Pondering short-term failings and longer term possibilities

By Simon Wright (Personal Piece)

NEXT week is what the University calls ‘Production Week,’ ‘Reading Week,’ whatever you want to call it.  Once again, it will provide me with the perfect opportunity to go home for the week, which at the end of the day, is where my true heart is and where I belong.  Not only will I use the opportunity to refocus, but it is time to ponder my next move in the long-term.

      I am one of those people who like security and want to sort things out and not have grave uncertainty hanging over me.  I’m afraid I don’t have that privilege at the moment and it isn’t a nice feeling to have.  None of us want to have this feeling and perhaps that explains the tricky start I’ve had to my final year at Uni.  We all choose to study on the degree for the right reasons and have to deal with the constructive criticism, the knockbacks and the disagreements of opinion in a calm and dignified manner.  There are tough times for everyone in journalism and as they say in the legendary bobsled movie Cool Runnings; ‘Rise above It.’ For example, I was annoyed to find out on Monday that a feature piece which I had already planned out has been changed to a series of topics that don’t interest me in the slightest.  Not only did I feel like I had wasted some of my time, but it would have been nice to hear about this at the start of the year, not five weeks into the course.  However, sometimes you need to take a step back to appreciate the compromises that have to be made.  I’m aware that you can’t complain if you get a job and have to write something that you don’t have any interest in.  So, no kidding, writing about the death penalty will not excite me but I’ve got to get on with what has been set.  I took things too far and moaned about it on Monday evening on Facebook and let’s face it, nobody was impressed.  Fair enough, it wasn’t a wise move and following up from last week; I hold my hands up and should have kept my mouth shut on the matter.  If I don’t like it, I know where the exit door is.  It will probably help in the short-term not using Facebook for three whole weeks, letting things blow over and take a much-needed break from the social network site which has taken a grip of control of late.  Christmas isn’t that far away, and I must approach that in the season of goodwill, not be the green-eyed Grinch monster!

       Throughout the first month of my final year, I will honestly say that it has been a struggle, far more than I could have anticipated.  However, have I dealt with things in the right manner?  Probably not!  The relaxed approach to everything at the end of last year will return while I am at home next week because let’s face it, nobody like serious, moody Simon.  Not even I like myself when I’m like that.  It might take a knock on the head to help, but we are now in the beginning of November.  I’m going to treat it as a new month, new start and forget the tough times of the first month.  As one of my closest friends said to me via the wonderful BlackBerry Messenger service on Sunday night; I’m a stronger person that what I have shown so far.  Yes, we all get disappointed and frustrated when certain aspects are changed and if you don’t, I’d nominate you for ‘World’s Strongest Individual!’

      So, that’s the short-term goal; to return to my old self, be more open and deal with disappointment in a more concealed manner rather than blowing up on one of those rants.  However, the long-term is still uncertain and that is a test that might be harder to crack.  I know in myself that I am good enough to make it and I’m certainly not burnt out by journalism.  To be honest, I never have been.  True, I get annoyed with some of the media’s tactics in reporting a story nowadays and of course, the phone hacking scandal of the summer really changed the landscape of how media and journalists are seen to the general public.  I still want to chase my dream of ultimately being successful in this industry, but probably need guidance in the next move I make.  I’m 23 now and don’t want to be doing more years of constant studying, especially as I came to University two years later than most of the rest of the course I currently study on. 

     Where do I go next then is the question?  The possibility to do an NCTJ accredited course is very tempting.  I’ve been checking out prices for a variety of courses.  The cheaper option would be a Distance Learning course, which I can do in my own time, over a maximum of two years.  Unfortunately, my University isn’t NCTJ accredited, so areas like shorthand are not included on my course.  In hindsight, it’s something I probably should have thought about more when I was making decisions on University in the winter of 2008.  Sports journalism is where I wanted to end up then and it still is today, but I don’t know if I should be more specific in what I am aiming for.  I feel that without getting an NCTJ course or training for one in a job, I can’t see myself reaching and fulfilling my goals.  Summer 2012 is certainly the best option for this, but I wouldn’t mind getting a bit more guidance in this area.

     So, this is something I would like to timetable at while I am at home next week.  It’s no harm pondering over your options and actually, it’s a good thing that I’m trying to keep open-minded on this.  Unfortunately, the unpredictable economic climate and the lack of jobs out there mean that an uncertain future is one that faces a lot of us.  I won’t lie; it’s a small world and not a great feeling to have.

