The Hall of the Vastly Overrated

I was listening to a programme about him on Radio 4 this afternoon and he certainly has good credentials, training-wise, but he does admit that he likes to shock and many paintings he did when he was younger were described as poor. He said that when he went to art college, the tutor said 'you come and find me if you want a tutorial, or you will just melt into the background and not be noticed. You could go right through for 3 years and not come to our attention.' What sort of a way is that to learn a craft? No wonder people struggle to understand whether he is a true artist or not!

We're going to watch the C4 prog about Damien Hirst tonight, even though DH would much prefer The Dales.

Damien Hirst is a controversial character (sorry, that's an understatement) but I don't want to condemn him or his work out of hand until I've watched this programme.

We saw Kusama at Tate Modern last week (the Japanese artist known for her dots) and it was terrific. Give art a chance I say.

So am I, so long they don't just appoint a female sports presenter to avoid accusations of sexism - I would hope the woman in question was interested and knowledgeable about what she's reporting.

I am all for equality in sports reporting!

Oooooooppppppppssssssss I think there are too many women on tv these days. - I hate women sport reporters - actually I am not all that keen on sport anyway, but then my husband is, so I hear the voices - that awful woman who SHOUTS on Saturday afternoon BBC1.

And I have to switch off or over when Michael Gove's smug mug appears on my screen!

I agree, Carol - it's all very subjective, isn't it? I used to have to go out of the room when Gordon Brown was on the tv.....

I don't get the strong feelings being expressed about Fiona Bruce - she's tolerable, as are many others who have been mentioned.

To buck the trend, i will admit to being quite fond of Fiona Bruce. My DS1 had a drink with her and other Crimewatch presenters after he had been on one of their programmes and he thought her very approachable.

ga If I like something I will eat/watch/drink it who makes these people experts in the first place ?

Food/wine/film/restaurant critics. Does anyone really care what they think?

Agreed!

I'm getting the impression you like to agitate granbunny having read some of your other postings

That's just not nice.

Poor Fiona!!! no need for nastiness.

fiona bruce is truly horrible.
whenever i see her smug face i want to smack it. hard.

Yes, I love "The Wire" and at present we are watching it all over again on Atlantic. "Homeland" is good, and it's impossible to see where it can be going.
VOR for me has to be Paul Weller - what is it about him that everyone in the media think is so wonderful?

Anagram loved that one of French & Saunders take on Silent Witness - gosh I miss that show. Hate the actual programme though as like s many programmes it goes on and on .

Does anyone remember the send-up French & Saunders did of Silent Witness?
It was called 'Witless Silence' with Jennifer Saunders playing the part Amanda Burton used to play, forever gazing into the distance with a whimsical smile, scalpel at the ready.....

Beg to differ - Les Miserables is amazing!!!

I have watched Silent Witness from the beginning - not sure why! They are all so serious and unsmiling. Surely even forensic scientists sometimes have a laugh. Same on CSI.

No I missed The Wire, don't remember why .
Silent Witness is back too, on Sun and Mon nights and that was ok ish.

nanachrissy Agreeing about Homeland the best series on at the moment so many twists and turns,has he turned or hasn't he is it Saul or his wife?? Best viewing on Sunday night at present I think,everything Damien Lewis is in always seems to have a good story.

I've missed out on Homeland. I also missed out on The Wire which my daughter says is the best thing she's seen for years. If I don't catch the start of a series I seem to miss it completely.

nanachrissy I love Homeland I watch it on 4plus at 10pm - the Americans have made some cracking good programmes lately - did you see The Wire?