ulsterlad2 Posted 26 October , 2008 Share Posted 26 October , 2008 OK guys Im the one to blame if you dont like the programme. I'm looking forward to this programme and believe that I will not regret watching it. Timewatch series are usually top quality, entertaining and educational productions.* *Certainly are for lay people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greyhound Posted 26 October , 2008 Share Posted 26 October , 2008 Michael Palin has shown through his various travel programmes that he is more than ready to immerse himself in a subject, and without expecting five star accommodation as a bonus . He'll do for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Hayes Fisher Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 I think I recall a piece by Harry Enfield(?) of just such a don. Progressively he had one arm tied behind his back, then two, etc. until finally he was in a straight jacket to stop his gestures spoiling the shot! David Guys, I have no sense of humour failure but the reality is that Michael Palin lost his great Uncle in The Great War and if you read BBC History Magazine (NOV issue) or the Radio Times (which comes out tomorrow Tue 28th) you will see his motives for presenting such a programme. Ive been making programmes for 20 years (Ive made 5 docs on WW1) and what 'drummer' says is quite correct, the vast majority - inlcluding sadly many of the people who we see on telly - do not have the skills of communication as Palin does. As I implied he will hopefully bring a wider audience to our subject area which is what I hope we all want...... dont we? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 John - I think you are preaching to a substantial body of converts - I think the tone is that everyone wishes Michael well and you have a guaranteed body of (critical) viewers here on the GWF. The point about presenting skills is well made. Although its not needed , lets have an armistice and enjoy the programme. I suspect the brethren may collectively be a little jealous of your ability to make a living conjuring up Great War television (and other interesting stuff no doubt)! You must expect a gentle ribbing - but you are most definitely welcome here, I am sure. Having started from little acorns planted by Chris Baker, the GWF is a very successful example of the "wider audience" for Great War TV and general discussion that we share your desire for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 I for one will look forward to the programme. I've been a fan of Palin's for years (Python onwards etc)and to me he seems to be a genuinely sincere and interesting person with many skills and abilities. His writing has been ground breaking at times (Ripping Yarns - 'Across the Andes by Frog'), the more serious work, such as 'East of Ipswich' quite sincere and very well written. His travel programmes have I think set a benchmark for television presenters, as he is like a normal 'joe' tourist, despite having a film crew and researchers around him. Far better than the smug Alan Wicker. His book, the Michael Palin Diaries is well worth reading too. Gunner Bailey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 27 October , 2008 Author Share Posted 27 October , 2008 I think I recall a piece by Harry Enfield(?) of just such a don. Progressively he had one arm tied behind his back, then two, etc. until finally he was in a straight jacket to stop his gestures spoiling the shot! David Mitchell and Webb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alans Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 Amen to that. Suggestion for the programme makers: The WW1 connections of overpaid, vicious foul-mouthed prats who earn millions from often extremely poor and usually respectable licence-payers, and donate their fees to the Royal British Legion and similar veterans' charities. Who are these ' overpaid, vicious foul-mouthed prats who earn millions ' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alans Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand I did'nt see them in the line up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towisuk Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 I too have an aversion to "celeb" presenters, but having Michael Palin and Paul Reed involved in the making of this programme will I am sure make it riveting viewing. If its half as good as Michaels "Great Railway Journey" done some years back we have nothing to fear about the celeb presenter detracting from the material. Its the "get your face on the box at any cost" celebrety that I have grudges against, Palin and Hislop do not belong in this group, both are educated, intelligent, gentlemen, who I beleive treat the subject with the utmost respect. regards Tom Good luck with the programme John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alans Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 I think you'll find MP is an Oxford Man, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Palin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 I did'nt see them in the line up. I did say 'suggestion', as you are aware, having already quoted me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unitedsound Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 It seems, John, that you're falling into the same trap that most celebrities do i.e. taking yourself far too seriously! If anybody takes things too seriously, it's members of so-called specialist forums! Bring it on Palin (and especially Hislop), and thanks for producing the programme JHF. