Mikey's Tent of Reality

Bad weather

2009-06-09T12:36:00.006+01:00

Several years ago, the BBC London radio station had a couple of women who read out the travel news - one was called Jules Wilson and another was Kate Allen. A few years later, both started to appear in vision on the London television bulletins. From this, it was apparent that Jules had a better face for television, but both were competent enough.

But now Kate is used to present the weather as well. Why? She has no professional background as a meteorologist, thereby undermining the the authority of BBC Weather presenters. She has evidently tried to improve her looks, but she's no Laura Tobin. So why not just let the news presenter read out the weather instead? I'm sure Louisa Preston could do it perfectly well.

Not Fair

2009-05-18T20:59:00.005+01:00

Popular music singer Lily Allen has declared that she is certain to vote Labour at the next General Election.

What is it that she likes about Gordon Brown? Could it be that he treats her with respect? Does he say he loves her all the time and maybe call her 15 times a day? Perhaps Lily has never previously met a man who has made her feel so secure, unlike other boys who are so dumb and immature?

But Lily, Gordon IS NO GOOD !!

It's such a shame.

"Slightly scary" Julia

2009-04-21T22:32:00.008+01:00

Having been cleared of any impropriety over the free flights issue, Julia Bradbury returned as a presenter on Watchdog yesterday. Julia, who is now 2 years older than was previously thought, was the first female presenter on Channel 5 in 1997. She is also known for her opposition to inheritance tax and her heavy periods. And she is also on Countryfile, and spends lots of time walking along old railways.

In the new Radio Times, TV editor Alison Graham describes Bradbury as "slightly scary". Er, this is Alison Graham talking.

Wait for Darling

2009-04-20T19:25:00.005+01:00

Although it is later in the year than usual, the Chancellor Alistair Darling will not deliver his Budget for another couple of days. But that hasn't stopped speculation or spin masquerading as news in the media. In the past, there was no advance notification of what would be announced. Like the Queen's Christmas message to the Commonwealth, there was rightly great secrecy before the announcement.

But those days appear to be gone. What's the point of all the advance bluster? Let's just wait until the Budget speech is actually delivered. Some might suggest the premature leaks are a deliberate Government ploy to distract attention from all its failings, which are far too numerous to list here.

Clever students

2009-02-27T17:10:00.005Z

Mikey has written before about the appeal of University Challenge being diminished by the high quantity of older students participating. Somehow it isn't so impressive to answer questions correctly when you have had longer in life to acquire knowledge. It is even more dubious when the "students" concerned are, er, not actually students. Mikey is obviously too old and too stupid to appear on this show, but he reckons the questions have been generally easier this series than in the past.

The latest series has finished this week, and much fuss has been made about Gail Trimble, the captain of the triumphant Corpus Christi, Oxford team. She is 26, so she is not old, but is more senior than the student stereotype. But she appears to have been criticised by some people who are clearly far less clever and (by all accounts) nice than Miss Trimble.

And I'm sure the same can be said about those who have criticised another student who appeared this series. Pathetic. Just because one of the Queens' team was called Mingers.

Prescott is back

2009-02-13T18:49:00.002Z

This month, John Prescott was a guest on Jeremy Vine's Radio 2 show. The BBC website currently links to this from the network's homepage.

Just one thing - Prescott is no longer the Deputy Prime Minister.

2008 in review

2008-12-30T15:36:00.004Z

So as the year draws to a close, it is time to take stock of what has happened in the world.

In politics, Labour slumped in the spring and summer, but recovered in the autumn, as it appears that there will be an economic downturn of catastrophic magnitude - even though the Prime Minister himself is largely responsible. Nick Clegg has survived his first year as leader of the Liberal Democrats, although his most memorable activities have been his boasts of no more than 30 sexual partners, and suggesting that £30 was the weekly state pension. The Conservatives must not be complacent over the next few months - there is a lot to do.

In music, Mikey tipped Gabriella Cilmi back in Ferbruary, and her brilliant single Sweet About Me finally reached the Top 10 four months later. The Ting Tings too were a breath of fresh air. Madonna had yet another chart topper with 4 Minutes, but her most recent single Miles Away made only number 39, bringing her remarkable record of consecutive Top 20 singles to an end. But the best song of the year was probably Mykonos by Fleet Foxes - will it finally become a hit in 2009?

