Sabbatical

A thousand apolgies for not posting in such a long time. This is the longest unexplained absence I’ve taken from BMTV since its start so thanks to those (few – ahem!) who’ve been wondering where I’ve been and a sage nod to those who’ve been patiently clicking over here every now and then to see if anything’s up.

The main reason for the break has been one of circumstance. As you know, I’m in Oxford until 12th April when my lovely new flat will be ready for me. I’d say ‘habitable’, but those who’ve seen photos of the kitchen may call me a fantasist. Being in Oxford, and (what’s more) having Freeview, you might think that I’ve a long list of things to rant about. Well… to be honest, I din’t feel I’ve done that much TV watching. Maybe I actually have (in fact, I’m sure I have!), but I’ve certainly felt I’ve not had much inspiration.

Yes there’s been the Apprentice launch (itself a pot of bile and embarrassment from which to draw ranting breath), the dire Enders plot lines (Max and Tanya’s ridiculous burial storyline had me seething), the wondrous, brain frying Ashes finale (so why was he shouting ‘Tim! Tim! Wait a minute’? And how did the evil dude know they were playing Ashes To Ashes in the car? And if Gene Hunt really does exist, then how does that all tie in with Sam and LoM? etc, etc). But to be honest, I’ve just not been able to find the words to type this all. Or maybe I can (clearly) find the words, but I just can’t be arsed (something to do with having more pressing things on my mind at the moment…). Or maybe I just have writer’s block.

Another reason for the break is that it’s now become more difficult to physically blog in a practical sense. The only available internet connection I have is in Oxford and by the time I get home, I’m shattered and don’t particularly feel like venting. And anyway, there’s TV to be watched!

So I’ve decided to take a small BMTV sabbatical (for a month or so) until I sort things out good and proper and can dedicate myself to this ‘ere blog again. I do love it dearly, and have really enjoyed people’s kind comments over the years and especially lately. I’m sorry to leave you, and I do hope you return soon.

BM x

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Take our hearts outside, leave our lives behind and watch the stars go out

As my ex-collegues on Future Music magazine will testify, I’m not really that into music*. My tastes tend to centre around mid-to-late 80s pop and 90s dance (there are some more recent numbers that you might find me bopping to but I’m a creature of habit and I fear change) and I don’t tend to buy music unless I love every single song on the album (and I own far too many ‘Best Ofs’ than is healthy). I don’t read NME, I don’t read everything I can about a band, buy biographies, or random EPs they made before they were signed.

But listening to this little ditty on my way home is proof that you don’t need to have every’worthy’ album out there – or have liked such and such even before they went mainstream – to appreaciate a damned good song.

Just listen to Sarah’s creamy vocals, the swirly twinkles (of stars) and the oh-so-emotive chorus. Just lovely. Makes me feel all warm and snuggly. And safe. I’ve had the priveledge to work with Dubstar song-writer Steve Hillier (he’s the bald one with the dog) on my time at FM, and I don’t mind being terribly un-professional by writing this gushing post (although I’m sorry if I’ve embarrassed him!).

This is what I try and remember the 90s as being like. Those were the days…

PS Those who want to know what Sarah Blackwood is doing now…

*This was actually an in-joke. I don’t mind music, really, I just prefer TV and films.

Go on, then

Happy 29th Feb y’all. And here’s why ladies should never utilise this oh-so-special day live on national telly.

Poor sod. Not to stereotype or owt, but who’s betting our Mario isn’t ’settling’ with cuddly Emma (who cooks and cleans for him) for a few years til he finds himself a hotter model? I was soooo wishing he’d reply with, “Now Emma, we’ve talked about this. Remember the restraining order?” But the poor sod agreed.

Notice how he looks at the TV crew over the camera man’s shoulder for a few seconds before realising he can’t say no and this is what he’ll be left with for the rest of his life. You can almost see the moment the thought “This is it…” hits, like his life is flashing before his eyes. Poor Emma.

Incidentally, if anyone ever said, “Go on then” to any proposal of mine, the whole thing would be off then and there. “Go on on then,” indeed.

The Ronseal of films…

Excellent post here. Utterly fabulous, do please check it out.

