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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 15h

If the repeat in 1979 had gone out a week later, when the ITV strike was properly bedded-in, it might well have achieved those kind of ratings but we'll never know.

Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 15h

One thing the article doesn't seem to touch on is the total number of viewers across all the main channels at 9pm on the dates in question. Were fewer people watching those channels at that time? Or was it just that the viewing was more evenly spread, rather than concentrated on one or two channels?

Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 19h

The last part of Guy Foster's phone number is the same as Victor Meldrew's - 4291.

I can't remember whether we get a repeat performance of his telephone answering in episode 2.

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 1d

Your memory is playing tricks here, Justin. Thames and LWT were the only companies to hold out, everyone else had it in March and April 1983. Here's an example 'Regional Variations' listing from The Times for Thursday, 7 April 1983

A 'Regional Television Variations' listing from The Times for 7 April 1983. Every ITV region is showing Police Squad between 7.30pm and 8pm.

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 1d

This is quite phwoar-ish, from Carry on Sergeant (1958).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehm4...

Phwoooaaarrrhh Norah!!

YouTube video by GeoNeilUK

www.youtube.com

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 1d

I think that's more 'Woarrr' than 'Phwoarrr', know what I mean?

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Reposted by Simon Coward

LF Lightning-Barugh @cheeseford.bsky.social · 2d

Stick with this superb thread. It might seem tenuous, but it's really not.

Andy Lewis @andylewis.bsky.social · 2d

A short thread about procurement

I own a lot of different bass guitars. They all sound different and play differently so I make a choice depending what music you're performing. But if you can only afford one or two, it makes sense to get the most versatile and best value you can get for the money

UK Defence Journal @ukdefencejournal.org.uk · 2d

A video released by Andrew Snowden MP has sparked bemusement after he accused Labour of misunderstanding fighter aircraft while misidentifying one himself in the same video.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/tory-mp-conf...

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 2d

Don't think I've seen Sleeper since my late teens, when I caught it in a double-bill with Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex. Perhaps I should change that...

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 2d

Yes, I'd add a 'vote' for Manhattan Murder Mystery too.

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 5d

For some jabs it feels a bit random: some years I'm eligible, some not.

The email I had seemed clear: "We’re inviting you to get your free winter NHS flu and COVID-19 vaccinations because you are aged 65 or over." It's only when you try to book that you find out you're ineligible.

Poorly phrased.

Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 6d

Quite probably, but there's a fair gap between what you've described and doing a degree. Particularly with something like English where study, at school, has for years been mandatory, at least up to a certain age.

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 6d

And, coming from a generation where fewer than 10% of my contemporaries would have even gone to university, I suppose it's not something that I immediately assume must have come before success - in any field, not just the arts.

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 6d

Oh heavens, yes, so do I - I very much need and enjoy the works of artists and writers. But I'm not always privy to knowledge about their educational / academic background to have any idea as to whether that may or not have informed or honed whatever it is that I might like about what they do.

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 6d

Thanks, Joel, much appreciated.

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 6d

Do you think your English degree helped you to do those and many of the other things you've accomplished? Or was it just a natural fit for your skill set and you could have done them anyway?

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Reposted by Simon Coward

Kath @kathyburke.bsky.social · 6d

Yes, yes I know I keep banging on about my fucking book! However, if you want one repost this and I’ll do a random winner pick thing by the end of the week because I’m great like that. ♥️📚
#amindofmyown

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Reposted by Simon Coward

Justin Lewis @whenisbirths.bsky.social · 10d

I have a new book out this week, #IntoTheGroove, a month-by-month guide to 1980s pop and I shall be liveposting to this #totp from 1981 with some related thoughts.

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 15d

It's odd, he was knocked out in the first round of the Brain of Britain 1958 competition on the radio but the same year, in the TV quiz series 'Ask Me Another', he was often a member of the 'Brains' team who, said Radio Times, "in successive years have won the annual 'Brain of Britain' contest".

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 15d

That's great. Your 'Bubbles' looks very cheesed off.

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 17d

I must confess, I really prefer Laurie Johnson's "Private Eye", which was used for a while as the closing theme, but "happy" is not a word I would use to describe to it.

Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 18d

Right, let's cheer things up.

Post a happy TV theme that you like. Or post several!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhps...

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 18d

Many happy returns, Alison. Hope you have a great day.

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 18d

But we do have musical gloves: mimugloves.com/gloves/

MiMU Gloves

The world's most advanced wearable musical instrument, for expressive creation, composition and performance.

mimugloves.com

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 24d

#totp "LeAnn Rimes with How Do I Live?"

No it doesn't.

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Simon Coward @simoncoward.bsky.social · 25d

The BBC had it in the mid-80s and did indeed put it in a children's TV timeslot - but so did a number of ITV companies in the early-mid 70s. For example, Thames, Anglia and Yorkshire had it at 5.20pm on a weekday; Tyne Tees, ATV and Southern on Sundays at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 5pm respectively.

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