The Sarah Millican Television Programme

Premiering tonight on BBC2 is the Sarah Millican Television Programme.

Sarah is an English stand-up comedienne who won the Best Newcomer Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Festival in 2008 (yes I know - back to those damned awards again!). 

Based around her divorce, the Sarah Millican's Not Nice show played to rave reviews and she has returned to the Festival every year since (she has stated she will not return in 2012 however - not as a performer anyway).

To read an interview she did with the Metro newspaper explaining how her divorce got her into comedy, please click HERE

in 2010 she received a nomination for the top comedy award, but lost out to Russell Kane.

Sarah Millican

Growing up in South Shields in England's far north-east, Sarah had not even entered a comedy club until her first nights performance.

Over the last couple of years she has been making many appearances on TV in panel games and general prime-time entertainment shows such as the BBC's magazine programme The One Show.

Sarah Millican's observational style of comedy gives a refreshing, if somewhat controversial view of the world. catch it if you can (or set the Sky+ or V+ box).

The Sarah Millican Television Programme - 10.00pm, airing weekly - starting Thursday 8 March on BBC2.

The Wonderful Larry Grayson

I recently wrote an article outlining the life an career of British comedian/gameshow host Larry Grayson. Link below:-

British Comedy Giants: Larry Grayson

Larry is best remembered for the period in the 1970's where he came (back) to fame and was the 2nd host of BBC TV's "The Generation Game". Replacing Bruce Forsyth, who went on to a short lived variety show on ITV, Larry took the show to new heights with his hapless, hopeless style of presenting.

Larry was a marvellous comedian. The master of camp and inuendo, he could make an audience howl with laughter just by raising his eyebrows or making a quick quip.

It is truly impossible to do a career justice with either a short 900 word article or a 10 minute video as posted below.

The video gives an insight into how he was plucked back to stardom with the help of legendary drag artist, Danny La Rue and goes on to explain how he was hounded by the press, desperate to know his sexuality. In this age it wouldn't have been an issue, but back then things were grossly different.

Larry, who learned his trade in the harsh UK working mens club circuit, truly was a comedy genius and watching the footage both brings back memories and still makes me laugh.

Larry Grayson 1923 - 1995

Coarse Fishing Season Opens Up

You find Tatty in quite a good humour for once. No grumbling or grouching from me at the moment (well not much anyway). 

And the reason is.....

The UK coarse fishing season has started up and the rivers are open again.

OK, I am fully aware that there is no close season on most stillwaters in this country anymore and I have had the odd day or two on the bank in the last 3 months (during the close season), but nothing can beat sitting by the river, rod in hand, trotting a stick float through a swim, hoping that a large Chub, or even better, a barbel will pounce.

A sweet little perch, caught on the River Ivel

I am very lucky living here in Central Bedfordshire. This area is not known as big fish country for nothing you know. The River Great Ouse and the River Ivel both flow through close to my home, giving me some of the best sport available in the whole country.

The Ivel is particularly close to my heart and for fishing information, why not have a look at the Ivel Protection Association website.

Writing News

Over the last week or so, I have been researching and writing some articles for Suite101.com about various British Comedy Giants. A couple are now complete and are available to read by clicking on the titles below:-

British Comedy Giants: 

LARRY GRAYSON    REG VARNEY

Please let me know what you think and some ideas for other comics to feature would be very acceptable.

I am currently researching another piece on Charlie Drake, soon to be followed by Will Hay.

 Last Word on the Villa Debacle

I hear on the radio tonight that the Villa are to appoint Alex McLeish as their new manager sometime on Friday morning. As you are aware I have little (or no) time for the  Villa, but this surely is a mistake. The fans will hate him and the style of football he gets his teams to play, will not go down well there.

Royal Ascot

Let's go back to the good old days when I used to operate a daily racing bulletin. 4th day of Royal Ascot today and I like the look of Eternal Heart in the Queen's Vase. Mark Johnson's filly has won well previously at Sandown and Musselburgh and comes here in good heart. Only thing that worries me is that idiot Joe Fanning in the saddle, but let's hope he's only needed to sit on top and lets her get on with the intelligent bit.

ROYAL ASCOT 5.00 ETERNAL HEART

OK, that's all for this bulletin.

Tatty has turned off the lapdog!