IT'S YOUR ITV.
Reading the papers today and having actually watched...
...some television for once this weekend a word about the opposition.
Ant and Dec on Saturday, what a great show. I honestly have never seen it before. Alright so it's 2008 version of Don't Forget Your Toothbrush but Don't Forget Your Toothbrush was a Channel Four version of Noel's House party, which was a re-invention of The Late Late Breakfast Show, which was a mix between Tiswas and Candid Camera with a light drizzle of It's a Knockout just for good measure. None of this matters. Seinfeld is the single's version of Friends, or is it the other way round ? Morecambe and Wise, Abbot and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, Ernie and Bert, it's all gravy.
What really matters is that all these shows make you feel better and they do so without asking you to sacrifice a little bit of your soul, a little bit of your decency. Sure people are made to laugh and when this happens it's usually at the expense of someone else, but this doesn't mean the victim of the gag can't have fun too. How many times have you played a joke on a mate and you've both ended up pissing yourself laughing. When you play a joke on a mate, you have to do so in such a way that hopefully they'll still be your mate after it. This is the key. This is what it's all about.
Sure it takes a little bit longer to come up with and plan, but boy is it worth it.
This was always our secret, anyone who gave us a giggle would always be rewarded, why not, quid pro-quo and all that.
Any other kind of laughter at someone's expense is in fact simple bullying. It's horrible, kids shouting down the street after an elderly gentleman.
The celeb cellulite magasines are all seeing their sales fall, as are the newspapers, I love it. They never thought to realise that once you give people a high by asking them to lower themselves, then to achieve the same effect next time, you have to ask them to lower themselves even more. Each time this happens some more people jump ship realising what losers they're becoming. It's the same with drug taking, the bigger the hit this time, the bigger the dose has to be next time in order to achieve the same hit.
Entertainment, be it light or otherwise, should move us one way or another but never by taking anything away from us in the process, never by leaving us less of a person than when we started, or asking us to turn a blind eye - just the once, just for the sake of a sick joke or cheap thrill.
The best, most longlasting and loved shows, from Shakespeare to Starsky and Hutch, NEVER did this.
Entertainment is a means of escape where nobody gets recaptured because they never did anything wrong in the first place.
CLP.
2008.
X.
Dear ITV just do the former, lots of it.
Comments
Wow, get your head round that. Bit too much for a Monday, you obviously didn't get out much over the weekend.
Liz x
Christoff.
See this is why you're a Top Bloke in my eyes.
CLP for Pope.
Clodagh.xx
Really have to agree with you, there is a certain innocence about Saturday Night Take Away that means I can watch it with my children, we can all enjoy it together. It ties in a bit with what Jacqueline Wilson is saying today about children having to grow up too fast. I resent the fact that when my nine year old son buys his football magazine he is greeted by photos of drink and drug addled celebrities, plastered with headlines about their apparently debauched lives. I want him to think of someone like Ashley Cole or David Beckham as good footballers and nothing else. He doesn't need to know any more than that. Maybe I am being naive, but maybe that's a good place to be. So thankyou for not being afraid to say what you think. And thankyou that we can listen to you as a family every night, while homework is being done, problems are being solved and food is being prepared and eaten. Sorry to have gone on for so long!
Yes, absolutely, hurrah, you've made sense of it all!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with laughing "with" people, its when its "at" them, then theres a problem.
We need daft, silly, mindless, chucklesome, harmless, non thought provoking TV to help us escape (for a little while anyway) from the news...
Um actually, thinking about it, thats often full of daft, silly, mindless stuff as well isnt it?
Im sure you get my drift, which is your drift really..
Nope, you cant be the Pope, stick at being a good bloke, that's plenty.
Adrian
www.themondaymorningcoach.net
Don't promote the other side chris! Don't you think Ant and Dec are becoming a bit samey? Don't get me wrong, I love them I just think they need to do something different with takeaway.
No packing to go to the fella's tomorrow. Luckily he is fab and lets me leave stuff there but I always need to take loads of stuff, it's ridiculous! Someone is bidding on my little baby hat I have on ebay! YIPPEE! and someone has bought one off me! Oh yes! World domination is on the way!!!! hehe!
Nice one Chris
So what's YOUR next TV project???
It seems you're not so keen at the moment but there's a lot of people that'd like to see you back on the box.
I bet you've got gazillion ideas.
Go on. You know you want to!
PeeBee
RON DENNIS ter leave McLaren before first race in Melbourne!!!!!!!
Shocker News!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chow!
Obviously off the booze and taking notice? Hope you are anyway.
I just so agree with you and it was my first watch of Ant & Dec on Saturday - almost turned it off but got hooked and watched it through.
The other half and I are always bemoaning the fact most programmes are SO miserable!!! People dying, getting squashed, drug or drunk frenzies - rows - phone in for the worst singer/dancer etc. YUK. We end up watching Friends just to cheer us up!
