(no subject)

Over the last couple of days, I've watched the six half-hour episodes of The Thick of It, which were broadcast in 2005 and 2007 and... wow.

The show is about a fictional government ministry and the dealings of the minister with the PM's chief spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker (obviously modelled on Alastair Campbell). It's a much harder-hitting version of Yes Minister although the set up is very similar in many ways - it's black, black, black comedy, if comedy is even an adequate term - more like bite you in the arse satire because it presents a picture of government that so many of us believe to be true.

I saw Richard Schiff interviewed on Sky News last week - he's over here filming - and the interviewer mentioned that he should check out this show. It's not in the least like WW - the characters in it are all pretty unlikeable - but I guess it's how us Brits like our political fiction; nasty!

I can't remember how or why I didn't catch the show first time around - it's the sort of thing I'd usually make an appointment with, but if you've never seen it and you like your satire on the sharp side of "biting", then do check it out.

Peter Capaldi as Tucker is quite simply awesome - and it's reminded me that I really wanted to see In the Loop as well, if it's still on anywhere around here!

Oink *cough* oink!

Swine flu has reached my neck of the woods.

We're at stage 5 (of 6) on the WHO's pandemic scale, but so far, cases are relatively few and are mild - the guy mentioned in that article is at home. I also have to say that I think the media is - for once - actively helping the situation by not spreading doom, gloom and panic.

In our favour right now is the fact that we're moving out of our main flu season, although some are saying that that's a false optimism, because all it means is that we'll be hit by it later in the year.

Note to self - get a flu jab this year!