You are here . on the pale blue dot


Blog notes

'Anonymous' comments for publication must include a pseudonym.

They should be on topic and not involve third parties.
If pseudonyms are linked to commercial sites comments will be removed as spam.


Tuesday 4 October 2022

Strictly woke

Strictly 2022 contestants                                                                                                                              Source: BBC Media


You can read everything you need to know about Strictly Come Dancing 2022 here - according to the BBC.

Others have a different story. From Mail Online: "The first live show of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing was watched by an average of 6.8 million viewers, according to overnight ratings. This was a drop in viewing figures from 2021's first live show which was watched by an average 7.9 million."

The reason according to other reports is that Strictly Come Dancing has become the BBC’s latest woke box-ticking exercise. Allison Pearson wrote in the Telegraph: "From mis-matched same-sex couples to the show’s first contestant with dwarfism, it’s clear producers value ‘inclusion’ over entertainment."

The show is following the same trend as the Eurovision Song Contest with next to no link between actual performance and voting. Even the judges appeared to be influenced by the tightness of a contestant's trousers which three commented on before what I thought was a lack lustre performance.

How far this has come from the Television Dancing Club which I commented on in 2019 when I wrote A million miles from Victor Sylvester! The BBC commented in 2014:

"Television Dancing Club first took to the floor on 27 January 1948. It was presented by popular band leader Victor Silvester and his Ballroom Orchestra, and brought some much appreciated glamour into the homes of viewers struggling with post-war austerity. Its mixture of dance lessons, competitions and show-dances proved a great hit and it launched television’s fascination with ballroom dancing that continues to this day."

Glitz without guilt. Those were the days.

53 comments:

  1. And let's not forget 'The Black and White Minstrel Show' which was excellent Saturday night viewing too! Seems OK for modern Trans-Queens to parade around caked in face-creams and lipstick ... so long as its not black Cam. Bonkers.

    Old Bill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed. Black face is highly offensive, but woman face (drag) is celebrated. I personally see no difference between the two, other than drag being a far more hideous in caricature.

      Mick

      Delete
  2. Photo used (above) looks like one released by the Church in Wales Press Office ... but with the Archbishop of Wales curiously cropped out of his 'joyous' family event of tongue-pullers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. @AB
    Are you sure that isn't a photo of the shortlisted candidates for the latest Llandaff Deanery vacancy competition?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Here is another type of performance, this time at a CinW wedding, note that Rev Charlotte Ruston dressed as a male character !

    `Star Wars church wedding for Pontypridd superfans
    News Posted: 4 October 2022

    A Pontypridd couple tied-the knot in a Star Wars themed church wedding led by Rev Charlotte Ruston dressed as Kylo Ren – son of Han Solo and Princess Leia`.

    https://llandaff.churchinwales.org.uk/en/news-and-blog/star-wars-church-wedding-for-pontypridd-superfans/?fbclid=IwAR2_snX0P7IAwuQFXHbstQAams6BBGG0UlPC3zYHwfO2inWh1ZrVHKOJUEY

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-62825512
      Church of England Wrestling church in Bradford.
      "..., church can be whatever you need it to be to fit the audience."

      Delete
  5. You sad, sad man! Just turn over and watch something else.

    DD

    ReplyDelete
  6. A hideous post - you have reached a new low in this blog posting. You should be ashamed of yourself. I was disgusted - and that doesn't happen often.

    Ruthy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Crawled out from under your rock again untRuthy?
      You've always been disgusting so better scuttle back at your best speed to the shadows before the weak autumn sunlight burns you.

      Delete
    2. Hideous, Enoch! There is very little humanity to your hate-filled postings.

      Ruthy

      Delete
    3. For your opinion to bother me in any way I would have to attach some value to it.
      From the moment you attempted to imitate and undermine "Ruth" with your blatant attempts at deceit, you have been beneath contempt, you scuttler.

