BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas

Subject: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: KarenH
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 10:29 AM

Not even a Doctor Who special. What do people recommend from the schedules over the Xmas period?

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 11:56 AM

For adults, The Happytime Murders
For kids, A Christmas Story
For Joe, Life of Brian followed by Passion of the Christ :^/

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 01:31 PM

"Not even a Doctor Who special."

Well that's something to be thankful for, although it's apparently scheduled to bugger up New Year's Day's viewing.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 03:54 PM

Haven't looked yet. Are there any Naked Gun/Airplane/Pink Panther films on? Blazing Saddles? What a pity Strictly's just finished. It's bloody marvellous, and I mean it. I picked Stacey as the winner weeks ago, but only because I really fancy her. I hope she's on Mudcat and reads this. Stacey, I really know how I could look after you...

Can you still get those stickers that you emblazon across the top of your windscreen or did they die out with J-reg Astras? You know the type of thing, SCOTT & SHARON... Can I have STACE & KEV?

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 07:01 PM

We always watch our 'Oliver!' DVD on Christmas Day, after our dinner. It's become a bit of a tradition with us. Husband always cries.

We also put on 'The Snowman' DVD. (ditto)

He actually took a DVD player and copies of these two films over to show his family in Abidjan a few years ago. He translated some of Oliver! so that they could understand what was happening. They cried too.

The children from the family compound came in to sit on the floor and watch both films and were riveted. They cried as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: meself
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 07:52 PM

Stop! You'll have ME in tears in a minute!

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 08:04 PM

There IS a Strictly special on Christmas Day, maybe a review of this recently finished series?
We had "Snowman" on today for the grandkids (saved on the Tivo box from a previous year).

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 08:15 PM

Does anybody get round to watching TV on Christmas Day? And as Senoufou points out, there are always DVDs - and I suspect for most of us TV catch up, and maybe Netflix, if we are alone and can't play silly game with family or guests.

The only time I see these Christmas Specials is way way past Christmas.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 08:23 PM

Don't be so insolent, Kevin! Surely the Queen's Peach is a must-see under pain of death for all us patriotic Brits! I shall be standing to attention in salute mode, hanging on Her Maj's every word! Gawd save t'Queen! The mince pies shall have to wait!

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 12:11 AM

"Does anybody get round to watching TV on Christmas Day?

Yes - it's about the only day of the year that Mrs Backwoodsperson and I get to sit around, slob-out, and watch telly together. Far too much to do to waste our lives with our heads stuck in the box during the rest of the year but, presents opened, dog walked, In-Laws visited, Christmas Dinner cooked and eaten, dish-washer loaded and fired up, Queen's Speech carefully avoided, it's time for the telly - pretty much continuous box-watching from around 4pm until bedtime (with a break for turkey sandwiches and trifle).

Kids grown, flown the nest, and Christmassing elsewhere with their mum, no grandkids (thank goodness for that small mercy!), Christmas Day is our day, to spend together with our only family - Baxter the Border Terrier - brains in screensaver mode, and gazing at the one-eyed god in the corner.

Bring it on! ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 02:28 AM

The Wizard of Oz will surely be on sometime at Christmas, the only good film Judy Garland ever made.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 03:54 AM

Heh heh I know, meself. Miserable really, but better than some of the utter rubbish on offer each year on the TV channels.
His family thought Oliver! depicted the UK in modern times, and were astonished to see the terrible poverty here. He had to explain that this was England over a hundred years ago.

The Snowman is good, as there are no words to translate. He left both DVDs and the player there for them to watch again...and again...
He should also have left several boxes of tissues.

We do watch the Queen's Message, but (and I can't explain why exactly) I'm losing interest in The Royals. They truly seem to be an anachronism nowadays. I used to be so royalist, but I feel they should pack up after Lizzie goes. (Off to the Tower with me!)

