Feb 25 2008
May 12 2007
57 channels
While waiting eagerly[1] for the Eurovision[2] to begin earlier today I was flicking between Remarkable Vets[3] and The Culture Show[4] Neither were all that good or gripping, but I’d already watched American Idol[5] so my expectations weren’t too high[6] The Culture Show had some entertaining segments, like how Tom & Jerry inspired a classical pianist when he was only 2, that sort of rubbish, but then it also had a segment giving out about the various crap shows[7] that go to make up much of the television schedule. You know, that who will star in this musical, the Beeb are trying to find Joseph while ITV are looking for a Sandra and a Danny for Grease. Neither of these reality shows is much good. I’ve seen a grand total of part of Grease is the Word and I wasn’t impressed, but you know what my solution to this was? Yup, I didn’t watch it again[8]
Now I can appreciate that this TV critic dude[9] has to watch television as part of his job, but can’t he simply say that this or that is shite and explain why without being reduced to insulting people? I’ve no problem with making bitchy comments about people on the telly[10] But making those comments while on telly yourself is just mean and nasty[11] Especially considering that these people[12] are never going to be famous, and that the shows are exploiting them. Plus there is nothing really offensive about any of them. So taking cheap shots at them just doesn’t seem fair to me. It isn’t as if they have any way to reply to the accusation that they are “real people” and so aren’t glamorous.
And yes, the whole notion of having the Josephs parade around in their loincloths in front of their mothers was odd[13] but, if you[14] actually engaged your brain you might have figured out that they’ll have to wear those on stage if they make it, and what better way to see how they react[15] than by surprising them like that?
I wouldn’t have minded if yer man had been funny with it, because that can be laughed off, but he wasn’t. Trying, yes, he was trying to be humorous. Didn’t succeed though.
I do appreciate Mr. Critic’s view that reality TV is shite, but shouldn’t you give out about the people who are entertained by these mindless drivel rather than by the performers themselves? Can’t you just not watch it, make no mention of it, stop feeding the publicity machine, and maybe they’ll fade away. And if they don’t, stop moaning, television is about providing entertainment, and if people are entertained by shite then that is what they’ll get. When will people cop on to the fact that if you don’t like watching something you do have the option of turning off the telly? No one is holding a gun to your head forcing you to sit on your coach staring at that magic box in the corner. If you don’t like the show turn over; if you don’t like any of the shows turn it off and fucking do something else[16]
Linknotes:
Tags: American Idol, Eurovision, reality TV, Remarkable Vets, telly, The Culture Show- do I lie? ↩
- Cover your ears ↩
- Nat Geo Wile show ↩
- BBC show ↩
- Blake shoulda gone, he was crap ↩
- or non-existent ↩
- like Idol ↩
- - yes, I am aware that I watched Idol and it is exactly the same type of show, thank you ↩
- I cant remember his name ↩
- espeically Idol and X Factor auditions ↩
- rather than behind their back, hmmm, not sure this makes sense ↩
- the musical wannabes, obviously Idol peoples may ↩
- and freaky and strange and disturbing ↩
- you the critic dude, not you the blog reader ↩
- Good lord, do you realise that I am defending a shite reality show, what has the world come to ↩
- - reminding me of this at a later stage will not prevent me from moaning and giving our when I find nothing to watch and end up flicking for years ↩
Related posts
May 18 2006
Feel The Rhythm
Tonight, is the night, that Brian Kennedy[1] proves once and for all that Ireland will no longer win at Eurovision. He’ll sing whatever it is he is going to sing[2] and the judges will point and laugh and we will not make it through the semi-finals tonight.
Oh yes, this is the week of European competition. Last night was the Champions League. Sat. sees the rugby. But sport is nothing when compared to the music of The Eurovision Song Contest!
And soon, you Americans might be lucky enough to be able to watch this wonderous show[3] wherein countries send their most gifted talents into battle. Determined to prove once and for all who has mastery of the “european music verse.” Armed only with gaudy costumes and terrible songs we[4] will watch as they fight to the death[5]
The Eurovision is one of those shows that I’m always made aware its on, like The Rose of Tralee but never watch it, I prefer to laugh at it, and it possible should have been retired to pasture a long while ago. But, people enjoy it. They watch and listen and enjoy. Not I. No. Never.[6]
Linknotes:
Tags: Brian Kennedy, Eurovision, shudderificly bad- Do not click this link. Run away! Run Away! ↩
- thankfully I have not heard it. Or if I have I have wiped that memory clean ↩
- link stolen from The Sheila Variations ↩
- not me though. I gave up sometime in the early 90s ↩
- - if only, then I’d really hope Brian Kennedy got through ↩
- - Oh, okay, maybe some flicking and chortling will occur, but that is it ↩
Related posts
Mar 13 2006
Dream, and don’t be afraid the dream’s not real
Isn’t nostalgia fucking great?
I can remember, way back in 1987 when I was 8, coming home from school on the bus, singing Hold Me Now. Belting it out, like it was the best song ever.
And so, inspired by the comments to that little fic I bring to you Hol Me Now, in wma format. Enjoy 
And in case you want to sing along, I give you lyrics:
Don’t… don’t close your heart to how you feel
Dream, and don’t be afraid the dream’s not real
Close your eyes, pretend it’s just the two of us again
Make believe this moment’s here to stay
Touch… touch me the way you used to do
I know tonight could be all I’ll have with you
From now on, you’ll be with someone else instead of me
So tonight, let’s fill this memory
For the last time -
Hold me now
Don’t cry, don’t say a word
Just hold me now
And I will know -
Though we’re apart, we’ll always be together
Forever in love
What do you say when words are not enough?
Time… time will be kind once we’re apart
And your tears… tears will have no place in your heart
I wish I… I could say how much I’ll miss you when you’re gone
How my love for you will go on and on and
Hold me now
Don’t cry, don’t say a word
Just hold me now
And try to understand that
I hope at last you’ve found
What you’ve been searchin’ for
And though I won’t be there anymore
I will always love you
(Hold me now)
(Don’t cry,) don’t say a word
Just hold me now
And I will know -
Though we’re apart, we’ll always be together
Forever in love
What do you say when words are not enough?
What can I say?
Now my words are not enough
Related posts
Nov 14 2005
JUST PLAY THE F***ING NOTE!!!
Sometimes things are just so horrific you have to back away from the very thought. I mean, we all know that the Eurovision is car-crash tv. We all know the songs are rubbish. Nobody watches to be entertained by how good the performances are. The worse they are the better. But RTE have gone too far this time.
After the performance of the Irish brother and sister[1] last year, where they failed to qualify, RTE made the wise choice of not using “You’re a Star” to choose this year’s entrance. Trouble is, they’ve gone and picked Brian Kennedy!
I mean, come on!
To the many readers[2] who haven’t heard of Brian Kennedy - I congratulate you. Supposedly one of Ireland’s most popular artists[3] do you really think he’d agree to enter the Eurovision Song Contest if he was any good?
Every year that episode of Father Ted looks more and more realistic. Is it a mere coincidence that the fella quoted in the Irish Times today is Linehan? hmmmm
And while I’m mentioning Irish comedy did you know that all three videos by D’Unbelievables are now out on the one dvd.
Linknotes:
Tags: Brian Kennedy, car-crash tv, Eurovision, RTE