Freddy

Highlight for me was Not Only But Always, Rupert Everitt and Ian Hart with their portrayal of Holmes and Watson and also the follow up to the child stars in Oliver, didn't know Mark Lester's voice was dubbed over.
Surprises was the Opera-FlashMob, an opera performed live in a railway station, very very good, innovative and what the BBC should be doing, there were some bits that didn't work but at least it was different.
Disappointments were the Vicar of Dibley, The Mother with Anne Reid and La Femme Musketter which along with VoD showed it is better to leave us with the originals.

regards
Freddy

"What I owe you Colonel Lawrence, is beyond evaluation."

Jim

Not strictly a film topic, but I wonder how long it will be before the foul-mouthed Billy Connolly makes another insulting and tasteless joke; this time at the expense of the thousands of dead of the great disaster? eek!

Good morning boys.

David Brent

Freddy,

Count yourself lucky that you at least get some decent television programs over Christmas in the UK.
Here in Australia it has been the norm for at least the last 40 years for television ratings to end in November and recommence in February.
As a consequence we get absolutely nothing worthwhile on our television screens for at least two months.
The rare Christmas Special we may get to see from the UK arrives on our screens more than 6 months after you've seen it - sometimes much longer.This means we often see Christmas shows in July,August ect.. when the ratings are on.
There has been talk of this ludicrous system being changed but it's STILL the norm.
I cannot guess why the ratings system doesn't operate all year round ???
By the way Freddy,were the old cast of Vicar of Dibley present again for the Christmas show?
Did you get a 'Only Fools and Horses'show this Christmas?

Cheers!

Dave.

Marky B

Christmas on televison was a non-event for me,apart from Pride (about the lions). Just as well as I got some DVDs for Christmas.
Ta Ta
Marky B thumbs_u

I once shot an elephant in my pyjamas - how he got in my pyjamas,I'll never know

Lord Brett

No, thank Christ! In the UK Only Fools' reputation is starting to slip due to a never-ending cycle of repeats and the ill-advised return of the show after it ended pefectly (the one with the auction and the old watch).

Boy, am I ever sick of seeing that series!

Freddy

Happy New Year David Brent,
VoD's cast were all present and correct which boded well but sadly the reverse was true. The first episode was (SPOILER) her 10th anniversary in the village and a lot of chocolate was involved with the archbishop but not in a Mick Jagger/Marianne Faithful way. Totally awful.
The second was very cheesy with her birthday and her being given a speed dating ticket so she could find a husband and of course all the villagers were her speed daters. It ended with them not wanting to wear white armbands for hunger as they thought it would make no difference, on her computer screen she showed them a video of African children, when the camera panned to them they were all wearing them with solemn expressions. To be truthful David we are all aware of the situation but to use it in that way, well I felt it cheap and useless.

FReddy
ps Lord Brett has answered your other query rather well.
pps just an afterthought but speaking of Marianne, her single As Tears Go By, If there is one actor who I feel could make a brilliant version . . . John Hurt

"What I owe you Colonel Lawrence, is beyond evaluation."

David Brent

Many thanks Freddy & Lord Brett,

Sorry to hear how once very good Brit comedies have gone past their used by date.
I agree that 'Only Fools & Horses'has waned badly since the episode with the discovery of the watch.
By the way Freddy i was reading recently that Brit comedy icon Norman Wisdom resides on the Isle of Man.Have you seen him around lately?
Thanks for the new year wishes. May you and all aboard have a happy,healthy & most prosperous new year. thumbs_u

Dave.