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/
Nice to see they've slipped in some old-school BDO darts in tonight.
December 14, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Nice to see they've slipped in some old-school BDO darts in tonight.
Why has the Kate Bush Ask Aspel got some terrible beeps in the background on it? Was it transmitted like this? Don't recall it on the recording I have.
December 14, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Why has the Kate Bush Ask Aspel got some terrible beeps in the background on it? Was it transmitted like this? Don't recall it on the recording I have.
This Aspel night is a tonic.
December 14, 2025 at 8:12 PM
This Aspel night is a tonic.
Reposted by John Williams
The Kate Bush Ask Aspel from 79. A really sweet postscript to that: when he ended the ITV talk show (1993), she was on the last episode and sang the not yet released Moments of Pleasure.
The other guests were Lenny Henry and Victoria Wood.
The other guests were Lenny Henry and Victoria Wood.
December 14, 2025 at 7:39 PM
The Kate Bush Ask Aspel from 79. A really sweet postscript to that: when he ended the ITV talk show (1993), she was on the last episode and sang the not yet released Moments of Pleasure.
The other guests were Lenny Henry and Victoria Wood.
The other guests were Lenny Henry and Victoria Wood.
This is a great read. There’s some heartwarming stuff about Frank Muir and TOTP, great stories about The South Bank Show and The Late Show, and then a King Crimson twist at the end. Recommended.
NEW! Ep 36 of #FirstLastAnything and top TV arts producer and filmmaker Jamie Muir (@jamiembrixton.bsky.social) joins me on the textcast to talk about The South Bank Show, The Late Show, early life with dad Frank, and some key record purchases in his life. firstlastanything.co.uk/2025/12/14/f...
FLA 36: Jamie Muir (14/12/2025)
To round off series three of First Last Anything conversations, it was an utter delight to chat to producer, director and filmmaker Jamie Muir. Jamie has worked for fifty years in television, joini…
firstlastanything.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
This is a great read. There’s some heartwarming stuff about Frank Muir and TOTP, great stories about The South Bank Show and The Late Show, and then a King Crimson twist at the end. Recommended.
Reposted by John Williams
NEW! Ep 36 of #FirstLastAnything and top TV arts producer and filmmaker Jamie Muir (@jamiembrixton.bsky.social) joins me on the textcast to talk about The South Bank Show, The Late Show, early life with dad Frank, and some key record purchases in his life. firstlastanything.co.uk/2025/12/14/f...
FLA 36: Jamie Muir (14/12/2025)
To round off series three of First Last Anything conversations, it was an utter delight to chat to producer, director and filmmaker Jamie Muir. Jamie has worked for fifty years in television, joini…
firstlastanything.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 9:04 AM
NEW! Ep 36 of #FirstLastAnything and top TV arts producer and filmmaker Jamie Muir (@jamiembrixton.bsky.social) joins me on the textcast to talk about The South Bank Show, The Late Show, early life with dad Frank, and some key record purchases in his life. firstlastanything.co.uk/2025/12/14/f...
This is very funny. I thought the “unholy rebel alliance of Abanazars from past productions of Aladdin at Bournemouth Winter Gardens” couldn’t be beaten but then along comes the Toyah’s hairstyles line. And that’s just the Blake’s 7 bit.
Part One of the Christmas Listing Dangerously Selection Box is out, and we're hitting all the festive "B"s. Beckett! Blackeyes! Bolam! Briers! Burke! Brookside! Benji! Bob Monkhouse! Blake's 7! "What about Malcolm Bradbury?" "I'm aware of his work."
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...
The Year of Listing Dangerously Christmas Selection Box – Week 1
“Meanwhile at the King’s palace, it was lead balloon time.”
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:00 PM
This is very funny. I thought the “unholy rebel alliance of Abanazars from past productions of Aladdin at Bournemouth Winter Gardens” couldn’t be beaten but then along comes the Toyah’s hairstyles line. And that’s just the Blake’s 7 bit.
Reposted by John Williams
Part One of the Christmas Listing Dangerously Selection Box is out, and we're hitting all the festive "B"s. Beckett! Blackeyes! Bolam! Briers! Burke! Brookside! Benji! Bob Monkhouse! Blake's 7! "What about Malcolm Bradbury?" "I'm aware of his work."
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...
The Year of Listing Dangerously Christmas Selection Box – Week 1
“Meanwhile at the King’s palace, it was lead balloon time.”
open.substack.com
December 13, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Part One of the Christmas Listing Dangerously Selection Box is out, and we're hitting all the festive "B"s. Beckett! Blackeyes! Bolam! Briers! Burke! Brookside! Benji! Bob Monkhouse! Blake's 7! "What about Malcolm Bradbury?" "I'm aware of his work."
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...
Seconded.
"In places, Blackeyes comes perilously close to being Eskimo Nell with a first from Oxford."
A very good Year of Listing Dangerously this weekend. Deep knowledge always in the service of very good jokes. My favourite writing about television this year.
A very good Year of Listing Dangerously this weekend. Deep knowledge always in the service of very good jokes. My favourite writing about television this year.
