The Best... and the worst

I love this time of year as it really brings out the two faces of the media.

On the one hand, the reviews of the year and pre-recorded specials in place of live broadcasting is a complete nause. I also can't abide programme presenters that proclaim they'll be with us on Christmas Day - in spirit alone as it's obviously pre-recorded - there's been a lot of that on Radio Five Live over the past few days. I've presented on Christmas Day morning, it was great fun and still got home before lunch.

On the other, there's been some good efforts. The BBC World Service 'Europe Today' programme ran Europe's Christmas food and festivities. Very interesting differences and similarities. The common message was the fear of commercialisation and 'cultural imperialism' from the USA.

On television, the Christmas Day special of Dr Who had its good and awful points (not for this posting, but I'll let them go by because I'm feeling charitable for once) but bleeding dry Strictly Come Dancing? Enough, please. That said, the Father Ted Christmas special in the lingerie department is still very, very funny (as was the 'Father Neil Hannon' quote). And since when was a BBC programme getting high ratings a news story and worthy of interactivity? Oh, every day if you're the BBC news website needing some filling...

I presume next come the New Year Resolutions? Food for thought... meanwhile, another beer methinks.

Wow, Chelsea have just scored an own goal... that's something you don't see very often!