GOOD TV

[Stanley]

I listen to it every Sunday David. Did you note that the present programmes are all repeats of earlier ones?

See THIS link. He is still living and working in India but is now freelance. I don't know why he isn't doing current programmes. Perhaps he's too expensive.....
My TV yesterday was the Titfield Thunderbolt followed by to more episodes of Shetland. They are dragging the plot out a bit but I shall persevere to the end.

[Wendyf]

We caught up with the final Shetland episode last night. Was doubtful about the series to start with but found it very watchable.

[Gloria]

We watched the first episode of the new series of Vigil last night, part two and three of six tonight and tomorrow night. Very intense and very watchable.

[PanBiker]

Agreed Gloria and it is available on the Iplayer if the normal deliver schedule doesn't suit you.

[Tripps]

I listen to it every Sunday David. Did you note that the present programmes are all repeats of earlier ones?

Yes - the one I heard was from 2005. I have been aware of "Tully ji from Tollygunge" for a long time, but was unaware of all the detail in the wiki entry. The religious content of his life would explain why such a portion of the programme was to do with Karen Armstrong the lapsed Catholic nun. Interesting that the name 'Karen' has become a term of abuse in these internet days.

I checked the day's programmes on Radio 4, seeking evidence of wokeness but found none! Collapse of stout party. It's there though - listen to Womans Hour and the afternoon plays. Tully - being a middle aged, vaguely Christian, white man (now known by the insulting term gammon) would not fit the requirement at all these days.

This though, gave food for thought and a connection. Armstrong obviously changed her views and beliefs on religion, and as a result left the convent - said she was unable tp pray or meditate, for more than two minutes. Quitting was an option open to her, and she took it. Having read the wiki - I'm surprised she lasted more than a week.

I have watched one Dr Clare Craig - on Dr Nurse John Campbell's channel and over a series of long interviews, she advanced the thought that many people, high in the medical world cannot bring themselves to change their existing views because that would mean that the foundation on which their whole life's career and especialyl their social status and income, would crumble beneath them. Thus they did not say what they really thought seeking to protect their income and reputation. Quitting - like Karen Armstrong did - was not an option.

It's a thought.

What do you do if you are a Bishop or some such, amd having thought it through, decide that you are now in fact an atheist? Carry on and pretend it hasn't happened is most likely. Think about the pension. No wonder I spend so much time awake at night. Forgive me if you find this all a bit fanciful - so do I.

PS Dr John Campbell has had Covid for the past week.

[Stanley]

I read her book 'A History of God' and found it very helpful but then discovered Diarmid MacCulloch when I read his Life of Cranmer and went on to read 'A History of Christianity' and of course his Life of Thomas Cromwell. I have favoured him in matters of spiritual guidance since then but still value Armstrong.
Last night I watched the last episode of Shetland. Not exactly a bundle of laughs! I'm afraid I am very shallow in these matters, I require entertaining and much prefer films like the Titfield Thunderbolt!

[Gloria]

Agreed Gloria and it is available on the Iplayer if the normal deliver schedule doesn't suit you.

Thanks Ian.
Watched part 2 last night, it certainly keeps us quiet, and keeps me off the iPad

[Stanley]

I must be getting old.... I watched and enjoyed an old Midsomer Murders last night..... (Sorry!)

[Tripps]

BBC are stopping "Question of Sport". If it was a pet it would be described as euthanasia, and would be a kindness.

I have seen these links to the days when I used to watch it





A sort of metaphor for the whole way life has changed I'd say if that's not too fanciful.

[Stanley]

Loved that mistake clip David!
I don't tire of watching Maria in the Carpathians on YouTube...... Mind you, last night I watched another John Nettles Midsomer Murders.... Quite concerning....

[Gloria]

Watched the penultimate Vigil last night, last one tonight, absolutely gripping stuff, highly recommended. Would be a very good binge as it’s all on bbc catch up now.

[Stanley]

I've been saving it up for that Gloria and will no doubt have a look over Xmas.
I proved once more that I am a dinosaur last night. I watched The Railway Children and Last of the Summer Wine. (The early ones with Wally Batty and Compo in the cast)

[Stanley]

Still on my retro kick.... Midsomer Murders last night.....

[Gloria]

We watched the end of Vigil on Tuesday night, then the whole of Vanishing Act last night, both kept us occupied.

[Big Kev]

The Old Man, on Disney+ Star, well worth a watch if you have the subscription. Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow are excellent

[Stanley]

I sank my teeth into Vigil last night and started by watching three episodes of Series 1 to refresh my mind about the series..... It's holding my attention......

[Tizer]

Not TV but radio...
I hope you've all listened to this - but if not try it. Easy listening but also very interesting. There are 10 episodes and 2 omnibus versions of 5 combined episodes each...
`Empire of Tea' LINK
Sathnam Sanghera tells the story of our national drink and its imperial past. Punjabi cha, served from a saucepan to the whole family every morning, is the drink of Sathnam’s childhood. But he’s also noticed that tea is a Forrest Gump-type figure, appearing at all sorts of key moments in global history. Tea arrived in Britain as an exotic product for the elite. How and why did it then become a drink for the masses? Empire of Tea tells the story of how Britain's national drink and its imperial background helped shape the modern world.

[Stanley]

I agree Peter, an extremely interesting series and some surprising new facts for me....

[Big Kev]

Belfast, the Kenneth Brannagh film, on Netflix. Well worth a watch.

It's been on the BBC so is now available on the iPlayer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001tlmd/belfast

[PanBiker]

Watched it last night Kev and I would agree.

[Big Kev]

Watched it last night Kev and I would agree.

[Big Kev]

Gregory Porter at the 2023 Cheltenham Jazz Festival is well worth watching. It's on the iPlayer.

[Stanley]

I watched 'School for Scoundrels' on BBC catch up.... A nice trip down memory lane. Based on the Stephen Potter Lifemanship books. (It was on BBC 2 Thursday if you want to find it.....)

[Tripps]

Lawrence of Arabia on Ch 4. I thnk there are several versions. This one was surely the longest at four and a quarter hours.

Will the area ever be peaceful? I doubt it.

[PanBiker]

They ended it early though, I thought the last scene was T.E. Lawrence's accident on his SS100 Brough Superior?