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Post by BoOverall on Jan 16, 2021 15:48:29 GMT
For me the season pretty much arrived with this episode. Much that popped on the screen visually and personality-wise in this episode - and some STUNNING creations. Loved that lip-sync, too. Tamisha - who I like a lot - to really step it up, though, performance-wise: please bring it, girl!
I felt this group is a more talented - and likeable - bunch than the non-Pork Chops! Well, except Kahmora who I almost lost interest in with her self-described “look queen” thing (I want more than one layer in my queens!), the self-indulgent lateness affliction and the dead-behind-the-eyes trick going on!
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Post by BoOverall on Dec 22, 2020 21:52:10 GMT
This was glorious. Took me a while to get into Danny Mac but I was won over about half-way through Act 1. Great to see Ria Jones again: what a delicious powerhouse. Loved it and for me that final staircase scene was epic.
Very impressed at it all being done, and with such style. Well done all round.
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Post by BoOverall on Nov 4, 2020 6:24:09 GMT
She was the worst this week over all. Fair result. Why didn't they get some blast chillers installed? We all knew that it was going to be a very hot few days. Better freezers would have been the right choice to make. The reason I won't try out for the show again until they stop setting people up to fail. Exactly. Very hard in that sort of situation not to go all out with creative ideas at the planning and practising stage, and then leave little room to adapt for “live issues”. But “simple” done very well, as Hermine did, really is key: at well-judged times! The right result for sure. Quite warmed to her as the weeks went on but this week did not go her way. Dave needs to up his game and rein in some of his flavour ideas. I think him or Laura might not last much longer. But the tent is a strange place: years ago I thought John Whaite was pretty weak most of the time but he won (and fairly ad square as his final bakes were terrific)
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Post by BoOverall on Nov 1, 2020 16:05:03 GMT
Just caught up with the episode. Enjoyed it but hated the CGI overkill in the Dolittle dance:sometimes the effects work nicely but those animals looked naff and very glitchy around the edges that it cheapened things and detracted. Woman in White, all is forgiven!
Jacqui...err no: just keep her swinging! I also felt a Wickedesqueness to HRVY and JNTT’s number: my fave pair after Caroline and Johannes even though she didn’t really shine this time. But I really want to see a lot more of her.
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Post by BoOverall on Oct 28, 2020 10:33:10 GMT
Love a steamed bun whether the Chinese bao or the Japanese hirata and the like and I rather liked some of the bakers’ signatures. Not so much those dry burgery ones though! I’d have preferred them to all really have gone more authentically Japanese with ingredients and flavours. Yeah, dusting a bit of matcha over a Pot Noodle does not make it Japanese! But a good steamed bun is a thing of joy: fond memories of making stuffed steamed buns for one of my later Bake Off auditions several years ago, back when it was on the BBC.
Hated the crap crepe cake: not so much what the bakers made of it but the cake itself. But as with a lot of Bake Off technicals/showstoppers in more recent years, they seem designed more to set them up for failure and make “good telly”. But I get that to a point. And it’s lovely when some nail or almost nail a technical - and there have been some real successes in the tent this year on that score.
The showstoppers were interesting. Love Lottie’s cake: not so much the apparent toadstoolyness of it - though it was nice - but the texture and flavour of that particular type of sponge is a dream.
Liking this series much more than the previous few series. There are some nice briefs for the challenges, the bakers are really lovely and even Hollywood is not as creepy as usual.
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Post by BoOverall on Oct 10, 2020 21:17:31 GMT
I actually cried like a baby when They sang One day more. Let battle commence in the fight for tickets especially for single seats Same. Loved that
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Post by BoOverall on Oct 10, 2020 16:21:59 GMT
Bit underwhelmed this week. It didn't quite rise to the occasion. And a twist is not a plait... Agree. Loved the soda bread signature though and some lovely ideas. But I loathed that type of bagel in the technical because of all the food colouring and not the multi-flavours there should be: really a case of style over substance.
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Post by BoOverall on Aug 22, 2020 11:31:42 GMT
Agree. I think Rita is highly likely to win, but Jimbo would be my choice. I love his style of drag, his creativity and his personality but the judges don’t seem to get him.
