radio

[frodsham]

I am seriously thinking about stopping watching TV because frankly I am sick of how many reality type shows are aired nowadays. I am perhaps a bit of a dinosaur and dont even think a watershed, what an excuse that is,
justifies some of the dross we have to watch. Any way what I am asking does anyone out there survive without a goggle box, and can anyone tell me the benefits of a DAB radio compared to others.

[4getmenot]

Have?? to watch are you tied to a chair?? Just turn it over or play a game or read a book. I go some weeks without watching any tv at all because I love dvds and playing games. I reckon I could live without

[jno]

there's a lot of them about; they're cheaper to make than drama, I think. But yes, why not give up? I hardly ever watch telly. (I go on AB instead.) Can't help with the radios though.

[Ethel]

I watch one reality show, Strictly Come Dancing.
There has been some excellent dramas on lately and I am looking forward to the new series of Trial and Retribution.

If you are selective in your viewing and don't expect it to entertain you 24/7 you can enjoy television.

I don't have DAB radio but I do listen to BBC radio over the internet on their 'listen again' service. Last night I listened to the Desmond Carrington show on Radio 2 and was delighted to hear Stanley Holloway singing Brahn Boots.

There are some good comedy shows on BBC radio and panel shows too.

[4getmenot]

Do you not like skating on ice ethel?

[Ethel]

No, I don't.

[LoftyLottie]

I watch the programmes I like on the television and listen to the Radio probably much more than watch the TV. The TV can be switched off quite easily and I would miss quite a few programmes. There are some good dramas, some excellent documentaries, and I enjoy lots of the TV debate programmes. I have to admit to being a Corrie fan as well. In fact, there is quite a lot I enjoy , some excellent comedy, etc. etc. And I only have the terrestial channels to choose from. I am sure there must be a lot you can watch and enjoy frodsham.

Radio offers a good wide range of programmes too (I don't have a DAB radio so don't know what I am missing).

I would miss my tele and my radio. I also read and listen to CDs quite a lot.

I still think the TV offers good value for money.

[frodsham]

thank you one and all.

[Cockney_si]

It would be helpful to know which type of tv you like, films comedy drama etc. We can then suggest alternative viewing that you would enjoy.

[frodsham]

Thanks cockney si. We enjoy quiz shows, documentaries,
films without choice language, and generally what i would class as good wholesome viewing. I appreciate there are a lot of these programmes available but in my opinion too much prime viewing time is given up to reality type tv shows. An example of this is, I enjoy "The Royal". On sunday nights, a brand new series started a couple of weeks ago and then it is taken off to accomodate "dancing on ice" for the next 11 weeks. A while ago "Heart beat" was stopped halfway through it's run to make way for "Divas 2 " and something called I think "Bring on the boys", and "Brittannia High" was slotted in amongst them. I realise that what I like isn't eveyones cup of tea and yet If the planners want to broadcast new shows surely it is unfair to take off something that has just started or is in the middle of a run. Why not accomodate us all. I dont subscribe to sky as I believe that with freeview and the current 5 anologue channels I should have a decent choice. Every time a new, what appears to be decent drama is shown, we invariably get warned " strong language from the start" I dont want to hear strong language and yet want to watch a decent drama. I watched a film last sunday " The horse whisperer" this in my opinion was excellent, and not one bit of coarse language in it. Why aren't thes type of films shown at prime time and not 3:20pm on a sunday afternoon.

[Octavius]

I think there is some truth in there. The days of phoning up the BBC to vote on which celebrity farts in a teapot cannot be that far away�.

I prefer documentaries and comedy myself, but I find even those are becoming repetitive or sensationalist pap. Mostly I watch cookery shows. Bah humbug.

[LoftyLottie]

Octavius, Mr LL and I really enjoy Saturday mornings watching the cookery shows! You are not alone. James Martin and his guests provide such great entertainment every week.

But then, we really like food!!

[LoftyLottie]

Frodsham, the new three part drama on ITV 'Unforgiven' has proved to be very good so far. Did you see that?

