32 posts tagged “tv”
Show us a picture of your all time favorite President.
I can but dream...
Any last minute summer plans for the weekend?
A shameful, shameful Saturday... especially considering this is a Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK. I know several people who have jetted off for the weekend, taking advantage of this last long weekend before the inevitable gloom of Autumn/Winter (which, to be honest, kicked in early this year...).
I, however, spent most of Saturday on the couch in front of the TV. I read a bit too - psychology journals, no less, in an attempt to re-ignite enthusiasm for my doctorate - and last night enjoyed two films and a massive pizza. I then stayed up far too late, watching god-awful TV until 2am and so feel a little spaced this morning. As for the films, Hellboy was on TV and I wanted a refresh before going to see the sequel.
I also watched 'The Lives of Others' on DVD, which was simply beautiful. You must see this film. For me, it represented a timely reminder of the evils of totalitarian government... not the violence and war, but the small and regular intrusions into the lives of citizens, the thought control and the stifeling, overbearing surveillance.
As I said, quite timely.
That said, I don't feel like I wasted yesterday. I needed some downtime after a pretty hectic couple of weeks. I also fully intend to make better use of today and tomorrow i.e. catching up with friends and *finally* going to see the Dark Knight.
To be fair, I've had quite a lot of holidays this summer, and will be in Brussels next weekend, Amsterdam the following weekend. I'm viewing this as a pit-stop, an opportunity to refuel and relax.
Photo, video or song... Show us laughter.
An oldie, but a goodie. Hilarious, for all the wrong reasons...
The ever-fabulous Joan Rivers, here on British TV, forgetting the programme is going out live.
She's still a legend though.
Oh Joan, you are awful...ITV takes swearing Rivers off air
US comedienne Joan Rivers has had an appearance on a daytime TV show cut short after swearing live on air.
The 75-year-old's outburst came when talking about actor Russell Crowe on ITV's Loose Women. The star claimed she was expecting a time delay so the expletives could be bleeped out.
An ITV spokeswoman said: "Guests are always briefed that it is a live daytime show and are reminded not to swear or use inappropriate language."
She added: "An editorial decision was taken that Joan Rivers should not appear in the final part of the programme.
"We would like to apologise to Loose Women viewers for the inappropriate language used on today's show."
Rivers, who is currently in the UK promoting her London acting debut in a self-penned autobiographical play, said she had warned the show: "Get ready to bleep."
She added that it was not her fault that producers did not have the facility to edit out bad language.
The star said she was having a great time talking with the panel, which included Jackie Brambles and Carol McGiffin, when she made the comments about Crowe.
"I said: 'I apologise.' Everyone apologised. It was hilariously funny."
During a commercial break, Rivers said producers took her off the set, adding that it was the first time she had been removed in 40 years and she was "thrilled".
However, the star is prepared to return - but only on her terms.
"I would be delighted to go back if they would apologise and give me a gift."
I'm watching ITV, enjoying the spectacle of obese people being paid to lose weight.
I'm doing this while eating a curry, naan bread and onion bhajis.
So this is cognitive dissonance.
This is National Headache Awareness Week. Show us what gives you a headache.
Sigh.
I'll try not to let it get to me this time, but it probably will. I'll fume at the column inches wasted on pointless discussions about vacuous non-entities, I'll cringe at the sound of Davina McCaul's voice, and honestly want to throw punches at complete strangers who dare discuss the programme in public.
(Which sort of links into the QoTD about violence...)
So... it's all over for another year (and no, I don't count the Junior Eurovision Song Contest or the Eurovision Dance Contest... yes, they exist!).
How did it all shake down on the night?
Let's cut to the chase - I was supremely disappointed by the result. There was no way Russia deserved to win with that song and that performance. However, before you all scream (both of you, that is) at once, the UK didn't deserve to win either. It was a lackluster song, badly performed on the night. Russia's act couldn't keep in tune and the skater frankly deserved to be shot. Don't take my word for it, check this out:
I had such high hopes for Sweden and couldn't believe it when Charlotte did so badly in the voting. Perhaps it was a backlash against her more-obvious-by-the-day cosmetic surgery? In any case, she deserved to be in the top 5. Poor thing... I bet she got on the first flight home and opened up a fresh bottle of Botox.
