Some Mothers Still ‘Ave ‘Em
There are a number of shows that didn’t seem to get the recognition they deserved when they first came out. Many people put Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em in that bracket. It’s hard to believe that it’s really 30 years since this classic show was taken off air by the BBC.
Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, which starred Michael Crawford, Michele Dotrice, Jane Hylton and Bernard Hepton, ran from 1973 to 1978 and quickly attracted a significant audience in the situation comedy market. Michael Crawford and his screen wife Michele Dotrice starred in the saga of the accident prone life of Frank Spencer – a naive but endearing klutz who seemed to attract trouble wherever he went.
Luckily for fans of Spencer’s antics, UK Gold is re-running classic episodes. In this afternoon’s show, Frank visits a psychiatrist to help him with the ups and downs of his life - a last ditch attempt to put him on the straight and narrow. Without giving too much away, by the end of the show you can guess who will need the psychiatric help…
When viewing the show in an age of stunt men and special affects, it’s important to remember and appreciate that Michael Crawford actually did all his own stunts. When you check out what he gets up to in a day, you’ll see that this is no mean feat.
The show is hilarious, the stunts are breathtaking, and it’s difficult to comprehend that this is the same Michael Crawford who actually went on to star in Phantom of the Opera and other great musicals. It’s perhaps only now, when the show is being broadcast to a new audience alongside original fans, that we may be able to appreciate how much entertainment the program brought us.
Lily and Marshall Sell Their Stuff
Those who have not seen U.S. sitcom How I Met Your Mother have surely heard of it because of the guest appearance by queen of pop trash Britney Spears.
It turns out their marketing department must be working overtime because after the gigantic ratings the show pulled in after Britney’s guest spot, they are now top of search trends because of their latest marketing stunt ‘Lily and Marshall Sell Their Stuff’.
In last night’s episode aired in the U.S. and again guest starring Britney Spears, couple Lily (played by Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Alyson Hannigan) and Marshall (Judd Apatow regular Jason Segel) decide to sell their ‘stuff’ to raise money for house repairs.
In conjunction with the story line the keen marketers behind the PR for the show have also set up a real site called ‘Lilyandmarshallselltheirstuff.com in which they are auctioning off the couple’s goods for charity. The proceeds will go to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
However today anyone trying to get to the site will find it down as it could not cope with the quantity of people trying to see the wares from the show.
One thing is for sure, where How I Met Your Mother used to be only a moderately rated show, after this last season they have become famous the world over.
Parallel Worlds : A User’s Guide
While you might wonder if this is a documentary, a comedy show or the introduction of some space age invention it is actually a look at the alternative worlds to which TV has introduced us over the years. For many people, television can offer something of an escape from the pressures and tensions of every day life.
Parallel Worlds : A User’s Guide covers a number of different worlds, including Star Trek, which has to be the most successful space age programme ever to be broadcast on TV. It made household names of a number of actors and actresses and it has also spawned literally thousands of Star Trek fan clubs and websites. Will we ever see anything to compete with Captain James T Kirk and his crew?
Then there’s Dr Who. As often as they try to write off Dr Who it keeps coming back bigger and better. The secret behind the success of Dr Who is the fact that the producers and writers seem to reinvent it for a new audience, but how long will they get away with this for?
While a bigger hit in the US than the UK, Futurama still has many fans over here across the pond. Created by Matt Groening of Simpsons fame it follows the life of a New York City pizza delivery boy who is frozen on 1st January 2000 only to be revived one thousands years later. The show created the animated sitcom market and has been the inspiration behind many other shows.
These are just a few of the alternative dimensions which the show will cover but we all have our favourites - shows which let us relax in a different world and chill a little. So which is your favourite new world?
Shark Attacks
This is the second series of the awarding winning US legal drama Shark, which stars the legend that is James Woods ably supported by the likes of Jeri Ryan, Sophina Brown, Sarah Carter, Henry Simmons and Danielle Panabaker.
The first series saw viewing figures rise steadily as we followed the life and times of Sebastian Stark played by James Brown. This legal eagle had passed over from the defence arena to that of state prosecutor and while he does not do everything by the “book”, he has a success rate which few in the business can match.
Tonight’s episode sees Stark looking into the death of an investigative journalist, a murder which opens up a Pandora’s Box of scandal and intrigue. The murder sees a fitness trainer pulled in for questioning before a corrupt medical examiner appears on the scene, at which point the fun really begins. Murder, intrigue, scandal and suspense - Shark really has everything, and all in just sixty minutes.
The show has been a massive success in the States and was responsible for the re-launching of James Woods career. The acting is excellent from all of those involved, the stories will keep you on the edge of your seat and you will not know who actually “did it” until the very end and whether they will pay the price.
While CBS in the States originally bought just 22 episodes of Shark, they were soon persuaded that the show had a real future and commissioned the second series. It has been moved into a prime time slot in the US and Channel 5 has given it a top slot in the UK. When you consider that the likes of Law and Order is one of the longest running shows on TV, there’s no reason why we can’t see an extended life for Shark.
Disappearing London
London is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, and has a history packed with interesting stories and details. Disappearing London takes a look at what made London what it is today and the problems which the traditional elements may face in the future. The programme takes a look at the London of old - the last of the capital’s rag-and-bone men, the traditional hatter’s shops which have adorned the city for centuries, and the Italian coffee houses that are still around today and may be under threat.
London has a population of over 7 million but this number is much higher when you consider the surrounding areas and new suburbs. Interestingly, the capital has a sub-economy and a sub-climate all of its own, with numerous research projects revealing that the city absorbs heat in the day time and emits it at night.
