Mar 06
MoggyBBC, Media, Politics, TV
Recently we have been hearing that there will be three live debates, featuring the three main political party leaders in the UK, broadcast live on TV, before the election day coming up this year (currently widely assumed to be May 6th).
The idea is based upon the similar American debates that happen on the other side of the Atlantic – and usually, a political strategy that has crossed the pond to us usually has me worried. But not this one…
To sum up for those who don’t know, here is a short quote about the debates from a Guardian news article:
The first programme, to be presented by ITN’s Alastair Stewart, will cover domestic affairs and come from the north-west. The second show, presented by Sky’s Adam Boulton, will cover foreign affairs and come from the south-west. The third, presented by the BBC’s David Dimbleby, will cover the economy – seen as the most important election issue – and will be broadcast from the Midlands.
And here are my main opinions:
- Firstly, the three debates are on three different broadcasters (starting with ITV1, followed by Sky News, and lastly the BBC), meaning there can be no ‘blame’ or ‘bias’ to a single broadcaster or host for a single show. I know it’s against broadcasting law to be politically bias, not just for the BBC, but for all channels in the UK, but I suspect Sky News will show their true right wing colours at some point… or maybe thats just me.
- I am also interested to see that none of the three debates will be held in London, but in varying locations across the country. I would like to see at least one set somewhere in the countryside, so people who don’t live in urban areas (which makes up rather a large proportion of the UK’s population) feel their opinions are heard.
- Which party will benefit most? For me, the Lib Dems. As mentioned on a Question Time debate a few days ago, the Lib Dems will be on the same level or debate as both the Tories and Labour. I suspect that a larger proportion of the mainstream public will change their viewpoints to the Lib Dems.
- I am also glad to see some of the ’strict’ rules put in place for the debates’ format. One that particularly grabbed my eye was the rule that the audience may not applaud during the live debate, and will only do so at the beginning at the end of the show. By not applauding, TV audiences will not be influenced to what the party leaders say based upon what the studio audience thinks. That to me, is a good thing, as the public needs to make their own mind up.
- I am, however, not happy at the reaction given by some of the smaller parties, such like The Green Party, UKIP, the SNP, etc. The thing is, these live debates are for the mainstream, large parties, which are their to promote a future prime minister, not to reinforce opinions of local MP’s – which is what these smaller parties need. Plus, the SNP and Plaid Cymru can bugger off, their policies have nothing to do with me living in England – don’t you dare say that their opinions need to be heard throughout the UK!
So, finally – my political opinion? Well, as I have made it clear before, I am more of a right-wing person, but I will promise myself to base my political opinion solely on the outcome of these debates… this should be interesting!
Sources: BBC News / The Guardian / Sky News / PA; Image source: Sky News
Update: Here is a good graphic I have created to summarise the 3 debates and their dates:
Sep 05
MoggyInternet, Media, TV, Website
A few posts ago, I wrote about how I favoured the Guardian news website against rivals, but today I stumbled across something that really rather annoyed me (for you folks outside the UK, you probably won’t understand this post, sorry.).
On the front page of all the major news websites, right now at about 9.30pm, there’s some story about the war, politics or something like that… but not The Guardian. The lead story here is about how, according to a survey, the Great British public support the BBC as a public corporation. Great news none the less, and this post is not a contest of that – but there findings are a bit interesting.
First, this all kicked off when James Murdoch, the CEO of News Corporation in Europe attacked the BBC, and this was at a keynote speech at the Edinburgh TV festival last weekend – an event sponsored and broadcasted by the Guardian Media Group. The next few days saw the reaction to this, and the poll, published by the company ICM, that the article refers to was introduced… great, but hang about… is this not a company heavily influenced by the Guardian Media Group as well? Oh yeah, I didn’t mention, the poll was also hosted on, and only on, the Guardian website. Great.
Some of you may be thinking what’s the problem with this. Well, the average reader for the Guardian newspaper is slightly left-wing… meaning they support public companies and object to privatisation. See where I’m going? Oh yeah, the BBC is one of those companies.
That’s right. By that line of thinking, everyone who actually visited the website and voted was heavily influenced already! Independent survey!? Bollocks to that! I would imagine had the survery been hosted on the Times Online website… or the Telegraph website, the results would be much different.
Aug 26
MoggyMedia, TV
I was very happy this morning. I woke up to the news that Channel 4 was ‘on the verge’ of announcing it will axe Big Brother from 2010 onwards. I was riveting in happiness, but until then, is it such good news? I mean… really!?
Turns out that Channel 4 signed a £180m contract with Endemol for 3 years worth of Big Brother to be shown, rather ruining my glorious TV schedule. That means, before BB actually gets axed, we have to bear another Celebrity Big Brother (no doubt with few celebrities anyway) and another standard Big Brother in Summer 2010. Great.
Mind you, after that, it should be the end of Big Brother on our TV screens for ever… well… possibly. Back in 2006, before the whole Shilpa Shetty race row, it turns out that this £180m deal was a fight between ITV and Channel 4. I cannot understand possibly why C4 wanted the rights for another 3 years, but they got them, but then cocked the viewing figures all up. But the news today suggests that Channel 4 is not interested any more – and they are just the broadcaster. Endemol are, probably, on the other hand, very happy with Big Brother in the production side of things, and I bet you any money that they will try get another broadcaster on board – ITV or Five perhaps. After all, they have 2 million British nutters who actually watch Big Brother to please.
