Contains mild spoilers The schedule is a bit different this week, knocked off course by seemingly-endless work promoting my new self-published book, (Phil's Marvellous Machine and Other Stories, available here). How did I manage the diversions, deviations and distractions? Scroll past the preamble to find out. The Story So Far... When linear television was at … Continue reading Week 3 of ditching the algorithms to curate my own classic TV lineup
It’s a Gas! All Gas and Gaiters on DVD and Beyond (A Heavenly Review)
5 Series / 33 Episodes / Original television broadcast 1967 - 1971 / BBC Television Spoiler-free review Between 1968 and 1971, "All Gas and Gaiters" was one of the highest-rated and well-loved shows on television. Set around the fictional Cathedral of Saint Og’s, the series follows The Bishop (William Mervyn) in his attempts to run … Continue reading It’s a Gas! All Gas and Gaiters on DVD and Beyond (A Heavenly Review)
The Daleks’ Master Plan – The Surreal Dream Begins
Where does a lifelong fan of Doctor Who even begin to describe the thrill of anticipation before watching two old but new episodes of my favourite programme on a bank holiday afternoon? Turning up sixty years after their original broadcast, two episodes of the twelve-part Doctor Who story, The Daleks' Master Plan are available to … Continue reading The Daleks’ Master Plan – The Surreal Dream Begins
Review: 1960s Drama Special Branch
Special Branch was highly popular during its tenure as Thames TV's top police show from 1969-1970 and 1973-1974. I had limited knowledge about the series before watching it but vaguely remembered reading about the various changes the show underwent, many of which are evident in Series 1 and 2. The action is centered on members … Continue reading Review: 1960s Drama Special Branch
Outside Edge , Central TV’s cricketing comedy
The BAFTA-winning Outside Edge (made by Central for ITV) is a gentle comedy-drama about a sub-league cricket team captained by Roger Dervish (Robert Daws), assisted by his wife Mim (Brenda Blethyn). Their lives become entwined with a married couple who are vastly different. Kevin (Timothy Spall) and Maggie (Josie Lawrence) couldn’t be more different. It's … Continue reading Outside Edge , Central TV’s cricketing comedy
The Bill & I Part 7: Is the quality slipping? I feel a sob coming on
Continuing to watch the earliest years of the long-running British police drama, The Bill. Since the last entry in this viewing diary, I have watched another five episodes. Before I started this watch-through, I wondered if channels like UK Gold avoided repeating the earliest episodes of The Bill for a specific reason. Maybe these episodes … Continue reading The Bill & I Part 7: Is the quality slipping? I feel a sob coming on
Network DVD review: The Tyrant King – A psychedelic journey across swinging 60’s London
In 1968, Thames Television tested the feasibility of having another in-house production team, making programmes without the use of studios. The 'second unit' would be entirely on location and recorded entirely on Film. Eventually, this set-up became Euston Films, responsible for many films and television shows including The Sweeney and Minder. The Tyrant King was … Continue reading Network DVD review: The Tyrant King – A psychedelic journey across swinging 60’s London
The Bill and I: Part Two – ‘Woodentop’ (At last!)
I feel like a Ghostbuster today. Not because I’ve converted my car into Ecto-1 or because I’ve strapped on a proton back to zap some nasties into ectoplasm. I’m not that kind of ghostbuster. More of an exorcist. Today I’m laying a ghost to rest., or starting the process of. For years I used to … Continue reading The Bill and I: Part Two – ‘Woodentop’ (At last!)
Series Retrospective: The Man in Room 17 – More Than Just a Cool Title?
On the surface, we can say The Man in Room 17 is about two criminologists solving mysteries and uncovering crime from a secret room somewhere in Whitehall (London). Frequently extending the limits or interpretation of their brief, they are the epitome of faceless suits in grey buildings. Nestled in the grey areas between the police … Continue reading Series Retrospective: The Man in Room 17 – More Than Just a Cool Title?
From the archive: Edward & Mrs Simpson DVD review
Ever since Network DVD went into administration in 2023, I have made it my mission to pick up releases from their back catalogue wherever I see one that might appeal to me - for a sensible price of course. Generally speaking, I don’t like biopics. I’m not especially enamored with the Royal Family, and truthfully … Continue reading From the archive: Edward & Mrs Simpson DVD review
