The Medium is Not Enough TV blog

White Collar web chat with Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay tonight

Rob Buckley — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:02:48 +0000

Just in case you're in the US – or live in the UK are something of a night owl/sky lark (or some kind of bird that gets up early) – I thought you'd like to know that USA Network is hosting a live video webchat with Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay tonight at 7pm ET/6pm CT (which would be 3am UK time, if I've done my sums right). In case you don't know, they're the stars of USA Network's White Collar, which is going to be shown by Bravo in the UK.

The webchat is going to be on the USA Network web site, and to keep yourself entertained until tonight – or to find out what White Collar's like – my review is back here. Or there's this here YouTube video.

April 2010 at the BFI

Rob Buckley — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:56:49 +0000

Time for our regular look at what TV's on at the South Bank in London in April. Another month of not much, basically, but that's because we don't yet know what's going to be on during what looks like an awesome HBO weekend – previews of Treme and The Pacific, at least, by the looks of it – as well as a The Prisoner viewing and Q&A, and Alan Bennett in conversation.

]]> (continued)

March 2010 at the BFI

Rob Buckley — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:07:57 +0000

Time for our regular look at what TV's on at the South Bank in London in March. The short answer is 'not much', bar a couple of iterations of Alice in Wonderland to coincide with Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, although for film lovers, there is a 'blondes' season, at least – be still my beating heart.

9th/13th: Alice in Wonderland
Directed by Jonathan Miller, and starring Wilfred Brambell, Alan Bennett and Michael Gough.
11th/15th: The Wednesday Play: Alice
The template for what became Dreamchild, this Dennis Potter-scripted drama mixes biographical detail with fiction to explore the relationship between Alice Liddell and Lewis Carroll. Stars George Baker, Rosalie Crutchley and Deborah Watling.

Champions' priority booking by phone: 11.30am February 1
Members' priority booking opens: 11.30am February 2
Public booking opens: 11.30am February 9

Prices
£7.60 (members)
£5.25 (member concs)
£9.00 (non-members)
£6.65 (non-members concs)
Under 16s £5.

All shows are £5 on Tuesdays. Conc prices are available to senior citizens, students, unwaged and disability visitors. Proof of eligibility may be required.

As always, visit the BFI web site for more details

Lost's first five seasons to be reduced to 10 minutes by the Reduced Shakespeare Company

Rob Buckley — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:17:38 +0000

Although you can catch up with Lost's first five seasons in just eight minutes if you want, if you have 10 minutes to spare, the Reduced Shakespeare Company are planning on reducing Lost's first five seasons themselves

The final series of Lost starts on Sky1 and Sky1 HD on February 5th and to celebrate The Reduced Shakespeare Company are putting on one of their unique performances condensing the last 5 seasons into less than 10 minutes. The result will be performed in front of a live audience of Lost fans. The event takes place in Covent Garden, London on Thursday 28th January at 7.30pm.

To be in with a chance of getting a pair of tickets to the event all the fans have to do is email their name, contact number and the email address of their plus one to lostonsky1@sky.com. The winners will then be selected and notified if they have received tickets on Tuesday 26th January.

The Reduced Shakespeare Company is a three-man comedy troupe that have succeeded in abridging the complete works of William Shakespeare and even the complete word of God. So surely, the last 5 seasons of Lost will be a walk in the park.

I'm told there'll also be a video preview by Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse and the footage will be available after the event, so I hope to post that for those of you who can't make it or aren't lucky enough to get tickets. Good luck though everyone!

Caitlin Moran interviews Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies for BAFTA

Rob Buckley — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:04:38 +0000

The YouTube one is unembeddable, but BAFTA itself has a nice vid of the recent event where Caitlin Moran of The Times interviewed Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner about Doctor Who. It's 25 minutes so go make yourself a nice cup of tea first. BAFTA also has some other vids as well, if you're interested, so click through to them if you have any more time after that.

UPDATE: BAFTA tell me they're going to take down the embedded version soon, so watch it here before it disappears, or watch it on their web site when it does.

