Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in East, South West London. And Surrey (inc Redhill & Sutton) (The NEXT Chapter).
Week 277 Saturday 5th until Friday 11th October 2019.
“It’s” (picture Michael Palin as the it’s man) was 50 years ago on 5th Oct that “Monty Pythons Flying Circus” was first seen on BBC One at 22.55 pm. Unfortunately, I was one year and two days old and my parents thought it was better that I slept through this historic event. Parents, always spoiling the fun!
“If you have lost your baby, it’s in East London“.
I am not sure how old i was when i first discovered Python, I remember listening to cassettes on my Walkman, I knew sketches like friends knew there fave songs. George (Dinsdale) my best friend is also a massive fan, we would pay LPs and tapes and just laugh. We listened to other 60’s and 70’s comedy that we couldn’t have fully understand at the age, but it was funny that’s all that mattered.
“If you lost your pink bra, its in South West London”.
I probably saw the TV show for the first time on video, the BBC has never been good at repeating the series. Then gradually over time i saw the films on the gogglebox. There is not enough time or space for me to tell you why I love Python so much. Mention “The Dead Parrot Sketch” or “The Spanish Inquisition” and most people have an idea of what you’re talking about. If you were to force me under threat of the “soft cushions” to tell you my fave sketches i would immediately say “The Fish Slapping Dance”, “Climbing the North Face of the Uxbridge Road” and both appearance of “Batley Townswomen’s Guild”.
“Down on the farm”.
I have only met one of the Python’s. My friend and i were lost on Hampstead heath, when suddenly two dogs bounded out of the trees followed by a man in a pink shirt and white hat. Terry Jones (my favourite Pepperpot) must have overheard us because he told us the way to find our destination without us asking him anything. Being a huge fan, I was totally dumbstruck all I could say was a pathetic “thank you” and “I’m a huge fan”. Being off duty I didn’t want to pester him for a photo or an autograph (of course I regret this) as quickly as he had appeared, he disappeared into the trees after his dogs.
“Run, my pretties. Don’t look back “.
Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam autographs were given to me when I worked at BBC books and Columbia Tri-Star films (at different times). When they visited, I was hurriedly sent to a long-forgotten basement, maybe they were concerned I would attempt to abduct my comedy heroes locking them in a spare room (it would have been a nice ensuite spare room!). Terry’s visit to Columbia’s was because of his excellent film “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen”. Which I was very lucky to see many times in the small basement preview screening room as well as at couple of huge press screenings. The freebie from those events, including a bottle of wine from the Barons vineyard are in my storage.
“Is it a Horse or a Dog?”.
John Cleese and Eric Idle (not together) where spotted when i worked at BBC TVC (the studios where Python was recorded). Sadly, I never laid eyes on the late great Dr Graham Chapman, but I have had a couple of drinks in “The Angel Inn” Highgate that he drank in. I know this because of the blue plaque on the wall.
“Not looking forward to another day in the office”.
Python has been a part of my life for so long. In fact, longer than many other things I enjoy. When I was young listening to tapes it felt like I was a member of a secret club. How many other teenagers in the 80s knew or enjoyed Python? Over the years there popularity has grown and grown, i am these days a proud member of a worldwide laughing cult.
“The changing colours are captivating”.
At this anniversary time I would really like to thank the BBC commissioner in 1969 for not asking for just a pilot or a couple of episodes. Instead the six writers/performers were handed a full series of 13 shows to write. Thank you BBC for changing British TV comedy and help create a number of legends.
“The Walking Dead: Surrey”.
“Lemon Curry?”
(Picture John Cleese as the BBC announcer sitting behind a desk with old style microphone) And Now For Something Completely Different……
“Who ever smelt it, dealt it?”.
Everyone, including me are in a hurry. But there’s no need for rudeness! One day this week while entering the office, struggling with a hot drink and a cup of water I manoeuvred the huge glass door with my foot. Once past the threshold I noticed a woman walking towards the office. Being a nice person (i am sometimes!) I held the door open with my foot. Princess Tippytoes just swanned through not acknowledging me in any way. Next time I might trip her up.
“The picture says it all”.
