Recommended Television Programmes

[Maclintick]

Here's another important programme I've only just caught up with, exposing more of Johnson's lies and, by extension, how his actions have the potential to undermine national security in this country, through ignoring the advice of his own security services when Foreign Secretary & then as PM. Available for the next 3 weeks.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/boris-the-lord-the-russian-spy-dispatches

[smittims]

Several times recently I've felt like throwing things at the radio when the BBC news report further revelations about this terrible man, as if they are surprising discoveries that no-one could have suspected. A good many of us knew long ago that he should never have been put in a position of any responsibility.

[JasonPalmer]

Unmasking vivaldi by charles hazlewood was good on bbc iplayer.

[kernelbogey]

I have recently binge-watched series 1 & 2 of World on Fire (BBC), having somehow missed series 1 when it was first aired in 2019, and alerted by an approving Guardian review of series 2, which is airing currently and also available in full on BBC iPlayer. It seemed to me that its attention to how the events of the 1939-45 war affected people, their personal and family lives and especially their ability to balance 'patriotic duty' was impressively well-judged. Contexts of Poland, Britain, France and Nazi-controlled Germany were all even-handed, it seemed to me: Nazi brutality was portrayed without, it seemed to me, over-exaggeration. Having been born in the closing months of this war I experienced growing up in the early 1950s the shadow that the war stilll cast over austerity-bound British society, and over my family, which has links to Austria and Italy: I found its portrayal of war-time Europe frequently very moving. I strongly recommend it to anyone who has not seen it, or only series 1. (I haven't checked for previous posts or threads on this).

[smittims]

Generalisations are of course dangerous but I often wonder if the British have taken longer to get the Second World War out of their system than countries who were more severely affected. It's an attitude famously lampooned in an episode of Fawlty Towers.

When England faced Germany in the World Cup some years ago I shook my head over the popular revival of such songs as 'Who do you think you are kidding, Mr. Hitler'. I'm sure a lot of Europeans found this childish. My mother, who lived through the Blitz, long regarded 'the Germans' as a bad, dangerous people until she went on holiday there inthe '80s and made some friends, besides discovering how much more heavily Germany was bombed than England.

[smittims]

And in another tack, I much enjoyed 5Select's recent programme 'the most complained-about Tv moments'.

It's not the sort of programme I usually watch and I'm relieved I don't live anywhere near some of the people I saw on it, but it's good to have one's horizons broadened occasionally. Among other things it underlined the fatal hazard of a careless remark on live TV.

[Serial_Apologist]

One can sign up for Talking Pictures TV - this evening they're showing Jacques Tati's Jour de Fête (1947) - last week it was Monsieur Hulot's Holiday.

[Dave2002]

Margaret Attwood on BBC TV after the News tonight - deliciously subversive!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001lmjq/this-cultural-life-series-2-margaret-atwood

[Serial_Apologist]

Margaret Attwood on BBC TV after the News tonight - deliciously subversive!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001lmjq/this-cultural-life-series-2-margaret-atwood

[smittims]

I ought to watch that Margaret Atwood interview. I can't stand her and I'm sure she has a huge psychological problem (chip on her shoulder), but it's good to widen one's horizons by hearing different views from one's own.

I was sorry to see that the version of M.Hulot's Holiday was the original French one (les vacances de M. Hulot) which is widely available on DVD etc. and not the English-language soundtrack which is rare and includes many delightful witticisms. I have it on an ageing VHS tape.

But oh, the music! Surely among the most unforgettable film scores ever.

[Dave2002]

I ought to watch that Margaret Atwood interview. I can't stand her and I'm sure she has a huge psychological problem (chip on her shoulder), but it's good to widen one's horizons by hearing different views from one's own.

I had no opinion of Margaret Atwood at all. Never read any of her books. The interview showed a lively mind and a robust and entertaining spirit, so maybe that'll change your mind. OTOH if I ever do read one of her books it may be that my opinion would change too!

[smittims]

Yes indeed. I was wrong to say I couldn't stand her. In fact I clearly can stand her as I usually listen to what she's saying. And I'm glad to be able to say she came across much nicer on this programme than I've thought before.

[johncorrigan]

Watched the first two episodes of 'The Sixth Commandment' on the BBC i-player last night - terrific, creepy, unbelievable, yet apparently a true story - I think we will be watching the other two this evening.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0fvlpf9/the-sixth-commandment?seriesId=p0fvlpjj

[antongould]

Watched the first two episodes of 'The Sixth Commandment' on the BBC i-player last night - terrific, creepy, unbelievable, yet apparently a true story - I think we will be watching the other two this evening.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...iesId=p0fvlpjj

we binged it John. …. IMVVHO excellent

[smittims]

While this thread's current I'll mention that 'The Ascent of Man' is being repeated again on BBC4.

I first saw it in 2000 and it was a revelation to me, as someone largely ignorant of scientific matters, though I'd always admired Jacob Bronowski from his appearances on 'Tonight'. I still think it (and he) are among the most compelling things I've seen on TV. Of course it's dated now, and for some politically incorrect (women aren't mentioned in episode one) but I'm looking forward to seeing it all again.