Demolishing Dead Ends?

Again barely anything worth commenting on.

I filled out yet another BBC work experience form although I haven't submitted it yet due to actually finding time to listen to the programme I want to be working on.

I could carry on trying for a fucking decade for all I know.

Nothing else planned for tomorrow really, apart from modifying the application form and buying the Radio Times.

And plenty more of the three "Rs" writing, reminiscing and rummaging.

It will all be over by November time I'm certain.

The Last Visits To The Disposal Chamber

I'm barely in a happy mood tonight, fearing the worst about potential circumstances and that others back in London are a lot happier than I am.

It's possibly an overstatement but I blew things completely by not being open enough to other interests and areas of radio when an offer for a placement came up and am realising that I really am worthless if it comes to anything in the long term.

I can't really say anything that hasn't been said before on my blog, so despite it being an overused saying, laughter is the best medicine.

Later tonight I plan to make a start on re-viewing the final series of Room 101 from 2007 starting off with Cilla Black nominating a list of potential choices for the disposal pit.

Oddly enough the former Blind Date host was nominated herself in the first ever show, or to be more specific Bob Monkhouse wanted to put "Cilla Black singing" in there.

Nick Hancock however wouldn't allow it in.

I'm still rummaging through audio where I'm up to January 07 around the time this series of Room 101 started, although when I've finished I may revisit some of the funniest episodes, mainly from the first two series such as Ian Hislop wanting to get rid of Postman Pat.

Even in the hardest of times, it is impossible to go into escapism even just for a half an hour by having a good laugh at such television comedy.

I'd say it works better for me than music in these circumstances.

More Saturday Stand Outs

The second X-Factor was pretty good, not as exciting as the first show but there were a couple of acts on the show who deserve to go into the final 10 in my eyes.

One of them being the best group I have seen on the show by a long shot, even better than Same Difference.

"Miss Fitz" made up of three rather everyday good looking girls provided a surprise close-harmony swing rendition of Britney Spears' "Toxic" and I was instantly impressed.

One of the girls appeared in the 2006 series just losing out at the judges home stages and at first I thought "they rejected her in favour of Leona?".
After seeing them perform I then felt the same way as I did about Alexandra last year, because as part of this superb girl group they could take things to the next level with a hint of the past.

With them, Rozelle from Trinidad, and the afro guy who sang "Sex On Fire", they should join Stacey and Danyl in the hopeful final 10 and already that's a cracking line up.

It could be the first series where I genuinely like those who end up in the final if it goes the way I hope it does.

I'll watch the ITV2 show tomorrow afternoon when it's repeated, although I did see the second episode of the Cube, memorable tonight for the first contestant undertaking one of the challenges in his pants.

I'm still really liking the show and it's definitely my favourite gameshow shown on television this year.

I suppose the question is, would I have liked it as much if Justin Lee-Collins hosted it as orginally planned?

Saturdays will remain solid viewing time for the next few weeks at least.

"I Fuckin' Hate Him, He's A Prick, He's A Twat" (Noel On Liam)

I bet I'm not going to go down well in anyone's favour but the news that Oasis may be kaput after Noel Gallagher's departure has resulted in relief of the possible end in my opinion of one of the most overrated bands to infest the last decade and a half.

To be fair though, Noel was the more talented one and sensible one at that who performed some of my preferred tunes including "Sunday Morning Call", "D'ya Wanna Be A Spaceman" which was one of the B-sides, and "Little By Little".

Whereas Liam was always a wanker from the beginning with an early appearance on Top Of The Pops being one example when during rehearsals Bruno Brookes introduced them as "one of Britain's top new indie bands" to which Liam responded, "We're not a fuckin' indie band, we're a rock 'n' roll band".

Bruno then adapted that in some way or other into the introduction when shown on telly.

Noel's more than capable as a solo artist anyway but I'd wish certain people would get over it saying that it's "The worst day of my life".

Then again, how would I react if Bluey or Joey Negro decided to call time on their musical careers?

I'd probably manage if it was the case of the latter as there's tons of earlier stuff on Traxsource that I've heard snippets of but yet to download that sounds good.

Overall, with regards to the Gallaghers, it's proof that they're not "gonna live forever".

