The dangers of reality
The line up of Channel 4's ski jumping based show The Jump has been revealed, it is mostly made up of sports people including Cycling's Sir Bradley Wiggins, Rugby player Jason Robinson, Gymnast Louis Smith and Taekwondo' Jade Jones. Jones involvement has driven the sport's UK governing body to air it concerns.. The last series had seen several injuries including Rebbecca Adlington dislocating her shoulder and Beth Tweedle need surgery on her spine. Given (even though she is a twice Olympic gold medallist) that at age of 23 Jones still has much of her career ahead of her the concerns were raised for her. Though this not the first time the question of safety has hanged over a TV programme. There was the tragic death of Micheal Lush (as described in my post about Noel Edmonds) which brought about the end of The Late, Late Breakfast Show. And then there was Richard Hammond's brush with death when driving a high powered vehicle and left fighting for his life which he won. Perhaps it is human nature for people to see other people do things that they would not do, but the big question is it worth in the end?
Wednesday, 4 January 2017
Tuesday, 3 January 2017
Most shocking Pointless answers: The follow up
Just a couple of hours after I posted my previous post the most hugely wrong Pointless answers then the web becomes alive with one that ended a friendship. When asked the question to name a country whose name ends with 2 constants, a contestant gives the answer Paris. Her partner is shown grimacing hence the talk of a friendship ended. Until the pair set the matter straight we shall never know.
Just a couple of hours after I posted my previous post the most hugely wrong Pointless answers then the web becomes alive with one that ended a friendship. When asked the question to name a country whose name ends with 2 constants, a contestant gives the answer Paris. Her partner is shown grimacing hence the talk of a friendship ended. Until the pair set the matter straight we shall never know.
Most shocking Pointless answers
These are the 3 most shocking answers given on Pointless that can be found on Youtube
1. A contestant who is a maths teacher says he is bad at geography. He confirms this with his answer to the question name a US state. He comes up with Mexico. Just as well he does not teach geography.
2. The category is assassinations. The clue is assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas. The given answer is J.R. though to be fair to the contestant she realises that her answer is massively wrong a second after giving it.
3. When asked to name the piece of work in which a fictional educator appeared in. A contestant says that The Karate Kid's Mr Miyagi appeared in Mr Miyagi and the Magical Instruments. That he gives his answer in a rather carefree way you know he is making it up just to save face.
These are the 3 most shocking answers given on Pointless that can be found on Youtube
1. A contestant who is a maths teacher says he is bad at geography. He confirms this with his answer to the question name a US state. He comes up with Mexico. Just as well he does not teach geography.
2. The category is assassinations. The clue is assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas. The given answer is J.R. though to be fair to the contestant she realises that her answer is massively wrong a second after giving it.
3. When asked to name the piece of work in which a fictional educator appeared in. A contestant says that The Karate Kid's Mr Miyagi appeared in Mr Miyagi and the Magical Instruments. That he gives his answer in a rather carefree way you know he is making it up just to save face.
Monday, 2 January 2017
Best of: Sherlock Holmes - Jeremy Brett
For many Jeremy Brett was the definitive take of Arthur Conan Doyle's consulting detective. Here are the ten best episodes.
1. The Final Problem
Holmes and Watson go to Europe to escape the wrath of Professor (Eric Porter giving the character an almost satanic edge) Moriarty. The final shot of Holmes and Moriarty falling down the Reichenbach Falls has a haunting quality
2. The Solitary Cyclist
A young female music teacher turns to Holmes for help when on her bicylce ride to work she finds she is being followed by same cyclist. The episode features Holmes showing his Boxing skills on a South African Ruffian.
3. The Red Headed League
When a shop owner finds himself with a second job on the basis of the colour of his hair, he of course turns to Holmes for help who discover that a masterfully planed crimes is about to take place. Gust starring Richard (who at one point wears a red wig) Wilson and Tim McInerny. And even though the character does not appear in the original story, Eric Porter makes his first appearance as Moriarty.
