Tuesday 19th May

Just an update on all things entertainment , tv and media.

Television, as usual first. Britains Got Talent is still the highlight of my week, superb entertainment and 110% watchable each & every time. Loving Martin Clunes on his Around the British Isles , this week he visited the Scily Isles amongst others, and his sheer excitement when he swam with the seals was worth the viewing alone. Been watching the new series of Knight Rider , its watchable nonesense I suppose, but the glossy American remake of the original doesnt really have the earthy feel of the Hoff's version. The car, a Dodge Viper is the star , super car and no mistake.Voiced by Val Kilmer too.

Soaps ~ Emmerdale continues to be my favourite soap, has been for a few years. Currently the Nicola pregnancy storyline is great stuff with Jimmy superb as the awkward buffoon of prospective father. Good to see Cain back to his usual menacing self and the tension between him & Andy should be well worth watching over the next few weeks.Kelvin Fletcher's acting as Andy has gone from strength to strength over the last few years. The worse acting of the year award must still be held by Maxwell Caulfield for his wooden role as Mark Wilde. Time to go Max. In Coronation Street Jenny McAlpine's role as Fizz see's her character torn between helping Chesney ( he has GROWN ! ) and her feelings toward her ex-lover John, who is in hospital after being beaten up in prison. Malcom Hobren's character of Norris Cole is superb. Norris is such a multi-dimentional character, and the introduction of Andrew Sachs as Norris's half brother has Norris torn with hatred and puzzlement. Good acting from Sue Cleaver regarding the stroke and subsequent illness of her father in the street. In Eastenders , cant stand Barbra Windsor and her Peggy Mitchell , the woman just cant act her way out of a paper bag in my opinion. Loving Stacy though and her portrayal of a young girl at the onset of the disorder illness is frightening to watch. Stacy's mum Jean is a good character.Best acting in 'Enders though must still go to Steve McFadden for his portrayal of a drunk. he REALLY does that well.

Away from the soaps, what happening to Pete and Katie then ? Is it a publicity stunt or has she really dumped him?? Time will tell. Ive never really liked her, didnt like her in her Jodan role and like peter Andre even less. maybe they should have remained in the jungle. Katie has fled to the Maldives for some privacy, but what she conviently forgets in she has children back here who are both too young to understand. Ive never liked Harvey, her youngest but what a way to treat her kids.

Friday 8th May

It's been a couple of weeks since my last entry into here, but thats not to say Ive been far away from the world of entertainment, and the business we call Show.

In television, am loving Britains Got Talent , currently THE best entertainment proggie on tv, and it brightens up a dull Saturday evening scheduling.Ant & Dec have their knockers but they really do look as though they are enjoying,life behind the scenes side stage.

Soaps have, and always will be uppermost in my weekly tv viewing. Emmerdale is still perservering with the awful Wilde family, Donahue is just about passable as the lady of the manor, but as for Caulfield, and the other 2 family actors forget it. Maxwell Caulfield played a major Dynasty character at the time, but he simply just isnt convincing as lord of the manor and the viewers will turn against both him, and the 2 siblings before much longer. Good to see the brooding Cain Dingle back again, superbly played by Jeff Hordly.

Coronation Street moves on, with nothing currently to light anyones fires. The Ken Barlow romance never really took of with Marsha ( although I thought Stephanie Beecham was excellent in the part). In other quarters, not keen on Peter Barlow , and the Norris Cole thing about him leaving to go on a world tour just doesnt ring true.

Eastenders is its usual dark self, with only brief glimpses of humour, mainly portrayed excellenty by Steve McFadden who really does play a drunken Phil Mitchell excellently well. Not bothered about Ronny & Roxy, Samantha Janus deserves a better part than the one she has at the moment.

Loving The Apprentice too ( see Apprentice Blog top of this page ).

Eggheads another of my faves is really kicking inot gear with some excellent challengers, the one team the other day beating them and taking almost £27K in the process.

Cash In The Celebrity Attic ~ Some good tv here, love seeing the celebs donating their own stuff for charity at a real auction. What I dont enjoy seeing on the show is Angela Rippon and her presenting skills. Why oh why does she have to over-act all the time, have you seen her? She gurns infront of the camera, she grins manically when there's no need and he 'jolly-hockeystick' attitude grates after a while.She makes herself appear totally false infront of the camera.

Lorne Spice is the best host, even Jenny Bond has calmed herself down alot with her presenting skills on this show.

Ashes To Ashes ~ Phil Glennister obviously makes this show, his pre-politically correct script hits the mark every time. Watch this each and every episode. Also watch Life on Mars before this too.Wish when this series stops, they bring him right up to date and watch the sparks fly !

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Wednesday 20th May

Lots to comment on here as I havent had chance to catch up lately.

Firstly Formula 1 and the rise and rise of the Braun team. Ross braun did a superb job at Ferrari with Schumaker , and now he's equally pulling some fantasically tactical strings at Braun.Congrats to both Reubens and Jensen for some fantastic drives. The K.E.R.s cars are still undecided though, in my opion as to the best set up. The weight of the KERS counterbalances ( in most cases ) the extra spurt of speed per lap KERS gives. Jury is out on the one.

In the race for football's Premiership, congratulations go to winners Man.Unt, who over the course of the season proved once again for the 3rd year running they are THE best team in the league. Lets hope they continue to go on and beat Bareclona in the Champions League Final in Rome and become the best team in the world.

In the world of tennis , good to see SW14 have finally finished the roof on centre court at Wimbledon. In a showpiece curtain raiser husband/wife team of Agassi and Graff took on the pairing of Henman & Jorkavic in a friendly doubles.Henman did what he does best at Wimbledon and lost.

Congrats to Andy Murray too for climbing up to 3rd in the world rankings. Lets see how he copes with the French open, on clay next week.

At last us English cricket fans have something to cheer about. A series whitewash against the once formidable West Indies is indeed an achievement. Bring on the Aussies.

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Monday 18th May

Been a while since I've put anything in the 'news' blog , but thats not to say Ive been doing anything but keeping my eye on things.

Firstly, just what we need ~ mp's expenses. Well what can I say except to quote my lovely wife when she says " If they wern't crooks when they went into parliament, they certainly are now ".

I see this as a no win situation for everybody. Okay, there is no doubt in my mind that the greater majority of them have , and are claiming expenses for ridiculous items, and hey-presto , they have been getting away with it for year upon year. Now finally their missdeeds have been found out they should at least face court procedings.

Trouble is with that is once they are convicted, and sacked from government who will be left to run our country ?? Frightening thought. In my opinion and from what Ive read and listened to there must be 4 out of every 5 mp's who should be up before a court. Where does that leave the country???

This has to be the gravest governmental situation since the end of WW2. I for one just dont see how a government can continue, and all 3 main parties are in it up to their sneaky necks.

Local news here in Pitlochry brings us the earth shattering news that up to 12 protesters threw tack across the road to disrupt a bicycle race over the weekend. Speaking as a local who is definatley on the side of the fence that thinks grown men playing on their bikes should be kept in a field or at least on private ground , I can understand fully the protesters anger. Why should local people be disrupted by a bunch of strangers who act like kids playing on their bikes when all local roads are closed for them therefore causing grief to locals and causing traffic jams, disrupting businesses by coaches not being allowed easy access. No, my opinion is that IF these people want to play on the bikes, they should do it on private roads where they can play all day if they want to. There is more than enough private land in Scotland to accommodate this sad bunch.

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