The New "Old" Amy?

I really doubt there's anything worth of interest writing about.

Everything seems to be going steadily and it's only really this weekend when things will get exciting with the usual helping of PY and Robbie Vincent on Jazz FM, and the second episode of The X Factor.

I've still been warming to Stacey Solomon I have to admit, even if she bursts into one too many fits of giggles in interviews, but it's a lot better than having no personality at all.

I still haven't heard Alexandra Burke interviewed on The Chris Moyles Show earlier this week as I've heard she was really good on there, even if the response to her new single has been mixed.
Having said that, I haven't heard the single yet either.

Anyway Stacey, and having found a Youtube video of her GMTV interview, one or two people have suggested she maybe Jewish.

There's certainly a few hints as her face and voice reminds me of Amy Winehouse in her "Frank" period, and that Stacey used to work in a fish and chip shop which is also relevant considering the "delicacy" was thought up by Jewish people.

That's according to fellow Westminster students Sophie Clipsham and Spike Godding.

A few derogatory comments I made about Reeves And Mortimer didn't go down well on Facebook earlier but to be fair I've come to the conclusion that it is rather crass of me to refer to the bespectacled one as "Prick Reeves".

I reckon a more appropriate nickname would be c**t.

"Can You Do That Again?, I Made That Crap" (John Prescott)

Once again, today's been very much run of the mill although TV-wise it was pretty good this evening.

Starting off of course with Mock The Week where one of the guests Sean Walsh appeared to look and sound like a real life Paul Calf. He wasn't too bad although it would be easy to suggest that his act represented Paul Calf's catchphrase.

Frankie Boyle had finally shaved although there was quite a bit of stubble on a few of the other panellists including Russell Howard and guest Fred Macaulay.

Once again, I won't give away any of the jokes although the suggestions for this week's "Scenes We'd Like To See" relating to work were hilarious.

Straight after that was "The Funny Side Of Live TV" which featured interviews with Tony Blackburn, Mike Read, Paul Coia, Gaby Roslin, Emma Forbes and Nick Ferrari amongst others.

This traced the history of live television from Nationwide, to Noels House Party and even featuring the infamous venture "L!VE TV" as developed by Janet Street-Porter in the mid 90s to much humiliation. And it gave us Richard Bacon.

Quite a lot of clips were ones I hadn't seen before including plenty from the Late Late Breakfast Show, and the cooking spots on Going Live! where I can now understand why Phillip Schofield got hysterical after holding a metal tin that was "meant to be hot";

"Ooh, it's just come out of the oven!"

My favourite clip was one that's been shown a few times involving Alistair Yates on BBC World struggling with an autocue and swiftly moving onto the next story;
"I'm sorry but this story's absolute.... nonsense, Right.."

It was also good to see footage of Richard Bath on London Plus in the late 80s who I can vaguely remember although when it became Newsroom South East he switched to reading the overnight ITN bulletins.

Overall the programme was a reminder of why I developed and interest in television and radio, and wanting to have a go at the latter myself.

To mixed results of course.

Good Night.

You Have Been Axed! Please Leave The Channel 4 Schedule!

The biggest TV related story currently has to be the announcement that Big Brother will be disapearing from Channel 4 after the next series in 2010.
I have not managed to find anyone on Facebook who is gutted about the decision to drop the show and even ITV, Channel 5, and Sky have backed out of bidding for rights.

The bad news for me anyway is that Mum and Dad may plan to watch the final series and their may be a bit more hype this time round.
I really hope they take Frankie Boyle's suggestion for improving it next series.

Tonight however sees the return of a series that should never have been brought back from the dead full stop, Shooting Stars hosted as ever by
Prick Reeves and Knob Mortimer.

Even an appearance from Christine Bleakley can't tempt me into viewing the laugh free show, and from what I've heard Paddy Considine's also making an apperance.

Which needs nicely onto the fact that Shane Meadows has been commisioned to write a 4 part serial drama set four years after This Is England which I'm really looking forward to.

I'm surprised that Shane's never made a TV drama before as a lot of his pictures could be passed off as one off dramas and look as if they were made for television to start off with which for me isn't a bad thing.

Channel 4 really seem to be going places. Now if they spend less money on Ugly Betty, I'll be a happy man.