4. The Master Blackmailer
Robert Hardy is Charles Augustus Milverton, the titular character whose ruthless schemes that leave emotional and physical pain have Holme considered Milverton to be worse than most murderers. Milverton gets a suitable ending
5. The Six Napoleons
When busts of Napoleon are being destroyed, Inspector (Colin Jevaons) Lestrade turns to Holmes for help. And when a murder is commited at the sight of the next destroyed bust it brings a connection with a previous case Holmes worked on. Featuring guest appearances by British comedy legend Eric Sykes and a pre Star Trek: The Next Genartion Marina Sirtis.
6. The Copper Beeches
A young governess turns to Holmes for help when her new employer makes an number of unusal demands of her such as cutting her hair. Guest starring Natasha Richardson and Joss Ackland
7. The Sign of Four
A series of impossible murders have a motive that trace back to India. The episode features an night time boat chase. With guest appearences by Jenny Seagrove, Ronald Lacey and in the year he made his first showing as Inspector Morse, an unreconisble John Thaw,
8. The Dying Detective
Holmes pits his wits with Culverton Smith, an expert on poison when his cousin's wife becomes concerned with the influence he has over her husband. And then Holmes himself takes ill. Featuring an early appearance by Hugh Bonneville who at the time was credited as Richard Bonneville.
9. Shoscombe Old Place
Holmes is asked by a race horse trainer to look into the odd behaviour of his employer and what connections it may have with his sister health. Featuring an early appearance by Jude Law who himself would go on to play Watson in the Robert Downy jr Sherlock Holmes films
10. The Disappearnce of Lady Frances Carfax
When on holiday Watson makes the acquaintance of an independent and strong minded woman. When she disappears he asks Holmes to help in the investigation with suspicion falling on one of her suitors.
For many Jeremy Brett was the definitive take of Arthur Conan Doyle's consulting detective. Here are the ten best episodes.
1. The Final Problem
Holmes and Watson go to Europe to escape the wrath of Professor (Eric Porter giving the character an almost satanic edge) Moriarty. The final shot of Holmes and Moriarty falling down the Reichenbach Falls has a haunting quality
2. The Solitary Cyclist
A young female music teacher turns to Holmes for help when on her bicylce ride to work she finds she is being followed by same cyclist. The episode features Holmes showing his Boxing skills on a South African Ruffian.
3. The Red Headed League
When a shop owner finds himself with a second job on the basis of the colour of his hair, he of course turns to Holmes for help who discover that a masterfully planed crimes is about to take place. Gust starring Richard (who at one point wears a red wig) Wilson and Tim McInerny. And even though the character does not appear in the original story, Eric Porter makes his first appearance as Moriarty.
4. The Master Blackmailer
Robert Hardy is Charles Augustus Milverton, the titular character whose ruthless schemes that leave emotional and physical pain have Holme considered Milverton to be worse than most murderers. Milverton gets a suitable ending
5. The Six Napoleons
When busts of Napoleon are being destroyed, Inspector (Colin Jevaons) Lestrade turns to Holmes for help. And when a murder is commited at the sight of the next destroyed bust it brings a connection with a previous case Holmes worked on. Featuring guest appearances by British comedy legend Eric Sykes and a pre Star Trek: The Next Genartion Marina Sirtis.
6. The Copper Beeches
A young governess turns to Holmes for help when her new employer makes an number of unusal demands of her such as cutting her hair. Guest starring Natasha Richardson and Joss Ackland
7. The Sign of Four
A series of impossible murders have a motive that trace back to India. The episode features an night time boat chase. With guest appearences by Jenny Seagrove, Ronald Lacey and in the year he made his first showing as Inspector Morse, an unreconisble John Thaw,
8. The Dying Detective
Holmes pits his wits with Culverton Smith, an expert on poison when his cousin's wife becomes concerned with the influence he has over her husband. And then Holmes himself takes ill. Featuring an early appearance by Hugh Bonneville who at the time was credited as Richard Bonneville.
9. Shoscombe Old Place
Holmes is asked by a race horse trainer to look into the odd behaviour of his employer and what connections it may have with his sister health. Featuring an early appearance by Jude Law who himself would go on to play Watson in the Robert Downy jr Sherlock Holmes films
10. The Disappearnce of Lady Frances Carfax
When on holiday Watson makes the acquaintance of an independent and strong minded woman. When she disappears he asks Holmes to help in the investigation with suspicion falling on one of her suitors.
