asfish wrote:
For fans of the Inbetweeners, BBC2 have a new comedy called White Gold.
Its got "Jay and Simon" in it. They play double glazing salesman in the 1980's
Its funny in places, and worth a watch.
You can watch in weekly on BBC2 or pig out on all of it on IPlayer.
Its got "Jay and Simon" in it. They play double glazing salesman in the 1980's
Its funny in places, and worth a watch.
You can watch in weekly on BBC2 or pig out on all of it on IPlayer.
Not seen it, but it's a segue into ANECDOTE TIME.
I took a summer job with a friend selling double glazing. Was a nation-wide firm. They dazzled us on the first day with promises of Rolexes and speedboats if we met our targets (what every second-year university student dreams of). We were sat in a grotty basement underneath a shop in Sheffield city centre with a gaggle of other hopefuls.
On the first day me and my friend were taken out on the road by a cocky man in a short-sleeve shirt and tie. He came hooning up to us in a Peugeot 208. On the way to the part of town we'd be doing our round in, he laid down the rules of the game while passing a spliff around the car.
The rules were thus:
- There are a lot of old people round here. When you see them, tell them about a spate of burglaries and break-ins. Then offer to do them a favour to come round and check their windows are safe. Frighten the shit out of them, get them to sign-up for a fitter to come round and cost things up.
If you knock on a door and a Pakistani (in vulgar terms) family answer, then just move on, because they're all cheap and they'll try and bargain you down.
Then he parked up, whipped out some coke and offered it around the car.
We declined, walked around some housing estates until lunchtime and then fucked it off and went home. Never went back. Horrendous.
Cras wrote:
"It's funny in places" isn't the most resounding endorsement for a sitcom
That's just my opinion, friends who recommended it all love it.
ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
Findus Fop wrote:
asfish wrote:
For fans of the Inbetweeners, BBC2 have a new comedy called White Gold.
Its got "Jay and Simon" in it. They play double glazing salesman in the 1980's
Its funny in places, and worth a watch.
You can watch in weekly on BBC2 or pig out on all of it on IPlayer.
Its got "Jay and Simon" in it. They play double glazing salesman in the 1980's
Its funny in places, and worth a watch.
You can watch in weekly on BBC2 or pig out on all of it on IPlayer.
Not seen it, but it's a segue into ANECDOTE TIME.
I took a summer job with a friend selling double glazing. Was a nation-wide firm. They dazzled us on the first day with promises of Rolexes and speedboats if we met our targets (what every second-year university student dreams of). We were sat in a grotty basement underneath a shop in Sheffield city centre with a gaggle of other hopefuls.
On the first day me and my friend were taken out on the road by a cocky man in a short-sleeve shirt and tie. He came hooning up to us in a Peugeot 208. On the way to the part of town we'd be doing our round in, he laid down the rules of the game while passing a spliff around the car.
The rules were thus:
- There are a lot of old people round here. When you see them, tell them about a spate of burglaries and break-ins. Then offer to do them a favour to come round and check their windows are safe. Frighten the shit out of them, get them to sign-up for a fitter to come round and cost things up.
If you knock on a door and a Pakistani (in vulgar terms) family answer, then just move on, because they're all cheap and they'll try and bargain you down.
Then he parked up, whipped out some coke and offered it around the car.
We declined, walked around some housing estates until lunchtime and then fucked it off and went home. Never went back. Horrendous.
They do say in the show that the mark up on Windows is 600% not sure if that true, but when we get ours done soon I will be keeping that in mind for the pricing!
The passengers that took on the train line, BBC2 last night.
This had the potential to be a really informative discussion of the complexities of the railway network, the franchising system, and the practicality or otherwise of solving problems without a major upheaval.
Sadly it wasn't. Despite repeated criticisms of the existing set-up and statements that they would improve things, the programme seldom bothered examining why things were they way they are or how feasible the suggested improvements are. The contrast with the Swiss system, whilst interesting, was never used as a starting point to discuss why Britain's system isn't like that. It was just a case of 'we can do things better', all the time.
Not worth wasting your time with, even if you are stuck at signals.
This had the potential to be a really informative discussion of the complexities of the railway network, the franchising system, and the practicality or otherwise of solving problems without a major upheaval.