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 04:13 AM

In any case, we may not be able to watch anything at all, because our TV 'died' two days ago (screen completely black, but sound working)

I ordered a new one from Curry's. Dpd were supposed to deliver it yesterday. They kept sending 'updates', the last one saying 'before 10pm' but they never showed up.
I realise it's a busy time, but I would have appreciated some notification.
Also, our neighbour told us you can't put an old TV in the bin. It has to be correctly recycled. If we'd bought a huge, cinema-screen type of new one, Curry's would have taken away the old one. But it will only be a 24" screen.
Sigh. Ain't life complicated?

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Jos
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 04:36 AM

My television company discontinued its system back in, I think, August, and sent me a new box to install. I still haven't got round to installing it. I listen to Radio 4 and don't miss the telly at all.
(But I do realise that it may be an important part of Eliza's husband's evening and Christmas entertainment, bless him.)

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 10:20 AM

The most popular television viewing at our house when we do our holiday event (not always on Dec. 25, it depends on when the kids can both get to town) is NetFlix. They have a program called "Fireplace" that is just that - a video of a fire in a fireplace. We turn it down so we don't have to listen to the music and we laugh when the caption comes up and says "crackling." I walled off my fireplace a number of years ago because it let in hot moist air in summer and cold air in winter. Now the 40" television sits on the hearth in front of the pink insulating box that fills the cavity. When the need for a crackling good fire arises, out comes streaming NetFlix.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 12:03 PM

What a good idea SRS!! We do rather miss our log fire from our last house, but it did let in a draught of cold air in winter. One's front was hot but one's back was frozen.

Well, Father Christmas has come early for us, as the new TV arrived this morning. The poor, poor DPD courier looked exhausted. He told me he'd had 150 items on his van yesterday, and couldn't get them all delivered before 10pm. He'd started at 5.30am!! I gave him a bar of chocolate and a tenner, and told him he was a star.

The new TV is a 'combi' and you can play DVDs on it through a slot on the side. It's only a 24", but quite big enough for our needs. Lovely clear picture.
Husband should be having a lovely weep on the 25th, watching his two favourite DVDs after dinner.

Another nice thing happened. We'd given our gorgeous binmen their Crimbo gift (tenner and 4 cans of Old Speckled Hen) last week. And today they were so helpful in taking away the old TV (they're not really supposed to) and slinging it on their bin lorry. Wasn't that kind?

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 12:10 PM

But it's no good for making toast. Toast from a toaster or grill never tastes the same. I haven't had a proper piece of toast in decades.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 12:17 PM

Oh that's so true McGrath! We used to make toast, crumpets, roast chestnuts and marshmallows, Also sometimes put a few spuds in the ashes wrapped in foil. There's something very primitively satisfying about a real fire.
A radiator, although effective, hasn't quite the same magic has it?

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 04:43 PM

We have a tradition of watching A Muppet Family Christmas.

from 1987 complete musical

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Mr Red
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 05:04 PM

Fireplace? With piped music? Missed a few tricks there didn't they?

You can buy room heaters that are basically fronted with telly screens on a loop video. Coal or log fire complete with the sound of cracking logs or hissing coal. It definitely adds at least 5 degrees on the placebo scale to the ambience.

And in summer it can be switched to vistas of cool flowing water and trees etc. Good for subtracting 5 degrees on the same scale.

Mind you I haven't noticed them on sale lately.

PS What is Strictly? - is it some sort of dance show for people wot don't dance?

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 08:16 PM

It's for people wot do dance. Try watching it next year.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 10:42 PM

Don, we have the Muppet Family Christmas and also play the Muppet Christmas Carol and The Christmas Toy (Henson's non-Sesame or Muppets puppets).

