EastEnders / Dirty Den gives Angie divorce papers for Christmas - EastEnders - BBC
Oh, you should know already! The most talked about as they say now "duff, duff" moment was when Dennis "Dirty Den" Watts shocked the unbeknownst Angie Watts by handing over those divorce papers after 20 years of marriage! This was the climax to the already heated, thunderous and argumentative relationship between the 2. despite the fact Den had a mistress in early 1986, being the name of Jan Hammond, he was a popular character, and the viewers wanted to see Angie getting a come-uppance after blatently lying about the fact she was dying from cancer and only had six months to live. This was her twisted plot to keep the marriage alive. Den was skeptical at first, but was taken in by Angie's ill...and suicidal behaviour. The famous scene on Christmas Day 1986 that took place in the narrow back hall of the Queen Vic pub, was set in stone, once Den discovered, on holiday in Venice, Italy with Angie, having overheared her admittance to the cancer being all one big lie!
Despite the fact Eastenders had only ran the year before, and even if you take into account everybody only had 4 channels. The success and media press of the show at that time that helped catapult their initial viewer ratings of 17 million, to nearly double that, for this Christmas special episode. It achieved 30.1 million viewers, the highest ever achieved by a British soap, and still is the record. It's amazing, it's up there with the death of Princess Diana and the '66 World Cup! The gritty realism that was displayed in Eastenders, helped many viewers to be able to relate to the characters very much so.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread for Teaching Drama in the UK...
Three Looms Waiting Part 1
A memorable episode of the long-running arts and culture programme "Omnibus" (1967-2003), about a teacher. Just a teacher? Not just any teacher, this was someone who helped evolve drastically the way of teaching children drama. It was about the teacher becoming more harmonious with the children, and not be stooped on a higher platform, trying to think of acting like a theatrical director. Instead a more involving and a lack of hierachy, would help children be enthused to act, to act as another person in a more natural process. This process even had a name, it was called "Mantle of the Expert".
This teacher's name was Dorothy Heathcote, a former Mill worker (the clue's in the video title) from West Yorkshire. As she reiterated dreams of to be an actress, the mill boss, Charlie Fletcher exclaimed "that if it didn't work out there would always be three looms waiting for her at his mill." Hence the title. Although a talented actress, she was turned down for not having the right look. For Dorothy, fair to say she wasn't a pretty girl, was plucked out of nowhere to become a drama teacher, in a career change, in 1951. At first, her style of teaching was looked down on, but she then became raved about in her teaching success, spanning into a fan base outwith her local school, and other amenities she used to teach, such as village halls in Yorkshire, and the Bradford Civic Playhouse.
This episode is an celebration of her work, who was now a university lecturer, split into 8 parts on Youtube. Dorothy Heathcote is still alive to this day, in her 80s now.
A memorable episode of the long-running arts and culture programme "Omnibus" (1967-2003), about a teacher. Just a teacher? Not just any teacher, this was someone who helped evolve drastically the way of teaching children drama. It was about the teacher becoming more harmonious with the children, and not be stooped on a higher platform, trying to think of acting like a theatrical director. Instead a more involving and a lack of hierachy, would help children be enthused to act, to act as another person in a more natural process. This process even had a name, it was called "Mantle of the Expert".
This teacher's name was Dorothy Heathcote, a former Mill worker (the clue's in the video title) from West Yorkshire. As she reiterated dreams of to be an actress, the mill boss, Charlie Fletcher exclaimed "that if it didn't work out there would always be three looms waiting for her at his mill." Hence the title. Although a talented actress, she was turned down for not having the right look. For Dorothy, fair to say she wasn't a pretty girl, was plucked out of nowhere to become a drama teacher, in a career change, in 1951. At first, her style of teaching was looked down on, but she then became raved about in her teaching success, spanning into a fan base outwith her local school, and other amenities she used to teach, such as village halls in Yorkshire, and the Bradford Civic Playhouse.
This episode is an celebration of her work, who was now a university lecturer, split into 8 parts on Youtube. Dorothy Heathcote is still alive to this day, in her 80s now.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
The Best Skier of All-Time?
