Descending order
No coherent answer yet to the Tinker Tailor question. It’s fair to say this blog is not the problem-solving machine it used to be: fewer people comment than in the old days. I suspect this is my fault for letting it get boring. I just don’t have a lot of time when I’m touring and this in particular has been a rather exacting week. I’m on the way back from Market Drayton, which is in Shropshire. I visited a charming theatre where they made me sausages and mash. The audience enjoyed the show about 6/10. This week’s shows in descending order of audience appreciation: Chester, Durham, Bordon, Market Drayton, Llandudno.
Good luck to next week’s audiences. You should begin warming up your laughter muscles RIGHT NOW. If you’re busy right now, though, just whenever you get round to it.
Posted by Cat on November 6, 2011
You know I’m always here, just not superly often. I read it all lovely
Posted by Rachael on October 18, 2011
Are you going to keep a league table? Norwich will be up there!
Posted by Lydia on October 17, 2011
Melanie, I only went because of BC too. Despite my confusion I enjoyed him very much.
And thanks, Rick. Maybe I should read the book sometime and see if that makes a bit more sense.
I am still here
. I don’t think you’re boring. Sometimes I don’t comment because I think I’m boring. And I am still trying to figure out a new routine because I have a new job and a new dog, both of which require a lot of my time. The dog is staring at me now, waiting for me to stop typing and return to fussing him, something he thinks I should be doing all the time.
Posted by Ingrid on October 17, 2011
Ah come on (: We’re still here! I just havent seen the film yet. If by the time i do see it no-one has yet answered the question, i will happily do so! x
Posted by Rich on October 16, 2011
Market Drayton only 6/10? Surely better than that? True, the front row were snacking but apart from that there was relatively little rustling of sweetie papers or distracting choking fits! REALLY, I thought it was a good reception from a Drayton audience … cos we don’t get out much! It would be interesting to hear how Wem compares in December … because they’re bumpkins too!
Posted by Natalie-Helen on October 16, 2011
Oh I’ve just never read or seen TTSS. Despite having the spine of the book stare down at me for most of my life. (My bed is opposite a bookcase) I’ve also spent along time looking at the spine of the Yes Minister scripts, Schindler’s Ark and the Bible without reading any of them.
I’m in the middle of a food book atm but will start on TTSS after and get back to you all on the plot. Might be around Christmas time…
xxx
Posted by hornseygirl on October 16, 2011
Here, Sir. ; )
I really do want to see TTSS at the cinema, but no such luck to date!
Good luck for next week.
Posted by ChrisP on October 16, 2011
Yeah, what they all said.
Posted by Beth (Bloomability) on October 16, 2011
I also read the blog everyday but generally don’t have anything to add.
I’ll try to comment a little more ^_^
Posted by Suzanne aka Senior Watsonian on October 16, 2011
I’m another one who enjoys reading the blog daily but without always adding a comment.
Perhaps if we all said, ‘Here, Sir’ then you’d know just how many of us DO read every word on a daily basis but only respond occasionally???
I have to report that unfortunately, Bristol City lost to Peterborough United by 2 goals to 1
and are still bottom of the table BUT they’ve been given permission to speak to Derek McInnes about the vacant managerial post. He is currently manager at St Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League.
Doubtless results and fortune will improve once a permanent manager has been appointed …
Posted by Rachel on October 16, 2011
I don’t comment everyday, but OF COURSE I’m still reading. I just have very little to add. Probably more to do with me getting boring than you getting boring, don’t worry. You’re a busy man, we all know that.
By the way, I’m starting to get a little bit excited about the Northampton gig…
Posted by Misha on October 16, 2011
You aren’t dull, i’ll report on the film when i’ve seen it.
I’m the dull one, all I do now is work and battle depression.
Posted by amycool on October 16, 2011
I haven’t been to the cinema since Four Lions. Partly due to the fact that my cinema options are a tiny one that only plays one film a month and has a screen the size of most people’s TVs nowadays or a scally cinema where you can guarantee you will have food thrown at you, but mostly due to the fact that I’m lazy. And poor.
I’ve been mourning the loss of my free time this week. I used to have at least 3 days a week to do whatever I liked, hence lots of comments. Now the only way I get to do nothing is if I’m really ill. Bloody growing up. Speaking of which, I’m supposed to be on my way to Morrisons.
Posted by Jen on October 16, 2011
I’m with Melinda – this blog is never boring!(Again though I avnt seen the film,which is pretty shocking for me since I go to the pics a lot,so can’t help-sorry!)Jx
Posted by Emily on October 16, 2011
Don’t worry, us QIPs (or “lurkers”; that seems ages ago) are still here, just mainly with nothing to add. Looking forward to the new book though!
Posted by Sarah on October 16, 2011
The last film I saw at the cinema was the Alice in Wonderland remake so can’t help
Posted by Ally on October 16, 2011
I feel bad about not commenting now
But rest assured I read this blog everyday!
I’ve never even heard of the movie being discussed….
Posted by Melinda on October 16, 2011
and just to add, don’t know about everyone else, but reading this blog is never boring. I’m a fairly recent follower but it has quickly become part of my daily routine when I get home from work
Posted by Melinda on October 16, 2011
Haven’t seen TTSS yet, been meaning to go but haven’t managed to find anyone to go with. Interesting summary by Rick though
Posted by TalksToRainbows on October 16, 2011
Aww, Llandudno was the worst?
But my friend (one that was dragged along not knowing what to expect, but I wasn’t worried because I knew you’d be hilarious) nearly choked several times because she was laughing so hard! We thought you could chase the paramedics when they came to take her away (at the end of the show because she wouldn’t want to miss the kangaroos) … 
Posted by Rick Procter on October 16, 2011
Well, regarding TTSS – films are my department, but…
- I’m always very wary of spoilers, so I don’t want to give anything away.
- It’s quite a complex plot, and would take a fair old bit of explaining.
- I’m not even 100% sure I completely followed every last detail myself.
Suffice to say…
- Gary Oldman plays a highly experienced spy, by the mildly amusing name of Smiley, who’s pushed out of his job nominally because he’s “past it” (but really, he isn’t).
- When the government suspects that top-line intelligence is being leaked, Smiley is asked to root out the mole by secretly investigating his ex-colleagues (all of whom are shady ooh-yes-he-could-be-betraying-us type people).
- John Hurt does indeed die pretty early in it, although he does reappear in at least one flashback later on.
- In the process of his investigations, Smiley gradually unravels a web of intricate machinations to do with the Cold War with Communist Russia.
- And I agree wholeheartedly, the acting is absolutely top-class.
As I say, I really shouldn’t say any more since I hate spoilers – and after all, it’s in the spirit of a film about secrets not to say too much…
So in fact, this has probably been useless. Hehe.
Posted by Helen on October 15, 2011
Haven’t seen tinker tailer blah blah spy so couldn’t help. Uni means I now rarely comment, but still read and enjoy a lot. Ditto with VERY exciting book business.
Posted by Melanie on October 15, 2011
We saw TTSS, didn’t have a clue what was really going on, but the acting was great. Tbh, if Benedict Cumberbatch wasn’t in it we probably wouldn’t have bothered. And I got us free tickets with my Odeon card, woo!
Posted by Alex on October 15, 2011
Maybe it’s just that nobody has actually seen Tinker Tailor Whatever. We all pretend we have because we’re meant to, but everyone just really wants to watch Finding Nemo again. Or is that just me?
Anyway. I meant to say the other day that this book business sounds VERY exciting, but then I didn’t. Sorry. It does though. Very.