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 18 Dec 18 - 02:37 AM

Not sure about Christmas, but oks like a superb adaptation of Les Mis is on the way (without the ***** songs sung by non--singers)
One of the greatest classics ever written
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 18 Dec 18 - 04:30 AM

In order to get my husband laughing again, we have a 'Mrs Brown's Boys' DVD at Christmas too.
At first he couldn't be persuaded that 'she' is really a man. But he believes me now,(Brendan O'Carrell has a new show where he is 'himself') and if I annoy him (not often) he grins and says, "That's nice!"
New TV is a great success. Watched it last night - the remote changes channels very quickly and the sound is good.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Dec 18 - 05:14 AM

It's for people wot do dance. Try watching it next year.

Nah!

I met my ex-wife at Ballroom dancing. I never went back - you learn by your experiences!!!!

Strictly is for strictly watching dancing, not doing dancing. Physical exercise staves off dementia, and Ceilidhs are nothing if not brain exercise. And if you want really functional entertainment try Irish Set dancing - doing, not watching.

TV is for blobbing, which has its uses (I am told). In my 20/30s - without a TV, I could prove TV killed the art of conversation. When people asked "Did you see on TV last night" I replied "I have no TV"......................

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 18 Dec 18 - 05:54 AM

'Physical exercise staves off dementia' - ah, that explains quite a lot... Now where did I leave my glasses?

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Jos
Date: 18 Dec 18 - 09:02 AM

I was confused by the remark 'But it's no good for making toast ... ' following on from a post about a 24 inch television.
I agree that a telly isn't much use for making toast.
Sometimes I toast bread by holding it above the gas flame (no, with a toasting fork, not in my bare hands). It's not as good as a glowing fire, but it does have that particular something that you don't get with a toaster.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Donuel
Date: 18 Dec 18 - 09:09 AM

TV is mental chewing gum for the dumb
But its great to learn language
or to cheer up for the glum

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: KarenH
Date: 18 Dec 18 - 09:34 AM

Nowt on at the cinema either.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: David Carter (UK)
Date: 18 Dec 18 - 12:24 PM

Zog. Seeing as our granddaughter wants Room on the Broom played incessantly on youtube, it will be good to have an alternative.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 18 Dec 18 - 07:13 PM

Not dance? My 2 grandkids love Strictly, and dance all the way through it! The 7-yr old boy does his version of break-dancing, while 4 yr old girl has a bit of the Isadora about her! The Christmas Day programme is actually a "Christmas Special" including some past participants - yes, Ann Widdecombe!
Not a lot that says to me "must watch" or even "must record" - just maybe "Call the Midwife" as it always reminds me of my years at the London Hospital in Whitechapel (BBC 1 19.45.), and for more nostalgia, "The Two Ronnies" on BBC 4 at 9.15.pm

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 Dec 18 - 08:30 PM

I worked in Poplar from1973 onward (until 1980) and I knew the nuns who lived at Pope John House very well. In fact, one of them, Sister Teresa, was my headmistress and she actually got me my flat at Robin Hood Gardens, where I lived until late 1976, the year I got married, 42 years ago today. I drank many a pint in the pubs at Whitechapel, but my favourite watering hole was the Exmouth Arms, popularly known as The Hollands, down Commercial Road, sadly no longer there. I wonder whether you were there then, though I'm sure I'm much older than you. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 19 Dec 18 - 04:04 AM

Did you ever visit the Prospect Of Whitby Steve? (Wapping)

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Dec 18 - 04:42 AM

I love the MacColl song with the lines

Kissed her once again at Wapping.
Flow, sweet river, flow.
After that there was no stoppin'.
Sweet Thames, flow softly.