ALBERTO TOMBA
Continuing our special focus on the past Winter Olympics from the 20th Century, it was only a matter of time, before we turned to quite simply, the most premier of the Winter and Alpine sports which is skiing. Now Skiing is broken up in different styles of event, featured in this short clip, is one of the most powerful and impressive skiers of all time, Italian Alberto Tomba, at the ultimate peak of his career, winning the gold medal for the Giant Slalom event, and the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Although the commentary is in Italian, that is only second fiddle to the visual aspect of "Tomba la Bomba", mastering the course with great skill in this nice, short clip.
Alberto Tombo, from Castel de Britti, near Bologna won 2 gold medals at the Calgary Olympics for both the "Slalom" and the "Giant Slalom", following a decent Bronze from the 1987 World Championships. He later won another gold medal for the Giant Slalom event and a silver at the regular Slalom, at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. His career declined after this year, and only just managed to win a silver for the Slalom at the 1994 Lillehammer event. He peaked once again 1995, with an impressive winning streak and won the World Cup title for the Giant Slalom. Afer a dismal performance at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, including a non-finish (crashing), he hanged up his boots for retirement.
Although it's pretty much the same aspect as Skiing down a hill, there is some difference between the Alpine sports of Downhill, Slalom, Giant Slalom and Mogul Skiing.
Downhill is one of the faster disciplines, starting from the mountain top or "piste", and make your way through the "Gates", which are the gaps between 2 level flags on a flexible pole-like thingy. The ski lengths are larger, hosting more exhilarating speeds than "Slalom".
Slalom is means to zigzag between obstacles. The course is much like Downhill, but the gates are more plentiful and smaller gaps between the gates, so the turns are more trickier. Men's Slalom has more gates than women's skiing.
Giant Slalom is simply the same as Slalom, but the gaps between gates are slightly larger. There is also "Super-G Slalom"...well, that's easy to find out for yourself!
Mogul Skiing is a mix of freestyle and downhill, but this is nowhere near as fast as Downhill. The skiers perform 2 jumps in the battle for points, which involves aerial skills and acrobatics. They then land of very bumpy terrain, and the important factors are not only speed, but keeping your balance.
Continuing our special focus on the past Winter Olympics from the 20th Century, it was only a matter of time, before we turned to quite simply, the most premier of the Winter and Alpine sports which is skiing. Now Skiing is broken up in different styles of event, featured in this short clip, is one of the most powerful and impressive skiers of all time, Italian Alberto Tomba, at the ultimate peak of his career, winning the gold medal for the Giant Slalom event, and the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Although the commentary is in Italian, that is only second fiddle to the visual aspect of "Tomba la Bomba", mastering the course with great skill in this nice, short clip.
Alberto Tombo, from Castel de Britti, near Bologna won 2 gold medals at the Calgary Olympics for both the "Slalom" and the "Giant Slalom", following a decent Bronze from the 1987 World Championships. He later won another gold medal for the Giant Slalom event and a silver at the regular Slalom, at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. His career declined after this year, and only just managed to win a silver for the Slalom at the 1994 Lillehammer event. He peaked once again 1995, with an impressive winning streak and won the World Cup title for the Giant Slalom. Afer a dismal performance at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, including a non-finish (crashing), he hanged up his boots for retirement.
Although it's pretty much the same aspect as Skiing down a hill, there is some difference between the Alpine sports of Downhill, Slalom, Giant Slalom and Mogul Skiing.
Downhill is one of the faster disciplines, starting from the mountain top or "piste", and make your way through the "Gates", which are the gaps between 2 level flags on a flexible pole-like thingy. The ski lengths are larger, hosting more exhilarating speeds than "Slalom".
Slalom is means to zigzag between obstacles. The course is much like Downhill, but the gates are more plentiful and smaller gaps between the gates, so the turns are more trickier. Men's Slalom has more gates than women's skiing.
Giant Slalom is simply the same as Slalom, but the gaps between gates are slightly larger. There is also "Super-G Slalom"...well, that's easy to find out for yourself!
Mogul Skiing is a mix of freestyle and downhill, but this is nowhere near as fast as Downhill. The skiers perform 2 jumps in the battle for points, which involves aerial skills and acrobatics. They then land of very bumpy terrain, and the important factors are not only speed, but keeping your balance.
