Watson TV
Thanks to everyone who left a Comment yesterday to remind me of my own jokes. I used one or two of the suggested lines but I’m also indebted to the person who mentioned a joke about Gandhi which I wrote for the Substantially Better radio show and then never used again. Would have forgotten about it forever. Anyway – last night’s show was Stand Up For The Week. It’s people like Rich Hall and that young one Jack Whitehall. It’s one of a tremendous number of TV shows I’m appearing in over the next few days. Since of the minor functions of this blog is to keep you updated with what I’m doing – like normal blogs do – I may as well list them here. Along with a brief summary of what to expect.
Friday morning – The Wright Stuff (Five). Nearly all of you will still be in bed. I’ll talk about current affairs and my book. I will seem sprightly but be absolutely fucked having stayed up most of the night with the baby.
Friday night – Stand Up For The Week (C4). I will be wearing a nice blue T-shirt and doing fairly sweary material, but it’ll have been cut down significantly. I will be doing what I do best (apart from worrying): stand-up.
Saturday morning – Cricket AM (Sky One). Like Soccer AM but with cricket. Even more of you will be in bed for this one, and those who aren’t will think ‘cricket? no thanks’ and switch over. But now you know I’m on it, stick it with slightly longer than you would have.
Sunday morning – Something For The Weekend (BBC2). Last time I was on this show, I caused a sensation by being completely incapable of peeling a potato, because THEY GAVE ME A BLUNT KNIFE but also because I am not very good at things. Who knows what cooking I will turn my hand to and fail this time? And which celebs I will meet? (It was Taylor Swift last time.)
Wednesday afternoon – The Five O’Clock Show (C4). With Vernon Kay. I will be talking about my book and tour and so on but I might – MIGHT – also be doing something quite exciting to do with one of my TYSIC challenges. I’ll let you know when I find out if I’m allowed. It would be great.
So there you are – quite a lot going on at the moment, plus the weekly column I do for the New Statesman, and a number of other writing commitments, and I still have a baby son (now entering his fifth month, as the blog is). As a result, I haven’t written anything that interesting here for a bit. But I do have some cracking stuff lined up for the coming days, as soon as I get some time, including
-New challenge!
-Update on old challenge!
-Reports on famous people like Vernon Kay, as I meet them!
-My opinions on Sex And The City!
-This blog I keep meaning to write about jealousy!
-Edinburgh preview continued!
-And some days like this where I haven’t really got anything.
So, um, yes, look out for me on TV. And remember if y0u spot me in ‘real life’, say hello to claim points in Where’s Watson?, the fun stalking game. As we speak, a claim for 0.1 of a point is being processed. Things are hotting up. I’m about to go on stage and do a preview of my Edinburgh show. See you tomorrow, friends.
Posted by Laura on July 3, 2010
It’s quite handy that you are so complicit in allowing us to become minor stalkers. Thanks!
Posted by LaurenJ on July 2, 2010
I got all excited reading this, so much so that I imagined this being read by that really deep voice over guy who does works announcing the X factor and stuff.
Posted by Lydia on July 2, 2010
That all sounds so exciting. I’m looking forward to watching Stand Up For The Week now [:
Posted by Rachael on July 2, 2010
That was meant to say ‘seeming’ although I assume you did see things too.
Posted by Rachael on July 2, 2010
You did a very good job of seeing like a person who has slept on the Wright stuff. Well done you
Posted by AmyH on July 2, 2010
Just thought I’d chip in to say that I like cricket, so if you are on it I would be extra likely to watch it…. Except that I don’t have Sky One.
Also, if you’re ever concerned about forgetting the jokes you should carry that football hat (as seen on your ‘guide to the World Cup’) around to wear in case of emergency – it’s hilarious!
Posted by amanda on July 2, 2010
I don’t get round to commenting very often but just wanted to say that I really like this blog, it makes me smile. I am currently panicking about my first driving test on Monday (I am 33 years old and a mother of two and should really be able to drive by now) so this is very welcome. Thank you. I am very impressed that you manage to keep it going with a 5-month-old baby to distract you. Good luck with the telly stuff – make sure they give you decent utensils this time if called upon to do the awkward cooking bit on Something for the Weekend (actually that whole show is a bit awkward isn’t it).
Posted by Andy Gibson on July 2, 2010
I just had a wee look at the ‘About Mark’ section of the site. Anyway, it mentions a 2008 DVD Bloomsbury Theatre recording, does this exist? I’ve never seen it, neither can I find it. Any chance of getting a copy? Ta
Posted by Carl on July 2, 2010
Doubt you’ve really noticed my absence as of late but I’ve been at glasonbury, being young. Whoop. I have returned to the real world and am excited to keep up to date with your life.