And in the media, Blue Peter recovered from its loss of presenters and, apart from its initial mess-up over its theme tune, it has been on good form this autumn, allowing for the obvious cut in budget. Top of the Pops was not revived as a weekly show, but its Christmas show was the best for years, so there is still hope!

Zoe Salmon is sighted again

2008-11-07T23:04:00.010Z

We haven't heard much of Zoe Salmon since she left Blue Peter in June. Apart from a photo with other female presenters, she didn't seem to play much of a part in the recent 50th anniversary celebrations.

But now she has gone to a party to celebrate the release of a Coronation Street DVD. And this has brought a whopping 200 comments on the Daily Mail website. Only one, from "John" in Cambridge" makes a sensible point by praising former editor Richard Marson, although the article itself misspells it as "Marsden", a sloppy mistake also made by the Times and Independent. Other comments are less generous, and refer to Zoe's "saggy" breasts. Alternative evidence can be found here. Meanwhile, bitchy journalist Jan Moir has blamed Zoe "for the appalling rise of adolescent sexual delinquency in this country." Mikey is all in favour of decent standards, but Moir is just jealous.

The truth behind the Ross/Brand fisaco

2008-11-03T20:39:00.004Z

Much has been said elsewhere about the unacceptable behaviour of Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand on the latter's Radio 2 show. But two points perhaps have not been stressed enough.

Firstly, Lesley Douglas resigned as Controller of Radio 2 last week. She has been praised by many people as a fantastic BBC executive. Yet it was she who employed Brand in the first place, despite the warnings of Paul Gambacinni, even though Brand was clearly unsuitable for Radio 2. Those praising her have often been those who were employed by her, or others who wanted to suck up to someone in a very influential position. But, in truth, virtually every scheduling change since she became Controller has been for the worse: Dermot O'Leary, Elaine Paige, Alan Titchmarsh, Brand, Brian D'Arcy, Pete Mitchell - all dreadful or at best mediocre. The only good appointments have been Mark Radcliffe, Chris Evans and (perhaps) Steve Lamacq.

Secondly, the BBC is under considerable pressure over this incident, and it needs people to defend it. But those who in the past would have rushed to the BBC's defence have been far more reluctant to do so this time. And here's why. The BBC has shown no loyalty to its viewers who have stuck with it for decades. Blue Peter has been dumbed down and had its budget cut, abandoning many of its traditions in the process. And Top of the Pops has now seen its Christmas Day edition abolished. If the BBC treats its loyal supporters with such contempt, it shouldn't be surprised when there's nobody left to speak up for it. BBC bosses, don't say you weren't warned.

Labour minister says something sensible

2008-10-17T16:40:00.004+01:00

The Ting Tings have called for the return of Top of the Pops. They are quite right, of course. As a weekly source and chronicle of mainstream contemporary music and fashion, the programme fulfilled a unique function, and should never have been axed in the first place. The Ting Tings' comments echo those of Culture Secretary Andy Burnham earlier this month - although with the current climate at the BBC, if it were brought back it would probably come from Glasgow which wouldn't quite be right; top programmes should come from London, because it is the centre of where things are happening.

Maybe the Ting Tings will at least get their chance on the Christmas edition of the show this year.

Blue Peter out of tune

2008-10-11T19:59:00.004+01:00

Congrtaulations to Blue Peter on reaching its 50th birthday. There are lots of celebratory shows and features this month to celebrate, and rightly so. And the new female presenter isn't bad either! But Mikey has noticed that the rearrrangement of the theme music ("Barnacle Bill") is, er, actually a different tune altogether! See here for the full story.

Not saved by the bell

2008-09-10T22:04:00.003+01:00

After over 30 years, next Monday sees the final episode of Grange Hill. The show had two golden eras: the original Tucker and Trisha stories in the first four series, and the Zammo years of the mid-eighties. In recent years, the programme has been diluted considerably, especially in the final series, although the original "Chicken Man" theme music has been restored after a gap of 20 years.

It's nice that Tucker Jenkins is to make an appearance in the final episode, but in reality the show does not have the same sense of realism that terrified youngsters in the late 70s. It is impossible to have any respect for any of the teacher characters, who are joke figures. But who would bet against a new series of Tucker's Luck, showing Jenkins as a pensioner, in 25 years time?

