Amazon exiles discussion

nocheese wrote: "Thats the best Johnny Lydon interview I've seen. He's as sharp as ever, but keeps the sarcasm in check. He brings up the subject of his weight gain, and talks about the stress in his life - 2 broth..."

That's exactly what I thought, nocheese - he usually makes me want to stop listening and watching but not this time. It made a very pleasant change indeed to actually get to really hear him and not just see the massively egotistical side of him take over and try to sabotage the Interview by belittling and un-nerving the Interviewer instead.

suzysunshine7 wrote: "nocheese wrote: "Thats the best Johnny Lydon interview I've seen. He's as sharp as ever, but keeps the sarcasm in check. He brings up the subject of his weight gain, and talks about the stress in h..."

I think John tends to slip into attack dog mode when confronted by idiots asking inane questions. :-)

So, the World lost Paddy Ashdown just before Christmas, Sister Wendy on Boxing Day, and it has just been announced that June Whitfield has died today.

I'll always remember June Whitfield in "Take It From Here" - she was Eth, the long-suffering "intended" of Ron in The Glums. "Oh, Ron".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgcoz...

"Oh, Ron" at 1:05

I always thought that she was Absolutely Fabulous, Val ;o>

Sad news that Mike "Beard Guy" Taylor of 'Walk Off The Earth' died in his sleep last night ;o< ...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9NF2...

Farewell Ray Sawyer of Dr Hook & the Medicine Show. 81 is a good age. I loved the early albums - saw the band in 1978 when they were still fun. I lost interest when they went over to soft rock. Thanks for the memories Ray.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7Z50...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33DaH...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXcJN...

Julia Grant, the transgender activist who became the first in the UK to allow a TV programme to chart her transition from Male to Female, died yesterday at the age of 64 after a short illness.

An active Campaigner to her last days for the preservation and protection of Manchester's Gay Village and it's community - she will be greatly missed.

Honey Lantree of the Honeycombes and one of the first female drummers to feature in a pop/rock band died 23rd December 2018

Eric Haydock, best known as the original Bass Guitarist of 'The Hollies' from 1962 until 1966, died on the 5th of January aged 75. He was one of the first British musicians to play a Fender Bass VI, a six-string Bass.

Viewers and Colleagues alike have been left devastated by the shock passing of BBC Weather Presenter, Dianne Oxberry, after the 51-year-old died yesterday morning at The Christie Hospital.

Few knew she was even unwell, with the popular Broadcaster having shown no sign of illness when she and her North West Tonight colleagues Roger Johnson and Annabel Tiffin led a 100-mile relay through the North West for Children In Need in November.

Dianne first found fame as a Presenter on the kids' TV show 'The 8.15 From Manchester' where she met her cameraman Husband Ian in 1991. They later moved to London where she worked as a sidekick for Steve Wright and Simon Mayo on BBC Radio before she retrained as a Meteorologist and joined North West Tonight as a Weather Presenter in 1994.

"She saw and named storms, With calm and hazel eyes
I shalln't think her as 'passed away', I'll think of her as sun rise" ... (Lemn Sissay)

Bette Midler posted this:

The great, the legendary #CarolChanning has died at age 97. She was a complete original, and there will never be another. Blonde, 6 ft tall and utterly hilarious, she was a legend. My condolences to the world; to those who knew her or saw her and those who never got the chance.

What little I saw of her was simply superb ;o>

It's been announced that 'It Ain't Half Hot Mum' actor, Windsor Davies died at his home in France on the 17th of January at the age of 88.

Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala and his pilot David Ibbotson disappeared somewhere over the channel on 21st January. The search has been officially called off recently, so RIP both.

Sala had just joined Cardiff City, but had yet to play for them. He had traveled to France on a round trip to wish his former team-mates at Nantes farewell. The second aviation related tragedy to hit the Premier League this season following the deaths of the Leicester City owner and three others when their helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from the club's stadium last year.

I have previously taken responsibility for hastening the death of Neil Simon. Now I fear I have to put my hand up again for the demise of Michel Legrand. I was listening to an album of film themes a couple of days ago and decided I needed some more Michel Legrand in my collection. So I studied his entries on Wiki, Discogs and Allmusic before settling for a couple of albums that looked like they would satisfy me (and at a reasonable price). I added them to my eBay watch list but, of course, they have now been snapped up by others. So, sorry Michel. You had a beautiful smile and looked like a nice man. Thank you for leaving us with some lovely romantic themes.

Tim wrote: "Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala and his pilot David Ibbotson disappeared somewhere over the channel on 21st January. The search has been officially called off recently, so RIP both.

Sala had ..."

