New Year Resolutions But I Have Little Resolve

I don’t know who came up with the idea of making resolutions for the New Year and I can’t be bother googling it to find out suffice to say I don’t care. I have no checklist that I have been mulling over I don’t see the point. The only resolution I make I fail every year so why the hell should I bother.

Here are some of the more popular resolutions doing the rounds in the press

1. Dieting is top of most people’s list many like me fall to the wayside and get back to old ways.

2. Dry January, or any month, which is best for you. The month long, sobriety challenge is a very good way to save money and give your liver a breather. You could just pack it in all together doing it for that liver.

3. Get back to the gym or join a gym at a cost in other words get healthy. You could save money by taking up running, biking, or a brisk walk.

4. Quit smoking another opportunity to save a shed load of money and kick vaping into touch as well.

5. Ending plastic pollution is a good resolution and more recycling at home. Personally, I have big plans for recycling but I’m not declaring it as a resolution.

Suicide Diet

I am someone of little resolve, and this insufferable tradition means I start each year doomed to failure in most aspects. What positive purpose can be served by making promises, which I have, absolutely no hope of keeping? For instance, each year, my weight issues get an airing when I come up with some magical target, which I can only imagine. I have no will power and bouts of depression put pay to that. It is always the same! Maybe this is the year; maybe it is really the year this time. Who cares! I would like to think I do.

I want to live long and prosper.

I have been thinking about joining a slimmer’s club but I feel my resolve slipping away but I will not give up I will battle my demons alone if I have to, and be more positive and see where that takes me.

I am avoiding this trap of making resolutions, which I never honour anyway and leave it to fate. No, I will not be joining a gym; I may start walking more. Things like doing something unexpected, jump out of a plane wearing an extra-large plus size parachute will not be up for consideration either.

Suicide Fantasy

Then you get the fantasy resolutions people come up with like shagging Kelly Brook, ok that’s one of mine, but really, what are the chances. Winning the Great British Bake Off even if you can barely use the ruddy oven, or believe that big jackpot lottery win in 2019 is yours and spent the money already.

I am in the market to find a reason to be happy and that will involve weight loss but I refuse to make it a New Year resolution this New Year’s. If there was to be one thing I would ask for in the way of a resolution is that my football team Cardiff City rise like the phoenix, out of the doldrums and into a bright new future next season in the Premier League.

Now, that is one admirable goal. It also got me thinking; perhaps I was going about New Year’s resolutions all wrong. Rather than promise what I was not going to do, I should be more positive and only resolve to do more of those things I already like.

I would like to join something. Set a goal but for what? It must be something attainable not a fantasy, something within reach. With hours to go before mid-night and the chimes of Big Ben, I have to do a bit of thinking.

**Please feel free to leave a comment below**

The End Of The BBC Film Review Show Remember Barry Norman

The BBC are drawing down the curtain on there long running film review show Film (whatever the year) after nearly 50 years. The show will be best remembered for the late Barry Norman, who fronted it from 1972 to 1998 and whose catchphrase was “And why not?”

I have been slagging off critics long enough saying I make my own decisions but the only one I would listen to … Barry Norman. Back in the seventies when my interest in filmography it was mainly down to Norman and my own fledgling interest. One of the films I have sighted in my growing interest was the epic film “Lawrence of Arabia” and the likes of the Marx Brothers “Duck Soup” and British made Ealing comedies all among my favourites and Normans.

The show launched in November 1971 and at its peak under Norman, it was the BBC’s most influential cinema show, running 36 weeks a year. Barry Norman became permanent host of the series in 1972 and his first episode on Film 72, his first film review was of The Last Picture Show, a massive favourite of both of us a film in his top 100 while his first studio interviewees were Hollywood greats Charlton Heston and James Stewart. He would get the big names in film on the show.

It was funny most of the films I wanted to see were X certificate meaning you had to be eighteen or older to watch the film and at the time being to young I would have to store them for later viewing. It was not until the outbreak of VHS video that I caught up with many of the films.

Being older and more cynical, I rarely watch reviews and had not watched Film from the early eighties. Norman was still presenting and he was still the only critic for me but visits to the cinema where just not happening with Sky subscription and film channels I didn’t like the idea of paying twice for a film.

So I will not be mourning the death of the show unless they bring it back with me presenting and do they need the show when on the iPlayer the have Mark Kermode reviewing films, he is better than the Film 2018 presenters who since 2016 have been using a revolving presenter format. Strictly Come Dancing star Claudia Winkelman has been the main presenter until she left and along such names as Zoe Ball, Al Murray and Charlie Brooker stepping up to host the show.

Come On City Let's Have A Party At Leicester

The games come fast and furious in this festive period and today Cardiff face Leicester City, another away game with Cardiff still looking for that allusive first away win of the season. New Year’s Day Tottenham come to the Cardiff City Stadium the game being a sell-out but live on Sky Sports.

Cardiff won a point a Crystal Palace Boxing Day after Palace beat Manchester City and on Boxing Day Manchester lost to Leicester, maybe a pattern occurring, another point or more today.

Back in November at the Cardiff City Stadium Cardiff were beaten 1-0 before that it was back in 2012/13 on the way to promotion Cardiff won 1-0 away and drew 1-1 at home.