      Delete
  7. Dorothy and Ruth. If you two are referring to a light hearted comment of mine about the BBC Light Entertainment show, Black and White Minstrels, then get a life. It WAS highly successful. It commanded weekly audience between 1958 and 1972 of 21 MILLION VIEWERS - yes 21,000,000 weekly - and was syndicated (much to the BBC's income glee) to 30 countries. It even won the Global Globes award. (Could 'Strictly' or 'Songs of Praise' meet that accolade). Simultaneously, theatre-goes packed the stage version night after night. Even my late uncle, an archdeacon, loved it for its mix of sing-along and Southern states big show musicals. The tense used is 'was' (past tense) and yes it became non-PC to face-paint performers black (in actual fact in days of black and white television, the face paint was RED as it was better for camera balance ... not that I heard many objections from Red Indians). Today I tend to feel somewhat queazy when I see men with false boobs, laddered tights and size 12 high heel shoes with layers of make-up totter around shopping centres but I don't whinge).
    You want me to switch channel did you say? OK. If I could find repeats of Warren Mitchell's 'Till Death Us Do Part ...', or Winsor Davies' ridiculing of 'poofs' in that other prime-time classic Korean war comedy spoof or Dick Emery or oh-so-naughty Benny Hill. In their day they were hilarious; they still are (in context of era). But I guess you two prudes (or old prunes) are the sort who stood banner-waving outside Welsh cinemas protesting against showing of Monty Python's 'Life of Brian' and with Lord Longford and Mary Whitehouse simply made idiots of yourselves and made the film even more popular. Your AB blog is another illustration of the capacity of some people to shoot themselves in the foot. Now back to my favourite TV cookery programme to see how to make a perfect Black pudding followed by Fairy cake and Black Gateau.

    Get a life girls.

    Old Bill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was referring to the sad post that ancient Briton has authored. Turn over you sad man - just switch over to Morse or Vera. Sad.

      DD

      Delete
    2. You flatter yourself - I ignored your comments entirely, Old Bill. Always do - they're beige.

      DD

      Delete
    3. This lady hasn't commented.
      You're so desperate to get your retaliation in, you have failed to notice the difference between me and a Troll who has repeatedly attempted to hijack my name and posts.
      Once more Old Willy, had you bothered to do a little background reading before going off on one, you might manage to hit the right target.
      But then again, as other recent posts have demonstrated, Plod often doesn't care if they frame an innocent, leaving the real offender at large.

      Delete
    4. Baptist Trainfan5 October 2022 at 10:21

      Er ... it's not "Black Gateau" but "Black Forest Gateau" - named after the Schwarzwald in Germany, The original version of said cake is far better than most British pastiches!

      Delete
    5. It should read Native American Indians

      Delete
  8. Oh I'm so relieved you were having a 'pop' at our host AB and not me ... AGAIN. You know how to endear yourself don't you! (If you ignored my comment how's is possible without telepathy to respond).

    And yet again I ask; if I were called 'Pat' would you assume me to be a Postman? Or if 'Sam' a fireman maybe?? Would 'Taffy' make me a thief? Just jumping to misconceived, ill-founded conclusions aren't you.

    Do you, Dorothy, live on Yellow Brick Road by chance?

    Old Bill

    ReplyDelete
  9. Baptist Trainfan4 October 2022 at 22:22

    Might it not be that the decline in viewers may simply be that the show has gone on too long and lost its appeal?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stop trying to be reasonable BT. Having same sex, disabled couples and even older contestants is against the spirit of equal competition. Isn't that what it supposed to be? A dancing competition? And yes you are right it's gone on far too long. It died with Brucie IMHO.

      WHAMAB

      Delete
    2. Baptist Trainfan5 October 2022 at 13:26

      I think it ceased to be a proper competition many moons ago. IMO it's an entertainment programme with a bit of competition thrown in.