UPDATE 2: BAFTA now tells me their one's going to stop working, but the YouTube one is now embeddable, so I've embedded that instead.

]]> (continued)

February 2010 at the BFI

Rob Buckley — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:35:16 +0000

Time for our regular look at what TV's on at the South Bank in London in February. Not much this month, but the big highlight – by which I mean there's three events – is the TV remake season, which has an episode from an old show followed by an episode of a new show. There's also a CITV fun day with preview showings of Horrid Henry and Emu.

]]> (continued)

January 2010 at the BFI

Rob Buckley — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:54:06 +0000

Time for our regular look at what TV's on at the South Bank in London in January. Highlights include a David Renwick season, Bernard Cribbins in conversation, a preview of the new series of Skins and Missing Believed Wiped, which offers a chance to see some newly returned episodes of Till Death Us Do Part and Top of the Pops.

]]> (continued)

Win tickets to a London premiere screening of the new version of The Prisoner

Rob Buckley — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:58:29 +0000

It's true. It's not my competition, but it's true: you can win tickets to an exclusive West End screening of the first two episodes of ITV & AMC's reworking of The Prisoner with Jim Caveizel and Ian McKellen. Equally excitingly, it'll take place 48 hours after the US network premiere.

The competition's being run by ITV and the entry form is over here. Beat the rush while you can!

December at the BFI

Rob Buckley — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:20:04 +0000

Time for our regular look at what TV's on at the South Bank in London in December. One hell of a lot of tele this month thanks to the second part of the Radical Television Drama season that started last month and because it's Christmas.

What will most be people interested in? I'm guessing the preview of David Tennant and Patrick Stewart's Hamlet on the 14th. Notably, they don't say who's going to be at the Q&A, other than the director, but cross your fingers, hey?

]]> (continued)

November at the BFI

Rob Buckley — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:00:31 +0000

Time for our regular look at what TV's on at the South Bank in London in November. Quite a lot of tele this month as part of the Radical Television Drama season, but nothing else except for the Queen in 3D. Seriously.

4th: The Wednesday Play: The Big Flame+ discussion with Tony Garnett
Docu-drama following striking dockers in Liverpool.
4th: The Wednesday Play: Up the Junction + Diary of a Young Man (episode 1)
Two Ken Loach films, one by Nell Dunn, one by Troy Kennedy Martin.
8th: The Wednesday Play: Vote, Vote, Vote for Nigel Barton + Play for Today: All Good Men
Dennis Potter's attack on the party political system, followed by Trevor Griffiths's blistering polemic on the left/right struggle.
12th: TV preview: The Queen in 3D
Yes, 3D films of the Queen that will be part of Channel 4's The Queen in 3D.
13th: Scum + Q&A
The famous play set in a borstal that launched Ray Winstone's career. Q&A will include producer Margaret Matheson and writer Roy Minton.
16th: Play for Today: Bloody Kids
Stephen Poliakoff's drama about a kid who fakes being stabbed in the chest
18th: TV sold to the highest bidder - Thatcher's television revolution
Raymond Snoddy chairs a panel including Sir Michael Grade, Alasdair Milne, Tony Garnett and David Rose to examine the impact of Thatcherism on drama.
18th: Play for Today: The Black Stuff
The play that spawned Boys From The Black Stuff.
19th: John Hill: from the The Big Flame to Leeds - United!
How TV responded in drama to the industrial conflicts of the 60s and 70s.
25th: Play for Today: Leeds - United! + Q&A
The fight of women clothing workers in Leeds for better pay in 1970. Followed by Q&A with producer Kenith Trodd, writer Colin Welland and director Roy Battersby.
26th: Oi for England + Made in Britain
Neil Pearson in Trevor Griffiths' play about the National Front, followed by Tim Roth as a disaffected skinhead.
29th: Play for Today: United Kingdom + Q&A
A left-wing council is removed from office after overspending. Directed by Roland Joffe. Q&A with producer Kenith Trodd.

Champions' priority booking by phone: September 28
Members' priority booking opens: 11.30am September 29
Public booking opens: 11.30am October 6

Prices
£7.60 (members)
£5.25 (member concs)
£9.00 (non-members)
£6.65 (non-members concs)
Under 16s £5.