       In summary, sort out the short-term faults of recent weeks and return to University on the 14 November as a far better and more positive person for the testing start; something I know I’m capable of.  In the long-term; give your goals some thought over the next week as playing the waiting game is rubbish!

TV classics - Brookside

By Jason Wright (Entertainment Expert)

BROOKSIDE was a soap opera that whether you loved it or hated it, it just couldn’t be ignored.  Set in Brookside Close, a fictional cul-de-sac of houses in Liverpool, it launched in November 1982, along with the arrival a brand new terrestrial channel, Channel 4.

     In its early years, it was seen as a cheap, heartless version of Coronation Street, the only other prime-time soap at the time of its launch.  It was also heavily criticised by the Mersey public itself because they felt it was a distasteful portrayal of average scouse life.  However, creator Phil Redmond vowed to win over the critics and started doing what ITV couldn’t; browsing through the real-life stories with the aim of incorporating them into Brookie in some way.  It worked and the show’s ratings went through the roof.  Brookside helped launched the careers of many actors and actresses including Ricky Tomlinson, Amanda Burton, Paul Usher, Claire Sweeney, Anna Friel and Barry Sloane.

     By 1990, with ratings increasing to over seven million, the show was rewarded with an extra episode and an extension in the set was made with the arrival of Brookside Parade.  This allowed room for an extra restaurant, a bar and in a first for British soap, a petrol station on the promenade.

STAR: Anna Friel's career took off with some juicy storylines on the Close

     February 1993 brought a change of direction in Brookside with its most famous plot in history.  The troubled Jordache family changed forever when Beth (Anna Friel) stabbed abusing dad Trevor (Bryan Murray) when attacking his wife Mandy (Sandra Maitland).  In an act of defiance, they buried his body underneath their patio and it wasn’t until little less than two years later when it was dug up.  Mandy and Beth were jailed for life and the viewing figures struck 10 million for the first (and perhaps only) time in history.  The complex plotline also brought along Britain’s first pre-watershed lesbian kiss between Beth and family friend Margaret Clemence (Nicola Stephenson) in January 1994.  With that, along with often scenes of drug abuse, alcohol addiction and grudges, many formed by perhaps Brookie’s most-known character, Jimmy Corkhill (Dean Sullivan), the soap was able to deal with hard-hitting issues in a unique way and receive critical acclaim for it.

     Phil Redmond quit the soap in 1998, to focus more on building up potential on the recently-launched Hollyoaks.  His final produced scenes centred on Brookside Parade being blown up in a gas leak, but it turned into an anti-climax with no loss of life.  The departure of Redmond was another hammer blow for the show as it had been rated by experts as having become too dramatic and intense for pre-watershed airing.  A new production team aimed to try and stem the recent flow of tough storylines but the plan instead went in the opposite direction.

     By 2000, the soap was in crisis.  Channel 4 persuaded Redmond to come back and offer Brookie a much needed lifeline.  For its 20th anniversary, Redmond decided that a fortnight-long siege plot would hopefully drum up the much-needed support.  The episodes were somewhat explosive and distressing to say the least with every cast member held captive in their own houses by escaped convict Terry ‘Psycho’ Gibson and his henchman.  It was mass carnage with two people being killed (one being pushed through a window!), two raped and others being beaten up.  The shocking events culminated with Gibson, having finally been trapped by armed police, using a machine gun to strike down a police helicopter.  It crashed into the petrol station, engulfing Brookside in a massive fireball, and claiming the life of another innocent victim.

     Needless to say, the plot failed miserably.  Though it did record the best ratings in a while (2 million compared the norm then of around 500,000), it came under attack by critics for the way it had been handled.  There are far too many similarities with the far more successful plane crash in Emmerdale in 1993.  Regulator at the time, ITC (Independent Television Commission) received thousands of complaints from viewers who had been left traumatised and physically unwell by the horrific episodes.

     With no alternatives left, Channel 4 threw in the towel and cancelled the show.  Redmond expressed his disappointment by saying: “It happens.  Life must move on and we all have to come to terms with that.”  First, Brookside was scaled down into a Saturday omnibus show, before moving in mid-2003 into a late night midnight/1am programme.

