Book review - Joe Country by Mick Herron
What is advertised as a standard spy thriller is a sly satire on Brexit Britain. The latest novel to focus on a group of disgraced British spies called the Slow Horses who work under the command of Jackson Lamb a man who is not afraid to admit to having a flatulence problem. The thriller plot comes when a renegade agent who just so happens to the father of one of the Slow Horses. However this plays second fiddle to the power games played between the highest elements of British Intelligence. The scenes where Lamb has to deal with his much hated superior 'Lady Di' bristles with the characters mutual loathing. It is only towards the end that novel goes in full thriller mode however Herron does not do the obvious. We only get the aftermath of a deadly fight involving one of the slow horses. For those who want the usual thriller will be disappointed but those who want more will get an novel of razor sharp wit.
Sunday, 7 July 2019
Friday, 5 July 2019
John McRirick (1940 - 2019)
The death has been announced of John McRirick without doubt the most colourful in UK TV sports broadcasting. Having failed to get into the Diplomatic Service McRirick started working as a bookmaker. It was through this he got a job as a reporter on The Sporting Life. McRicik got on the BBC's Grandstand programme before moving to ITV's sports department. In 1985 he got his big break when Channel 4 a high profile role on their Horse Racing coverage. With his unique appearance McRirik became a sensation. He held the post until Channel 4 dropped him from their team in 2013 but he took them an employment tribunal claiming age discrimination but he lost. Outside of Horse Racing John appeared on many shows including Celebrity Big Brother.
John McRirick R.I.P
The death has been announced of John McRirick without doubt the most colourful in UK TV sports broadcasting. Having failed to get into the Diplomatic Service McRirick started working as a bookmaker. It was through this he got a job as a reporter on The Sporting Life. McRicik got on the BBC's Grandstand programme before moving to ITV's sports department. In 1985 he got his big break when Channel 4 a high profile role on their Horse Racing coverage. With his unique appearance McRirik became a sensation. He held the post until Channel 4 dropped him from their team in 2013 but he took them an employment tribunal claiming age discrimination but he lost. Outside of Horse Racing John appeared on many shows including Celebrity Big Brother.
John McRirick R.I.P
Thursday, 4 July 2019
The walking is over
Comic book series The Walking Dead has seen it's last ever issue published. The series that told the story of a zombie ridden future that saw a group of survivors having to contend with not only zombies but other survivors with a less than humane view on life than them. The comic would win an number of industry awards. The biggest impact it had on the public mind set was the TV show which had a viewership of at one point of 17 million viewers. The producers of the show say the fact that the comic has now ended will not affect production.
Comic book series The Walking Dead has seen it's last ever issue published. The series that told the story of a zombie ridden future that saw a group of survivors having to contend with not only zombies but other survivors with a less than humane view on life than them. The comic would win an number of industry awards. The biggest impact it had on the public mind set was the TV show which had a viewership of at one point of 17 million viewers. The producers of the show say the fact that the comic has now ended will not affect production.
Wednesday, 3 July 2019
TV ratings 02-07-2019
BBC1's coverage of the Women's World Cup semi final between England and USA made history as the most watched Ladies Football match in UK TV history with an average of 8 million viewers. At it's peak that figure was near 11 million. However the final will not see anything like that figure as the USA won 2-1.
BBC1's coverage of the Women's World Cup semi final between England and USA made history as the most watched Ladies Football match in UK TV history with an average of 8 million viewers. At it's peak that figure was near 11 million. However the final will not see anything like that figure as the USA won 2-1.
Tuesday, 2 July 2019
Spider-Who?
Since taking on the role of Spider-Man actor Tom Holland has starred in 3 very successful movies with a fourth just about to be released and the subject of many magazine articles. However his fame has not caught with some people. In a recent edition of US game show Jeopardy! contestants were asked to identify super hero actors out of costume. None of them could identify Holland with a couple going for his predecessors in the role Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield. The price of fame Tom?
Since taking on the role of Spider-Man actor Tom Holland has starred in 3 very successful movies with a fourth just about to be released and the subject of many magazine articles. However his fame has not caught with some people. In a recent edition of US game show Jeopardy! contestants were asked to identify super hero actors out of costume. None of them could identify Holland with a couple going for his predecessors in the role Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield. The price of fame Tom?
Big match preparation
Tonight sees the Women's World Cup semi final between England and USA. It will be the most watched ladies Football match. If England win expect the press to declare them the winners of the tournament, if they lose narrowly they will called gutsiy losers and if they lose heavily they will be called an national disgrace.
Tonight sees the Women's World Cup semi final between England and USA. It will be the most watched ladies Football match. If England win expect the press to declare them the winners of the tournament, if they lose narrowly they will called gutsiy losers and if they lose heavily they will be called an national disgrace.
Monday, 1 July 2019
TV ratings 30-06-2019
The good weather had an effect on TV viewing figures. BBC1's Gentleman Jack was watched just under 4 million viewers while ITV's Beecham House was watched just under 2 million viewers. This will be concerning for ITV as Beecham House will soon be facing BBC1's ever popular Poldark.
The good weather had an effect on TV viewing figures. BBC1's Gentleman Jack was watched just under 4 million viewers while ITV's Beecham House was watched just under 2 million viewers. This will be concerning for ITV as Beecham House will soon be facing BBC1's ever popular Poldark.
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