.JPG "Nick Dean gallery")
DATE: 10 November 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
After the various howlers in Partners in Crime [see reply 4 and W16/73-75], Downton Abbey tends to be reasonably free of them, apart from occasional rather modern language. However, someone has written to The Times from Dublin with the quite useful information that, although "a principal character" (Lady Mary Crawley, I think) was seen at Brooklands with sunglasses in 1925, they weren't invented until 1929 - by Sam Foster of Foster Grant. Disappointing, by the way, that there won't be a second series of Partners in Crime. It may have helped to solve the mystery of whether, as some reviewers seemed to think, David Walliams is an indifferent actor or whether, as I suspect, he was actually playing a fairly hopeless character rather well.
DATE: 14 November 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: Pupil 1964-71
I avoided, in reply 21, giving examples of apparent modern usage in Downton Abbey for fear of being proved wrong (and I imagine that Fellowes does check his material pretty carefully). Since then, Susie Dent has done a piece on Countdown about words from the 1920s which most people would assume to be of later origin. These include 'makeover', which was used in fashion mags of the day, but, in a religious sense, was first recorded in 1478. Also, 'dream team', first noted in Connecticut in 1925. Finally, just to mention that, although the OED has yet to announce its Word of the Year (last year it was 'vape'), Collins has gone for 'binge-watch', which, although not a new word, has apparently taken off this year - though not, it has to be said, in respect of my own box sets.
23rd REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen
.jpg "James Cowen gallery")
Then & NowDATE: 17 November 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
In respect of the 21st reply, I am also of the opinion that David Walliams was actually playing a fairly hopeless character rather well. There were I believe a fairly large number of episodes of Partners in crime. I think it had a good innings and certainly enough to form an opinion of David Walliams acting in his role. I note that commenting on his role David did complain of the foul rainy weather when filming, which made him a little more grumpy than he usually is. Maybe for any other role he will get better weather. He certainly is cheerful in Little Britain and his other appearances.
24th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 27 November 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I have been listening to the programmes on Radio 4 on Saturdays (In Pod We Trust) and part of it is of relevance to the 22nd reply. Ben Hammersley claims to have invented the term 'podcast' when on request to add to his email on the new media he was asked what it should be called and he said "What about 'podcast'?" He was rung up by the OED and was told his was the earliest use of the term they could find and it would become word of the year. In relation to the title "In Pod We Trust" my wife rightly was somewhat indignant and said "What a cheek!" It is "In God We Trust."
25th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 07 December 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
After attending this Autumn's OE Forty Club luncheon, my wife and I popped into the Elstree and Borehamwood museum in the 96 Shenley Road, Borehamwod building, as is our custom. We enjoyed again looking at clips of old films made in Borehamwood in the past. There was an exhibition, which now replaces the one on Hillside school, showing the plans for the new Eastenders set. I no longer watch Eastenders regularly, though I did in its early days but there may be OEs, who may find this of interest. Whilst in Borehamwood we also went along to Elstree studios where there was a group of people queuing for a show. Though it was a weekday and despite knowing most of Strictly - It Takes Two is filmed in London rather than Borehamwood, I asked if they were queuing to go to the Strictly set. The girl I asked replied with obvious contempt; "No. We are here for Room 101." Not that you can just queue for that. You need tickets.
26th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 18 December 2015
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
Whilst at the last OE Annual Dinner I talked with, amongst others, onr OE who was an ex-Borehamwood resident like myself and who now lives mostly in Manchester. One of the subjects we talked about was about the ATV studios, which produced programmes there in past years prior to the BBC take over of Elstree Studios. He and some other OES may be interested in this website, if not already discovered, by Ted Scott, who worked on the sound output of many ATV programmes as well as Radio Luxembourg. I personally enjoyed reading it all and others may do so too.
27th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 12 October 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I enjoyed a short 15 minute programme on Radio 4 a few days introduced by the Jewish writer Mr Jacobson, who deplored the growing trend for whooping noises being made by audiences like in the USA for many years. He said that he has until now resolutely declined to join in, having the independent attitude of many authors not wishing to just go along with the crowd pressure. However, not wishing to be entirely anti-social, he has attended classes to learn how to whoop successfully, when he feels able to bring himself to do so. I liked it when he said if a Mexican wave breaks down it is probably some author refusing to join in and keeping his hands to himself.
28th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 12 October 2016
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
There have been a lot of gritty dramas, as my wife and I call a succession of suspense thrillers, on TV lately, which we continue to avoid like the proverbial plague. However we rejoice in seeing those Sunday night period dramas like Poldark and Victoria. We also rejoice in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, Antiques Road Show, Great British Bake Off, The Apprentice with accompanying Apprentice - You're Fired and of course Gogglebox. It is good to see new groups of viewers on Gogglebox but we have also enjoyed seeing Scarlett Moffat's younger sister appear and their little dog. I think no reference to their existence occurred in the previous series, though I could be corrected on this. The comments of the viewers on programmes continue especially to delight my wife and I.
29th REPLY
NAME: James (Jas) Cowen Then & NowDATE: 05 January 2017
CONNECTION WITH QE: pupil 56-63
I have enjoyed watching The Real Marigold Hotel in India and the subsequent two programmes of The Real Marigold Hotel On Tour in Florida USA and Kyoto in Japan, all of these on BBC2. It is perhaps a pity in a way that the original eight oldies has now been reduced to four but I have still enjoyed seeing the exploits of these four (Wayne Sleep, Bobby George, Rosemary Schrager and Miriam Margolyes). There is much I could comment on in regard to their words and actions but I will just mention a couple of things. I was interested in the different approach to older people both in Florida and Kyoto. In the former the activities schedule laid down is so much better than so often in the UK and in the latter I was impressed by so many not only doing daily exercises but also being in employment in older age. I also enjoyed the fours's learning the Japanese language in regard to key expressions. I myself have noted some down from Channel 4's intervals between morning comedies. I will use them with one of my daughter-in-laws who was born in Tokyo. The expressions were so much better than some of the phrases in our school French text book. (Voici le tableau noir! Voila le saltimbanque!).