Sunday Crush - Sue Menhenick Top of the Pops

Pans People Sue

It’s Sunday and while listening to the radio some guy was asked, who was his bedroom wall poster crush and within a second, he blurted out “Pans People”. I have to agree but I did not have the poster but from the early 1970’s onwards, I had the crush. I have decided that Sunday on this blog will become ‘Crush Sundays’ and we will start with the aforementioned Pans People.

It was a Pans People thing by time they became Legs & Co the crush had all but gone but for one special dancer.

It is hard for the youth of today to understand how one music show could be so important as Top of the Pops it was a big deal when we were kids. Every Thursday night especially in the long winter, nights whole families would gather around the TV see to our favourite bands, the latest chart hits, and the chart countdown.

The running joke was that dads would only look up from their newspapers and pay attention when Pans People were on the screen but wait what about us adolescent boys. The was a growing fan club there as the woman’s body became more interesting and you noticed the skimpy outfits in particular the hot pants, the shiny ones, a preference.

They danced to hits of the time when the group or singer was not available to perform on the show there were very few videos. The videos killed off the dance troupes like Pans People who later turned into Legs & Co. You had to have a favourite according to mythology and it just so happen I did, Susan ‘Sue’ Menhenick. She join the group in 1974 just at the point my attitude to the opposite sex really changed.

I think it was because she was new and I remember her hairstyle was shorter than the others a sleek look that did it for me. If I think back to them dancing to some hits, Sue is the only one I can remember. It helped she was 17 years old on her debut, I was 14, within my lust range I thought. She was high catching, a stand out. I was happy most males were lusting after ‘Babs’ she with the boobs it mend I was in a smaller exclusive club.

Howl (2015) - Film Review

Not the greatest, but very watchable when your wife has control of the TV and remote control leaving me with my laptop and YouTube. I had two hours to kill and I was lucky to land myself on a nice little film.

When it comes to British werewolf films, ‘Dog Soldiers’ is the dog’s bollocks but I enjoyed this offering to the werewolf genre. The plot was predictable, the title the giveaway, and being British, the badie was going to be a werewolf over a wolf. The introduction to the characters was establish quickly they all seemed likely to be nice food for the werewolves. I quickly picked the hero and likely to survive, hero yes, survive well not quite.

What you have with 'Howl' is a group of strangers trapped on a train, which has broken down in the middle of nowhere - the rest is your typical stalk and slash formula. Joe, a ticket collector tells the group to secure themselves in the carriage but soon the creature is stalking the train, picking them off one- by-one. When a werewolf gets on the train during a vicious battle they manage to kill the creature, however, celebrations are cut short when they hear more howls coming from the forest.

Werewolf movies stand or fall on the quality of their monster and this one has very good werewolves, quite different from the usual model but definitely scary. They rather reminded me of Morlocks' from the film ‘The Time Machine’ but a lot scarier and not blue. If I came across one of these in a forest at night, I might actually soil myself, no I would soil myself without a doubt.

They are not pretty. The scariest part of a wolfman is the man, not the wolf. I hate movies where the monster is kept in the shadows all the way through but this one gets its bad boys out early and shows them off.

The humans are well done too. Good realistic acting with almost no stupid "why are they doing that stupid thing?" moments. The action scenes are violent, bloody, and claustrophobic. If you like, werewolf movies this one is definitely worth your time.

Tristram Hunt quits Parliament, triggering a by-election

Jeremy Corbyn must have felt like kicking the cat this morning on hearing the news Tristram Hunt is quitting as a Labour MP to become the director of the V&A museum in London. With the polls, showing Corbyn a dead man walking the last thing he needs is a by-election.

In a resignation letter to party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Hunt said he had become frustrated over how Labour should respond to the shockwaves hitting mainstream politics. But he insisted he had “no desire to rock the boat” and said anyone who interpreted his decision to quit that way is “just plain wrong”.

The big worry for Corbyn and his followers it is not one but two by-election with Jamie Reed's resignation in December 2016, whereby he will cease to be an MP from the end of January 2017. There is also Andy Burnham MP who will be standing down creating another by-election when he stands to be the first elected Mayor of Greater Manchester in the May 2017 mayoral election.

It is going to be a tough few months for the Labour leader with the possibility he could lose all three by-elections the worst outcome for the Labour party. Could there be any more Labour MPs harbouring thoughts of resigning from politics. There are plenty of rumours swilling around the political press pack.

