So it seems the Vicar of Dibley topped the Christmas viewing figures this year. If that isn’t a sign of how shoddy the listings this year were, I don’t know what is.
On Boxing Day morning we surrendered to watching a Carry On film. It’s like torture…old gags, poor acting, boring innuendo. I may be slating a classic cast here – but I think it’s harder to make people laugh these days*.
Oddly, on Christmas Day, we did end up watching the news for quite some time. James Brown had died. I couldn’t believe it. Bring on the documentaries. This is the first time, that I can remember, where a celebrity has died from old age (sort of), but I’m old enough to have been affected by his career. Unlike, say, Charlie Drake – whom I’d never heard of.
It will be interesting to see, however, if anyone dares bring up the bad side of James Brown’s life: the drug addiction and spouse abuse. Perhaps Channel Four will give it a go, probably calling it something as subtle as “Papa’s got a brand new body bag”.
If I ever met the guy – or girl – who comes up with the titles for Channel Four documentaries, I would kiss them.
Alas, with all that said, I do think James Brown’s death is a sad and shocking loss to music. May he rest in peace.
* As if I knew what the old days were like…but you get what I mean.
Gonna have to disagree with ur view on the vicar of dibley special…was the highlight of my christmas, well apart from being with the family obviously, but it made us all laugh n was nice to sit round with every1 n watch something we all enjoyed.
I dont see how you can see it as depressing, when its high viewing rate might just be a reflection of many other families around the country watching it together as well. I do believe I and many others will again be tuning into watch the next episode on New Year’s Eve.In your face Dave Leee, you are the greatest……tried to be witty but think I lost it a little on the last comment…xxxxx