Rugby World Cup 2003 - Finals!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Brittas Empire – Finbar beat me to it! And I knew the answer too (except for the ep numbers)

Well, you will go to sleep at night. Or out drinking. Or wherever.

Absolutely spot on Finbar. I actually discussed it last night with the seniors of my touring party. Deano is now under the spotlight for his signings and his tactical decisions. He can no longer trade on his name as a player (and he was hugely famous here) and when his senior players went AWOL with England his tactical nounce seemed to fail with him players players out of position in a desperate hope something might work. His post match comments have been laughable (‘we would have won but for conceding more points than the opposition’). It’s a shame because he is such a nice guy – but one has to think of the club

Mmmm. I think I won that little Bob -v- Deano contest.

It’s a shame because he is such a nice guy – but one has to think of the club after all.

John Mitchell said something similar. And is living to experience it himself.

And he should have had an RWC win on his CV as a player – damn that Campo and Bob!!!

Mmmmm. Where are those copy and paste options again? Hang about ...

Mmmm. I think I won that little Bob -v- Deano contest.

The mistake in the original series was making Edmund slimy and fawning. The later characters worked for their more Machiavellian qualities?

Yes, Blackadder's early character was inspid, but that can still be funny. Look at what they did later with Tim McInnerny's character. And Hugh Laurie's. But Blackadder Mk 2 was pure Ben Elton and a great character.

Atkinson walked too early – the series skipped some very promising periods that could have been mined and the fact that he left the series to pursue the totally lame Mr Bean concept – well what more can I say…it all reinforces that Elton was the main talent.

There's always an argument to quit while you're ahead. Leave 'em wanting more. There are shelves of videotapes of series that outstayed their welcome. "Ab Fab" being only one of many.

I know someone who worked with Atkinson. Said he's the world's most uninteresting individual until he performs.

He has been very lucky with the casting for his projects – it has normally been the supporting cast that has made them shine. It’s certainly true of Dibley and Four weddings (Simon Callow steals it if I recall) and Notting Hill (the support turn by the mad Welshman).

What you need is a strng script and a superb casting director?

And, sometimes, for whatever unknown reason, with features, it's simply a matter of the right ingredients at the right time. Alchemy. Producers go ratty trying to predict what audiences will respond to. It's why you see so many copycat features. If something suddenly works for no explicable reason, everyone starts trying to make the same thing. With no idea why the original worked.

It is – brand new episodes – and they all seem to be credited to Jenifer.

Mmmm. I suppose we'll get it sooner or later. I think she had sole writing credit in all the series I saw. Ruby Wax used to be credited as script editor. We happened to watch a repeat on cable the other night. One of the better ones, with the wonderful scene in which Patsy approaches Saffy asking about pap smears and breast self-examination. I adore Joanna Lumley. But I know I'm not the only one.

Very democratic is it not?

It's despicable. Even more so that both parties do the same thing when in government.

That is actually truly staggering stuff. It makes out lot look almost Professional!

The then Minister was a complete and utter idiot. He turned persecuting the ABC into a sport. With Howard's blessing, of course. Actually, Howard made a glorious tactical blunder a few years ago. He installed a close personal friend as Chair of the ABC board to clean all the supposed leftists out of the place. His close personal friend was actually qualified for the job because he had a background in arts admin. His close personal friend turned around and has fought very hard for the ABC. Their dinner parties must be interesting affairs.

I truly wish I could say the BBC did not take part in this – but BBC 1 exists to go head to head with ITV in the ratings war. They are also far more successful at it than they have historically been. I think it helps that ITV is run by huge egos AND that Sky erodes ITV viewing far more than it does BBC.

Yes, but you still have BBC 2? Our one and only ABC has basically turned into BBC 1, if not quite as blatantly commercial. While you have BBC 2, you have an alternative. Are they still funded by TV and radio licence fees?

By which I assume they too have a five nights week silly soap?

They did. At 6pm. It failed. It was sort of a poor copy of Ballykissangel (or whatever it was called).

I don’t doubt it! Life is all about a healthy balance between work and social life. You know where I fall on the question – it seems the good lady got trapped the other side!?

