Sorry but your family history is too boring

A news report has emerged that a proposed episode of Who Do You Think You Are? about Eamon Holmes was dropped because his ancestors were too boring. The show which features famous people discovering all about their family history. Previous episodes have featured regular screen cockney Danny Dyer that he was related to Royalty. In the case of Holmes researchers could only find was that he was from a very long line of farmers so he was dropped. This brings mind to an Armstrong & Miller sketch in which Alexander Armstrong discovers some very unfortunate skeletons in the cupboard when he appears on it. Think yourself lucky Eamon.

Best of: Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes

The 10 best episodes of the 2 shows featuring Philip Glensiter as tough as nails cop Gene Hunt dealng with the time displaced Sam (John Simm) Tyler in the 1970s and Alex (Keeley Hawes) Drake in the 1980s.

Note as episode titles were not used for either series so for reference initials of the series then the series and episode numbers

1. LoM S1 E3.

When a foreman dies in a factory Gene suspects the union rep while Sam is not so sure. Gene also has to deal with a rival copper.

2. LoM S1 E2

Sam is uneasy over Gene's techniques to nail would be robber and tries his own methods. The opening features a funny foot chase set to Wings Live and Let Die.

3. AtA S1 E6

Gene comes face to face with an old foe when on a robbery case. When Alex finds herself locked in a freezer Gene comes to the rescue to the Ultravox's Vienna

4. LoM S1 E5

A mans death may be linked to Football hooligans so Gene and Sam go undercover working at a pub. John Simm as Sam delivers a powerful monologue about the carnage that would come to the Football stands.

5 AtA S1 E7

A charity fund raiser claims to have be mugged and all his takings stolen however that may not be the case. Matthew Mcfadyen Keeley Hawes Spooks co-star and real life husband plays the fund riser.

6. LoM S2 S1

Sam comes face to face with an old foe from the 2000's however Gene seems to be in his pocket

7. AtA S3 E8

The final episode where all the threads of the 2 shows are all tied together with an appearance by an old face.

8. AtA S1 E4

A murder investigation sees Gene and Alex probe secrets of the highest order, even at one point getting trapped in a Government building. There is a sly reference to Keeley Hawes role in spy show Spooks.

9. AtA S2 E8

Gene and Alex find themselves trying to foil a robbery by a group of crooked cops. Just when you think all the twists there is one final shocker.

10. AtA  S3 E5

2 of Genes former colleagues from Manchester come to London looking for a stand up comic who they claim has committed fraud however that may not be the case. Real life comedian Roy Hudd plays the comic.

Bobby goes for a dive

One of the most (in)famous moments in a celebrity competition came in 2003's The Games. The show feature celebs being trained to take part in Olympic events. One such event was Diving. Bobby Davro best known for his impression shows in the 1980's went to the highest 10m board. The result was a very painful belly flop. You can watch re cored off TV screen footage on Youtube.

The holiday over?

Reports have emerged that ITV's long running comedy Benidorm could be heading for the axe. It has been one of ITV's few comedy hits in the last decade even going from a half hour duratation to a full hour programme. Though the news may spark a campign to stop the axe. We shall see.

Pop promos with actors

This is a list of 3 pop promos that feature actors in them. Please note none have no connection to films.

Kate Bush - Experiment IV

This 1986 track features Hugh Laurie and Dawn French at a time when they were blazing a trail in British Comedy. The video also features veterans Peter (Porridge, Game of Thrones) Vaughn and Richard (Goldfinger) Vernon. The video was deemed too disturbing that it was one point banned.


Paul McCartney - Take It Away

Featuring a mini Beatles reunion with Ringo Starr on drums and legendary producer George Martin on piano.  This 1982 video has John Hurt playing a manager on the look out for new talent. No need to guess who he discovers.


Iron Maiden - Can I Play With Madness

A year before his death from cancer Graham Chapman appeared in this 1988 video. Chapman takes on the role of a strict Art teacher who after scolding one of his pupils for drawing Iron Maiden's mascot Eddie ends up meeting him. Chapman taking on the role of a strict teacher was an obvious play on his personal reputation as a hell raiser.

William G Stewart (1933-2017)

The death was announced this week of William G Stewart a man with perhaps the most unique career in TV. In the early 1970s Stewart was producer/director of sit-coms like Bless This House and Father Dear Father. By the 1980s he had moved into working on game shows like Family Fortunes and The Price is Right.  Before taping for The Price is Right Stewart would walk out before the audience wearing a Bomber Jacket with Rule Britania blaring out the studio pa in order to get them to get them into a frenzy. Stewart would then find himself in front of the camera when Jonathan Ross could not commit to presenting to general knowledge quiz 15-1 which would run for 15 years from 1988.  During one edition in 2001 in which a large number of contestants did not make it past the first round Stewart was faced with airtime to  fill and so decided to air his view that the Elgin Marbles should be handed back to Greece by the Royal Museum of London. The many tributes that have been paid to Stewart is testament to his legacy in the industry.

What a hair cut says

When Emilia Clarke recently posted photos on Instagram the Internet was set afire. The actress best for known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thornes was seen with her hair cut short and hair dyed white. For the past 7 seasons of Game of Thrones Clarke has worn a long white blonde wig, this has led to speculation about the 8th and final season. We will see why the drastic change in hair in more than a year.