Disappointed in Priyanka: love his personality out of drag but even this week there was no “wow” factor about his maxi challenge. Bobo is fine - just not quite there compared to others. So glad Lemon finally went. A decent level of talent but not a performer who's act I would ever want to see. And has a lot of growing up to do.
While I still like Stacey on the judging panel, I find Jeffrey to be little more than a pretty puppet, trying to out-camp the queens week on week. in his favour, he tends to come across as much more sincere and warm than RuPaul ever doesn’t - although that would not be difficult! - but that’s about it.
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Post by BoOverall on Jul 31, 2020 11:10:07 GMT
Gosh, well this has certainly been the thread that keeps on giving over the last few days. Fortunately the RUG statement I think does clarify things a bit. I agree with @burlybear above that Cam Mac's statement didn't really add as much as the subsequent social media fall out thought. Was a bizarre place to announce this, the grammar in the actual sentence was wrong, 'permanent closure' but 'back soon' doesn't really make sense and we already knew that an extended closure was needed. Also CM's rhetoric throughout has been fairly overdramatic. So anyway, I didn't think it was the end of Phantom for good! As for what's going on between CM and ALW - I mean who knows! It's all rather speculative. I don't think this is a combined and agreed PR strategy. And I don't think they are at complete loggerheads either. Rather, somewhere in the middle. In ALW's book he talks about how when he met CM he'd really discovered his MT soulmate and how they had so much in common. But later he acknowledged that he was aware of a very bitchy side of CM that he really didn't like. And certainly it seems from various things that CM does like being in full control and really has to get his own way. His outbursts in that musical TV series (he was in Chichester I think?) were quite telling. And when Jodie Prenger won I'd Do Anything he was unbelievably rude. He really didn't get that the whole point of the thing was that the public were choosing - not him. Having said all that, I think we need to cut him some slack. From the general tone of everything he says he is clearly not in a good place. The pandemic has affected everyone in different ways, and some very deeply, with a way of life that is very different. Anxiety, depression, mood swings etc etc can affect anyone. Being rich and privileged in no way makes you immune to this. I offer that as a reason for his current behaviour rather than an excuse. ALW knows him better than anyone so I doubt is surprised by much of this, and is probably trying to restore calm from CM's outbursts. Of course, this is all purely speculative. But having followed both for a long time is my hunch. Also, CM has brought SO much to UK musical for DECADES that as a fan I am truly grateful for everything he's done. He has produced some of the most incredible musicals and brought employment to literally thousands worldwide since the 80s. He has produced the most epic UK tours ever, bringing West End quality to the regions. Cats, Phantom, Les Mis, Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins have been incredible. If he never produced a quality production again, his legacy would be insanely good. But this continues. I was caught up in the disappointment at the Les Mis changes. But the 25th version is fantastic. Ditto the original and new Miss Saigons. 99.9% of the people that saw the latest Phantom in Leicester were raving about it. So there is literally no indication that he is about to start delivering substandard products. As for the other stuff, and exactly what kind of "phantom" will return, I am sure it will be great. It desperately needed updating. This set was creaky, the mannequins for Masquerade ridiculous and don't even get me started on the lightning bolt and the fireballs. The chandelier moved up and down at a snails pace. I simply don't believe that he is desperate to wipe our Prince, Lynne and Bjornson for financial gain. But things can and do need to progress. Even for living creatives, things are still interpreted without them. Trevor doesn't get involved with every production of Cats. John Napier doesn't design the exact replica of every single set. Other people who know them adapt their direction/designs for every theatre. Phantom should not be a museum piece. And I am sure will return slicker and more spectacular than ever. Also - controversial opinion - the musical is the star. It's not the case with the returning Phantom, but if in the future, a totally different creative team wanted to give it a go, it'd be great to see what they could do. OK the 25th version was not as good as the original, but that doesn't mean the original is completely sacred and nobody could ever dare to reimagine it. So many people obsessed with Prince's Evita - personally I preferred the Adelphi revival. And the OAT version of Superstar is by far and away the best version I personally have ever seen. So anyway, I am really looking fwd to seeing the new Phantom when it returns - hopefully in a format that can last another 34 years! Agree fully. Phantom has had a special place in my heart since it opened: it’s also the first show I took the man who is now my husband to on our first date about 20 years ago. Now taking someone to a musical could go one way or the other for a relationship! But I think sitting directly under the chandelier scared him into staying with me 😀. But Phantom is a creaky beast in places - sometimes in keeping with the whole piece - but at other times it jars when I see it. Yes, the dummies in Masquerade (otherwise still my favourite number in the show), those wobbly but admittedly beautiful set pieces in the lair (Acorn Antiques meets Phantom) and yes those fireballs: Phantom clicks stick, delay, a burst emerges......kind of the theatrical equivalent of a film with bad dubbing! But it is a show with great heart and there are so many magnificent things about it as a piece: that opening still thrills me every time. In the right sets of hands and with modern technology to enhance - not to cheapen or make tacky - it could wow even more and in different ways while retaining the heart of the original.