McCain picks Sarah Palin

2008-08-29T17:47:00.002+01:00

There's been so much media attention on Barack Obama in recent months that it is easy to forget that the Republican candidate is standing against him. Coupled with this earlier in the year, the prospect was raised that Hilary Clinton could have been the first female President of the USA.

But now McCain has picked Sarah Palin, a former beuaty queen, as his running mate. Mrs Palin's husband is a world champion snowmachine racer, whatever that is. And who knows, maybe she will one day end up being President? She's got more chance than Geraldine Farrago anyway!

Blue Peter presenter WAGs it up

2008-08-28T13:09:00.003+01:00

It has been revealed that the new female Blue Peter presenter, brought in to replace Zoe Salmon, is a 25-year-old from Cumbria called Helen Skelton. Apparently, she is a SWAG because she is dating a Scottish footballer. But how can an individual woman be both a wife AND a girlfriend? And is that an appropriate way to describe someone, as it doesn't really describe her own achievements. She has plenty of those, including holding a discussion on phallic soap.

And she is reported as being "perfect for Blue Peter - sexy, bubbly and up for anything." Er, I thought that Blue Peter was now aimed at under-12s? So how is this perfect?

Olympic Ring Piece

2008-08-24T21:10:00.005+01:00

As the Olympics close in China, the attention of the world turns to London, as it becomes the Host City for the 2012 Games.

Yet amid all the excitement and celebration, with the Mayor of London Boris Johnson waving the Olympic flag and sharing a stage with Gordon Brown, Tessa Jowell, Sebastian Coe, David Beckham and, er, Colin Moynihan, the good news has been overshadowed by an image of child murderer Myra Hindley.

The footage was shown on giant screens at a London 2012 party in Beijing. The screens had been showing a direct feed from BBC1 of the concert outside Buckingham Palace. When this ended, the screens were still showing BBC1, a repeat of Allo Allo. Then someone decided to put up a video from Visit London, which featured the image of the Moors Murderer. Hardly an appropriate way to promote London.

Visit London has released a statement saying that nobody has complained before. But don't worry, because it is "committed to the implementation of an effective environmental management system that will not only reduce the impact of our activities on the environment but also increase our efficiency and effectiveness."

So it's OK, they've got their priorities right!

Glasgow kiss

2008-07-25T11:11:00.002+01:00

The Scottish Nationalists have scored a stunning victory over Labour in the Glasgow East by-election. The Prime Minister has responded by stressing that he is getting on with the job. Which is what he said after Labour's defeat at Crewe and Nantwich. And also after falling to 5th place at Henley.

Meanwhile, the BBC News graphic can't tell the difference between the Liberal Democrats (who lost their deposit in Glasgow East after falling to 4th place) and the SNP. Well, their party colours are fairly similar, I suppose!

Super Glue Stunt

2008-07-23T18:56:00.003+01:00

A student at a Scottish university has tried to glue himself to the Prime Minister at a reception in Downing Street.

Apparently he was invited to Number 10 because of his "protesting work". Really? What sort of reason is this? And he whinged that the Prime Minister didn't seem to take him seriously. I wonder why!

Plane Stupid, that's what.

How to be a popular Brit at Wimbledon

2008-07-05T18:00:00.005+01:00

Now that Tim Henman has retired, the British media have been trying to promote Andy Murray as the new home-grown hope. And the fact that he has already achieved such a high world ranking means that he is not without talent.

But Mikey has yet to meet anyone who likes him. Maybe it's his unpleasant demeanour on court. Or because his playing style is not as graceful as Henman. It could be the sight of his mother in the crowd supporting him. Or maybe it's because he's Scottish, so he reminds people of Gordon Brown.

The complete opposite is Laura Robson, the first winner of the Girls' Singles since Annabel Croft in 1984 - ten years before Laura was even born! She smiles, is polite and witty in interviews - and she is a British winner (although she was born in Australia). Let's hope she becomes a major force in the Ladies game in years to come - and that she continues to enjoy it!