     The soap bowed out with little fanfare or mention in November 2003.  It fell to Jimmy Corkhill to utter the last words and paint a D on the street sign to read BROOKSIDE CLOSED!  Brookie’s demise was Hollyoaks gain, as a week after Brookie’s swansong, the Chester-based soap went into a weekly format, slowly starting its transition into top-quality soap.

DEMISE: Brookside got the chop from the TV schedules in 2003

     Brookside however will live on as an innovative soap to many people and is still mentioned of today.  It’s difficult to say whether it would have survived another few years than what it got if it hadn’t taken a wrong turn in direction but whatever the case, the writing was on wall already when Redmond tried to rescue the show from oblivion.  The legacy of the close will remain for years to come.

Who wants to be a Millionaire - The end of a quiz era

By Jason Wright (Entertainment Expert)

WHEN ITV launched Who Wants to Be a Millionaire back in 1998, it soon became a worldwide phenomenon.  However in January, after a successful 12 year run, it was axed by the channel that launched the format.

     From its humble beginnings in September 1998, its tense moments and putting contestants under pressure quickly had the nation gripped.  In its heyday, it usually pulled in over 10 million viewers per show.  The format of the show was both simple and complex.  After a race to see who answered a question in the quickest time, the selected contestant had to face 15 questions to win the £1 million jackpot.  As the questions got tougher and the money kept climbing, they were given three ‘lifelines’ at their disposal.  50:50 which eliminated two wrong answers, Phone a Friend, where the contestant was able to call a relative at home for 30 seconds to help and Ask the Audience, where the studio audience would vote on the question.  One year later, the qualifying question was replaced by the more challenging and popular ‘Fastest Finger First’ and the contestant that got to play was the one that put a sequence of answers in the correct order in the fastest time.  The show made host Chris Tarrant a household name, particularly for his use of the phrase “But we don’t want to give you that?” when contestants gradually won the bigger prizes and his annoying coy to always call for an ad break when the ongoing game reached a very tense point.

     Despite the temptation of a life-changing cash prize, most people were chicken and quit when ahead of the game plan.  Then in November 2000, 58 year-old Judith Keppel became the first winner of the million pound prize in Britain, exactly a year after the US had generated its first winner of the top prize.  Only four contestants would ever hit the million in the rest of the show’s run.  David Edwards and Robert Brydges would both hit the mark in 2001, Pat Gibson in 2004 and Ingram Wilcox in 2006.

     There was theoretically, a sixth winner of the prize, Major Charles Ingram.  However his win in 2001, was executed by cheating.  After his game went into a second episode, on the eve of its recording, he telephoned a contestant that was on the Fastest Finger bench for that night and arranged a huge scam.  Ingram won the million thanks to the contestant using a cough technique to prevent him from going for an incorrect answer.  The recording was subsequently investigated and Ingram, the contestant helper and Tarrant were all guilty.  Ingram was stripped of his prize and he and the contestant helper were given suspended sentences whilst Tarrant was reprimanded and fined for not detecting this behaviour in the first place.  Furthermore, the recording was pulled from being shown on ITV1 and it has never been broadcast since.

     Of course like other gameshows, it came in the firing line many times for several controversies and mistakes.  In its latter years, the format was dying through being outfoxed by bigger and better shows.  Celador, the original owners of the show put it up for sale and in 2007, ITV decided to revamp the format by reducing the amount of questions from 15 to 12 by which point, the show had become more prominent with celebrity editions than normal versions.  Then they introduced a radical overhaul last year by axing the Fastest Finger First segment, introducing a clock for the early questions and an extra lifeline for the latter stage where contestants could swap a question with a new one.

     However, this didn’t improve its fortunes and in January, the show was given the expectant axe. ITV has insisted that the show will live on as it is set to adopt similar style to Top of the Pops by returning for special editions at Christmas, after its success of live celebrity episode last festive season.  It is no doubt the end of an era.  Millionaire had served ITV well and I hope they will keep true on their word by bringing it back for one-off specials from time to time.

Snow returns . . . and it's set to stay

WINTER has definitely arrived and so too has the snow.  Worse still, the Met Office has predicted that this cold snap will last for another ten days at the minimum. 

Police have urged drivers to only drive in these tricky conditions if it is absolutely necessary.  Those living in the North East of England have currently experienced the worst of the wintery conditions.  In some areas, upto five inches of snow have fallen in less than two hours.  Temperatures across the UK have struggle to rise about freezing, dropping to as low as -17 degrees in Wales overnight, the coldest ever temperature in November on record.

