"I do know South Wales well, I often drive past Port Talbot"
I OFTEN DRIVE PAST PORT TALBOT
A decent Labour party would put that on General Election posters. Just the most ghastly error. Appallingly stupid.
It does give away something about him, but not what you think.
Wales is poorly served by motorways, and there's only one in South Wales: the M4. It hugs the coastline, going west thru Newport and Cardiff and ends at Swansea. The Valleys are north of the M4, the coastline is south. Port Talbot has a river, is coastal, close to a harbour and has very good train and motorway access: coal, fresh water, transport - let's build a steel works. Well, that's how it used to work
The M4 runs thru Port Talbot like a bolt thru a nut, and if you do it by night it used to be spectacular: the works run 24/7 so there's huge clouds of steam, pipeworks black in the night, actinic glare from the lights: you are contractually obliged to hum the Blade Runner music and yes, Terry Gilliam did conceive "Brazil" whilst sitting on a coal-blackened beach there.
These days...not so much.
By driving past Port Talbot he's telling you he's *visiting*: you drive to visit friends or colleagues (Gower is a hyper-marginal Con seat), then when you've visited, you drive back. He knows Port Talbot like Clinton knows New Mexico: you fly past it, note its austere beauty briefly, then back to the journey. Where was that? Oh, y'know, nowhere special...
On eighties comedy (or indeed any period) it is easy to remember the funny stuff and forget all the lame stuff. There was plenty of dross about then too. Little and Large, Keith Harris and Orville, the Crankies, Terry and June, Bread, Butterflies etc etc.
Some things age better than others "Whatever happened to the Likely Lads?" remains as funny as ever, "The Goodies" is painful as is "Some Mothers do 'ave 'em". I used to find it unmissable as a kid.
That is true...but like now the big hits are for instance Mrs Brown's Boys. That is not suitable for all nor liked across all demographics.
Peter Kay is pretty consistently funny, yet suitable for all the family.
His Car Share was very well observed.
At the cruder end of comedy, I am rather fond of "Drifters". The first series of "Cuckoo" was pretty good too.
Peter Kay is a good shout, although he produces very little material in terms of tv shows (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). 12 episodes of Phoenix Nights, 5 episodes Max + Paddy and 4 stand up shows in past 16 years ? Car Share wasn't that popular (it wasn't written by him).
In comparison, Only Fools and Horses is 64 regular episodes, plus a load of specials.
Scandalous that John Sullivan wasn't knighted. Uneducated, working class Londoner who created a work of genius. There was genuine pathos in Only Fools; it was beautifully conceived. The 'Harrison Watch' episode had 26 million viewers. Extraordinary!
Not many people can lay claim to writing all the episodes of a show by themselves. Terry Nation did it for the 1970's Survivors, Aaron Sorkin[1] and J. Michael Straczinski did (nearly all?) the first four seasons of their shows (West Wing and Babylon 5), but if memory serves, John Sullivan did write all the OF&H episodes: normals, specials, the lot. He is up there with Carla Lane[2] as somebody with a distinct voice and comedic talent, and edges her by virtue that his how was actually funny.
Now let's discuss Victoria Wood. Is she actually funny?
[1] Although some people disagree with this. [2] Now I come to think of it...did she write the whole of Butterflies by herself?
So it turns out the UK government has got exactly what it wanted from the EU on steel. Who says we are marginalised and ignored!
Indeed the Brexiteers who are so keen on trading arrangements with China are rather quiet on the steel issue. Tariff war with China on our own? Or negotiate as part of the EU? The latter seems a better idea to me.
A trade war with China is not possible unless we want to be on the receiving end of huge WTO fines.
Indeed the Brexiteers who are so keen on trading arrangements with China are rather quiet on the steel issue.
They are not quiet. The Mail and the Sun excoriated the EU today and blamed it for the Tata steel closures. The irony is that (if AEP is correct) the EU steel tariffs are low because the UK forced them down. Unfortunately a lie will go round the world while truth is pulling its boots on, and many people will now erroneously believe the plant closed because of the EU.
"I do know South Wales well, I often drive past Port Talbot"
I OFTEN DRIVE PAST PORT TALBOT
A decent Labour party would put that on General Election posters. Just the most ghastly error. Appallingly stupid.
It does give away something about him, but not what you think.
Wales is poorly served by motorways, and there's only one in South Wales: the M4. It hugs the coastline, going west thru Newport and Cardiff and ends at Swansea. The Valleys are north of the M4, the coastline is south. Port Talbot has a river, is coastal, close to a harbour and has very good train and motorway access: coal, fresh water, transport - let's build a steel works. Well, that's how it used to work
The M4 runs thru Port Talbot like a bolt thru a nut, and if you do it by night it used to be spectacular: the works run 24/7 so there's huge clouds of steam, pipeworks black in the night, actinic glare from the lights: you are contractually obliged to hum the Blade Runner music and yes, Terry Gilliam did conceive "Brazil" whilst sitting on a coal-blackened beach there.