Sadly it wasn't. Despite repeated criticisms of the existing set-up and statements that they would improve things, the programme seldom bothered examining why things were they way they are or how feasible the suggested improvements are. The contrast with the Swiss system, whilst interesting, was never used as a starting point to discuss why Britain's system isn't like that. It was just a case of 'we can do things better', all the time.
Not worth wasting your time with, even if you are stuck at signals.
I just got invited to be in the audience for "TIM VINE TRAVELS IN TIME".
Here's the blurb:
Dear fucking Christ.
Here's the blurb:
Quote:
Master of the pun Tim Vine journeys back in time to the days of Robin Hood in a quest to mend a golden arrow and a broken heart. Tim runs an antique shop and owns a special Grandfather clock which can transport him back in time. His very first customer is a surprise celebrity guest, who asks for help in mending an ancient golden arrow. In order to help, Tim steps inside his Grandfather clock and travels back to the days of Robin Hood where he meets Maid Marion and his soon to be arch enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin bears an uncanny resemblance to the celebrity guest and Tim soon discovers Robin’s archery skills are failing and Marion has turned her romantic attentions to Tim himself. Can Tim find out why Robin has lost his skills and reunite Robin and Marion? And will he repair the broken arrow?
Dear fucking Christ.
Interestingly, the blurb on the BBC website is this:
Obviously Ben Fogle is more of a draw if he's a secret.
Quote:
Master of the pun Tim Vine journeys back in time to the days of Robin Hood in a quest to mend a golden arrow and a broken heart. Tim runs an antique shop and owns a special Grandfather clock which can transport him back in time. His very first customer is celebrity adventurer Ben Fogle who asks for help in mending an ancient golden arrow. In order to help, Tim steps inside his Grandfather clock and travels back to the days of Robin Hood where he meets the Merry Men, Maid Marion and his soon to be arch enemy, the Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin bears an uncanny resemblance to Ben Fogle and Tim soon discovers Robin's archery skills are failing and Marion has turned her romantic attentions to Tim himself. Can Tim find out why Robin has lost his skills and reunite Robin and Marion? And will he repair the broken arrow?
Obviously Ben Fogle is more of a draw if he's a secret.
That sounds like utter shit. How will Tim Vine get his 4 billion one liners into a script of rowing puns?
I'd forgotten that Radio 2 occasionally does comedy. Other than the Jeremy Vine show, obviously.
Speaking of Radio shows, my little brother wrote a play that's going to be on The Afternoon Play on R4 soon.
I should find out when.
I should find out when.
BBC 3's 'Queer Britain'. Excellent look at contemporary LGBTQ+ life in Britain today, taking in some issues and realities that often get ignored or considered too tricky to mention. The one on religion with the JW's parents disowning him was heartbreaking and the one on racism ('preference') was uncomfortable but necessary viewing.
Watching it also made me feel very old...I''m clearly not in my mid-twenties any more.
Watching it also made me feel very old...I''m clearly not in my mid-twenties any more.
Kern wrote:
BBC 3's 'Queer Britain'. Excellent look at contemporary LGBTQ+ life in Britain today, taking in some issues and realities that often get ignored or considered too tricky to mention. The one on religion with the JW's parents disowning him was heartbreaking and the one on racism ('preference') was uncomfortable but necessary viewing.
Watching it also made me feel very old...I''m clearly not in my mid-twenties any more.
Watching it also made me feel very old...I''m clearly not in my mid-twenties any more.
If you don't mind me asking, when did you come out, Kern?
Kern wrote:
Watching it also made me feel very old...I''m clearly not in my mid-twenties any more.
Dude, you're a politics geek who re-enacts historical battles for fun. I think you've always been old.
DavPaz wrote:
If you don't mind me asking, when did you come out, Kern?
In Myp's manly hug thread back in November 2015
But seriously (and probably worth a longer post on its own in the members' only area), other than some awkward experiments at university in the early 2000s, in early 2013 I realised that some feelings and issues I'd put in a box and locked away couldn't stay there for ever and had to be dealt with. I don't really like labels or believe that one's sexuality can be categorised or is fixed for all time but I do know that I like the male form (especially certain Scottish rugby captains) in ways I don't with the female form.
Bamba wrote:
I think you've always been old.
Hey, I had a teenage rebellion and shaved all my hair off once. When I was 32.
Those Scottish Rugby captains have turned many a head, so I've heard
Kern wrote:
Bamba wrote:
I think you've always been old.