And then come back and read mine:

Muriel’s Wedding (Fat girl loses weight and gets married)
Fight Club (Norton is Pitt all along, but we do not talk about it)
High Fidelity (Self obsessed, immature man grows up)
The Breakfast Club (What everyone wishes Saturday detention was really like)
Ocean’s 11 (Cool dudes rob bank in super cool way)
Ocean’s 12 (Your Dad tries to rob a bank in a very dull way)
Ocean’s 13 (Yay, the coolness is back!)
(Cloverfield (What the FUCK was that?!)
Jurassic Park (Glass of water moves scarily)
Stand By Me (Kids walk along a railway line to an excellent soundtrack)
My Own Private Idaho (Two Hollywood hotties snog. Then River Phoenix falls asleep)
The Ring (Freaky girl kills TV addicts)
Lord of the Rings (Little boy looks for a ring, while Orlando Bloom looks wistful)
Dirty Dancing (Yup, no need there)

Any others?

Goth rant

Quite a bit of coverage last week on Dani Graves and his girlfriend/pet Tasha Maltby. The couple even appeared on LK Today with Lorraine Kelly today.

All I want to say on the matter of their relationship is that if it suits them then fine. She seems happy with it (in fact if reports are to be believed, she was the instigator) and she seems to lead (’scuse the pun) a happy lifestyle (no housework, breakfast in bed, plenty of naps – bliss).

But it bugs me that people are holding these two up as freaks and they’re willingly going along with it. Their attention-seeking, and agreeing to go on these programmes to be held up and ridiculed is annoying (although they’re clearly doing it for the money). And when they do it under the guise of goth-dom and “we do this because this is our culture” it actually irks me.

‘Real’ goths – not those who casually throw on a Marilyn Manson T-Shirt and listen to The Mission Best Of album – would call these guys spooky kids, for that is what they are. They’re not giving a good impression of the goth sub-culture, especially in a time when Goths are blamed for school shootings, etc. Why are these try-hards and wannabies always the ones who make it into the media spotlight, and not yer normal everyday goth? They really do give goths a bad name and it frustrates me that tyour typical Mail reader *hack, spit* thinks that these spookies are a true representation of what ‘being’ a goth is. Still, I suppose those people who do need such clear catorgarisation of youth subculture will never be able to understand and need the flashing arrows (ie the dog collars) and the annoying sirens (ie the talking about your ’strange’ sexual doings and wanting to kill yourself).

PS: Graves… what an excellent surname for a goth.

Memo to Enders continuity dept

- Why would Shabnam, who was reprimanded just before Xmas for going to R&Rs, suddenly be allowed to go for work reasons?
- Why would Minty and Gus suddenly become best friends with Billy and Honey in order to play twister with them in Pat’s house (a creepy scene if ever there was one)?
- What has happened to Phil’s alcohol problem? He sure got over that one quickly.
- Ditto Peggy’s debt…

Serious work issues

Dear HR,
I’m writing with regard to the new management at Walford club ‘R&R’ (London, E20) and a few issues I have been made aware of concerning certain staffing issues.

It has come to my attention that some of these may be in breach of the law (and certainly contracts of some individuals).

I list them below and look forward to hearing of any favourable changes that have been made.

• This ‘corporate do’ at R&R apparently hired professional staff. What happened to them?
• Dawn Swan was demoted to toilet attendant for the night. Was told to hire whoever she wanted to help her – surely a barmaid should not be given such responsibilities? Surely the hiring and firing of staff is an issue that should be the sole charge of management.
• Jase Dire as security – this man doesn’t have a license to work as night-club security. Moreover, he has a criminal record for GBH.
• Jase Dire given new suit by employer (potential bribe to keep quiet?), but no extra cover – what about breaks? Surely employee has grounds for complaint.
• Dawn Swan abandons position in toilets to drink on duty and flirt with customers. Management seemingly OK with this – in breach of Health and Safety laws.
• Jase, Gary and Dawn walked out at midnight – a sackable offence.
• ‘Corporate’ do lets in people who work at local east-end post offices? Really?

Yours,
Badger Madge

New! Look!

Welcome to the new-look BMTV!

Apologies for the lack in postings of late. I’ve had my knuckles wrapped at work for blogging on work time (they don’t appreciate me anyway) and it’s difficult to blog at home in the evenings when I’m knackered and all I want to do is sit on the sofa and eat cheese.

So I’ve decided to move to a weekly blog (with sporadic blogs in the week if I can a) be bothered and b) get on Mr Badger’s beloved pooter) mainly because I can’t keep up with posts now I’m not allowed to use the internet at work (the bastards).

So don’t forget to check back at the weekend!

BMx