The passing of a legendconsidered

 The death has been announced of Pele. The man many think who came to symbolise Association Football.The winner of 3 World Cups Pele is conceded to be the greatest player the sport has known.

Pele R. I. P.

The dream is over

 Morocco have seen their world cup final hopes dashed. They were beaten by France in the semi final. France will now play Argertina in the final on Sunday.

Ruth Madoc (1943-2022)

 The death has been announced of the actress Ruth Madoc. Early in her career she appeared in the film Fillder on the Roof. Her most famous role came with the role of chief Yellowcoat Gladys in the sit com Hi-De-Hi which ran for eight years from1980. Always busy Ruth even appeared in Little Britain.

Ruth Madoc R. I. P.

Here we go, here we go again

 Tonight England play France in the quarter finals of the World Cup. It is a match loaded with political and historical overtones. If England win expect elements of the English press to run with them.

Same old, same old

BBC1 have announced their schedule for Xmas day this year. And it is a case of the tired and tested. Strictly come Dancing, Call the Midwife and Mrs Brown Boys all making their usual appearance at this time of year. However Ghosts will make it's Xmas day debut.

A casualty in waiting?

 Tomorrow night England will play Senegal in the second round of the World Cup. The match is being shown on ITV1, BBC1 will show an episode of Casualty. This is a bit of a come down for a programme that was once considered a flag ship for the channel. In the early 1990s the show was a steady ratings ratings while other dramas like South of the Border, Trainer and Specials flopped. However in recent years Casualty has seen a decline in ratings. One further worrying with for the series the last time an England second round World Cup match was on ITV BBC1 snowed Holby City which came to an end this year.

Not very good hosts

 Qatar hosts of this year's World Cup have crashed out of the group stage without a single point. This makes them in terms of performance one of the worst hosts ever. Elsewhere in the tournament England sent British rivals Wales out with a 3-0 win. The USA best Iran to go through to the second round.

Football crazy

 This weekend sees an unique TV event. On Saturday while ITV1 are showing World Cup games BBC1 are showing FA Cup matches. On Sunday it's the complete opposite. This is a result of an out of season World Cup.

TV ratings 21-11-2022

 Yesterday both England and Wales started their campaigns in the World Cup. 7.4_million viewers watched England best Iran while 9.5 million viewers watched Wales and USA draw. The two teams meet each next Wednesday.

No booze please we are Qatar

 The government of Qatar have decided that no alcohol will be sold in stadia when the World Cup starts on Sunday. This is somewhat embarrassing  given one of the sponsors of the competition is Budwiser.

Can they be winners again?

 The nominations for the next Grammy awards have been announced. While current stars like Beyonce, Adaele and Harry Styles feature one name from the past have got an number of nominations.ABBA with their comeback album could be with a chance of capping a remarkable return to the limelight.

Britain's got a potty mouth

 Talent show Britain's got Talent has become enshrined in a bit of a fuss. Transcripts of judge David Walliams abusing two contestants in a verbal manner have emerged. The first case has him using the same swear word 3 times after a verbal spat with a contestant. The other had him describe a female contestant in unflattering.  Walliams has since said sorry but it that is the end remains to be seen.

Goodbye Leslie and Bill

 The deaths have been announced of Leslie Philips and Bill Teacher. Leslie was best known for playing comic ladies men early in his career. Later he appeared in more serious fare like Out of Africa and Empire of the Sun. Bill was one of the original cast members of Eastenders as Arthur Fowled. His character suffered a series of turmoils such as serving a prison sentence. Bill's other TV work included The Professionals and Minder.

Leslie Philips and Bill Teacher R. I.P.

TV ratings 30-10-2022

 The much hyped BBC1  drama SAS:Rouge Heroes started with a good 3.7 million viewers. The fact based drama does have to face I'm a Celebrity Get me out of Here for the next few weeks.

The heroes are here at last

 This Sunday night sees the start on BBC1 of SAS: Rouge Heroes. It covers the formation of one the famous military units during WWII. The next few weeks promise to be action filled q

What no fools!

This week BBC4 as part of the corporation 100 year showed a selection of the comedy out out of the broadcaster. Yet nowhere was the show voted the best sit com of all time. I speak of all course of Only Fools and Horses. Answers please Beeb!

