HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: graeme@abekrd.co.uk (Graeme Griffiths)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk,soc.culture.british
Subject: Re: Stinkers!
Keywords: really bad shows!
Date: 19 Aug 92 11:39:36 GMT
Organization: Abekas Video Systems, Reading, UK.

In <Bt6zn6.6E5@news.cso.uiuc.edu> sprackle@rel4.ncsa.uiuc.edu (David Spracklen) writes:

>What are some of the shows in the UK we here in the US will never see?
>I know you will NEVER see "Cop Rock."  I know that all US readers are even
>now having to hold back their gag reflex.  This was one of the numerous cop
>shows; its angle was that along with the skits, the actors would break out
>(pun intended) into some ridiculous song and dance.  It looked far more
>stupid than I can describe in words.  Trust me.  However, I did get to
>thinking, "Have the British ever had a show as bad as that one?"

	I have some terrible news to report guys, please don't burn all the
Union Flags but.....

	WE'VE HAD IT ALREADY !!!!!!!!!

	The guy who came up with that idea must have been on something very
serious, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at _that_
planning meeting.....

"I've got this great idea for a show. Hill St Blues meets Fame......"

	When do we get the next series ? 8^}


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|From: Graeme Griffiths             | "Well your jokes ain't funny,          |
|Abekas Video Systems,12 Portman Rd,|    and there's nothing you say,        |
|Reading,Berks,ENGLAND.             |      that I want to hear....."         |
|(0734)585421 x2247                 |                     Skid Row           |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: pete@minster.york.ac.uk
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
Subject: Re: Bloody annoyed
Date: 13 Aug 92 13:46:54 GMT
Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of York, England
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5

Andrew Cannon (andrewc@spider.co.uk) wrote:
: 
: One question, Why do ITV insist on showing their films at 21:00 with 40 minutes
: of news stuck in the middle ?
: 
: I find it very distracting to watch a film in two bits, does anyone know if they
: get many complaints about their format ?

Hmmm. It does have the advantage that you can nip out for a couple of pints
during News At Ten. 

If there was something I actually wanted to watch on ITV at 9-10 and
10:40-11:40 I'd probably video both halves and watch it on Sunday when there's
nothing on.... I would imagine many people feel similarly.

pete
--
*Peter Fenelon -- Research Associate -- Software Safety Assessment Procedures*
Dept. of Computer Science, University of York, York, Y01 5DD (+44/0)904 433388
EMAIL: pete@minster.york.ac.uk `There's no room for enigmas in built up areas'
Xref: sparky rec.arts.tv.uk:4915 alt.comedy.british:1777
From: idx009@cck.coventry.ac.uk (the Crisco Kid)
Subject: Re: Hugh, Phew, Barley Magrew...
Organization: Eris's Restaurant
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 16:45:49 GMT

In article <1992Aug19.144116.4500@comp.lancs.ac.uk> eia018@comp.lancs.ac.uk (Mr.A.Wilson) writes:
>In article <zlsiida.137@fs1.mcc.ac.uk> zlsiida@fs1.mcc.ac.uk (dave budd) writes:
>>Barney McGrew [Barley! Hah!]
>I think it was Barleymagrew (sp?) --  a surname anyway.  Why would he
>get his whole name read out when all the others just get their surnames?

For the sake of the metre, of course.

				Kay

-- 
6'2", dark short hair, blue eyes, bisexual and horny as ....
Kay Dekker, Dept of Industrial Design, Coventry University, Coventry UK
37 Old Winnings Road, Keresley Village, Coventry   |B0 f t+ g++ k++! s+ e r p!
Phone: +44 203 838668 (work) +44 203 337865 (home) |Deflowerer-of-innocents
Xref: sparky rec.arts.tv.uk:4963 soc.culture.british:11668
From: tad@crosfield.co.uk (tom drynda)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk,soc.culture.british
Subject: Re: Stinkers!
Keywords: really bad shows!
Date: 19 Aug 92 09:58:17 GMT
Organization: Crosfield Electronics, Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom.

