Back with Who: Time Crash!

Presented by BBC TV presenter Terry Wogan (the man who made US 80's super-soap Dallas a huge hit in the UK) and bi-sexual hottie Captain Jack, was the following exclusive filmed for the Beeb's annual Children In Need charity appeal:


"You know what Doctor, you were my Doctor!"

Yes, that's the 5th Doctor played by Peter Davison, fresh from All Creatures Great and Small, complete with celery, cricket whites and trainers. And yes, he was my Doctor too! The one I too grew up with!

UKBFF: "James L" Wins!

Sunday night's light-heavy (90 kilo) class at the UKBFF British Championships in Nottingham was apparently a very close competition with James "Flex" Lewis just narrowly beating out James Llewellin. Fan consensus seemed to be that while Llewellin did have more upper body thickness, Flex took it with tighter rear shots (particular his lower back and glutes), better conditioning, and generally a more aesthetic shape.

Flex also took on heavyweight monster Darren Ball to win the overall and in so doing earned himself a pro card (yeah). He can now go play with the real big boys!

And finally Flex really took the bull by the horns by proposing to girlfriend Shina (who Joe and I met along with Flex at the 2007 Fit Expo in Pasadena last February). She of course said yes! Congrats to both of them!

Writing on his thread earlier today Llewellin was the most gracious runner up:

"I had an absolute ball. I loved every single minute of it and when my name was read out in second place I knew the right decision had been made. For all the talk and hype, I knew it was Flex's time and he deserved it thoroughly."

Words of a true champion, a man with real class, and one who I'm sure will come back bigger 'n' badder than ever. Good on yer James!

The Other "James L"

There's another "James L" competing in the light heavy's at tomorrow's UKBFF championships.

On Wednesday I posted some video of James "Flex" Lewis taken last weekend. Pictured here is another Brit also competing in the under 90 kilos (198.4 lbs) class. This "James L" is James Llewellin, overall winner at the UKBFF Birmingham qualifier back in August, and quite a force to be reckoned with back in the UK.

I've been sporadically follwoing this James' progress by reading his contest prep thread over at the UK-Muscle forums. This thread is probably one of the most informative and frank discussions on bodybuilding (from diet, to training, to supplementation) and consequently certainly something no US competitor would ever write. The guy seems to have great heart, knows his stuff ,and a good and loyal fan base.

It looks like there might just be a real fight on between these two "James L's" for overall domination!

Kitchen Nightmares

Dotty ex-antiques shop owner Sandy, sulky Laura and horse-faced Helen run Morgans, an intimate restaurant in Woolton, an upscale suburb of Liverpool, with British super-soap Hollyoaks taped just around the corner.

I'd been suffering from some Gordon Ramsay withdrawal since Hell's Kitchen finished up it's tepid third season just a few weeks ago, but flipping through the what's on list on Tivo there I found him on BBC America in Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. And that's where I met the gals of Morgans as Ramsay bleeps his way through another hour of reality television, this time hoping to turn around struggling and underperforming British restaurants with all the finesse of a bull in a china shop.

No matter what your opinion of Ramsay he certainly knows what he's doing, demanding responsibility and profitability from his new found charges, which, at least in this episode, results in a terrific upswing in business and success for sous-turned-head chef Emma. All the while however Ramsay simply delights in stirring up the emotions and egos involved in running a restaurant. This of course makes for good TV, has earned the show a couple of BAFTAs (the British Emmy), and come September 19th we'll see Kitchen Nightmares, the US copycat version on FOX.

I wonder if "bollocks" will be among the words bleeped out!

Archer and the TB Test

Yesterday morning I woke to Jeffrey Archer, British author, former MP, and convicted perjurer espousing The Gospel According to Judas (his own fictionalized version anyway, written in conjunction with biblical scholar Francis J. Moloney) to Matt Laurer on The Today Show.

Later that morning I find out that it's advisable that I take a tuberculosis test (having recently come in contact with someone with the ailment). Great!

All of a sudden I'm transported back about 20 years, to Wellington School (my secondary school, circa 1986), that fateful day queuing outside the "san," readying myself for a Heaf Test and BCG vaccination, continually moving to the end of the line to put off the injection for as long as possible (which on the positive side, meant that I'd be late for German).

