The return of The Crystal Maze
After a one off special that was broadcast last year Channel 4 have announced that The Crystal Maze is returning. The show was one Channel' 4's biggest hit in the 1990, thanks to the presenting style of Richard O'Brien as he made witty comments as a contestant would try to figure where to put a pole. The Show ended in 1995, 2 years after O'Brien left with Ed Tudor-Pole taking over as host. Richard Ayoade will take on the on the position of host, one will wait and see if he the originals magic.
Friday, 13 January 2017
Thursday, 12 January 2017
The missing Top of the Pops explained
Anyone watching the repeats of Top of the Pops on BBC4 will find it a somewhat disorienting experience, one edition an act may be at number 1 and the next edition shown sees them down the charts at a swift rate. The fact is that some editions are not shown for an number of reasons, the most rare is the poor sound quality of some shows, then there is those that hosted by the two men who have come to be called the Yewtree 2 Jimmy Savile whose crimes caused the creation of the operation and Dave Lee Travis who was brought to justice because of it, one effect was that in the run of 1981 episodes The Police's sole week at the top of the charts with Everything She Does is Magic as that week's edition was hosted by Travis. The other is the refusal by the late Mike Smith to allow the editions he present to be shown, this started in the 1990's when he was still alive when he stopped the old UK Gold showing his shows, after his death in 2014 his widow Sarah Greene has carried on with his wishes. The reason for Smith reluctance was an attempt to distance from his television career (I touched on 2 shows he worked in both End of the Road for Noel Edmonds and Rembering Ghostwatch) and as he took up a career in helicopter filming. This week BBC4 will start showing editions from 1983 and at lest 14 will not be shown due to the reasons above. Savile and Travis both presented their final shows in 1984 and Smith carried on until 1988.
Anyone watching the repeats of Top of the Pops on BBC4 will find it a somewhat disorienting experience, one edition an act may be at number 1 and the next edition shown sees them down the charts at a swift rate. The fact is that some editions are not shown for an number of reasons, the most rare is the poor sound quality of some shows, then there is those that hosted by the two men who have come to be called the Yewtree 2 Jimmy Savile whose crimes caused the creation of the operation and Dave Lee Travis who was brought to justice because of it, one effect was that in the run of 1981 episodes The Police's sole week at the top of the charts with Everything She Does is Magic as that week's edition was hosted by Travis. The other is the refusal by the late Mike Smith to allow the editions he present to be shown, this started in the 1990's when he was still alive when he stopped the old UK Gold showing his shows, after his death in 2014 his widow Sarah Greene has carried on with his wishes. The reason for Smith reluctance was an attempt to distance from his television career (I touched on 2 shows he worked in both End of the Road for Noel Edmonds and Rembering Ghostwatch) and as he took up a career in helicopter filming. This week BBC4 will start showing editions from 1983 and at lest 14 will not be shown due to the reasons above. Savile and Travis both presented their final shows in 1984 and Smith carried on until 1988.
Wednesday, 11 January 2017
World Cup expansion
This week members of FIFA voted to increase the number of nations who will compete at the World Cup to 48. The teams will play in 16 groups of 3 with the top 2 teams going through to the knock out stages. The decision has of course met with some criticism with some saying that it is just another cash grab. We have a 9 year wait to see how it all turns out.
This week members of FIFA voted to increase the number of nations who will compete at the World Cup to 48. The teams will play in 16 groups of 3 with the top 2 teams going through to the knock out stages. The decision has of course met with some criticism with some saying that it is just another cash grab. We have a 9 year wait to see how it all turns out.
Tuesday, 10 January 2017
Gamesmaster, 25 years on
This year it has been 25 years since Gamesmaster made it's debut on Channel 4, the show still to this day remains the the high mark of how gaming is covered on television. The show was a mix of challenges, reviews and tips. The challenges would see the challenger trying to match a target such completing a level of a game by a time limit, they would be one in which would seen a celebrity take part and on some occasions they compete against someone else in a beat them up or sports game. The review section saw members of the gaming press pass verdict on the latest titles. Then there was the tips section in which gamers would ask advice from the eponymous Gamesmaster, Patrick Moore took on the role with a sense of bemusement. With the exception of one series the show was presented by Dominik Diamond with a mischievous sense of humour. Gamesmaster ran from 1992 to 1998 but the name lives on by being the name of one the UK's biggest selling gaming magazines. Nothing before and after has matched Gamesmaster for it's coverage of gaming on TV.
