Friday, 17 August 2007

Now arriving ... Channel 4+1



From Monday, digital viewers will get two chances to see all Channel 4 programmes when it becomes the first of the main terrestrial channels to introduce a "+1" channel. I think it's a great idea and hope other channels follow the lead. Due to domestic circumstances I'm detached from my Freeview (and have been since 'redecoration' started in mid-June) but hope to take full advantage when me and my box are re-united.

Surprised the promotion of this has been so low-key actually - I've only seen one promo (the corny Kung-fu one with Sarah Beeny) but from the ad above it may be that the "Skins" gang, Gordon Ramsay, David Threlfall, Justin Lee Collins and Alan Carr are also hawking it.

Now what I could do with is a -1 option too ...

See also

Wednesday, 15 August 2007

More 1967 "Casino Royale"

Inspired by my post last week on a mix of the 2 films, I've discovered the final 7 minutes of the 1967 film, which remains one of my guilty pleasures. Basically it's a frantic and random brawl in the casino itself ... to music. Meanwhile Woody Allen's hopless supervillain (Little Jimmy Bond) has swallowed an explosive pill and is hiccuping both he and everyone inside the place to certain doom.



It's one you either love or hate and it was certainly a lengthy mess as far as the production goes. However it apparently inspired the "Austin Powers" series ...

Moody Blues - Ride My See-Saw



I've actually had more luck tracking a proper version of this down on YouTube than on last.fm (which is my website obsession this week).

Probably my favourite Moody Blues track (like Genesis, there's not many) illustrated here by a well groovy 1968 live TV performance. Dig those suits and cravats and spot the Dad dancer.

Get past the pretentious bit at the start - it's from a concept abum ...

Doctor Who - "Key to Time" UK boxset details

Cribbed from the official BBC site (which also has a full list of features and extras):

Here's the full glory of the forthcoming mega-release, all wrapped in a perspex Key-to-Time-like packaging ...



And here are the individual DVD covers for all six constituent stories...



Now for those memories of September 1978-February 1979 to come flooding back (it's released on the 24th of next month). Available on Amazon for £52.49.

And a quick guide for the uninitiated to Season 16 here (includes 'spoilers').

August Fields




Been a while since I shared some of my snaps with you all. Here's some I took last week of the fields near where I work. The top two only just miss off Edinburgh airport to the left of the pictures while the third is actually another view of the field featured in the 'poppies' photo I republished here last week. As you can see, this year it has been given over to a wheat crop.

I've made the Top Ten!

That's of the Top 100 Scottish websites so don't expect a ringtone anytime soon. Just spotted that this morning - it's been a slow but steady decsent up the rankings from my arrival at around 115.

Not really expecting to knock the 'Official Tartan Army' site off the top spot but you never know. Keep voting and see!

Friday, 10 August 2007

Doctor Who - Series 4 details & photo released


From the official BBC Doctor Who site:

"The Doctor and Donna book a date with Agatha Christie.

Filming is underway for Series Four of Doctor Who, with Catherine Tate reprising her role as Donna, the runaway bride featured in last year's Christmas Special.

The start of the new series will see Donna tracking down the Time Lord during an alien emergency in modern-day London. The couple are destined to experience a series of wonderful adventures throughout the new series including meeting one of Doctor Who's most popular aliens, The Ood in a brand new episode, Planet of The Ood.

Catherine Tate said: "I am delighted to be returning to Doctor Who. I had a blast last Christmas and look forward to travelling again through time and space with that nice man from Gallifrey."

Donna and The Doctor will also be travelling through time for an encounter with the legendary murder mystery novelist, Agatha Christie, played by Jekyll star Fenella Woolgar. Fenella will be joined by The Good Life actress Felicity Kendal, who will star as Lady Clemency Eddison.

"What a brilliant idea that Agatha Christie and Doctor Who should meet!," noted Matthew Prichard, Agatha Christie's grandson. "Two characters whose contribution to British entertainment is absolutely unrivalled. As far as I know my grandmother, Agatha Christie, never saw Doctor Who, but I am sure she would have been intrigued, excited and above all flattered by all this attention in 2007."

Doctor Who's executive producer and head writer, Russell T Davies comments: "Visiting Agatha Christie has been on my wish-list for ages now, and for the Doctor, it's a real meeting of minds! Viewers can expect many more ambitious storylines and a whole host of guest stars in 2008."

Blackadder and Notting Hill Actor Tim McInnerny will also guest star later in the series.

Freema Agyeman who has played Martha Jones, The Doctor's companion throughout the critically acclaimed third series will return to the show to join The Doctor and Donna mid series."


So now we have Richard Briers on "Torchwood" and Felicity Kendal on "Doctor Who" !

Thursday, 9 August 2007

Blog Tweaks


Regular readers may note I've been doing a fair bit of housekeeping on the blog over the past couple of days. Mainly this is due to our standalone work PC being upgraded from the dusty dinosaur we had since early 2001 to this - a Dell Optiplex 740 which apparently debuted in February 2007. It makes a heck of a lot of difference that it can now work with a lot of the widgets and code editing utilities the other PC couldn't fathom.

Of particular interest to part of my readership is what equates to a blog within my blog. In the widget on the right named "My Shared Google Reader Items" you'll see a 'read more' link at the end. This joins up all my choices into a seamless blog. I'm putting the more visual and 'full-on' selections there so it's an adults only option.

Have a quick peek here.

I'm still running the other texty newsfeeds as normal alongside.

Feedback on the changes would be welcome. After all I should really be working ...

Casino Royale: 1967 v 2006



Basically what you get if you mix the opening titles of the latest version with the classic Herb Alpert theme of the 1967 romp.

Well I like it.

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