In article <Bt6zn6.6E5@news.cso.uiuc.edu> sprackle@rel4.ncsa.uiuc.edu (David Spracklen) writes:
|What are some of the shows in the UK we here in the US will never see?
|I know you will NEVER see "Cop Rock."  I know that all US readers are even
|now having to hold back their gag reflex.  This was one of the numerous cop
|shows; its angle was that along with the skits, the actors would break out
|(pun intended) into some ridiculous song and dance.  It looked far more
|stupid than I can describe in words.  Trust me.  However, I did get to
|thinking, "Have the British ever had a show as bad as that one?"
|
|Dave Spracklen


	I'm afraid we *did* get "Cop Rock". Sad but true. Didn't
last long as I recall. Never watched it myself - the previews
were enough to make me reach for the bucket.

	I believe it was a BBC1 (perhaps BBC2) late night thang.

	Tom.

           Tom Drynda - tad@crosfield.co.uk    | Crosfield Electronics Ltd.,
   ~~~                                         | Three Cherry Trees Lane,
 (._.)                                         | Hemel Hempstead, Herts.,
  (_)         Acute disbelief...               | HP2 7RH, England.
   _                                           | +44 442 230000 ext 3373
  | |
  `-'    <--- jaw
         <--- deck
From: dj@ssd.kodak.com (Dave Jones)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
Subject: Re: Thunderbirds on CNN
Date: 18 Aug 92 13:33:29 GMT
Organization: :noitazinagrO

In article <1992Aug17.234548.3588@ctr.columbia.edu> ? <a@b> writes:
>Sunday afternoon I was watching CNN headline news when
>they had a feature on the new popularity of Thunderbirds
>on British and Japanese television.
>
The Japanese have long had a "Thunderbirds" which was an animated
feature only very distantly related to the Gerry Anderson show.  I
think it had an International Rescue, and various Thunderbird vehicles,
and there the similarity ended.

-- 
||)) Dump the Whatizit!  Ren and Stimpy for Olympic mascots in '96 ! )))))))|
||)) "What is it, man?!?" ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))|
||))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))|
||Dave Jones (dj@ekcolor.ssd.kodak.com) | Eastman Kodak Co. Rochester, NY   |
Xref: sparky rec.arts.tv.uk:5021 soc.culture.british:11737
From: neilp@cs.hw.ac.uk (Neil Postlethwaite)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk,soc.culture.british
Subject: Re: Stinkers!
Date: 21 Aug 92 12:17:59 GMT
Organization: Dept of Computer Science, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland

In article <1992Aug19.175059.26866@pixel.kodak.com> dj@ssd.kodak.com (Dave Jones) writes:
>In article <Bt8r91.AxL@news.cso.uiuc.edu> sprackle@rel8.ncsa.uiuc.edu (David Spracklen) writes:
>>They actually dared let "Cop Rock" out of the country?!  They must have
>>wanted to have the show flop in two countries.  I just hope that
>>"Rescue 911" (our emergency show) doesn't go musical; it's hosted by
>>William Shatner (Captain Kirk) and I am not at all interested to see if
>>he can sing.
>>
>>Dave Spracklen
>
>It's probably worse for the UK than the US.  At least when a show flops
>here, it gets pulled after a couple of episodes.  If it gets sold to the
>UK in a six or twelve episode chunk, all will be shown, no matter how
>bad the response.  I pity those forced to endure such unnecessary
>torture.
>

Ok add your Stinker to the list. It was started with Cop Rock and I'll
continue it with some of the other suggestions and my ones.


Show				Offender
~~~~				~~~~~~~~

Cop Rock			US
Crossroads			UK
Blossom				US
My 2 Dads			US
Eldorado			UK
Prisoner (Cell Block H)		AUS
Out of this World		US
Vic Reeves Big Night Out	UK


Neil

P.S. Add to the list, I don't want a cascade on my conscience !!!
From: dj@ssd.kodak.com (Dave Jones)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
Subject: Re: Washing the dishes
Date: 20 Aug 92 21:17:21 GMT
Article-I.D.: pixel.1992Aug20.211721.21024
Organization: :noitazinagrO

In article <1992Aug21.085734.10259@waikato.ac.nz> harlow@waikato.ac.nz writes:
>Hi,
>   Why is it that the British do their dishes in tubs sitting in the sink? It's
>true, I've seen it on Coronation Street numerous times. Is this behaviour
>perculiar to the English? Please help put my mind at rest.
>

What do NZers do?  Well, they build their houses with sackcloth walls,
for one thing, but as far as doing the washup goes, do they all have
dishwashers, or does this posting mean that dishes just get washed
(horrors!) in a bare sink with no plastic bowl to cushion the shock when
that piece of valued Wedgwood slips from soapy fingers and heads
earthward?  Maybe they just do it all in a local billabong...

