Contains mild spoilers Welcome to this feature-length installment of the Retroscopic Roundup - where I look back over the week's entertainment to see how varied it's been (or not), and to keep track of where I am with the various programmes I've got on the go. Scroll past the diary if you want to read the ‘Story … Continue reading Week 6: Ditching the streaming algorithms and building my playlist
Week 3 of ditching the algorithms to curate my own classic TV lineup
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
Review: My Favourite Doctor Who Audio Spin-offs
Contains mild spoilers Jago and Litefoot Starring Christopher Benjamin and Trevor Baxter. 13 x 4-part full-cast series released as ‘box sets’ from 2010 – 2017 by various writers. Henry Gordon Jago (Benjamin) is a theatre impresario, master of ceremonies, a booker of talents, and king of the art of alliteration. His best friend is Professor … Continue reading Review: My Favourite Doctor Who Audio Spin-offs
Week 2: Build a Better TV Guide – Ditching the algorithms to curate my own lineup
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 … Continue reading Week 2: Build a Better TV Guide – Ditching the algorithms to curate my own lineup
Retroscopic Round-up: My Week of Self-Curated Classic British TV
Contains mild spoilers When linear television was at its height in the UK, I had my own schedule. I’d flit between channels to catch my favourite programmes, and use things from my own video-cassette collection when there was nothing else worth watching. I had my own schedule: a personal routine of programmes, slotted in perfectly … Continue reading Retroscopic Round-up: My Week of Self-Curated Classic British TV
Obscure Drama – Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill (Network DVD Review)
Contains mild spoilers I collect the DVDs released by Network, even things I wouldn't necessarily have a desire to watch, or even knew existed. I picked up Edward and Mrs Simpson starring Edward Fox, in my local charity shop. It was £1, so at the very least I'd get a DVD with a Network badge … Continue reading Obscure Drama – Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill (Network DVD Review)
Savouring the sublime: Colvil and Soames (Full-Cast Audiobook review)
Contains mild spoilers Savouring things is a constant problem for me. It basically means delaying the moment I reach the end of a story—sometimes to the absolute limit. I was savouring Colvil and Soames, an audio drama starring Amanda Redman and Christopher Benjamin. But I was worried I’d lose the thrust of the story if … Continue reading Savouring the sublime: Colvil and Soames (Full-Cast Audiobook 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
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!)
