Weekend Viewing

[callmemadam]

A fascinating Culture Show special yesterday evening about the writer Hilary Mantel. She spoke of her childhood, her illness and her writing methods; time just flew by. I was particularly interested to learn that she feels she needs ‘a boring life’ in order that the excitement can be in her head. What’s in her head is pretty disturbing and by the end of the programme I was thinking how glad I am not to be her. Very well worth catching if you missed it.

This evening, Sunday, can you believe it? The BBC has been stupid enough to put up Spooks against Downton Abbey! Ratings wars, still? Much as I enjoy Spooks it’s no contest. Can’t wait to see the chaps in uniform and I’m also hoping that Private Eye will bring back its Downturn Abbey series.

Comments

[aellia.livejournal.com]

I missed that so will see of I can catch it somewhere.
Spooks for me,too!
x

[land-girl.livejournal.com]

I can't wait until this evening!!

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

As Professor Unwin puts it today, all anticipale Downtolly Abbers this evelubrius. Deep joy.

[lurpak.livejournal.com]

Downton Abbey for me. Can't wait!

I enjoyed the Hilary Mantel programme too. Was funny that she lived in a flat in what was Brookwood hospital. My grandparents worked there and dad grew up in a house in the grounds. I don't think I'd like to live there. Dad remembers lots of people shuffling round in their slippers.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was weird that having been (wrongly) diagnosed as neurotic, she could have lived in such a place and that as an 'almost psychic' she didn't find any strange atmosphere there. Those places were grim but probably safer for the inmates than 'care in the community'.

[lethe1]

I watched it too. I was doing a jigsaw puzzle and thought I could continue puzzling while listening to the programme, but it was so interesting I had to go and watch.

I've never read anything by her though. Beyond Black is on my wish list, but mainly because I love the cover depicting a woman on a tarot card holding a vacuum cleaner (I collect playing cards). The grim subject matter has prevented me from buying it so far.

Is Downton Abbey on Channel Four?

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed A Place of Greater Safety and hadn't realised it was the first novel she wrote. I looked at Beyond Black and thought it would be too much for me.

Downton Abbey is on ITV1, easily accessible.

[gwendraith.livejournal.com]

I can't wait for Spooks and I can't wait for Downton Abbey. Thank heavens for the Sky+ box!

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I don't have Sky but have been working out my recording programme. So silly to make two new season treats clash.

[geraniumcat.livejournal.com]

The Culture Show came on just as we were finishing dinner last night - we were so spellbound by it we watched the whole programme (and then discovered that the water had gone off so we couldn't wash up). I hope she's going to enjoy living in Budleigh Salterton - it used to be full of retired colonels, but if she doesn't get out much I suppose it doesn't matter...

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I was riveted, really surprised when it finished.
Fab views from her windows, so she'd only see the colonels if they were swimming.

[gghost.livejournal.com]

I am so looking forward to the new season of "Downton Abbey."

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Hope you don't have too long to wait. I'm really looking forward to the first episode this evening.