Always think of it whenever I see mention of Wapping :-)

No specific TV ritual for us although we do try to catch dear old Liz :-) We also try to see a film between Christmas and New Year though. For ages it was Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. This year JK may feature once more with the Crimes of Grindlewald but the alternative to JRR must be Mary Poppins.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Dec 18 - 05:03 AM

I knew the Prospect of Whitby very well. 96 steps up out of Wapping station meant that you earned your pint. I spent many an evening there and one night, having missed the last transport and run out of money to boot, I had to walk home from Wapping to Chelsea. Sobered me up a bit that did! I was the treasurer of the University of London Lancastrians' Association in the late 60s and one year we invited fellow Lancastrian Thora Hird to dinner at the Prospect. I sat between her and her husband all evening and we had a good old banter. She was just like she was on telly. She complained to the waiter that the Camembert was a bit too ripe. :-)

We also frequented the Angel at Rotherhithe. Those were the days.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 19 Dec 18 - 06:08 AM

When I was at Edinburgh Uni, a rather drunken Scots boyfriend and I went down to London for a jaunt, and he dragged me into the Prospect. I was interested because I'd heard that Jack the Ripper had frequented it. (Dubious, as no-one knows who he actually was!)

The pub was very lively, and soon two ladies started a cat fight. They were ripping handfuls of hair from each other's heads and screeching like anything.
I was fascinated, but as boyfriend got more and more sozzled, I suggested we leave.
I dumped him soon afterwards. :(

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Dec 18 - 03:32 AM

the last time I was in Lundun, was the last time (hopefully).

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 21 Dec 18 - 04:25 AM

After living here in Norfolk for forty years now, I sadly find 'That there Lunnon' rather daunting. Crowds, noise, polluted air and a feeling of tension and wariness. Silly, as I was born and raised in W London, and know most areas very well.

I don't mind if I never go there again.

Husband has to go to Belgravia (lah-de-dah!) to the Ivorian Embassy, to renew his Passport in February. But he goes on his own nowadays.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 21 Dec 18 - 06:00 AM

Ah memories: thread drift, but who cares?
I also went (not frequently!) to The Grapes, The Prospect, The Angel.
But more likely to frequent the students union bar or the pubs around the hospital: The Good Samaritan ("The Sammy"), The Grave Maurice ("The chapel" if you were talking in code in front of the patients!), The Blind Beggar (notoriously associated with the Krays).

And Dave, that is also my favourite stanza from "Sweet Thames"!

I woz there from 1964-1970, and we did still have pedal cycles to go out to do district maternity deliveries with the midwives during our obs/gynae attachment!

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 21 Dec 18 - 06:55 AM

Lots of memories here
The Blind Beggar was a private club when w wre recording Travellers at the back of Whitechapel Road
One of them Mikeen McCarthy, used to sell the song, The Blind Beggar' on ballad sheets in Kerry and still sang it - he was spooked to learn of the Kray connection
I' never sure whether the pub was connected with the eating House of the same name that was frequented by Pepys

Don't know if anybody knows 'The George' in Borough Market - the Elizabeth shambles (terrace of shops) that was turned into a Coaching Inn - beautiful building but only worth visiting in the depths of winter when the tourists have gone home
We took Tom Munnely and his wife in for a drink; when Tom went to buy his round he commented on the bullding
The attractive Autralian girl behind the bar repleid "It's like woring in a ***** museum
Good memories
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Raggytash
Date: 21 Dec 18 - 04:36 PM

Decades ago when I first got a video player a friend asked me if I was going to tape the Queen's speech.

Why the **** would I do that I asked.

So you can play it again when you're in the pub and miss it twice he said !!!

Brilliant!

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 22 Dec 18 - 03:17 PM

The new "Watership Down" on now! Not heard "Bright Eyes" yet! Could be dusappointed.....

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 22 Dec 18 - 03:31 PM

Oh gawd, I just saw that film was on while flicking through the channels. I hastily clicked onwards. Bright Eyes can have me sobbing for hours. Especially as one of our cats is probably not going to last much longer. :(

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 22 Dec 18 - 03:50 PM

Ah, but it's a new re-make so less music, but good graphics.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Dec 18 - 06:41 PM

No Bright Eyes. Several new songs, all terrible to my ears. Good graphics, but very confused and clumsy telling of the story. If you hadn't read the book or at least watched the previous film I think you'd have found it very hard to follow what was going on.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: ripov
Date: 22 Dec 18 - 09:24 PM

Jim - I reckon being foreign she didn't realise we don't pronounce the "w".
Any road up, I shall watch them wenches closer next time I'm in there!