She's too dedicated for her own good. Ultimately, she had to get out because of (a) the workload; and (b) a commercial network isn't remotely interested in creativity. All they want to do is meet their drama quota as successfully as possible as cheaply as possible. Probably her first love is producing, which, in itself, can be incredibly demanding, but over a shorter, finite period.

I love it. As we watch these things and suspend our disbelief we hardly ever ask ourselves the question “how did they keep them big ass flies out of the frame?”.

On location anywhere, as soon as a take is completed, the first thing said is "Check the gate". The camera operator checks the camera gate for any foreign objects - flies, insects, the odd stray hair. It's very depressing to go to rushes and see a hair plastered across the screen. Re-shoot time.

Ah, the problems you run into on location. Years ago, when I was working in Adelaide, they were shooting a 19th Century period miniseries in 41C heat. The supposed location was early Sydney, so the costumes were the full, heavy clobber. The makeup was melting on the actors' faces. They finished up bringing in a refrigerated truck for the actors to sit in between takes.

In 2001 I got $2.90 to the pound – it made the holiday very reasonable in terms of spending money. It’s now around $2.35 but I suspect that is still attractive to UK investment – we may take up some of the slack – though we are of course notoriously stingier productions that US ones.

Ironically, to capitalise on an exchange rate, it's only worthwhile for the massive budget features to travel. The bigger the budget, the more the saving. The Yanks flooded the place when their dollar got around OZ$1.90. Now it's down around OZ$1.30.

Ask Mrs Finbar to work in on the Dwarf movie. Then again don’t – otherwise you might be descended upon by a retired rugby team.

What? You're all Red Dwarf nuts? Drunken Red Dwarf nuts. Good grief.

Ask him for the names someone!

Here's one hero, for starters - whomever had to wash out Dan Luger's undies for him.

[finbar]

Hey Tamerlin. Still no email! Did you put rude words in the subject line that triggered my spam filter?

[Havak]

Out drinking last night actually. An unofficial whisky tasting in fact.

Mmmm. I think I won that little Bob -v- Deano contest.

Speaking as a Tigers fan I can only reply one way.

Mmmm. I think I won that little Bob -v- Deano contest.

George and Martin are equal as players. Martin wins as skipper. Clive v Eddie is a whitewash to Clive. Just an extension of the same point you see.

but that can still be funny. Look at what they did later with Tim McInnerny's character. And Hugh Laurie's. But Blackadder Mk 2 was pure Ben Elton and a great character.

I agree – but insipid only works in the supporting characters because the Main character – Elton’s triumph – is so different to play them up against?

Still I am not a writer – just an enthusiastic fan.

There's always an argument to quit while you're ahead. Leave 'em wanting more

And it’s very true for me. Elton/Curtis must have made the call as Bean was flogged to death. That’s the source of my angst – that he dropped gold to make sewage.

I know someone who worked with Atkinson. Said he's the world's most uninteresting individual until he performs.

Yes I saw him interviewed once about his hobby of fast cars. I fell asleep.

And, sometimes, for whatever unknown reason, with features, it's simply a matter of the right ingredients at the right time

Hard to argue against. Frankly I think Titanic for example sucked in every department but special effects. And that made how much? And are there any Marvel comincs charcters not currently in a movie in production. I wonder if the studios realised Brian Singer knew how to craft an involving story rather than just use famous characters?

I adore Joanna Lumley. But I know I'm not the only one.

Definitely not the only one.

It's despicable. Even more so that both parties do the same thing when in government.

I think that is a universal constant – only Oppositions will support state broadcasters.

It’s such a stupid situation – do our governments really believe they are entitled to ‘spin’ or sanitise the news on BBC and ABC? Are we led by Mr Hitler and Mr Stalin?

His close personal friend turned around and has fought very hard for the ABC. Their dinner parties must be interesting affairs.

Cracking stuff.

Are they still funded by TV and radio licence fees?

Primarily yes. Though the Tories keep attacking the idea every now and then. The Beeb also has a commercial arm that contributes and it is run like a business – they recently outsourced IT for example so staff have less job security, lower pay and pensions auntie does not have to worry about. New Labour, New Britain. Just not a Good Britain.