Cardiff boss Neil Warnock received a boost with the news that goalkeeper Neil Etheridge is not in the Philippines squad for the Asian Cup. Etheridge has been left out of the squad because he can only commit to playing one game. Cardiff have been reluctant to part with their first choice goalkeeper so this was well-received news.

Swedish coach Sven Goran Eriksson said, “It would have been ‘unfair’ for him to take a spot of another player knowing that he will only be available for one match”.

Callum Paterson faces a late fitness test while Kenneth Zohore is back on the injury list and is set to miss the next two weeks with a thigh injury. But Aron Gunnarsson and Harry Arter are expected to return. Jazz Richards will be assessed ahead of the game but is unlikely to feature.

The 24-year-old Victor Camarasa is staying until the end of the season has been linked with a January move, but Warnock as stated his season-long deal is binding with Warnock hoping to sign him permanently in the summer. Reports out of France suggest Cardiff target Nantes striker Emiliano Sala is not interested in a move to South Wales despite interest from the Bluebirds. It’s going to be an interesting January transfer wise for Warnock and the club.

Other double thumbs down from Mark Lawrenson and guest Wolf Alice bassist Theo Ellis both giving little chance which every Cardiff fan expect. Robbie Savage likewise can’t see anything but a defeat for the Bluebirds.

Barb Wire (1996) - Pamela Anderson

I revisited the film ‘Barb Wire’ (1996) last night after watching its star, Pamela Anderson on the ‘Big Narstie’s Big Christmas Show’ and seeing a picture of her on the said show sparked an interest in me remembering Anderson was scantily clad through-out most of the film. I didn’t rate the film highly and barely registered with me like another film I watched last night ‘Who Dares Wins’ neither were award-winning material.

I had seen her film before and for her stages of undress, the film is a dud as you can see from my rating below only the presents of Anderson saves the film even with her piss poor acting ability. Not even this red-blooded male could forget the opening scene even if I needed a bit of a kick up the backside. You see extensive footage of Pamela Anderson erotic dancing, in a skin tight leather outfit, which she frequently bursts out of whilst being drenched in water.

The film was critically panned upon release, and was nominated for several Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst New Star (she won) and Worst Actress, as well as Worst Picture just to make sure you get how bad this film was received. The film had a budget of $9million and failed to bring in less than half that on its release.

Face it; if you're looking for depth and a meaning, you are watching the wrong film. Our hero runs a bar, side lining as a mercenary in an America in the midst of a civil war. The story plods along in drawn-out sequences that drain the life out of what little fun was written into the screenplay or available from the stylish sets and lighting. The kinky prostitution scam she undertakes, for example, is a gruelling, humourless 3+ minute setup for a lacklustre action scene that is followed by a payoff scene that's just as long.

Her ex-boyfriend Axel comes to see her looking for help to get a scientist across the country to expose a government cover up and needs to reach Canada.

There was action in the film mostly Andersons’ character shooting up the bad guys. Anderson herself continuously exhibits revealing leather outfits and sexy stilettos, impractical for the fight scenes while her opponents and bad guys the Congressionals harness Nazi-like uniforms.

Although based in comic book series, the "Barb Wire" movie intends to be a remake of classic "Casablanca" which made me laugh aloud.

Anderson isn't an actress she was a body with boobs in her best-known role ‘Baywatch’ same in this film. Overall, it has some pretty explosions but really, this is like a Playboy video it's all designed for capitalising on Anderson's body...why should we be surprised that it does nothing else. To be honest looking at her impressive cleavage is what made the film, beyond that there is little else.

My Rating (Film)

Boobs Rating

New Year's Week Schedule on TV

The Christmas TV schedule is over for another year I have to say this year that I was a little disappointed in the scheduling. Beside for ‘Watership Down’ and ‘8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Christmas Special’ it was poor TV and the films were about the same … nothing standing out. In the end, I watched a lot of Christmas films on Christmas 24 and True Christmas and repeats of classic Christmas TV shows.

Saturday 29th – BBC4 – Black Lake 9:45pm (New) 

A boat arrives on the island of Kallskar, and people alight on the apparently deserted isle, unaware of its dark history. The second outing has the same hint of the supernatural – a lot of paranormal activity is centred on Minnie, a recovering drug addict who is trying to win custody of her daughter. And yet again, there’s a locked door to a room that is never opened. It’s entertainingly spooky and good winter-night viewing.

Sunday 30th – BBC1 – Les Miserables 9pm (New Series) 

Adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel, which follows an epic journey through 19th-century France as the nation stands on the brink of revolution. Dominic West plays the lead role of Jean Valjean, a former convict attempting to begin his life anew while all around him a desperate underclass struggles to survive. Valjean's search for a fresh start is thwarted by prejudice against ex-convicts and the suspicion of an obsessed former guard who is convinced he will reoffend. Elsewhere, an army officer returns home from the battle of Waterloo desperate to reconnect with his son, while a seamstress has an encounter that could lead to her downfall.