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Post by BoOverall on Jul 20, 2020 15:29:25 GMT
I’ve always liked Tell Me On A Sunday but even the more recent incarnations of this have often felt pretty dated.I’ve often been intrigued by a gay version. Right, I’m off for a post-lunch sing-song: “It’s not the end of the world to use Grindr. It just might, seem so tonight. It’s not the end of the world that he’s Daddy. Older fun is better than none. People get into weird crap Like I’ve got into this, Drive a mile or two, and damn right I'll be willing. And I will not give him the horror of seeing my chest: Anon works best“ Where do I sign up to be an "angel" on this production of yours Bo???!!! You’re hired 😀
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Post by BoOverall on Jul 20, 2020 14:25:32 GMT
I’ve always liked Tell Me On A Sunday but even the more recent incarnations of this have often felt pretty dated.I’ve often been intrigued by a gay version. Right, I’m off for a post-lunch sing-song:
“It’s not the end of the world to use Grindr. It just might, seem so tonight. It’s not the end of the world that he’s Daddy. Older fun is better than none.
People get into weird crap Like I’ve got into this, Drive a mile or two, and damn right I'll be willing. And I will not give him the horror of seeing my chest: Anon works best“
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Post by BoOverall on Jul 19, 2020 11:36:41 GMT
Well it is the right top 3. And it was a classic edit whereby the person who does best in the rehearsals does the worst in the performance edit. It all feels set up for a Shea win - which will be as dull as season 12's result. But I can't see it going any other way - unless something really bad happens during the finale that they can't edit out. We shall see. Meanwhile in Canada, things are far more entertaining. Hoping not Shea who I find quite hard work to watch. But the right 3 for sure. I am torn between Miz Cracker and Jujubee for the crown. I didn’t really warm to either of them in their seasons but they have won me over...and some! Oh yes, Canada. What a refreshing version of Drag Race. Love the judging panel and guest judges. And I am finding it more vibrant without RuPaul and Michelle Visage - and am enjoying the absence of RuPaul’s insincere-seeming interest in the queens during his chats in his series.
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Post by BoOverall on Jul 18, 2020 19:49:22 GMT
I felt a strange sense of it being a small world today: I hadn’t clocked the‘ “return” of some sports and my brother was apparently reffing the Norwich v Burnley match - crikey I almost sound as if I know what I am talking about! I only know as he popped up on the news just now, which always makes me giggle.
But for all my lack of football know-how, I do get Norwich City and the Delia Smith connection. All the more apt as I was updating several of her recipes today. Sadly I think her team were relegated (get me with the footie jargon!) so she wouldn’t be at all impressed with my sausage rolls and chocolate roulade.
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Post by BoOverall on Jul 3, 2020 19:53:30 GMT
Agree fully. For us that was about as perfect a filming as could be hoped: a real treat. And loved the scoring and visuals in the credits: so stylish.
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Post by BoOverall on Jun 26, 2020 12:55:06 GMT
Oh I loved that. Thank you, Enjoyed her Fantine several times way back then. I also recall a very fine Marius played by Darryl Knock who was, for me, the first Marius I saw to swoon for. I would have jumped on stage and bitch-slapped Cosette for her blandness had I not had that restraining order.
But listening to the recording makes me yearn even for the coughing, spluttering, rustling noises of live theatre. I actually did feel an added moment of poignancy listening to it.