Unwanted bond

 After 44days Liz Truss is no longer Prime Minister of Great Britain and Ireland. In a really trivial fact she becomes the second British PM following Theresa May not be have a Bond film  released  during their time in charge.

Colin and Julian up to no good

 Colin Welland and Julian Fellowes were 2 actors who won Oscars. Colin won for Chariots of Fire while Fellowes won for Gosford Park. Back in their acting days both of them appeared in episodes of cop shows that dealt with terrorism. In The Sweeney episode Faces Colin played a getaway driver for a Gang headed by a German terrorist, Colin's  character gets into a punch up with Dennis Waterman's Carter. In the Dempsey and Makepeace episode Blood Money the titular duo investigations into the murder of an antique shop owner brings them into contact with a shady antiques dealer played by Fellowes, who is involved in the selling of antiques to fund terror group. The Fellowes character escapes arrest but has one of his vases broken by Dempsey.

Robbie Coltran (1950-2022)

 The death has been announced of Robbie Coltrane. At ease in both comedy and drama. Robbie got his start in such series as Blackadder and The Young Ones. He first his dramatic chops in Trutti Fruti. Then came the role of profiler Fitz in crime drama Cracker for which he the BAFTA best TV drama actor 3 years running. Early film work included Krull, Mona Lisa and Nuns on the Run. Robbie appeared in the Bond films GoldenEye and The World is Not Enough as Valentin, an ex KGB agent turned gangster. In 2001 he would take on the role of Hagrid in the Harry Potter films,it would bring him an new generation of fans.

Robbie Coltrane R. I. P.

Not so fast Rio

In his career as a Footballer Rio Ferdinand played for Manchester United and Leeds United,2 teams with heated rivalarlies with Liverpool  Last night Rio was a pundit for BT Sport on their coverage of the Champions league match between Liverpool and Rangers. When Rangers scored the opening goal Rio jumped up in however it was short lived  as Liverpool scored 7 in reply

Course correction

 The 1979 film Meator had the world super powers launch wave of nuclear weapons at an oncoming asteroid. 19 years later 2 films came out  with the same idea of the Earth being teatened by an asteroid. In Deep Impact an NASA team tries be drill an nuclear bomb into it but fail. However in Armageddon a team of oil drillers pull off the task.Yesterday NASA have said that one of their probes has changed the course of an asteroid. So that is the way you do it.

Don't move to me

 Yesterday UK Prime Minister Liz Truss made her flagship speech at the Conservative party c She entered into the forum to the song Moving on Up by the band M People. This did not go down well with those connected to the band. Member Mike Pickering was furious while lead singer Heather Snail's  son is Labour party councillor.

How long for the warriors?

 The BBC have have been promoting an new drama called SAS: Rouge Warriors. But no transmission date has been given. It could be Christmas.

007 the countdown part 5

 The final part of the countdown

5. On Her Majestrey's Secret Service

Yes Lazenby is a bad actor but Rigg and Salavas more than make up for him

4. GoldenEye

director  Martin Campbell reinvents  Bond for the first time

3. Casino Royale

and he does for a second time

2. Live and Let Die

the most thunderous theme usher in an new age

1. Goldfinger

a foothold of iconic images

007 the countdown part 4

 The penultimate day of the countdown

10. You Only Live Twice

the full fledged debut of Bond's arch enemy

9. For Your Eyes Only

barring the Margaret Thatcher scene Moore's most serious film

8. From Russia with Love

featuring one of the most brutal hand to hand fights in film

7. Licence to Kill

The most hard edged entry in the series

6.Skyfall

the most character probing

007 countdown part 3

 The third part of the countdown

15. The Spy Who Loved Me

007 at his most fantastic

14. Die Another Day

A guilty pleasure

13. No Time to Die

The most daring of them all

12. Octopussey

perhaps the most most interesting leading lady

11. Thunderball 

where 007 goes epic.

007 the countdown part 2

 The second part of the ranking of the Bond films

20. Moonraker

the most absurd Bond film.