Less Than Heavy Helpings

Another new blog from a fellow Westminster radio student has made it online, this one from Caroline Opacic and it's a rather interesting insight into eating and cooking habits.

I fully understand how we should be careful over how much meat and fish we should consume although it's practically impossible for me to go through a day without having one main meal with anything meaty in it.

With regards to waste, it tends more to be a case of pulse products such of rice and pasta that fall into that category more although luckily there's a poster in one of our kitchen shelves showing the correct measurements for helpings of both from 2-4 people.

It's definitely been beneficial since although I'd love the challenge of cooking something similar for more than that amount with the honestly unlikely possibility of having several people from University for a visit here.

That really would be a task.

The British Balls-Up Corporation

Another finding I've been waiting to see for goodness knows how long.
Well almost.

The first ever episode of Auntie's Bloomers from December 1991 hosted as ever by Terry Wogan, although there are a few differences notably the opening titles which were only used for the first two shows and that it was produced by Celador, where as you'll see, one of its owners was more than happy for clips of him to be included from The Detectives.

You have to remember that it was the first time the BBC had a special programme devoted to its own foul ups as opposed to the many offerings from Noel Edmonds such as his Golden Eggs, and Clown Court featured on his
Late Late Breakfast Show, and Saturday Roadshow respectively.

Quite a lot of these have been shown on television many times since including Robert Harris's encounter with Mrs Thatcher, Gordon the Gopher being attacked by a puppy, and one of my favourites involving Guy Michelmore making a spill just seconds before a live trail.

However there was no better man for the job than Terry Wogan, and even now he could show Anne Robinson a thing or two.

Especially if Dara O'Briain's comments on Mock The Week last Thursday were anything to go by.

Far From 1 Dimensional

It's been back to normal in the last day or so with rummaging and writing still being the main occupance. I did manage to see the first episode of Phillip Schofield's new series "The Cube" from this weekend and it's not too bad a show.

Charlie Brooker in the Guardian this weekend suggested that it looked similar to a game on the Nintendo Wii and visually it matches the description although I suppose that was the overall intention.

It's certainly evident through the on screen graphics, the drones throughout the game itself and the deep flanged voice that goes "8 Lives Remaining!" or whatever number of lives are left when a contestant fails an attempt at succeeding the many physical tasks that may look easy when seen in demonstration, but when attempted by hand aren't so simple.

The Schofe helps to make it entertaining by not being too overdramatic himself, and I actually found myself really liking the contestants.
It looks as if ITV have finally found him a vehicle for Phillip on his own that works with the first show getting a respectable 5 and a half million viewers.

The show happens to be produced by Andrew O'Connor's Objective who are the same people behind Peep Show and Star Stories on Channel 4, and although it's a completely different show, it proves that the former host of "Talkabout", and the family version of Catchphrase can do no wrong.

It's going to be quite a tough decision on Saturdays deciding whether to view Phillip on ITV1, or his future This Morning co-host on ITV2.
Then again there is ITV2+1.

The Series Six Factor

Straight after Robbie Vincent, I watched the repeat of last night's X Factor and what a start.

The usual traits are there including the lorries, the constant fades to black between shots, and Peter Dixon, but the addition of an audience in the auditions has done nothing to spoil the programme whatsoever.

Unlike Britain's Got Talent, the audience won't boo an act unless they get arsey with the judges, and rather surprisingly a lot of them end up cheering some of Simon's comments. Although that's been the case for quite a while now.

The acts on stage don't get buzzed either as they know when to stop when Simon raises his arm asking for the music to be faded out.

And that's another new addition as some of the acts perform to an instrumental track which manages to work for the right and the wrong reasons.

I can remember an interview on This Morning around the time of Pop Idol series 1 when they had a load of the rubbish contestants brought back, and one of them said it would have been nice to have music to perform to, in order to make it easier for them.

However last night's show proved that even with music the really bad auditions find it hard to perform in time as well as in tune.

Throughout the show I was tweeting constantly making snide comments about two overweight women audtioning by saying that The Magic Numbers were appearing on the show.

But where the really bad were bad, the really good were more than just amazing.