New Year’s Eve – Channel 4 - The Last Leg of the Year 9pm (New)

A special edition of the comedy review show looking back at the significant moments of 2018 and peering ahead to the next 12 months. Host Adam Hills and his regular sidekicks - Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker - provide their own spin on the events that really mattered over the past year. Katherine Ryan, Johnny Vegas, Nish Kumar, Richard Ayoade, Tom Allen, Jessica Knappett, Lost Voice Guy and the Horne Section join in the fun, and there is also film of the trio's trip to Innsbruck, Austria, where Alex attempted to become the first disabled man in history to take part in the double luge.

New Year’s Eve – BBC1 Celebrations

The Graham Norton Show 10:45pm

The comedian and broadcaster is joined by a star-studded line-up as 2018 draws to a close. Olivia Colman and co-star Nicholas Hoult discuss their new film The Favourite, which follows the battle of two cousins to be court favourites during the reign of Queen Anne in the early 18th century. Actress Keira Knightley chats about biographical movie Colette, based on the life of the French novelist, while Australian actor Guy Pearce talks about new historical drama Mary Queen of Scots. With music from Rita Ora, who performs a medley of hits from her latest album Phoenix.

Madness Rock Big Ben Live 11:35pm

Part one of two. Strictly, Come Dancing winner Stacey Dooley and fellow finalist Joe Sugg present from the heart of London as the countdown to 2019 begins at Central Hall in Westminster. Madness perform some of their best-loved hits from a career spanning nearly 40 years, taking a break at midnight as millions welcome the new year. With 15 UK top 10 singles under their collective belts, including One Step Beyond, Baggy Trousers, Our House, and It Must Be Love, there's no shortage of Madness classics for the Nutty Boys to choose from. Plus, there's a strong chance their only UK number one, House of Fun, will make an appearance before the celebrations are over.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks 11:55pm

The people of London and far and wide gather on the Thames Embankment to bid goodbye to 2018 and welcome in the New Year. The traditional chimes of Big Ben herald the dawn of 2019, followed by a spectacular fireworks display that will light up the sky over the river, before the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

Madness Rock Big Ben Live Part2 12:10am

Part two of two. Suggs and the band continue the 2019 celebrations, performing more of their greatest hits from across the decades.

New Year’s Day – Sky Sports – Cardiff City v Tottenham 5pm (New)

New Year’s Day football with Tottenham visiting the Cardiff City Stadium (Kick-off 5.30pm) for this top-flight clash will see Cardiff desperate for a win to keep them away from the relegation zone. Tottenham will be looking for a win to keep themselves in a shout for a Champions League spot and maintaining their chance to top the Premier League.

New Year’s Day – BBC1 – Doctor Who 7pm (New) 

Viewers have had to wait a little longer for their festive fix of Doctor Who this time around, with the traditional Christmas Day slot moved back a week. As the New Year begins, a terrifying evil is stirring from across the centuries of Earth's history. As the Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz return home, will they be able to overcome the threat to planet Earth?

New Year’s Day – BBC1 – Luther 9pm (New Series)

When a series of monstrous and seemingly indiscriminate killings become ever more audacious and public, DCI John Luther and new recruit DS Catherine Halliday are confounded by a complex tangle of leads and misdirection that seems designed to protect an untouchable corruption. But, even as the case brings him closer than ever to the true face of evil, a reluctant Luther is forced to confront the unburied demons of his own recent past.

New Year’s Day – Channel 4 – The Inbertweeners: Fwends Reunited 9pm (New)

Cast members Simon Bird (Will), Joe Thomas (Simon), James Buckley (Jay) and Blake Harrison (Neil) reunite for a celebration of the sitcom, which made its debut on E4 in May 2008 and went on to become one of the most popular and successful British comedies of recent years. The programme promises behind-the-scenes footage from filming, the story behind the show, surprise guests, celebrity fans, and plenty of embarrassing stories. The show will also be honouring the funniest moments across the three TV series and two films in the coveted Inbertweeners Awards.

New Year’s Day – Discovery Channel - Gold Rush: White Water 9pm (New Series)

Dakota Fred and his son Dustin risk their lives to find a fortune in gold nuggets, taking them deep beneath the waters of one of Alaska's wildest creeks. Last season, the Dakota Boys’ quest for gold ended in disaster when a landslide sent a flash flood cascading through their mine site. Three months of hard work was wiped out virtually overnight, just days after their biggest gold haul of the season.

This season, they are mining for nuggets in the raging torrents of glacier-fed McKinley Creek again using heated wet suits to dive beneath the freezing plunge pools. As they battle against ferocious weather, flash floods, falling boulders and hungry bears.

Wednesday – BBC 1 - Wanted Down Under 11am (New Series)

British families explore the idea of moving to Australia or New Zealand. Adam Robinson and his family spend a week experiencing what life could be like in Australia, but his wife Kati is not convinced it would be the best move for them all. They look at housing, jobs, schools and a host of other thing like the cost of living voting in the UK or Australia/New Zealand with a final vote at the end.

Thursday – BBC 2 - The `Christmas' Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan: The Arctic 10.30pm (New)

The comedian is in the Canadian Arctic for this festive special of the travelogue in which he explores countries rarely visited by tourists. He wants to know whether there is more to this area than the prospect of freezing to death or being eaten by a polar bear. Travelling across frozen wastelands, he spends a week in the largest territory, getting to grips with the Inuit hunter's way of life - not an easy task for vegan Romesh. He also witnesses the erosion and resurgence of Inuit traditions and discovers why alcohol is often restricted in the communities.