Hey, I had a teenage rebellion and shaved all my hair off once. When I was 32.
Nothing to do with TV or sexuality, or rugby, but Kern, you're genuinely one of the funniest, cleverest and most likeable people I've ever met, and one of the main reasons I still read on here. I keep meaning to say that, and never do. But today I did!
Grim... wrote:
Speaking of Radio shows, my little brother-in-law wrote a play that's going to be on The Afternoon Play on R4 soon.
I should find out when.
I should find out when.
Turns out it's on Monday:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08y016m
Mimi wrote:
Nothing to do with TV or sexuality, or rugby, but Kern, you're genuinely one of the funniest, cleverest and most likeable people I've ever met, and one of the main reasons I still read on here. I keep meaning to say that, and never do. But today I did!
You're an entertaining voice of reason in this purile escape pod.
Zardoz wrote:
Mimi wrote:
Nothing to do with TV or sexuality, or rugby, but Kern, you're genuinely one of the funniest, cleverest and most likeable people I've ever met, and one of the main reasons I still read on here. I keep meaning to say that, and never do. But today I did!
You're an entertaining voice of reason in this purile escape pod.
My favourite Kern moment was at the Cottage last year when he had to ignore Malia and Lonewolves during the card game. Brilliantly done!
Never quite sure if radio should go into the podcast thread as most things are available that way these days or on this thread, but I don't really care.
Anyway, I had the radio on last night whilst reading, drinking, and generally avoiding housework, when that evening's Prom came on. Unusually, the first half hour or so was a short and accessible dissection of Beethoven's 'Eroica' symphony, pulling out key themes and showing how the melodies and rhythm etc are all spun together. I certainly found that there was much I'd never picked up on before and when they played the symphony in the second half it was fun picking out the things discussed in this. It ended by showing the overlaps between Richard Strauss's 'Metamorphosen' (one of my favourite pieces of work; more or less his reaction to the destruction of Germany at the end of WW2) and the symphony, playing an excerpt from both at the same time that worked really well. They then played 'Metamorphosen' in full.
The interval programme was a short selection of readings from people alive at the time of Napoleon (who Beethoven originally dedicated the symphony to, before expunging him in rage after Boney thought 'what the hell' and crowned himself Emperor), taking in Wordsworth, Lord Byron, and Goethe amongst others. It complemented the programme very well, like a good port with cheese.
Anyway, I had the radio on last night whilst reading, drinking, and generally avoiding housework, when that evening's Prom came on. Unusually, the first half hour or so was a short and accessible dissection of Beethoven's 'Eroica' symphony, pulling out key themes and showing how the melodies and rhythm etc are all spun together. I certainly found that there was much I'd never picked up on before and when they played the symphony in the second half it was fun picking out the things discussed in this. It ended by showing the overlaps between Richard Strauss's 'Metamorphosen' (one of my favourite pieces of work; more or less his reaction to the destruction of Germany at the end of WW2) and the symphony, playing an excerpt from both at the same time that worked really well. They then played 'Metamorphosen' in full.
The interval programme was a short selection of readings from people alive at the time of Napoleon (who Beethoven originally dedicated the symphony to, before expunging him in rage after Boney thought 'what the hell' and crowned himself Emperor), taking in Wordsworth, Lord Byron, and Goethe amongst others. It complemented the programme very well, like a good port with cheese.
'The Mash Report': or, 'The Daily Show with Nish Kumar'.
I like Nish Kumar. His appearances on the revamped 'Bugle' are always very funny and he has an infectious laugh. His bits behind the desk are as good as on that renowned audio newspaper, although the 'funny picture behind him of him doing a funny facial expression' gets old fast, and I didn't care much for the poo gag. He's good at doing a monologue, and seldom did a joke fall flat.
I didn't care much for the recurring mock newsdesk segments, which, other than a bit about a Megabus, were generally going for the too obvious jokes and falling for the 'Now Show' problem of someone saying something funny before cutting to a clip where the exact same funny thing is said again. Also, the sexy lady newsreader and gruff male newsreader doubleact has only ever been done well by Globelink and ought to be laid to rest. Better was the social media correspondent reading out viewers' tweets that was far funnier and a modern revamp of 'Speak your Brains'.