All sounds exciting.
Posted by amycool on July 2, 2010
Your busy week has coincided with mine (I’m well aware that my busy is your relaxed) so hopefully the wonder of On Demand will mean I can watch some of these at some point.
I like the Wright Stuff most of the time, but sometimes the regular panel people are awful. I get particularly annoyed whenever they discuss a science issue with absolutely no understanding of the scientific method or awareness of the fact that a newspaper headline isn’t the same as an abstract in a scientific paper.
Little rant over.
Posted by Corey on July 2, 2010
I’ve not commented in a while, so it’s high time. The last time you were on SFTW it was pretty funny, I hope there has been some improvement with your ‘kitchen skills’!?.
So the book tour is starting, I tried to review it the other day on Amazon but couldn’t get it to register, will endeavor to try again. I will hopefully be up in Edinburgh for the book launch but don’t know who to see. Shall I come and see you there?, or shall I just wait for High Wycombe which my Dad got tickets for?, or should I also get tickets for my home town at the Winding Wheel?……..this Friday morning is fraught with difficult decisions……
Posted by Madeleine on July 2, 2010
It pains me to no end that I won’t get to see any of these shows, they sound glorious. Even the cricket thing (not really. We have cricket in Australia and it is awful). I’m on school holidays now, so I’ve watched about 4 series’s of Buzzcocks in the last 3 days and I’ve started talking in a slight, dreadful, english accent. So maybe a few days off from British TV is a good thing.
Upcoming events sound great, good luck in your celebrity adventures! Exciting!
Posted by DeborahF on July 2, 2010
I’ve set my freeview box for Friday night and usually give Something for the Weekend a miss (it annoys me for some reason) but I’ll tune in to see you. Not sure if you can get Sky One without Sky but as a cricket fan in general I will check it out once I’ve posted this. I’m even going to watch Australia beat Derbyshire next week (let’s face it Derbyshire is unlikely to win) but I’m still going to watch
Unfortunately I can’t watch The Wright Stuff as I’ll be at a work away day enduring pretentious management crap – I’ve seen the agenda for the day – it includes sessions called “glow moments” and “wishing wall” – yes really and no, I have no idea what they are either. I’ll also be tired and grumpy as I have a bad back and I can’t get to sleep for the pain – oh joy.
Anyway, good luck with all the shows.
Posted by Hannah Mae on July 2, 2010
I love this blog. I’m probably just easily amused but each entry’s title alone usually cheers me up. Clearly your optimism is not only working, but spreading!
I moved house earlier and am therefore too shattered to type anything else. I’ll certainly try to catch The Wright Stuff tomorrow though, even if the likelihood is that I won’t get out of bed til Stand Up For The Week starts. xx
Posted by Ally on July 2, 2010
Well I shall endeavor to look up all the shows you’re going to be in on youtube. Aussie TV should broadcast more British shows.
Posted by Misha on July 2, 2010
I will endea vour to watch you tomorow morning, but I suspect I will have a mssive hangover. I’m largely due one. There was sambuka involved.
and the other things. I’ll addd them on the forum when more soberer.
Posted by Britt on July 2, 2010
I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for these appearances during my weekly youtube search for British shows that I’d never get to see otherwise [damn Australian television]. I just hope they don’t get geo-locked before I find them [anyone else have that problem?].
Posted by Beth (Bloomability) on July 1, 2010
I think my friend Ellie deserves a few WW? points after apparently coughing on you whilst on a train. She was only 9 at the time and can’t remember much of it but her sister swears it was you. Lovely, germ-spreading Ellie ^_^
Posted by Kate W on July 1, 2010
That is a LOT of TV – hope there’s also some sleep scheduled for this week, or that at least the studios have a quiet corner you can nap in. I’ll be being befuddled by string theory while you’re on Stand Up For The Week, so it’s handy that there’s 4OD.
Hope the preview was fun and I love the jacket for Eleven; nice work on the part of whoever was responsible.
Posted by Adam on July 1, 2010
Hello Mark.
I was wondering whether it was possible to get retrospective ‘Where’s Watson?’ points for particularly exciting circumstances. A few years ago (probably about 3) I bumped into you in a tube station, can’t remember which. I said ‘Hey you’re Mark Watson’ and you seemed genuinely shocked and suprised that someone had noticed you. I got my girlfriend to take a picture of us together and she had no idea who you were.