Hunt has a majority of 5,179 over the UKIP no way secure and Reed’s majority is worst, 2,564 over the Tories. Burnham has a healthy majority out of the three 14,096 with the Tories second in the 2015 election just 33 votes ahead of UKIP but even that majority is not safe in the crazy world of politics.

All three have been traditionally safe Labour seats and he will need a strong showing to get the wolves from the door. Meaning the upcoming by-elections could prove problematic for Jeremy Corbyn, put simply he must win and win good to hopefully turn around the negativity surrounding him. The left of the party will see it has one less opponent and a ‘Blairite’ to boot in the parliamentary labour party who stands against Corbyn and who was an arch critic of the Labour leader.

Jeremy Corbyn on Tristram Hunt - I am not expecting anyone else to resign! Others disagree with rumours of if the right job comes along they would jump ship in a hearts breath. But while Corbyn sounded relaxed at the resignation, Deputy Labour Leader Tom Watson made clear his dismay that yet another Labour MP was quitting. “I am disappointed to see a talented MP like Tristram step down,” he said.

Thirst (2015) - Monday night movie

I'm left scratching my head wondering why some people seem to have a hate on for this film after looking at reviews.

The story of the film is a group of wayward teens arriving at a desert boot camp, with no communication, and nowhere to run to, they realize their only chance for survival is to fight for their lives. Some will fall along the way, there is blood, and panic.

Thirst is not going to win any awards but that said it is an enjoyable, fun, Sci fi action romp. The casting for this film is on target, the pacing improves as the film progresses and for a relatively low budget film for example the aliens, the special effects are pretty decent.

There is also a subtle nod to Aliens II towards the closing scenes, for those paying attention.

I was never bored watching the movie I was entertained and that is all you can ask of a film. It’s a great one for a wet Saturday or Sunday indoors or a Monday evening with the wife watching 2 hours of soaps.

Loading the Jukebox – 2. “Hands off She’s Mine”– (The Beat)

The Beat came out of Birmingham in 1978 with a fusion of ska, pop, soul, reggae, and punk rock and where initially signed on the Two Tone label before setting up their own. Records don’t get any more downright joyous, infectious, and danceable than this classic track. I remember buying the single and thinking to myself what the hell and picking up the 12" single with some great extras like more of Ranking Roger toasting.

Released off their debut album, I Just Can’t Stop it (1980) and reaching number 9 in the UK Singles Chart. The Beat were one of the best bands to come out of the Ska revival of the late 1970s early 80s. This was their second single after reaching sixth in the singles chart with Tears of a Clown and the B side track Ranking Full Stop, a favourite of mine.

The Road to Wembley no more Cardiff

Everyone loves the FA Cup it is special we are often told but judging by the crowd at the Cardiff City Stadium maybe not. Cardiff played Fulham live on TV with a crowd not worth counting but for the cut of the gate money due to the taxman.

The official crowd was 5,199 with a sizeable contingent of Fulham fans. If the game were against Manchester United or Chelsea the ground would be full so no real excuse for the small crowd. Like the tiny crowd, the team were outclassed on the pitch even after scoring the opening goal but still losing 2-1. Ok time to concentrate on the League while our manager Neil Warnock declared he "struggled to get out of bed" for their FA Cup third-round fixture.

So with the demise of Cardiff’s road to Wembley I still have a team in the hat for tomorrows draw thanks to my virtual journey to the final which started back in August with Maltby Main and before this round of game my virtual team was MK Dons. So my road to the final continues.

However, its not with the Dons who fell by the way side yesterday losing to the Championship leaders Brighton who eased into the fourth round of the FA Cup with victory over MK Dons.

Third Round - Brighton 2-0 MK Dons Att 11091
Second Round (replay) MK Dons 3-1 Charlton
Second Round - Charlton 0-0 MK Dons
First Round (Proper) – MK Dons 3-2 Spennymoor Town Att 4099

Fourth Round Qualifying - Lincoln United 0-3 Spennymoor Town Att 578

Third Round Qualifying - Lincoln United 3-1 Handsworth Paramore Att 315

Second Round Qualifying - Handsworth Paramore 2-0 Burscough Att 98

First Round Qualifying – Squires Gate 2-5 Handsworth Parramore

Preliminary Round – Squires Gate 3-2 West Didsbury & Chorlton

Extra Preliminary Round - Maltby Main 2-3 Squires Gate

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) - Film Review

Wifey was out this morning and normally Saturday morning would be SoccerAM time but recently, well for some time I have fallen out of love with the show. So I fished around for something else to watch and found a film showing for the first time on Sky Premier Movies.