The presenters hadn't improved one iota since the semi-finals... I have ever in my life seen such stilted and awkward hosts. Seriously, couldn't Serbia muster up at least one person with a personality? I have to say it - they were even worse than the threesome that turned Eurovision 1999 in Israel into a meltdown. You don't remember? Oh well, here you go...
(Don't you just *love* YouTube?)
Anyway, I digress. We had a party. And there was drinking.
More specifically, the annual Eurovision Drinking Game. At the random picking of countries, I was so lucky and got Finland. Why lucky? Well, they sucked so I didn't have to take any shots of random Russian vodka (thanks Henrik) when they scored 12 points. Other people weren't so fortunate and left our place in quite a disheveled state. Tired and emotional, as they say. And quite, if I may add, pissed.
Despite the poor result for talent and music, we had a ball, laughing at some of the weirdest acts I've ever seen. Bosnia was particularly memorable. The falling dancer during Spain's performance? Laugh out loud funny. You missed it? Here you go...keep an eye on the beauty in puce pink.
And Saint Terry of the Wogan was a funny as ever. Though even he couldn't hide his bitterness at the way the voting panned out. He's even threatened not to do the show again, which would be an absolute disaster. Come on Tel, don't let us down. Promise you'll be in Moscow next year?
And let's all pray the Russians can put on a better show than their Serbian cousins. That is, find two people with stage presence, teach them how to pronounce commonly used English words, and accept direction through a little speaker in their ear.
Simple as that.
This isn't going to be a beginner's guide to Eurovision. I'm saving that for a book. Or perhaps a later post. Or something I *wished* I'd written.
No, this is about tonight. If you're planning on watching this extravaganza, here are the acts to look out for... for various reasons.
1 - Sweden: Charlotte Perrelli is a bit of a favourite this year. She won before, and actually takes to the stage tonight in exactly the same place in the running order as last time. An omen? I'm not sure. Only the most hardened Eurovision-geeks (who are you looking at) will actually know her, far less recognise her.
Seriously, she's had so much surgery, she's beginning to resemble a cat. She does, however, have legs that go on for miles. If you go for that sort of thing... And she can sing. (Irrelevant, I know).
They could make a mint from this, or never be heard of again. I know where my money is...
To give him his due, he gives it his all. It leaves me a little unsettled, worried at the risk of him keeling over mid-song, clutching his chest and gasping.
Adding to insult to injury, she's blind and thus will never know just how awful she looks. No, ignore the music and focus on the dancing and the inevitable Eurovision mid-act costume stage.
It's actually quite impressive.
Relatively.
Lots more information is available from the good folks over at Eurovision.tv, and I can also thoroughly recommend the BBC's Eurovision website. Don't say I haven't prepared you for what is to come.
So. The big day has arrived. It's time for some Eurovision-final type action. Geddin.
I can't believe it's been a year since far too many people crammed into our apartment to watch this homage to all that is musically naff. There was drinking, eating, falling over, cheering, jeering and more drinking. A fun time was had by all.
Tonight, we will have a repeat performance - with perhaps slightly more food, to prevent outbreaks of the dreaded "Uncontrollable Falling Down". And the vomiting.
Action plan for today? Something like this...
1 - Have some more coffee. After a packed work week, a colleague and I "relaxed" a but too much last night, so I'm feeling "tired" this morning. Damn. Should've kept my powder dry for tonight.
2 - Take receipt of a food delivery from Tesco. Yes, all the old favourites: mini sausage rolls, mini quiches, cocktail sausages and plenty of cheap crisps. It is, after all, an evening of old-fashined kitsch.
3 - Arrangement of various flags and various Eurovision-related paraphernalia. This includes my favourite "Terry Wogan as Jesus" photo.
4 - Careful "sampling" of the various refreshments... wouldn't want any substandard booze to pass my guests' lips. Indeed, the perfect host.
