ultimatedingbat's blog

While I realise this isn't a TV show that we would normally discuss, I feel the need to discuss it.

I have never felt so touched by an episode of this TV show before. I tihnk the last time I felt so emotionally moved by an episode of a TV show was when Warrick was buired in CSI Las Vegas.

I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but even if you never watch another episode of Holby City again, then you should this one.

The story begins with a man brought in from a lorry accident. He's in a bad way: bleeding alot. And then the staff start passing out. The surgeons begin coughing. There's only one word that can be tagged on to the situation.

Contamination.

What happens next? Well, watch the episode, but for me it moved me to tears and made me pray. The episode ends on a cliffhanger leaving you wanting next Tuesday to come.

Take time out of your day. Be moved. Watch Holby City.

Until this week I had no problem with this show. While I think it does try to destroy individualty, some of the girls so far have needed a reality check. Now this week has annoyed me.

Lara, pretty girl, 27 and phycologist. She was beautiful before: an individual rock barbie. And I have no issue with saying I thought she was sexy.

POD, the personal overhall device and her idiotic boyfriend, had other things to say. First if any bloke I was going out with said I was annoying, they would be immediatly dumped. POD, yes it's a computer, but is voiced by a women who has no sense of individuality.

After removing her alternative clothes, odd hair and make up, she was left as a boring, run of the mill. Why? Because people can not handle individuality.

To add to this, you have Paige, a beautiful 17 year old girl who looks amazing both in her outfits for her dances, and her night outs. I don't see anything extreme about it. POD is rude to her, and takes away the beauty she has.

Don't believe me? Watch the show.

Starsailor are certainly the band of the moment. With their new album “All The Plans,” due out in April, “Tell Me It’s Not Over,” has to set the scene for one of the most anticipated albums of the year.

Certainly the song is a complex mixture of strong walking bass lines, and complex piano riffs. However there is something familiar about the voice of the lead singer, that you probably won’t be able to put your finger on. The group as a whole are very familiar.

Despite this common sound, Starsailor are talent musicians and “Tell Me It’s Not Over,” gives them a real chance of making it in the music world. It is an excellent song, with strong lyrics, and a memorable chorus. Starsailor are a band to watch for 2009.

“Dead and Gone,” as an above par pop rap song, harnessing the selling power of two of the most popular artists of today: TI and Justin Timberlake.

However after dredging through the five minute wonder it is, the lyrics merge into one, and you can not tell the difference between the artists.

Both sound mediocre, washed up and bored. To make things worse, the song tries to be preachy with a strong message.

This is only visible if you watch the depressing video, as the song itself is so cryptic, the message is lost amongst lots of noise, and random vocal effects.

When it comes to Comic Relief anything goes. This includes Bryn & Nessa, Tom Jones and Robin Gibb, covering “Barry” Islands in The Stream. Using cheesy Welsh accents, a very long 9 minute video, and random outbursts of Tom Jones these guys manage to murder the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton song.

Granted, the song wasn’t very good to start with, so the cover couldn’t help but be worse. Still, at least the charity single is half in tune compared to Peter Kay’s outbursts.

Tom Jones manages to give the song a little slice of credibility, taking it from that comedy cover, to the comedy cover with an actual singer.

Sitting in the small theatre at the curve, feeling like you can reach out and touch the actors on stage is an experience best reserved, for some of the most fantastic theatre of this century. Martin McDonagh’s play The Pillowman qualifies itself for that experience.

Featuring a star studded cast including Hustle star Marc Warren, The Pillowman is an epic black comedy which had everyone at the preview show on the edges of their seats.

Operation Red Jericho – Joshua Mowll

Midnight’s Daughter

By Karen Chance

Karen Chance’s latest novel Midnight’s Daughter, neatly slots on your bookshelf with her prior novels. While reading her other three offerings is not neseccary, as Midnight’s Daughter stands alone compared to the Cassandra Palmer series, there are some interesting easter eggs buried within the novel for long time readers.

Dublin based rockers and “world-hero” Bono are back with their newest album “No Line On The Horizon.” With it comes the first single “Get Your Boots On.” Really this song is just a continuation of 2004’s “Vertigo,” using the slightly experimental style of early 90’s U2.

However, this is a problem for the band. They’re stuck in a loop recycling old sounds, making “Get Your Boots On,” just another track in the never ending cycle of their discography.

The Saturdays release their very own Comic Relief song “Just Can’t Get Enough,” into the arms of a public that have so far embraced them. Originally be Depeche Mode, The Saturday’s cover version bears little resemblance to the original.

However, with its techno sounds and the use of the five girls in different colours, it will probably remind you just a little bit too much of Girls Aloud. Also, every verse of the song, sounds exactly like the previous. After a while you forget you are listening to it.