Thursday, 29 December 2016
Andy Kershaw: The maverick's maverick
Amongst the expected messages of tribute to George Michael who died at the age of just 53, there was a lone voice that called into question into whether the level of outpouring for his death wad equivalent to his death, Andy Kershaw questioned whether Michael would be mentioned in the same bracket as Joni Mitchell and Louis Armstrong among others. This has led to Kershaw of being accused of being insensitive but anyone with knowledge of Kershaw's career and background will know that he is someone who does not stick to the conventional path. He got his first job in the media after meeting Trevor Dann, producer of Whistle Test (formerly known as The Old Grey Whistle Test) when he was working as road manager for Billy Bragg which saw him take the post of host/reporter. Kershaw brought an attitude that was sceptical of big names, one example being a very terse interview with Deep Purple members Ian Gillan and Jon Lord which when after his far more genial co-host David Hepworth opened the interview with a question about pay and then for most of the interview Kershaw constantly asked if Deep Purple had got back together just for the money, it is said that Gillan and Lord left the studio at the first opportunity. For 15 years between 1985 and 2000 at BBC Radio 1 Kershaw was a champion for World music with one programme being broadcast simultaneously on both Radio 1 and Radio 4. Among Kershaw's other television work includes Travelog, a Channel 4 travel programme which concentrated on more unlikely destinations than those seen on BBC1's Holiday or ITV's Wish You Were Here. As if to continue his reputation for going against the norm Kershaw went to North Korea. For those complain about Kershaw's remarks really should get to know what the man has done.
For those interested both the Deep Purple interview and the North Korea film can be seen on Youtube.
Amongst the expected messages of tribute to George Michael who died at the age of just 53, there was a lone voice that called into question into whether the level of outpouring for his death wad equivalent to his death, Andy Kershaw questioned whether Michael would be mentioned in the same bracket as Joni Mitchell and Louis Armstrong among others. This has led to Kershaw of being accused of being insensitive but anyone with knowledge of Kershaw's career and background will know that he is someone who does not stick to the conventional path. He got his first job in the media after meeting Trevor Dann, producer of Whistle Test (formerly known as The Old Grey Whistle Test) when he was working as road manager for Billy Bragg which saw him take the post of host/reporter. Kershaw brought an attitude that was sceptical of big names, one example being a very terse interview with Deep Purple members Ian Gillan and Jon Lord which when after his far more genial co-host David Hepworth opened the interview with a question about pay and then for most of the interview Kershaw constantly asked if Deep Purple had got back together just for the money, it is said that Gillan and Lord left the studio at the first opportunity. For 15 years between 1985 and 2000 at BBC Radio 1 Kershaw was a champion for World music with one programme being broadcast simultaneously on both Radio 1 and Radio 4. Among Kershaw's other television work includes Travelog, a Channel 4 travel programme which concentrated on more unlikely destinations than those seen on BBC1's Holiday or ITV's Wish You Were Here. As if to continue his reputation for going against the norm Kershaw went to North Korea. For those complain about Kershaw's remarks really should get to know what the man has done.
For those interested both the Deep Purple interview and the North Korea film can be seen on Youtube.
