GOOD TV

[Gloria]

We started to watch Trespasses on ch4 last night, gave up after about 15 mins, neither of us could tell a word they were saying, very strong Irish accent, and a lot of muttering. Was it just our age or did anyone else suffer it?

[Stanley]

I'm sure I would have had the same problem Gloria.

[Big Kev]

Empire with David Olusoga on iPlayer. Fascinating series about the British Empire.
The last 5 minutes of episode 3 are particularly interesting.

[Tripps]

Read what Simon Webb has to say about Olusoga. He is less than impressed.

When I come to power - it will become illegal for professional snooker players to wear brightly coloured T shirts with lots or writing all over them . Most undignified for such a game. What would Joe Davis have said? . . . .

[Stanley]

I agree about snooker player's dress David. Personally I think the rot set in when black shirts were first allowed,,,,,,

[Stanley]

Yesterday I treated myself to Star Trek the Movie and really enjoyed the revisit.....

[Big Kev]

For those with Netflix, the 8 part series The Beast in Me is worth a watch, lots of twists and turns. Well worth a binge.

[Stanley]

I've been watching old Star Trek Movies. Still good watches!

[Stanley]

I'm enjoying the snooker at York....

[Tizer]

If you haven't already seen this it's very good. LINK Chris McCausland trying out AI gadgets etc in California to find out what benefits blind people and others can expect. There's some marvellous things shown. It also reinforces my belief (and that of the late Prof James lovelock) that the future of the human race is that we'll become cyborgs, a combination of robot and AI. It's why I think we should stop spending billions on sending humans to other planets and instead spend the money on robot/AI developments. The robots can go to other planets first. Then when we become cyborgs we'll be ready to visit other planets.

[Stanley]

Looking at the state of my legs and my walking abilities I can see the sense in your prediction Peter.....

[Stanley]

I watched Ronnie lose to a young Chinese player. Both played well, very high standard and perhaps it's time for Ronnie to step aside.....

[Tripps]

Whisper it - but I'm getting a bit bored wuith the snooker from York.

The presenters' questions are getting to Olympian levels of banality, and the pundits are showing signs of fatigue. None of them needs the money - so why not stay at home?

O'Sullivan has gone - and I couldn't name any of the Chinese players except Ding Jun Hui.

Problem is - the rest of the TV channels available to me are nearly as bad.

It's probaly me. . .

[Whyperion]

Not sure about Dimbleydee , David , Whats The Point of The Monarchy. Bits of what I have seen before with his scripted voice over, balanced enouth that both monarchists and anti-monarcists can complain it is biased to the other side.

On Channel 4 re run and update of Christmas at Highclere - typical landed lorded gentry (aristocracy?) challenges of keeping the money coming in and some semblance of continuity with the large kitchen garden and the managed deer cull keeping the house , estate and village pub supplied with produce and venison. Plenty of staff still slightly deferential but all seem to enjoy the work they do. I suppose if the land owner sitting as elected hereditary peer as a cross bencher with views on Farming and Rural Affairs does give an insight to again a continuity of the bits that should make england great - even if it is ruled by descendants of norman french or those who found favour with a King in the past

[Stanley]

You echo what I have been thinking David. The real story is that the centre of gravity of world snooker has shifted and is now in China. The question is how much longer can we ignore this? But that would invoke discussion of tricky matters like race which are anathema.
So you are not wrong, things have changed. It's all perfectly natural but being British we shall ignore it as long as possible.....