I like to think I have my ear to the ground when it comes to films but somehow this film ‘10 Cloverfield Lane’ (2016), past me by and I had no idea what I was just about to watch but for the small bio that comes with the film.

The film opens with Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) fleeing New Orleans and a broken relationship. It’s an almost wordless sequence, punctuated only by her ex-boyfriend pleading with her on speakerphone as she drives into the Louisiana night. Involved in a crash and wakes up in a sparse room, a drip in her arm, but manacled to a pipe. Alive, but a prisoner.

It’s here we meet Howard (John Goodman), the man who pulled her from the wreck, but is now her captor. “I’m sorry, but no-one is looking for you,” as she bargains for her release, delaying his reveal of what he claims is really going on: the country's been attacked by enemies unknown, but they’re safe in the bunker. That information comes later, after an escape attempt.

Things pick up immediately as the bunker’s third inhabitant, Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.) is introduced — is Howard telling the truth (as the evidence initially suggests), or is something more sinister going on? From this point, we learn things as Michelle does, and her fear and uncertainty are projected onto us. The best she can hope for is that Howard is a good man, just not particularly normal. But as time passes, and she picks up snippets of information, it becomes clear there’s a darkness in his past that threatens what she’s been led to believe and Emmett sees it too.

Howard tells Michelle about his daughter, who is gone. Michelle and Emmett eventually detect inconsistencies in his story, including that the picture of his daughter is actually a girl who went missing two years before. They suspect Howard abducted and murdered her, and secretly begin fashioning a makeshift biohazard suits for an escape outside.

Discovering they used his tools, Howard angrily asks them why. Emmett takes the blame; Howard shoots him in the head.

Michelle makes her escape bid and succeeds after kicking a large tub of acid over whereby Howard falls into the puddle and a fire starts. She gets outside in her homemade biohazard suit. Once outside which looks quite normal and seeing birds, flying takes off her helmet. However, in the distance she can see some kind of floating craft. When the bunker explodes, it attracts the craft's attention.

An alien creature then comes to investigate and the craft releases a green gas, forcing her to put the bio mask back on. She takes shelter in Howard's truck, but the craft’s tentacles pick it up and attempt

to consume her. She creates a Molotov cocktail and throws it, causing the craft to explode. Michelle drives off. On the radio, she hears about successful human resistance efforts. Survivors are directed to evacuate to the north, while those able to aid the fight are directed to Houston. Michelle resolutely heads for Houston, where lights and larger crafts loom.

The acting from everybody was superb, and the interactions between them felt very organic and believable. It was also fun to see a really smart, competent and badass female lead. I got Ripley-vibes from Mary Elizabeth Winstead towards the end, so I really hope the next movie picks up right after where this one ended, because I wanna see more of her survival journey.

Must see TV - Week beginning 7/01/2017 - My Choice

The Christmas holiday is now over with January comes many new TV series and there is a lot this upcoming week. The Lottery Show has gone freeing up space on Saturday for drama with Casualty moving to a new earlier slot with the much talked about ‘Taboo’ having an 8-week run, which I am really looking forward to viewing.

There also a number of returning shows knocked out of the schedule by Christmas programming.

Saturday – BBC2 The Man Who Fell To Earth 10:30pm

Starring David Bowie as an alien arriving on Earth on a mission to save his drought-ridden planet. He becomes a tycoon, but is overwhelmed by the materialism and triviality of modern life and soon his identity is discovered.

This was Bowies acting debut and was perfect casting and watching his decline into despair is shattering. Along with Bowie, there is a fine cast.

Sunday – Discovery Channel Alaska: The Last Frontier 9pm

Living off grid in Alaska is not easy but the Kilcher family develop understanding with the wildness.

In is episode the Kilchers celebrate their most unforgettable Christmas ever with a one of a kind gift exchange! They use their Kilcher ingenuity to make homemade gifts, all crafted from the heart with the spirit of Christmas.

Monday – BBC1 Class 10:45pm

This new Doctor Who spin-off aired on line on BBC3 via the iPlayer and now comes to BBC1.

Coal Hill Academy comes under attack from deadly monsters they are searching for Alien refugees Miss Quill and Charlie are hiding out at Coal Hill Academy in disguise as a teacher and a pupil. With some students they form an alliance to defeat them.

Tuesday – Sky Living Elementary 9pm

The show follows Sherlock Holmes, a recovering drug addict and former consultant to Scotland Yard, as he assists the New York City Police Department in solving crimes. His indifference to police procedure often leads to conflict with Captain Thomas Gregson (Aidan Quinn), although the two remain mutually respectful of one another. Dr. Joan Watson ‘Lucy Liu’, who initially acts as his sober companion, accompanies him.