Alreet, Going Doon the Toon for a Reet Ol' Crack
Geordie Comedy From The Late 1970s - Part One
An 8 part obscure wonder of bygone times. We focus yet on again on regional comedy, this time from the North East of England or Tyneside region, from which the classic "Geordie" tag originated, especially referred to people born in the city of Newcastle. If you like your comedy, working class, northern, old school, and swear word-free, then you might very well enjoy this massive compilation of not only North East comedians, many you might never have heard of, but Scottish and Irish comedians too. This is from an obscure regional programme produced by Tyne Tees Television called "What Fettle?", and ran only for over a year between 1977-1978. The show took place in what looked like your typical comedy club,with some wiry 70s garb in the background, and the ever-so-slightly Americanised, small intimate tables with over-sized lamps! Featuring interview segments and some off-location clips. Also, marvel at the sheer ease of stand-up Bobby Thompson, puffing away on his cigarette as he fires off his stories and jokes about life in the North East.
Also, look 31 seconds into the first part, a man in audience looks a lot like future Tory MP,and member of the Tory sleaze club, Chelsea football supporter David Mellor? I could be wrong, but it's quite hard to believe!
"What Fettle?" is a Geordie expression, best described by the "Urban Dictionary":
"A greeting , mainly used by older members of the community in North East Mining communities, latterly bastardised by younger members of the community to signify the achievement of the physical act of love,when such topics are discussed in a public house etc."
The cast of comedians and entertainers include: Bobby Thompson, Billy Martin, Bobby Hooper, "Rab C. Nesbitt" look-a-like Alan Snell, the "charming" evening-gowned Scarlet O'Hara, Bobby Knoxall, Bobby Pattinson, Lambert and Ross, Peter Mitchell, the Dixielander and Walter Gee. Phew.
An 8 part obscure wonder of bygone times. We focus yet on again on regional comedy, this time from the North East of England or Tyneside region, from which the classic "Geordie" tag originated, especially referred to people born in the city of Newcastle. If you like your comedy, working class, northern, old school, and swear word-free, then you might very well enjoy this massive compilation of not only North East comedians, many you might never have heard of, but Scottish and Irish comedians too. This is from an obscure regional programme produced by Tyne Tees Television called "What Fettle?", and ran only for over a year between 1977-1978. The show took place in what looked like your typical comedy club,with some wiry 70s garb in the background, and the ever-so-slightly Americanised, small intimate tables with over-sized lamps! Featuring interview segments and some off-location clips. Also, marvel at the sheer ease of stand-up Bobby Thompson, puffing away on his cigarette as he fires off his stories and jokes about life in the North East.
Also, look 31 seconds into the first part, a man in audience looks a lot like future Tory MP,and member of the Tory sleaze club, Chelsea football supporter David Mellor? I could be wrong, but it's quite hard to believe!
"What Fettle?" is a Geordie expression, best described by the "Urban Dictionary":
"A greeting , mainly used by older members of the community in North East Mining communities, latterly bastardised by younger members of the community to signify the achievement of the physical act of love,when such topics are discussed in a public house etc."
The cast of comedians and entertainers include: Bobby Thompson, Billy Martin, Bobby Hooper, "Rab C. Nesbitt" look-a-like Alan Snell, the "charming" evening-gowned Scarlet O'Hara, Bobby Knoxall, Bobby Pattinson, Lambert and Ross, Peter Mitchell, the Dixielander and Walter Gee. Phew.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
80s Advert Icon Hated by the Suits Upstairs, but Loved by the Public
Hofmeister - Sportsman - 1986 - UK Advert
Those were the days! When cheap lager appealed to kids! However seriously, this was an exceptional though very dated series of adverts, that very much continue the staple of the best 80s adverts being the funny ones. Back when beer was highly regarded as man's drink before the virtue of certain liberalism that was the ladette culturee in the mid-90s, here was a costumed up bear with a post-modern, "Madness"-inspired pork pie hat, and causal yellow jacket, who is a real jack-of-all-trades, but seemingly, master of everything! The character in question is called George the Hofmeister Bear, who in this, shows off his football skills, and some great camera trickery (or string pulling) of a beer pint glass being kept in the air using numerous parts of his body, and the editing is well executed too.