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Post by BoOverall on May 30, 2020 16:46:02 GMT
. And it makes me scream how incapable Ru obviously is at getting herself ready!! 😀😀I kept wondering why Ru was channelling a kind of Hannibal Lecter S&M look. Fine with the winner even though I didn’t really warm to Jaida as a person all season: my personal fave in the final was Crystal. Was so pleased Heidi got the Miss Congealed crown: the star of the season.
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Post by BoOverall on May 28, 2020 18:01:10 GMT
I really enjoy Bake Off Professionals. I kind of loathe Bake Off Vanilla now - don’t get me started on Hollywood: the judge, not the Patti-laden tv show. But I enjoy the Celeb version.
But the Pro version ticks many of the boxes for me. I like Tom Allen anyhow and he has, for me, almost the right level of irreverence (weirdly, I think this is needed!) but is also “quite” solid enough a host. Almost. But I cannot see why Liam is still there or what he brings to the table. I find him jarring here: his presenting skills are poor, he seems to be much more in the way and is very “rabbit in the headlights“. Just totally surplus here.
I love Cherish for all of her stern bonkersness. And her food is truly sensational. And I do like a bit of Benoit.
Right, I have a showpiece “dessert for 2020” to finish: no pineapple or eggs, so it’s time to work those stale cornflakes, melted dog chocolates and tinned chickpeas into a fabulous centrepiece......
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Post by BoOverall on May 21, 2020 13:04:58 GMT
It’s the Carrie Underwood Sound of Music this week (shown as premiering on Friday on the YouTube channel) oh good lord. That should never see the light of day again Quite! Mind you, it at least has the truly sublime Audra McDonald: a delight for the precious few minutes she is on screen. Climb Every Mountain has never sounded so ravishing.
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Post by BoOverall on May 11, 2020 16:54:04 GMT
BoOverall , I love your blog! Today's lunch was a version of Michelle Obama's cauliflower mac'n'cheese recipe (I made a big batch hoping it would last me two days, but it might also be three), sautéed cauliflower leaves with smoked paprika and a cucumber salad with dill. I'm about to make coffee and nibble on some dark chocolate. Oh yes, her recipe is lovely isn’t it. A big yes here to cauli leaves: so tasty.
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Post by BoOverall on May 9, 2020 18:42:57 GMT
Bao buns filled with sticky hoisin chicken & mushroom. And a shamelessly massive glass of wine.
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Post by BoOverall on Apr 15, 2020 11:24:09 GMT
....Besides, I’ve got the reshowing of the Grey Gardens TV prog I recorded off Sky yesterday instead... Ooh what programme was this and what channel? Love all things Grey Gardens so would be interested to see if i can watch on catch up. Thanks.
It’s the TV drama version on Sky Atlantic from several years ago with Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. Well worth watching, especially for them both who are sublime.
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Post by BoOverall on Apr 14, 2020 19:32:39 GMT
Well we started trying to watch Curtains that I had ordered, on TV through its internet browser which works so seamlessly for all other streams I’ve enjoyed. But no joy with this sadly: no sound (I’ve not done my normal trick of muting it! 😀), and it then gives a timed out. Eventually tried on phone browser and it was fine - but two of us huddling around a small phone screen loses any hint of theatrical magic rapidly.😀
Still, technology has its issues and it’s a small issue in the grander scheme of things. And the money went to a good cause. Besides, I’ve got the reshowing of the Grey Gardens TV prog I recorded off Sky yesterday instead.
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Post by BoOverall on Apr 13, 2020 18:55:27 GMT
Just watched this and loved it. I found the music glorious - some exquisite scoring and gorgeous moments (notably Rain for Me) and the whole thing a joy.
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Post by BoOverall on Apr 6, 2020 10:24:34 GMT
I’ve just re-read the marvellous “A Year with the Producers” by Jeffrey Denman: one of the original cast of The Producers and Leo Bloom/Frank Leibkind understudy.
It charts his account from being in the final cast of Cats to auditions for The Producers, the pre-Broadway tryout, rehearsals, perspective as an understudy, Broadway opening night etc...A very readable style of writing, fascinating insights and a real joy of a book.
