Sunday, January 03, 2016

STV HOGMANAY GAVE US A GLIMPSE OF AN INDEPENDENT SCOTTISH BROADCASTER TAKE NOTE.


A constant SNP whine among many others has been the alleged UK TV and radio prejudice against Scotland more often than not accompanied by a demand for Scotland to have its own autonomous control over TV and radio. For those of you who, like me wondered what form this control would take and what it would look and sound like, we now have an answer.  Scotland, December 31st. 2015 known to us of course as “Hogmanay” traditionally produces “Hogmanay specials” on TV from STV and BBC Scotland, this ritual has been in decline for some time and, in the case of STV this one may well have been the last. Here in all its parochial banality was a glimpse at what an independent Scottish SNP dominated TV and radio broadcaster would look like, and it was toe curling in its embarrassment.


Hosted by the queen of mediocrity Elaine C Smith we had special guest Nicola Sturgeon with another special guest Nicola Sturgeon’s mammy and, despite these entertainment riches we also had Nicola Sturgeon’s sister foisted upon us as well, plus someone called Jane Godley who appeared and sounded like a very poor Glaswegian street busker. This should serve as a warning to anyone who is thinking about flirting with nationalism, this is nationalism in control and what they are saying is we will tell you what is good and bad. This wretched programme attracted the risible viewing figure of 174,000 people, a worryingly large number considering the quality on offer. Hogmanay can only survive on TV by desperate measures, yes folks I know it’s a terrible thought but we have to beg Sydney Devine to come back.            

7 comments:

Robert said...

I don't understand you're argument, Scotland is not independant and you're creitical of what is being served up. Are you suggesting an independant Scotland would deliver even worse programming, and if so, on what do you base that argument?
Personally I thought Only an Excuse and Still Game (although the later being a repeat) were quite entertaining.
It might be an age thing Mr Kelly, "It wiz aye better in the auld days".

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

It's really quite simple Robert, what we seen was Scotland only entertaining and it was dire. It is perfectly reasonable to extrapolate this rubbish into what an independent Scottish broadcaster would be like, it doesn't bare thinking about.

Robert said...

You really don't appear to have a very high opinion of your fellow Scots, do you?

Anonymous said...


Cllr Terry Kelly said...

And you really seem to believe that being Scottish provides someone with some intrinsic worth. That is about as unscientific and down right absurd as it gets. Please feel free to correct me if you can explain why being born in Scotland means anything whether good or bad.

Anonymous said...

Robert did NOT say anything about being born in Scotland Cllr Kelly, he was merely questioning your "opinion of your fellow Scots" (you do not have to be born in Scotland to be Scottish).

Also, I would suggest the Scots make good film and television. We deserve more of a chance to boost our creative industries. The Scots have a lot of talent around, unfortunately for years within the UK they have had to leave for foreign lands. This does not mean to say we have anything less remaining - in fact, probably just as much as any other small country if not more.

As you can see, I have a high opinion of my fellow Scots.

Cllr Terry Kelly said...

Robert wants more Scottish programmes made by Scots. I want good quality programmes and I couldn't care less where they come from or who makes them. This 'Scottish' Hogmanay programme starred? Scots. and was made by Scots. and it was dire and embarrassing. "Scots have a lot of talent about" this programme suggests otherwise and I find it completely unacceptable that a person's origins should play any part in whether they are talented or not, the whole idea does not stand up and it is pathetic. I have never offered an opinion about "my fellow Scots." only ever individual "fellow Scots." and being talented has nothing whatsoever to do with being Scottish the very idea is ludicrous.