Phil Norman
@mrphilnorman.bsky.social
The Year of Listing Dangerously: https://historyoftv.substack.com
If we're to have more of these dramatisations of Great Moments in Rock, there should be one of the weekend when Captain Sensible was radicalised in the Crass commune.
November 24, 2025 at 9:51 PM
If we're to have more of these dramatisations of Great Moments in Rock, there should be one of the weekend when Captain Sensible was radicalised in the Crass commune.
The Galloping Gourmet - Graham Kerr triangulates a path between cosmopolitan sophisticate, down to earth bloke and "muggins here" culinary bluffer as he whips up full-fat continental treats and leaps over random bits of G-Plan.
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The Galloping Gourmet - Graham Kerr triangulates a path between cosmopolitan sophisticate, down to earth bloke and "muggins here" culinary bluffer as he whips up full-fat continental treats and leaps over random bits of G-Plan.
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...
open.substack.com/pub/historyo...
Another scene worth learning by heart.
November 23, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Another scene worth learning by heart.
I'll have to work this line into casual conversation somehow.
November 23, 2025 at 11:40 AM
I'll have to work this line into casual conversation somehow.
It's not all talk, though. Here's a pivotal moment of action.
November 23, 2025 at 11:32 AM
It's not all talk, though. Here's a pivotal moment of action.
And then, out of nowhere, you get stage directions like this.
November 23, 2025 at 11:24 AM
And then, out of nowhere, you get stage directions like this.
And it goes *on* like this...
November 23, 2025 at 11:13 AM
And it goes *on* like this...
Venus Observed was garlanded with awards at the time. The first production was put on by Olivier. So there's a chance I may just be too thick to appreciate its finer qualities. But this, for instance, is the opening exchange of the whole play.
November 23, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Venus Observed was garlanded with awards at the time. The first production was put on by Olivier. So there's a chance I may just be too thick to appreciate its finer qualities. But this, for instance, is the opening exchange of the whole play.
I'm mildly obsessed with Venus Observed by Christopher Fry. Fry was the biggest name in British drama just after WWII, until John Osborne & the Royal Court tore theatre a new arsehole. So this is the Tales from Topographic Oceans to Osborne's Anarchy in the UK, to make a totally spurious comparison.
November 23, 2025 at 10:52 AM
I'm mildly obsessed with Venus Observed by Christopher Fry. Fry was the biggest name in British drama just after WWII, until John Osborne & the Royal Court tore theatre a new arsehole. So this is the Tales from Topographic Oceans to Osborne's Anarchy in the UK, to make a totally spurious comparison.
Simon Callow's TV debut as a cockney Teddy boy about to duff up Robert Lindsay in National Service sitcom Get Some In. If this had taken place a couple of years later, he'd have been dressed in full punk gear.
November 22, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Simon Callow's TV debut as a cockney Teddy boy about to duff up Robert Lindsay in National Service sitcom Get Some In. If this had taken place a couple of years later, he'd have been dressed in full punk gear.
I was reminded today of Varoomshka, the Guardian's 1970s satirical newspaper comic strip in monumentally dubious taste.
November 20, 2025 at 7:25 PM
I was reminded today of Varoomshka, the Guardian's 1970s satirical newspaper comic strip in monumentally dubious taste.
Seems like the appropriate time for this - a compendium of arcane Glaswegian slang from Roddy McMillan's 1974 Play for Today, The Bevellers.
November 18, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Seems like the appropriate time for this - a compendium of arcane Glaswegian slang from Roddy McMillan's 1974 Play for Today, The Bevellers.
And, inevitably...
November 17, 2025 at 10:03 PM
And, inevitably...
I remember when one Sugarcube was enough to kill, cook and eat a puffin.
November 17, 2025 at 9:51 PM
I remember when one Sugarcube was enough to kill, cook and eat a puffin.
Pompidou Centre, Hackney branch.
November 17, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Pompidou Centre, Hackney branch.
"Hey Vic, I understand brie was heavily implicated in that Waco cult business."
"Yes, and also Keith Barron's new sitcom."
"Yes, and also Keith Barron's new sitcom."
November 13, 2025 at 12:14 PM
"Hey Vic, I understand brie was heavily implicated in that Waco cult business."
"Yes, and also Keith Barron's new sitcom."
"Yes, and also Keith Barron's new sitcom."
Sales of Look-In could vary dramatically from week to week, depending on a number of factors.
November 11, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Sales of Look-In could vary dramatically from week to week, depending on a number of factors.
'59s/'60s newspaper comic strip Bond was best Bond.
November 11, 2025 at 9:04 PM
'59s/'60s newspaper comic strip Bond was best Bond.
Actually, if you have to do a bloody reboot, this is the angle to go for.
November 11, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Actually, if you have to do a bloody reboot, this is the angle to go for.
Just remembered that Status Quo are responsible for one of the few LP covers that have ever made me laugh out loud. #GetAGoodGoodDeal
November 9, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Just remembered that Status Quo are responsible for one of the few LP covers that have ever made me laugh out loud. #GetAGoodGoodDeal
Woke up with this image in my head, from David McKee's wonderful book Two-Can Toucan. So good I remembered it almost exactly after completely forgetting about it for over forty years.
November 7, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Woke up with this image in my head, from David McKee's wonderful book Two-Can Toucan. So good I remembered it almost exactly after completely forgetting about it for over forty years.
Inside the Bresslavian Collection.
November 6, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Inside the Bresslavian Collection.
Has anyone been lucky enough to find a second-hand book with one of these plates in it?
November 6, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Has anyone been lucky enough to find a second-hand book with one of these plates in it?