This time, I take a look at two examples of BBC Radio's classic series starring June Whitfield as Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple. Miss Marple - At Bertram’s Hotel I love Agatha Christie’s books, but I used to have problem with Miss Marple. Something about a lady of senior years who earwigs conversations that seemed a … Continue reading Agatha Christie full-cast audio review: At Bertram’s Hotel and A Caribbean Mystery
Porridge – The surprising facts behind this book based on the classic comedy
A quick look at a book based on the prison-based comedy series, Porridge. This paperback book of the BBC's Porridge was adapted by Jonathan Marshall from Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais’s television scripts. Inside, each of the seven chapters are re-tellings of the television episodes, starting with the 'unofficial' pilot episode, Prisoner and Escort … Continue reading Porridge – The surprising facts behind this book based on the classic comedy
The Omega Factor book
A quick look at The Omega Factor paperback published in 1979. The back cover text: There is a highly-secret government organisation called Department 7. Its existence is known only to the Prime Minister and some members of the Cabinet. Its brief is to investigate the Supernatural—to discover the Omega Factor. Journalist Tom Crane has been … Continue reading The Omega Factor book
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
Untangling Red Dwarf on Audio, Bill Bailey and more
It should perhaps come as no surprise that sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf is the latest TV series to get a soundtrack release. Available to download from November 20 on Audible, the soundtrack of Red Dwarf I to VIII comes amid a resurgence in TV soundtracks, joining recently released comedy classics Are You Being Served (February … Continue reading Untangling Red Dwarf on Audio, Bill Bailey and more