I'd say that the two finalists right at the end of the series were found in that first show with the first one being 19 year old mother Stacey from Dagenham.

She had a rather enthusiastic bubbly personality with the common touch but when she started singing her rendition of "What A Wonderful World" (a la Eva Cassidy) she was more than just a superb vocalist.

You don't often get those with a great personality, a brilliant singing voice and sparkling smile. I'd say that if she gets far, Stacey's the next decade's answer to Louise.

It got even better with 27 teacher Danyl from Reading who performed an amazing rendition of the Joe Cocker version of "A Little Help From My Friends". Simon even went as far as saying it was "The best first audition ever" and it could quite possibly be the first deserved victory for someone in the over 25 category.

They even left Steve Brookstein out of a winners VT montage on the ITV2 show so that proves my point.

Speaking of which Holly's back presenting the Xtra Factor with the return of the infamous "Presentiators" feature which this week involved a balloon blowing/bursting contest between her and Dermot. Don't ask.

On a lower note there was a feature half inched from TV Burp in the form of "The Judges Moment Of The Week" which was just a clip of Louis Walsh making a cup of tea in the holding room.

I'm surprised how on Xtra Factor, the really bad auditionees are happy to put themselves up for the amount of stick by taking part in comedy sketches based on their personality traits.

Although one of them was one of the more succesfull contestants, a girl called Marie-Claire who performed a Norah Jones/Jesse Harris song and was told by Simon that "it was like Holly singing" because she bore an uncanny resemblance.

This lead to a sketch were Marie-Claire locked Holly in a storage cupboard tied up and took over her job.

What I'd give to be in that cupboard at the same time...

Overall a really good start to the series and for once in a TV show,
I do like the new direction.

A Weekend Of The Cog And KOKO

This weekend has sped by to the point that I haven't actually blogged since Thursday.

I arrived at St Pancras on Friday evening and met up with Emma who doesn't live too far actually.
Not many people I knew were present but there was enough around to have a good time there and after I brought bottles of WKD blue and mango Breezer I was set.

Emma's friend Mia said that she hadn't actually seen anyone drink Bacardi Breezer for a long time which goes to show that I may suffer if they go bust.

Lucy Brincombe was also there who had travelled from Southampton for the weekend and Steven and Caroline popped over where at that point we went into the garden.

It was good to catch up on things although Steven's still rather against the idea of him attending graduation due to how much it costs. He did suggest however that we must have some sort of piss-up near the time and with the SRAs four days earlier that weekend will be the perfect time to do so.

Emma had her laptop playing all the music off Spotify open to all, where one of the tracks I chose was "Red Lipstick" by Skint And Demoralised.

The record that Moyles championed last month but didn't do too well in the charts, although I shortly came up with new lyrics after the death of Michael Jackson which aren't for the faint hearted;

"#He likes plastic lips
Touching kids
Jesus Juice and trips to the surgeon..."

We got so caught up with talking to about 11pm and we hadn't even headed off to KOKO. Just before midnight Steven and Caroline decided to head back to get the last tube and I was very close to bottling it from KOKO but Emma was being rather speedy about getting everyone to head off so I went ahead.

And it was just as well because not only did we get in free, but Emma had got access to one of the balconys specially for us.

The music playing was basically a mixture of the really big indie hits from the last year such as Ladyhawke, the Ting Tings, and Ida Maria to name a few although by the end of the night they stuck a few old favourites such as Mark Ronson's "Valerie", The Killers "All These Things That I've Done", and a bit of Rage for good measure.

I did get a few photos but my camera's currently charging as I type so I'll stick them on Facebook later.

I slept on the floor of Emma's front room that evening with the sofa occupied by a few of the lads who looked really out of it on my arrival back.

They had gone home by the next morning but I stayed over with Emma and Lucy until around 4:30pm where I headed over to Enbankment to meet up with Stephen where we would get a clipper to the Indig02.

We accidentally got off at Canary Wharf under the impression we had to change when it turned out we didn't need to at all.

It didn't stop us from arriving on time and before the gig itself was a DJ set from Solar Radio's James Anthony, and Fitzroy Da Buzzboy.

The gig itself was spectacular with a string section lead by Simon Hale who did a stunning performance of "Jacobs Ladder" from the 100 Degrees album. They also lent their perfection to "Deep Waters", "Morning Sun" and of course "Everyday".