Also…
Cricket AM? I had no idea you were a cricket fan. i’m trying to get a good friend into cricket, and all was going swimmingly until I introduced the nightwatchmen to him, and I think it’s set us back a few weeks at least. DL- method next.
Posted by MusicalLottie on July 1, 2010
Tomorrow I shall be up and out by 8.30 so won’t be around for The Wright Stuff, tomorrow evening I’d rather not watch if it’s going to be sweary, Saturday I’m out and have no Sky anyway, Sunday I’ll be out, but Wednesday I might be able to catch on C4+1! Hoorah! One out of five … could (just) be worse.
Speaking of TV appearances, I watched MtW this evening – it was actually rather amusing, and mostly clean! I don’t think I actually commented on the original blog you wrote about it, but I was disappointed because now that Frankie’s gone I’m more inclined to watch anyway – he tended to be the one to take things in an unclean direction, and swear a lot. I appreciate that his humour is intelligent, but still. Maybe if the dynamic is different now (three guests instead of two) and they ask you for the next series, you might enjoy it a bit more?
I’m now acutely aware that this comment will actually be read so I’m terrified of sounding stupid / babbling / blonde (I am) … but it’s either that or not comment at all. *grits teeth, deep breath, to press ‘submit’*
Posted by ChrisP on July 1, 2010
yeeeesssss!!! 0.1 of a point for me then! Up and running for the season as they say.
And I agree with Zoe, looking back at what your challenges are… I know what she’s thinking… I think you will meet Obama on the show too!
Yeah, that is some optimism.
Posted by Zoe Fell on July 1, 2010
I’ve done my research Mark.
They seem to like pairing you with young female musicians on Something for the Weekend – this time round it’s Amy Macdonald. She was famous back in 2007 for a song called “This is the Life”. So yeah.
And as for The 5 O’Clock Show? That’s going to be with Tony Christie and Brian Dowling. Thinking back to what your TYSIC Challenges are, I think I can maybe, possibly guess what you might get to do. And that’s rather flipping exciting.
Posted by Jonty Larr on July 1, 2010
You’re welcome about the Gandhi thing, even if I now realise that I did both misjudge the date and spell Gandhi wrong.
Posted by Kathryn on July 1, 2010
The one weekend I’m away and not watching tv as usual.
However on Thursday I will be *on the other side of the Irish Sea* for once. In London. I promise I won’t come and stalk you.
This may be my one and only opportunity to score some points though. Quite tempting.
Posted by Heather Jones on July 1, 2010
Good stuff! And don’t be bashful about tweeting about such appearances too – I only watched Fifth Gear tonight cos Ross Noble tweeted that he was going to be on it. That’s the power of twitter!
I’m particularly looking forward to seeing you on the Stand Up for the Week show (I may have to catch it on 4 on demand though)
Posted by Anji on July 1, 2010
Ooo I might catch the Wright stuff before my afternoon of work and possibly after the dog walk! And probably most of the other things too. Although cricket may really be testing me – I don’t get it and even after having it explained I still don’t. Sorry. But the rest sounds fab and exciting!
And we got called friends – that made me smile!
Posted by Marbles on July 1, 2010
Ooh! Will catch you on the Wright Stuff before I bumble into uni. So proud I actually managed to read this blog on the day of publishing, I’ve been a bit remiss of late.
Will set Sky+ for all others and enter my stalker status
Posted by LisaBrunders on July 1, 2010
You certainly keep very busy, and I’m glad you’ll be on tv so much. I like The Wright Stuff, but only watch it when I’m ill – and therefore not at work. I’m doing long hours at the moment, but not as long as you, obviously. I’ll definitely see you Friday night and on Something for the Weekend. Something to look forward to.
Try and get SOME sleep .
Posted by A lot of Rach[a]els on July 1, 2010
i read this blog in a very happy voice (in my mind).
I shall be looking out for you on my TV box and looking forward to hearing if you can do your exciting thing of 5 o’clock news.
rachx
Posted by Lynsey on July 1, 2010
Is Cricket AM on Sky One as well as Sky Sports? I know Soccer AM gets broadcast on those channels simultaneously (so to speak) but not sure about that one. I don’t have the sports channels.
Ah never mind, I can still spot at least two shows you’re on that I should be able to see. Thank you for letting us know!
Posted by Zoe on July 1, 2010
Blimey you are spreading yourself about. Good work. I shall be well awake to see you on the Wright Stuff. Lovely x.
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on July 1, 2010
My mummy will be pleased about the nice blue t-shirt, as your ‘interesting’ t-shirts are one of the ways she remembers which one is you. Looking forward to seeing you ALL OVER my TV. x