Marc Warren, and general TV chat

[Chinchilla]

Did anyone see 'No Night is Too Long' on BBC2 the other night? I thought Marc Warren was soooo sexy as Ivo. I know he was recently in a programme that dealt with rape, but I didn't watch it, because of the subject matter. Does anyone know of anything that else that he has been in, as I know I've seen him in other things, but can't remember what they were! He usually plays 'baddies' if I remember rightly.

Does anyone else think that the TV this Christmas has been dire? We watched 'Bait' with John Hurt, and I guessed the real murderer almost immediately. Maybe I have just watched and read too many thrillers and 'whodunnits', but I thought that it was completely obvious. I was also annoyed that the Dalziel and Pascoe adaptation of 'Dialogues of the Dead' was really disappointing. I know that they only have two hours to fit the book into, but why change the whole premise of the story?

I was really looking forward to some decent entertainment this year, as we still don't get out much in the evenings, because of ds, so we have actually watched a lot of old films instead. 'Rosemary's Baby' was fab. even on the second viewing.

My dh used to go to either college or school (can't remember which) with Marc Warren - he always reminds me of the fact whenever he appears on the screen - he will probably know what he has been in - I wil ask when I get home!!
I agree with the Christmas TV being awful - although I have not bothered watching much (except Eastenders) - have been too busy playing with the kids toys - especially the Playtstation dancemat!!

I started watching "Bait", but went to bed about 3 quarters of the way through, as I frankly didn't really care who did it, or why. Dh guessed who it was fairly early on, too - like you, I think he's read and watched too many thrillers. Didn't watch "No night....", but probably would have been disappointed, as I love Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine, and I've never seen a good adaptation yet. I think the answer is to not watch the things that you've read, and not read the things that you watch. This doesn't apply to films IMO, as I was not disappointed by the Harry Potter films, and everyone seems to be in raptures about the Lord of the Rings films.

Emsiewill - 'No Night..' was actually very good. Yes, they did change a couple of things, like how Tim met Ivo, but, although pointless, it did not detract from the story in any way. The acting was superb, and the programme was very intense. I thought it was very watchable. I am currently reading the book for a second time, and so far, the programme has matched the book.

I am a prolific reader, and, like you am usually disappointed by adaptations of my favourite writers. I was disgusted with Emma Thompson's adaptation of 'Sense and Sensibilty', because she missed out characters, and added characterisation and plot where it had not been in the book. Although I like Hugh Grant sometimes (yummy in 'Bridget Jones' ), he was not meant to play Edward. I did enjoy the film in one sense, but think it could have been better.

Jaybee - your dh knew Marc Warren...ooh, mmm. Lucky man, although I don't suppose he feels that way! Mine went to school with Damon and Graham from 'Blur', and my cousins have been friends with Jamie Oliver since they were tiny. That's my vicarious claim to fame!

hi emsiewill and chinchilla, fellow vine/rendell fans! didn't see "no night..." not one of my favourites actually. thought the tv adaptations of "a dark adapted eye" and "a fatal inversion" were very good.

if you thought "sense and sensibility" was bad, you must have been appalled by the version of "mansfield park" the other night - i know i was!

got "minority report" out on video to watch last night (seen la confidential) - it's excellent, highly recommended if futuristic dystopian fantasy is your bag.

I agree about Bait and also went to bed 3/4 way through as I knew who'd done it. The worst was the hound one, sherlock, what a laugh. Total tosh on telly this christmas IMO. Looking forward to Dead Ringers guy on tonight at 10pm though.

Well, I did enjoy M. Park a bit, but must admit that I read the book about 15 years ago, so couldn't remember the complete story. Dh actually liked it, but I did hasten to tell him that I REALLY doubted that Jane A would have mentionned sex with slaves, lesbian sex, and would not have intimated at sex between any couple, let alone an unmarried and adulterous one! I now have the book on my bed-side table for reading after finishing 'No Night...'

I have to say that I am not a fan of Barbera Vine's most recent works. I found 'The Chimney Sweep' (whatever it's name was) very hard going. There was also a really surreal one about someone being in someone else's house, and a friend of theirs being locked in the cellar. Weird IMO. I LOVE 'Asta's book' though, and 'A Fatal Inversion'.

Any Diana Gabaldon fans out there? They are supposed to be dramatising 'Cross Stitch', but I will not be able to watch it. I have this very real picture of Jamie and Claire in my head, and I just know that any adaptation will ruin my future re-readings!

Agree with you about Barbara Vine Chinchilla. I loathed Grasshopper so much I've stopped buying her recent books; Asta's Book is my favourite too, and I still like the Inspector Wexfords.

I got really cross with the recent TV adaptations. Dialogues of the Dead was really well acted and filmed, but they didn't half chew up the story and lost the chance for a sequel by killing off Rye at the end. Love Jack Dee. Mansfield Park had me ranting for all the reasons you mentioned, though friends who hadn't read the book liked it.

Never heard of Diana Gabaldon - is she a crime writer? It's my favourite genre so always looking for new authors to get stuck into.

Thought the schedules were pants this year, especially New Year's Eve. Don't they realise there are lots of parents staying in that night? Did enjoy Dinotopia, but there were no great films.

No Bettys, Diana Gabaldon writes historical fiction. There is a series of 5 (soon to finish with the sixth) called 'Cross Stitch', 'Dragonfly in Amber', 'Voyager', 'Drums of Autumn' and 'The Fiery Cross'. They are addictive, and I converted several of my old colleagues to them. They follow the story of Claire, who went back in time from the '50's to the 1745 rebellion in Scotland. Sounds lame, but you only have to read them to get addicted!

ps - I thought Jack Dee was great too.