19. The Living Daylights

With.probably the most unthearting bad guys

18. Dr No

where it all started

17. SPECTRE

the one with the infamous twist of them all

16. The World is Not Enough

Not the typical Bond plot 

007-the counttdown part 1

 To commemorate 60 years of Bond films for the next 5 days they will be ranked 25 to 1 here is the first part of that list.  

25. The Man With the Golden Gun

Not even Christopher Lee can save this mess

24. Diamonds are Forever

Sean Connery was brought with a then record breaking pay cheque but still looks bored.

23. A View to a Kilo

somebody should have told Roger Moore he was too old

22. Quantum of Solace

a brief running time leaves a lot of points unanswered.

21. Tomorrow Never Dies

too action packed for it's own good

No binge, no deal

 There has been concern from fans of the recent adaptation the cult comic book series Sandman over it's yet to be confirmed second series. Neil Gaiman author of the comic book series puts this down to a more steady viewing pattern that streaming service NetFlix gets. While other shows on the service like Stranger Things are viewed in one whole binge,Sandman viewers take their time with the show. Will Sandman get a second series remains to be seen.

TV review - Crossfire

 9PM Tuesday BBC1

starring Keeley Hawes

Crossfire is a thriller about a terrorist attack on a Spanish hotel. It plays with the convention of the genre by having an number of flashbacks that full us on the characters personal backgrounds. That is not to say they are moments of tension. Hawes who through her years on Spooks (MI5) is a commanding presence. The final 2 episodes come tonight and tomorrow.

Bradley overkil?

 Next Saturday sees the start of an New series of Blankty Blank on BBC1 with Bradley Walsh hosting. Soon after that Bradley turns up on ITV in The Larkins.. Too much of a good thing?

The power ends

 The title of the final Doctor Who to feature Jodie Whittaker in the lead role has announced as The Power of the Doctor. It will feature the return of Sophie Aldred and Janet Fielding as classic era compinons Ace and Tegan. The special goes out in October.

Stewart on Rickey

 The stand up comic Stewart Lee is not one to  mince his words. He called the Rickey Gervis co.dey Afterlife abysmal. Lee was reminded by podcast host Rob Brydon that Rickey was a of him, Lee said was Robert Oppenheimer proud of the atomic bomb.

Crisp man

 On last night's edition of Only Connect during the sequence round a team was given the clues of (David) Vine, (David) Coleman and (Sue) Barker. The team captain said crisp man referring to Gary Lineker, who besides his Football and media careers made a string of adverts for Walkers Crisps. They believed him to be a host of A Question of Sport. While the team got the reason for the sequence right they got the last person wrong. The actual answer was Paddy McGuinness has done adverts himself in particular for the Greegs bakers chain.

Boris the light entertainment Prime Minister

 As Boris Johnson enters his final days as UK Prime Minister it is to forget that prior to his ascent to the UK Prime Minister he was something of TV staple. Here are a couple of examples. In 2003 he appeared on Parkinson, his fellow guests were Scottish Nationalist Sean Connery and socialist actor Ricky Tomlinson, yet in screen the 3 got on. Even when he was London Mayor he still made appearances on TV shows like Top Gear where Jeremy Clarkson took him to task over car reviews he had written. Johnson will now likely to the lucrative corporate speech circuit.

Awful quiz show answer 31-08-2022

 On the day's edition of Fastest Finger First, the question what does pret-a-porter mean in English. One contestant buzzed in with the answer turkey. The actual answer is ready to wear.

Eddie aims for a seat

 Stand up comic Eddie Izzard has announced his intention to stand for Labour in the tnext UK General Election. He is not the first person from a showbiz background to enter. Politics, the most famous example being Ronald Reagan who went from being an actor the President of The United States. We just have to see if Eddie succeeds

How Elizabeth ploughed on

 Recently the death of Josephine Tewison, best known for her role of Elizabeth in Keeping up Appearances. Always having to deal with her neighbour Hycinath's (Patricia Routledge) behaviour. On  Tuesday night on BBC4 you can see the show and the trials Elizabeth has to go through.

Battle of the tales set far away

 The next few days see the launces of 2 highly anticipated fantasy series. First up is House of Dragons, the prequel to Game of Thrones. It will be interesting to see how it does in the wake the negative feedback to the final season of the prior show. Also launching next week is Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power. It is about the events that lead to Tolkien's famed tales of Middle Earth. Which comes out on top remains to be seen.

