Thursday, September 28, 2006

The Amazing Jane Horrocks

UPDATE 11.40am Steve Andreson, the producer of Question Time has just left a comment to say that Jane Horrocks will now not be a guest on the programme tonight. She was listed in the newspapers this morning so that's why I wrote the piece. But it's now rather redundant!

UPDATE 10.30pm Horrocks is now appearing on THIS WEEK. You couldn't make it up. UPDATE 11.30pm She's alongside Rory Bremner and Rupert Everett. So, let's get this right. A political programme with three celebrities as guests and not a single serious politician in sight. Just what we always wanted, eh?

Sonny Hundal wrote a piece for CommentIsFree recently attacking the BBC for turning current affairs programmes into light entertainment. Tonight the BBC takes this a stage further when actress Jane Horrocks (Bubble from Ab Fab) is a panellist on QUESTION TIME.

There's no reason why Horrocks shouldn't appear on the programme - she follows a long line of actors and comedians to do so. However, her invitation to appear comes the week before she stars in a new BBC political comedy/drama THE AMAZING MRS PRITCHARD.

I suspect she will actually prove to be a rather good guest, but it really has come to something when QUESTION TIME is used as a 'trailer' for a light entertainment programme.

PS I face a dilemma at 11.35 tonight. Do I. watch Andrew Neil rip the yellow stuff out of John Prescott's speech or do I watch the Channel 5 highligjhts of Palermo v West Ham. If you suspect my decision might depend on the results you would not be far wrong!

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Watch Andrew Neil instead of West Ham...at least you would see the boot being put in with a modicum of competence ô¿ô

Anonymous said...

PS I face a dilemma at 11.35 tonight. Do I. watch Andrew Neil rip the yellow stuff out of John Prescott's speech or do I watch the Channel 5 highligjhts of Palermo v West Ham. If you suspect my decision might depend on the results you would not be far wrong

So you'll be watching Andrew Neill then......
:)

Anonymous said...

Nice to see that no one, not even channel 5 wanted to show the west ham game live.

Shame, the ICF vs the mafia would make a great film.....

Scipio said...

Iain, get a video mate!

Jane Horrocks is actually quite intelligent - and there is no reason why she couldn;t contribute something to QT!

Did you see her 'Who Do You Think You Are' programme with the BBC - very good.

Anonymous said...

Forza Palermo!
Siamo l'armata rosa-nero
E mai nessuno ci fermera'!
Ip ip urra!

Sorry Iain, but tonight we are enemies. Tomorrow I will embrace you once more as my brother in blue, but tonight I am entirely rosa-nero (pink/black)

Anonymous said...

I know it wasn't intentional, but 'Sonny Hondal' is actually 'Sunny Hundal'

Paul Burgin said...

Oh Channel Five highlights definetly! ;)

Anonymous said...

What about chanel X for the Freeview Preview?

Anonymous said...

If you have itv 3 or 4 I believe the west ham game is on live then you can watch both

Anonymous said...

well, it seems Jenny Tonge is among the guests...I suppose all Libdems will pray she won't say anything too controversial...

Anonymous said...

Watch This Week online. After all, it will be West Ham's last game in Europe for quite a number of years

strapworld said...

Iain,

you can now buy instruments that can actually record programmes!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

I do hope that West Ham fans don't wear "Mafia" T-shirts again tonight. They caused much offence here in Sicily last time.

Paul Evans said...

well, it seems Jenny Tonge is among the guests...I suppose all Libdems will pray she won't say anything too controversial...

I'm praying she won't say anything.

Anonymous said...

Hi Iain,

Big fan as I am of your blog, you've been overtaken by events this time. Jane Horrocks is not on Question Time tonight. The panel is Jack Straw, Ken Clarke, Jenny Tonge, Piers Morgan and Lance Price.
So - withdraw, please!
Steve Anderson
Executive Producer, Question Time

Anonymous said...

Steve, I thought there was usually a Conservative on the panel for balance? Why not this time?

Anonymous said...

Sell out to Murdoch, get Sky Plus and watch both!

strapworld said...

Steve Anderson is a fan of your blog Iain, When will he ask you to be a panellist?

As he reads this blog perhaps other contributors could advise him on who he should consider inviting for an interesting programme.

My suggestion... John Reid and the man formerly called Trevor the Electrician now that rather loud mouthed muslim alongwith Melanie Phillips, Nicholas Winterton (Sorrrrry Sir..)
and Ruby Wax....

Anonymous said...

What self-respecting blogger doesn't have a TIVO or a decent line on streaming video? Should we take up a collection for you?

Croydonian said...

I suppose actors in current affairs programmes are better than politicians on light entertainment programmes. Has anyone ever seen anythimg more toe curling than Teddy Taylor on HIGNFY?

The Blind-Winger Jones said...

You don't mean to tell me that the whimsy-vicars and sherry-lupins of the soft southern counties ACTUALLY play football ?!!

As a former pro, I don't really fancy your chances.

I hope Palermo give you a sound stuffing. Nothing finer than seeing a weeping cockney or Mockney in your case. Please leave the football commentary to Northerners as you're unfortunate accident of birth leaves you perpetually unqualified.

Anonymous said...

I see West Ham "fans" are doing us proud in Europe already.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1882741,00.html

Anonymous said...

The panel is Jack Straw, Ken Clarke, Jenny Tonge, Piers Morgan and Lance Price.

Nice safe leftie panel for Labour conference week.

I bet the Conservatives don't get the same kid gloves treatment next week.

Machiavelli's Understudy said...

You clearly need to indulge in one of those split-screen tellies, Iain.

Anonymous said...

Looks like it's Andrew Neil then, Iain ...

CityUnslicker said...

at least question time was quite exciting for a change!

Anonymous said...

agreed - straw got an utter pasting tonight. having said that, it did seem as if the bbc orchestrated a slightly loaded audience,

Anonymous said...

Enjoyable QT.I felt sorry for Jack Straw, assailed from all sides on Iraq. It's noticeable that New Labour take a bashing on this programme week after week.
The BBC will try to redress the balance next week in Bournemouth. The Tory reps will be Oliver Letwin and Sandra Howard. Oh well, Labour are putting up Hazel Blears, so that evens things up.
Just a thought, but shouldn't we be putting out our best and most effective speakers?

The Military Wing Of The BBC said...

Steve Anderson said...
"Hi Iain,

Big fan as I am of your blog, you've been overtaken by events this time. Jane Horrocks is not on Question Time tonight. The panel is Jack Straw, Ken Clarke, Jenny Tonge, Piers Morgan and Lance Price.
So - withdraw, please!
Steve Anderson
Executive Producer, Question Time"

I watched the prog and for a moment thought that Ms Horracks had been placed in the audience to launch hostile qestion's AND a TV prog.