The standout segments were the interview with the token Tory and the piece by Andrew Hunter-Murray (of 'No such thing as a fish' fame) on religion, both of which had me laughing out loud and worth the admission fee.
Will I watch again? Probably, if there's nothing else on, and I remember about it.
I like Nish Kumar. His appearances on the revamped 'Bugle' are always very funny and he has an infectious laugh. His bits behind the desk are as good as on that renowned audio newspaper, although the 'funny picture behind him of him doing a funny facial expression' gets old fast, and I didn't care much for the poo gag. He's good at doing a monologue, and seldom did a joke fall flat.
I didn't care much for the recurring mock newsdesk segments, which, other than a bit about a Megabus, were generally going for the too obvious jokes and falling for the 'Now Show' problem of someone saying something funny before cutting to a clip where the exact same funny thing is said again. Also, the sexy lady newsreader and gruff male newsreader doubleact has only ever been done well by Globelink and ought to be laid to rest. Better was the social media correspondent reading out viewers' tweets that was far funnier and a modern revamp of 'Speak your Brains'.
The standout segments were the interview with the token Tory and the piece by Andrew Hunter-Murray (of 'No such thing as a fish' fame) on religion, both of which had me laughing out loud and worth the admission fee.
Will I watch again? Probably, if there's nothing else on, and I remember about it.
Kern wrote:
Will I watch again? Probably, if there's nothing else on, and I remember about it.
That about sums it up for me too. I don't think it works as well as the website, but it was watchable enough.
I've only experienced Nish Kumar doing guest spots on other shows (like The Now Show) during which he's utterly insufferable and about as funny as cancer.
I thought it was dreadful, weak and amateurish. It looked like the audience had been told they'd be whipped if they didn't vigorously applaud and /or laugh hysterically at every utterance.
I definitely WON'T be watching it again.
I definitely WON'T be watching it again.
I watched half of The Mash report last night and had to turn it off because it appeared to be Nish Kumar trying as hard as he possibly could to be John Oliver.
The mannerisms, the inflections and the construction of the monologues was like watching Last Week Tonight, only nowhere near as good.
The mannerisms, the inflections and the construction of the monologues was like watching Last Week Tonight, only nowhere near as good.
I had it on at the hotel last week, gave up after about 15 minutes, if that, and played Hearthstone on my Shield instead.
It might have worked better without the constant hysterical laughter, and maybe no studio audience.
I like Nish Kumar well enough in other things, but this was just bad.
The programme seems to me like an answer to a question no one was asking. Ever.
It might have worked better without the constant hysterical laughter, and maybe no studio audience.
I like Nish Kumar well enough in other things, but this was just bad.
The programme seems to me like an answer to a question no one was asking. Ever.
'Two Types: The Faces of Britain'
A look at the history and future of two popular sans-serif fonts typefaces: Johnston (of Underground fame) and Gill Sans (of BBC logo and notorious kiddy-fiddling fame).
Perhaps 10 minutes too long, but full of retro-Tube porn and other archive clips, as well as being open about Eric Gill's life, and enjoyable enough.
A look at the history and future of two popular sans-serif fonts typefaces: Johnston (of Underground fame) and Gill Sans (of BBC logo and notorious kiddy-fiddling fame).
Perhaps 10 minutes too long, but full of retro-Tube porn and other archive clips, as well as being open about Eric Gill's life, and enjoyable enough.
Secrets of Silicon Valley on the Beeb tonight. Fascinating to see how the likes of Uber and Airbnb started out with best intentions, only to find the very people they're trying to help can end up poorer or even suicidal owing to the way their businesses develop.
Then you have Sam Altman saying we'll be able to afford to pay people not to work when automation takes over all jobs, and believing that we'll be happy to live that way, and Jeremy Howard who thinks that we are heading for a dystopian future if we don't address the issues raised by the development of Artificial Intelligence.
Then you have Sam Altman saying we'll be able to afford to pay people not to work when automation takes over all jobs, and believing that we'll be happy to live that way, and Jeremy Howard who thinks that we are heading for a dystopian future if we don't address the issues raised by the development of Artificial Intelligence.
Hearthly wrote:
Finished the last episode of the last season of THE THICK OF IT last night. I now feel bereft.
Quite possibly one of the finest things I've ever watched on telly.
I might rewatch all of The Day Today and Brasseye.
Quite possibly one of the finest things I've ever watched on telly.