FOUL: Cars have fallen to the conditions in Scotland

Luckily, there hasn’t been any reports of major incidents this weekend, largely as the gritting services seem to have been well prepared in advance, and the lack of rush to get to places from commuters.  That could very well change at the start of this week, with heavy snow forecast for Monday evening in many regions.  Winds from the North East are keeping the temperature down and the snow to fall on a constant basis.  Currently, the Met Office has severe weather warnings in place throughout East Anglia, Scotland, Northern Ireland, London, Yorkshire and the South East.  The AA has reported an 80% surge in calls of breakdowns over the course of the weekend, a staggering statistic.

SPIRIT: Communities are pulling together to help out

Health workers are urging people to check on vulnerable neighbours, to make sure that they have all the possible services available to them, such as proper heating and plenty of hot drinks.  Flights are likely to be affected at many of the largest airports in the coming days, especially Stanstead, Newcastle and Manchester.  Trains are likely to be badly hit too, with the 24-hour tube strike being held right now, just adding to the misery for many commuters.  The sporting programme has been hit, although all key rugby union autumn internationals and Premiership football matches went ahead.  Two FA Cup ties (at Hartlepool and Notts County) fell foul to the weather, as did some of the programme in Scotland and several horse racing meetings.

 

Residents in the UK will be used to the white stuff, last winter was the coldest for a long time and snow also caused chaos at the start of 2009.  However, the timing of this snow has caught many by surprise.  This is the earliest time that snow has fallen on a constant basis since 1993.  The big chill is here and it will please some, particularly schoolchildren, who could be set for a number of days off.  However, this cold snap will bite and bite hard.  The UK is bracing itself for more sub-zero temperatures and I’d say, get prepared for it, because it will hang around for a good while. . . 

Bernard Matthews passes away

HIS empire began with a humble £2.50 investment and it turned into a multi-million empire, but on November 25, Bernard Matthews died at the age of 80.

DISTINGUISHED: Bernard Matthews has passed away

He passed away on Thursday afternoon, as America was celebrating ‘Thanksgiving.’  His passing was confirmed in a statement by the chief executive of Bernard Matthews Farms, Noel Bertrand;

“It is with a great deal of personal sadness that I confirm Bernard Matthews passed away on the afternoon of 25^th November.  I have personally known Bernard Matthews for well over 30 years, and on behalf of myself and my fellow colleagues, I wish to express our great sorrow and extend our sympathies to his family.”

Born in 1930, Matthews left school at 16 and began his investments as a twenty-year old.  By 1952, he has moved into poultry full-time and three years later, bought the Great Witchingham Hall in Norwich, which still remains the headquarters of Bernard Matthews today.  He has enjoyed a rise of fame and prominence through the 1970s and 1980s, but in recent times, his name has taken some damaging credibility. 

ADDICTIVE: The Turkey Twizzler took stick

When Sainsbury’s campaigner and Chef Jamie Oliver launched a campaign to improve the healthy eating habits of children in schools, it was Matthews’s controversial product, the ‘Turkey Twizzlers,’ that took the big hits.  He was criticised severely by animal rights movements, when all the ingredients of the dangerously addictive Twizzlers were revealed in the press.  Less than a year later, video footage on YouTube showed two of Mr. Matthews’s employees playing “baseball” with two live turkeys.  It was a disgusting act caught on film and the men involved admitted to animal cruelty at a magistrate’s court case in Norwich.

Desperate to restore faith in consumer, Bernard Matthews ran several advertising campaigns, telling customers that their employees were hard-working people.  In February 2007, a strain of the deadly bird flu hit one of the Matthews plants in Suffolk, which led to the slaughtering of 160,000 birds, who might have contracted the disease.

Although there has been a slump in sales in recent times, Bernard Matthews has left a very distinguished legacy in the food industry and his presence will be missed.  

The X-Factor - One year since Jedwardgate

BY JASON WRIGHT

SUNDAY November 8 2009 – it’s just gone 9:00pm and Britain has just perhaps witnessed one of the most shocking events in reality television history.

Irish twins John & Edward Grimes, otherwise known as Jedward, had pulled off a huge shock by surviving the axe from The X-Factor after being in the bottom two.  To say it was a surprise in this situation is a massive understatement considering who had just been eliminated at their expense.

