Annoying Television

I'll start with a recurring problem that being programmes starting earlier or finishing later then their advertised times in order to keep you watching that channel. I recorded the first "Sarah Jane Adventures" on BBC2 three weeks ago advertised as being 5pm until 5:25pm, despite the padding I missed the ending. So the next week I set it to record from 5pm until 5:30pm and when watching it back kept an eye on the time bar.With a two minute padding it started at 1:28 into the recording and finished at 29:04 (that's start of credits to end of credits) So this 25 minute programme is 27:36 long. Ironically the next episode is shown afterwards on CBBC from 5:30pm until 6pm.

Next up is the point of the people at the newsdesk. BBC News this morning discussing the 'great digital switch' and how Cumbria was the first one to switch over this morning, well they've turned off analogue BBC2 anyway. The priceless comment about the rolling switch was from the plank of wood that is Dermot Murnaghan "Soon terrestrial television will be a thing of the past". ...? Um so we're going to have to switch to satellite television? I don't recall that being mentioned anywhere. If you don't know what you're talking about then shut up.

Onto GMTV which is being blessed at the moment with the absence of both Kate Garraway and Fiona Phillips. Normally they'd keep Penny Smith on the sofa, but for some reason she's been shunted to her normal position at the news desk so we're stuck with just Andrew Castle. Anyway speak too soon because of cause Fiona has travelled to Tanzania to meet this little girl she's been sponsoring for the past three years; let the patronising whine-fest begin.

We start with her moaning about the travel, how difficult it is and how the plane they wanted to catch wasn't flying that day (um fire the organiser?), hey they managed to get there anyway via "means I don't want to go into"? Really, would this involve a wodge of cash and threatening use of TV cameras? Nah I'm sure not. Made up for by the view of Kilimanjaro apparently, a view I'm sure the natives are used to.

Next she's 'complaining' that the girl was so shy that when they met she just wanted to hug her and she was a bit resistant. Honestly you've sponsored her for three years, never met, are almost a complete stranger to her, and come from a different culture where they simply might greet people differently and she shied away from you wrapping her up in a big hug; how selfish of her.

They were greeted by the slaughter of a cow to cook up a big meal, rather then say thank you Fiona goes off about them killing a cow that they needed. Okay it might be one of those cultural things; you visit and are offered the cow, you politely refuse. The host has done their bit, the guest doesn't feel snubbed and everyone's happy; especially the cow. Sadly only works when everyone is in on the fiction.

Then we're shown a one-room mud hut that sleeps six people apparently they sleep and wash all in this one room. I think we were supposed to be shocked at this (at least Fiona seemed to be), but um I don't think they live in that one room I think they live outside. So if that was the case why would they need multiple rooms and besides it's a mud hut they want more space then they can build some; what they need planning permission first?

While visiting they're building a dining room for the school, as noted above do they need one? Flatten and surface an area of ground, stick some trestle tables down and fit an awning to keep the sun off. Now spend the rest of the money on school supplies.

Ah well we've only got a week more of this, then probably another week of her eulogising over it. Hmm kids cartoons over on BBC2 at the same time, at last something a little more mature to watch.