The new quiz master

 The journalist and broadcaster Amol RanJan has been announced the new host of University Challenge. He takes over from Jeremy Paxman who stepping down due to health problems. Amol takes over for the next series.

What to do Erza?

 After Warner Brothers ditched the Batgirl film they now face an New problem. Erza Miller the star of  the mega budget Flash film was arrested after they broke into a house and took 2 bottles of wine with them. This is not the first time Miller has gotten into trouble trouble, they were filmed attacking a girl in a bar in Iceland. What happens next remains to be seen.

When Masterchef was good

 Tonight on BBC1 an New series of the celebrity version of Masterchef starts. How by Gregg Wallace one of the least charming TV presenters working today. However it is easy to forget that Masterchef was a quite watchable show when it started in the early 1990s. Hosted by Lloyd Grossman. The programme would see 3 contestants prepare a 3 course meal which would be judged by Lloyd and 2 other judges, one being a professional chef and the other being a celebrity Michael Caine and Charles Dance being 2 examples. The show stayed this way until Lloyd was replaced by the late Gary Rhodes and the show lasted for one more series before being axed in 2000. The show came back with a new format in 2006 and has been running ever since despite ever since despite the presence of Mr Wallace.

Batgirls not welcome

 The sudden cancellation of the Batgirl film marks the new direction of Warner Brothers. The studio will focus on cinema releases only. The previous management was focused on boosting the HBO MAX streaming service. That has changed now.

No more mocking

 The BBC has announced that satire Mock the Week is to end after a 17 year run. Featuring 2 teams taking digs at the week's news. It featured the likes of Hugh Dennis, Greg Davies and Frankie Boyle. The last of whom would always not far from fuss such as when he made comments about the physical appearance of Olympic Champion Swimmer Rebecca Arlington. Though  one sports person who who loved me show was 3 time tennis grand slam winner Andy Murray was once went to a recording of the show. The last series airs in the autumn.

Let the games begin

 News has emerged that the BBC are planning to do their version of Gladiators. The show that had members of the public go up against the titular go up in a series of games so they build up points that would be converted into a time lead in a race between the two. A massive ratings hit for ITV from 1992 to 2000. In 2008 SKY brought the show but it didn't last long. How this new series does remains to be seen.

End of the street

 Tonight Channel 5 will show the final episode of Neighbours. At first it was a cheap afternoon filler import, it became a massive ratings hit for the BBC. The curious thing was Neighbours was never a big in it's homeland. In 2007 the show's producers asked the BBC for an increase for the show's budget but they refused so the show moved to Channel 5. However again there was a request for more money, but Channel 5 more focused on home made projects. The final episode of Neighbours will feature the return many people who made their name on the show. Such as Guy Pearce and Margot Robbie.

Bernard Cribbens (1928-2022)

 The death has been announced of Bernard Cribbens. A man with a wide variety of talents , Bernard was a man  whose output was seen and heard by many generations. He appeared in such films as The Railway Children and Two Way Stretch. On TV he appeared in such shows as Fawlty Towers and Tales of the Unexpected. He also had a pop career with such bits as Right Said Fred. Bernard had a long association with Doctor Who. In the 1960s he starred with Peter Cushing in Dalek invasion of Earth. 40 years later he had a role in the TV show proper as Catherine Gate's grand father.

Bernard Cribbens R. I. P.

Cursed debate?

 The latest debate for the leadership of the Conservative party was an eventful one, but for all the wrong reasons. When Liz Truss was answering a question host Kate McCann fainted and the debate was postponed. That was not the only calamity to be fall the debate McCann was due to co-host the debate with the political editor of The Sun newspaper Harry Cole, but he had to pull out after he tested positive for Covid.

Coming to the UK

 It has been announced that next year's Eurovision song contest will be held in the UK.  Although Ukraine won the contest last year, the current situation in the country makes it impossible for it to be held there. A city will be picked to hold the contest

Howard returns to Middle Earth

 It has been announced that Howard Shore will compose the score to The Lord of the Rings prequel Rings of Power. Howard is no stranger to the materiel as he composed both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series.

