Saxondale

Thought I'd reserve judgement on the new Steve Coogan series until episode 2, which aired last night. While no Alan Partridge it does have it's funny moments. Infinitely better than Tony Ferrrino. It's quite well observed in some ways. I think his brother was connected to the Manchester scene or something. In this Coogan appears to be attempting something of a Midlands/ Nottingham type accent which would probably be quite convincing to someone who had never been there. This week there was an attempt at a Jeremy Clarkson parody which didn't quite come off. The guy's a parody of himself as it is. The main problem seems to be that Coogan is playing a man with anger management issues who never seems to get more than slightly annoyed. I'm sure this will change in future episodes but I'm not sure that Coogan can pull it off. He's too nice really. Part of the thing with Alan was that he seemed even more pathetic when he was angry. The same goes for Coogan's portrail of Tony Wilson. Still some good laughs, in a sort of old-fashioned sitcom-y type way.

United 93

Went to see that 9/11 film 'United 93' yesterday in York. It was pretty good. Much like 'Downfall' though, in that while you're watching it you are engrossed. It is also very moving in parts. Of course there's no happy ending. You come out feeling quite sad. But did you really learn anything you didn't already know? You're kind of glad they made it, in a way. Somebody was bound to and it is very well done. But why? If it's not informative what is it? Entertainment? What does that say about us?
Next up - Oliver Stone's take.

Un-Pallot-able

Some new female singer-songwriter type 'Nerina Pallot' was on the Heaven and Earth Show - a strangely secular Sunday morning religious show. She was asked about her new song to which she replied 'I didn't really know what it was about until after I'd written it...' So far, so vague. But the song's called 'Everyone's Gone To War.' The next line is 'don't know what we're fighting for.'
What did you think it was about?
They're hardly obscure, enigmatic lyrics are they? It's a Shiloh Pitt is what it is.
Possibly the most pointless thing I've seen since the hour long documentary about Pulp's 'Common People.' That song, as it turns out, is about a girl from Greece who had a thirst for knowledge. She studied sculpture at... oh, you know already. OK

Hey! They Even Spelt My Name Right...

Trying to put off starting any real work I thought I'd do a vanity search. Not tried it for years. I usually get the old Herzberg's theory of motivators and de-motivators. Anyhow - I came out top. Some article in an American journal I think. Mentions me in just about the last sentence but still...