Probably her first love is producing, which, in itself, can be incredibly demanding, but over a shorter, finite period.

And of course Producing is a more easily mobile option. What we need is a huge suitable production in Northern Italy?

They finished up bringing in a refrigerated truck for the actors to sit in between takes.

What can you say – poor sods!

What? You're all Red Dwarf nuts? Drunken Red Dwarf nuts. Good grief.

Negative – I’m the only fan. But there is no way the boys would let me get away with a decent trip like that without blagging along. Any excuse.

Here's one hero, for starters - whomever had to wash out Dan Luger's undies for him.

I do so hope that his rabbit in the headlights kick made the official review DVD.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Out drinking last night actually. An unofficial whisky tasting in fact.

Blind tasting? Or tasting till you were blind?

George and Martin are equal as players. Martin wins as skipper. Clive v Eddie is a whitewash to Clive. Just an extension of the same point you see.

No. Irrelevant. The contest was Bob -v- Deano.

I agree – but insipid only works in the supporting characters because the Main character – Elton’s triumph – is so different to play them up against?

Absolutely right. Blackadder Mk 2 was a super creation - a fool who didn't tolerate fools, cunning but not intelligent, greedy, conniving - a wonderfully flawed character. And Atkinson played him brilliantly. The same character could have been a disaster in another actor's hands.

And it’s very true for me. Elton/Curtis must have made the call as Bean was flogged to death. That’s the source of my angst – that he dropped gold to make sewage.

Yes, Mr Bean is just a p*ssweak copy of M'sieur Hulot.

Hard to argue against. Frankly I think Titanic for example sucked in every department but special effects. And that made how much?

Classic example. Trite, clichéd love story and special effects. And I thought a lot of the CGI was pretty ordinary. The establishing shots of the liner at sea looked fake, and the CGI passengers on the decks looked even more fake. Admittedly, technology has advanced an awful lot even since the film was made. I became immensely bored but Mrs finbar wouldn't let me walk out of the cinema.

I wonder if the studios realised Brian Singer knew how to craft an involving story rather than just use famous characters?

That's a much overlooked factor.

It’s such a stupid situation – do our governments really believe they are entitled to ‘spin’ or sanitise the news on BBC and ABC?

The evidence is that they do. And here, anyway, the population doesn't seem to care.

Primarily yes. Though the Tories keep attacking the idea every now and then.

The ABC was once funded by licence fees. The system was abolished years ago, unfortunately, giving government direct fiscal control over the organisation and look where that has led. No government would consider bringing back the system - (a) because it would be perceived to be a form of new tax and electoral poison; and (b) government would lose their direct fiscal, punitive control.

The Beeb also has a commercial arm that contributes and it is run like a business – they recently outsourced IT for example so staff have less job security, lower pay and pensions auntie does not have to worry about. New Labour, New Britain. Just not a Good Britain.

Similar here. The ABC has a very extensive marketing arm via, domestically, its ABC Shops, and internationally, its distribution agents. For example, "Bananas In Pyjamas", the children's series, earns them millions around the world. The woman who created the series when she worked for the ABC earns nothing from it.

A lot of the ABC is also now outsourced for the same reasons as over there.

And of course Producing is a more easily mobile option. What we need is a huge suitable production in Northern Italy?

Mmmm. In our dreams. In fact, writing is the most mobile option. She's a writer too. Email means you can write from anywhere in the world, and that's the basis of my strategy. Which, typically, is never likely to come to fruition. The only practical problem is attending meetings, but there are ways and means of overcoming that.

Negative – I’m the only fan. But there is no way the boys would let me get away with a decent trip like that without blagging along. Any excuse.

I actually hadn't heard anything about the Red Dwarf project here. I must look into it.

I do so hope that his rabbit in the headlights kick made the official review DVD.

I don't need a DVD. It's imprinted in my memory.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Still nothing!

