Did You See That

Ok, I’m going to take a break from my usual ponderings on reality shows and soaps to discuss tonight’s Question Time special, in advance of the London elections next week.

Boris Johnson, despite being famed for his TV appearances, has seemed to struggle in the televised debates so far. But with tonight’s QT being probably the final big set piece debate, he saved the best for last. He made his point well, and was sharp and punchy in laying into the Mayor’s record. He maintained a seriousness throughout which defied his critics, whilst still managing enough colourful flourishes of language to remind you what a great character he is.

Ken Livingstone looked to me like a beaten man. His head was down and went through the motions with a few quips, but he was on the backfoot for much of the debate although he warmed up a bit towards the end. Although the debate between the two was strong and occasionally barbed, you could also sense some mutual respect and they left the stage arm in arm, such was their bonhomie!

Their generally good natured debate was occasionally punctured though by the malevolant presence of the Lib Dem candidate, Brian Paddick. For a start I’d have to question why he even gets invited along to all these televised debates. His share in the opinion polls is a long way behind the main two - he clearly won’t be the next Mayor - so why does he warrant a place on the debate any more than UKIP or the Christian Choice! But far from be grateful for his unjustified slot on national TV, he instead reeked of arrogance. He also took the debate to new lows when the question of morals came up and he said that Boris’ family couldn’t trust him. It was a horrific cheap shot and there an audible groan from the audience. Brian presents himself as a man of impeccable morals - presumably his ex wife knew he was gay when they got married then? I don’t think Paddick did himself any favours with his mean spirited bitchiness.

My own view, for what it’s worth, is that Ken himself often comes across as likeable and, yes, even competent but I don’t think it can be disputed that he and his supporters have used the politics of division in London and I hate to see that approach prosper. It is surely time for a change. I think Boris Johnson is just the new broom that London needs, hopefully bringing in a new style.

Did you see the debate? What did you think?

After a reshuffle of the teams, they were told they would have to come up with some new ice cream flavours, and sell them to retail buyers. Lucinda was to lead Alpha and Claire was put in charge of Renaissance, with the ticking off she got from Sir Alan last week still ringing in her ears. Claire seemed calmer than in previous episodes and although the editing led you to think the other team were cruising a victory (a sure sign in fact that they weren’t), Renaissance did snatch some last minute deal which pushed them across the winning line.

Lucinda had managed to do a seemingly good job of leading her team, although I was shocked by her behaviour in the boardroom. She said that she had been told by Helene that Jen was “a snake” and “evil”. I mean, who would repeat gossip from a private conversation - if it was ever even said - like that in public. It was embarrasing for all involved. It was some kind of bitchiness more suited to the playground and certainly diminished Lucinda in my eyes, which was a shame as she had done a reasonable job and could have kept her dignity. It took Margaret Mountford to steer the conversation back to the business.

In assessing the loss, Sir Alan was mostly appalled by two factors: The decision to agree to exclusivity in order to get a deal, although I don’t see how that actually contributed to them losing the task, and the sales meetings that were setup with companies that could make their own ice cream, although I’m pretty sure that the other team did manage to sell to a company that usually made their own so I’m not sure why that in itself was such a crime. Lindi had been made 2nd in charge and Sir Alan decided she was culpable for the errors. I’d liked to have seen more of Lindi, and don’t think Sir Alan’s decision to fire her was the right one.

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This was Simon’s episode. It pretty much charted his downfall with the rest there as merely extras in this tragedy. Simon is what was has been referred to as a grafter but this was his chance to show Sir Alan he could be more than that, and volunteered to be project manager. The task was to set up a photography stand, taking and selling photos to the public.  The team weren’t enthusiastic about Simon taking the lead, but relented to his enthusiasm. After dividing the team in two for the separate duties, he asked Alex to be his number two on the other team. The thought of any responsability (culpability?) seemed to leave Alex reeling and Claire stepped up to the place instead. I can’t take Alex seriously anymore after he negotiated something down by half price last week and called it a “100% discount”.

