I have been watching a lot of TV recently.
We record a lot of things on the Sky+ and watch then it suits us. It works brilliantly for us.
Over the week I shall offer a few thoughts on various programmes, as the various episodes come up on the Gert Cottage watching schedule.
I tried watching the documentary on the 7 July bombings but could only last ten minutes because of the deeply irritating druggy-disco music that persisted as background, even over talking heads. I was not sure that I found it more disturbing that someone so drugged up could possibly have thought that that was a suitable way to present a documentary on such an important subject, or the fact that it bothered me so much I had to turn off.
House of Cards. Currently on repeat. One of the great drama series of my adult life, and delighted to find it has stood the test of time. Of course, it was blessed on initial showing with superb timing, just as Thatch was being gloriously demised. The opening sequence is interesting - no London Eye, and the notorious Three Sisters standing on the site of my present office.
But what really struck me was how very male it was. When I watched it fifteen years ago, I did not specifically notice this. I can only assume that it was an accurate reflection of British Politics at the time. All the main protagonists, except Mattie, are male. The Cabinet meeting shows two women, both of them faceless washed-up nonentities. There seems to be an absence of female backbenchers. This is not a criticism of the programme. It reflected politics at the time. At that time there were more MPs called John than there were women.
We watched the first episode of Broken News. I wasn't sure, thought maybe of dropping it. It was obviously a good idea, but was it sustainable for a series. So it was almost accidental that we watched the second. By the third, it became obvious - it's a slow burner, takes time to get into. But definitely worth the effort. And definitely improving the enjoyment of watching 24 hour rolling news.
I think I like the East Anglia Regional News spoof best. And the weather forecasts for obscure parts of Central Asia. Melanie Bellamy, Katie Tate and Richard Pritchard. The business correspondent who is not one bit based on Jeff Randle not at all oh no. But there isn't a bit I don't like. Jimmy likes the American duo, her so serious, him such a dork.