I might rewatch all of The Day Today and Brasseye.
Quote:
You know, I've spent ten years detoxifying this party. It's been a bit like renovating an old, old house, yeah? You can take out a sexist beam here, a callous window there, replace the odd homophobic roof tile. But after a while you realise that this renovation is doomed. Because the foundations are built on what I can only describe as a solid bed of cunts.
Was reminded of this excellent Pooh Tucker thing today. And was subsequently reminded of the excellent quote above.
Good times.
Done a bit of a cry at my desk at some of those. Superb.
Superb.
Storyville: Silk Road: Drugs, Death and the Dark Web.
"Homeland Security, the DEA, the FBI and even the Secret Service mounted multiple investigations in the largest online manhunt the world had ever seen. But it would be a young tax inspector from the IRS, who had grown up in the projects of Brooklyn, who would finally crack the case and unmask The Dread Pirate Roberts."
"Homeland Security, the DEA, the FBI and even the Secret Service mounted multiple investigations in the largest online manhunt the world had ever seen. But it would be a young tax inspector from the IRS, who had grown up in the projects of Brooklyn, who would finally crack the case and unmask The Dread Pirate Roberts."
Been watching 'The Fall' on Amazon these past few evenings. Enjoyed the first two seasons, once I got used to the slowish pace of it all and the terrible subtitling in season two. Got to the end of season two only to find that season three isn't included in Prime and has to be paid for separately. Gits.
devilman wrote:
Been watching 'The Fall' on Amazon these past few evenings. Enjoyed the first two seasons, once I got used to the slowish pace of it all and the terrible subtitling in season two. Got to the end of season two only to find that season three isn't included in Prime and has to be paid for separately. Gits.
You're missing nothing, third series was a waste of time.
Grim..., last October, wrote:
Taskmaster on Dave is rather good.
Now that 'Dave' is on Freesat I finally watched an episode of this. Very funny and cleverly done. Will have to try to catch some more.
I was enjoying watching the replacement in my you view box last night and in my eagerness to free up space and delete the ep I'd Just watched, I accidentally deleted the finale. It's no longer on iPlayer. Where can one procure such things these days? I'm terribly out of the loop. I have a feeling I may have asked this question before but can't find the thread.
Mrs. W and I have been enjoying Strike on the Beeb. There's some nice chemistry between Cormoran Strike and his temp secretary, Robin.
Did anyone else see 'Back'? It's like Peep Show... Only.. Well, kind of exactly like Peep Show.
Very funny I thought!
Very funny I thought!
Ah, thanks for the reminder. I'll check the schedules to see if it's repeated and set the DVR up accordingly. I know it's on All4, but that service is the Itunes of catch-up systems.
Kern wrote:
Ah, thanks for the reminder. I'll check the schedules to see if it's repeated and set the DVR up accordingly. I know it's on All4, but that service is the Itunes of catch-up systems.
Didn't realise it started last night. It's repeated on Friday on 4Seven.
Well worth watching I reckon.
'Peep Show' was basically about mid-late 20s male crapness, watched when we were in our mid-late 20s. I'm hoping this new show just as accurately reflects our current stage in life.
Enjoyed the first episode.
ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
Episode 2 was fantastic. Really loved the hardcore vicar.
Warhead wrote:
Mrs. W and I have been enjoying Strike on the Beeb. There's some nice chemistry between Cormoran Strike and his temp secretary, Robin.
I was discussing this with my daughter, who said she used to coach Holliday Grainger, who plays Robin, at the am dram group she went to years ago. Fancy that.
I'm fully caught up with Back now. It's really good to the point where I've had to pause it a few times so I can stop laughing.
The lines about peanuts and then ketchup was almost too much to take at one point.
The lines about peanuts and then ketchup was almost too much to take at one point.
:sharpen(0.5,0.5,true)/https://www.ltmuseumshop.co.uk//static/media/catalog/product/2/4/245784.png){kind=link}
It has its moments but mostly it's just nowhere near as good as Peep Show.
Lonewolves wrote:
It has its moments but mostly it's just nowhere near as good as Peep Show.
It's certainly watchable (although I always forget it's on and then watch it on catch-up), but it does feel in the shadow of Peep Show. Not so much a criticism of Back, but just that Peep Show takes some beating. Page 23 of 50 [ 2472 posts ]