And then, sadly, after this, we will still have to put up with Big Brother. Don’t get me wrong, it is fantastic news that Channel 4 is axing BB, Channel 4 is a great broadcaster and it was letting their programming down… but… don’t get your hopes up that the how has gone forever.
Update: Even better news! This article at The Guardian says that none of the other major broadcasters are interested in buying the rights for Big Brother. Whey!
May 13
MoggyTV, The Apprentice
With 7 contestants left before Sir Alan picks his one Apprentice for their dream job, this is my prediction for how it’s gunna turn out.
Well, yesterday’s episode saw the firing of Mona, and took the number of remaining candidates down to 7. This means that normally, we have 2 more episodes of tasks, leaving us with 5 candidates for the interview process. With the exception of Series 4, the first 3 series of the Apprentice gave us 2 candidates for the final, and it’s there, in four episodes time, where we find out who’s hired.
Going by the pattern from previous years, all four previous winners for the Apprentice have been men, except for series 2 – (S1; Tim. S3; Simon. S4; Lee), and I think adding another male to this list would just to too much for Sir Alan! I also think that none of the male candidates this year really have the Lee or Simon in them to go on and win – there’s only 3 men left, and Ben is just cocky, annoying, and bound not to get along well with anyone he works with, James, while seen to be a completely nice guy, just doesn’t seem to me to have the business potential that Sir Alan needs – it’s almost as if you should be seeing him in a garage or workshop! Finally, there’s Howard, and I’d say that he probably has my bet if there’s any male going on to win.
So, by process of elimination, we have just the 4 girls left to choose from; Debra, Kate, Lorraine and Yasmina. First off, Debra, shut the hell up. I can see her at some point in the next few weeks going into the boardroom, attacking someone, similar to how Philip did in week 7, and Jennifer did in series 4, and as a result getting fired – so nearly what she did in yesterday’s episode. Next, we have Kate. I would like to say my opinion is not influenced in any way because of her ‘looks’, clearly something readers of this Yahoo poll have been influenced by! To me there seems to be something just too good about her… and it makes me wonder if she’s just managed to wiggle her way out of situations she’s got in (take for example, her relationship with Philip). It won’t surprise me if she gets to the interview stage, or even the final, but I cannot see her winning… from this point onwards I think that she will have to play a more dominant role, and when she makes a mistake, it will be noticed.
Lorraine reminds me of the ‘oh… that one…’ candidate, as often seen in the Apprentice. In Series 3 it was Katie, and Series 4 it was Lucinda – just two people who were usually right, but so much so, you wanted to wring their neck at every available opportunity. Like Kate, I predict she’ll make the interviews, but I think there will be the place she crumbles.
That leaves Yasmina, whom I’m a bit confused by. In previous episodes, I was cringing when she didn’t get fired for that monumental cock up with the sandal/cedarwood where Paula went instead. However, regardless, I’d say she has the potential to getting to the top and winning, something backed up by last night’s performance. At this early stage, someone like Yasmina, I can see going straight through the interview stage, and hammer a win.
So anyway, those are my predictions – I think it’s going to be another classic female vs. female final, something as seen in Series 2. What do you reckon? Kate vs. Yasmina? Howard vs. Kate? Howard vs. Yasmina? Only time will tell…
Update; 5 weeks later: OMG, look who just got all his predictions right! I’m amazed I’ve managed to predict all that! Well done Yasmina!
Jan 02
MoggyFamous People, Media, TV
Dare I waste any time writing a proper blog post on Big Brother? So here is a badly written rant about the show.
Well, I watched ONE Big Brother series, and that was the Celebrity version 2 years back with Jade Goody and all her racial remarks, but even that I only watched it at the coincidental times when I was watching the TV and the show was on. I had been bullied into watching the series because everyone thought it was cool and interesting and all that. No. They were wrong.
I’d just like to think from the point of view of the contestants. What in gods name possesses people to want to live in the Big Brother house?? Besides money, fame and glory – you look like a complete twat most of the time and about 4 days in, you are already the subject of everyones conversations up and down the UK.
So the point of the view from the audience now. So the uses and gratifications theory states we watch TV programmes for one or more of the following reasons:
- Information; erm…. none in BB.
- Entertainment; does BB make me laugh? not really…
- Personal Identity; I would NEVER compare myself to the nutters who take part in BB.
- Social Interaction; I’d leave every conversation about BB with my friends.
Clearly, there are no reasons what so ever to watch BB. Thats not to mention the people that will call in and VOTE for housemates. I find it bizzare that people vote for the most annoying people so they get evicted… If I were forced to vote I’d vote for the people most annoying so they were locked up away from society for longer.
And, this series of BB is the ‘CBB’ variety. Yes. Celebrities. It makes me laugh. I
read a Yahoo story that leaked possible candidates for the show. They were:
Other than Ulrika Johnson, other names linked to the series include glamour model Lucy Pinder, who would allegedly earn £150,000; former Sugababe Mutya Buena, who’ll apparently receive £60,000; and Ben Adams from the boyband A1, who could get just £20,000. Liberty X’s Michelle Heaton, socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan, rapper Coolio, Austen Powers star Verne Troyer and La Toya Jackson may also appear.
I’m sorry. But, I’ve only heard of 2 of the 9 names mentioned above. I’ve heard of Ulrika Johnson, but don’t know what she does or who she is, and Coolio, the rapper who made ‘Gangsters Paradise’, but other than that one, I’ve successfully heard of no other songs.
I will not be paying attention to any of this series. Period.
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