Jedward had the whole nation talking since their first audition for both their unique hairstyles, seemingly lack of singing talent and thus their rather comical personality.  Simon Cowell took an instant disliking to the twins whereas the other judges, especially Louis Walsh for the Irish connection, saw some potential in them to start with.  Cowell famously later described them as “vile, little creatures” at bootcamp and after advancing to judges’ houses, he said to Louis “If I get them, I won’t let them on the plane. I can’t even look at them!” Fortunately, Simon didn’t get the groups but Louis did and so through they went into the live finals.

As the live finals began, the press and viewers had already gotten tired of their antics and wanted them out sooner rather and later.  Performances of Robbie Williams’ ‘Rock DJ’, Britney Spears’ ‘Oops I Did It Again’, Ricky Martin’s ‘She Bangs’ and Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ were all put to shame.  Simon Cowell soon took his bitterness to new heights when he declared he would flee the country if they won.

In comparison, Lucie Jones, an 18-year-old student from a small village on the outskirts of Cardiff, had already gained a mass following after a sensational first audition and sailed through into the live finals.  Considered as one of the favourites, huge pressure was on her to deliver and she didn’t disappoint.  The first three weeks didn’t provide classy performances but they were just as strong enough to be at the front end of the field.

But on the fourth week, Rock week, she well and truly arrived in the competition with an amazing rendition of the Guns ‘n’ Roses song ‘Sweet Child of Mine’.  It gave the whole package, the voice, the style and the appearance and it seemed to sway Lucie away from her intention to perform ballads and switch to more of a teen pop persona.

The following week, movie night, Lucie proved again her sudden change in style performing ‘This Is Me’ from the Disney film Camp Rock.  It received rave reviews from the judging panel and installed Lucie as a real favourite to win the entire show.  Meanwhile, Jedward once again gave a stand-out performance for all the wrong reasons with their take on ‘Ghostbusters’.  Yet despite this, not for what would be the first time this weekend, Simon stunned everyone by commenting that it was “sort of good”.

Come the results on the Sunday, everyone expected Lucie to get through on the public vote easily but what happened next was to astound everyone as she ended up in the bottom two.  However with her opponents being Jedward, it would be a setback in her chances of winning but should still ease through. Or so everyone thought?

Lucie performed ‘One Moment in Time’ by Whitney Houston in the sing-off whilst Jedward reprised their week one performance of ‘Rock DJ’.  Comparing both songs together and it was simply no contest as to which was the better.  After both Louis and Dannii Minogue, who was mentoring Lucie, saved their acts and sent the other home, Cheryl Cole chose to send home Jedward, making it 2-1 in their favour of leaving and Simon having the casting vote.  Those who despised Jedward were now surely reaching for the champagne bottles, ready to pull off the corks and celebrate their demise.

Simon’s speech before making his decision though seemed to scratch a few heads. “I’m not surprised that both of you are in this situation tonight. Having said that, I don’t think any of you can win.” he spoke before going completely against everyone’s wishes by voting to save the twins and force deadlock on the panel.

But why did Simon really take it to deadlock?  That may never be fully explained but there are two possible theories. Number one was to prove to the twins that they were never liked by the public and Number two was simply to give Lucie a test of character.  Unfortunately in this case, this leans more to theory number two as she received the least amount of votes and was eliminated.  She was rightfully left upset and in tears and the audience symphonised with her by booing and jeering Jedward off the stage.

It was without doubt dubbed as ‘The Night the X Factor Died!’  Across the next seven days, the papers and press slammed both the show and Simon Cowell for his actions.  Famous faces also gave their opinion of discontent; Lily Allen publicly announced she would never watch the show again.  Sting branded the programme as “hypocritical”.  Even Cowell’s protégé, Leona Lewis described the show was “no longer a music contest”.  Reports also surfaced that both Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole did not speak to Simon at all in the week’s build-up to the next show though this was never confirmed as true, but frankly who could blame them?

Why didn’t the media regulator Ofcom investigate into the result?  To be honest, they should have done.  If they received 3,000 complaints about the outcome, a situation like that should be investigated at the very least, even if there really wasn’t anything wrong with the voting that weekend.

Despite promises of there still being a very strong competition and five weeks of singing to come, the majority of the viewing public was now cheated of not having Lucie around.  Following her exit, the viewing figures for the show declined sharply week on week as several people switched to the rival show, Strictly Come Dancing.  Eventually, compared to the 14-15 million peaks that the show was getting in the early stages of the live finals, they reached a new low of 12 million, and worse still, it was on the first night of the final weekend.  Beating Strictly in the ratings by just under one million that night compared to be regularly two million ahead before just proved how much it hurt the show.