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alans Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 I did say 'suggestion', as you are aware, having already quoted me. I did say 'suggestion', as you are aware, having already quoted me. Apology accepted, let's get back on thread now please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 27 October , 2008 Author Share Posted 27 October , 2008 Having started this thread, I'd suggest we now wait until Saturday, when we'll all have watched it. Then we can make informed comment and dish out praise as suitable. Mind, it could have been much, much worse. They might have got Sarah Palin by mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1052 Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 You betcha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salesie Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 If anybody takes things too seriously, it's members of so-called specialist forums! David Touche, David. Good luck with the programme, John. Cheers-salesie. PS. Sarah Palin's not Michael's sister then? I could have sworn it was a Monty Python sketch when I saw her on the telly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Seymour Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 I think you'll find MP is an Oxford Man, Not only Oxford but also Modern History. His great railway journey to the Kyle of Lochalsh was especially good because it was full of trains. With best wishes, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Denham Posted 27 October , 2008 Share Posted 27 October , 2008 I feel quite privileged to have been at the inaugural screening of this programme at Canada House in London tonight. I have to say that the hour long programme was thoroughly absorbing and very well made - one of the best TV programmes on WW1 that I have seen. John and his team should be proud of their creation and I recommend it to anyone who is able to watch it when it is aired in the UK next Saturday. The subject was approached in a professional and unsensationalist manner with just the right amount of detail to get the story across to the average viewer. I will not go into the details of the content so as not to spoil it for any viewers but coverage was reasonably comprehensive of all nations involved on that last day. The programme held its audience throughout and drew spontanious applause at the end. In my view, the story told was haunting at times and conveyed the futility of those last few hours admirably. It was good to see Forum members, Paul Reed and Christina Holstein, adding their expertise and Michael Palin's commentary had just the right amount of gravitas and clarity as was needed to convey such a story to the non-expert. His personal connection to the war was clarified at the very end. I know that not everyone will agree but I think it is a damn good effort. Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melliget Posted 28 October , 2008 Share Posted 28 October , 2008 PS. Sarah Palin's not Michael's sister then? I could have sworn it was a Monty Python sketch when I saw her on the telly! I think a fair number of Americans were probably wishing it was (a Monty Python sketch) and that John Cleese would suddenly appear and knock her clean into the river with a large halibut (al la The Fish-Slapping Dance)! Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 28 October , 2008 Share Posted 28 October , 2008 After Terry's review , I am very much looking forward to the programme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swizz Posted 28 October , 2008 Share Posted 28 October , 2008 After Terry's review , I am very much looking forward to the programme. As am I! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 28 October , 2008 Author Share Posted 28 October , 2008 I feel quite privileged to have been at the inaugural screening of this programme at Canada House in London tonight. It was good to see Forum members, Paul Reed and Christina Holstein, adding their expertise and Michael Palin's commentary had just the right amount of gravitas and clarity as was needed to convey such a story to the non-expert. His personal connection to the war was clarified at the very end. Terry - thanks for this. It looks as if (not for the first time in my life) I might be wrong I, for one, am certainly looking forward to the programme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Tiger Posted 28 October , 2008 Share Posted 28 October , 2008 For my 4 penneth worth (it's worth precious little more). . . . . . Programs such as this need celebs. Agreed there are people here who scrutinies each great war program for the slightest inaccuracies, wrong stake used for the barbed wire on a trench scene is one example I remember but we need to remember where we all started our journey of great war knowledge. If a program ignites the fire of knowledge in just one viewer leading them to search out more and follow the footsteps of so many here, it will have achieved a result that we can all applaud. Strict historical facts may be the addiction of many here but, as has been said, it won't bring in the viewers and would be preaching to the converted. So well done for ALL the team in making it and for having the foresight to bring on board Paul, a renowned and trusted authority. They could have given Paul's job to a 16 year old trainee researcher. I for one will be adding it to an ever growing list of such programs on my DVD hard drive. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unitedsound Posted 28 October , 2008 Share Posted 28 October , 2008 I like the look of the trailer. Very atmospheric. http://www.bbc.co.uk/remembrance/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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