The vocal line up was amazing with the main vocalists being Tony Momrelle, Joy Rose, Vanessa Hain, and Scotswoman Gail Evans.
And that wasn't all as there were guest appearances from Maysa, Imaani, Bluey's nice who's name escapes me, and the one and only Jocelyn Brown.

Not only did Jocelyn perform the favourite "Always There" but also her own take on "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" as performed with Inner Life in the early 80s. And in the encore Jocelyn and Maysa performed on stage together with the rest of the band on "Nights Over Egypt" which with the strings and Matt Cooper's stunning keyboards was a brilliant way to end the gig.

Stephen was just as impressed with the performance and I look forward to hearing his review on this week's Grooveline on Tuesday. I headed off at around midnight as my feet were quite literally aching but not before having a brief chat with Bluey himself who was signing autographs and merchandise along with his lovely daughter Mao, and I even met his nephew.

We tried to get a photo but my camera's battery had ran out as a result of videoing a few of the performances including the amazing "Jacob's Ladder".

I then got a cab over to the Holiday Inn I was staying at where I left this morning and got the bus over to Holborn and the tube to Victoria.

Now back in Canterbury now where Mum's sister Helen and her husband Richard are staying with us but no ones home as on this rather stunning day they've gone to Broadstairs.

I'm currently listening to Robbie on Jazz FM where it appears they've now brought back hourly news bulletins from Sky back into the show. At least it means they play that amazing news intro on the hour which is still the best news intro on commercial radio by far.

As for the music on the show itself, it's not too bad this week although Robbie's still playing one of the tracks of the latest album by the Rippingtons which I can never understand the hype about as they're well past their best.

But their best still sounds really good as a tune that really works in this weather has to be "Carnival!" from their 1992 "Weekend In Monaco" album.

And as everyone's in Broadstairs I'm doing my own cooking again and plan to do myself a "penne bol" with slightly expensive penne pasta and a few surprise spices.

Once again it's sped by.

Mocking It Up

Things are a bit better now. Emma's said it's still OK to come over and something will be sorted out with my sleeping arrangments for Friday.

Some light amusement was provided with the Mock The Week halfway series compilation where at first I wasn't happy that it was bleeped but it made more sense when they showed the out-takes and if left uncut it would go over the quota of fucks that are allowed in a single show.

The funniest part was when Dara said that he would probably end up on a show such as "Outtake TV" and retorted "Anne Robinson's a c***".

On a slightly lower note, Ricky texted me earlier saying that Ross Goodlass's nan isn't too well and wants me to compile a selection of highlights from Nanogram for the boys to send to her on a CD.

Rather than reply via text I gave him a ring and we caught up over a few things which always seems to work a lot better that way rather than in a club when it's easy for him to get distracted by others.

Seriously though, it's all about Nana Glover, and I plan to basically just put a few memorable rounds on there, including one of the Nan Vs Nan's from the 2006 Bonanza, Joe John's legendary outing on Challenge Nan in May 2007, and the last ever game with Ross T's infamous song devoted to her.

I doubt she reads my blog so it won't spoil the surprise but I'm sure it will be worth it.

Defnitely the most innovative feature on the station by far.

Ruined In Canterbury

Things are getting more complicated ahead of tomorrow.

Emma's asked Steven and Caroline via Facebook if they would be able to let me stay at there's on Friday after KOKO as her own house is packed with too many people staying over.

I'm not sure how it's all going to work out but I'm hoping that either of them will be happy to let me stay over as I haven't booked any hotels for my first night in London.
I'm guessing the other issue is how I will spend my Saturday before heading to the Indig02.

StephenH is planning to watch the Celtic game at a pub in Kilburn before 5 although I'm not too sure what I would want to be doing.

Everyone else I know of is either working or on holiday making impossible to meet up with others and this is really making me feel more weaker and vulnerable about how I spend my weekend in London.

I'm rather worried about it resulting in me not being able to come over at all tomorrow and potentially severing any bonds with others just because I don't live near to them.

That's how I've felt about things and if I'd known in the past that my disability allowance could have covered for work placements, I would have felt more confident about applying and this wouldn't be a problem.

