I have to admit it's a reasonably clever idea. There have been a number of adaptations of Pride & Prejudice , with perhaps the Andrew Davies/Colin Firth costume drama being the most notorious in the UK. There has also been at least one attempt to update it, Bridget Jones's Diary. Lost in Austen combines the costume drama with the 21st century update, and adds a healthy dose of science fiction staple, the portal to another world.
I'm not entirely convinced yet. Amanda Price, the tranportee who finds the magical portal, is a twenty-something, who loses herself in Jane Austen, and despairs of her hopeless boyfriend. It's a bit of a cliche, and I'm not sure that such a young woman really exists in 2008. She also blunders about Austen World, determined to frustrate the plot with her good intentions. Again, I think we've been here before.
Perhaps more convincingly, we get to see some of these characters, between scenes. It's a nice idea that could be hopelessly clumsy, but so far hasn't come off. Ultimately, the series explore the relationship between Austen and contemporary sensibilities, without telling us anything that the reasonably intelligent Austen reader couldn't work out for her or his (yes there are some) self. It also asks questions about our relationship with the Austen adaptations, I just haven't yet worked out what these questions are.
Monday 8 September 2008
Saturday 23 August 2008
Secret Millionaire
Channel 4's The Secret Millionaire has a problem, or it will do soon. In future, anyone involved in running any kind of voluntary group will assume that a mysterious stranger, showing up out of nowhere, offering to help, is a secret millionaire: just like the landlord who suspects a new customer is the mystery shopper, they will change their behaviour accordingly. The dead giveaway, of course, will be the presence of a Channel 4 film crew, pretending to make a documentary about volunteering.
I don't want to be churlish about it all. The amounts given away generally represent a small fraction of the fortune, but I could say the same about my own, pitiful, giving. The most heartwarming programmes see the millionaire continuing their commitment in terms of time, as well as money. This is probably welcomed by the organisations involved as much as the cash, particularly when the involvement continues after the cameras have gone.
It is the cameras that make me uneasy. There is always some kind of Faustian element to such a show: the TV companies will pay for something, organise something, or provide research, in return for access. But surely someone who has built a multi-million pound IT empire from scratch doesn't need any help identifying worthwhile causes.
It is difficult to imagine the show continuing after this series, without any pretense of the 'secret' in the show's title becoming risible; I do hope that volunteering does become popular away from TV shows.
I don't want to be churlish about it all. The amounts given away generally represent a small fraction of the fortune, but I could say the same about my own, pitiful, giving. The most heartwarming programmes see the millionaire continuing their commitment in terms of time, as well as money. This is probably welcomed by the organisations involved as much as the cash, particularly when the involvement continues after the cameras have gone.
It is the cameras that make me uneasy. There is always some kind of Faustian element to such a show: the TV companies will pay for something, organise something, or provide research, in return for access. But surely someone who has built a multi-million pound IT empire from scratch doesn't need any help identifying worthwhile causes.
It is difficult to imagine the show continuing after this series, without any pretense of the 'secret' in the show's title becoming risible; I do hope that volunteering does become popular away from TV shows.
Friday 22 August 2008
The Cup
It's easy to feel sympathy for Rick Gervaise and Stephen Merchant: everything they do in future will inevitably be compared to The Office; equally inevitably, everything will fall short of that high standard. At least though, they have the kudos of having created the show. Spare a thought for the creators of pretty much any other sitcom likely to emerge in the next few years: they will struggle to compete, without any of the glory of having done something great.
I enjoyed the first episode of BBC2's new comedy The Cup. It is a mockumentary portrayal of a kids' football team. Slightly predictably, the parents are far more competitive than the kids. The strongest moments by far featured cringemaking father, Terry McConnell's, attempts to make a name for his son. His misplaced ambition, and lack of self-awareness when addressing the camera, were both clever and funny; nevertheless, I couldn't help thinking that I've seen it all somewhere before.
I'll watch it all the way through, and no doubt enjoy it, but I am still waiting for the next groundbreaking sitcom.