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: ripov
Date: 22 Dec 18 - 09:39 PM

Incidentally it having been a "shambles", ie a place where beasts were slaughtered and butchered, is a new one to me. Had a quick search on the net, but unfortunately Greene-King want to tell us about the meals (in my experience - though not at the George, quite decent, and value for money), but not the history!
Quite possibly though, if they did a fair amount of catering in those far-off days, they would have bought a beast, fetched it to the kitchen door, and killed it there and then. You wouldn't want to carry a dead cow too far!

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 23 Dec 18 - 04:12 AM

I got a Saturday Daily Mail yesterday (everyone cringe) as I was bored (all Crimbo preparations are complete, house is gleaming, husband has been busy) and for only a quid I got lots of puzzles and a magazine inside with all the TV programmes on over Christmas.

I went through it very carefully, and there were hardly any programmes I'd want to watch. Meh. We're going to have a rummage today through our crate of DVDs, and sort out a few to keep us amused.

We tried out our new combi television with a DVD and it worked beautifully. No need now for the player which sits on the shelf underneath.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Dec 18 - 04:35 AM

no need for a recorder either - all the BBC seems to be repeats, and Dave & Yesterday are BBC re-gurgitated fare.

Still there is always You Tub.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 23 Dec 18 - 04:42 AM

I reckon all Beeb staff have emigrated and the place is like the Marie Celeste, with just a computer regenerating programmes on a loop.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 Dec 18 - 06:27 AM

That reminds us of a song, children....a special song for this time of year...


https://soundcloud.com/denise_whittle/lets-have-a-drink-its-1

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 24 Dec 18 - 08:31 AM

Hahahaha Big Al, that song is brilliant!

"Get your Santa Claus hat
And act like a twat!"

Hahahahaaaaaaagh!

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 Dec 18 - 06:09 PM

I don't like being the sort of person who writes songs like that.
I wish I was nicer.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Senoufou
Date: 24 Dec 18 - 06:19 PM

You're very, very nice Big Al, and you always make me laugh.
Happy Christmas!

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 25 Dec 18 - 01:04 PM

yes they DO make people laugh. particularly live.

My mother wasn't musical but my Dad was. When he left school he was a lather boy in a barbershop in St Helens, opposite the music hall. He was 14, it was 1930 - the height of the depression. He was paid 7/6d.
a week.12-14 hours a day rubbing lather into mens faces. Even working class guys used barbers It was only 2d for a shave.
A lot of the music hall artistes were gay and cos he looked smart and used to hit on him. It left him homophobic all the rest of his life.

THe one guy who was nice to my Dad was the singer of comic songs, George Formby. He took a fancy to Dad and always tipped him a shilling, which was a fortune back then.
Like I say, my mother wasn't musical - but she respected clever. George's songs were great favourites with her, .W.S. Gilbert's lyrics.

And thus it is . I'm no David Bowie or Ewan MacColl - but I can use simple music forms. And on the odd occasion, I got a listening audience, I could make them laugh. When they don't listen, it doesn't matter, I'm a jobbing musician, who can handle most audiences.
My early heroes Derek Brimstone, Dave Van Ronk I felt sorry for them, they needed listening audiences. They never had to work really tough audiences in folk clubs, and life got tough for them both when the folk boom ended. I kinda feel sorry for most of the folk songwriters too. They don't learn about getting the rhythms that make civilians (non folkies) singalong and get up and shake a tail feather,
still chacun a son gout.

Subject: RE: BS: Nowt on telly at Xmas
From: keberoxu
Date: 25 Dec 18 - 02:54 PM

Big Al,
it's a dirty job, right enough,
but somebody has got to do it ... carry on!