Plastic washup bowls are also sold in the US, too.

We now return to your normal programming.....


-- 
||)) Dump the Whatizit!  Ren and Stimpy for Olympic mascots in '96 ! )))))))|
||)) "What is it, man?!?" ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))|
||))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))|
||Dave Jones (dj@ekcolor.ssd.kodak.com) | Eastman Kodak Co. Rochester, NY   |
From: "davidr turner" <davidr.turner@canrem.com>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
Subject: longest running shows
Date: 18 Aug 92 20:32:38 EST
Reply-To: "davidr turner" <davidr.turner@canrem.com>
Distribution: rec
Organization: Canada Remote Systems


DS>Wasn't "Are You Being Served?" on for 10 years?

DS>Dave Spracklen
DS>"Yes, another person named Dave."

Just a note to people in the New York State / Southern Ontario area:
Sat., Aug. 23, from 8 PM - Midnight, PBS Channel 17, Buffalo, will
aire 5 episodes of "Are You Being Served Again".

Mike & Goldie said this on their "Best Of 'Are You Being Served?'"
special, with John Inman.

Remember, it's their Summer telethon time, so expect UNSCHEDULED,
VARIABLE LENGTH pledge breaks.  What they're doing now is to not
wait a certain time, or until they've got XX new members - they're
now waiting until the XX new members.  There appears to be no time
limit on the breaks.  So expect it might go as late as 12:30 or so.

Later...
David R. Turner
(A David, not a Dave)

 * SLMR 2.1a * If this were an actual tagline, it would be funny.
--
Canada Remote Systems  - Toronto, Ontario/Detroit, MI
World's Largest PCBOARD System - 416-629-7000/629-7044
From: nroworth@nl.oracle.com (Nick Roworth)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
Subject: Re: Hugh, Phew, Barley Magrew...
Keywords: Firemen
Date: 19 Aug 92 10:16:01 GMT
Organization: Oracle Europe

In article <9811@ncrwat.Waterloo.NCR.COM>, tjgerman@53iss6.Waterloo.NCR.COM (Trevor German) writes:
|> 
|> 	Was it camberwick Green that had the happless firemen
|> 	Hugh, Phew, Barley-Magrew, Cuthbert, Hubert and ???.
|> 	And are these the real names ?.

No it was Trumpton, Camberwick Green had the soldiers and the fort. Although some 
of the characters from Camberwick Green were in both Trumpton and Chigley.

|> 	I always felt sorry for these boys. I remember them
|> 	being called out on many an occasion and taking out
|> 	their hoses (steady) only to find a cat in a tree or
|>  	some such. Does anyone know if they ever got to fight
|> 	a fire.

Didn't the Baker's oven catch fire once? The other main task they performed was
to play in the bandstand at the end of the programme.

Can anyone remember any of the songs?

|> 	On an even older note.. Who can remember the Wooden-Tops
|> 	with 'The biggest spotty dog you ever did see.' What were
|> 	the names of the family members.

Mummy Woodentop, Daddy Woodentop, Willy, Jenny, someone who helped Mummy Woodentop
and someone who helped Daddy Woodentop in the fields.

-- 
Nick Roworth, ORACLE Europe             "Bugs Mr. Rico! Zillions of 'em!"
Rijnzathe 6, NL-3454 PV De Meern        Starship Troopers - Robert A. Heinlein
Phone: +31-3406-94211                     
nroworth@nl.oracle.com
From: dale.clayton@canrem.com (dale clayton)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
Subject: the avengers
Date: 21 Aug 92 04:46:18 GMT
Reply-To: "dale clayton" <dale.clayton@canrem.com>
Distribution: rec
Organization: Canada Remote Systems


 koumis@husc4.harvard.edu (Anthony Koumis)  wrote:

-> I had never seen "The Avengers" until this last week when we got
-> cable.