These days...not so much.
By driving past Port Talbot he's telling you he's *visiting*: you drive to visit friends or colleagues (Gower is a hyper-marginal Con seat), then when you've visited, you drive back. He knows Port Talbot like Clinton knows New Mexico: you fly past it, note its austere beauty briefly, then back to the journey. Where was that? Oh, y'know, nowhere special...
So it turns out the UK government has got exactly what it wanted from the EU on steel. Who says we are marginalised and ignored!
Indeed the Brexiteers who are so keen on trading arrangements with China are rather quiet on the steel issue. Tariff war with China on our own? Or negotiate as part of the EU? The latter seems a better idea to me.
The steel issue is happening DESPITE our membership of the EU.
So it turns out the UK government has got exactly what it wanted from the EU on steel. Who says we are marginalised and ignored!
Indeed the Brexiteers who are so keen on trading arrangements with China are rather quiet on the steel issue. Tariff war with China on our own? Or negotiate as part of the EU? The latter seems a better idea to me.
A trade war with China is not possible unless we want to be on the receiving end of huge WTO fines.
The point foxinsoxuk was making is that the UK is better off dealing with China as part of the EU[1] than dealing with China as a singleton.
So it turns out the UK government has got exactly what it wanted from the EU on steel. Who says we are marginalised and ignored!
Indeed the Brexiteers who are so keen on trading arrangements with China are rather quiet on the steel issue. Tariff war with China on our own? Or negotiate as part of the EU? The latter seems a better idea to me.
The steel issue is happening DESPITE our membership of the EU.
"I do know South Wales well, I often drive past Port Talbot"
I OFTEN DRIVE PAST PORT TALBOT
A decent Labour party would put that on General Election posters. Just the most ghastly error. Appallingly stupid.
It does give away something about him, but not what you think.
Wales is poorly served by motorways, and there's only one in South Wales: the M4. It hugs the coastline, going west thru Newport and Cardiff and ends at Swansea. The Valleys are north of the M4, the coastline is south. Port Talbot has a river, is coastal, close to a harbour and has very good train and motorway access: coal, fresh water, transport - let's build a steel works. Well, that's how it used to work
The M4 runs thru Port Talbot like a bolt thru a nut, and if you do it by night it used to be spectacular: the works run 24/7 so there's huge clouds of steam, pipeworks black in the night, actinic glare from the lights: you are contractually obliged to hum the Blade Runner music and yes, Terry Gilliam did conceive "Brazil" whilst sitting on a coal-blackened beach there.
These days...not so much.
By driving past Port Talbot he's telling you he's *visiting*: you drive to visit friends or colleagues (Gower is a hyper-marginal Con seat), then when you've visited, you drive back. He knows Port Talbot like Clinton knows New Mexico: you fly past it, note its austere beauty briefly, then back to the journey. Where was that? Oh, y'know, nowhere special...
Broadchurch star Olivia Colman is set to make history by becoming the first female 007. The Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that 42-year-old Miss Colman will take over from Daniel Craig for the next movie – currently known only as Bond 25 – in a controversial move sure to outrage many diehard fans.
She won the role after impressing producer Barbara Broccoli with her portrayal of spymaster Angela Burr in BBC1’s The Night Manager, which ended on Sunday.
So it turns out the UK government has got exactly what it wanted from the EU on steel. Who says we are marginalised and ignored!
Indeed the Brexiteers who are so keen on trading arrangements with China are rather quiet on the steel issue. Tariff war with China on our own? Or negotiate as part of the EU? The latter seems a better idea to me.
The steel issue is happening DESPITE our membership of the EU.
That's an unusually pro-EU message from you: did you mean to phrase it like that?
So it turns out the UK government has got exactly what it wanted from the EU on steel. Who says we are marginalised and ignored!
Indeed the Brexiteers who are so keen on trading arrangements with China are rather quiet on the steel issue. Tariff war with China on our own? Or negotiate as part of the EU? The latter seems a better idea to me.
The steel issue is happening DESPITE our membership of the EU.
That's an unusually pro-EU message from you: did you mean to phrase it like that?
Apparently Ronnie Corbett had ALS for past 2 years.
It seems not only has the Grim Reaper been busy taking very famous stars over the past few months, they seem to go in some pretty nasty way e.g. only a few days since Paul Daniels went with a brain tumour. David Bowie with liver cancer.
Apparently Ronnie Corbett had ALS for past 2 years.
It seems not only has the Grim Reaper been busy taking very famous stars over the past few months, they seem to go in some pretty nasty way e.g. only a few days since Paul Daniels went with a brain tumour. David Bowie with liver cancer.
It keeps being said that more famous people have departed this year so far than usual, but I'd be surprised if the statistics actually support the contention.
Apparently Ronnie Corbett had ALS for past 2 years.
It seems not only has the Grim Reaper been busy taking very famous stars over the past few months, they seem to go in some pretty nasty way e.g. only a few days since Paul Daniels went with a brain tumour. David Bowie with liver cancer.
