John Williams
@worldoftelly.bsky.social
I like telly and I talk about it here https://www.youtube.com/@WorldofTelly and write about it here https://worldoftelly.beehiiv.com/
Reposted by John Williams
An introduction to Osborne
A lengthy blog post today, being a version of my introduction yesterday at BFI Southbank to John Osborne's 1960 television play 'A Subject of Scandal and Concern', with Richard Burton, and Tony Richardson as director.
To read:
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/an-introduct...
A lengthy blog post today, being a version of my introduction yesterday at BFI Southbank to John Osborne's 1960 television play 'A Subject of Scandal and Concern', with Richard Burton, and Tony Richardson as director.
To read:
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/an-introduct...
An introduction to Osborne - Illuminations
John Wyver writes: Yesterday, as part of the Richard Burton: Muse of Fire season at BFI Southbank I gave an ‘extended’ introduction (that’s what I was asked for) to a rare screening of the BFI Nationa...
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 9:47 AM
An introduction to Osborne
A lengthy blog post today, being a version of my introduction yesterday at BFI Southbank to John Osborne's 1960 television play 'A Subject of Scandal and Concern', with Richard Burton, and Tony Richardson as director.
To read:
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/an-introduct...
A lengthy blog post today, being a version of my introduction yesterday at BFI Southbank to John Osborne's 1960 television play 'A Subject of Scandal and Concern', with Richard Burton, and Tony Richardson as director.
To read:
www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk/an-introduct...
I've probably seen this Tom Baker interview before, but the advantage of age is that you forget things. Anyway, it's definitely worth watching, as are most interviews by Mavis Nicholson, and you should sign up to the Why Don't You Tube newsletter as it's always full of gems.
In this week's archive newsletter: Tom Baker wishes to hassle children, Tony Robinson and Isla St Clair release Christmas singles, Roy Castle plays the hits, Bob Monkhouse breaks union news, Pebble Mill discovers Prestel and Norman Lamont is fisted. whydontyoutube.substack.com/p/the-why-do...
The Why Don't YouTube? Archive - December 8th-14th 2025
From the house of @whydontyoutube
whydontyoutube.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:43 AM
I've probably seen this Tom Baker interview before, but the advantage of age is that you forget things. Anyway, it's definitely worth watching, as are most interviews by Mavis Nicholson, and you should sign up to the Why Don't You Tube newsletter as it's always full of gems.
Reposted by John Williams
Part II - 0tralala.blogspot.com/2025/12/doct... (Also, your show is on.)
Doctor Who and the Planet of the Daleks, by Terrance Dicks — II
0tralala.blogspot.com
December 7, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Part II - 0tralala.blogspot.com/2025/12/doct... (Also, your show is on.)
What an incredible frame of snooker this is.
December 7, 2025 at 8:24 PM
What an incredible frame of snooker this is.
Reposted by John Williams
As seen in yer actual Sunday Times and everything, PantoSplaining is a visual potter through pop culture past. We love this stuff and we hope you come to do too.
It's Panto Day! Episode 2 is out now.
We look at Babes In The Wood via budgie lovers, grape crushing, middle names, the Diana conspiracy, fake Maltesers, joystick breaking computer games and lots, lots more!
In vision at:
YouTube youtu.be/dt7ItJ0qVMk?...
Spotify open.spotify.com/show/73eCUvH...
We look at Babes In The Wood via budgie lovers, grape crushing, middle names, the Diana conspiracy, fake Maltesers, joystick breaking computer games and lots, lots more!
In vision at:
YouTube youtu.be/dt7ItJ0qVMk?...
Spotify open.spotify.com/show/73eCUvH...
December 7, 2025 at 8:13 PM
As seen in yer actual Sunday Times and everything, PantoSplaining is a visual potter through pop culture past. We love this stuff and we hope you come to do too.
We’re looking after our friends’ dog Penny over Christmas, and we had them all over today so she could have a look around the house and give her final approval to the arrangement. We think the new pig toy swung the deal. She’s quite a character.
December 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
We’re looking after our friends’ dog Penny over Christmas, and we had them all over today so she could have a look around the house and give her final approval to the arrangement. We think the new pig toy swung the deal. She’s quite a character.
I'm sipping my first sherry of the season and considering my top three Yuletide programmes for the WoT Christmas special which we're recording tomorrow. Last chance to let us know yours if you want a shout out.
What's your favourite example of Christmas telly? Let us know before Monday and we'll mention you on our next podcast. Thanks!