Christmas Soaps and Me

Three hours of Christmas Day soaps I had to sit through due to my wife’s’ love affair with the crap. Although I was on my laptop, watching a documentary and series about the ‘War of the Roses’ I still couldn’t help watching the crap unfolding.

To make sure fans don’t miss a thing BBC and ITV shake hands on a deal to make sure they don’t cross over each other. First up was Emmerdale, they dropped the Farm a long time ago has its more about shagging than animals now.

Last night in the one hour allocated Emmerdale there was a wedding, again it is a staple of Christmas soaps, a wedding just like in reality the churches are packed with weddings on Christmas Day. On mentioning shagging there was a teacher/student thing ongoing and just for some more titillation, the teacher is dating his step-dad someone’s in for a spanking. The big ending sees the bride’s son released from prison (on Christmas Day? Does that happen) and it turns out, he bullied one of the main cast members when he spent time behind bars, fight - fight.

Coronation Street had a prison storyline as well. In prison she receives, a Christmas Day visit from her husband who has only been shagging her sister and wants to beat is stepdaughter who will tell her mum if he won’t. Somehow, gets a prison visitors order for Christmas Day again can that happen. Things are stirring at the Rover Return, jealousy, and intrigue are running riot leading to a hit and run. Meanwhile the Barlow’s are having the saddest of all Christmas Dinners.

It can’t be Christmas without a singsong in the Queen Vic in EastEnders but most of the action centres on the dysfunctional Slater family. First a point, the Slaters house must be the sister ship of the Tardis (Doctor Who reference) so many people live in there I am surprised the council housing haven’t come a calling about overcrowding.

One of the Slaters as a secret, being Christmas it has to leak out and soon ensuing madness sees someone take a tumble down the stairs, is he dead! I hope so there would be a bit more room for the rest of them and with the possibility of a prison term pressure on the living accommodation could be reduce.

It looks like all my hate for the soap could be a lie but I put it down to Christmas Day I can promise I will not be watching tonight conclusions to yesterday happening’s. On the subject on Christmas Day TV, it was pretty poor even the films across our virgin package I ended up watching repeats of old TV classics.

Boxing Day - It was about Football

Christmas Day may be the big day over the festive season but I have a huge soft spot for Boxing Day mainly because of football. The Boxing Day fixture is always the first I look for when the new season fixture list is released in the summer.

It was the one game in the season I was guarantee dad would take me although he took me to other games depending on circumstances. You could expect a bumper crowd on Boxing Day like many other sports. It’s a family thing after a bloated Christmas eat, sitting around the house and in the afternoon attend a sporting event and remember when it was popular to have a charity game and real footy in the afternoon. You just don’t see the charity games these days.

One game I remember was in 1983 and a local derby were Cardiff beat Swansea 3-2 with joyful scenes at Ninian Park. Credit to the Football League they would do their best to pencil in a local derby to help with traveling fans. The police hated the idea, Cardiff v Swansea has never been a peaceful game. The next day I was on the supporters coach on my way to Derby for another 3-2 win. Two games in two days would never happen these days players would be on the phone to their agents.

Home games were great but I loved an away trip. I loved travelling on the supporters coach no real dramas but fans moaning about turkey sandwiches. While some fans were offering up their wife, girlfriend and first-born child for any sandwich without turkey filling. I would be sitting there in full knowledge I would not be sharing my spam and tomatoes sarnies. When asked in the past what meat filling I had in my sandwich the word, ‘YUCK’ was regularly used now I wouldn’t swap for a two for one offer.

But never mention the Boxing Day trip to Shrewsbury 1994 with my mate (Mr Andrew Thomas) in his death trap of a car. we were lucky to make it just past Hereford. My ongoing mental health problems have put pay to those kind of memories for now but one day I will overcome these problems. I have started to chip away at my problems and hope to make more progress in the New Year. I would love to be heading to Crystal Palace today

Boxing Day Footy - Palace away for the Bluebirds

Cardiff are off to London for tomorrows’ Boxing Day fixture at Crystal Palace still looking for their first away win of the season and it could be that Palace could still have a nose bleed from their 3-2 win over Manchester City, come on City.

While Cardiff were thumped at home to Manchester United (5-1) in front of biggest crowd at the Cardiff City stadium for a Cardiff game Palace were winning at Manchester City. We were awful against United who decided to turn up to put on a show for former boss Jose Mourinho. For all Solskjaer jumping around, his input into the game other than picking the team was marginal.

Although Cardiff are actively searching the transfer, market ahead of January Executive Chairman Mehmet Dalman is reported the search is "not going well" for the new recruits boss Neil Warnock requires. Here is after around three or four players - including a striker. A number of reports suggest Warnock could find himself forced to consider his future at the club if they struggle in the transfer market.

