Kath

I think McCormick does seem to have it in for Gary. I do have to agree with him on one thing though - and that is Gary's 'patter' between songs. I thought this in the days when I was a huge TT fan. I know when I went to the concerts (all of them) whenever Gary would speak between songs - I kept thinking 'oh just shut up and sing - you sound like an end-of-the-pier bingo caller when you talk' - it was at this point in the shows that Mark came into his own - Mark had/has the gift of being natural and unrehearsed (which Gary always seems to appear - rehearsed and forced I mean). It was a bit of a disappointment if I'm honest as Gary was dryly hilarious when he was on the Jonathan Ross show (at the launch of his book) and on the behind-the-scenes dvd for both the Reunion Tour and the BW tour - he was belly-laugh funny. He was also very funny on Take That - For The Record. As he has become more and more 'invincible' with everyone (who had previously ridiculed him) declared him the new saviour of music - he appeared to lose that natural dry humour and become just plain boring. Even the way he claps his hands is boring. I'm not going to comment on his music as I can't suddenly say he's no good at it when some of the songs he's written for Take That have been immensely enjoyable (and Patience is a killer of a song in anyone's book).

Thanks Dylan. I had such a fabulous time. Everyone was on their feet. It was hit after hit. Mike Stevens and the other guys were fabulous too. Jeff didn't speak too much (he seems exceedingly shy - and genuinely shocked at how much people love him). It was good to see a lot of young people appreciating him as well.

You know I had the same problem. I logged out, forgot my password, but when I requested a reminder (about 25 times) nothing came. Luckily I still had Phil's email and he was able to reset a password for me.

If for any reason though Milly - Howard, Mark (and Jay if he were ever inclined to come back) were to go ahead with a little tour without Gary (supposing he's too tied up with his solo stuff) would you be bothered to support them? I don't think so. I didn't mind the Progress concert I attended (I only went to it to see the whole 'Robbie' phenomenon - without having to sit through a whole two hours of him. The concert as a 'whole' didn't work nearly as well as BW or TC - but I did think that the best thing about it was Robbie's solo bit in the middle (apart from Angels - I went to the loo when he sang that - which for some reason I detest with a passion - the song Angels that is - not going to the loo). I'm not sure if the other four felt in in awe of Robbie - but their own 4-part sets were a bit of a damp squib. Personally (tax issues aside) I preferred the TT4 concerts - but I wouldn't go to a Gary Barlow concert on his own. It was those four guys I liked as a whole thing that worked - Jay, Gary, Howard and Mark. I wouldn't go to see Jay (well I could if he were in a film or something), Howard and Mark - but at the same time - nothing could drag me to a Gary solo gig - I find him a little boring unless he is in the company of the other two (or three - or even four). Yourself and a lot of others though - WOULD go to a Gary solo concert and not support the other two (or three). Taking all of the above into account then - makes you have a hell of a lot in common with Robbie fans. You really should hang out together and chillax! :lol:

Well managed to get the car fixed inexpensively! Didn't bother reporting it to the police as they wouldn't be bothered and I suppose they've got more important things to do. On the ELO front - got to see them in Liverpool on Tuesday and it was absolutely out of this world. All of Take That's guys were there - Mike Stevens, Lee Pomeroy, Milton McDonald and Donavan Hepburn. Of course though - the star of the show was Jeff and his absolutely gorgeous voice. How is this for bad luck though (or rather - missing out on the chance of a lifetime). A week before the concert - I entered a competition for which the prize was to attend the preview/run through at the Echo Arena the day before the start of the tour. I didn't think anything of it as it did say that winners would be notified by the Friday. Went to work merrily on Monday - carrying out all my tasks like the happy little person I am. I should say at this point - that I never read my emails while I'm at work (I will do from now on). So when I got home at 5.30 there was an email sent that same day (at 11.54) saying that I'd won and to be at the Echo Arena at 3 - run through to start at 4!!!! GRRRRRR I could have been up-close-and personal to my Wild West (Midlands) Hero! I would have been one of only 400 people! GRRRR. Tell you what - if I hadn't already got my ticket for Tuesday - I'd have been in total and utter despair!

Thanks Milly. It is a lot of money by any reckoning. I feel a bit like Walter White from Breaking Bad at the moment - one step forward and two steps back! :(

I'll give you a review of it when I get back. I like his new album quite a lot but I hope the majority of the concert is filled with tracks from his earlier/pure ELO stuff.