All shows are £5 on Tuesdays. Conc prices are available to senior citizens, students, unwaged and disability visitors. Proof of eligibility may be required.

As always, visit the BFI web site for more details

October at the BFI

Rob Buckley — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:29:51 +0000

Time for our regular look at what TV's on at the South Bank in London in October. Not a lot at all this month, but a couple of things at least, including a day looking at future trends in TV production.

2nd: 360° TV and multi-platform production
A panel of commissioners and new media producers discuss the process of 360° commissioning, its impact on programme genres and what the future holds.
2nd: Online-only TV and the democratisation of TV production
Using clips of shows created specifically for online consumption, this will examine how companies such as Current TV, Bebo and YouTube are showcasing the work of the public.
4th: Preview: Murderland + Q&A
A showing of episode 1 of ITV1's three-part Rashomon-esque Murderland, starring Robbie Coltrane. Followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with writer David Pirie, director Catherine Morshead, producer Kate Croft and members of the cast.

Champions' priority booking (I have no idea what that is) by phone: August 31
Members' priority booking opens: 11.30am September 1
Public booking opens: 11.30am September 8

Prices
£7.60 (members)
£5.25 (member concs)
£9.00 (non-members)
£6.65 (non-members concs)
Under 16s £5.

All shows are £5 on Tuesdays. Conc prices are available to senior citizens, students, unwaged and disability visitors. Proof of eligibility may be required.

As always, visit the BFI web site for more details

September at the BFI

Rob Buckley — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:55:13 +0000

Time for our regular look at what TV's on at the South Bank in London in September. Most of it is going to be taken up with a Coal season (oh joy) and part two of the Stage to Screen season. BUT there is going to be a preview of the new series of Merlin.

3rd: Richard II: Live From The Globe
The first live broadcast of a theatre production in over 30 years
4th: A Day in the Death of Joe Egg
Starring Eddie Izzard, Peter Nichols' play recorded on stage in front of a live audience
6th: Merlin + Q&A
The first episode of the new series of BBC1's Merlin, together with a panel discussion involving cast and crew.
8th: Vincent in Brixton
A play about Vincent Van Gogh's stay in Brixton
13th/21st: The Price of Coal: Meet the People
Ken Loach and Tony Garnett's play about a royal visit to Milton Colliery
17th: Changing Stages + Panel Discussion
The first episode of the series dicussing the development of British theatre, followed by a panel discussion with Mark Lawson, Richard Eyre and Ben Stephenson, BBC controller of drama
19th/20th: The Wars of the Roses
All 11 parts of John Barton's adaptation of Shakespeare's history cycle from Henry VI to Richard III
21st/29th: Which Side Are You On? + The Miners' Film
Two documentaries, one by Ken Loach and another made in 1975 but updated during the miners' strike 10 years later
26th: Theatre Night: Miss Julie
Janet McTeer and Patrick Malahide star in Strindberg's play

On at the Mediatheque: The Miners' Picnic (Ken Russell BBC Documentary about a colliery band competition) and Ken Loach's Meet the People.

Members' priority booking opens: 11.30am August 4

Public booking opens: 11.30am August 11

Prices
£7.60 (members)
£5.25 (member concs)
£9.00 (non-members)
£6.65 (non-members concs)
Under 16s £5.

All shows are £5 on Tuesdays. Conc prices are available to senior citizens, students, unwaged and disability visitors. Proof of eligibility may be required.

As always, visit the BFI web site for more details

August at the BFI

Rob Buckley — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:03:10 +0000

Time for our regular look at what's on at the South Bank in London in August. Everyone's probably going to be on holiday, but c'est la vie.

Most of the TV-related material is part of the "From Stage to TV Screen" season, which is probably self-explanatory, but there's also an afternoon run: Missing Believed Wiped Special: The Lost Cartiers, looking at the work of legendary 1950s/60s director Rudolph Cartier.