Beating David Hasselhoff to the nickname "Hofmeister", the slogan of the ad was, to "Follow the Bear", and for some time people did and bought Hofmeister beer. The advertising campaign was pulled after complaints about the bear appealing to children. Sadly Hofmeister lager, made in Britain was discontinued in 2003. This had been growing preference for stronger but paler beers/lagers from the continent since the 60s/70s long before the famous advertising campaign. However, the ad remains unforgotten, usually found to be appearing in the Top 100 UK Ads ever-type show, and appearing in people's personal favourites. There's even a Facebook fan group, displaying the bear as a legend:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&viewas=0&gid=33515030874
Those were the days! When cheap lager appealed to kids! However seriously, this was an exceptional though very dated series of adverts, that very much continue the staple of the best 80s adverts being the funny ones. Back when beer was highly regarded as man's drink before the virtue of certain liberalism that was the ladette culturee in the mid-90s, here was a costumed up bear with a post-modern, "Madness"-inspired pork pie hat, and causal yellow jacket, who is a real jack-of-all-trades, but seemingly, master of everything! The character in question is called George the Hofmeister Bear, who in this, shows off his football skills, and some great camera trickery (or string pulling) of a beer pint glass being kept in the air using numerous parts of his body, and the editing is well executed too.
Beating David Hasselhoff to the nickname "Hofmeister", the slogan of the ad was, to "Follow the Bear", and for some time people did and bought Hofmeister beer. The advertising campaign was pulled after complaints about the bear appealing to children. Sadly Hofmeister lager, made in Britain was discontinued in 2003. This had been growing preference for stronger but paler beers/lagers from the continent since the 60s/70s long before the famous advertising campaign. However, the ad remains unforgotten, usually found to be appearing in the Top 100 UK Ads ever-type show, and appearing in people's personal favourites. There's even a Facebook fan group, displaying the bear as a legend:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&viewas=0&gid=33515030874
Bawdy goings-on in an Eastenders off-set Episode...
Eastenders in Spain 1995 Part 1
A real treat here, with a full episode in 7 parts of an Eastenders 1995 special, special as they're on holiday in sunny Espana. Featuuring the Mitchell Brothers, Phil and Grant (Steve McFadden & Gary Kemp), with more hair, and Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), son of Frank, with even more hair. This is an exclusive focus on 6 of the cast members also overlooking David Wicks (Michael French), Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) and the the lesser-known Steve Elliot. The episode begins set on the plane towards Terremolinos, Spain.
Basically, the episode sets the standard for the the recent phenomonom (at the time) for badly behaved Brits abroad, labelled the "18-30 club" culture or the "Loaded Generation", primarily to get laid with the opposite sex. Maybe many times over on one holiday. However, this is of course a family show, so a much more tamer version of what you see on reality/voyeur/fly-on-wall late night programmes.
So what were the background to the characters back then? Ricky and Bianca are having a rough ride in their relationship, but shortly marry after the holiday. The Mitchell brothers do some searching for their little sister Sam, who had been missing from the soap for 2 years, after leaving Walford after her marriage break-up with Ricky, and being a constant pain in the neck. It was really because the soap's ratings were falling and the producers were bringing back some of the bigger characters. David Wicks history was Bianca was a weird one. After entering the soap in 1993, he made a pass at the young Bianca, but both later find out, from Carol Jackson, that they are father and daughter. Steve Elliot was played by Mark Monero from 1991-1996. The character did not have an on-screen family, and was known for being unlucky with women. He had recently bought a slice of income from the Bridge Street Cafe, which put him into a business rivalry with Ian Beale.
A real treat here, with a full episode in 7 parts of an Eastenders 1995 special, special as they're on holiday in sunny Espana. Featuuring the Mitchell Brothers, Phil and Grant (Steve McFadden & Gary Kemp), with more hair, and Ricky Butcher (Sid Owen), son of Frank, with even more hair. This is an exclusive focus on 6 of the cast members also overlooking David Wicks (Michael French), Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) and the the lesser-known Steve Elliot. The episode begins set on the plane towards Terremolinos, Spain.
Basically, the episode sets the standard for the the recent phenomonom (at the time) for badly behaved Brits abroad, labelled the "18-30 club" culture or the "Loaded Generation", primarily to get laid with the opposite sex. Maybe many times over on one holiday. However, this is of course a family show, so a much more tamer version of what you see on reality/voyeur/fly-on-wall late night programmes.
So what were the background to the characters back then? Ricky and Bianca are having a rough ride in their relationship, but shortly marry after the holiday. The Mitchell brothers do some searching for their little sister Sam, who had been missing from the soap for 2 years, after leaving Walford after her marriage break-up with Ricky, and being a constant pain in the neck. It was really because the soap's ratings were falling and the producers were bringing back some of the bigger characters. David Wicks history was Bianca was a weird one. After entering the soap in 1993, he made a pass at the young Bianca, but both later find out, from Carol Jackson, that they are father and daughter. Steve Elliot was played by Mark Monero from 1991-1996. The character did not have an on-screen family, and was known for being unlucky with women. He had recently bought a slice of income from the Bridge Street Cafe, which put him into a business rivalry with Ian Beale.