And Finally……
My niece moaning that her brother could have a wee easily while out and about in the countryside. I was tempted (but didn’t) to say “Get used to it”.
“Nish is putting me off writing this shiz”.
My Mid Life Crisis Conts……
This week I have mainly been watching:
“Batwoman”, (S1, ep 1). “Better Than Us”, (S1, ep 7). “Blakes 7”, (S1, ep 4 to ep 8). “Carmen Santiego”, (S1, ep 2). “Click”, (TX: 05/10/19). “Criminal (Spanish)”, (S1, ep 1). “Dexter”, (S6, ep 9 to ep 12)(S7, ep 1 to ep 5). “Disenchantment”, (S2, ep 8 to ep 10). “Doctor Who: Mission To The Unknown (2019 Remake, University Of Central Lancashire)”, (TX: 09/10/19). “Egypt’s Lost Pyramid”, (TX: 29/09/19). “Eugenics: Science’s Greatest Scandal”, (S1, ep 1, TX: 03/10/19). “Evil”, (S1, ep 1). “Flatemates”, (S1, ep 1 to ep 3). “Have I Got News For You”, (S58, ep 1, TX: 11/10/19). “Ian Hislop’s Fake News: A True History”, (TX: 07/10/19). “Lucy And D.i.C Couch Time: We Should Start A Podcast”, (TX: 10/10/19). “Making Of Doctor Who: Mission To The Unknown (2019 Remake, University Of Central Lancashire)”, (TX: 09/10/19). “Motherland”, (S2, ep 1 to ep 6). “NASA TV LIVE: ISS Spacewalk, 219”, (06/10/19). “The Americas With Simon Reeves”, (S1, ep 1, TX: 06/10/19). “The Apprentice”, (S15, ep 2, TX: 09/10/19). “The Apprentice: Honest Subtitles”, (S5, ep 2, TX: 09/10/19). “The Apprentice: You’re Fired”, (S14, ep 2, TX: 09/10/19). “The Channel Tunnel: Life On The Inside”, (S1, ep 1, TX: 28/08/19)(ep 2, 04/09/19)(ep 3, 11/09/19)(ep 4, 15/09/19). “The Graham Norton Show”, (S26, ep 2, TX: 04/10/19). “The Great British Bake Off”, (S3 (S10), ep 7, TX: 08/10/19). “The Great British Bake Off; An Extra Slice”, (S3 (S6), ep 7, TX: 11/10/19). “The Great Model Railway Challenge”, (S2, ep 5, TX: 05/10/19). “The Mash Report”, (S3, ep 6, TX: 10/10/19). “Van Helsing”, (S4, ep 2).
This week I have mainly been listening to:
“30 Animals That Made Us Smarter (BBC World Service)”, (S1, ep 29, 07/10/19). “Brian And Roger”, (S3, ep 8, 08/10)(ep 9, 11/10/19). “Buffy Speak”, (S2, ep 6, 31/07/16). “Goodies Podcast”, (ep 2, 21/01/10) (ep 3, 22/01/10). “Griefcast”, (ep 99, 09/10/19). “Iain Lee (Highlights)”, (03/10, 04/10, 07/10, 08/10, 09/10, 10/10/19). “LBC Podcast: Nick Abbot (Whole Show)”, (05/10, 11/10/19). “Monty Python’s Filegender Zirkus (BBC Radio 4)”, (07/05/11). “NASA: Houston We Have A Podcast”, (ep 113, 11/10/19). “Spacefall: A Blakes 7 Podcast”, (ep 4, 04/04/18) (ep 5, 03/05/18) (ep 6, 08/05/18) (ep 7, 17/05/18)(ep 8, 31/05/18). “Soundtracking With Edith Bowman”, (ep 162, 04/10/19). “Strange Times”, (ep 318, 05/10/19). “The All New Angelos And Barry Podcast”, (11/10/19). “The Nick Abbot Habit”, (07/10/19). “Morrissey”, “Radiohead”, “Ash”, “The Stone Roses”, “Elbow”, “Muse”, “Hairspray (Original Stage Soundtrack)”, “Theme from Blakes 7 (Dudley Simpson)”, “The Chemical Brothers”, “Underworld”, “Portishead”.
Misfits Mid-Life Crisis........ 