The con is back

 After 3 years no being held due to Covid San Diego Comic Con is back. One of the biggest pop culture events, it sees various entertainment groups display their offerings for the coming year. Marvel Films will be doing a big presentation. Amazon Prime will preview the Lord of the Rings prequel Rings of Power. And Dwayne Johnson will talking about his anti super hero film Black Adam. Those going to San Diego are in for a good time.

Get ready for some swords and magic

 Fans of the fantasy genre are in for a good time for the next few months. Amazon Prime will be streaming the Lord of the Rings prequel Rings of Power. Soon after that Disney+ will be streaming Willow with Warwick Davis reprising his role of the film of the same name. And then there is House of Dragons, the Game of Thrones prequel. How it fares after the negative feedback to the final season of Game of Thrones remains to be seen.

His Lordship vs Wrighty

 A row has broken out between Lord Alan Sugar, erstwhile tycoon cum ringmaster of BBC1reality show The Apprentice and one time Footballer Ian Wright. Lord  Sugar has complained  that they are not enough male pundits covering the women's European Football Championship.  For once I agree with the former Gunner.

The cost of winning

 Today Rafael Nadal should have been playing Nick Kygrios in the semi-finals of the men's singles at Wimbledon. But due to an abdominal strain he picked up in his five set quarter final match against Steve Fritz. At one point during the match Nadal had complained of discomfort with his body but still played on. How Nick has to hardly break a sweat to get into the final..

Boris is gone

 British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced his resignation. The last few months Johnson has been tarnished by an number of scandals. He has said he will remain in the post until autumn though some observers believe that this not possible. The race to succeed him starts now.

Nadine's code confusion

 HI Culture Secretary Nadine Dorres was at an event to promote the froth coming RUGBY LEAGUE World Cup. Dorres talked about watching Johnny Wilkinson kicking the winning drop goal of the 2003 competition. However Nadine was actually refering to the 2003 RUGBY UNION World Cup. Just make clear the difference to Nadine, RUGBY LEAGUE is played by 2 teams 13 players while RUGBY UNION is played by 2 teams of 15 players. How you know Nadine

Beyond death

 The BBC has announced it is making a spin-off of one of it's popular programmes, Death in Paradise. Beyond Paradise will focus on the character of Humphrey Goodman as played by Kris Marshall who solved crimes in the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Martin. The new series will find Goodman back in the UK. It should air sometime next year.

Goodbye Rev

 The death has been announced of Frank Williams. Best known for his role of Reverend Timothy Farthing in Dad's Army. His character was always fretting about what the Home Guard were doing on church grounds.

R. I. P. Frank Williams

Tim Sale's visual legacy

The death has been announced of comic book artist Tim Sale. His work on the Barman mini series Th out since. Else's work was also on the TV series Heroes.e Long Halloween has been said to be a visual influence on the Barman films that have come

Tim Sale R. I. P.

Book review - With a Mind to Kill by Anthony Horowitz

 The third James Bond novel by Horowitz starts at the funeral of M. But this a deception. Anyone who knows me last Bond book Ian Fleming wrote, The Man With the Golden Gun at the start a brainwashed Bond is sent to kill his superior but the attempt fails. When information gets to the British Secret Service of a cabal of high ranking Soviet agents are planning a world shaking event an now deprogmed Bond is tasked with stopping it. With the exception of an action set piece on London's Tower Bridge this is a low key novel.The ending suggests an ending for the character though Horowitz in the afterword admits others taken the character further. All in all an interesting take on Bond

Sue leaves the court

 It has been announced that Sue Barker is stepping down as the main presenter of the BBC coverage of Wimbledon. A winner of the French Open herself She started with the BBC in 1993  becoming main presenter when Des Lynam moved to ITV. Her other work included The Olympics and The Grand National. No news as yet on who will also take over from Sue.

Martin and the circles

 3 years ago I wrote a blog on a YouTube video about forgotten British sit come of the 1980s. I took issue with some of the choices. One of these was Ever Decreasing Circles, the show that reunited Richard Briers with the writers of The Good Life  Richard's character in The Good Life was a cheerful character, his character in Ever Decreasing Circles was not. Today Martin Brice would be called a micro manager. His life is turned upside down when the suave Paul played by Peter Egan moves into the neighbourhood. Paul's relaxed attitude to life gets up Martin's nose. This Tuesday BBC4 are starting a repeat run.