It keeps being said that more famous people have departed this year so far than usual, but I'd be surprised if the statistics actually support the contention.
I am sure you a right. I think it is more that the people dying at the moment were the big draws from an era when many of the media were growing up, so means a lot more to them and thus the attention e.g. 2015 Omar Sharif died or 2014 Shirley Temple, but I would think they were a big deal before many of those deciding what to push in the news were really in the biz.
Just looking at who died in 2014 and 2015, some massive names passed away.
On eighties comedy (or indeed any period) it is easy to remember the funny stuff and forget all the lame stuff. There was plenty of dross about then too. Little and Large, Keith Harris and Orville, the Crankies, Terry and June, Bread, Butterflies etc etc.
Some things age better than others "Whatever happened to the Likely Lads?" remains as funny as ever, "The Goodies" is painful as is "Some Mothers do 'ave 'em". I used to find it unmissable as a kid.
That is true...but like now the big hits are for instance Mrs Brown's Boys. That is not suitable for all nor liked across all demographics.
Peter Kay is pretty consistently funny, yet suitable for all the family.
His Car Share was very well observed.
At the cruder end of comedy, I am rather fond of "Drifters". The first series of "Cuckoo" was pretty good too.
Peter Kay is a good shout, although he produces very little material in terms of tv shows (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). 12 episodes of Phoenix Nights, 5 episodes Max + Paddy and 4 stand up shows in past 16 years ? Car Share wasn't that popular (it wasn't written by him).
In comparison, Only Fools and Horses is 64 regular episodes, plus a load of specials.
Scandalous that John Sullivan wasn't knighted. Uneducated, working class Londoner who created a work of genius. There was genuine pathos in Only Fools; it was beautifully conceived. The 'Harrison Watch' episode had 26 million viewers. Extraordinary!
Not many people can lay claim to writing all the episodes of a show by themselves. Terry Nation did it for the 1970's Survivors, Aaron Sorkin[1] and J. Michael Straczinski did (nearly all?) the first four seasons of their shows (West Wing and Babylon 5), but if memory serves, John Sullivan did write all the OF&H episodes: normals, specials, the lot. He is up there with Carla Lane[2] as somebody with a distinct voice and comedic talent, and edges her by virtue that his how was actually funny.
Now let's discuss Victoria Wood. Is she actually funny?
[1] Although some people disagree with this. [2] Now I come to think of it...did she write the whole of Butterflies by herself?
Roy Clarke - all 258(?) episodes of Last of the Summer Wine.
Comments
Wales is poorly served by motorways, and there's only one in South Wales: the M4. It hugs the coastline, going west thru Newport and Cardiff and ends at Swansea. The Valleys are north of the M4, the coastline is south. Port Talbot has a river, is coastal, close to a harbour and has very good train and motorway access: coal, fresh water, transport - let's build a steel works. Well, that's how it used to work
The M4 runs thru Port Talbot like a bolt thru a nut, and if you do it by night it used to be spectacular: the works run 24/7 so there's huge clouds of steam, pipeworks black in the night, actinic glare from the lights: you are contractually obliged to hum the Blade Runner music and yes, Terry Gilliam did conceive "Brazil" whilst sitting on a coal-blackened beach there.
These days...not so much.
By driving past Port Talbot he's telling you he's *visiting*: you drive to visit friends or colleagues (Gower is a hyper-marginal Con seat), then when you've visited, you drive back. He knows Port Talbot like Clinton knows New Mexico: you fly past it, note its austere beauty briefly, then back to the journey. Where was that? Oh, y'know, nowhere special...
Now let's discuss Victoria Wood. Is she actually funny?
[1] Although some people disagree with this.
[2] Now I come to think of it...did she write the whole of Butterflies by herself?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/03/31/exclusive-england-to-face-euro-2016-ban-if-britain-votes-to-leav/
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/apr/01/exclusive-royal-family-considering-dramatic-brexit-intervention
this rang alarm bells.
[1] Although the news that the UK messed up the EU steel tariffs deliberately makes me think that the UK will find a way to self-destruct regardless.
Broadchurch star Olivia Colman is set to make history by becoming the first female 007. The Daily Mail can exclusively reveal that 42-year-old Miss Colman will take over from Daniel Craig for the next movie – currently known only as Bond 25 – in a controversial move sure to outrage many diehard fans.
She won the role after impressing producer Barbara Broccoli with her portrayal of spymaster Angela Burr in BBC1’s The Night Manager, which ended on Sunday.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3518227/Now-S-real-Bond-girl-O-O-Olivia-Coleman-lined-play-007-Broadchurch-star-set-make-history-taking-Daniel-Craig-movie.html#ixzz44WqkNlFu
It seems not only has the Grim Reaper been busy taking very famous stars over the past few months, they seem to go in some pretty nasty way e.g. only a few days since Paul Daniels went with a brain tumour. David Bowie with liver cancer.
Just looking at who died in 2014 and 2015, some massive names passed away.