Amateur Ramblings

The antidote to quiz-show hosts

Sad news about Humphrey Lyttleton, who has died aged 86.

Cold; Hot; Wet

Yesterday threw up some strange sights. I mean, after last week's mild temperatures, who would have thought that the weekend was to see country-wide snowfall?

Then, I tune in to the news, only to see TV's Konnie Huq, of off Blue Peter, wrestling with protesters, Chinese security officials and the police for custody of the Olympic flame. An image I never thought I'd see.

In the afternoon we went over to Gemma's Mums for our tea, and found ourselves watching a weeks worth of 'Come Dine With Me' back-to-back. And then Gemma wanted to watch the latest reality/musical job interview 'I'd Do Anything'. I could almost feel my brain cells leaking away, and consoled myself with the thought that the punishment that awaits the losing Nancy each week is being beaten to death by the actor who is to play Bill Sykes (in character of course).

Lookalikes

I recently heard a correspondent on Adam and Joe's radio show make the suggestion that Masterchef's shouty presenters John Torode and Gregg Wallace bear more than a passing resemblance to unfunny comic characters Jon Arbuckle and Garfield. But don't take my word for it, check out this irrefutable evidence:

OK...right...now...good.

I was really warmed by the news that three pairs of Richard Whiteley's glasses have been donated to Africa, where they are giving the gift of sight.

'A tailor called Adam could not thread a needle until he was given a pair of the Countdown presenter's trademark glasses'.

guess who

actually, i'd be moist grateful if you would. neither i nor my family, upon finding this picture amongst some old photos, have the foggiest who it is. what's clear is that it is an actor from central tv's (nee atv) legendary soap opera, crossroads (nee crossroads motel).

i don't know if someone in the family was ever a massive fan of the show, or if they simply bumped into the actor in birmingham, where filming took place.

convenience advertising

richard herring has written a very amusing and extensive post on a subject that is one of my bugbears.

tenuous links to fame

at a recent barbeque, i was told the dad of the friend of the daughter of the friend of a friend appeared as the first ever marti pellow on stars in their eyes. not impressed? how about this then; one of the managers where i work, right, her dad played the milkman in open all hours. no? er, i met mark curry in poole in the 80's.