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Post by BoOverall on Apr 5, 2020 9:33:10 GMT
Totally agree - halloumi is tasteless - give me a vintage cheddar, Stilton or ripe Brie any day. A full-on well matured Cheddar, Roquefort or Stilton (unchilled!) etc is a total joy. I couldn’t be without those sort of cheeses. But a good halloumi - and boy do they vary in quality - used well can be lovely. I used to hate halloumi: and chilled, flaccid and straight out of the plastic it is horrid. And just on its own it’s not exciting! But eaten at room temp with a little drizzle of honey and a grinding of pepper and it comes alive. As it does when marinated. But halloumi can really shine when cooked nicely.
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Post by BoOverall on Apr 4, 2020 18:56:21 GMT
Pan-fried spiced halloumi with smoked hummus in flatbreads and a little pomegranate molasses. An amazing cheese. And an unapologetically large glass of wine
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Post by BoOverall on Mar 20, 2020 18:13:53 GMT
So many over the decades but my highlights are:
- the final performance of the original London run of Aspects of Love: saw it so often in those days and it’s my favourite ALW score. Oh and that set.....beautiful, evocative and just right.
-Emma Thompson after a performance of Me and My Girl at the Leics Haymarket in the early 80s, spilling a glass of wine over me at their bar when I was a young thing. Bless her, she even bought me a coke and my parents a bottle of wine to apologise.
- The filmed performance of Light in the Piazza in NY. Went to the show knowing nothing much about it but it was far and away the theatre highlight of that trip.
- a preview of Love Never Dies with ALW present. I said to him I loved the music (it’s still to my mind a ravishing score) but that ending needed badly tightening up...I even suggested to him Christine dies a bit quicker rather than that scene dragging out so much. Had the Lord listened to me..........🤣🤣
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Post by BoOverall on Mar 8, 2020 9:48:05 GMT
Loved Jan too. I agree with the judges about too much being thrown in but I’d rather that than a pouty “pageant queen” or somesuch early on. I think she is one to watch.
Still enjoy Drag Race, despite it all been done before many times: but it is like a familiar old dear, shuffling around and doing its thing, biding it’s time.....And those cringing moments when Ru does “sincere” in his talks in the work room. But yes, death drops...oh please! And the equally unoriginal mouth popping.... Do the queens really think they’re impressive tricks nowadays. Well, clearly they do. But originality queens, please!
Hoping we get a good Snatch Game this series. Often it falls so flat, and sometimes by the self-described “comedy queens”,....but when it works, it is a joy!... #dumb-is-forever
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Post by BoOverall on Jan 27, 2020 19:47:56 GMT
A few episodes in and I am now rather enjoying it: despite all it’s shameless tackyness and despite the host. Refreshing to have Donny Osmond on the panel instead of the intensely pointless irritating one: well, aside from Ross.
I thought at one stage the Dales one is Verity Rushworth who played whatsername in Emmerdale: a good singer. The comment about “truth” in one of her VTs swayed me. But maybe too obvious or a red herring. But I change my mind as the wind changes direction.
Amused by the clue/red herring with Hedgehog in his VT: a cricket ball on the table with Michael written over it. Toying with us with misdirection!
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Post by BoOverall on Jan 5, 2020 15:58:27 GMT
Oh my word what was that! I surprised/scared myself into watching the full episode on catch up just now, with a mixture of being horrified and compelled. It felt like I had swallowed a gallon of budget cider, eaten a kilo of pick and mix and was unable to crawl to the remote to turn it off. Host was beyond dreadful and Ken Jeong got very tiresome quickly. But Davina rocked the budget Claudia Winkleman look effortlessly and anything with Rita Ora gets my attention. I am not sure if enjoyed it was the right feeling I had, but I might be tuning in to the next episode. I think. That's all very good but what I really want to know is what you thought of the new Mary Berry cooking show? Lol oh THAT one. Well, it was really very surreal watching it as a viewer and not a contestant, but I enjoyed some of the tweaks made and there're a really nice bunch of home cooks. Mind you, our cohort in series one was nice. Well, apart from.....no, my lips are sealed. I even found myself shouting at the tv a couple of times: “no, use the pasta machine like she says”.......
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