viewers. It saw judge Robbie Williams reuniting with 3 of his Take That band mates.

Alan Dale in the States

Neighbours the Australian Soap Opera will this Christmas will see the return of the character Jim Robinson even though the character had died. However actor Alan Dale who played Jim has been very busy since moving to the US. Here are some of the films and TV shows he has been in.


24

In the clock ticking thriller series Alan played fictional US Vice President Jim Prescott. In the second season he made a play for the main job but was foiled.

NCIS

Alan played NCIS director Tom Morrow for the long running shows first three seasons. The character made the occasional return before being killed by a renegade CIA agent.

Star Trek:Nemesis

In the last of the TNG films Alan under prosthetics plays Romulean Preator Hiream. His character barely lasts a few minutes as a chemical attack reduces him and others to crumbling statues

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skulls

When Indy survives a nuclear blast by getting into a fridge he finds himself being grilled by FBI agents about the KGB being on US soil. Alan plays an US Army General who gets him out of it.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Alan plays the role of a World Security Council member in what seems to be running theme in his career. This time by Robert Redford's covert HYDRA agent

Noel is out

The first personality to be voted out of this year's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! was in a shock result Noel Edmonds. Noel can console himself with being paid six hundred thousand pounds for his appearance and being given his highest profile in the media for at least a decade.