December 7, 2025 at 12:41 PM
I'm sipping my first sherry of the season and considering my top three Yuletide programmes for the WoT Christmas special which we're recording tomorrow. Last chance to let us know yours if you want a shout out.
Reposted by John Williams
A Sunday lunchtime bump for this.
The video version of our latest episode is out now: youtu.be/ijlnPXmBDrY Please like, subscribe and share the video around, as it really does help us out. Thanks.
World of Telly Episode 15: Whoops Apocalypse
YouTube video by World of Telly
youtu.be
December 7, 2025 at 12:38 PM
A Sunday lunchtime bump for this.
Reposted by John Williams
NEW! #FirstLastAnything ep 35: phenomenal artist Michael Gillette joins me on the music textcast to talk about key purchases, plus: getting his big break with Saint Etienne, housesharing with Aphex Twin, and the lure of The Beatles. And much more. firstlastanything.co.uk/2025/12/07/f...
FLA 35: Michael Gillette (07/12/2025)
Michael Gillette is an artist, a true artist. Over the past thirty-five years or so, as a painter, illustrator, cartoonist, designer and creative mind, he has produced a boggling torrent of materia…
firstlastanything.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 8:45 AM
NEW! #FirstLastAnything ep 35: phenomenal artist Michael Gillette joins me on the music textcast to talk about key purchases, plus: getting his big break with Saint Etienne, housesharing with Aphex Twin, and the lure of The Beatles. And much more. firstlastanything.co.uk/2025/12/07/f...
Reposted by John Williams
Marvelling at the range of involuntary noises “one” finds “oneself” emitting in middle age:
*Standing up - dying manatee winched from mineshaft
*Sitting down - air escaping from punctured pouffe
*Bending over - concussed bison wrestled into sack
*Sneezing - final roar of once-proud warrior race
*Standing up - dying manatee winched from mineshaft
*Sitting down - air escaping from punctured pouffe
*Bending over - concussed bison wrestled into sack
*Sneezing - final roar of once-proud warrior race
December 6, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Marvelling at the range of involuntary noises “one” finds “oneself” emitting in middle age:
*Standing up - dying manatee winched from mineshaft
*Sitting down - air escaping from punctured pouffe
*Bending over - concussed bison wrestled into sack
*Sneezing - final roar of once-proud warrior race
*Standing up - dying manatee winched from mineshaft
*Sitting down - air escaping from punctured pouffe
*Bending over - concussed bison wrestled into sack
*Sneezing - final roar of once-proud warrior race
Reposted by John Williams
Part I of an enormous post on Doctor Who and the Planet of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks, this one about why it *doesn’t* dovetail with Doctor Who and the Space War by Terrance’s pal Mac Hulke: 0tralala.blogspot.com/2025/12/doct... #booksky #books #doctorwho
Doctor Who and the Planet of the Daleks, by Terrance Dicks — I
0tralala.blogspot.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Part I of an enormous post on Doctor Who and the Planet of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks, this one about why it *doesn’t* dovetail with Doctor Who and the Space War by Terrance’s pal Mac Hulke: 0tralala.blogspot.com/2025/12/doct... #booksky #books #doctorwho
And what the dead had no speech for, when living,
They can tell you, being dead: the communication
Of the dead is tongued with fire beyond the language of the living.
They can tell you, being dead: the communication
Of the dead is tongued with fire beyond the language of the living.
Which lines of poetry live rent-free in your head?
December 6, 2025 at 8:36 PM
And what the dead had no speech for, when living,
They can tell you, being dead: the communication
Of the dead is tongued with fire beyond the language of the living.
They can tell you, being dead: the communication
Of the dead is tongued with fire beyond the language of the living.
Michael has an amazing ability to dig out TV stuff that’s so obscure I often think he’s making it up. I’d barely heard of The Big Pull before reading this, and I’d never heard of The Monsters which he’s also covering. Do check out his work.
Last weekend, my Substack reached the finale of The Big Pull, a lost 1962 Saturday night sci-fi thriller. For six weeks or so I've been retelling the story of Quatermass meets A for Andromeda meets The Day The Earth Caught Fire. Subscribe for more larks in the future!
A day late but never mind, read the conclusion of The Big Pull, a lost BBC science fiction serial from 1962. I winder if they really filmed at Jodrell Bank. And if they did, whatever did they think of the script!
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
December 6, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Michael has an amazing ability to dig out TV stuff that’s so obscure I often think he’s making it up. I’d barely heard of The Big Pull before reading this, and I’d never heard of The Monsters which he’s also covering. Do check out his work.