The money is crazy at this time of the season – transfer fee, signing on fee and the real killer the wages not helped with the possibility of relegation hanging over the club. Many clubs have splashed out in the January transfer window only to regret it when relegated. It something weighing heavily on the clubs board and manager. Again, according to reports Vincent Tan the owner has made funds available to manager Warnock.

The last time we played them 2013/14, the last time we were in the Premier League and besides doing the double over Cardiff, they battered the Bluebirds into the ground. Away at Selhurst Park, under Cardiff City fan Tony Pulis only weeks into the job we lost 2-0 while in April a thrashing at the Cardiff City Stadium 3-0 one of the many defeats that helped send us back into the Championship.

Joe Bennett and Jazz Richards could return from injuries for the Boxing Day trip to Selhurst Park. However, Danny Ward remains out with an unspecified problem.

Cardiff are two points clear of Burnley in the final relegation place, though nothing less than a win is needed for Neil Warnock as they look to escape the relegation dogfight.

Predictions time and on BBC Sport Mark Lawrenson is going for a home Palace win (2-0) while James bassist Jim Glennie as tipped Cardiff for a 1-1 draw. Robbie Savage is yet to announce his predictions be for posting but no need really, a defeat for the Welshman.

Last Christmas Post - Shop Local

A busy morning for me waking up 5:20am a quick shower dressed and out the door at 5:40am to join the queue at the butchers but as I turn the corner, no queue and they seem to be opened early. That was a result and better still only one customer was collecting her order but a part of me wondered if they had opened the door early if I was first in the queue.

Last night I tweeted a message direct to my butcher saying, “@OrielJonesLtd Off to bed to make sure I am outside at 6am for my Christmas order” hoping they would pre pack it for an easy collection. It worked my order was spread out just needing to be bagged it looked impressive for this meat eater. The lads at Oriel Jones are top notch.

I think everyone knows I join the Christmas club at my butchers and so why haven’t you. The young lady in front parted with over £180, cash while I parted with no cash on the day. I always set a target with our savings this year it was £130, in fact we saved a pound more, and the total cost of my order was £132.12 meaning I saved around £3 per week over 50 weeks and they dropped the £1.12.

Has I walked home with my bags full of meat I kept my eye out for rampaging, protesting vegans? I decided before getting home what about starting a new Christmas Eve tradition as I fancied a trip to Pettigrew Bakeries. I love their bread along with the sausage rolls.

As soon as I packed the meat away, I told wifey, I was going to go up to Pettigrew relying on them having an early start … wrong I was there around 6:30am and wasn’t opening until 7:30am. No way was I standing outside for an hour so I took myself over the road to the bus stop sat there and engaged in conversation with early morning bus riders. After an hour, the shop finally opened and when that door opened, the smell was to die for, did a bit of shopping, buying a beef pastie, which I will be reviewing soon as I have eaten it. Maybe in a day or so for writing the review and for the pastie that is in the oven for a warm up.

Once off the bus, yes I need a bus up to the bakery I nipped into the veg shop to buy the veg for dinner tomorrow shopping local is important any time of the year. Yes the meat, bread, veg would all be cheaper at Tesco, but I like to shop local where we can.

‏

Twas The Night Before Christmas ... Takeaway Time

Morning folks! Ready for the upcoming day we are with my spreadsheet in my mind with our designated jobs. My favourite involves a phone call tonight, takeaway time. Eight years ago we upgraded our tradition of a Christmas Eve takeaway from a Chinese to a Indian takeaway so tonight it will be ears wide open listening out for a tap on the door and the arrival of some food porn.

There is a major cost to an Indian, a Chinese would be cheaper, but if I were to change back, I think there would be a war in the house. The pricy cost is why it is a rarity on the Ugarte takeaway menu but it is worth it No experimentation here straight into my favourite order,

Chicken Tikka Starter

Chicken Curry

Pilau Rice

Chips

Keema Naan

God my kind of heaven and I am already licking my lips in anticipation of tonight’s feast. Therefore, I will be fasting for most of the day to make room for tonight’s meal so I will appreciate it more. Without my old oversized dish I used for my curry, it may take me two sittings to put my meal to bed. Last year I remember it was so close to the rim of my dish it nearly spilt over. I will not take that chance this year.

The others are yet to finalise their orders, bar humbug. Still hours away from the call but still I am excited and want it confirmed so there is no messing around later. Although I believe I know what the wife will want, Britain’s No.1 takeaway, drum roll please, Chicken Tikka Masala. Simon will follow his mum more or less unless I can tempt him with some think off the menu while it’s a case of god knows for David and if James comes for Christmas he will do one and go off into the night.

Love Curry is our preferred supplier we have been using them for the last three years and they click all the right buttons with taste and quantity and even on a busy night like Christmas Eve are prompt with the delivery.

The Bishops Wife (1947) - One of my top 3 best Christmas movies of all time.

The other night I couldn’t believe BBC 4 was showing the delightful Christmassy film “The Bishops Wife” a classic family film at 10pm so feeling tired I recorded it for later viewing. I have seen it numerous times over the years and would put it on a par with “It’s a Wonderful Life” but for some reason gets less air time or accolades.

Up at 6am this morning and I thought there would be nothing better than sitting back and watching this Christmas classic. A few hours later, I was watching it again with the wife.