Bring back light entertainment which leaves you smiling or even better, laughing through and at the end of the programme.
Lets see nice things happening and let us all be entertained in all sorts of ways e.g Wild at Heart, Hotel Babylon, Kingdom & old ones like Vicar of Dibley and non swearing comedy etc. etc.
Crikey - now I am babbling on!!! Sorry - but you get my drift?
Hi all,hope lifes treating you all kindly.
Christopher you are so wise and on the ball, but i think folks saying "enough" is far more widely spread than just entertainment. There is i believe an uprising taking place in this fine country of ours. People are taking a stand, whether its against bullying, being ripped off for the most basic of things such as care, fuel or any of the other things that have become broken.
We all have a responsibility not only to ourselves but each other. Its time to make a stand and make Britain great again.
Stay safe.
m xx
Excellent! Blog working.
Hi Chris, my have you got a hard act to follow today. Steve's show rocking!
Had my induction for the olds this morning, think i'm going to like it.
Then back home for an afternoon of creativity accompanied by Radio 2, thats what i love about radio you get entertained and educated whilst getting on with things.
You asked last week if you had have you bottled it with the drinking? i say Yep, but i bet now that you can partake you wont want to. i've found its only when denied that something is a struggle.
Tata.
M x
Est. my sentiments exactly!
Oh my god! Chris just read my comment out!!! Saying how i want to be adopted by Kylie and David Tennent!! OH MY GOD!!!!!
Bang on!
I never thought of it like that ! The more depraved we become the deeper we go down. Good TV shows and publication should realise this shouldnt they ? Big Brother should understand that millions have tuned out as there is no entertainment involved. TV should make us feel good about ourselves- not embarressed by how low some people can go. It should educate and give us the desire to improve ourselves ( mentally) Thanks for the thoughts Chris. I am now more determined to watch less and to choose very carefully what i do watch rather than channel hop in the desperate need that SOMETHING on one of the 4 million stations , will entertain me.
Saz
See, I don't watch too much TV. I like to knit, listen and read. There are a few programmes I enjoy - and I Sky Plus them, and watch them when I have a time when i don't need to be doing anything else.
But I like to be doing things at the same time.
Life is too short to be sat there.... be doing things..... doing exciting things.
DWNB
So Chris, when are we going to see you back on the box then? You know what you are talking about, what people want to see, how about it? There is still a place for you out there you know.
I call the kind of viewing that you talk about 'put your brain in your pocket' tv. I enjoy celebrity shows such as 'Dancing on Ice' and I watch Ant and Dec in the Jungle. Celebrities sign up knowing what they are getting into and entertain in the quest to kick start their careers which is often the case. Love it.
We all went to Colchester on Saturday and visited the castle there which was very educational. I loved it around Colchester, the shopping is great there! It's only an hours drive from where we live so plan to go back again soon.
Must go now, the boys are watching a Star Wars DVD in the lounge and I must go upstairs and get my fix of the Monday night soaps!
Love to all
Debbie x x
Chris
I don't tend to watch that much telly, but I sometimes get hooked on a series and can't do without it. Life on Mars was a good example, although Ashes to Ashes doesn't have the same magic for me, the recent Masterchef sucked me in and I do like Jamie's latest, although that is probably more to do with the bizarre similarities between Brian and my dad.
My speech last week was about the businesses I look after, so an opportunity to wax lyrical about flash cars. Still can't quite believe I did it......
Must away.
Peace & love
MfR
PS Scream for me Long Beach.
PPS Haven't forgotten the pint Chris.
PPPS Hairdresser on fire.
Ha!
And your secret......
BABY ON THE WAY?????
DWNB
missy - congrats on your mention!
I hated the BUPA people very patronising and just trying to promote their company - creepy. I think CLP put her in her place!!
DWNB - I agree
Hey Debbie!
I work in Colchester - it's great innit!?!?
Happy Monday everyone!
CtD x x x
I love shows that give you a good laugh. Here in Australia, the only one around at the moment is Good News Week, which I love. I just wish they'd show more programs like this instead of boring reality shows.
I've just discovered that Listen Again (aka iPlayer) doesn't work for me here :( Oh well, I've still got the weekly podcast, although half an hour doesn't seem like enough.
VaughnJess from Down Under
Buenos Dias one and all
So many choices with TV today. Thats if the batteries actually work with the doofa. Does everyone call the remote control the doofa which you wave madly around when it fails to operate.
I like Dave TV and watching mainly comedy myself.
Clodagh, imagination was the name of the game in those days. I myself had a stable of ponies made from sticks and string tied around for reins. I held Gymkhana's with jumps made out of watering cans, buckets with brushes for poles. All my dolls were bald because they claimed "Tressy her hair grows". So I cut it all off, but it never grew! I remember the Crunchie add claiming it gave you a lift. So I bought one took a bite and expected the levitate above the ground. Again more dissapointment.