Zoe Salmon leaves Blue Peter

2008-06-22T21:52:00.009+01:00

Right from the beginning of this blog, the most popular posts (in terms of numbers of hits and comments) have been about Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon. See here for a picture of Zoe with one of the previous cats, and click here to see her with Gordon Brown and in a bikini (but not in the same picture). For political balance, here she is earlier this year in the Houses of Parliament with David Cameron.

But this week, after three and a half years, she is leaving the programme, on the same day that her co-presenter Gethin Jones leaves too. That will leave only one presenter left, Andy Akinwolere. At this rate, the programme will have difficulty reaching its 50th birthday in October! And this is on the day that we learn that Valerie Singleton had a fling with her co-presenter Peter Purves! Say what you like about declining standards, I'm sure that sort of thing doesn't happen these days!

42 days, 42 nights?

2008-06-19T21:23:00.006+01:00

Former shadow home secretary David Davis has now resigned as an MP to fight a by-election, in protest at the Labour government's attitude towards civil liberties. But now the Labour Culture Secretary Andy Burnham (best known for his alleged fondness for wearing make-up) has suggested that Davis was influenced by "late night, heart-melting" phone calls to Shami Chakrabarti of Liberty.

Clearly, Burnham has got nothing concrete to say, so is reduced to making pathetic smears and innuendo about two married public figures. Naturally, Chakrabarti is not amused by this behaviour. But the BBC seems to be emphasising suspicion by putting certain statements in quote marks, thereby fuelling speculation:

She said she had known Mr Davis "for a few years" and the pair had "worked together" professionally.

It's Labour and the BBC who are taking a real liberty with this one.

Obama gets the hip hop vote

2008-06-09T21:02:00.003+01:00

The Independent today reports that Democrat Presidential candidate Barack Obama has secured the vote of the hip hop community, including such rappers as Nas, P Diddy, Mos Def and Jay-Z.

Perhaps Mos Def provides the most compelling endorsement of Obama, in the lyrics to his seminal work, "The Rape Over"

"All white men is runnin this rap sh*t
Corporate forces runnin this rap sh*t
Setae israli is runnin this rap sh*t
Quasi-homosexuals is runnin this rap sh*t"

You've got to admit, he's got a point. Obama must be pleased to have his backing. How can John McCain compete against this?

Red Dawn alert

2008-05-19T19:08:00.003+01:00

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo has been on the television and radio quite a bit over the past day or two, talking about hybrid embryo science.

Well, I say she has been doing this, but listening to her voice and her patronising tone, I tend to think: "can't the government get anybody better to present their case than this whiny social science graduate?"

Dawn of course was in the Treasury for a decade under the then Chancellor Gordon Brown, where she was responsible for the disaster of the tax credits system.

On a totally unrelated subject, you don't hear much from John Reid these days, do you?

Crewe & Nantwich - the race is on

2008-05-06T16:41:00.002+01:00

Following the death last month of veteran Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody, the by-election in her old constituency will be held in a couple of weeks. It is likely to be a close-fought contest.

One of the candidates is apparently Miss Great Britain. The 26-year-old, Gemma Garrett, comes from Belfast.

Er, then why is she Miss Great Britain?

Triumph for Boris, but the Left are in denial

2008-05-04T16:39:00.005+01:00

The local elections on Thursday were a triumph for the Conservatives, and particularly for the new Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. But it was a disaster for Labour, and the Left are in denial over their decisive rejection.

Things were not helped by the Guardian's absurd piece of vitriol about Boris on polling day itself. Today John Rentoul in the Independent has a ridiculous forecast that Boris will undermine David Cameron's chances in future. This is reinforced by an inaccurate piece by Jane Merrick which repeats the lie that Boris was sacked from the shadow cabinet; he was never in it to begin with, merely a frontbench spokesman.

Pressure is growing on Gordon Brown, after a feeble performance in television interviews today. He says that he will "listen" - well, if so, hear what the people are telling you, Gordon. Go now and call a General Election so that we can be rid of you and your discredited government!

Gordon's 10p situation

2008-04-22T18:52:00.002+01:00

With the Prime Minister in trouble over the scrapping of the 10p tax band, The Times helpfully publishes today the likelihood of the three possible scenarios.

The worst case has a likelihood of 1 in 10. The best case is 4 in 10. And the middle case is 8 in 10. So the total likelihood of all three options is 13 in 10.

With that sort of arithmetic, maybe they should advise Gordon?