The article about the YouTube video is from April 2019

Best of The Avengers. - Tara King era

 When Diana Rigg left her role as Emma Peel, she was replaced by Linda Thorson as Tara King. These are the five best episodes to feature her..

2. Take me to Your Leader

s Steed (Patrick MacNee) and Tara must fellow instructions given by a talking brief case in order to unmask a mole. Penelope Keith appears in a small role.

2. Have Guns, Will Haggle

When a consignment of the Amry's  newest rifle is stolen the trail leads to  a brother and sister arms dealers and an African war lord.

3.Requim

steed is protecting a vital witness. But Tara may be about to give the game away..

4. Game

an number of Steed's ex Army colleagues are being murded. The only being a piece of a jigsaw puzzle in their hands.

5. They Keep Killing Steed

Steed is kidnapped by enemy agents so that those with copies of his face can attack a peace conference.

What are you thinking Dan?

 Last year Johnny Depp lost a libel case against the Sun newspaper that said he had abused his then wife Amber Herd. Dell lost the case. The article was written by Dan Wotton who is now a presenter on the right wing GB news channel. In the US Depp has won a suit on the same lines. I doubt you be working in the States anytime soon Dan

On the move

 It has been announced that both BBC4 and CBBC will be moved on line. This is down to cost savings and a desire to compete with streaming services. No date as yet when the move will take place.

Aneka is back

Channel 5 has announced it is bringing back Challenge Aneaka. The show which had presented Aneaka Rice would attempt a task like build a hut for youth clubs. No transmission date.

Awful quiz show answer 19-05-2022

 On Tipping Point a contestant was asked who was the eldest male child of Queen Elizabeth II. The answer given was Edward. The correct answer is Charles.

Old faces

 David Tennant and Catherine Tate have been confirmed to appearing in the 60th anniversary special of Docr Who. They will star alongside new Docto Ncuti Gatwa. The special will be shown next year.

Nick is back

 It has been announced that Nick Hewer is to return as host for Countdown after just a year. His replacement Ann Robinson was said not to get along with co-hosts Rachel Riley and Susie Dent. One presumes Nick last longer.

A question about Dom Littewood

 Why does he still make TV programmes

Dennis Waterman (1948-2022)

 The death has been announced of Dennis Waterman. An actor with 2 iconic roles to his name in the form of George Carter in The Sweeney and Terry McCann in Minder. A child actor Waterman's took in stage and screen. He also sang the theme tune to some of the shows he appeared in,a fact lampooned by Little Britain. Dennis Waterman can claimed to have starred in some of British TV most popular shows

R. I. P. Dennis Waterman

Dolly accepts

 After saying that she did not want to be in the ballot for the year rock and roll hall of fame Dolly Patron has taken a place. She joins Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Eurythmics and Pat Benatar among others.

Anne is gone

 It has been announced that Anne Robinson is leaving as host of Countdown after just a year. She was the fifth host of Countdown in 17 years after the death of original host Richard Whitley in 2005. No news on the future of the show as yet.

James is coming home

 It has been announced that James Condren is leaving his US chat show. An award winning actor he has been presenting his show for the past 7_years. He still did acting roles including a return to his role in Gavin and Stacey. It is most likely James is planning a return to full time acting.

TV ratings 24-04-2022

 Detective drama Grace starring John Simm drew 3.1million viewers. This is impressive given that there has been a year wait we the last episode.

Is it still alright?

 Tonight on ITV sees an new edition a It Be'll Alright on the Night! I'm The show that features TV clips of people in embarrassing situations. Even Pope John Paul In featured in one clip. The show was a ratings monster when hosted by Dennis Norden. However in the years since he stepped down as host  the ratings have gone down. One has to wonder how long the show has got?

Old faces return

 The final episode of Jodie Whitaker's will see the return of 2 characters from the show's past. Janet Fielding who played opposite Peter Davison between 1982-84 and Sophie Aldred who was in the show between 1987-89. The episode also older does the Daleks, the Cybermen and The Master. No date as yet when the episode goes out.

Why the change?

 Tipping Point has now reduced it's contestant count by 1_to 3 why?