Mr Ed the talking horse was also a scam.
It's a wonder I grew up normal at all really!!!!!!
Toodle oo pp
Morning all
Talking of good TV - the adaptation of Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan (can't remember what it was called though!) on ±«Óãtv2 last night was wonderful.
Brilliant writing, fab photography and really well acted. An hour and a half of bliss.
I do so hope it is true that the backlash has started and people will now be prepared to put their heads above the parapet and say 'enough'.
If we have hump day and thirsty thursday and AFR - Is this then trollopey tuesday?
Jen Ewan
xx
Chris, I have to admit that I am guilty of having a soft spot for trashy magazines and tabloids - seeing a smidgen of Eva Longoria cellulite is the perfect antidote to a fat / ugly / blue day. Call me shallow...
Fortunately, I haven't got a TV. Mr P and I chose not to get one as we knew that it would be on constantly and we'd be watching rubbish like Big Brother and the other jungle thing. DWNB - I'm with you on this one.
Missy - I used to hate living out of bags and boxes before I moved in with Mr P. How are you coping?
Cathmel - I completely agree with you - that BUPA lady was bit snooty, wasn't she?
Rosie x
Prof. Plum.
Hurrah! Me miserable life has just flashed before me; You and I must 'ave bin separated at birth. I suffered exactly the same disappointment with my Tressy and chopped it off too, spawning the very first mullet known to man or glamour dolls. Bloody marvellous.
All I ever wanted was a Sindy but I had the misfortune to have a mother who was (and still is) a pathological Surpriser. I've spent years trying to tell said woman that a Surprise you don't want is called a Shock.
Bloody Tressy, huh. What a pile of crap she was. Mind you, Sindy wasn't much better, goody two-shoes with her manky boyfriend Paul.
Things improved vastly when Barbie came along, what a slapper she was, hurrah. No wonder Ken had his underpants welded on.
Clodagh.xx
Bingo
Where did you get that from?
Before I get the sack one and all
I think I just got my first Birthday card from Moon Pig! Thats Moon Pig.com. It actually comes from Guernsey!.
Anyway Clodagh I am much younger than you I'll be bound.
I never liked Man dolls meself. My dolls were independent and career minded.
Toodle oo pp
Morning All,
Welll Afternoon Actuallary.
What a gorgeous day. .Sun is shining high in the sky, and the frost has all gone.
I have the cold again tho, but after my overdose of night nurse and cold capsules, I'll be taking nothing this time, and letting it out of my body naturally!
still no confirmation on the BIG SECRET,
but that has to be what it is....
DWNB
Hi everyone,
I have tried and tried to send a comment for so many days now. Most of the blogs last week I tried to comment on, but I was 502'd every time. Here goes for nothing!
Chris, this blog is really superb. I am all for having a really good laugh, but taking the p*ss out of someone - I cannot stand that. God bless him, but this is reason I could not abide Beadle's About. It is NOT funny to get people into a state of panic and then say "it's only joke, just smile into that camera, there". Just the pits.
It's great to see everyone (who can get through) on the blog. As always, Bingo and Prof Plum have been hilarious, but I have to say, Clodagh you are just terrific. "a Surprise you don't want is called a Shock" - come on, you must surely be writing for TV!
Take care everyone, hope this gets through!
C xx
P.S. Hazel, we are really missing you!
IS this a "Give us a job" please plea to itv?
Rosie- I am slowly getting used to it. Make up and things are always ready in the bag and some stuff are at the fella's so it easier.
Now in Lowestoft Libary (just joined!) so now I can keep in contact when I'm here as the fella is without computer at the mo. I am slowly getting used to Lowestoft and finding it quite nice actually, as soon as the sun comes out its beautiful but it will never be like Norwich. On sunday my parents and I went to Pizza Express at the forum (norfolk bloggers will know what I mean!) and we were looking out the glass walls looking over the city and we all said it is just lovely. Its so different from other cities. Its perfect!!!
Cheryl you DIVA- I have found the most beautiful Vintage cafe and shop here in Lowestoft and today when I went in they had a pair of cowboy boots, it made me think of you!
Gingembre- how is the leg? Visit my blog its been ages since I had a little comment for you! hehe!
Love to you all, missy x
Well that's what happens you write a long (well for me long blog) you get 502'd and it still doesn't appear.... aww shucks.
Good to see nearly everyone is around - HL where are you.
CLP you bottled the challenge!!
If you are given a secret don't blurt to the whole listening population that you have a secret it's then a quarter of the way out in public. The best secrets are the ones no one knew you had knowledge of in the first place - makes you feel really trusted and valued.
Must go...
Phoenix (fingers and toes crossed this gets through)
Hi Chris
I totally agree, we used to love the generation game
when we were little! Good clean slapstick fun is what has been missing for a long time.
Dear Chris
Yes, I totally agree.
When do you think they will put the whole series
of the Waltons back on, I used to love that!