2nd/4th: Play of the Month: Look Back In Anger
John Osborne's play, shot for the BBC1 on the 20th anniversary of its first Royal Court performance. Stars James Hazeldine
10th/14th: Theatre 625: Chicken Soup With Barley
The first play of Arnold Wesker's trilogy concerns the history of a communist working class family
12th: Rat in the Skull + Panel discussion
Brian Cox and Gary Oldman star in an examination of Irsih sectarian psychology. The panel interview with Max Stafford-Clark and Simon Curtis discuss the influence of Royal Court productions on TV drama.
19th/25th: Performance: Top Girls
Caryl Churchill's fantasy dinner party, starring Lesley Sharp among others
20th/29th: Performance: Suddenly, Last Summer
A production of Tennessee William's play starring Maggie Smith, Natasha Richardson, Rob Lowe and Richard E Grant
22nd: It is Midnight, Dr Schweitzer
Part of the Missing Believed Wiped Special: The Lost Cartiers season, this in the earliest surviving complete UK TV drama, and stars André Morrell
22nd: The Wednesday Play: The July Plot + Out of the Unknown: Level Seven
Part of the Missing Believed Wiped Special: The Lost Cartiers season, The July Plot is based on the 'Valkyrie' plot to assassinate Hitler, and was directed by Rudolph Cartier. Level Seven is a 'chilling instalment about nuclear war'
27th/30th: Performance: Six Characters in Search of An Author
Starring John Hurt, Brian Cox and Tara Fitzgerald

Members' priority booking opens: 11.30am July 7
Public booking opens: 11.30am July 14

Prices
£7.60 (members)
£5.25 (member concs)
£9.00 (non-members)
£6.65 (non-members concs)
Under 16s £5.

All shows are £5 on Tuesdays. Conc prices are available to senior citizens, students, unwaged and disability visitors. Proof of eligibility may be required.

As always, visit the BFI web site for more details

PS Cy Young's standing for the board of governors. Vote for Cy Young everyone!

Tickets for Miranda Hart's sitcom

Rob Buckley — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:29:41 +0000

Could be good, if only because Sally Phillips is in it. You may remember Miranda Hart from Hyperdrive and Not Going Out:

Miranda is desperate to fit in, but can't.

Her public school background and posh accent make her a misfit down the pub. She has never fitted in with 'the girls' (not least because she's a foot taller than them) and due to years of agoraphobic tendencies she doesn't know how to behave socially or how to avoid embarrassment, especially around men.

She's a constant disappointment to her mother Penny, who's desperate for her to get a proper job, or even better, a husband, but Miranda's happiest playing with and making up silly games in her joke shop.

Lacking any real capacity for business, Miranda employs her childhood friend Stevie to manage the shop. Stevie tries to run the business like she's competing to be Alan Sugar's apprentice, but her principal task is keeping Miranda's childish absurdities under control.

It doesn't matter what Miranda attempts in life - be it dating, joining the gym, or dealing with her overbearing mother, she always seems to fall flat - literally. She can never seem to leave a room without knocking something over.

Partly based on the character of comedian Miranda Hart, 'Miranda Hart's sitcom' is a farcical, affectionate sitcom about being the odd one out.

Starring Miranda Hart, Sarah Hadland as Stevie, Patricia Hodge as Miranda's Mother, Penny, Tom Ellis as Gary, and Sally Phillips as Miranda's boarding school friend Tilly.

Recording on Sundays 5, 12, 19 and 26 July and 2 and 9 August at the BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, London. Doors open at 7pm.

To apply for tickets, visit the BBC Tickets Website or call the BBC Ticket Line on 0370 901 1227

Derby Quad - Year of the Sex Olympics and Sapphire and Steel showings

Rob Buckley — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:39:28 +0000

I don't normally cover "up north" – I'm sure there are better sources of information than I, for starters – but thanks to this brave new web world I've entered recently, I've just learnt via Twitter about some interesting showings at Derby QUAD as part of their "Future is Now" season.

5th: Sapphire and Steel – Adventure 4. Includes a Q&A with director David Foster.
13th: Year of the Sex Olympics – Nigel Kneale's 1968 prescient look at television.

You can book online right now.