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Posts Tagged ‘tv’

  1. Ooh baby it’s a wild world

    January 20, 2017 by Amy Hansford

    I missed my daily deadline last night due to a very welcome visit from my lovely friend Emma. Before I knew it, I was halfway through a bottle of champagne and, when paired with a naked kebab*, I was no longer able to coherently blog. So instead, we thoroughly enjoyed what I now know to be Spy In The Wild.

    The key USP with this programme is that they have managed to capture very natural (and fascinating) behaviour from the animals by combining cameras and animatronics. Robot meerkats, sloths and orangutans have breen created and discretely placed in the wild where they interact with the ‘real’ animals, filming their behaviour and interacting with them. In one scene, the robo-orangutan saws a piece of wood in half; the real orangutan then copies its behaviour, even showing off and sawing whilst lieing down. It really is brilliant to watch!

    Newsround did a little piece on it too.

    It really is brilliant watching. Our cat Echo agreed too – she was quite intent on catching herself a meerkat. Spoilers: she didn’t.

    Spy In The Wild is on BBC 1 on Thursdays at 8pm. You can also watch it here on iPlayer.

    * A kebab without pitta bread


  2. Addiction

    March 17, 2013 by Amy Hansford

    Spontaneous combustioniser Picture credit: Richard Cannon & Chris Capstick/Guardian

    Spontaneous combustioniser
    Picture credit: Richard Cannon & Chris Capstick/Guardian

    My daughter has an addiction. It’s name is Justin Fletcher. Currently, the only way she can get her fix is continued repetition of The Hokey Cokey from his latest album. As for Justin’s House, we watched three episodes on the trot yesterday. Should the day ever arise where he appears on our doorstep, I genuinely think she might implode.

    As for me, I’m not blameless in all this addiction talk. I am addicted to my phone. Ironically, not because of its use as a phone. It’s a constant circle of checking Facebook, email, Twitter. A quick check of my Carrot to do list results in another circuit. Every message received, every calender appointment results in a twee notification sound and another circuit. I finish my circuit then start it over just in case something has happened in the meantime.

    This is a problem.

    I don’t actually need to know the ins and outs of people’s lives. Reality tv and Social Media have made us voyeurs. I am missing out on my family because I can’t ignore the urge to check my phone. My daughter is in the bath – a quick circuit. We’re out for dinner – a quick circuit. “Good morning darling” – a quick circuit.

    Enough.

    This week, I will be attempting to use my phone for only the following:
    – Phone calls
    – Texts
    – Sat nav (it’s replaced our Tom Tom)
    – Restricted email use (I need to keep an eye out for work emails when I’m out)

    I’ll let you know how I get on.


  3. Costumes: Television

    February 22, 2010 by Amy Hansford

    One of the widest themes around – trust me! I will be starting small with this post and adding to it as we go, or rather, as I remember. Do add your own ideas! And remember, we already have the Kids TV section so no talk of Rainbow or Fraggle Rock here.

    Ashes to Ashes – Gene Hunt, Alex Drake
    Doctor Who
    – any of the Doctors, Ace, Rose, Martha, Cyberman, Dalek, Captain Jack
    Family GuyPeter, Lois, Chris, Meg, Stewie, Brian, Quagmire, Cleveland and all the rest
    FireflyCaptain Mal, Zoe, Wash, Inara, Jayne, Kaylee, Simon, River, Shepherd
    FuturamaFry, Leela, Bender, Hermes, Dr Zoidberg, the Professor, Amy, Zapp Branigan
    Life on Mars – Gene Hunt, Sam Tyler
    Red Dwarf – Lister, Arnold Rimmer, Ace Rimmer, Kryten, Cat, Dwayne Dibley, Kochanski, Mr Flibble, Holly
    The SimpsonsHomer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Flanders, Nelson and all the rest
    South Park – Cartman, Kenny, Kyle, Stan and the rest
    Top Gear – if you can go as all three (plus the Stig) you’re on to a winner *new*


  4. Costumes: Excellent 80s

    May 23, 2009 by Amy Hansford

    The key to decade themed parties is to pick up on key trends. Fashion, music, movies and tv are the things that people remember the most, they being what was represented in the popular culture of the time. Today’s theme is the Excellent 80s, so here’s a few ideas.

