TV watch: hurrah for Marr

[callmemadam]

I was absolutely furious yesterday evening to find that the borefest which is Autumnwatch had taken over the schedules for the entire week and there would be no University Challenge or Only Connect. My favourite programmes! All was not lost because I had the second episode of Andrew Marr’s Paperback Heroes to look forward to. This is a brilliant little series. In the first episode Marr looked at detective fiction. Last night’s episode, about fantasy writing, was even better, I thought. Phew, it was so fast and so dense I could hardly keep up.

I’m a bore about fantasy, thinking that once you’ve read Tolkien you don’t need to read any more. It’s often been pointed out to me that there are many different forms of fantasy and Andrew Marr convinced me that this is true. I now have to read Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, for example. This series (BBC 4 of course), is television for intelligent viewers and shows what TV can be at its best. Next week: spies!

Comments

[cornflowerbooks.livejournal.com]

Oh, that sounds good! I hadn't heard about it but shall now rush and watch it ...

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I'd be happy to watch it again!

[cornflowerbooks.livejournal.com]

Just watched the fantasy one: excellent! Off to the detectives now.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Good-oh!

[land-girl.livejournal.com]

Haha 'borefest'. You would have the best conversations with my dad.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Heh. Nice idea.

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

I was going to ask if you'd been watching this; I loved the first one, enjoyed last night's more than I thought I would, and obviously can't wait for next week's!

I love American Gods, and I don't always enjoy Neil Gaiman by any means.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I didn't expect much from a fantasy episode, not being a fan, but an hour passed in a flash.

That's two recommendations for American Gods, then.

[suzy cuthbert (from livejournal.com)]

WE too were miffed that university challenge and only connect weren't on.
How very dare they!

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

As if the BBC cares what viewers think!
I know it's sad, but I was really disappointed.

Autumn watch - Boring watch

[(Anonymous)]

I also ranted and raved about the removal of Uni Challenge! Little cuddly wuddly animals always take centre stage, a prog to stretch the little grey cells always gets the chop!
Margaret P

Re: Autumn watch - Boring watch

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

So true! And a programme like Gardeners' World is considered less important than darts or snooker. What annoys me is that the BBC never apologises to disappointed viewers.