BJK&E

…. OK so we know things are tough at the moment… Alistair Darling had just announced a £50bn rescue package for the UK banking sector, Iceland is melting, the DOW Jones saw it’s greatest fall in a day since 1987. The crisis in the world economy is being mirrored in the UK media market with TV, press, outdoor and radio all recording significant revenue declines in ‘08 but cinema appears to be bucking the trend.

Cinema revenue’s were up almost 10% across the period Jan-June with admissions driven with the release of big screen blockbusters including Indiana Jones, Sex in the City, the Dark Knight and er… Mamma Mia (the latter is currently the third highest grossing movie in UK box office history…aaagh).

I’m firmly of the opinion that the time couldn’t be better then to immerse yourself in a good movie and afford yourself a little escapism from the economic doom and gloom. My personal favourites from this year are the Dark Knight (yes, Heath Ledger’s performance really is that good), Iron Man (explosions, tongue in cheek humour and flying super-heroes; what’s not to like?) and Gone Baby Gone (a dark and harrowing film but stand out performances by both Casey Affleck and Morgan Freeman). So come on then, what would your movie of choice be to generate a little light and laughter  (Mamma Mia? I’ve seen it. Don’t. Please. End of story)?

As one of only two TV specialists at BJK+E (Andy ‘Benny’ Benningfield is TV Director) I’ve always felt slightly ‘unique’ in my role here at BJK+E. Although (hopefully!) admired and valued by my lovely colleagues, this time of year only serves to remind me of my uniqueness as the football season draws to a close with the sudden rush of FA Cup semi-finals, Champion’s League Quarter finals and play-off ‘run ins’. As a consequence of location of birth and a desire not to support one of the big four* during my formative years, I decided to support Charlton Athletic; a club that no-one really dislikes as we’re never going to threaten the Man U’s and Arsenal’s of this world.

Supporting a club which constantly flirts between Premiership and second division football (I make no apologies for being a traditionalist - Coca Cola Championship indeed!) creates its very own set of challenges. Banter over forthcoming fixtures takes place via e-mail as my fellow BJKE’ers enthusiastically debate the Arsenal versus Liverpool or Fenerbache versus Chelsea  in the Champion’s League (an away fixture at Gillingham is about a European as it gets at the Valley nowadays). I avoid the much vaunted media ‘water cooler moments’ as the conversation turns to Sky or Setanta’s coverage of the big game from the weekend. A colleague recently asked me to name my all-time Charlton XI.. I struggled ) though the front two of Derek Hales and Clive Mendonca looked a dream ticket in any team). An ex-colleague supported Wolves though having lost 3-2 at home to them at the weekend, I was relieved that it was Natalie who  greeted me on reception when I came to work on Monday.

Every cloud has a silver lining however…. it appears that several of my colleagues teams are dabbling with relegation this season. A trip to White Hart Lane next season would certainly guarantee goals and means that I could use my Oyster card. Whilst the journey to St James Park presents far more logistical and financial challenges, Newcastle is meant to be a good night out.

As the season draws to a close, we are sitting a lowly eleventh in the table, four points off a play-off place and a further eight points from automatic promotion. Worst still, Crystal Palace sit two places above us; another season in the second division is one thing, but to finish below the Eagles… please no.

Ah well, there’s always Kent in the cricket. At least they won something last season.
*(yep, that actually did include Spurs when I was a little ‘un. I remember the 1981 Cup Final replay with that Ricky Villa goal….)