I enjoyed the first episode of BBC2's new comedy The Cup. It is a mockumentary portrayal of a kids' football team. Slightly predictably, the parents are far more competitive than the kids. The strongest moments by far featured cringemaking father, Terry McConnell's, attempts to make a name for his son. His misplaced ambition, and lack of self-awareness when addressing the camera, were both clever and funny; nevertheless, I couldn't help thinking that I've seen it all somewhere before.
I'll watch it all the way through, and no doubt enjoy it, but I am still waiting for the next groundbreaking sitcom.
Thursday 14 August 2008
New Favourite Music Shop
I have been there before, but today I visited Hobgoblin in Birmingham, and had a great time. The selection of traditional instruments is fantastic, as I already knew, but so is the customer service.
There was a woman in the store, who had got there ahead of me. She had no experience of playing a musical instrument, and wanted to know what instrument would be the easiest place to start. The man working in the shop couldn't have been more helpful. He discussed what kind of music she was interested in - Cajun, as it happened - and went through various instruments, demonstrating each one, and telling her about ease of use, price, and how easy it would be to move on to another instrument.
When it was my turn to be served, they didn't have the mandola strings I was after in stock. They have ordered them for me, and promised they would be dispatched from the warehouse today. All in all, a good trip.
There was a woman in the store, who had got there ahead of me. She had no experience of playing a musical instrument, and wanted to know what instrument would be the easiest place to start. The man working in the shop couldn't have been more helpful. He discussed what kind of music she was interested in - Cajun, as it happened - and went through various instruments, demonstrating each one, and telling her about ease of use, price, and how easy it would be to move on to another instrument.
When it was my turn to be served, they didn't have the mandola strings I was after in stock. They have ordered them for me, and promised they would be dispatched from the warehouse today. All in all, a good trip.
Sunday 27 July 2008
The Black Keys
I came across The Black Keys on Channel 4's Live from Abbey Road, and I have to confess to mixed feelings. It was nice to hear something raw and immediate after the anodyne Hoosiers, and they certainly kick up a fair racket, but I still have reservations.
I fought the temptation to compare them with The White Stripes, simply because of their lineup: if they were a bogstandard four-piece, I wouldn't feel the need to make any invidious comparisons. But, then there was the rather similar musical territory, minus Meg White's rudimentary approach to drums - arguably a large part of The White Stripes' appeal.
Call me slow on the uptake, but they were a couple of songs into their set, before I clocked the name: The Black Keys, The White Stripes - someone somewhere is taking the mick.
I fought the temptation to compare them with The White Stripes, simply because of their lineup: if they were a bogstandard four-piece, I wouldn't feel the need to make any invidious comparisons. But, then there was the rather similar musical territory, minus Meg White's rudimentary approach to drums - arguably a large part of The White Stripes' appeal.
Call me slow on the uptake, but they were a couple of songs into their set, before I clocked the name: The Black Keys, The White Stripes - someone somewhere is taking the mick.
Thursday 24 July 2008
Privacy ruling
It was announced today that Max Mosley has won his privacy case against the News of the World. I have had reservations about privacy laws since the early 90s when Robert Maxwell - incidentally an outspoken opponent of the introduction of such laws in the UK - attempted to use French privacy laws to prevent the publication of a biography. Nevertheless, in the Mosley case, I think the right result has been reached.
The argument that the ruling will hinder investigative journalism is bogus. There was no serious investigation here. Colin Myler, News of the World editor, has admited that the paper did not even go to the trouble of translating German spoken by Mosley during his session. It is no use claiming your readers have the 'right to know', if you aren't giving them the full story.
The other key point is the word 'privacy'. These matters clearly related to Mosley's private life. Journalists conducting investigations into the professional lives of public figures, for example political corruption, are clearly involved in a different activity altogether. Provided such investigations are carried out in good faith, it is difficult to see how today's ruling will hinder them.
http://http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/jul/24/mosley.privacy
The argument that the ruling will hinder investigative journalism is bogus. There was no serious investigation here. Colin Myler, News of the World editor, has admited that the paper did not even go to the trouble of translating German spoken by Mosley during his session. It is no use claiming your readers have the 'right to know', if you aren't giving them the full story.