Simon made a number of grandiose statements which only served to warn us he was heading for a might fall. He told us how intelligent he was. What a good photographer he was. He told the team he “knew” the people that went to Bluewater - the scene of the task - but then confused me by at one poing saying they were like “orange” footballer’s wives and then later saying they were “dowdy”.

Both teams seemed to do ok on taking the photos, and both struggled with the logistics of actually printing the (right) photos. Neither team shone, but Simon’s defeat was sign posted throughout by his authoritative statements of the ridiculous. After some cat fighting in the boardroom, through which Simon kept his dignity and probably the respect of Sir Alan, the inevitable firing was delivered.

Simon said he will probably now go back to installing satellite dishes. I hadn’t realised that was his job - does that mean they abandoned their usual claims to have the best young business people applying for the position? So Simon lost the task, but showed him self to be a thorough decent guy by the end of it.

Andrew Johnson - could he be this year’s Paul Potts? This little boy from Carlisle came on stage and said that he got bullied at school but just wanted to carry on singing. Then he gave a spell binding performance of the classical requiem, Pie Jesu

Britain’s Got Talent is back on our screens, with another great array of talent - some amazing, some less so. One special performance from last night’s first episode was from Gin The Dog. He performed a number of amazing stunts in a routine with his owner, set to some James Bond theme music. He really is one in a million - check him out below.

The Beeb is currently running a funny trailer for Eastenders, with the returning Bianca and her 4 kids taking the role of the “Jackson 5″ and performing “Want You Back” in Walford Market. They achieve a rare feat - getting Phil Mitchell, Sean Slater and Chelsea to actually smile. Seeing Phil smile is a bit unnerving and I’d sooner he gave em a clip round the ear and told them not to dance on his patch.

There’s two reasons I love the MacBook Air advert. Firstly, the thing looks amazing and I can just stare at it. It’s just so slim and sexy looking. Secondly, there’s that really cool song which is called New Soul by Yael Naïm.

Apple MacBook Air Ad from YouTube

Series 4 of The Apprentice started last night, and it was great to see the usual mix of ridiculous egos who make grandiose claims about their own abilities and then promptly fall apart at the seems when asked to do something relatively simple like price and sell some fish.

Jennifer claimed to be the best sales person in Europe, and Michael offered this gem: “People say to me you’re arrogant and I say ‘yeah, what are you going to do about it?’”.

In the boys’ team, Nicholas took the blame, and ultimately the sack, for the decision to wrongly price lobsters although the edit showed that team leader Alex played a major part in that decision. They went up against each other in the boardroom, with Nicholas hilariously suggesting that there was a schism in the team between the “educated” and those less so, which Alex took major offence at. Raef chipped in with the pearl of wisdom that he was able to talk to “prince or pauper”, with Alex choosing to take offence at that too.

Sir Alan seemed to be enjoying the class war unfolding but eventually put an end to it by delivering a “big fat F” to Nicholas, who’s only previous experience of failure was getting a B at GCSE French.

It’s brilliant to see the Apprentice back and I can’t wait for the next episode. One thought though: what on earth was Matt Lucas doing on the boy’s team?

Following the Judge’s decision on her divorce settlement, Heather Mills came out and gave this rambling performance. As has been noted elsewhere, she has complained about the press for as long as I can remember and then came out to hold court as if they were her closest friends. She ended up getting about £23million. She says that Sir Paul offered very much less, implying he lost out, but the summary shows he offered £16million and she wanted £125million, which shows it was very much closer to his figure than hers.

Anyway, I’m not much interested in either of them and I hope she goes away (but I doubt she will). In case you didn’t see her rather embarrasing performance, here it is in its entirety…

I was watching the BBC’s coverage of the budget and was amazed to see Jade Goody pop up in some celebrity vox pops with her suggestions for the budget. Why is the BBC wasting its time, helping with the rehabilitation of the racist, Jade Goody? What does she possibly have to offer in the BBC’s coverage of the budget? I can only think that her agent is extremely well connected.

And why was Andrew Neil - the Beeb’s best political presenter - not in charge of proceedings?All in all a very poor show.