[shaneystar2]

With you all the way frodsham.Mind you there is always the off button:) I buy the Radio Times every week and mark what I want to watch .This usually amounts to half a dozen programmes at most .We only have terrestrial TV and being on the coast even that is dodgy depending on which direction the wind is blowing .
I don't watch soap operas and reality shows. Cannot bear these screeching Come dancing and X Factor shows . Like you I am peeved over The Royal .I like documentaries and wildlife stuff . And of course good old University Challenge and things like Island Parish etc .A good drama or crime thingy a la Miss Marple ,Foyle ; Midsomer etc .
I have to admit they do tend to cater to this reality rubbish and makeover stuff over everything else .
I never watch daytime television.
Still you can't please all of the people all of the time .The TV licence is still good value for money and to be frank if you had just spent time in Germany as I did recently you would be really pleased to see something so mundane as a soap opera. Television there is dire.Watch Bonanza or Upstairs Downstairs dubbed in German and you would be grateful to watch Come Dancing repeats for evermore :))
Happy viewing .

[weggiewabbit]

I never listen to the radio these days, but I have to agree with you about there not being much worth watching on TV at present. My preference goes 2, 1, 4, 5, with 3 bringing up the rear by some distance. I spend far more time on the internet than I do watching TV. I watched Masterchef tonight, which I really like even though I can barely boil an egg.

[shaneystar2]

I do like the odd cookery programme Hairy Bikers and the lovely Anjum Anand. Ricky Stein and Hugh Fearnley Eat it All .But I'm sorry Masterchef isn't really a cookery programme.
They don't actually show you how to cook anything . It's a cookery reality come game show .I cannot bear those two men who present it either .Another "off button" for me !

[LoftyLottie]

Oh I love the Hairy Bikers too, Shaney. They are a real tonic!!

You have just reminded me how I hate all the makover and property development programmes, except for Grand Designs which I really love!!

Tonight, my only TV watching has been the BBC News (which as usual is very depressing). I have been trying to conquer a DS Nintendo game which I believe is intended for 7 year olds - I will get there in the end.

How about some computer gaming frodsham, very good to keep our older brains working!!!! ;o)

[shaneystar2]

They are a real tonic . They remind me of a male version of Jennifer Patterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright .Now they were a couple of characters and really entertaining.
There really is bgr all on . Not even my friend whispering Dan to take me to magical monumental buildings around the world
I love all history stuff and there is zilch on at the moment .
Mind you we do have the lovely Neil Oliver marching through the glens telling us all about the history of Scotland which is very good .
And Trial and Retribution tomorrow !
I'm with Ethel ..she seems to like a good crime drama !

[frodsham]

Hi lofty lottie shaney star2 Weggy rabbit and everyone. You have all replied with certain points which i totally agree with. I have been enjoying masterchef these past couple of weeks , I think university challenge is still excellent, Also me and my wife are enjoying the joy of scabble again. I do subscibe to the radio times and find it an excellent magazine. Perhaps if the planners had a panel of pensioners (well almost!) like me, choosing the programmes, we could have a field day! Im enjoying these comments more than TV.

[Octavius]

I can declare myself to be a bit of a saddo. I Sky+ many of the cookery shows mentioned above and watch them in my own time, even old repeats, as I work away quite a bit. Currently they are showing a rerun of Hairy Bikers and James Martin in Brittany, the odd Rick Stein programme on Watch or Gold or suchlike.

When I am home I tend to watch them at a time I prefer, which at the moment is around 5am whilst eating breakfast before trotting off to the office. I know its sad, but even at 5am there is nothing worth watching!

As regards radio, I tend to find there is too much talking, or they just consistently play music I don�t like. I did used to like Saturdays on Radio 2 though, with Ross then the comedy bit but haven�t been able to listen for a while. There is a new one tomorrow on Radio 2 called Does the Team Think (1pm) with Vic and Bob, followed by Jason Byrne comedy (1.30) might give it a whirl.

[LoftyLottie]

Octavius, I miss JR too on a Saturday!! I was beginning to think I might be the only one who does on this site!!

Thank you !!

Frodsham, I did suggest scrabble to Mr LL over the Christmas holidays, but he didn't seem keen. I fear it's because I always win!!

There is always a temptation to sit in front of the television on those long winter evenings, but we have started to turn it off much more now.