|
|
Post by berkley on Dec 30, 2022 2:00:20 GMT -5
I thought a barrista was someone who served drinks in a bar. No wonder I get so many strange looks.
(edit: it just occurred to me that this is such an obvious joke, it must have been made a million times before, so apologies to each and all)
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2022 4:52:43 GMT -5
I thought a barrista was someone who served drinks in a bar. No wonder I get so many strange looks.
(edit: it just occurred to me that this is such an obvious joke, it must have been made a million times before, so apologies to each and all)
Gotta listen carefully, mate. The person you think might be serving coffee could actually be defending a murder suspect the next day. Or, the person you imagine might be about to prosecute a terrorism case could really be dreading their next underpaid Starbucks shift…  |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2022 4:56:28 GMT -5
When I was young, I’d hear the word “solicitor” or “lawyer” in TV shows. In real life, if someone needed legal advice, they’d often say, “I’m seeing a solicitor next week.” Of course, the word “barrister” (“advocate” in Scotland) was used; if I have it right, barristers aren’t hired directly by the public, right? But when I watch some UK TV shows, folks, such as one in a recent soap opera, talk about hiring a “brief” for some legal matter or other. It’s obviously a legitimate word, but in real life, I have *never* heard anyone talk about ‘hiring a brief’ or ‘seeing a brief over a legal matter’. Today I don’t even hear the word solicitor, most say lawyer. I’m not saying these TV shows are wrong - soap operas often use the word - but it’s funny that I have never heard “brief” in real life. To me, “brief” is a verb, so a solicitor would brief a barrister over a case, but it’s peculiar how it seems to be the word used in a lot of UK TV shows. Oh well, I’m probably ignorant about something or other… As I always understood it, a "solicitor," handled legal matters, like wills and deeds and contracts; but also basic legal advice. A "barrister," argued a case before a court and a solicitor might work with a barrister on a case involving their client, but would not be the one doing the actual work in the courtroom. I’ve bought the book The Secret Barrister, hopefully that’ll provide more insight. I presumed solicitors could attend magistrates’ courts and county courts on civil matters, while crown courts were for the barristers. I quite like the American word “attorney”. Matt Murdock, Barrister does not have the same ring to it… Still haven’t heard any real-life person use “brief” as anything other than a verb, though… Incidentally, the huge number of judge roles here confuses me. Circuit judges, district judges, recorders, Master of the Rolls, etc. Okay, TV shows often make it clear, but so much terminology to take in! |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2022 7:34:47 GMT -5
The Professionals, created by the late Brian Clemens, debuted on ITV 45 years ago today, running for 57 episodes over 5 seasons.
As the intro shows, it starred Lewis Collins and Martin Shaw as Bodie and Doyle, operatives for CI5, supervised by George Cowley (Gordon Jackson). They dealt with threats to the state; CI5 seemed to be a quasi-intelligence agency/detective unit hybrid.
I saw this on VHS many years ago - and then again on DVD. I am not sure it has aged well. But it is fun, much like similar UK shows of that era. It seemed more violent than others, though, I’m certain at least two episodes were censored/omitted from broadcast here.
I’m curious if this made any impact outside the UK?
|
|
|
|
Post by codystarbuck on Dec 30, 2022 11:27:36 GMT -5
To the best of my knowledge, it was not shown, in any major way, in the US. Several ITV shows were syndicated (and shown on network tv) in the US, like The Prisoner, The Saint, The Avengers and The Secret Agent/Danger Man. However, the 70s shows seem not to have been sold to US markets as widely.
I had heard about it, over time, though nothing that really illustrated the plots and characters; but, based on my love of spy fi and shows like The Saint and The Avengers, I purchased a bootleg set, off of iOffer. I only got about 3 or 4 episodes into it, before I was distracted and still haven't watched the rest. It is very much of its time; and, quite frankly, rather Right Wing. That part didn't surprise me too much, with Lewis Collins involved, who seems to have built a segment of his career on projects like that, like The Final Option (aka Who Dares Wins) and Codename: Wild Geese. Martin Shaw has had a bit more variety in his work (and better hairstyles).
It's a glorified cop show, rather than an espionage one, though a rather unsettling one, as it is police with a license to kill, more or less. It fits within the rather reactionary atmosphere that permeated the 70s, with high crime rates and a global recession (which fueled things like Death Wish and Dirty Harry, along with a reaction to Vietnam and the Counter-culture). In the UK, you had an active IRA, as well as high crime, an economy in turmoil, and major political battles. It definitely feels like a product of that. Gordon Jackson and Martin Shaw are fine actors and make the material work. Collins is definitely not of the same caliber, but plays the tough guy well enough.
I found it rather funny that one of the first episodes I saw had Pamela Stephenson, of Not The Nine O'Clock News, as a woman who is grabbed by a mental case, who somehow has a hand grenade, and is holding her hostage, and repeatedly has his hand shoved into her blouse to maintain control. The scene was so ridiculously gratuitous that it felt more like a sketch from NTNON!
It's not The Sweeney, in terms of crime drama; but, Clemens brings a certain level of quality to it, as do the actors. It's an action series, but one that has more brains than your average 80s Cannon film or its ilk. Personally, I'd rather watch something like Department S, which has some style and character about it. However, The Professionals had more character than the US cop show, SWAT, back in its day.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2022 13:25:50 GMT -5
In the pre-internet age, I remember looking up CI5 to try and find what they were. I guess they were inspired by MI5, just with a law-enforcement slant (incidentally, I hate it when some UK shows feature MI5 agents arresting people, which is not their remit).