If you've just signed a lucrative contract to play for an EPL team then why opt to make a 500+ mile journey, a significant proportion of which is over water, in winter in a 30+ year old single engined light plane with a bloke from Scunthorpe who flies folks on a dodgy non-commercial basis for cash in hand? What price due diligence? Like getting your brain surgery done by a blind butcher using a rusty Stanley knife in a snakepit?

i'm just waiting for cardiff f.c. to ask for their money back!

Brass Neck wrote: "Tim wrote: "Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala and his pilot David Ibbotson disappeared somewhere over the channel on 21st January. The search has been officially called off recently, so RIP both..."

I read somewhere it was his agent (or his agent's son or something) who arranged the flight. If whichever one of those was responsible did do it in such a cheeseparing manner it's shocking but unsurprising. The love of money.... as the adage goes.

Much the same thoughts passed through my mind at the time, also in his last message he expressed doubts and fears about the plane's condition so why take the risk? I would have thought that, as well, a normal airline would be cheaper than hiring a small private plane?

Martin wrote: "Much the same thoughts passed through my mind at the time, also in his last message he expressed doubts and fears about the plane's condition so why take the risk? I would have thought that, as wel..."

I think his last message was from the plane in flight and seemed to indicate it was falling apart - bit late for 2nd thoughts. Also Cardiff ARE trying to get their money back via insurance which will only cover half the sum and considering legal action against the agent and possibly the pilot's insurance/estate. Well, you would wouldn't you?

I was genuinely sad to read of the death of Jeremy Hardy at only 57. Remembering the great affection that was shown for his good friend Linda Smith when she died in 2006 at only 48, I'm sure he will be remembered equally fondly, even if only for his comical attempts at singing on I'm Sorry, I Haven't a Clue.

NO?!! - I've only just logged on and this is the first I've heard ;o<

It's tragic, he was no age. I loved his unapologetic lefty humour; the BBC would have struggled to find anyone as funny on the right to provide 'balance'. My two favourite singers on ISIHAC were Rob Bryden and Jeremy Hardy.

I always liked Jeremy Hardy, not just clever and funny but seemed a really decent chap. By coincidence I was only thinking of him a couple of days ago when I saw Linda Smith on an old QI.

A tribute from Mark Steel ...

"My dearest friend Jeremy J Hardy left us early this morning. I was so lucky to have spent 35 years arseing about with him. Knowing him as I did, I know he wouldn't want you to be sad, he'd want you to be bloody devastated"

I don't know the man but he seems like a real loss.

Some of his singing is collected here:

https://www.chortle.co.uk/features/20...

It is really sad. I always loved listening to him on ISIHAC and also watching him on TV. Linda Smith was also a gem. :-(

Thanks for that, Val. Great to see Humph again , too.

Jack Dee chose to interview Jeremy Hardy for 'Chain Reaction' ...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007...

Clive Swift, known amongst many other roles for being the long-suffering Husband of Hyacinth Bucket in 'Keeping Up Appearances', also died yesterday at the age of 82.

"RICHARD"!!!

He was perfect in the role of a crushed and weary Husband, wasn't he? ;o>

That he was. Brilliant series.

My kids always loved "the Bucket woman" but decades later, I'm appreciating it even more. All the characters add to the mix but it is Patricia Routledge's amazing comic timing and expressions that make it for me. I was fortunate to see her here about 5 years ago in her tribute to Dame Myra Hess. She is an amazing actress. Clive Swift was the perfect counterpoint. In the car we still say
"Watch the cyclist Richard"
"Watching the cyclist Hyacinth"
How lucky are we to have access to repeats of this fine comedy series!

Val wrote: "My kids always loved "the Bucket woman" but decades later, I'm appreciating it even more. All the characters add to the mix but it is Patricia Routledge's amazing comic timing and expressions that ..."

She could sing a bit too:

https://youtu.be/zmXrAGyHXF8

Wow! I didn't know that. Really lovely. I liked her take on "I Will Wait For You".

and love the intro:

"Allow Patricia Routledge to sing at you, won't you? This LP is the perfect non-riparian entertainment for an elegant candlelight supper featuring your best Royal Doulton... with hand-painted periwinkles, of course."

I've got "Beatrix Potter: The Complete Tales" on CD and Patricia Routledge reads The Tale of Tom Kitten:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zhKL...

I much preferred her "Kitty" monologues on Victoria Wood On TV, for me Hyacinth was just irritating though I thought Daisy and Onslow were very funny. Mrs O' is a bit of a fan.

Martin wrote: "I much preferred her "Kitty" monologues on Victoria Wood On TV, for me Hyacinth was just irritating though I thought Daisy and Onslow were very funny. Mrs O' is a bit of a fan."

I agree Martin, I thought it was just me! I must admit I’ve not seen her that much, I just know she’s much admired. Hetty Wainthropp was rubbish, we only managed one episode.

I think you have to distinguish between the character and the actress. Hyacinth is too awful for words, but it is the wonderful acting (IMO) of Patricia Routledge that makes her the abomination she is. I cringe at Basil Fawlty but he is still an iconic character.