I think you're right - I think I may have been looking a bit too much on the dark side. The guy at our local garage says he's quite confident its just the bumper brackets - and if so - it'll be just the cost of those, labour, and polishing out the scratches. I still think I'm looking at a couple of hundred quid - but that's life I suppose! Still - I've got Mr Blue Sky to look forward to a week on Tuesday - that should cheer me up! :)

You're right of course - I can't see Gary having the influence to make people vote the same as he does. I think as far as the tax thing goes though - it was the juxtaposition of that (and of the scheme mentioned - Take That - well three of them - were by far the biggest 'investors' - and you don't put the amount they put in without doing a little homework) next to his charity work - made him come across as one of the biggest hypocrites of the day. I think that is why the press gave him a harder time than most others (with the exception of Jimmy Carr - who was treated far worse - AND by Gary's friend David). But hey-ho - that's life! At the moment I'm more troubled by the selfish bast*rd who took the bumper off my new car last night and drove off - leaving us to find the car this morning with its arse-end hanging off. I'm just hoping its just the brackets that need replacing - then the bumper can be put back. If not - and the brackets are moulded to the bumper - it means I have to fork out for a new bumper. If that's the case - its going to cost me about £750 minimum. Its pointless reporting it as well - the police are as much use as a condom would be to the Pope!

I think its more likely this.

Absolutely brilliant series from start to finish. Brilliant acting by all - but for me - Kevin Doyle stood out. I felt as though I was going to have a heart attack on his behalf! If he doesn't get some sort of aware for this role then there's something wrong.

Best episode by far so far this series. I really would have liked to see Alicia Witt around for a bit longer but I suppose you can't have everything.

I'm starting to have doubts as well. I'm thinking by telling his mother he'd 'done something bad' he meant he'd been with the prostitutes - not that he'd killed anyone. I'm starting to wonder about Claire's boyfriend as well - when he said he knew when he'd be on a bender - he'd book three days off as leave from work (I'm sure not long before this - there was something said that the latest victim had been killed sometime within the last three days). Or maybe I'm just off track!

I'd suspected him as the killer - but that ending was totally unexpected - it was very 'Of Mice and Men' like! This series - the whole ensemble cast is fabulous. I think the casting of Sarah and Siobhan is terrific - they even look like sisters. Its programs like this that make you appreciate the BBC.

Seconded!

The Brits have had a thing against TT although you're right - this year they've not really done anything to merit a nomination. I do remember it being particularly bad that on the year that they won best single for Patience (one of the most deserved Brit Award) the song didn't even feature on the The Brits CD that year! With regard to the best live act - I think The Brits dropped that quite a few years back now. As far as Lifetime Achievement - given Jeff Lynne's tour this year - I can't see anyone more worthy of that award than him. In fact - he should have received it already.

The only thing I can say about that episode is that next week's episode looks a bit better!

Just what we need for a Saturday night - another talent-free talent show! And no - it isn't my dislike of Barlow that makes me say that - I just can't stand these shows - seriously they should have consigned these kind of things to the bin after Opportunity Knocks and New Faces - they were shite then! Great publicity for Gary though! And probably Cowell too! All news is good news - even if the product is pants!

Well I'm looking forward to watching Top Gear for a change. I always used to leave the room when Clarkson was on and do something meaningful like giving the cat's eating bowls a good clean.

I thought the episode was so-so. Brilliant start (have I said I'm in love with Abraham?) and totally unexpected but let down for me by the meaningless talk between Enid and Glen (who I'm getting increasingly pissed off with - I really hope they kill him off soon). I am glad that Father Gabriel seemed to at last do the right thing. On the whole though - I think I'm watching out of habit now - not because I really enjoy the show.

I'd hoped Nicola would be around for longer (I always thought that her part in the Beth/Margaret Brookside storyline was overlooked - with Anna Friel getting all the praise). As to the ED storyline itself though - I'm amazed that people find it hard to believe that Nicola would go for someone like Paddy - especially given that her husband is rather handsome. I find it totally believable - when you get infatuated with someone - it doesn't matter about looks - its what is in your head and the attraction for that person. Looks aren't everything - when I was at 6th Form - there was a bloke who fancied me (couldn't believe it - as he was drop-dead gorgeous to look at and I was/still am - rather plain) but I never saw him as anything more than a friend - a really good friend - at the same time I fancied a bloke who was overweight, ginger haired, wore really thick-lensed glasses - and wasn't nearly as nice as the bloke who fancied me - it didn't matter - I was totally infatuated with the guy - and when it turned out he didn't feel the same about me - I was (almost) heartbroken!!!! Thank goodness I eventually got my head (and my sight) sorted out!

Quite right too! http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/...oadcast-awards/

I wonder what the joke was? :lol: :lol:

Brill! It'll piss Gemma off and that pleases me no end!

I hope Stephanie stays. She's the only one who has the balls to stand up to Gemma.