I have a big problem with my mailbox as I can't download my new messages with Outlook Express since this morning. As there is of course no communication from the provider I can't tell you whether it is coming from my configuration or from the provider. More on this later and still unable to catch up with the threads because of those d***** f****** problems.

And moreover they have added those awful Christmas smilies... as if we didn't knew.

[finbar]

Bummer. Mmmm. I sent you an email this morning (my time) which you probably haven't received. If you have a copy of your email, you could cut and paste it into a PM to me through this site?

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Havak
Out drinking last night actually. An unofficial whisky tasting in fact.

You aren't supposed to actually swallow when you're tasting though are you?

Originally posted by finbar
What? You're all Red Dwarf nuts? Drunken Red Dwarf nuts. Good grief.

"I want to lie, shipwrecked and comatose, ... "

Oh, is it Friday? Coincidental of course.

Originally posted by Tamerlin
And moreover they have added those awful Christmas smilies... as if we didn't knew.

It's going to be hard to take you seriously with those hats around you know.
Well, even harder than usual anyway.


The "moral high ground" 'England' (aka Havak ) was going to be standing on is looking more and more like a quicksand bog I'm afraid ...
A new set of commemorative stamps has been issued, featuring some of Englands world cup moments.
That, in itself, is hardly surprising but it just happens that the denominations seem to be of the 68p variety.
By the sheerest coincidence that just happens to be the denomination required to send mail to Australia.
Hmmm ...

http://www.planetrugby.com/LATEST_NEWS/story_33081.shtml

[Edit: Mmmmm? 486 posts. Its getting near that time again ... ]

[Havak]

Blind tasting? Or tasting till you were blind?

Bit of both. My host was trying to prove cheaper blended whiskies can be quite palatable. I took some convincing.

No. Irrelevant. The contest was Bob -v- Deano.

One of us is the squirming politician and the other the dogged TV journalist. But which is which?

I became immensely bored but Mrs finbar wouldn't let me walk out of the cinema.

I think we may have found the key to it’s success right there…

The evidence is that they do. And here, anyway, the population doesn't seem to care.

Apathy amongst the electorate. The curse of a Democratic society sadly.

And soon you hear that society destroying question that is first on everyone lips here since Thatch – “whats in it for me”

Still been there, done that. No point in getting upset about it again.

because it would be perceived to be a form of new tax and electoral poison; and (b) government would lose their direct fiscal, punitive control.

I’d actually love to open up that point on tax. Why does everyone expect the benefits of society – and no one want to pay for it themselves?

The woman who created the series when she worked for the ABC earns nothing from it.

IP rights are a hot topic in the Union movement here right now. This was clearly disgraceful – has she no comeback at all?

She's a writer too. Email means you can write from anywhere in the world, and that's the basis of my strategy.

That – and getting Tamerlin to marry (or at least distract) the daughter (if he comes down long enough)?

I actually hadn't heard anything about the Red Dwarf project here. I must look into it.

From the official website:

Red Dwarf - The Movie may be shot in Australia. Preliminary design work is currently underway and shooting is slated for May 2004. Crewing up has not yet begun.

I don't need a DVD. It's imprinted in my memory.

I’m not surprised. It was Mehrtens like in it’s please-don’t-hurt-me qualities.

You aren't supposed to actually swallow when you're tasting though are you?

That is wine Ravagon. Because of it’s Scottish origin Whisky is never wasted in that way.

“…drinking fresh mango juice. Goldfish shoals nibbling at my toes…”

Nice story about the stamps but ask yourself this – compared to the way Australia would have reacted to winning don’t you think England have been very restrained?

Australia would have burnt the match ball, put it in a little pot and given it to us as a gift and then asked for it back in 100 years as “it wasn’t really a gift”.

Do you recall me mentioning the English player Kevin Yates who played Kiwi Super 12 after an ear biting scandal up here? He continues to have a suspect temperament: he has landed himself in hot water again having been cited for stamping during the Sharks ill-tempered Zurich Premiership clash against London Irish last weekend. He has already served out a seven day ban this season for punching Northampton No.8 Andrew Blowers in September!

[finbar]

Originally posted by ravagon
A new set of commemorative stamps has been issued, featuring some of Englands world cup moments.