For Simon, the backlash continued and a successful Facebook campaign was set-up which got the 1992 hit ‘Killing in the Name’ by Rage against the Machine to the Christmas No.1, previously saved for the X-Factor winner guaranteed.  Although Cowell and the winner of last year’s show Joe McElderrey took it on the chin, this must have hurt Simon deep down, but something he deserved for his incredibly bad judgement on that November evening.

Every person always tends to ask the question of ‘What If?’ at this situation.  What if Lucie had survived from competing in the sing-off that night?  Could she have gone on to win?  With strong competition last year from McElderry, Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon, it is hard to give a definite yes or no.  There is no doubt however that she would have been up there and would have been expected to at least reach the final. Whatever the case, staying in the competition longer would have certainly enhanced her chances of having a successful music career as given her new lease of taste in music during the show; she could be easily compared as the British version of Miley Cyrus.

Back to reality though and despite this debacle, Lucie still has a bright future ahead having signed a modelling contract and currently going through a successful stint at the West End in Les Miserables.  However, she is still after getting a recording contract, though this sadly doesn’t look possible.  If I was working for a music company, even if it wasn’t well known, I would 100% take a chance on her.

As with Jedward, things also look on the up, having earned a No. 2 single at the start of the year and an album, which fortunately didn’t get No.1 in the charts, following shortly afterwards.  They’ve also become big personalities on TV, including a show of their own on ITV2.  Surely, we will see them becoming ITV’s next biggest double act in years to come, hopefully not in my view but that really does seem like happening.

In closing, we will certainly be talking about this for many more years to come.  Although Lucie was the biggest loser that night, she and unfortunately Jedward have both emerged as winners, both with different and bright futures ahead of them.  Unless a similar trait is pulled off by this year’s novelty act, Wagner, who credit to Jedward, I can stand hearing them more than him, this will be forever known as the darkest night in X-Factor history.

Free-To-Air Sports TV List Deferred

A decision on the future of free-to-air sport television events to be shown in the future, including home England Ashes Test matches has been deferred until the completion of the UK digital switchover in 2013. 

In November 2009, an independent review was recommended, led by the former chief executive of the FA, David Davies.  On the proposed list, the Winter Olympics, rugby league’s Challenge Cup final and the Epsom Derby would disappear from the free-to-air list, with the Rugby World Cup, England’s World Cup qualification matches and the Ashes would be added.  At the time, the panel also recommended a secondary list of protected events, which must have highlights available as free-to-air, to be abolished.  The delayed announcement which was made on Wednesday means that the current list, last drawn up in 1998 will remain the same for the short-term at least.  This means, that Sky are likely to still hold onto the 2013 home Ashes series.  The last terrestrial broadcaster to hold live Ashes cricket on free-to-air was Channel 4 back in 2005.

It is caused a lot of concern and talk about the future of many sports.  For now at least, things will not change:

PROPOSED LISTED SPORTING EVENTS (As made by the panel in November 2009)

Olympic Games
FIFA World Cup finals
UEFA European Championship finals
Grand National
FA Cup final
Scottish FA Cup
Home and away football qualifiers for World Cup and European Championship Wimbledon Championship
Open golf championship
Cricket's home Ashes Test matches
Rugby World Cup

CURRENT LISTED SPORTING EVENTS (Last changed back in 1998)

Group A (Full live coverage protected)

Olympic Games
FIFA World Cup finals
European Football Championship finals
FA Cup final
Scottish FA Cup final (protected in Scotland)
Grand National Epsom Derby
Wimbledon tennis finals Rugby League Challenge Cup Final
Rugby World Cup final

Group B (Highlights only on free-to-air TV)

This secondary list would be scrapped.

England's home cricket Test matches
Other matches, excluding finals, at Wimbledon Championships
Other matches, excluding final, at Rugby World Cup
Six Nations matches involving home countries
Commonwealth Games
World Athletics Championships
Cricket World Cup - final, semi-finals and matches involving home nations
Ryder Cup
Open golf championship

Robbie Returns To Take That - A Mistake Or A Wise Move?