Jack Higgins, a look back

 This weekend saw the announcement of the death of Harry Petersen better known by his own name of Jack Higgins. The author of countless best selling thrillers. Some of which were adapted for film and television. The 2 most famous examples being The Eagle has Landed starring Michael Caine, Donald Sutherland and Robert Duvall and A Prayer for the Dying Mickey Rourke and Liam Neeson. The latter caused a lot fuss when Rourke expressed his support for the IS A when promoting the film. Higgins novels tended to be RIP roaring affairs, for an example of this check his 2000 novel in which British black ops team takes on the Mafia, London gangsters,Irish and Islamic terrorists combined.

Harry Petersen aka Jack Higgins R. I. P.

Richard is gone

 It has been announced that Richard Osman is after 13_years is leaving his role as co-host of Pointless. The reason given was that he could spend more time on his writing career. His first 2 novels were huge known sellers. No news of the future of both Pointless and Richard Osmsn's  House of Games.

June Brown (1927-2022)

 The death has been announced of June Brown. Best known for her role in Eastenders as Dot Cotton, who would have to put up with bad boy son. June had a long stage career. Other TV work included The Sweeney, Minder and Doctor Who. She also appeared in such films as Straw Dogs and Murder by Decree.

R. I. P. June Brown

Oscars 2022

 This year Oscars were an eventful one. Coda became the first film to be backed by a streaming service to win Best Picture, however the most awards were won by Science Fiction epic Dune. No Time to Die became the third Bond film running to have it's theme win Best Original Song. However the t was overshadowed by a true involving Best Actor winner Will Smith and Chris Roc k after the latter made comments about Smith's wife hair loss.

Running in the family

 A stair was caused yesterday at the World Figure Skating championships. Event commenter Simon Reed thinking he was off air called a female Canadian computer a b****. Reed is no longer working at the championships. Perhaps this is not surprising given that Fred's brother was notorious help raiser Oliver

Peter Bowles (1936-2022)

 The death has been announced of Peter Bowles. An actor with a long career. On TV in the 1960s he appeared in shows  e The Avengers and The Saint usually as a bad guy. However in the late 1970s he appeared in two very successful sit coms, To the Manor Born and Only When I Laugh. The final episode of the former was seen by one of the largest audience in UK Ty. Bowles played conmen in two different shows,The Bounder and Perfect Scroundals. Films Peter appeared in include The Bank Job from 2008.

R. I. P. Peter Bowles

Awful quiz show answer 10--03-2022

 On Tipping Point a contestant was asked which prison island in San Francisco bay was closed in 1967. The answer given was Monetergo. The answer of course is Alcatraz.

Lynda Baron (1929-2022)

 The death has been announced of Lynda Baron. Best known for her role as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel who was always having to ward off the,advances of Ronnie Harper's Arkwright. Lynda's other work include Minder, Eastenders and 2 appearances in Doctor Who.In

R. I. P. Lynda Baron

Major shake up

 Tonight ITV start an new look week day schedule. The Early Evening News now lasts for a hour. Emmerdale now starts at 7.30 pm. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday Coronation Street will last for a hour. How the viewing public reacts to these changes remain to be seeen.

TV ratings 27-02-2022

 The first episode of the final series of BBC1 period crime drama Peaky Blinders was was watched 3.6 million viewers. ITV thriller Trigger Point was seen by 4.7 million viewers for it's last episode.

Caped fury

 Need Friday sees the release of The Barman the latest film to feature that most iconic comic book character. But it comes with a higher than usual age certification, the British Board of Film Classification have given it a 15 certfitic. This due to a grim plot in which The Riddler ( played by Paul Dano) commits a series of graphic murders. Cinema owners are not happy with this decision. Weather there be a change at the last minute remains to be seen.

She's back!!

 The BBC has announced that an new series of Mrs Brown's Boys will be made. Much to some people disgust.

Costume comeback

 At the Winter Olympics the Figure Skating Ice Dance was won by the French Pair of Gabriella Papadkis and Guillame Cizeron. This is an improvement on the silver they got at the last games. Their standing in the early stages of the competition was not helped by a tear to Papadkis's costume which forced a clumsy performance that cost her and her partner the gold. But that can be written off as a curious footnote.