Wednesday – BBC2 Common Sense 10pm

Fast turnaround comedy series voiced by Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones. It features a regular cast of real British people, chosen for their sharp wit and humorous take on life, all discussing the news from that week - from major breaking stories to the most bizarre headlines.

Amongst the cast are a couple of east end market traders, dinner ladies from Leeds, Mancunian male nail technicians, Brummie butchers, Scottish launderette owners, supermarket co-workers and three great grandmothers from Hull.

Thursday – BBC1 Question Time 10:40pm

With the politicians back at work after a nice and long Christmas break Question Time the BBCs topical debate television programme is back. The show typically features politicians from at least the three major political parties as well as other public figures who answer pre-selected questions put to them by an audience selected on the basis of its political views and demographic.

Friday – Channel 4 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown 9pm

8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (also known as simply Cats Does Countdown) is a crossover between the panel game 8 Out of 10 Cats and the game show Countdown. The show follows the format of Countdown, but with hosts and contestants from 8 Out of 10 Cats, and an emphasis on humour.

Last Night - No Offence/A Very British Brothel

An interesting night last night on my TV screen thanks to Channel 4. The return of ‘No Offence’ was welcome I enjoyed the first series and an interesting documentary ‘A Very British Brothel’ I saw the first screening last year and this was a follow up so there was two hours before bed sown up.

‘No Offence’ follows a team of detectives from the Manchester Metropolitan Police (a fictionalised version of Greater Manchester Police) in particular keeping the streets of Herculean clean of crime. D.I. Vivienne Deering (Joanna Scanlan) is the boss who chews lightning, craps thunder and is hard as nails on the outside but with a soft inner self-when needed.

In last night’s first of seven episodes, she returns to work after a few months off, and finds herself banging heads with her new boss. She has also as a powerful crime matriarch to deal with. Things come to a head at a funeral of a notorious crime boss whose son is about to be buried. With Deering and her colleagues in attendance there is an explosive and the crime boss manages to escape.

All this means the likely possibility of a gangland war.

Meanwhile her colleagues D.S. Joy Freers (Alexandra Roach) and P.C. Tegan Thompson (Saira Choudhry) sniff out something dodgy about the crematorium owners.

A return visit to the Sheffield massage parlour, ‘A Very British Brothel’ run by a mother and daughter team. Business is booming for the duo. Their ladies can see up to 15 clients a day, and see it all, from a client who likes to have sex in custard or others who turn up wearing knickers. Another wants to play at baby, complete with nappy changing to a guy who pays for one of the ladies to sit on the bed, smoking in lingerie.

The programme also features new recruit Lily who wants to earn money to fund her nursing degree.

'I wasn’t nervous telling my mum at all. My aim is to go to university to do nursing,' she explains.

'I don’t care what people think. As far as I’m concerned I’m an independent business woman financing my own life, my own car, and my own nursing degree.'

There was a lot of chatter on social media during and after the programme was aired, a lot about the custard but it was good to see some interesting talk about the whole brothel and sex work. I personally the government have a real responsibility to legalise and regulate the trade. Sex workers should have a right to a safe work place. I hope Lily gets her nursing degree.

Kath the owner now harbour plans to open a second establishment.

Naan and Bacon Sandwich

I wrote this a while ago, three months ago, actually but for some reason, I scheduled it to publish in 26/10/2019, strange I have no clue why.

Feeling annoyed the kitchen was looking bare for a snack. I was waiting on the wife Glenys who was an hour or two away from bringing home some previsions. Although I could have had a plate of beans because the cupboards were pretty full, soups and the like in the fridge there were a few miscellaneous items but no bread.

Seeing some bacon in the fridge, I really fancied a bacon sandwich but without at least two slices of bread, it was a non-starter. However, I was having the makings of an idea to get my sandwich that involves a left over naan bread from last night’s homemade curry. Has I was sitting there sulking I was reminded of the Bombay restaurant which is now closed down they did an Indian based breakfast with naan bread and bacon sandwiches.

With no idea how to make one, I took to the internet looking for ideas. I was surprised just how popular this sandwich was, a delicacy in the eyes of some and I was about to see for myself. First there seemed to be no one way or another in how to make one some are fancy while I was looking to make a plain one so that is what I did.