Monday, 15 February 2010
East vs. West on Ice
1960 Winter Olympics USA vs. USSR
In 1960, many people around the world, feared the nuclear arms race between the 2 superpowers the USA and the USSR would likely culiminate into the war that would end all wars, before being nuked into oblivion. Thankfully the only contest fought between the 2 were taken place on an Ice Hockey rink. Taking place before "The Cold War" really peaked, with the rise of the Berlin Wall in 1961 and the "Cuban Missile Crisis" in 1962, here we witness the sporting rivalry between the 2 nations, that expanded into a fight for the most gold-winning nation of the 1960 Winter Olympics held in Squaw Valley in California.
In this match, the USA defeat the Soviet Union 3-2. Compared to other games played in this tournament, this was a pretty low-scoring game. The USA won all their games from group qualifiers to the final five group to claim the gold medal. They defeated the likes of other giants of the game such as, Canada, Czechoslovakia and Sweden. Canada eventually claimed silver, and USSR claimed bronze, winning both preliminary games, but only winning 2 games in the final five, including one tie game.
Looking at the bigger picture, the roles are reversed, and it was the Soviet Union that came out on tops in the overall medal league with seven gold medals, 3 over the second placed Germany, while the USA lie in third place with 3 gold medals.
In 1960, many people around the world, feared the nuclear arms race between the 2 superpowers the USA and the USSR would likely culiminate into the war that would end all wars, before being nuked into oblivion. Thankfully the only contest fought between the 2 were taken place on an Ice Hockey rink. Taking place before "The Cold War" really peaked, with the rise of the Berlin Wall in 1961 and the "Cuban Missile Crisis" in 1962, here we witness the sporting rivalry between the 2 nations, that expanded into a fight for the most gold-winning nation of the 1960 Winter Olympics held in Squaw Valley in California.
In this match, the USA defeat the Soviet Union 3-2. Compared to other games played in this tournament, this was a pretty low-scoring game. The USA won all their games from group qualifiers to the final five group to claim the gold medal. They defeated the likes of other giants of the game such as, Canada, Czechoslovakia and Sweden. Canada eventually claimed silver, and USSR claimed bronze, winning both preliminary games, but only winning 2 games in the final five, including one tie game.
Looking at the bigger picture, the roles are reversed, and it was the Soviet Union that came out on tops in the overall medal league with seven gold medals, 3 over the second placed Germany, while the USA lie in third place with 3 gold medals.
ITV Lobs It's Head Off the Pillow after a Nice, Cosy Nap
News at 545 with Leonard Parkin (1979) Part 1
This was the first ITN broadcast after the infamous ITV blackout that occured for an eye-shattering 2 months from August-October 1979. This was the early years of ITN's(Independent Television News, which has provided news content for ITV from the very beginning -1955- to the present). evening news programme that used to begin at 5.45pm. This features Leonard Parkin with a magnificent combover. A well-liked news presenter, he began presenting the "News at 545" in the same year until 1987, sharing his position with such great stewards of the presenter garb like Peter Sissons.
This is a 2 part full edition of the evening ITN news. The ITV blackout was surprisingly not the top storyline, but it was British airline entrenpeneur and Laker Airlines owner Sir Freddie Laker's fight to bring dirt cheap (in those days) planes rates to Europe, prompting threats of increased competition and decreasing production quality. Also on the headlines, former Prime Minister James Callaghan faces a challenge for the leadership, from the left wing of the party, which did invariably win. Michael Foot became the next leader of the party. Other headlines of course include the ITV 2 month blackout, plus the upcoming British-ruled Zimbabwe-Rhodesia elections and rising cases of truancy in Birmingham. As said by the user who uploaded the video, 3 minutes in, we have a BBC report on the ITV fiasco blackout shocker. Part 2 of this edition, highlights the ITV event. We see the premier cream of news presenter market being previewed as hosting the upcoming "News at Ten", with Alistair Burnett, and Anna Ford, rather angrily typing on a typewriter. This forwards with report on the set of Coronation Street, and filming their reaction to their glorious return, featuring Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch) and Peter Adamson (Len Fairclough) . Can imagine 2 months without Coronation Street? Bliss for some I suppose.