Bamber Mastermind

 The recent death of Bamber Gascoigne brings back memories of his time as host of University Challenge. Most famously in The Young Ones episode Bambi, in which the luckless quartet go on University Challenge.first they have to get past a security guard played by Mel Smith before seeing Bamber himself as played by Griff Rhys Jones. A few years later Bamber showed he got the joke when he joined Mel and Griff on their sketch show. In one Bamber is accosted by a man,who wants his autograph which he gives only for the man to say is that how you spell Mangus. A reference to the then host of Mastermind Mangus Mangusson.

Awful quiz show 07-02-2022

 On Mastermind a contestant was asked on which Sketch show did the characters Arthur Atkinson and Swiss Toni appear on. The answer given was Only Fools and Horses. The actual answer is The Fast Show.

Who be in the hall this year?

 The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced who has been nominated for inclusion this year. It is e varied list that includes Kate Bush, Duran Duran Judas Priest and Dolly Parton. The results will be announced in a couple of months.

What would the Baroness think?

 After 6_years as just an online service BBC3 is returning to linear television. In it's first period as a TV channel  it faces criticism. On one infamous occasion then BBC Director General Mark Thompson went on Radio 4 Today programme to be interviewed by guest editor Baroness PD James who took  him to task  over the output of the channel citing such examples as Bitter than my  Daughter. Despite being the home of such popular programmes as Gavin & Stacey, BBC3 became an only online service. However it still make a Mark with the likes of Fleabag. One of the first night shows is RuPaul''s Drag Race UK versus the World which has a programme description that would make the late Baroness James  eyes pop.

Barry and the lost lunchtime

 The death of famed comedy script writer Barry Cryer brings to mind a story he told about Graham Chapman in a documentary about Monty Python Flying Circus. The pair were working on scripts for a show and in Cryer's view were making good progress. However Chapman talked Cryer going to the pub for lunch. Cryer says he couldn't remember if he did any more work that day!

Boris faces the heat

 The Metropolitan police has announced that an  investigation will be held. Into parties held at no 10 Downing street during the pandemic lockdown of 2020. This is a very serious turn of events.

Boris, time is running out

 Boris Johnson has seen one of his MPs defect to Labour and another good him to resign a. So what happens next?

Novak is gone

 After much legal Novak Djokovic has been served from Australia due to his non vaccination status. It leaves a clear path for someone in this year Australian Open.

Awful quiz show answer of the day 10-01-2022

 On the recent edition of Mastermind a contestant was asked to name the late 1990s TV show about a Vampire private detective. The answer given was Columbo. The actual answer is Angel.

TV review - Toast of Tinseltown

 Starring Matt Berry

BBC2 10 P.M. Tuesday

Steven Toast is having anger control problems in the first episode of a new series that sees the character switch channels. But Matt Berry is funny as Toast. Highlights include Toast getting into argument with the author of a book he is doing an audio reading  for, attending anger management and having a fight with arch enemy Ray Purchase. A great set up for the rest of the series when Toast hits LA.

you can see the whole series on I-player

Best of Red Dwarf - the BBC years

 The ten best episodes of the show about a rag tag crew lost in space.

1. Backwards

The crew finds itself on an Earth that goes backwards. It ends up in a very unreal bar fight.

2. Parrell Universe

the crew finds themsleves in a gender reversed universe with a shock in store for one of them.

3. DNA

Kryten is turned into a human after the crew find a marooned spaceship. Attempts to turn him back into an Android have nasty side effects.

4. Justice

dimmer finds himself on trial for the disaster that befell the Red Dwarf. However more pressing matters turn up

5. Marooned

Lister and Rimmer find themselves standard on an icy planet try to survive the conditions and each other!.

6. Polymorph

The show's take on Alien. The guys have to survive a creature that feeds on emotions.

7. Gunmen of the Acoylpse

Starbug is heading for destruction and the only way the guys can survive is to enter a VR version of the wild west.

8._Back to Reality

after an attack by sea monsters the guys start to think they are not who they thought they were.

9._Thanks for the Meomary

Rimmer is depressed so Lister gives him his meomaries to cheer him up.

10. Queeg

Holly is replaced as ship computer and the guys don't like it.