    Adam Ant – stand and deliver!
    Alf (US link) – I have no idea how you’d do this, but I’d be impressed.
    Back to the Future – will you be Marty McFly or Doc Brown?
    Bananaman from Acacia Avenue.
    Basil Fawlty offering the back of his hand to Manwell.
    BBC Test Card
    – blonde wig, chalkboard and freakish cuddly toy.
    Beetlejuice who says an alarming number of naughty things.
    Blues Brothers – you’ll notice that some of the best and most iconic films were made in the 80s.
    Boy George (Culture Club) with braids and every colour of the rainbow.
    Breakdancer – don’t forget your bling and practice your moves.
    Care Bears – with the Care Bear stare.
    Carrie – white dress, red colourant, ace costume.
    Charlie’s Angels because it grants the best team pose.
    Cocktail – black logo tee and shaker. Everyone’s friend at a party.
    Dangermouse with his faithful companion Penfold.
    Darth Vader/Princess Leia/Luke Skywalker et al from the Empire Strikes Back.
    Debbie Harry (Blondie) with the big blonde hair and dark roots.
    Dirty Dancing – don’t spend the whole night in the corner.
    Doctor Who was Tom Baker in the 80s. Big hair and big scarf.
    Edward Scissorhands although perhaps not in a confined space.
    ET – remember to phone for a cab at the end of the night, not just home.
    Flashdance – in dance outfit or in overalls, just leave the water at home.
    Fonzie from Happy Days. Eehhhhhhhh!
    Frank Spencer – keep referring to Betty in your flasherjacket.
    Frankie Goes to Hollywood – hey – relax!
    Freddy Krueger from Nightmare on Elm Street.
    Ghostbusters – because it must be in as many of my lists as possible.
    Gizmo/Gremlin – I will love you forever if you do this costume.
    Grotbags – the greenest witch pre-Elphaba.
    He-Man compelte with sword. Could even have a fight with Skeletor.
    Indiana Jones – a whip can be very handy you know.
    James Bond is the costume for every decade.
    Jason Vorhees – the one with the hockey mask from Friday 13th.
    Jessica Rabbit from ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’
    Knightmare – with an oversize horned helmet.
    Labyrinth – but only if you play with your glass balls.
    Madness – bonus points if you do the walk.
    Madonna all in white with lace and bows. Remember your beauty spot!
    Magnum PI – genius excuse for a massive moustache.
    Mermaid from ‘Splash’
    Miama Vice with a white suit and coloured tee, remember to roll up your sleeves.
    Michael Jackson with his silver glove, white socks and loafers, team with black leather jacket for a ‘Bad’ look or a red leather jacket to give a ‘thrill’.
    Mork from Ork in his red lycra suit with shiny triangle.
    Mr T or indeed anyone from the A Team.
    Olivia Newton John from the ‘Let’s Get Physical’ video – legwarmers, headbands and lycra agogo.
    Orville the Duck with the man attached.
    Ozzy Osbourne as the Prince of Darkness always lights up a party.
    Pob – no spitting please.
    Prince all in purple with a bit of stubble for ‘Purple Rain’
    Prom night – consider your taffeta gown, your corsage and your perm.
    Punk was all the rage. Think black leather mixed with denim and bright hair. Love your lipstick.
    Queen in a group of four, each wear a black top and choose a member of Queen to dress the head as. When questioned on who you are, run into a group? with your heads in the right place and start singing.
    Rainbow – such choice in puppetry!
    Rainbow Brite – shiny fabrics ahoy!
    Ralph Macchio (the Karate Kid) in your white uniform, head tie and a bit of wax on, wax off.
    Red Dwarf with a H head, robot face, Cat clothes or boiler suit, you’re set. Or just a black rollneck.
    Robert Smith (The Cure) – black black black, with a smidgeon (or smudge) of red lipstick.
    Rod Hull & Emu available from all good retail outlets.
    Rocky – ADRIAAAAAAAAAN!!!
    Roland Rat – Alright ratbags!
    Rubix Cube – it’s amazing what you can do with a cardboard box.
    Scarface – white suit, water pistol and scar.
    She-Ra – Brilliant chance to wear a cape.
    Smurfs and of course, Smurfette
    Spit the Dog
    worthy of his own entry.
    Superman – see, that stag night costume *can* be worn again.
    Superted with his friend, Spotty.
    The Breakfast Club if you can blag a gang of you to go, this would be mega fantastic.
    The Incredible Hulk – green it up!
    The Young Ones – choose from Neil, Vyvyan, Rick or Mike.???? ***new***
    Thundercats because everyone fancied Cheetara as a boy.
    Tiswas – Are you OOOOkaaaaay, the Phantom Flan Flinger, or HoudiElbow?
    Toni Basil in a cheerleader outfit from ‘Hey Mickey’.
    Top Gun with a jumpsuit and helmet. Don’t forget the shades.
    Toyah Wilcox because we love her. Colour, glam and attitude!
    Transformers – hey, people are really inventive with cardboard!
    V – get with the lizard face!
    Weird Science – jumpers + bras on heads. Pazzaz.
    Wham – choose life, and a quiff!
    Willo the Wisp with Mavis Cruet the Fairy.
    Withnail
    gives you the golden opportunity to demand booze.
    Wonder Woman – the tv heroine of the 80s.
    Worzel Gummidge – don’t forget the robin inside your tummy. And Aunt Sally.
    WWF – not the animal one, the wrestling one. Spandex, masks, and the occasional snake in a bag.
    Yuppie – with the introduction of mobile phones the size of a large brick, another sleeve roller. Remember the hair slick.
    Zombie from ‘Day of the Dead’