December 14, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Seconded.
Reposted by John Williams
On the first edition of The Making of Doctor Who, by Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks (1972): 0tralala.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
The Making of Doctor Who, by Terrance Dicks and Malcolm Hulke — I
0tralala.blogspot.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:18 PM
On the first edition of The Making of Doctor Who, by Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks (1972): 0tralala.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
Reposted by John Williams
The crew were all mocking JRJ and suggesting that he had a small penis. His reply was majestic.
"I don't suppose any of you cockney cunts has heard of the coefficient of expansion."
"I don't suppose any of you cockney cunts has heard of the coefficient of expansion."
December 12, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The crew were all mocking JRJ and suggesting that he had a small penis. His reply was majestic.
"I don't suppose any of you cockney cunts has heard of the coefficient of expansion."
"I don't suppose any of you cockney cunts has heard of the coefficient of expansion."
Reposted by John Williams
This occasion led to the treasured memory of standing in his kitchen as he made me a cup of tea while telling me a story of James Robertson Justice having to go naked on set during the making of Very Important Person. He did the voice perfectly, as you'd expect.
December 12, 2025 at 3:09 PM
This occasion led to the treasured memory of standing in his kitchen as he made me a cup of tea while telling me a story of James Robertson Justice having to go naked on set during the making of Very Important Person. He did the voice perfectly, as you'd expect.
Reposted by John Williams
Damn. I was really hoping I'd get to send THAT birthday card to Stanley Baxter. I wish I'd seen him in panto - common consent has it that he was the best dame of all, and it's easy to believe. However, I did get to meet him a few times, and I interviewed him at home for one of my books.
December 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Damn. I was really hoping I'd get to send THAT birthday card to Stanley Baxter. I wish I'd seen him in panto - common consent has it that he was the best dame of all, and it's easy to believe. However, I did get to meet him a few times, and I interviewed him at home for one of my books.
This is an interesting 1975 Mavis Nicholson interview with Denis Norden which has a lot of thoughtful reflections about nostalgia which are still very pertinent now. When asked at the end what he’s not nostalgic about Denis replies “Hitler”. youtu.be/YqJOEIMpP3Y?...
Denis Norden - Interview - Good Afternoon - 1975
YouTube video by ThamesTv
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 1:44 AM
This is an interesting 1975 Mavis Nicholson interview with Denis Norden which has a lot of thoughtful reflections about nostalgia which are still very pertinent now. When asked at the end what he’s not nostalgic about Denis replies “Hitler”. youtu.be/YqJOEIMpP3Y?...
Reposted by John Williams
Helen Mirren, from the Xmas 1976 issue of The Listener, bemoaning the absence of late night TV in the UK. It can be hard to recall when TV barely succeeded in crawling past midnight, & even then with mostly dull shows. Even Radio 1 shut down at 00.00. Crikey, nostalgia lies about how boring it was.
December 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Helen Mirren, from the Xmas 1976 issue of The Listener, bemoaning the absence of late night TV in the UK. It can be hard to recall when TV barely succeeded in crawling past midnight, & even then with mostly dull shows. Even Radio 1 shut down at 00.00. Crikey, nostalgia lies about how boring it was.
Reposted by John Williams
Another six new Plays for Today announced from unfamiliar writers; good to see! Also good to see Emma Turner enlisted again after her good work on BIG WINNERS:
www.broadcastnow.co.uk/channel-5/5-...
www.broadcastnow.co.uk/channel-5/5-...
5 returns for more Play for Today
Broadcaster orders a further six shows from Vertigo Films and LA Productions
www.broadcastnow.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Another six new Plays for Today announced from unfamiliar writers; good to see! Also good to see Emma Turner enlisted again after her good work on BIG WINNERS:
www.broadcastnow.co.uk/channel-5/5-...
www.broadcastnow.co.uk/channel-5/5-...
Reposted by John Williams
And then the knockouts will be on Channel 4 in January. I checked a couple of weeks ago who was showing it and couldn't find anything - the broadcast deal for Afcon always seems to get done at the last minute. www.live-footballontv.com/african-cup-...
Africa Cup Of Nations 2025 On TV Schedule UK - AFCON On TV
View complete listings of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Channel 4 in the UK.
www.live-footballontv.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:50 AM
And then the knockouts will be on Channel 4 in January. I checked a couple of weeks ago who was showing it and couldn't find anything - the broadcast deal for Afcon always seems to get done at the last minute. www.live-footballontv.com/african-cup-...
Reposted by John Williams
While flipping through the Christmas Radio Times I noticed all the Africa Cup Of Nations games are on 4seven, of all places. Seems Channel 4 have picked up the rights, are showing the group stages on 4seven (Freeview 49) and online so as not to clog the Christmas schedule with football...
December 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
While flipping through the Christmas Radio Times I noticed all the Africa Cup Of Nations games are on 4seven, of all places. Seems Channel 4 have picked up the rights, are showing the group stages on 4seven (Freeview 49) and online so as not to clog the Christmas schedule with football...
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.