This was the first ITN broadcast after the infamous ITV blackout that occured for an eye-shattering 2 months from August-October 1979. This was the early years of ITN's(Independent Television News, which has provided news content for ITV from the very beginning -1955- to the present). evening news programme that used to begin at 5.45pm. This features Leonard Parkin with a magnificent combover. A well-liked news presenter, he began presenting the "News at 545" in the same year until 1987, sharing his position with such great stewards of the presenter garb like Peter Sissons.
This is a 2 part full edition of the evening ITN news. The ITV blackout was surprisingly not the top storyline, but it was British airline entrenpeneur and Laker Airlines owner Sir Freddie Laker's fight to bring dirt cheap (in those days) planes rates to Europe, prompting threats of increased competition and decreasing production quality. Also on the headlines, former Prime Minister James Callaghan faces a challenge for the leadership, from the left wing of the party, which did invariably win. Michael Foot became the next leader of the party. Other headlines of course include the ITV 2 month blackout, plus the upcoming British-ruled Zimbabwe-Rhodesia elections and rising cases of truancy in Birmingham. As said by the user who uploaded the video, 3 minutes in, we have a BBC report on the ITV fiasco blackout shocker. Part 2 of this edition, highlights the ITV event. We see the premier cream of news presenter market being previewed as hosting the upcoming "News at Ten", with Alistair Burnett, and Anna Ford, rather angrily typing on a typewriter. This forwards with report on the set of Coronation Street, and filming their reaction to their glorious return, featuring Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch) and Peter Adamson (Len Fairclough) . Can imagine 2 months without Coronation Street? Bliss for some I suppose.
The infamous blackout was a 10-week industrial dispute after pitiful wage increase for staff including electricians. ITV was entrely blacked out, with no TV programmes for those 10 weeks, with only viewers in the Midlands being able to see Central Television programmes, from which they were fear the regional company would be run out of business, if the strike reached their shores.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
All the Best Eddie!
Calgary 1988 Opening Ceremony Highlights
If you have recently enjoyed the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, then why not compare and contrast with the last Winter Olympics in Canada? Also situated in the west of the country, Calgary welcomes the world to all favourite quad-annually portions of Downhill Skiing, the Ski Jump, Slalom, Bobsleigh, Speed Skating, Ice Skating, Biathlon, the Luge and Curling. I'm sure I've missed a few others.
We're sure they have full explainations, but the Opening Ceremony highlights consist of dancing dinosaurs breaking out of eggs, Canadian cowboy drum/percussion bands, celebrating the heritage of the state, you know, some more cowboys, Native Indians and not forgetting lasso artists. Balloons of every colour rage into the sky. You can tell by now, compared to recent Opening Ceremonys, are alot more linear, less artistic in production, but dammit when you think about, these tough sports don't really need fluff around the ears to advertise them really.
12 year old figure skater Robyn Perry, lights the Olympic flame. Of course, she did not compete in the actual competition.
Held in Calgary, Alberta the 15th Winter Olympics was held at McMahon stadium. The stadium wasn't built exclusively for the Olympics, as it has been a Canadian Football stadium. Canadian Football is somewhat similar to American Football -they cheat with their hands- but has a larger playing field and a different number of men in a team.
These are highlights of the Opening Ceremony, however also on Youtube, some wonderful person indeed, has uploaded it, in it's full entirety, 33 parts infact. Now I only want to whet your appetite, because I will posting quite a bit more about more Winter Olympics videos in the days and weeks to come.
This is an highlights clip of the opening ceremony, which is not as impressive as Canada's recent effort, but still here for archives sake. The 1988 Olympics contained some amazing achievements, not forgetting the fact, that the host country failed to win a gold medal. However, us Brits think about the tail-end, or the bottom rung of the talent in this edition, our Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, Britain's best ski-jumper at the time, and the celebrated but unlucky Jamaican Bobsleigh team.
If you have recently enjoyed the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, then why not compare and contrast with the last Winter Olympics in Canada? Also situated in the west of the country, Calgary welcomes the world to all favourite quad-annually portions of Downhill Skiing, the Ski Jump, Slalom, Bobsleigh, Speed Skating, Ice Skating, Biathlon, the Luge and Curling. I'm sure I've missed a few others.