PR has also added her talents to the works of Alan Bennett (Talking Heads, A Woman Of No Importance, A Visit From Miss Prothero, Doris and Doreen, etc). And way back in 1967 she was flirting with Sidney Poitier in "To Sir With Love".

Albert Finney is the latest to bite the dust..he was 82.

A damn fine actor he was. RIP Albert.

I loved Albert Finney! I think I fell in love with "Tom Jones" when I was 14. My Mum and Dad took me to see an R rated film! It even made me read the book. And then there was "Two For The Road' - one of the most romantic films ever! And I loved the musicals - "Scrooge" and "Annie". He could do anything. I'm also a fan of "A Man of No Importance" and "The Gathering Storm".

Thank you Mr Finney for hours of glorious entertainment.

I've still got a copy on DVD of the final two part plays written by Dennis Potter (written during the time he was dying of cancer), Karaoki & the futuristic drama Cold Lazurus, starring Frances De La Tour (of Rising Damp fame). Produced by the same team, as a joint project by the BBC & Channel 4, apparently at the request of Potter, just before he died.

The first story Karaoki, features Finney as Daniel Feeld, an aging heavy drinker & smoker playwright, working on a play of the same name, who developes paranoia when he starts hearing lines of his new play being repeated by a young couple he meets in a cafe. His health is poor, to such xtent he has weeks to live..and decides to give his body away to an experimental cryogenics laboratory, while he trys to deal with an possible murder situation unfolding in the remaining weeks of his life.

Cold Lazurus takes place in a bizarre dystopian virtual 24th century ruined Britian, now run by powerful American corporations. At a cryonics research institute in London, funded by the pharmaceuticals tycoon Martina Masdon, Frances De La Tour stars as a scientist Dr. Emma Porlock, who is working on reviving the memories of the now decapitated frozen head of 20th century playwriter Daniel Feeld. Throw in back stories of underground resistance attacks, some members of which Porlock discovers are working within her own group, constant threats of the project being shut down (due to lack of profit), by her employers & Porlock needing to cut deals with rival firms, to keep it going...and...most importantly, the slow realisation, that Daniel's head is becoming conscious, desperate to be allowed to die....putting the project's morality into doubt....builds up to a climatic end when Feeld takes matters into 'hand'.

Well worth a watch...if you haven't already!

Thanks for the recommendation Duke but it doesn't sound like my cup of char. While I like the well-known Dennis Potter material, I'm not into any form of sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian futures, etc. Same with horror and ultra-violent films. Other than "Jackie Brown", I've never seen a Quentin Tarantino film. Possibly my loss, but I don't feel any incentive to watch one.

Val wrote: "Thanks for the recommendation Duke but it doesn't sound like my cup of char. While I like the well-known Dennis Potter material, I'm not into any form of sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian futures, etc. Sa..."

Not much horror in Cold Lazurus Val, except, perhaps, for the eerie sight of Daniel's Feeld's frozen head plugged up to the laboratory's equipment!

Val wrote: "Thanks for the recommendation Duke but it doesn't sound like my cup of char. While I like the well-known Dennis Potter material, I'm not into any form of sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian futures, etc. Sa..."

Me too, Val. Don’t know if it’s the same where you are, but I do sometimes feel those genres are taking over TV.

Lez wrote: "Val wrote: "Thanks for the recommendation Duke but it doesn't sound like my cup of char. While I like the well-known Dennis Potter material, I'm not into any form of sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian futu..."

The shows i was speaking of...were first shown in the early 1990's! But yeah i know what you meant.

One of my closest friends is into everything to do with zombies, the apocalypse, Doctor Who, Outlander, Star Trek, etc. Yesterday we were in a book shop where she was buying the seven books in Charlie Higson's The Enemy Series for her 13 year old nephew's birthday. I'd never even heard of them. It is the one area where we have nothing in common.

Val wrote: "One of my closest friends is into everything to do with zombies, the apocalypse, Doctor Who, Outlander, Star Trek, etc. Yesterday we were in a book shop where she was buying the seven books in Char..."

I knew Higson is an author, but i too have never heard of those books.

I like my Sci Fi, but not the horror end of the genre, except for the first 3 Alien movies perhaps, but no the 4th one..cos it was rubbish! Star Trek (not the recent movies though..too much niose & action for my liking!), Star Wars (the originals & lastest movies..the 1990's trilogy were crap!), Babylon 5 story, Farscape..yeh...i can sit down and watch these sort of shows all day long!

Edit: I had posted a longer reply regarding an issue i'd noticed in recent series of Doctor Who..which kinda turned into another rant unfortunately! But then i remembered what thread this is, thought it to be inappropriate, so C&P'd it to the Books & TV thread instead! :)