Reposted by John Williams
Last weekend, my Substack reached the finale of The Big Pull, a lost 1962 Saturday night sci-fi thriller. For six weeks or so I've been retelling the story of Quatermass meets A for Andromeda meets The Day The Earth Caught Fire. Subscribe for more larks in the future!
A day late but never mind, read the conclusion of The Big Pull, a lost BBC science fiction serial from 1962. I winder if they really filmed at Jodrell Bank. And if they did, whatever did they think of the script!
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
michaelseely.substack.com/p/the-big-pu...
The Big Pull Part Six
Saturday is late this week. And time is running out for the future of mankind in the final instalment of this lost BBC serial.
michaelseely.substack.com
September 10, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Last weekend, my Substack reached the finale of The Big Pull, a lost 1962 Saturday night sci-fi thriller. For six weeks or so I've been retelling the story of Quatermass meets A for Andromeda meets The Day The Earth Caught Fire. Subscribe for more larks in the future!
Reposted by John Williams
Need a special gift for the classic TV fan in your life? From in-depth histories to initimate biographies, we've got it covered! Check out our range of books at tenacrebooks.co.uk, and here's a rundown of some our great titles…
December 6, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Need a special gift for the classic TV fan in your life? From in-depth histories to initimate biographies, we've got it covered! Check out our range of books at tenacrebooks.co.uk, and here's a rundown of some our great titles…
The Prime Minister thinks he's Superman! We can't keep this up, I mean look at this note, 'Can't make Question Time, Brainiac's escaped from the phantom zone'!
The video version of our latest episode is out now: youtu.be/ijlnPXmBDrY Please like, subscribe and share the video around, as it really does help us out. Thanks.
World of Telly Episode 15: Whoops Apocalypse
YouTube video by World of Telly
youtu.be
December 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The Prime Minister thinks he's Superman! We can't keep this up, I mean look at this note, 'Can't make Question Time, Brainiac's escaped from the phantom zone'!
Reposted by John Williams
The video version of our latest episode is out now: youtu.be/ijlnPXmBDrY Please like, subscribe and share the video around, as it really does help us out. Thanks.
World of Telly Episode 15: Whoops Apocalypse
YouTube video by World of Telly
youtu.be
December 6, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The video version of our latest episode is out now: youtu.be/ijlnPXmBDrY Please like, subscribe and share the video around, as it really does help us out. Thanks.
I’ve had a very long day at work, but I’ve got back to this World Cup draw and now work looks like a more attractive option. Anyway, it’s definitely time.
December 5, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I’ve had a very long day at work, but I’ve got back to this World Cup draw and now work looks like a more attractive option. Anyway, it’s definitely time.
THAT’S ENOUGH BANTZ!
December 5, 2025 at 6:55 PM
THAT’S ENOUGH BANTZ!
Reposted by John Williams
I got a like on this Bloot from 8 months ago so I’m compelled to share it again.
The first shot of the 1983 series Give Us a Break, directed by David Reynolds, is too good for 1983 BBC. Pan and track across, trains going both ways, bike rider, and ends on a closeup tracking shot of Robert Lindsay. Amazing.
December 4, 2025 at 8:47 PM
I got a like on this Bloot from 8 months ago so I’m compelled to share it again.
Reposted by John Williams
Great pop fact in case you didn't know: Rebecca Front's graphic designer dad Charles designed the #RubberSoul logo.
December 3, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Great pop fact in case you didn't know: Rebecca Front's graphic designer dad Charles designed the #RubberSoul logo.
Reposted by John Williams
My new archival assemblage is ready for its close up. It marks 20 years since the death of Derek Bailey and debuts at the Barbican on 14 Dec (supported by The Wire). The details of featured artists is now online and below. Book once, book often, right here: www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/202...
December 2, 2025 at 12:20 PM
My new archival assemblage is ready for its close up. It marks 20 years since the death of Derek Bailey and debuts at the Barbican on 14 Dec (supported by The Wire). The details of featured artists is now online and below. Book once, book often, right here: www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/202...
Watching the snooker. One for the purists. Hendry and Davis were struck dumb for ten minutes in the commentary box.
December 1, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Watching the snooker. One for the purists. Hendry and Davis were struck dumb for ten minutes in the commentary box.
Reposted by John Williams
Not to give the impression that me watching Say Nothing is a case of pearls before swine, but I couldn't help thinking how the bloke who plays the young Gerry Adams would make a cracking Ernie Bishop.
December 1, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Not to give the impression that me watching Say Nothing is a case of pearls before swine, but I couldn't help thinking how the bloke who plays the young Gerry Adams would make a cracking Ernie Bishop.