Cary Grant at his best playing an angel called Dudley sent to help a troubled Bishop frustrated at the difficulty in building a new cathedral to God, he prays to God for guidance. Bishop Henry Brougham played by David Niven is the troubled man of the cloth looking for guidance. Enter Dudley endowed by heavenly powers; he bestows his angelic persona upon the bishop who is overwhelmed by his mis-guided quest to build a magnificent "earthly" cathedral to glorify God. 

The bishop finds it hard to believe Dudley is an angel it’s time to prove who he is just saying he was an angel didn’t cut it but when he just disappears, Henry starts to believe.

Dudley proceeds to weave a kindly spell over the Bishops family and all around him reminding them of the true meaning of Christmas. There is scene after scene of amusement from Cary Grant delivering plenty of charm as Dudley to the scene where the sherry glasses that keeps on refilling themselves and when he leaves the bottle keeps topping up. But at the same time the amusement doesn't overwhelm the storyline as we watch Bishop Henry become increasingly suspicious of Dudley, first questioning whether he really is an angel then becoming concerned at the friendship he forms with Julia.

One of my favourite scenes - ice-skating with Sylvester the taxi driver. With the Bishop, meeting Mrs Hamilton Dudley uses his heavenly powers and has Henry stuck to a chair so he could spend time with his wife Julia. Dudley takes Julia to the Bishops old parish where he transforms the boys’ choir. Later helps Julia shop for a fine hat and then they go skating.

It seems that the main source of the money for this new cathedral is from the wealthy Mrs. Hamilton (Gladys Cooper) and the lady is quite insistent on getting everything her way on the project. But once meeting Dudley, she soon on side seeing the stupidity of building the cathedral and offering instead to use her wealth to help the poor. It’s just a beautiful scene.

Later, Henry and Julia turn up at Mrs Hamilton’s, to his dismay he realises Dudley had been, and soon his plans come tumbling down. Disheartened he goes for a walk and visits an old friend and storms home to confront Dudley about his wife as Dudley declares his love for her but she loves Henry, was that the reason for Dudley’s heavenly visit to bring them together.

Knowing that Julia loves her husband, Dudley leaves, promising never to return. All memory of him is erased, and later that Christmas Eve at midnight, Henry delivers the sermon that he believes he has written but it was Dudley of course. Has the church fills Dudley observes from the street, satisfied that his work is done.

David Niven plays the perfect foil for Cary's assignment of "answering the bishop's prayer". Loretta Young's charming demeanour as the bishops devoted, but neglected wife, who I think Dudley as fallen a little bit in love with her and leads the audience on a heart-warming journey through small town America at mid-20th century, during a memorable Christmas season.

I recommend this film for the whole Family.

It was a pleasure to revisit this Henry Koster little gem. Everything works in the most unexpected way. The mystic magic of the story is utterly contagious. The unexpected musical number on ice skates by Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and James Gleason made me happy.

My Rating

Christmas Lust – Pussycat Dolls – Santa Baby with Carmen Electra

Carmen Electra

LAST Christmas post of 2017 and there is no better way of closing shop with a bit of lust for the female form.

This is a far out-group lust of the ladies of the Pussycat Dolls who are joined by Carman Electra for a sexual overload. I cannot blame myself it is really like being in a sweetie shop with not enough money they are all gorgeous. The video with the song is hot enough to thaw an iceberg.

What an ultimate Christmas treat the ladies of the Pussycat Dolls these are the originals blasting out a classic for the time of the year Santa Baby. This is Lust up a peg and then some and I will hold my hands up its just as good to watch the video in the middle of a heatwave in summer as Christmas. The Dolls come with the added treat of Carmen Electra and what a treat.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe

The ‘Dolls’ ooze sex appeal add Carmen Electra and you take it to the next level. All seven in the video are beyond stunning and throw in the way they are dressed, in sexy lingerie and plenty of stockings the whole outfit of each ‘Doll’ belongs in any naughty box for adult fun play with your partner.

I would advise if you wear glasses to take them off before viewing the steam spoils the viewing of the video. Any single man and some married would be happy to find a Pussycat Doll is his Christmas stocking but the greed in me there are seven. So why not one a day five a day would be too much.

Ole back in Cardiff

The beginning of the busy Christmas period for Cardiff City and later today the visitors will be troubled Manchester United who just days ago parted company with Jose Mourinho only to bring in (former Cardiff City boss ) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Some history I was not in favour of Solskjaer coming to Cardiff I felt he got the job based solely on his connections with Manchester United no way to get a job. He was manager of Norwegian club Molde, and doing well in a small pond until Cardiff came a calling he jumped at the chance to join Cardiff then in the Premier League.

He joined the Welshman on 2 January 2014, departing on 18 September 2014 after a poor start of the Championship campaign after presiding over Cardiff’s relegation. He when back to Molde, where I believed he should had stayed. He is only a caretaker boss until the end of the season but eyeing the job full time, we will see.

Not the best time to play this Manchester team after getting Mourinho the sack, its widely reported player power was to blame for the club decision so they will be looking to make a point without Mourinho but Cardiff boss Warnock is unconcerned believing his team at home are unpredictable.