Wednesday, 28 December 2016
Matt Berry,: Jesus Christ Superstar fan
For those fans of Toast of London that Matt Berry both starred and co-wrote (with Arthur Matthews) will remember the episode Bonus Ball in which Berry's Steven Toast loses the hefty sum of twenty thousand pounds to none other than Andrew Lloyd-Webber, after being told by Elaine Paige that he stills owe Lloyd-Webber the sum of money prompting Toast to flip the finger and telling Lloyd-Webber to stick up it his Starlight Express. Toast then finds that none other than Michael (played by himself) Ball is out to collect Lloyd-Webber's money. Now the impression you may be left with is that Berry is not a fan of Lloyd-Webber's work, however in a film for the BBC's Culture Show he sings his praises for the work that would give Lloyd-Webber and his collaborator Tim Rice their big break the album of Jesus Christ Superstar. Berry in the film notes that the presence of such talents as Deep Purple legend Ian Gillan and members of Joe Cocker's backing band gives the album a cutting edge that you would not expect. Berry interviews the 2 musical knights and Murray Head (who in the 1980's had a hit with One Night in Bangkok form an another Tim Rice hit Chess co-written with ABBA's Benny and Bjorn) who performed the role of Judas, they all testify that the album was approached with all seriousness though they were some hiccups along the way such as Gillan ad libbing the word baby during the song set when Jesus is in the temple. Berry's conclusion is that with it's blend of Rock and Classical music Jesus Christ Superstar (album version) is something that demands your attention. The film can be seen on Youtube
For those fans of Toast of London that Matt Berry both starred and co-wrote (with Arthur Matthews) will remember the episode Bonus Ball in which Berry's Steven Toast loses the hefty sum of twenty thousand pounds to none other than Andrew Lloyd-Webber, after being told by Elaine Paige that he stills owe Lloyd-Webber the sum of money prompting Toast to flip the finger and telling Lloyd-Webber to stick up it his Starlight Express. Toast then finds that none other than Michael (played by himself) Ball is out to collect Lloyd-Webber's money. Now the impression you may be left with is that Berry is not a fan of Lloyd-Webber's work, however in a film for the BBC's Culture Show he sings his praises for the work that would give Lloyd-Webber and his collaborator Tim Rice their big break the album of Jesus Christ Superstar. Berry in the film notes that the presence of such talents as Deep Purple legend Ian Gillan and members of Joe Cocker's backing band gives the album a cutting edge that you would not expect. Berry interviews the 2 musical knights and Murray Head (who in the 1980's had a hit with One Night in Bangkok form an another Tim Rice hit Chess co-written with ABBA's Benny and Bjorn) who performed the role of Judas, they all testify that the album was approached with all seriousness though they were some hiccups along the way such as Gillan ad libbing the word baby during the song set when Jesus is in the temple. Berry's conclusion is that with it's blend of Rock and Classical music Jesus Christ Superstar (album version) is something that demands your attention. The film can be seen on Youtube
Tuesday, 27 December 2016
Richard Hammond's dubious thoughts of ice cream
It used to be the case that when the trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May got together (usually on Top Gear) something would be said or done that would cause offence to a lot of people. The most famous examples being when the trio drove into a redneck town in the Southern United States in cars bearing messages like country music sucks (and that was the most subtle) designed to inflame the inhabitants which leads to the sight of the trio and film crew being driven out of town, Clarkson using a polticy incorrect version of an nursery rhyme to decide on which car is the best or when in Argentina Clarkson drove in a Porsche which supposedly had number plates that made reference to The Falklands War which again saw the trio fleeing for their lives. Now having moved to Amazon Prime for The Grand Tour following Clarkson's' bust up with a producer saw the trio leave Top Gear (though May still does some work for the BBC) in an act of solidarity. It is Hammond's turn to court the headlines for the wrong reasons. During a conversation about eating a choc ice in a car Hammond said he did not eat ice cream and then made a remark about the sexuality about those who did. This has caused a furore with some people calling him out for his comments. Since Amazon Prime is a streaming service as opposed to a regular broadcasting one it does not come under the normal regulations, though one wonders if they may a commercial price that Amazon may have to pay for Hammond's comments.
It used to be the case that when the trio of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May got together (usually on Top Gear) something would be said or done that would cause offence to a lot of people. The most famous examples being when the trio drove into a redneck town in the Southern United States in cars bearing messages like country music sucks (and that was the most subtle) designed to inflame the inhabitants which leads to the sight of the trio and film crew being driven out of town, Clarkson using a polticy incorrect version of an nursery rhyme to decide on which car is the best or when in Argentina Clarkson drove in a Porsche which supposedly had number plates that made reference to The Falklands War which again saw the trio fleeing for their lives. Now having moved to Amazon Prime for The Grand Tour following Clarkson's' bust up with a producer saw the trio leave Top Gear (though May still does some work for the BBC) in an act of solidarity. It is Hammond's turn to court the headlines for the wrong reasons. During a conversation about eating a choc ice in a car Hammond said he did not eat ice cream and then made a remark about the sexuality about those who did. This has caused a furore with some people calling him out for his comments. Since Amazon Prime is a streaming service as opposed to a regular broadcasting one it does not come under the normal regulations, though one wonders if they may a commercial price that Amazon may have to pay for Hammond's comments.
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