I've spent a lot of time conivinced that certain aims cannot be reached just because of some short minded individuals who think they're better than they actually are.

I know I haven't brought a house myself, I know I haven't had a proper job for three years, but I can't see how any of this could stop me from being different to others.

I may end up "coming out" before too long in terms of me being pathetic and not admitting it.

A possible doctor's appointment may be required

R. Blamires - Fraud Merchant

I wouldn't want to come across as a party pooper this coming Friday but there's a lot of things that I really want to be honest about if I get given the chance before we go to KOKO.

I'm just fed up with everything around me and I'm starting to feel as if I'm a fraud for being put onto the Smoke Radio Hall of Fame alongside Joey, and Sam Gregory as those two have done really well since leaving University and I've managed to achieve fuck all and probably never will.

This probably elaborates on a few earlier posts as I've never managed to get any placements or internships at bigger companies and just don't have what it takes to cut it in terms of filling out A4 sheets of paper with programme ideas.

Because let's face it, I'm certain Radio 2 must have done an Earth Wind and Fire documentary before and when it comes to the sort of technical areas I'm really suited to there's nothing out there in terms of jobs.

If I get accepted into the station at Canterbury Christ Church college as an associate member next month that may be my only hope at doing what I would really like to be involved radio-wise as I hope to get a show sorted similar to the Soul Show I've had at Smoke for four years because admittedly I wouldn't have even gone to University if I hadn't developed a love for JTQ, Incognito and Monday Michiru amongst many others.

Because let's face it, I hate people. I'd rather listen to one of their records than speak to someone one to one.

But there would be a possibilty of putting both together which would be bliss.

That's what's ultimately been a problem in terms of being with others in a working environment and on a long term basis I just wouldn't fit into others and their likes if I had to work with them every single day.

It's an overused saying but reality sucks.

It's only going to get a lot worse and possible outbursts may entail over the following months.
Possibly around the time of graduation.

When anyone walks past the Westminster Radio corridor and look at the shield with the names on the Smoke hall of fame, little will they know that only two thirds of those on their are the true definition.

And possibly many others who will end up on there next year as I must be the only one in my year on the radio course who hasn't managed to do well in terms of an extracurricular radio career.

Maybe things will be better once I have written my "biog" and I will feel better and more confident about trying to get elsewhere.

I may have spent the last four years living a fucking lie.

"Until Next Week, ***k A Jesus!"

Again it hasn't been that a memorable day in terms of things worth blogging. Although outside it has been amazing but I resisted the tempation to go to the nearest beach as all my other visits have seemed anti-climatic.

As always tonight's YHBW was on top form with David Mitchell providing the laughs. Normally as a result of his foul language which is pretty much established as part of his act as he knows how to say it at the right time.

The shows this week included Total Wipeout which divided opinions between Charlie and the panel, but Charlie's point about the amount of times people fall in the water was spot on.

The funniest part had to be a dissection into religious programmes from Stateside with the worst being a shoddy attempt at a superhero known as "Bibleman".
I won't give anything away in case you haven't seen tonight's show but it has to be seen to be believed.

Which you probably won't believe as it's that stupid.

As for tomorrow, pretty much more rummaging and writing, ahead of my visit back over to London on Friday.

Far Better Than Reading/Leeds

I visited the Job Centre and got that done with although as my next scheduled visit happens to fall on a Bank Holiday, it's been moved to the 14th of September so it'll quite a while yet.

My agenda for the weekend is now set as I'll be heading over to London on Friday evening to stop over at Emma's for her birthday do and visit to KOKO where she's got us free entry due to her involvement with the podcast.

It's my first time there as well which I'm looking forward to as well as seeing a few others including Steven and Caroline who will also be going.

Then on Saturday of course it's the Incognito gig at the Indig02 and hopefully I'll meet up with StephenH before the gig for a few drinks and to catch up on things including his recent visit home to Saltcoats.

I am looking forward to coming back it has to be said and despite the summer going more quickly than last year, it feels like a very long time since I last saw everyone.

Having said that, with the Uni calendar still being a load of bollocks, those returning still have until the first week of October when Freshers Week commences.