The summer prior I had been presented with my "prize" (for coming first in my year in Latin) by none other than Jeffrey Archer, a school alum. This was just before the 1987 libel case against the Daily Star in which he perjured himself, leading to his imprisonment and suspension from both the Conservative Party and the Marylebone Cricket Club.

Interestingly enough in his younger days Archer reportedly told people he was an "old boy" of the more prestigious Wellington Collage rather than the less well known Wellington School. Wouldn't that be an indication of things to come?

"It's not a day out at Alton Towers, you know"

Each week I sit down in front of the telly, Tivo remote in hand, ready to immerse myself in my little bit of heaven, Eastenders.

Eastenders is a prime time British soap opera produced by the BBC. Now over 20 years old, Eastenders first aired February 19th, 1985, and to this day continues to be one of the highest-rated programmes in the UK, consistently viewed by 50% of the country's population, spawning numerous spin-offs and much water-cooler talk.

When I moved from DC I was concerned as to whether or not I would continue to get my weekly Eastenders fix. Thankfully here in LA! the local PBS affiliate, KOCE, airs two episodes a week, Friday nights at 7:00 and 7:30pm (with repeats in the early hours on Sunday mornings).

Set in the fictional London borough of Walford (complete with Tube station, Walford East, and postal code, E20), Eastenders centers on the strong, matriarch lead and seemingly incestuously interwoven families who inhabit Albert Square and frequent the local pub, The Queen Vic.

Now Eastenders may not be as flashy and sophisticated as some US shows (I’m thinking Battlestar Galactica and Heroes in particular), but it blows your common-or-garden melodramas, like Brothers & Sisters, Grey’s Anatomy and ER, out of the water.

Eastenders was conceived a a social realist drama. Yes there is still murder, arson, marital infidelity, young love and much gossiping (it is after all still a populist kitchen sink drama), but over the years the programme has dealt with the likes of domestic and child abuse, euthanasia, teenage pregnancy, racial prejudice, drunk driving, mental health issues and abortion among other issues.

A recent episode serves as an example of the programmes power, featuring only four of the characters and juxtapositioning their two stories. One of a son (former Spandau Ballet member Martin Kemp) confronting his dieing mother with the abuse she put him through as a child. The second that of a young wife, unable to cope with her new pregnancy, telling her husband that she plans on aborting their child. Great powerful televsion!

Goodbye Sarah Jane!

Battlestar Galactica may be the best show on TV (that no one’s watching), but the real reason to stay home on a Friday night (or at least set your Tivos) is the new season of British cult classic Doctor Who.

The Doctor regenerated at the end of last season from the quirky leather-jacketed Christopher Eccleston to the "geek chic" styling and pinstripe suit wearing David Tennant. Tennant’s 10th Doctor is a little more austere and a little less fun loving that his previous couple of selves, a demeanor more reminiscent of my favorite Doc, #6, Colin Baker.

But let’s go back in time for a moment. One of my first television memories is that of the Doctor (#4, Tom Baker) leaving Sarah Jane Smith in Croydon when he is summoned back to his home world of Gallifrey. Fast forward to last Friday’s second season episode School Reunion which again reunited Sarah and the Doctor (and we learn Sarah was in fact dropped of in Aberdeen, not Croydon).

Current companion/assistant/love interest Rose is jealous of Sarah’s past relationship with the Doctor, reuminating about her role at the Doctor's side and speculating if she too will be abandoned and rejected like Sarah. Naturally the two butt heads throughout the episode until eventually realising how similar they actually are.

Returning to the role that she has embodied off and on for 30 years, Elisabeth Sladen, as Sarah Jane, brings satisfying closure to the character and her relationship with the Doctor. She finally gets to say "Goodbye," and is at last able to embrace her ordinary life. A very touching and tear emoting departure.

Yes, I squished!

(Sarah Jane will be back however, The Sarah Jane Adventures, a second Who spinoff, is set to premiere in 2007).