It will be interesting to see exactly what is happening to our great capital city, and how its history impacts on the metropolis we see today.
Hollyoaks Teaser
Tangled love lives are taking their toll on the residents of Hollyoaks this week, not least for Steph who is worried that Max will find out about her kiss with Niall. Of course this being Soapland it’s not long before her secret is a secret no more. When Mercedes blabs all in Il Gnosh, Dominic feels it is his duty to tell Max. With a devastated Max refusing to listen to Steph’s explanation, could this be the end for the duo’s relationship?
Kieron finds his friendship with Niall put to the test after Niall finds out about his affair with John Paul. Niall promises to keep quiet about the relationship, but it may not make much difference anyway. As Kieron tells a gutted John Paul that he’s not willing to sacrifice his vocation for him, they’re both unaware that Michaela has heard every word.
Elsewhere there’s a new man about the town - Rafi, whose cocky attitude gets him the doorman job at The Loft. When he drops by The Dog later in the week, he finds Darren reducing shifts for his staff. And when a nervous Darren asks for the payment for putting Jake in the frame for Sean’s murder, Rafi realises that life in a small village is more interesting than he expected…
Coronation Street Teaser
There’s all kinds of building-related drama going on in Weatherfield this week, mainly concerning the Peacock-Webster house exchange. Sally excitedly gets to work planning the decor for her new home, ignoring the minor fact that the property is not hers yet - but then Claire throws a spanner in the works by claiming that the Websters owe them more money. It looks like the exchange is in danger of falling through - unless the bickering women can put their differences aside…
More progress is being made regarding Liz and Harry’s secret relationship. Harry claims that he and Liz are just friends, but Dan is not convinced. When he ‘accidentally’ tells Steve that Harry and Liz are having a cosy dinner in the flat, Steve is incensed and heads round there to have it out with Liz. Is he going to find her cheating on Vernon?
Michelle returns from Ireland to discover that Leanne is the Rovers’ latest barmaid - how will she cope with the competition? Molly and Tyrone have an argument over their house’s stone cladding, while the Barlows face chaos after their lounge ceiling springs a leak. Paul decides on drastic measures to avoid justice, much to Molly’s concern. And Roy is unamused when Becky and Jason patch things up.
Emmerdale Teaser
Doug attempts to smooth the troubled waters between Ashley and Laurel this week, but to no avail. Fortunately, hope for the couple comes in the form of the Bishop, whose advice that the children will suffer encourages them to talk. But when no common ground can be found, Laurel retreats to Betty’s - leaving Ashley to fend for himself.
Meanwhile, Andy, already furious with Debbie’s continued presence in Sarah’s life, is sent over the edge by Jo’s defiant attitude regarding the future of the goats. When Jo ends up in hospital with a broken wrist, Andy lies to a concerned Diane that Jo fell - but the truth is that he’s broken his promise never to hit his wife again. Has Andy’s quick temper ended his marriage?
Elsewhere, things get worse for Viv and Bob as the police investigation into Freddie’s disappearance continues and their business begins to suffer. Viv decides to take matters into her own hands by paying a key witness a visit - but the woman’s testimony seems to throw serious doubt on Viv’s claims of innocence.
Also this week, Val’s attempts to win the Woolpack the coveted title of Village Pub of the Year are thwarted when the Dingles steal its furniture. Katie is not happy when Gray comes to an arrangement with Perdy - and is even more disturbed when she catches him in a compromising situation with her. Pollard frets about Val’s extravagant wedding plans. Jo gets some good news. And Gabby’s behaviour worries Ashley - but has surprising consequences…
Neighbours Teaser
Poor Toadie is living proof that the path of true love never runs smoothly. He has already endured heartbreak after his wife Dee perished in a wedding-day tragedy, and now it looks like his rocky romance with Steph might be heading for disaster. When the big day finally dawns, a nervous Toadie is convinced that he’s going to be jilted… but everyone is stunned when Steph turns out to be the one left at the altar.
Susan is also having a bad week after pushing herself too far in order to give a reading at the wedding. Angrily rejecting her family’s advice to take it easy, Susan realises that they were right when she collapses at the rehearsal and is rushed to hospital. Karl wants his wife to seek specialist care at an MS retreat - will she see sense after this latest drama and listen to the good doctor?
Elsewhere, Toadie’s week gets even worse after his precious pooch Bob is the victim of a hit-and-run – thanks to Frazer, who was rushing to Rosie’s side after hearing that she had collapsed. Will this disaster force Rosie to reveal that she is in the family way? Paul is faced with temptation in the foxy form of Kirsten, while Oliver and Mia’s secret affair is exposed. Marco makes a confession to Carmella, and Rebecca receives some information that could have dramatic consequences for Steph.
EastEnders Teaser
The green-eyed monster makes an appearance in Albert Square this week as Sean notices that Jack and Tanya seem to be becoming more than just friends. The pair have been growing closer ever since Max left, and it all gets a bit much for Sean when he clocks them flirting and flies into a jealous rage.
It’s not all bad news for Cupid though - it looks like there may be love in the air as Minty and Heather begin to bond. Could the big lug actually be falling for the karaoke queen? Unfortunately things take a turn for the worse when a heartbroken Heather catches her daft beau kissing another woman. While Heather tries to make sense of this latest drama, a chastened Minty is distressed to realise the pain that he has caused her.
There is also drama for Chelsea this week, as her birthday brings an unpleasant surprise. Garry’s head is in the clouds as he rues his missed opportunity with the air hostess. Darren and Libby kiss and make up. Zainab cooks a special meal for her family. And Roxy continues to struggle with her news.