 If you are talking about viewing on A&E, you maybe sorry to hear that
come Sept. A&E will no longer be showing it. It is being replaced with
The Rockford Files. Why? Wish I knew (or even understood). Sad.

Regards,
Dale Clayton
------------------------
dale.clayton@canrem.com
--
Canada Remote Systems  - Toronto, Ontario/Detroit, MI
World's Largest PCBOARD System - 416-629-7000/629-7044
From: uk@bigwhite.ucs.sfu.ca (Uncle Ken)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
Subject: Re: thunderbirds on cnn
Date: 19 Aug 92 22:30:59 GMT
Article-I.D.: sfu.1992Aug19.223059.2387
Distribution: rec
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada

In article <1992Aug19.763.8121@dosgate> "dale clayton"  
<dale.clayton@canrem.com> writes:
> -> Sunday afternoon I was watching CNN headline news when
> -> they had a feature on the new popularity of Thunderbirds
> -> on British and Japanese television.
> 
>  Some of you maybe interested to know that YTV will soon be showing
> Thunderbirds (Are Go!) and Stingray.
> 
> Regards,
> Dale Clayton
> ------------------------
> dale.clayton@canrem.com
> --
> Canada Remote Systems  - Toronto, Ontario/Detroit, MI
> World's Largest PCBOARD System - 416-629-7000/629-7044

I had heard that it was Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet...

Not that I don't like Stingray...but if I had to choose, I'd
take Captain Scarlet...

Oh well...Ken
From: ajdh@bnr.co.uk (Andrew J D Hurley)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
Subject: Re: Need B7 Episode!s! on VHS
Date: 14 Aug 92 09:32:09 GMT
Organization: BNR Europe Limited, Harlow, GB

In article <LPygPB2w164w@cybernet.cse.fau.edu> ekho.bbs@cybernet.cse.fau.edu writes:
>  This seems to be the case in quite a few places in America:  Blakes 7 
>withdrawl! ;)  I have good news for you. Yes, Blakes 7 is now being sold 
>on videotape.  Here in America, as far as I know, tapes #1-6 have been 
>released with #7 & 8 due out in October.  With two episodes on one tape, 
>this means that we are through the first season... However, our lucky 
>counterparts in the UK are aproximately through the third! (I'm not sure, 
>would someone care to update me?)  Try looking for the tapes in a comic 
>store which sells vid-tapes as well, they should have them, or they can 
>order them for you.  If not, try a big name bookstore such as Waldenbooks 
>and have them order the tapes... 

In the UK we are up to tape 22 with 23-26 due out by January/February,
this puts us about a third of the way through season 4 and nearly
at the end :-(

There is a note on tapes 21 & 22 explaining that by February all 52
episodes will have been released on 26 tapes and wouldn't you like
to send off for a nice wooden case to put them all in - only #19.99.

I was intrieged to hear that B7 was being released in NTSC at all, this
is certainly an unusal practice, there are obviously a lot more
American B7 fans than I was previously aware of.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew J D Hurley ,   ><>         |  Email:   A.J.D.Hurley@bnr.co.uk
                                  |   or      Andrew.Hurley.EG40@bnr.ca
BNR Europe Ltd., London Road,     |  route:   uunet!ukc!bnr!ajdh
Harlow, Essex CM17 9NA, UK.       |  Phone:   +44 279 402535
From: zzassgl@uts.mcc.ac.uk (Geoff Lane)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
Subject: Re: Stinkers!
Keywords: really bad shows!
Date: 19 Aug 92 10:40:02 GMT
Organization: Manchester Computing Centre, Manchester, England, M13 9PL.

>In article <Bt6zn6.6E5@news.cso.uiuc.edu> sprackle@rel4.ncsa.uiuc.edu (David Spracklen) writes:
>>What are some of the shows in the UK we here in the US will never see?
>>I know you will NEVER see "Cop Rock."  I know that all US readers are even
>>now having to hold back their gag reflex.


Unfortunately "Cop Rock" *has* been broadcast in the UK. 