That's easy for me to say when I don't even know when I'll adapt a money earning routine.

I should have developed basic work and administrative skills long before starting the radio course as my bubble hadn't yet burst before realising that they are just as vital to getting an ideal radio job.

Which isn't too surprising considering the amount of corporate so and sos who have messed up the industry.

That's the fucking future, oh yes.

Warm Eastern Conditions

I've returned from Woodbridge and even though the weather was a lot better than last year, I didn't think this year's visit was as good.

That's not to say it was horrendous, as on Friday night we went to Prezzo's where it was a good job that we booked in advance as it was really full up.
Not surprising considering it's the only Italian restaurant in Woodbridge.

We also had a visit from Jo's sister Alison and her husband Phil who's son Richard had also come specially for the outdoor play of "A Winters Tale" which everyone else except me went to see last night.

Also with them were Jo's younger sister Helen and her husband Big Richard who showed us their photos of their recent visit to Spain.

Whilst they were at the open air play I watched the first of this season's Match Of The Day and although I've had a long dislike for Arsenal, there's no denying how incredible their match against Everton was with a 6-1 victory for the Gunners.

Chelsea also came out tops at home against Hull City with a score of 2-1.

Today was spent going across the river towards the end of the town near the train station that leads to Lowestoft which oddly enough I've never visited despite it being home to many past Undercroft bar staff.

It was nice to visit overall although I'm hoping next weekend will be even better with Incognito at the Indig02.

I've booked a room at a nearby Holiday Inn and I'm pretty much sorted.

Political Party Animals

Last night's Mock The Week was an improvment on the previous show where one of the topics in the final round was "Unlikely Things To Hear On A TV Talent Show"

As expected there were plenty of jokes suggesting that Frankie Boyle was related to Susan Boyle although he was able to respond to it in his usual manner.
And as I normally do each week, one of my favourites had to be this;

"2007's winner Leon Jackson is still selling records. In his Saturday job at HMV Paisley".

Next week is a compilation show which I'm rather confused as to why it's in the middle of the series but hopefully it will be the only one in there.

Straight after that was Clive Anderson's "The Funny Side Of Politics" which wasn't too bad even though there was a lot of reused footage from a 1997 documentary about TV election coverage, and Jeremy Paxman's well renowned interview with Michael Howard.

It was good to see the clip of Edwina Currie getting gunged on Noel's House Party in 1992 especially as she was a Conservative MP back then although her days as a frontbencher were well behind her.

Sadly it was only the beginning of her many TV appearances leading to even more embarrassment than the revelations of her affair with John Major.

Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik was one of the politicians interviewed and I'd completely forgotten that he competed against Edwina as part of "Ant Vs Dec - The Teams" in the last series of Saturday Night Takeaway less than 6 months ago.

Just goes to show how memorable the series was.

Then again the ex boyfriend of Cheeky Girl Gabriella has always seen himself as an entertainer/musician leading to much humiliation.

These days politician's have to rely on humiliation to get themselves noticed in their main "profession", with Boris Johnson being the biggest example who shows no signs of realising what a fool he is which is good news.

As for today I'm heading over to Woodbridge to Granny's house so the blog will be rather quiet for the next couple of days, but it's looking a lot better outside than it did last August so it should be good fun.

Always a delightful place to visit.

Witty Wildlife

This is something I've been waiting a lifetime for, having not been around when Johnny Morris's "Animal Magic" was on our screens.

"Walk On The Wildside" a new BBC 1 series starting on Saturday which involves wildlife footage being given the comedy treatment from the voices of Jason Manford, Rhod Gilbert, Steve Edge and Sarah Millican.

Following a successful pilot in March of this year six episodes follow with guest appearances from Stephen Fry, Rolf Harris, and Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, and this certainly looks like it will be one of the better and more individual shows broadcast in the Saturday schedule.

It doesn't matter if it's been done before as it's something that hasn't been done on television for a long time and with what looks like a superb cast I'm hoping it does really well.

As for tonight I'm not up to much ahead of tomorrow's journey to Woodbridge apart from the regular appointments of As Seen On TV also with Jason Manford, and of course Mock The Week where Ed Byrne's one of the guests.

Hopefully he won't have to literally fight his way for the microphone in the last round.