BJK&E

Flicking through my freeview box the other day I must of instantly dismissed watching at least 6 comedy shows, from the torturous ‘My Family’ to smug American sitcoms. Where is the fresh, exciting new comedy out there? Why am I forced to watch old classic DVD’s such as the genius of Chris Morris in Brass Eye and The Day Today over and over again?

There is some fantastic comedy out there if you look hard enough, but not enough. It seems when it comes to the mainstream, the BBC 1’s or ITV’s of this world would rather play it safe, leaving me to trawl through More 4 or BBC 3 & 4 to find some hidden gems.

Basically, what i’m trying to say is………………does anyone have any new comedy to recommend that I may of missed out on?

Since moving from sleepy Oxford to London two months ago, I have become quite a geek when it comes to observing developments in media on my commute into work each morning.
As well as trying to avoid eyecontact with various madmen and deciding what to have for breakfast, I have become accustomed to observing peoples media consumption and considering the influx of new formats that I encounter on my way to Holborn.

You can imagine my excitement this week when I realised that the XTP was installed in the station….
If you are a regular traveller through Piccadilly Circus, Bank, Liverpool Street, Euston or Bond Street you may have already seen the Cross-Track Projection which is currently being rolled-out across the London underground network. This is a high-definition digital moving image which gives advertisers massive standout and impact, and the ability to update their message in real time to a captive audience.
Although 10 years in the planning, now its here I like its premium nature and dominance of the platform - and the fact it keeps me occupied when the Victoria line is delayed again.

What keeps you occupied on the way to work?

Saturday night saw the return of Strictly Come Dancing for its 6th series.
The show peaked at 8.83 million adult viewers which beat the viewing figures from last years first show as it only peaked at 7.89 million.

The 16 contestants and professional dance partners had to perform the Waltz or the Cha Cha Cha in front of the judging panel.
Phil Daniels aka ex-eastender ‘Kevin Wicks’ did his best to perform the Waltz with partner Flavia only to be the 1st couple voted off!

So how well will this series do in comparison to last year?
The BBC1 have done well to recruit beauties Rachel Stevens and Jodie Kidd to pull in a male audience but with Kelly Brooke and Alesha Dixon in Series 5, they have their work cut out!
For the ladies - Holby City heart-throb Tom Chambers was first out on the dance floor with “the confidence of a tomcat claiming his territory” according to judge Bruno Tonioli. Tom will surely keep the female ratings sky high as long as he stays in the competition…..

Who will keep you watching?

I am pleased to see that there is some interesting programming back on our screens again on Monday nights.  I’m not talking about ITV1’s Send In The Dogs (although those drug-sniffing pooches are incredible) but BBC1’s Dragons’ Den.  After watching the last three episodes it has occurred to me that the Dragons are investing more and more in people’s businesses than ever before. 

This is because most of the products that receive investment are then sold to consumers on the premise of “As Seen on Dragons’ Den…..”  None more so than the indie band Hamfatter, more misplaced than Theo Paphitis on Britain’s Got Talent, yet the band received investment from Peter Jones, and since then have achieved thousands of online downloads and are apparently set to sign to Simon Cowell’s SyCo Label.

Being that it looks easier than ever to achieve investment from the Dragons, what idea would you pitch to the Dragons to seek investment, and the chance to become a multimillionaire?  Now I’m sure no one is going to give their lifelong business idea away here but it would be interesting to know people’s thoughts on where there are gaps in the UK consumer market that could be exploited for investment from one of the five Dragons (but preferably not Duncan Bannatyne……)

To start proceedings here is the idea I would pitch to the Dragons.

Private Members Sports Bar called “12th Man” - You would think there are lots of these around but believe me there aren’t, sure there are sports clubs that will also have a TV in their bar to watch sport but I am talking about an upmarket Private Members Sports Bar that mixes business with watching Sport in the finest luxury.  A lot of people’s evenings revolve around watching sport and if you’re like me there are only so many nights you can stand in the beer-sodden hovels of Sports Cafe, Sirrocco and Cheers Bar…..I want a bar where I can always get a table no matter what the time and that is where 12th Man comes in, mixed with Poker Evenings, Race Nights and Betting Tipster seminars it will revolutionise the Private Members Sports Bar market.

So what’s your pitch to the Dragons?

When we think of classic movies such as James Bond, Kill Bill, Rocky III, Star Wars, and Breakfast Club the movie and their theme song seem to go hand-in-hand.  Some we can sing and some we just think we can sing or hum.  Maybe it is a qualification for a movie to become such a classic.  Think of how many great movies that you can you think of that have a horrible theme song…not too many.

Is it an 80s thing?

 Or maybe it is just that the 80s were such a great time for both movies and music.  Being a child from the 80s and early 90s I am quite biased as to which era is the greatest.  As much as I love Ace of Base, I think Guns ‘N Roses have a slight advantage.

What do you think are the best theme songs (and their movies) of all time?

My #1 Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone AND Berlin - Take My Breath Away from Top Gun…..did you hear the rumors there might be a Top Gun 2???

I’m still loving The Apprentice and I think this might be the best series yet.  Not least because Siralan’s trusty aides Margaret and Nick are really getting the chance to shine (Margaret, I think I love you).

I was gutted to see Raef go last week, quite why Siralan keeps letting Michael off the hook I don’t know.  He has absolutely got to go tonight.

I think the last four will be Claire, Lee, Lucinda and Alex with Claire the eventual winner. 

What say you?

I have to admit I was a little slow on the uptake, having only watched the first series a month ago on loan from Mr. Fineman. I also didn’t actually realise the second helping of superhero excitement was just around the corner until Milo Ventimiglia (Peter Petrelli) was on Chris Moyles’ breakfast show this morning. Thank god it wasn’t too late! My only concern is how I’m going to cope with just one dose a week. Shows like Heroes, (and 24) are best watched by boxsets, when you are involuntarily compelled to get through at least 3-4 episodes in a row. And that’s on a light night. I guess I’ll just have to contain my excitement.

This may be controversial, but did anyone else find the last episode a bit dissatisfying after such a great build up? Although inevitably they left enough cliffhangers to carry our curiosity over to the new series. What happens to Hiro? Will Sylar come back somehow? What about Peter and Nathan? Well, as Chris Moyles pointed out this morning, it’s a bit of a giveaway that Milo is talking about filming the new series. More Peter Petrelli is fine by me! I just really hope it doesn’t turn into another Lost  that spirals into a rambling, unresolved mess of twists and milked plots.

Either way I’ll be watching. Season 2 starts this Thursday (24th April) on BBC2 at 9pm.

HIRO!!!!