  5. Save Jason!

    March 16, 2009 by Amy Hansford

    Do you ike the Gadget Show?
    Adore the weekly challenges they do?
    Take Part in Jason Bradbury’s flashmob this Friday at 1pm in London to help him win this week’s challenge, and get to appear on the show too!
    Details to follow, or alternatively follow @JasonBradbury on Twitter.

    Date: Friday 20th March 2009
    Time: 1pm
    Location: Somerset House
    Reason: To prove the power of Twitter in getting the word out!

    Jason Bradbury can only use Twitter to organise this, so do please follow him to keep fully updated or check here for more news. However, you, my wonderful lovelies, are free to spread the word any way you wish!


  6. Costumes: Kids’ TV

    January 22, 2009 by Amy Hansford

    A good friend of mine needs a Kids’ TV themed costume for this weekend. Remembering that I’m a Londoner, these are all characters from UK based tv shows, old and new. It’s up to you how you interpret the costume; this is just a handy list of some notable mentions.

    Andy Pandy
    Animaniacs – Yakko, Wacko or Dot?
    Art Attack
    Astrix / Oblix
    Bagpuss
    Basil Brush
    Bertha
    Bill and Ben plus Little Weed
    Bugs Bunny
    Byker Grove
    Care Bears
    Chip and Dale? **new**
    Daffy Duck
    Dangermouse? **new**
    Dogtanian
    Duck Tales – Huey, Louis, Duey or Scroodge McDuck?? **new**
    Dungeons and Dragons? **new**
    Ed the Duck
    Elmer Fudd
    Fireman Sam
    Fraggle Rock
    Fun House contestant / Pat Sharp
    Gordon the Gopher
    Grange Hill pupil
    Grotbags
    He-Man / She-Ra
    Henry’s Cat? **new**
    In the Night Garden
    Inspector Gadget
    Knightmare (This would be my choice)
    Maid Marion / Sheriff of Nottingham
    Marvin the Martian
    Paddington Bear
    Penny Crayon
    Phantom Flan Flinger
    Pink Panther
    Pob
    Poddington Peas
    Pokemon (I didn’t want to include this but Alex said I had to)
    Postman Pat / Jess
    Rainbow Brite
    Rentaghost
    Rod Hull and Emu (get yer puppet for only ?20 in the shops!)
    Roland Rat
    Sesame Street – Yip Yip Yips, Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie
    Shoe People
    Spit the Dog
    Spongebob Squarepants *new 22/1
    Taz the Tasmanian Devil
    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
    Teletubbies
    The Raccoons
    Thomas the Tank Engine
    Thunderbirds / Lady Penelope / Parker
    Timmy Mallett
    Tin Tin / Snowy
    Transformers? **new**
    Tweenies
    Wizbit
    Worzel Hummidge /Aunt Sally
    Yogi Bear