I expect Havak's quite looking forward to licking J****'s backside.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
One of us is the squirming politician and the other the dogged TV journalist. But which is which?

'Morning to you, Mr Blair.

IP rights are a hot topic in the Union movement here right now. This was clearly disgraceful – has she no comeback at all?

She created "Bananas in Pyjamas" ten years ago or more. Working for the ABC, though her job wasn't specifically to create projects, anything she did come up with belonged, legally, to the ABC. A bit like the man in the States who worked for 3M and created the ubiquitous yellow Sticky-Notes (or whatever they're called) when he was trying to find a use for some old gluey substance. He didn't earn a cent from his creation. 3M owned it. The whole IP situation is in drastic need of overhaul.

That – and getting Tamerlin to marry (or at least distract) the daughter (if he comes down long enough)?

Stepdaughter. Tamerlin had his chance! She's taken up with a landscape architect. Nice enough chap. I thought more highly of him when I discovered his parents are filthy rich. I'd've shoved her in Tamerlin's direction - even though the seat's out of his pants - if it facilitated me getting over there in any way, shape or form.

Red Dwarf - The Movie may be shot in Australia. Preliminary design work is currently underway and shooting is slated for May 2004. Crewing up has not yet begun.

Mmmm. Okay. I'll make some enquiries.

Do you recall me mentioning the English player Kevin Yates who played Kiwi Super 12 after an ear biting scandal up here? He continues to have a suspect temperament: he has landed himself in hot water again having been cited for stamping during the Sharks ill-tempered Zurich Premiership clash against London Irish last weekend. He has already served out a seven day ban this season for punching Northampton No.8 Andrew Blowers in September!

Mmmm. Obvious candidate for the next Lions tour.

[Havak]

wrt the Jonno's backside gag

And that only because there is no :GROAN:

[finbar]

Admit it, you'll be first in the queue at the Post Office. With your tongue hanging out.

[Havak]

I don't do queuing. Apart from that I may buy the odd one or two.

'Morning to you, Mr Blair.

Christopher Blair, ITN News, Leicestershire…

The whole IP situation is in drastic need of overhaul.

Fortunately employees and Unions alike are onto this one now. And contracts have to be fair. Clauses stating “all the fruits of your labour and intellect belong to us” are no longer seen as reasonable.

Nice enough chap. I thought more highly of him when I discovered his parents are filthy rich.

Amazing what a little money can do for character assessment.

Step Daughter, yes sorry – I was talking from Mrs Finbar’s perspective.

I'd've shoved her in Tamerlin's direction - even though the seat's out of his pants - if it facilitated me getting over there in any way, shape or form.

I’ll not wind him up further today – given he is wrestling with restoring his connection with his ISP to a point where he can get his email.

Mmmm. Okay. I'll make some enquiries.

I’d be interested to see what you find. The film has been mooted so long the fans are starting to believe it’s just vapourware.

Mmmm. Obvious candidate for the next Lions tour.

Fortunately he doesn’t have a hope in hell. Given his record I am amazed he is still playing. Oh Martin Woods got six weeks by the way, so bath as always got treated lighter than Tigers.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
I don't do queuing. Apart from that I may buy the odd one or two.

You'll wallpaper with them!

Christopher Blair, ITN News, Leicestershire…

You namedropper, you. I suppose, as a child, Christopher Blair dreamed of scaling the journalistic Everest only to end up bestride a Midlands dunghill.

Fortunately employees and Unions alike are onto this one now. And contracts have to be fair. Clauses stating “all the fruits of your labour and intellect belong to us” are no longer seen as reasonable.

True. And these days, with television writing, even though writers assign their copyright in return for the writing fee, residuals are now paid. Not much, but better than the old days when all rights were sold in perpetuity.

Amazing what a little money can do for character assessment.

At least he has a sense of humour. He'll need it if he's going to survive in this household.

Oh Martin Woods got six weeks by the way, so bath as always got treated lighter than Tigers.

BTW, did I tell you I'm now on the Bath bandwagon?

[Caligastia]

Any suggestions for the new thread title guys?