2000 & Mine

So, here it is. It is here. The New Year takes it's baby steps while I waddle around like an overstuffed chicken on the set of Henry VIII. The season's eatings have been good to me but now it's time to pay.

I had a great time in Sydney over the NY break catching up with the delightful Buckley and friends. When the sun was too hot, the hangover too pounding or the suburb too grungy - we simply kicked back and watched TV (something we do extremely well together). Starting with the entire season of Hippies, starring Simon Pegg and other notables. It was laugh out loud in places but was more interesting to put it into context of the other shows the dynamic duo of Arthur and Graham (Big Train , Father Ted, The I.T. Crowd amongst others) have put out in their time. As Amanda quite rightly noted "It's just like the Young Ones but set in the '60s". This was followed by episodes of Brass Eye, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, Snuffbox extras, Arrested Development and the Beatles Anthology (gee that woman has good taste).

The Beatles history was fascinating as I have read quite a bit about them before but it was great to see all the footage and ephemera run past. I thought the Festival Hall clips were the cleanest looking footage of their live shows (good onya Melbourne). There was quite a bit left out as well and it got me thinking about the things that fell through the cracks - so here for your enjoyment (and with a bit of help from Ms Buckley) is Part One of the FABricated FOUR:In late 1964 The Beatles and producer George Martin head into the studio to create their 4th album "Beatles for Sale", while George ducks out for coffee and sandwiches the boys decide to make it a concept album in which they all become male prostitutes. In a burst of creative energy they write and record the non-hits "Please, Please, Do Me", "Shake, Rub & Roll", "Eight Times a Night", "I'm Looser" and "I Don't Want to Spoil the Sheets"

Sadly Parlophone baulked at such a risqué departure and reined in George Martin who threatened to take away their cushions unless they toned it down. As a small victory - they managed to keep the original name.

Sadly no one told Ringo it was merely a concept and they found him wandering the streets two days later and three hundred pounds richer.

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Have a great year folks!