Psychologists are still working to help return the viewers to a normal, if
restricted, mental state :-)




-- 
Geoff. Lane.                                  Janet: zzassgl@uk.ac.mcc.uts
UTS Sys Admin, Manchester Computing Centre, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL
Xref: sparky rec.arts.tv.uk:4964 soc.culture.british:11670
From: bruce@egh-qc.uucp (Bruce Fisher)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk,soc.culture.british
Subject: Re: The Avengers, Again
Date: 19 Aug 92 08:58:05 GMT
Organization: Surgical Materials Testing Lab (SMTL)

pete@plutonium.CChem.Berkeley.EDU (Pete Goodeve) writes:

>In article <1992Aug18.184603.18114@cas.org> jac54@cas.org () writes:
>>
>>	The first female companion was called Cathy Gale, but she was
>.. Ah yes -- should have read all the postings before replying.
>Ithink you're right -- it was Cathy with a `C'.
>>	preceded (even before my time) by Patrick McGoohan as Steeds'
>>	companion. 
>No -- as far as I know McGoohan was never associated with the Avengers
>[whaT WAS the original (UK) name of his show?  Escapes me for now...*]
>The other original Avenger was Ian Hendry, playing Dr somebody-or-other.
>Never saw any of those (:()
>					-- Pete --

>	(* NO -- *not* "The Prisoner", silly!  (:-))


I think its probably "Dangerman" you are thinking of.

Bruce.

-- 
Bruce Fisher
Quality Control Laboratory,		email :  bruce@egh-qc.uucp
Bridgend General Hospital,		or    :  bruce@egh-qc.co.uk
Bridgend,				or    :  uknet!egh-qc!bruce
SOUTH WALES,  CF31 1JP			or    :  give up!
=== "I read the news today,  OH BOY !!!" ===
From: amn@unix.brighton.ac.uk (Anthony Naggs)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
Subject: Re: Maid Marion
Date: 19 Aug 92 21:39:13 GMT
Organization: Brighton Polytechnic, England

Yes, I have heard of it and even seen some snipets.  It is a children's
program loosely based in the Robin Hood story.  Tony Robinson writes the
scripts, (originally stories for his kids, I think), and plays the wicked
sheriff of Nottingham.  He is bullied by the King (John?), and takes his
2 incompetent henchmen on humiliating encounters with Robin Hood & his
merry men.  However Robin Hood, handsome but stupid, is only the figurehead
as Maid Marion is the brains, accurate bowperson, ...

Picked some of this up by seeing bits, and seeing a TV interview with TR.
I don't remember him saying anything about it appearing in the UK, but unless
your humour level is tuned in to stuff for 12 year olds you are not missing
much.  Oh yes, he did mention that he has flown over to the US several times
to discuss with Disney the production of a cartoon version...

-- 
Anthony Naggs                    |  MAN I say what it occurs to me to say when
Janet:    amn@uk.ac.brighton.vms |      I think I hear people say things.
    or    xa329@uk.ac.city       |      More I cannot say.
Internet: amn@vms.brighton.ac.uk |
       or xa329@city.ac.uk)      |  (from The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy)
From: dale.clayton@canrem.com (dale clayton)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
Subject: thunderbirds on ytv
Date: 21 Aug 92 04:46:18 GMT
Reply-To: "dale clayton" <dale.clayton@canrem.com>
Distribution: rec
Organization: Canada Remote Systems

David:
-----
-> Dale, any word on when Stingray will start (& if they'll start
-> with the first episode?)

 I'm not sure. But, I heard something to the effect of last Friday in
August or first Saturday in September (Thunderbirds Are Go! would be in
the other timeslot). Hmm... Check the Friday.
 There is no reason why it shouldn't be shown from the first episode.
All 39 colour episodes do exist!
 BTW, I did hear a talkover promo for both series on YTV recently. It
was just an announcement to say that they were coming. But, didn't say
exactly when they will start.