      Delete
  10. Don`t miss out on Bangor cathedral`s Oktoberfest 2022 beer festival. I can only suppose that the communion wine has been forgotten about. The CinW continues to spiral ever faster to the bottom while they compete with Wetherspoons.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/1139791590285538/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Don't get too excited about a Bangor Cathedral Oktoberfest 2022 beer shindig Mathafarn. They couldn't organise a piss-up in a brewery. Latest madcap idea oozed out by the circus ringleader Sion ap Rhys at his September congregational meeting is that to boost abysmal attendances at the Welsh-language sung Sunday eucharist he's going to (apparently) promote the service to Welsh speaking congregants of the wider more rural parishes especially on Anglesey to attract them in. This has come as thunderbolt to astonished and livid clergy on Anglesey who are now hellbent on protecting their own reducing membership and putting stop to ap Rhys's wheeze. First challenge presumably for the new 'surplis to requirements' archdeacon of Ynys Mon. For what's been relayed, the intention isn't so much to boost communicant numbers, but rather - I hear from a dismayed member - to justify the inclusion of the cathedral choir and their added costs to the circus.

    Ad Clerum

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The language of this post is revealing: course, hackneyed expressions, which owe nothing to Christianity. The reasoning isn't too clever also.
      Rob

      Delete
    2. This dyslexic believes in Dog7 October 2022 at 23:09

      Coarse.
      Get yourself a dictionary.

      Delete
  12. This is what happens when you put a curate in charge of a cathedral.

    WHAMAB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It certainly was when Morgan the Malignant imposed the dud Capon on Llandaff.

      Delete
  13. Indeed WHAMAB. And it begs the question. If a cathedral can 'function' with an inexperienced curate as titular Dean and inter alia, the role of Diocesan Secretary (his second job) reduced down to only a few part-time spare hours a week, might this be an example for all other Diocese in Wales to follow? The cost save alone would be astronomical. If in his first month as Monarch, HM Charles III can prune the Royal Family down in size and tailor the Royal Household of courtiers and counsellors to modern life, why not the C-in-W. Do all Diocesan Secretaries (and their staff) need to be full-timers? Bangor isn't any more and there's been no noticeable detriment to function or proof of post-redundancy. Do we need the 'pomp' of Deans and tiers of archdeacons and Chapter canons. The Methodist church and indeed the expanding Islamic Mosques of Wales suggest we don't. So why do we fund them?

    Ad Clerum

    ReplyDelete
  14. I wonder whether Martyn Percy might be in line to become Bishop of Llandaff. He’s left the C of E and might well be looking for a pre-retirement post. Could get interesting.

    Richard

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. An interesting suggestion. But perhaps unlikely, given the identity of the new Dean of Llandaff.
      RB

      Delete
    2. Another pro-wimmin pro-alphabet leftie woke bishop looking to top up an already large pension pot is exactly what Llandaff doesn't need.
      Don't you think Caiaphas has already done enough damage in the last four years Richard?

      Delete
  15. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63183404
    Kerch Strait bridge collapses.

    The destruction of the century.
    🤣 🤣 🤣
    Happy 70th birthday Vladolph.
    Suck it up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Someone in Moscow will be up against a wall in the basement of FSB headquarters and facing a firing squad.
      Lots of lorries being serviced tonight and backfiring on Red Square.

      Delete
    2. The Russian bear tried to raid the Ukrainian bees nest for honey and is now in danger of suffering a slow death from a thousand stings.
      Glory to Ukraine.

      Delete
  16. I still think The Teapot will translate to Llandaff and minus Mary will get Bangor.
    Unison Off

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Llandaff Pewster9 October 2022 at 09:56

      No thank you very much UO.
      The last cretin to translate from Bangor to Llandaff was Darth Insidious, Morgan the Malignant.
      We definitely don't need Cretin 2.0 to be installed.

      Delete
  17. Don't tempt a wounded bear into a corner Laughing Gas. I doubt if Vladimir subscribes to AB but gloating over strategic wins can only bait him to 'up-the-game'.

    Old Bill

    ReplyDelete
  18. East Cardiff Ministry Area with MTHR Rosemary Hill this afternoon. Around 30 people attended a meeting about Queer Theology. Hugely successful. I'm sure the non queer folk in the pews are delighted - especially in Aberdare where one of their vicars was beaming, brightly in the photograph.
    Contented of Cardiff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queer Theology = Queer Mythology.

      Delete
    2. I was sorry to miss this. Glad it was a huge success.