The last time both teams faced off was in the Premier League at home with the November game ending 2-2 with Cardiff securing a point with an injury time goal. In the reverse game in January with Solskjaer now manager we lost 2-0, his third straight league defeat.

Cardiff left-back Joe Bennett has not trained this week because of a hip problem picked up at Watford last weekend and is doubtful for this game. Lee Peltier and Greg Cunningham are on standby to deputise, while Jazz Richards will be checked after a recent hamstring problem.

A couple of unnamed players are also nursing "little niggles", according to manager Neil Warnock.

On the prediction front little changes Mark Lawrenson and his guest boxer Dillian Whyte both go for the away win Lawrenson says: "Straightaway we will see a very different United performance because the players who had fallen out with Jose Mourinho will know the spotlight is on them, and they have got to perform.” Mr Marmite Robbie Savage! Need I say anything other than he expects the three points heading out of Wales.

Looking at the season so far in his Daily Mirror column he gave Cardiff a B+ saying,

“Neil Warnock has already embarrassed ‘experts’ who predicted Cardiff would be relegated with a record low number of points. They are fighting hard, as the boss promised and if Junior Hoilett keeps producing moments of magic, the Bluebirds will dare to dream of staying up. I’d love to see them survive.”

I am beginning to warm to Mr Marmite and with a 5.30pm kick-off and a sell out crowd turn to BT sport the game is live.

Christmas Week Schedule on TV

As you can see my biased towards the BBC is strong but to by honest they was nothing on ITV that caught my eye truth be told. Lots of talk of the BBC and repeats but a lot of them a classics and plenty of other channel show repeats. I am looking forward to Watership Down tomorrow of what I have seen it will be a joy to watch. Christmas Day for me is kind of quiet TV wise nothing standing out with three hours of soaps for the wife to enjoy and if it was up to me I would ban soaps from the Christmas Day schedule 

Saturday 22nd – BBC1 – Watership Down (Part 1) 7pm (New)

Remember the film about a colony of rabbits fleeing the destruction of their warren, and embarking on a dangerous journey in search of a new home, facing predators, adversaries, and all manner of lethal threats. The BBC have come forward with a new offering over two nights.

The BBC have gathered an A-list of voice headed by James McAvoy as the rabbits' leader Hazel, and Nicholas Hoult as his younger brother Fiver, who is plagued by strange visions. Peter Capaldi voices helpful seagull Kehaar and Rosamund Pike is the mysterious, otherworldly Black Rabbit of Inlé. John Boyega, Olivia Colman, Daniel Kaluuya, Ben Kingsley, Tom Wilkinson, and Gemma Arterton voice other roles.

Sunday 23rd – BBC1 – Watership Down (Part 2) 7:20pm (New)

Hazel and the other rabbits have found the new home that Fiver had foretold, but must use all of their cunning to defend it against an attack from a nearby warren, dominated by the tyrannical General Woundwort. 

I love the film and I am expecting to feel the same about this offering but comes with a warning for young children.

Sunday 23rd – Channel 4 – 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Christmas Special 9pm (New)

Jimmy Carr hosts the comedy panel show's version of the words and numbers quiz, with Sean Lock and Kathy Burke teaming up against Jon Richardson and David Mitchell. James Acaster joins Countdown's resident lexicographer Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner, while maths whizz Rachel Riley and comedian Joe Wilkinson are in charge of the numbers.

Sunday 23rd – BBC1 – King Gary 9:30pm (New)

Gary plans to throw the biggest barbecue in history to win over the rest of the neighbourhood - only to discover someone else is planning to hold one of their own on the same day. Meanwhile, Terri makes a disastrous attempt at `micro-blading'.

Its a study of how the small things in life can be blown up to absurd proportions as the pressures of the modern world can spiral out of control. .

Christmas Eve – Sky One – The Queen and I 6pm (New)

New republican Prime Minister Jack Barker strips the royals of their assets and titles, the Queen, and her family are forced to move to a rundown council estate sound like the stole their money as assets. The locals do not exactly roll out the red carpet, but new neighbours Bev, Tony, Violet, and Spiggy prove to be unlikely allies. I have seen a few advert but I think I may not enjoy it be worth a punt.

Christmas Eve – BBC1 – Click and Collect 9pm (New)

It is Christmas Eve and Andrew realises that he has failed to buy the one present his six-year-old daughter really wanted - Sparklehoof the Unicorn Princess. Unfortunately, it also happens to be the must-have toy of the season, and he cannot seem to find one on sale anywhere in London.

So he and his over-friendly - and slightly irritating - neighbour Dev set off on a journey across the country as they try to track down the last remaining toy in the whole of the UK, which happens to be 300 miles away in Carlisle

Christmas Eve – ITV – The Keith & Paddy Picture Show: Gremlins 9pm (New)

A festive special in which Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness team up to remake Joe Dante's 1984 horror comedy Gremlins. Original star Zach Galligan helps as they tackle the story of a cute little creature given as a Christmas present, but which spawns a horde of murderous little monsters after an accidental dowsing with water.

Christmas Eve – BBC1 – Would I Lie to You 10pm (New)

Rob Brydon hosts a festive edition of the comedy panel show in which the participants aim to hoodwink their opponents with absurd facts and plausible lies about themselves in a bid to secure a team victory.

