TV again

Channel 4 in the UK after tonight's Bosworth Time Team programme is giving us another Time Team on Sunday at 17.30 about Groby Old Hall, described as "once home to Elizabeth, wife of Edward IV".
Tony Robinson has roped in author Philippa Gregory for this one and imaginative;y (!!) called it "The Home of The White Queen".
Paul

Thanks a million, Paul - such a strange time slot on Sunday, I'd have missed it otherwise.
All best, Annette

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Trevor Bale
To: RichardIIISociety forum
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 1:30 PM
Subject: TV again



Channel 4 in the UK after tonight's Bosworth Time Team programme is giving us another Time Team on Sunday at 17.30 about Groby Old Hall, described as "once home to Elizabeth, wife of Edward IV".
Tony Robinson has roped in author Philippa Gregory for this one and imaginative;y (!!) called it "The Home of The White Queen".
Paul

Another historical documentary on channel 5 in the UK last night, again
using a novelist as an "expert". This was not our period but about
Julius Caesar. The experts did include two men who know what they are
talking about, so the producers brought in a novelist very hostile to
the character as another "expert" to spew out the anti arguments. He was
a psychopath, a murderer, only out for himself, all good things he did
for the people were really just for his own ends etc. He also called
Thatcher and Blair "1st rate PMs who went a bit batty towards the end"
just like Caesar.
Well I wouldn't argue with the last part, the batty bit, but comparing
them to Caesar is ridiculous.
Why do they do this? Robert Harris might write good fiction but his
research is limited to what he wants to say, and as his hero in his
fiction is Cicero it is no surprise that he dislikes Caesar intensely.
Bit like Starkey and Richard, little real knowledge, inexplicable hatred.

Stop it programme makers! Fiction writers are not historical experts!
Paul

Ah, Paul. Historical "documentaries" just aren't the creatures they were, even 20 years ago. I think this reflects the education of the average audience. I can remember my dad saying things are geared to the level of grammar school; nowadays, that's being generous. Or at least it bespeaks a populace where it's somehow "cool" to be dumb as a turnip.
That said, programmes really just aim to entertain. And nothing (they believe) entertains better than a contrary POV. What else explains having Starkey deliver the "last word" on that so-called documentary on Richard, shown just days before the reinterment? My husband and I sat in our hotel room, slack-jawed. Huh??? ("Do people actually believe this b___ s___?" asked G. I just shrugged.)
I do a whole lot of shrugging, these days.Judy Loyaulte me lie


On Friday, May 22, 2015 3:30 AM, "Paul Trevor Bale bale475@... []" <> wrote:


Another historical documentary on channel 5 in the UK last night, again
using a novelist as an "expert". This was not our period but about
Julius Caesar. The experts did include two men who know what they are
talking about, so the producers brought in a novelist very hostile to
the character as another "expert" to spew out the anti arguments. He was
a psychopath, a murderer, only out for himself, all good things he did
for the people were really just for his own ends etc. He also called
Thatcher and Blair "1st rate PMs who went a bit batty towards the end"
just like Caesar.
Well I wouldn't argue with the last part, the batty bit, but comparing
them to Caesar is ridiculous.
Why do they do this? Robert Harris might write good fiction but his
research is limited to what he wants to say, and as his hero in his
fiction is Cicero it is no surprise that he dislikes Caesar intensely.
Bit like Starkey and Richard, little real knowledge, inexplicable hatred.

Stop it programme makers! Fiction writers are not historical experts!
Paul

could any of you recommend a good (or at least not totally brain dead) documentary about Richard III please

On Fri, May 22, 2015 at 7:58 PM, Judy Thomson judygerard.thomson@... [] <> wrote:
 

Ah, Paul. Historical "documentaries" just aren't the creatures they were, even 20 years ago. I think this reflects the education of the average audience. I can remember my dad saying things are geared to the level of grammar school; nowadays, that's being generous. Or at least it bespeaks a populace where it's somehow "cool" to be dumb as a turnip.
That said, programmes really just aim to entertain. And nothing (they believe) entertains better than a contrary POV. What else explains having Starkey deliver the "last word" on that so-called documentary on Richard, shown just days before the reinterment? My husband and I sat in our hotel room, slack-jawed. Huh??? ("Do people actually believe this b___ s___?" asked G. I just shrugged.)
I do a whole lot of shrugging, these days.Judy Loyaulte me lie


On Friday, May 22, 2015 3:30 AM, "Paul Trevor Bale bale475@... []" <> wrote:


  Another historical documentary on channel 5 in the UK last night, again
using a novelist as an "expert". This was not our period but about
Julius Caesar. The experts did include two men who know what they are
talking about, so the producers brought in a novelist very hostile to
the character as another "expert" to spew out the anti arguments. He was
a psychopath, a murderer, only out for himself, all good things he did
for the people were really just for his own ends etc. He also called
Thatcher and Blair "1st rate PMs who went a bit batty towards the end"
just like Caesar.
Well I wouldn't argue with the last part, the batty bit, but comparing
them to Caesar is ridiculous.
Why do they do this? Robert Harris might write good fiction but his
research is limited to what he wants to say, and as his hero in his
fiction is Cicero it is no surprise that he dislikes Caesar intensely.
Bit like Starkey and Richard, little real knowledge, inexplicable hatred.

Stop it programme makers! Fiction writers are not historical experts!
Paul

And Ms Gregory is certainly not an historical expert. A fiction writer that many enjoy yes. Though if are looking for a very good fiction writer who really knows her stuff then go no further than Sharon Penman and The Sunne in Splendour.