On Thursday night, the worst secret is music was revealed, as after fifteen years and constant speculation over whether it might happen, Robbie Williams will return to Take That.  They will work together on a new album for the band, due to be released around Christmas time, and go on tour together next year.

Williams quit the band fifteen years ago, after a row with the manager of Take That, and various disagreements with the other band members.  Now, he will be reunited with the Mark Owen, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Jason Orange for the first time since they record the No.1 song ‘Nobody Else,’ back in 1995.

All five singers have written the songs for the new album, which is due for release in late November.  Their first appearance back on stage together came last September in New York, shortly after Take That’s ‘The Circus Live’ tour.  Since then, speculation has intensified about a proper reunion, which included Robbie and Gary working together on Simon Cowell’s charity single ‘Everybody Hurts,’ for the Haiti earthquake appeal.

Take That spilt back in March 1996, having been the heartthrobs for many girls during the 90’s.  Songs such ‘A Million Love Songs’ and ‘Relight My Fire,’ got the pulses racing of many girls, and won critical acclaim from music experts.  They reformed in 2005, and have gone on to even further success, with three No.1’s (Shine, Patience & Rule the World) and two sell-out tours.  Robbie Williams has also gone onto great success as a solo artist, releasing ‘Bodies’ last year, adding to his growing collection of unstoppable hits from the past, including ‘Millennium,’ ‘Angels,’ and ‘Rock DJ.’  This year, Williams won the Outstanding Music Contribution award at the BRITS.  Since leaving Take That, he has eight UK albums released.

Fellow band mate Mark Owen told the BBC of his delight at Robbie’s return.

“Getting the five of us to be in a room together, although always a dream, never actually seemed like becoming a reality.”  “Now the reality of the five of us making a record together feels like a dream.”  “It’s been an absolute delight spending time with Rob again.  But I’m still a better footballer!”

It is still unclear whether this is a temporary reunion, or a permanent move.  It could have a major impact on the fortunes of both Take That and Robbie Williams future careers.  Having been a big fan of Take That myself in the 1990’s, I generally hope this move works for both parties, but can’t help feel that this is a major gamble that has been taken.

Graceful Grant Exits Pompey, Next Destination Will Be Upton Park

It didn’t come to many people’s surprise last night, when news broke of Avram Grant’s decision to step-down as manager of crisis-hit club Portsmouth.  The Israeli, who took over the Championship bound side at the end of November 2009, following Paul Hart’s dismissal oversaw a fairytale run to this season’s FA Cup final, which sadly ended in defeat against his former employers, Chelsea last Saturday.

The match at Wembley turned out to be Avram’s final game in charge of Portsmouth, with the club having dropped out of the Premier League, entered administration and docked nine points and record even higher debts than were initially feared.  The way he spoke to journalists after the final last week suggested that he was set to go, but not without a heavy heart.  This was further proven by his emotional letter to the beloved South Coast fans, posted on Portsmouth’s website last night.

GRANT’S LETTER TO THE PORTSMOUTH FANS

This was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to take in my football career.

After a lot of soul searching and under the circumstances I’m taking a different direction.

It’s been both a difficult and complex year for us at the club, but at the same time, it’s been a wonderful and uplifting professional and personal experience.  

I have been inundated with letters and emails from fans. Many have brought tears to my eyes and take it from me; it takes a lot to do that.

I will never forget you; the loyal fans of Pompey who, without a doubt, helped me protect the team under such complex circumstances. There are very few teams in the world that have fans as passionate and devoted as you are.

Seeing you all so proud with your heads held up high is the best reward I can receive.

It has been a great experience to be part of one of the most wonderful occurrences that has happened in the history of British football and also shows that even in the most desperate times, loyalty, devotion, professionalism and passion can be demonstrated.

I wish you all the possible success which you genuinely deserve.

Portsmouth has given me a feeling of home away from home. I might be leaving Portsmouth physically, but you cannot take Portsmouth away from me and my heart.

I have informed Andrew the administrator that if and when the need arises, I will be at his disposal to assist in any way I possibly can.

At this point I would like to mention the good job the administrator is doing, under very difficult circumstances after he received the club from Mr. Chainrai and Mr. Levy which they had saved from liquidation. Thank you for that.

I can never fully repay the faith and backing I got from the fans, players and staff who gave a hundred per cent. I truly thank you all for granting me the opportunity and the privilege to be part of your special city and unique club.