Joining team captains David Mitchell and Lee Mack for the Christmas fun are comedian James Acaster, singer-songwriter Lily Allen, Peter Kay's Car Share star Sian Gibson and former Slade frontman Noddy Holder. They all reveal amazing stories, but are they telling the truth, or making it all up?

Christmas Eve –BBC4 – The Dead Room 10pm (New)

Ghost story written and directed by Mark Gatiss that is set in the studios of a long-running radio horror series. The presenter of the show (Simon Callow) resents the fact that he must adapt to changing times and tastes, but during an eerie night's work, he begins to suspect that dark forces are at work in the studio and his own past may not be as buried as he expected. With Anjli Mohindra, Susan Penhaligon and Joshua Oakes-Rogers.

Christmas Day – BBC1 – The Queen 3pm

Her Majesty's annual address to the nation and the people of the Commonwealth.

Christmas Day – BBC1 – Christmas Strictly Come Dancing 5:30pm (New)

A special festive edition for Christmas Day, which sees the return of six old favourites from past series. Anita Rani, Caroline Flack, Ann Widdecombe, Aston Merrygold, Jake Wood, and Michael Vaughan will all be taking to the dance floor to perform a special Christmas-inspired routine, while judges Shirley Ballas, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli, and Craig Revel Horwood assess their efforts and decide who will be this year's Christmas champion.

Christmas Day – BBC1 – Call the Midwife 7:45pm (New)

As Poplar prepares for Christmas, the nuns travel to the Mother House to elect a new mother superior. Sister Julienne is the obvious replacement and must face this possibility, as her future at Nonnatus House is uncertain. As they ready to leave, Sister Mildred, an indefatigable member of their order, arrives unexpectedly with four Chinese orphans en route to the Children's Home at the Mother House while, back in Poplar, Trixie returns from Portofino with her troubles behind her and Valerie leads the baby ballet Christmas performance.

Christmas Day – The Soaps

Emmerdale 7.15/8.15pm ITV

Jessie prepares to become the fourth Mrs Marlon Dingle (what curse!) but her woes start early when she plans a surprise wedding and fails to locate her groom. Bob considers desperate measures to see his family through Yuletide, clearly ignoring the age-old lesson of Arthur Fowler and the Christmas club money. Elsewhere, Kerry has a big decision to make while Maya risks being caught going extra-curricular with student (and stepson) Jacob.

Coronation Street 8.15/9.15pm ITV

Its revelations not revelry for the Metcalfe’s this Yuletide. Just when you thought, it could not get any worse for Sally – first Christmas in the clink for a crime she did not commit – hubby Tim comes set to unburden himself of a secret she will not want to hear. Meanwhile, misunderstandings make for confusion all round at the Rovers, before events take a sinister turn for poor Liz. Prepare to shed a festive tear, though, as Daniel makes every effort to impress to give sick Sinead a perfect Christmas.

EastEnders 9.15/10.15pm BBC

No one does a dysfunctional Christmas like the residents of Albert Square, and this year does not look like it will disappoint, with Shane Ritchie promising us a cliff-hanger that left him gasping when he read the script – presumably related to his secret baby with Hayley, and the odds ever shortening on Alfie keeping it under his paper hat.

Boxing Day – BBC1 – The Midnight Gang 7:30pm (New)

Written by David Walliams seems to be a regular spot for him a Christmas Boarding school pupil Tom gets hit on the head by a cricket ball and wakes to find himself on the children's ward at St Hugo's Hospital, where he encounters a terrifying-looking porter and a wicked matron.

There he meets the Midnight Gang, a secret group of children who go on nocturnal adventures in the hospital making dreams come true. However, his wicked headmaster turns up to take him back to school, so Tom has to find a way to stay in the hospital to fulfil one final adventure. Based on the original book by David Walliams, starring Oliver Zetterstrom, Alan Davies, Haydn Gwynne, and Walliams himself.

Boxing Day – Channel 4 – Big Fat Quiz of the Year 9m (New)

Jimmy Carr hosts a comedy quiz looking back at the past 12 months, with well-known panellists Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding, Mo Gilligan, David Mitchell, Claudia Winkleman and Michelle Wolf being put to the test on subjects ranging from politics to pop culture, and sport to science.

Special guests including Jon Snow, Charles Dance, and pupils from Mitchell Brook Primary School are on hand to set the questions to recall some of the year's biggest events.

Thursday 27th – Christmas Gold – Morecambe and Wise in America 8pm (New)

Jonathan Ross tells the story of the comedy duo's attempts to become stars in America during the 1960s, via their appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. Featuring footage never seen in Britain before, as well as personal home movies from Eric and Ernie's own collections, this episode tells of Morecambe and Wise's first steps in their American adventure.

Thursday 27th – BBC2 – The Show Wolf: A Winter’s Tale 9pm (New)

Dramatized natural history film, following an alpha female wolf in the Dolomite Mountains. A tragic sequence of events forces the wolf to flee her pack while pregnant in search of new territory. Along the way, she gives birth to six cubs, which she strives to protect from humans and predators as she journeys into the Alps in search of a new home.