Category: TV

Belatedly, The Goodies is all of a sudden seeing some kind of resurgence in popularity. A couple of weeks ago there was a two part documentary on Radio 4, No Fixed Abode, Cricklewood. And now tonight, we get Comedy Connections on The Goodies, featuring interviews with all of The Goodies and John Cleese. Must buy…

Do the respective schedulers of ITV1 and ITV2 talk to one another much I wonder? I only ask because I note that ITV are trying to get maximum value out of their (no doubt pricy) Euro 2004 Fantasy Football. The new series “kicked off” at 10.00pm last night on ITV1, with a swift repeat at…

Acclaimed film-maker Roger Graef has written an excellent essay for today’s Broadcast (subscription only). A few extracts: Now celebrating its 50th year, [ITV] has been a source of important landmark programmes in ways too often from unacknowledged in teh PSB debate. Pressure from advertisers and shareholders led to the shameful reduction of its current affairs…

Well this was only a matter of time, and I guess it was mainly a question as to how many subscriptions Sky see themselves losing, and how much they wanted to subsidise the box for. At £150 they’ve pitched it pretty well, although I’m unsure whether that includes the installation. (UPDATE – this price includes…

I’ve got to say that this series of 24 has been a real disappointment. Yes, I know I shouldn’t be downloading it in advance, but I have – couldn’t be bothered to wait. The final episode in particular had nothing going for it. Well one thing – but I wanted…. My mouth is sealed. I…

ITV’s MD, Mick Desmond is reported (Free registration required) as wanting to scrap its commitments to religion and arts. I have problems with the fact that they want to get out of something they signed up to in the first place. If Granada and Carlton, or ITV plc as it is now, don’t feel that…

This week’s (US) episode of The Shield was directed by David Mamet! In some respects I’m always a little uncertain about big name guest directors on TV series, particularly those with a noticeably stylised approach. The Shield does fall firmly into that category with roaming “un-steadycam” work and the like. But the scenes with Dutch…

It seems that Jack Tanner, of the abortive ’88 presidential race, is back. How excited am I? (Well, I’m still trying to work out the best way of transferring NTSC laserdiscs to PAL DVDs – any suggestions welcome). Longtime readers will know that I’ve always been of a fan of this series. Lets dust down…

Las Vegas is a silly, trashy, and fun US series that I’ve been watching via the net. I enjoy it. Sky One has just started showing it, but it’s shorn of Elvis’ Little Less Conversation theme tune, with some feeble replacement. Someone screwed up on the international rights there. Or else Sky are too cheap…

Oliver Postgate (mastermind of many classic kids TV series including Bagpuss and The Clangers) is returning with new Ivor the Engine films to promote the Beeb’s digital Welsh channel BBC2W. These shorts had better end up on the net where the rest of us can see them!

Last night BBC2 was 40, and in celebration they aired a three programme detailing some of the highlights of its history to date, as well as one or two lowlights. All in all it was a really good look back at the channel – and given the recent deterioration of Channel 4, probably the best…

I can take a joke as much as the next person, and the fact that loads of people seem to take Living TV’s Most Haunted seriously is fine by me. There are plenty of people who believe in all sorts of nonsense. I’m slightly more uneasy about people like John Edwards and his British equivalents…

Look, I know this’ll be fun, but frankly, I’d prefer more Jeeves and Wooster (dug out my tapes the other weekend for a couple of nostalgic episodes) or even “a bit more” Fry and Laurie!