We're sure they have full explainations, but the Opening Ceremony highlights consist of dancing dinosaurs breaking out of eggs, Canadian cowboy drum/percussion bands, celebrating the heritage of the state, you know, some more cowboys, Native Indians and not forgetting lasso artists. Balloons of every colour rage into the sky. You can tell by now, compared to recent Opening Ceremonys, are alot more linear, less artistic in production, but dammit when you think about, these tough sports don't really need fluff around the ears to advertise them really.
12 year old figure skater Robyn Perry, lights the Olympic flame. Of course, she did not compete in the actual competition.
Held in Calgary, Alberta the 15th Winter Olympics was held at McMahon stadium. The stadium wasn't built exclusively for the Olympics, as it has been a Canadian Football stadium. Canadian Football is somewhat similar to American Football -they cheat with their hands- but has a larger playing field and a different number of men in a team.
These are highlights of the Opening Ceremony, however also on Youtube, some wonderful person indeed, has uploaded it, in it's full entirety, 33 parts infact. Now I only want to whet your appetite, because I will posting quite a bit more about more Winter Olympics videos in the days and weeks to come.
This is an highlights clip of the opening ceremony, which is not as impressive as Canada's recent effort, but still here for archives sake. The 1988 Olympics contained some amazing achievements, not forgetting the fact, that the host country failed to win a gold medal. However, us Brits think about the tail-end, or the bottom rung of the talent in this edition, our Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, Britain's best ski-jumper at the time, and the celebrated but unlucky Jamaican Bobsleigh team.
"Aye, Aye, What's Going on Here Then?"
28 feb 1985
So what will it be Lofty, Sharon or Angie? From the 4th episode of the East-end London's soap first year in 1985, first off, we see a very frisky (and permed) 17 year old Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), adopted daughter of Dennis "Dirty Den" and Angie Watts, whose epic arguments were very much the bread and butter of Eastenders in the 80s. Here we a fleeting, not-well-profiled clinch between Lofty or rather George Holloway -nicknamed for his tall stature- and Sharon in the Queen Vic pub. Mother Angie catches this playful behaviour between employee and daughter. However, at the scene of this late-night party taking place behind the scenes and not in the actual pub, once Dirty Den has his "eye off the ball" as they say, Angie is making a play for Lofty! Lofty had only just appeared for the first time in the previous episode, and being really the only young male in the serial, and well, the pond wasn't very big!
"Lofty" was an affectionate but isolated character, whose physical-looking awkwardness matched his social attributes. Depicted as weak and vulnerable, he was bullied by his boss Dirty Den. he would soon fall in love with teenage mum Michelle Fowler, although, that wasn't always returned. A reluctant marriage ensued, while Dirty Den continued to make Lofty's life a misery, by discovering he was the father of Michelle's child, and he paid to abort Michelle's next baby, via Lofty's handiwork. Lofty became a distant and bitter but still participating in the local community, however, he couldn't stand the sight of Michelle any longer in his life, so left for Bedfordshire in 1988, to work as a handyman for a children's home. He never came back.
So what will it be Lofty, Sharon or Angie? From the 4th episode of the East-end London's soap first year in 1985, first off, we see a very frisky (and permed) 17 year old Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), adopted daughter of Dennis "Dirty Den" and Angie Watts, whose epic arguments were very much the bread and butter of Eastenders in the 80s. Here we a fleeting, not-well-profiled clinch between Lofty or rather George Holloway -nicknamed for his tall stature- and Sharon in the Queen Vic pub. Mother Angie catches this playful behaviour between employee and daughter. However, at the scene of this late-night party taking place behind the scenes and not in the actual pub, once Dirty Den has his "eye off the ball" as they say, Angie is making a play for Lofty! Lofty had only just appeared for the first time in the previous episode, and being really the only young male in the serial, and well, the pond wasn't very big!
"Lofty" was an affectionate but isolated character, whose physical-looking awkwardness matched his social attributes. Depicted as weak and vulnerable, he was bullied by his boss Dirty Den. he would soon fall in love with teenage mum Michelle Fowler, although, that wasn't always returned. A reluctant marriage ensued, while Dirty Den continued to make Lofty's life a misery, by discovering he was the father of Michelle's child, and he paid to abort Michelle's next baby, via Lofty's handiwork. Lofty became a distant and bitter but still participating in the local community, however, he couldn't stand the sight of Michelle any longer in his life, so left for Bedfordshire in 1988, to work as a handyman for a children's home. He never came back.
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