In other rumours, in his role as Krillitane turned Headmaster Mr. Finch, Anthony (Stewart) Head’s appearance in the series has only fueled fan speculation that he will eventually return as The Master, the Doctor’s longtime Time Lord nemesis. An inspired and perfect casting choice to be sure (and a definite improvement over Eric Roberts).

Unfortunately only time, and Russell T. Davies, will tell.

Simply Known as The Doctor

Who!

That infamous British TV icon, "The Enemy of the Daleks" and (now) the last of the Timelords, Doctor Who!

Nine regenerations. Ten Doctors. Twenty-eight seasons! Doctor Who is the longest running Sci-Fi series in the history of television since first airing the day after JFK’s assassination in 1963 (take that Battlestar Galactica).

The series was a Saturday-teatime favourite when I was a kid, the type of nightmare inducing programme you peered at the screen from behind the sofa, marveling at the creepiness of the Cybermen, Ice Warriors, Yeti, Silurians, Sontarans, and those flying pepper pots, the Daleks! Suddenly in 1990 the series was put on hiatus. FOX tried to revive (and Americanize) it in 1996 to no avail. But then, in 2003 Russell T. Davies, the creator of the original Queer As Folk, came on board!

The new Who, with Christopher Eccleston in the title role, just finished it's Friday night run on The Sci-Fi Channel. Back "home" the BBC is showing brand new episodes of season 28 (or two, if you want), with the tenth Doctor, played by David Tennant. My favourite Doctor has always been the sixth Doctor, played by Colin Baker, in his most tortured and tormented incarnation as he was put on trial by the Timelords for crimes against Time.

Like so many "companions" before her, Rose (played by Billie Piper) will soon part ways with the TARDIS (now, apparently, a sentient being), and while most fans love her, I prefer Aussie Tegan, fellow Timelord Romana, K-9, and my particular favourite, that perky Yank, Peri.

According to the Sci Fi Wire, Doctor Who has averaged a 1.3 household rating and 1.5 million total viewers in its 9pm US timeslot, up a whopping 54% over the same period last year. For a show that US schedulers initially balked at for being way too cutesy and British, that ain't bad! Roll on season two!!!

Sienna Buff - 6 Months Out

People seemed quite enamoured by the oh-so-pleasing physique (and colouring) of Sienna Buff in my recent Colors of the Rainbow entry, so I thought I'd post some more pictures of this 22-year old rising bodybuilding sensation from the Welsh city of Swansea.

Fan-favourite James "Flex" Lewis, this week began his quest to become the 2006 British Bodybuilding Champion (earning his pro card in the process I believe). Mentored by the legendary monster Milos Sarcev, the 5'5" former Junior Mr. Wales, Junior Mr. Britain and Junior Mr. Universe currently weighs in at an almighty 210lbs. If I remember reading correctly he intends to compete in the high 190s... The "kid" already looks pretty damn shredded, so with six months still to tweak his physique, Flex is surely going to be one mother to compete against!!!

If only we all looked like this a 22!

More pictures can be seen at Milos' forum Enter the Mind.

Boxing Day

December 26th. The day after Christmas. A national holiday in England, Australia, New Zealand and Canada... yet not here in the States!

But what exactly is Boxing Day?

I've always assumed that it was the servants day off, since they would have had to have worked on Christmas. Their employers would give them gift boxes, and so the name "Boxing Day" came about.

Another explanation goes back to medieval times, when alms boxes were placed at the back of churches to collect money for the poor. It was on "Boxing Day" day that the boxes were opened and the contents distributed to the poor.

A third reason dates back to the late 18th century, when Lords of the manor would "box up" leftover food (and the occassional gift) and hand them out to their tenants. This tradition continues today, as it is customary for householders to give tips or gifts to regular trades people (such as the milkman, dustman, coalman, or paper boy) who come by the house.

With the recent bans and waning popular support, fox hunting, another "Boxing Day" tradition is also rapidly falling by the wayside. The days of riders dressed in red and white, following their hounds out after the vermin fox, are surely numbered.

As in the States, the big "After Christmas" holiday sales start, but other than that why do we Brits still celebrate "Boxing Day"? Who the hell knows... just another reason for a paid day off I suppose, and no, it has nothing to do with boxing!!!