You can watch episodes on Youtube
This year it has been 25 years since Gamesmaster made it's debut on Channel 4, the show still to this day remains the the high mark of how gaming is covered on television. The show was a mix of challenges, reviews and tips. The challenges would see the challenger trying to match a target such completing a level of a game by a time limit, they would be one in which would seen a celebrity take part and on some occasions they compete against someone else in a beat them up or sports game. The review section saw members of the gaming press pass verdict on the latest titles. Then there was the tips section in which gamers would ask advice from the eponymous Gamesmaster, Patrick Moore took on the role with a sense of bemusement. With the exception of one series the show was presented by Dominik Diamond with a mischievous sense of humour. Gamesmaster ran from 1992 to 1998 but the name lives on by being the name of one the UK's biggest selling gaming magazines. Nothing before and after has matched Gamesmaster for it's coverage of gaming on TV.
You can watch episodes on Youtube
Monday, 9 January 2017
Sherlock and the case of the unsubtle references
For anyone has not seen the episode The Lying Detective please do not read any further because there are SPOILERS
In The Lying Detective Sherlock goes up against Culverton Smith who to the public is a cherry Northern celebrity. He is popular with children, raises vast sums of money for charity and is connected to the highest levels of the establishment. However there is a darker side to him such as intimidating anyone who dares to question in public and visits the morgue in the hospital he had raised money for on a regular basis. The obvious inspiration for Culverton Smith is Jimmy Savile. This is not the first time that Sherlock has featured a villain who has a real life inspiration, His Last Vow features a media Mogul who has a lot of influence on those who sit in positions of power. One real life media mogul comes to mind instantly. Both episodes were written by Steven Moffat and one wonders if there was any personal axe to grind.
For anyone has not seen the episode The Lying Detective please do not read any further because there are SPOILERS
In The Lying Detective Sherlock goes up against Culverton Smith who to the public is a cherry Northern celebrity. He is popular with children, raises vast sums of money for charity and is connected to the highest levels of the establishment. However there is a darker side to him such as intimidating anyone who dares to question in public and visits the morgue in the hospital he had raised money for on a regular basis. The obvious inspiration for Culverton Smith is Jimmy Savile. This is not the first time that Sherlock has featured a villain who has a real life inspiration, His Last Vow features a media Mogul who has a lot of influence on those who sit in positions of power. One real life media mogul comes to mind instantly. Both episodes were written by Steven Moffat and one wonders if there was any personal axe to grind.
Saturday, 7 January 2017
TV Review: Taboo
Starring Tom Hardy, Oona Chaplin, Jonathan Pryce
Drama, 9:15pm, Saturday, BBC1
Taking the prize of the most unusual programme ever to be put on a BBC1 Saturday night schedule is Taboo. Unlike other costume dramas for example Poldark it goes for a much a grounded approach. The only thing it has in common with Poldark is that both feature characters coming back from the dead and causing much commotion. Taboo is a much more darker brew, featuring the use of words that you would not normally find in a programme of this type, Tom Hardy's character going through what could only be called a mental breakdown in a mortuary and being shot in a sepia tone. Tom Hardy brings his intense A-game, Jonathan Pryce does his snake oil salesman act very well and the actors who make his band of conspirators are all despicable to the core. Taboo may not be for everyone taste but the next 7 episodes should be worth it for those who stick with it.
Starring Tom Hardy, Oona Chaplin, Jonathan Pryce
Drama, 9:15pm, Saturday, BBC1
Taking the prize of the most unusual programme ever to be put on a BBC1 Saturday night schedule is Taboo. Unlike other costume dramas for example Poldark it goes for a much a grounded approach. The only thing it has in common with Poldark is that both feature characters coming back from the dead and causing much commotion. Taboo is a much more darker brew, featuring the use of words that you would not normally find in a programme of this type, Tom Hardy's character going through what could only be called a mental breakdown in a mortuary and being shot in a sepia tone. Tom Hardy brings his intense A-game, Jonathan Pryce does his snake oil salesman act very well and the actors who make his band of conspirators are all despicable to the core. Taboo may not be for everyone taste but the next 7 episodes should be worth it for those who stick with it.
Jaime Oliver and Brexit
News has broke that Jamie Oliver is to close an number of his restaurants. Among the reasons was rising costs caused by the frothcoming Brexit. Will this spur Oliver into action where he confront the exponents of Brxut including Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage and Iain Duncan Smith for pursing their political dogma over the nation's taste buds?
News has broke that Jamie Oliver is to close an number of his restaurants. Among the reasons was rising costs caused by the frothcoming Brexit. Will this spur Oliver into action where he confront the exponents of Brxut including Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage and Iain Duncan Smith for pursing their political dogma over the nation's taste buds?
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