Countryfile at 30

30 years ago on this date the first edition of a programme that started off as a lunch time fare but world over time would a prime time hit. Countryfile replaced a programme called Farming which as the title suggests focused solely on that subject. Dealing with a much wider brief than it's predecessors such as animal and plant preservation, countryside leisure activates and continuing it's predecessor's agenda farming. Launched at a time when concerns about the environment were becoming more mainstream and 21 years later it was given a prime early evening Sunday slot. Countryfile hit the headlines for the wrong reasons when one time reporter Miriam O'Rielly sued the BBC after being axed from the programme on what she claimed was her age, she would win her case. Nearly a year later after Countryfile started John Craven stared presenting the show. best known for his work on kids TV shows Saturday Swapshow and Newsround Craven has been the one constant in the programmes rise in profile. We will probably never see something like what Countryfile has achieved going from niche afternoon viewing to mass appeal viewing.

He who talks to Fish

Yesterday at San Diego Comic-Con the trailer for the much awaited Aquaman was revealed. The character who was regarded as bit of a joke character for an number of years received bit of a creative make over by an number of writers beginning with Peter David in the 1990s. And now after his appearances in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League will be appearing in his first solo film played again by Jason Moama who became famous for playing such Alpha Males as Khal Drago in Game of Throne and Conan the Barbian. The trailer has already been viewed over 10 million times on Youtube. The film is out this December.

Gunn is fired

James Gunn who shot to fame directing the first 2 Guardians of the Galaxy films has been fired from directing the third entry. The reason being is the emergence of an number of old tweets which make jokes of sensitive subjects including rape. No replacement director has been announced yet with production of the film due to start next year.

007 fights an new Cold War

Possible details about the (as yet to titled) 25th Bond film may have emerged thanks to a leaked casting sheet. If the casting sheet is true James Bond will be taking on a Russian bad guy. This could be considered a reaction to recent real life events. The only film in the series that 007 taking on Russians operating on official government sanction was 1981's For Your Eyes Only. Other that 007 took on rogues with agendas (Octopussy and The Living Daylights being 2 examples) of their own. We shall see when the film is released next year.

San Diego Comic-Con 2018: what's on and what is not

Today sees the start of the annual San Diego Comic-Con. For the next 4 days comic book publishers like DC, Marvel etc will be announcing new projects for the year, Fans will get the chance to meet their favourite artists and writers. The comic book version of the Oscars the Eisners will be announced. However the event has become more famous for film studios and TV companies bringing along the stars of various films and TV shows to meet the fans. However there will be some notable absentees this year. Here who is coming and who is not.

WILL BE THERE

Doctor Who

The BBC will bringing Jodie Whittiker to her first public event. Some actual show footage may be shown rather than the promos. Expect any Q&A session to be heavaily screened

Warner Bros Films

The studio will be bringing 2 films that will appeal to the comic fans, Aquaman and Shazam! The former is the first solo outing for Jason Moama as the water borne hero. Moma's co-stars include Amber Herd, Willem Dafoe, Nicole Kidman and Dolph Lungren. Shazam! tells the story of a boy who when he says the word shazam is turned into the heroic Captain Marvel. Zachary Levi plays the heroic Captain Marvel while Mark Strong is villiam Dr Sivana. Warner Bros will be glad their rival in the superhero absent.


WILL NO BE THERE

Marvel Studios

Despite having 2 very high profile films coming out Marvel are sitting this years event out. Captain Marvel (nothing to do with Shazam) is Marvel's Female led film with Oscar winner Brie Larson playing the title character. And then there is fourth (as yet to be titled) Avengers film.

Lucasfilm

The another high profile Disney absentee is the makers of the Star Wars films. Fan reaction to The Last Jedi was so adverse some have suggested spin off Solo disappointing (for Star Wars) box office take was a result of it.

Game of Thornes

One of the most popular TV shows of the last will not be at the event to mark it's Eighth and final season. Fans will have to wait for the first promos to get their first look

Cliff: the verdict

Sir Cliff Richard has been awarded £210,000 in his libel suit against the BBC over it's reporting over his arrest over an allegation of historical sexual abuse. The singer was never charged. The BBC has said it will appeal the level of the award.

TV Ratings 16-7-2018

The first edition of Coronation Street was seen by 6.61m viewers at 7:30pm. However the second edition at 9:30pm mustered a viewership of 4.81m viewers a drop of 1.80; Most of the blame must go to The Voice Kids which despite having a Corrie could only draw 3.34m viewers. The Voice Kids continues until Saturday.