With the wife not looking I fried up three slices of bacon with I normally bake in the oven and just before I had finished throw in some slice up tomatoes. The naan cut in half when it to the toaster for a couple of minutes I decided to put a bit of butter on the naan. Then forked on the bacon and tomato it was really looking good and when I sunk my teeth into it … oh my god it was good. Next time I will try naan with a sausage and onion filling.

Celebrity Big Brother is back

Its back Celebrity Big Brother: All Stars and New Stars launches tonight where some newbies will fight it out with some oldies from past shows to win what I have no idea, 15 seconds of fame maybe. The world can’t wait well Channel 5 and a few million or so watchers will be at the edge of their chair with excitement.

Not a fan. I just dip in and out throughout the series but I do like launch night where the z-listers fight for their place in the BB house. A bad video or VT can make or break a housemate’s future in the house, as the viewing public will soon have to play the game and find someone to hate, there as to be a love story in the show. I will be hoping on two suggested house mates, Jasmine Waltz and Bianca Gascoigne.

Presenter Emma Willis is the ' live launch’ Queen and we have had plenty of suggestions on who will be going in with a high quote of glamor type ladies with boobs more or less out for the viewing figures among male viewers who tend not to watch anyway.

Sex sells and one of the rumours is that the beds are a bit smaller in hope of generating some bed action. Hopefully not between the mother and son duo who are rumoured to be entering the house.

Glamour model Nicola McLean will be returning to the house outspoken and brash, Nicola will have no problem speaking her mind, and getting into an argument with her fellow celebs should she need to. Remember the annoying Jedward! Well the rumour mill suggest they could be in the house after another 15 seconds of fame after their last bout of fame ran out years ago.

Loading the Jukebox – 1. One Step Beyond – (Madness)

The song is a complete instrumental cover of a Prince Buster track, highlighting the talents of the Madness horn players. Having watch there performance on Top of the Pops, if I wasn’t a total devotee I was now. The next day I was coming home from town with the album, slapped it on the record player deck, opening the window and broadcasted to the street I was cool.

It starts with a spoken intro by Chas Smash, who I believe at the time was not an official member of the band. Lead singer Suggs is present in the video in front of the band, holding a microphone, although he does not sing the lead vocals.

Then straight into the amazing saxophone playing, with great ska riff backing by the guitar, bass, and piano. Throughout the song Chas shouts out "One Step Beyond" this is a great song with the ability to make you move and have a great time. Suggs does add little vocal noises to the music, but it is a great instrumental piece and a great opener to the album.

Top of the Pops 1979

Dudley Moore and Peter Cook = Derek and Clive

Last night Channel 4 gave me an hour of sure-fire joy with a documentary with Peter Cook and Dudley Moore: The Missing Sketches was screened at 8pm. Rob Brydon gave us and celebrity fans, and friends a chance to see these newly found selection of sketches of the duo. The BBC wiped most of ‘Not Only but Also’ TV series back in the 1970s but two shows were saved in of all places at the ABC Australian Broadcaster where they were found.

Although the duo, were fun in any performance, it was their portrayal of Derek and Clive I remember most and the album Derek and Clive ‘live’. I was 16, maybe 17 when I first heard the recording and to say I was taken aback was an underestimation, with a big wow. It was liken to gold dust being passed around and more precious than any teenager’s porn stash

.

Brought up on comedies such as ‘The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin’ and ‘Ripping Yarns’ this was beyond knuckle stuff. Listening to this misogynistic, homophobic, which contains some vicious swearing and contains a fair amount of drunken abuse it possibly the funniest thing I've ever heard

.

Kicking off in fine style with the hilarious tale of Clive's worst job ever. The job entailed the recovery of lobsters from the a**hole of the American actress Jean Mansfield. Doesn’t sound overly funny but it is the interaction between Cook and Moore that adds the laughter. Derek claiming his worst job was cleaning up Winston Churchill's bogeys (leading the pair to conclude that the Titanic was one such bogey).

The track like ‘This Bloke Came Up To Me’ could have seen me in the confessional box for days if I was caught by a parent. Remember seeing pictures of French people gathered around the radio during World War 2 listening quietly to the BBC. Well that was what it was like in our front room with me with the sound up as much as I dared. It is a vehicle to say “You f**king c**t”, umpteen times although the word c**t seems to be a favourite of theirs as we hear it throughout the album.

I would say hand on heart if you haven’t heard or seen Derek and Clive you haven’t lived. Below is a link to the ‘This Bloke Came Up To Me’ and if you are of a mind the full album is on YouTube.