The practice of TV programme producers using one of the same small group of supporting cast actors in different programmes, because they choose "characters" rather than actors, thus there's no time wasted "getting themselves into the part" required.
These actors will play similar characters to that which they played in another recent drama, some as in period dramas, even wearing similar costumes to those they wore before.
It seems that sometimes, as soon as these people "exit stage right" in one drama, round they come again "entering stage left" in something else.
"The Magic Roundabout" is the title of a children's stop-action cartoon series. A roundabout being shown during the opening credits
These actors will play similar characters to that which they played in another recent drama, some as in period dramas, even wearing similar costumes to those they wore before.
It seems that sometimes, as soon as these people "exit stage right" in one drama, round they come again "entering stage left" in something else.
"The Magic Roundabout" is the title of a children's stop-action cartoon series. A roundabout being shown during the opening credits
In the BBC medical series "Bodies" Chrissy Farrell was seen each week as the hospital's departmental manager Vicky Hall.
A week or so after this series ended, she turned up in another BBC medical soap, "Casualty," as a patient in a ward bed, but she played her part no differently, same north-eastern accent. It was as if "Vicky Hall" had had an accident and was suffering from amnesia.
She'd been on The Magic "cast" Roundabout. "Magically," appearing as someone else almost immediately after she'd disappeared from another drama.
It happens in films, but not so frequently, an example would be Elisha Cook Jr. who played a petty small time crook in dozens of films.
A week or so after this series ended, she turned up in another BBC medical soap, "Casualty," as a patient in a ward bed, but she played her part no differently, same north-eastern accent. It was as if "Vicky Hall" had had an accident and was suffering from amnesia.
She'd been on The Magic "cast" Roundabout. "Magically," appearing as someone else almost immediately after she'd disappeared from another drama.
It happens in films, but not so frequently, an example would be Elisha Cook Jr. who played a petty small time crook in dozens of films.
by Doghouse Riley September 30, 2007
Posts on message boards are just cyber graffiti, which eventually just slide off the bottom of the page.
by Doghouse Riley December 20, 2009
From observation, recognising that the general standard of television in my opinion has deteriorated and continues to do so year by year, so much so I now watch very little, I’ve found as far as the programme quality and content on all television channels, the following Doghouse's Laws of Television often apply.
I started compiling this list several years ago and some of these "laws" are now occasionally mentioned by contributors to a specific TV network message board, though of course they can apply to any channel.
I'm sure other contributors may relate to some of them and can think of other examples of practices which could be added to the list.
With a new programme, if your impression of it after ten minutes is that it's going to be rubbish, you’ll only be right 95% of the time.
The number of advance programme trails screened, will be in inverse proportion to the quality of the programme. The ”best bits” of any programme will be included in the trail.
The volume of background music will often be in inverse proportion to the amount of watchable activity on the screen at that time.
Any TV audience gets the standard of programmes it deserves. It’s no good complaining about the quality of a programme if you continue to watch it.
If an idea for a programme suggested to a TV network commissioning department isn’t another soap in one form or another, or requires an "in your face" presenter/auto-cutie, celebrities, judges, phone votes, or the inclusion of dysfunctional members of the public, it is unlikely to be made.
The number of programme presenters appearing at any one time, will usually be in inverse proportion to the quality of the programme.
The number and variety of similar programmes on TV, are likely to be in inverse proportion to their cost to present.
To reach the widest audience, in a programme where the subject is of a specific nature, it may include totally unrelated elements in an attempt to also “engage” viewers who aren’t the slightest bit interested in the actual topic, in a futile attempt to increase the ratings.
Some programmes, even a few news bulletins, given the level at which the programme makers pitch their production, should have the words; "for Dummies" added to the title.
If you've any doubts about watching a programme, from the trails or advertising you've seen, take a chance, give it a miss.
I started compiling this list several years ago and some of these "laws" are now occasionally mentioned by contributors to a specific TV network message board, though of course they can apply to any channel.
I'm sure other contributors may relate to some of them and can think of other examples of practices which could be added to the list.
With a new programme, if your impression of it after ten minutes is that it's going to be rubbish, you’ll only be right 95% of the time.
The number of advance programme trails screened, will be in inverse proportion to the quality of the programme. The ”best bits” of any programme will be included in the trail.
The volume of background music will often be in inverse proportion to the amount of watchable activity on the screen at that time.
Any TV audience gets the standard of programmes it deserves. It’s no good complaining about the quality of a programme if you continue to watch it.
If an idea for a programme suggested to a TV network commissioning department isn’t another soap in one form or another, or requires an "in your face" presenter/auto-cutie, celebrities, judges, phone votes, or the inclusion of dysfunctional members of the public, it is unlikely to be made.
The number of programme presenters appearing at any one time, will usually be in inverse proportion to the quality of the programme.
The number and variety of similar programmes on TV, are likely to be in inverse proportion to their cost to present.
To reach the widest audience, in a programme where the subject is of a specific nature, it may include totally unrelated elements in an attempt to also “engage” viewers who aren’t the slightest bit interested in the actual topic, in a futile attempt to increase the ratings.
Some programmes, even a few news bulletins, given the level at which the programme makers pitch their production, should have the words; "for Dummies" added to the title.
If you've any doubts about watching a programme, from the trails or advertising you've seen, take a chance, give it a miss.
by Doghouse Riley September 19, 2008
A film or TV drama where innocent people are taken hostage say, in a bank, where the customers are made by the crooks to all lie on the floor in similar fashion to sausages in a pan. Thus a sausage situation.
by Doghouse Riley April 05, 2008
The Pantomime Factor is a device used by writers of film and TV dramas that has the audience shouting at the screen, when what the hero or heroine is about to do, defies imagination and logic.
An example of The Pantomime Factor.
The heroine on a dark night walks alone into her unlit house which clearly has had a forced entry and fails to see a figure lurking in the dark as they stumble about, never even thinking about turning on a light.
More impressionable observers will be shouting; "Look out behind you!" and similar warnings at the screen, but of course to no avail.
The heroine on a dark night walks alone into her unlit house which clearly has had a forced entry and fails to see a figure lurking in the dark as they stumble about, never even thinking about turning on a light.
More impressionable observers will be shouting; "Look out behind you!" and similar warnings at the screen, but of course to no avail.
by Doghouse Riley July 11, 2008
Passive viewing, watching TV programme or parts thereof, not of your choice to which you've been "exposed."
It is passive viewing if you are watching a television programme you don't particularly want to see, either because you've caught a part of it while changing channels, or by selecting the wrong channel.
Suffering a programme because you are in the company of someone who wants to watch it is passive viewing.
Suffering a programme because you are in the company of someone who wants to watch it is passive viewing.
by Doghouse Riley September 30, 2007
A "justgetme" is something, (plural "justgetmes") which a wife asks her husband to purchase on his way home from work or wherever.
These are usually small purchases like a pint of milk or a loaf of bread, but sometimes can be a few items amounting to as much as £10.
Of course, the purchaser will not see any of the cash for these purchases, whether they are for them both, or personal requisites for his other half, who I imagine assumes the funds for which come from "an imaginary source."
These are usually small purchases like a pint of milk or a loaf of bread, but sometimes can be a few items amounting to as much as £10.
Of course, the purchaser will not see any of the cash for these purchases, whether they are for them both, or personal requisites for his other half, who I imagine assumes the funds for which come from "an imaginary source."
Darling, while you're out can you justgetme a pint of milk, oh! and I need some tights, the usual kind and some make-up removal pads and a deodorant.
by Doghouse Riley September 25, 2008