Grant, who took Chelsea to within one spot kick of winning the 2008 UEFA Champions League has had successful spells in Israel and only narrowly missed out on getting the national team into the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany, despite finishing unbeaten in a group containing Switzerland and France.  He returned to Portsmouth as director to football at the beginning of last season, stepping up after Hart was sacked following a 1-0 loss at Stoke City on November 22^nd 2009.  Grant won ten games in charge, the most memorable success being a 3-2 comeback result against Hull City in March, a stunning 2-0 success over shambolic Liverpool before Christmas and in that amazing FA Cup run, the dramatic and well-deserved semi-final glory at Wembley against Tottenham.

It remains unclear who will take over at Pompey, though England goalkeeper David James has expressed an interest in taking over the reins.  For Grant, his next destination appears to be the vacant manager’s seat at West Ham.  The Hammers sacked Gianfranco Zola ten days ago after a dismal season that saw them finish 17^th in the Premiership.  It would make sense for Avram to go there, as he would team up again with his former assistant at Chelsea, Steve Clarke. 

He may have gone for pastures new in the Premiership, but his reputation has been enhanced even further, and he has also won a soft spot in the hearts of many neutral observers.  Avram Grant is a man with two hearts, and for whatever success he may achieve in the future, whether that is at West Ham or somewhere else, he will always carry an undying love for Portsmouth FC.  I wish him all the best in his soon-to-be appointed new role.

Paul-Henri Cahier - A Photograpic F1 Passion

This post was created on January 27th at http://happydude88.livejournal.com/

Paul-Henri Cahier is a famous Formula 1 photographer and has been in a Grand Prix business for over forty years. His established, colourful and stunning images have graced the sport, winning over a number of fans for how close he can really get to the glamorous cars.

Cahier was born in Paris on November 7th 1952 and was the son of Bernard Cahier, who himself was a well-known and respected photographer in the black-and-white era. It was clear from an early age that Paul-Henri wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. This was probably helped by the contacts and friends that Bernard had established in the form of Grand Prix world champions such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Sir Stirling Moss and Graham Hill.

When he was 13, Bernard gave Paul-Henri one of his cameras, so he could start his apprenticeship as a Formula 1 photographer. His advice to his son was “Just Do It!”

By 1967, Paul-Henri Cahier’s photos were being published in numerous magazines across the globe, but it wasn’t until the 1980’s that he decided to go professional as a photographer. At this time, he settled down into a relationship with Japanese wife, Tami. They have been together for over 25 years. Throughout his era, Cahier has captured some of the most dramatic shots in Formula 1 racing and has contributed to a variety of magazines – including in the UK – Top Gear, Autosport and F1 Racing. He has photographed on black-and-white and colour cameras with shots which really have captured the imagination of one of sport’s greatest pinnacles.

Between 1991 and 2008, Paul-Henri Cahier has published 8 books, with a variety of stunning photography, alongside some quality Journalistic writing. His latest book, about Formula 1: The Pits won ‘Best Book of the Year.’ He also won ‘Best Picture of the Year’ in 2008. His numerous exhibitions have also won fame and prestige around the highly respected Grand Prix paddock. Cahier has hosted 10 exhibtions on certain F1 photography between 1984-2009, with a variety of venues, from Tokyo and Monte Carlo, to Paris and Singapore. Cahier was a very close friend of the late Brazilian, Ayrton Senna. Senna, three-times a world champion allowed Cahier to get very close to his activities, both on and off track. When Senna was prematurely killed while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Cahier was devastated to lose a close friend, but determined to put on an art of work that would make the Senna family proud. He did this with the ‘Ayrton Senna’ gallery in Tokyo – opened at the beginning of 1995. It won many plaudits from spectactors and other photographers within the Grand Prix industry.

Cahier was the chief photographer for the traditional Autocourse motorsport annual at the end of each motorsport season between 1992-2002. Cahier has also worked closely with his father on the now defunct World Sportscar Championship, and is regular visitor to one of the jewels of the crown in motorsport, the Le Mans 24 Hours. One former who wasn’t so graceful was Kimi Raikkonen. Cahier was pushed to the ground by Raikkonen moments before the start of the 2008 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, whilst the Frenchman was trying to get a close-up shot of the quiet Flying Finn.

Paul-Henri Cahier has been a stunning leader in Grand Prix photography and is still going strong – fourty-three years after making his initial breakthrough. Expect more amazing top-quality photos from Cahier throughout the 2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.