WOW

I read with interest last week that Ozzy Osbourne is to recieve a star in Brum's new walk of fame - similar to the one in Hollywood .

Fair do's to him I say. A normal working class boy who had a less than happy childhood and despite a checkered past, has grown to be one of the most loved exports from our fair city.

A few years ago, all Ozzy was known for was urinating against the Alamo and more infamously for biting the head off a bird. His career had floundered from the minds of so many and although Black Sabbath were still known, Ozzy was fading into obscurity.

And then came along the TV show, which I admit I was a big fan of. Ozzy and his family so dysfunctional and warts and all, yet vulnerable, and despite all the swearing, dog do-do's and problems they were a normal loving family who held together where most wouldn't.

Ozzy touched the heart of the nation and the world again and through the show and his Ozzfest Tour's has become a much loved son again.

So from me to Ozzy, congrats!

So we had the BAFTA's on sunday night. For some a celebration of the work of our tv output over the past year, for others just another opporttunity for the luvvies to slap each others backs.

Right from the nominations I knew something would be wrong - again the usual suspects. Ricky Gervais - for some a comedy genius, for others (including me) a man who can only act one annoying, irritating character show after show after - and he isn't funny and extras was rubbish - and ..... oooops I believe I am ranting!

The Ant and Dec - for some the Morecombe and Wise of this generation - for me I will never forget my childhood being scarred by 'Let's Get Ready To Rumble'. Sure I think they are good at what they do and they have a chemistry that is very hard to find nowadays, but I think it's boredom for me - seen that done that kind of thing.

Life on Mars - okay I admit, I never watched it. I rarely watch anything that has been hyped up so much. I'm often worried that hyping a show means it will disappoint me. And yet I have read in the papers since that the show was robbed. Better get the old bill in then. Maybe people were remembering the last episode which from what I have read was a huge disappointment.

So my moans for those that missed out - Green Wing - one of the best comedy pieces to hit our screens in years. Some of the best characters, and yet lost.

And.....well to be honest that's my gripe. Save for it being the worst two hours I have spent watching telly recently.

Green Wing - how can this show be consistently missed for an award? And yet anything Ricky Gervais does is applauded no matter what.

Oh and Graham Norton and Joan Rivers - spared me from a catatonic state!

Saw my first advert for it last night:

Nine days to go!!!!!

And it dawned on me, another summer ready to be surrendered to Big Brother.

Over the past couple of years I have really tried to stay away - really have tried but without fail I find myself tuning in to what has become car crash television.

BB has gone down hill rapidly and has bred insipid quasi celebs (uhum) and has stooped lower into the quagmire - Celeb BB 2007 sums it up nicely, but here I am knowing I will be addicted and loosing my summer to those shows and to the annoying wannabes.

We are no longer watching a social experiment as was BB1, but Jade Goody types who want that cheap stairway to fame - BB is part of our "want it NOW" generation.

So, I'm ready to curse and flap and hate people I do not know and wonder why oh why I keep watching!

Now I know why I don't get a suntan any more!

So I read today that ASDA are the latest store to discontinue the sale of singles due to the increasing popularity in downloads - in fact this week, Rhiana is at No.1 with her song Umbrella based purely on download sales.

I'm in two minds about this. Of course I am all for the moving on of technology, especially if it gives us the consumer the chance to get better quality merchandise for our hard earned money. However I feel sad because I am someone who loves to have something tangible in my hands - I still collect LP versions of my favourite albums and I love my CD collection, but I also download - it's great to find those one songs that you grew up with, or heard so little on commercial radio.

But except for holding your iPOD, Creative or whatever other digital music player you have, downloading music will bring an end to the geeks of music, who love linear notes, artwork and buying 30 different versions of the single to get all the remixes and b-sides.

I like to hold something in my hand, I like to see something in my collection. Sometimes going forward is too sad.

I love cats and I love You Tube:

(We did not make this video and merely found it on YT. If it breaches copyright, please contact You Tube to have it removed. We just found the funny and cute!)