The other key point is the word 'privacy'. These matters clearly related to Mosley's private life. Journalists conducting investigations into the professional lives of public figures, for example political corruption, are clearly involved in a different activity altogether. Provided such investigations are carried out in good faith, it is difficult to see how today's ruling will hinder them.
http://http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/jul/24/mosley.privacy
Friday 11 July 2008
Augie March
Augie March are not well known outside their native Australia. In fact, I'm not sure how well known they are in Australia. I received their third album, Moo You Bloody Choir to review in 2007.
The main focus of the band is singer/songwriter Glenn Richards. I have to say, I am ambivalent about singer/songwriters, singer-songwriters, and singersongwriters: I am a huge fan of Dylan, Costello, Waits & Cohen, but these artists have also inspired a million whimpy wannabes - James Blunt, you are one of many. Augie March knocked me out from the off.
Firstly, they are so much more than a songwriter's backing band. Moo You Bloody Choir ranges from the jazz-tinged 'The Honey Month', through the garage rock of 'Just Passing Through', and on to 'Vernoona', which is as strange sounding as its title.
The highpoint is found in the lyrics to opening track 'One Crowded Hour':
Did you expect to see something that you'd never seen,
in somebody you'd known since you were sixteen?
And if love is just a bolt from the blue,
then what is that bolt but a glorified screw,
that doesn't hold nothing together?
Many albums start with a fantastic opener (often released as a first single), before trailing into mediocrity. Moo You Bloody Choir, however, presents highlight after highlight.
http://www.augiemarch.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWEahIQGsZY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRgKaH4nDP4&feature=related
The main focus of the band is singer/songwriter Glenn Richards. I have to say, I am ambivalent about singer/songwriters, singer-songwriters, and singersongwriters: I am a huge fan of Dylan, Costello, Waits & Cohen, but these artists have also inspired a million whimpy wannabes - James Blunt, you are one of many. Augie March knocked me out from the off.
Firstly, they are so much more than a songwriter's backing band. Moo You Bloody Choir ranges from the jazz-tinged 'The Honey Month', through the garage rock of 'Just Passing Through', and on to 'Vernoona', which is as strange sounding as its title.
The highpoint is found in the lyrics to opening track 'One Crowded Hour':
Did you expect to see something that you'd never seen,
in somebody you'd known since you were sixteen?
And if love is just a bolt from the blue,
then what is that bolt but a glorified screw,
that doesn't hold nothing together?
Many albums start with a fantastic opener (often released as a first single), before trailing into mediocrity. Moo You Bloody Choir, however, presents highlight after highlight.
http://www.augiemarch.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWEahIQGsZY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRgKaH4nDP4&feature=related
Thursday 10 July 2008
Innovative new comedy?
I have heard that the day after The Office was first broadcast, co-creator Stephen Merchant overheard two women talking about it on the train. One woman thought that this new documentary was the funniest thing she'd ever seen, until her friend pointed out that it was meant to be a comedy: "Well it's not very funny", she said.
The creators of BBC 1's Bonekickers may have experienced the opposite effect. If it is a comedy, it is an effort of real genius. It satirises rightwing fundamentalism, archaeology and British low-budget TV drama. The highlight was the scene in which two of the fundamentalists - both some kind of Neo Knights Templar - perish if a blaze of burning crosses.
Sadly, if this programme is meant to be a serious drama, or even just a bit of peaktime fluff, it fails miserably.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bonekickers/
The creators of BBC 1's Bonekickers may have experienced the opposite effect. If it is a comedy, it is an effort of real genius. It satirises rightwing fundamentalism, archaeology and British low-budget TV drama. The highlight was the scene in which two of the fundamentalists - both some kind of Neo Knights Templar - perish if a blaze of burning crosses.
Sadly, if this programme is meant to be a serious drama, or even just a bit of peaktime fluff, it fails miserably.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bonekickers/
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