      DD

      Delete
    3. Just how the hell does "Around thirty people" equate to a huge success?
      That's less than half the number who attended the shambolic "Sneak-a-peek" at Llandaff Cathedral a few years ago.
      🤣 🤣

      Delete
  19. Queer Mythology Menai? Here's a new one for the LGBTQXYZ+ vocabulary and for East Cardiff Ministry Area discussion group to digest. 'Demisexual'. Nothing to do with having fetish fantasies for Demi Moore; no. Demisexual was explained at Bulford Military Court (Courts Martial) last week by Royal Navy defendant Able Bodied (!) Triss Smythe charged with indecent behaviour against a male colleague, that of kissing him and 'grinding his body against the bottom' of his Navy co-worker. Demisexual, he explained, was his inability to have any sexual feelings for anyone without having first - for at least six months - fallen deeply in love with them!!! No harm done then. Confused and perhaps dumbfounded, the Courts Martial found it credible and dismissed the case.

    Which joyous hymn/song might they have had in mind: 'For those in Peril on the Sea' or 'All the nice boys love a sailor'. No doubt UnRuthy, DD and umpteen other odd-balls (pardon the out of context pun) will wish to keel-haul me for yet another shudder of exasperation.

    Old Bill.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Queen theology=how to make the bible say the opposite of what it really says on homosexuality.

    WHAMAB

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://youtu.be/Mham6oQYy7c
      Anglican Unscripted 765
      The Church is led by Demons.
      Welby appoints gay partnered new Dean of Canterbury Cathedral

      Delete
  21. Alwyn from Abertawe11 October 2022 at 11:30

    I acknowledge this comment is strictly 'off topic' but so are many others on this thread. Yet I thought it worth saying, as another English import is announced to a senior post in the Diocese of Llandaff (the Diocesan Director of Ordinands), the incumbent of a church in Hove that ministers to 'people on the margins' - and that is not a reference to the poor, hungry and homeless, either. Would it not be a good idea, now that she has announced her intention to resign on Advent Sunday, that June Osborne desists from making any further senior appointments? Flooding the diocese with her choice of people who are unlikely to make the grade in the CofE does not auger well for cohesion in the future, or a successor who may take a very different view.

    As for the suggestion that Andy Crap may be thinking about measuring-up for curtains on The Green, I can only say 'please, Llandaff, you can do much, much better.' And I hope the power-brokers in the electoral college have already identified a candidate to trump such an ill-advised translation. You've all seen the complete mess he's made of Bangor. Others have noted how he's been the principal cause of the brain drain of able, Welsh-speaking clergy over the past decade and more. Moving him to Llandaff would simply turn a crisis into a fatal distaster.

    ReplyDelete
  22. How I so completely agree with you, A from A, on both points.. Mike Komer doing a decent job, he should have been left there until the next disaster is appointed.
    Unison Off

    ReplyDelete
  23. Read it and weep Llandaff.
    Yes, Caiaphas really does despise you all this much.

    https://allsaintshove.org/people/vicar

    Looks like yet another right-on woke leftie, complete with pierced ear and stud, regurgitating all the right buzz words and meaningless management newspeak.
    Just about the only thing missing is the word Holistic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The other missing item is no mention of any family.

      Bewildered

      Delete
    2. He's the brother of Archdeacon Rod and a Cardiff boy. Let's welcome him shall we?

      Ancient-Briton-Anti-Hate-Antidote

      Delete
    3. The Archdeacon of Llandaff who was completely surprised (if he's to be believed) by the letter to the Church Times from Vicky Burrows, former Vicaress in Radyr misery area.
      Hardly suggests he has his finger on the pulse of the Diocese.

      Delete
  24. How exciting. He's the brother of the Archdeacon of Llandaff and leading a Resource Church in the Catholic Tradition of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Chichester. This is exciting news for the Diocese, I would have thought. It's a shame he didn't come to Llandaff to take over St Teilo's - that would avoided a lot of unnecessary pain and sadness for that particular congregation. They would have worked with him rather than have to leave their church to make way for the coffee cart. I wish him well.

    Excited of Roath

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Allegedly just the latest homosexual to be appointed by Caiaphas.
      There's more rum pansies than parishioners nowadays.

      LNER

      Delete