It is no doubt of its time (and perhaps a bit jingoistic). I’d much rather watch something like The Sweeney or Special Branch (I have the DVDs of the latter).
Incidentally, there was a 1999 reboot called CI5: The New Professionals, starring Edward Woodward, Kal Weber, Colin Wells and Lexa Doig. It ran for one season. I haven’t seen it.
|
|
|
|
Post by codystarbuck on Dec 30, 2022 20:51:04 GMT -5
In the pre-internet age, I remember looking up CI5 to try and find what they were. I guess they were inspired by MI5, just with a law-enforcement slant (incidentally, I hate it when some UK shows feature MI5 agents arresting people, which is not their remit). It is no doubt of its time (and perhaps a bit jingoistic). I’d much rather watch something like The Sweeney or Special Branch (I have the DVDs of the latter). Incidentally, there was a 1999 reboot called CI5: The New Professionals, starring Edward Woodward, Kal Weber, Colin Wells and Lexa Doig. It ran for one season. I haven’t seen it. Yeah; the CI stood for Criminal Intelligence and it was meant to invoke MI-5, but int a counter-crime role, rather than counter0intelligence. It also invokes Criminal Investigation Division (CID), the detective side of police work. I've seen listings for the update, which seems to be a common theme in UK tv, as much as American, as I also saw (and watched) the remake of Reginald Perrin (I like Martin Clunes; but, meh....) and a couple of others. I can't wait to see someone try to redo Are You Being Served? without their head exploding from either trying to be politically correct or being constantly attacked for not being PC. Yes, Prime Minister would have to have a rotating cast, for the PM. |
|
|
|
Post by berkley on Dec 30, 2022 22:51:23 GMT -5
Heard of the Professionals but have never seen an episode and the opening credits sequence doesn't seem familiar, so I don't think it was one of the UK shows that was shown on CBC here in Canada. I'll probably try it one of these days if I find the time.
Lexa Doig's name in the cast of the 1999 reboot caught my eye, as I liked her in the much-lamented (by me) Canadian show Arctic Air. I wonder how big her part was in CI:5?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2023 6:47:15 GMT -5
Blake’s 7, which was created by Terry Nation, debuted 45 years ago today on BBC1:  I have never seen this, although I did end up with a model of the ship, the Liberator. I know that it starred Gareth Thomas as Roj Blake, leader of a group of rebels, who uses the Liberator to wage war against the Terran Federation, who rule Earth and other planets. Four seasons were produced, 52 episodes in total. I do happen to know the theme tune very well - it’s great - and I’ve seen some footage. Perhaps I should buy the boxset. Apparently, there was a magazine:  Incidentally, I did see Gareth Thomas in firefighting drama London’s Burning. He played Assistant Chief Fire Officer Bulstrode, a rather abrasive senior officer. In one episode, his presence was required when a warehouse fire got out of control, leading to the presence of 20 fire engines. Here’s a pic of him at the scene: 
|
|
|
|
Post by Calidore on Jan 2, 2023 9:46:11 GMT -5
I've never seen any Blake's 7 either. Everyone says it's great, so I'd like to get to it someday.
But the picture up top only has six people. What's up with that?
|
|
|
|
Post by codystarbuck on Jan 2, 2023 15:46:00 GMT -5
I've seen a couple of the earliest episodes and the writing is good and it is good drama; but not much beyond a Doctor Who budget for the effects. It does what it can, visually. I did cackle a bit at see what is supposed to be a prison transport, with rolling desk chairs for seats and what look like tables from a small restaurant. Leaving that aside, it presents a believable fascist government and Blake is a complex character. I've seen a clip of Brian Blessed chewing some scenery, in an episode.
I know Joe Straczynski was a fan and it influenced the structure of Babylon 5. he payed tribute to the Liberator with the Drazi ships.
|
|
|
|
Post by codystarbuck on Jan 2, 2023 15:46:19 GMT -5
I've never seen any Blake's 7 either. Everyone says it's great, so I'd like to get to it someday. But the picture up top only has six people. What's up with that? Someone had to take the photo. |
|
|
|
Post by codystarbuck on Jan 2, 2023 15:50:25 GMT -5
ps The liberator's computer, Zen, was #7, then they got a super-computer, called Orac, which is the plexiglass box thing, in the magazine photo.
|
|
|
|
Post by berkley on Jan 2, 2023 18:41:40 GMT -5
I never saw it when it originally aired but just started watching it a couple years ago and found it very enjoyable. I've made it up the last few episodes of the 3rd series so I should try to finish at least that storyline. Obviously the sets and special effects are of their era but as long as you don't let that bother you it should be fun viewing for anyone interested in SF. It definitely needs to be watched from the beginning and in sequence as there are major over-arching storylines, one of which ends with series 2, and you don't want to spoil yourself by seeing something too soon. Good characters, well-acted, and the writing is pretty consistent - again, allowing for the changes in taste and custom that have taken place over the decades since it first aired. Nice opening credits and theme music too.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2023 6:27:33 GMT -5
Ivanhoe, starring the late Roger Moore as the titular character, debuted on ITV 65 years ago today, running for one season of 39 episodes.
I haven’t seen this. I don’t recall it being repeated in my lifetime so far. I am unaware of any VHS or DVD releases. So this is a series that I have only “experienced” via reading an episode guide.
There’s nothing on Wikipedia about availability.
|
|