Regards,
Dale Clayton
------------------------
dale.clayton@canrem.com
--
Canada Remote Systems  - Toronto, Ontario/Detroit, MI
World's Largest PCBOARD System - 416-629-7000/629-7044
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
From: kdontas@gmuvax2.gmu.edu (Chris Eccleston)
Subject: Re: Hugh, Phew, Barley Magrew...
Keywords: Firemen
Organization: George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 16:05:55 GMT

In article <2698@nlsun1.oracle.nl> nroworth@nl.oracle.com (Nick Roworth) writes:
>In article <9811@ncrwat.Waterloo.NCR.COM>, tjgerman@53iss6.Waterloo.NCR.COM (Trevor German) writes:
>|> 
>|> 	Was it camberwick Green that had the happless firemen
>|> 	Hugh, Phew, Barley-Magrew, Cuthbert, Hubert and ???.
>|> 	And are these the real names ?.
>
>No it was Trumpton, Camberwick Green had the soldiers and the fort. Although some 
>of the characters from Camberwick Green were in both Trumpton and Chigley.
>

	I think it was:

	Hugh, Pugh, Barley-McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble, Grubb

	
	CAGE
From: neilp@cs.hw.ac.uk (Neil Postlethwaite)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk
Subject: Re: Young Ones
Keywords: Niel, Vivian, Rick, Mike, that terrible Alexy Sayle guy.
Date: 21 Aug 92 12:06:57 GMT
Distribution: rec
Organization: Dept of Computer Science, Heriot-Watt University, Scotland

In article <1992Aug19.150344.6438@homebase.vistachrome.com> eric@homebase.vistachrome.com (Eric Brunson) writes:
>I have been a long time fan of The Young Ones and have many recorded of
>the episode they showed on MTV.
>
>Does anyone know how many episodes were made?  How many seasons the show
>ran?  How well did it go over in the UK?  I saw one episode ( Flood ) while i


If you like the Young Ones, keep an eye out for 'Bottom'. It is in a very
similar vein. Written by and staring Rik Mayall and Ade Edmundson (?)
from the Young Ones/Comic Strip.

I think it has been shown in Australia or NZ

Neil


****************************| Sig' Time |*********************************
JANET: 	  neilp@uk.ac.hw.cs   *   Neil Postlethwaite, Rm G.25, 
INTERNET: neilp@cs.hw.ac.uk   *   Dept of Computer Science,  
UUCP: 	  ..!uknet!hwcs!neilp *   Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton Campus
                              *   Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, United Kingdom.
------------------------------*-------------------------------------------
Computer Science Account      *   Phone +44 (0)31 449-5111 x4174
Xref: sparky rec.arts.tv.uk:4957 soc.culture.british:11665
Organisation: European Space Technology Centre (E.S.T.E.C)
Date: Wednesday, 19 Aug 1992 11:01:39 CET
From: <MATTWOOD@ESTEC.BITNET>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.uk,soc.culture.british
Subject: Re: Stinkers!

David Spracklen writes:
 "What are some of the shows in the UK we here in the US will never see?"

Well David, one of the WORST shows I've had the misfortune to see in
recent years was shown towards Christmas last year on BBC.  I think it
was shown past 11 pm on Saturdays (when most people are out enjoying
themselves) - it was called "Cop Rock"! :-):-)

But seriously,

 Most of the really bad shows are inherently popular - such as:

Crossroads : REALLY bad acting.  Cardboard walls that shook whenever
             anybody closed a door or sneezed.  Long meaningful glances
             in close-up a-la Brazilian soap.  The show was about the
             daily life of people working in a motel on a (you guessed
             it) crossroads.  Consistently in the top ten figures.

Noel's Addicts : Hosted by Noel Edmonds - an ex-BBC radio DJ who has
             hosted 'entertainment' shows in his own style for quite
             some time now.  Most of his shows may be described as
             "Madcap" by some newspapers, but most people with an
             IQ larger than that of a glass of water describe them as
             "Crap".  Noel's addicts is a show whereby eccentric
             people (we've lots of them in the UK) come on and describe
             their addictions - there's been a vicar's wife who was
             into collecting knickers, a man who collected vacuum
             cleaners, and three women who collected plastic raincoats -
             they had only collected nine between them.  The 'guests'
             get to answer 12 questions - if they got 10 right, then
             they qualified for the title of 'Addict'.

I'm sure that other UK people out there in netland can come up with
completely brainless shows, but I can't really think of anything worse
than Cop Rock.  The Americans have beaten us on that one.

 Martin Attwood.