TELEVISION - 2020
The BRITS at 40 - On the 40th anniversary of the first British Music Awards, The BRITS, Comedian Jack Whitehall looks back at key moments in the history of the ceremony. They include Sam Fox and Mick Fleetwood's hosting disaster, Geri Halliwell's Union Jack dress, Madonna's cape fall and Adele's show-stopping rendition of "Someone Like You" (9, 1 hour 28 minutes, 1 Disc, ITV, PAL)
Good Omens - Based on the 1990 novel by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, longtime friends Angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and Demon Crowley (David Tennant) are representatives of Heaven and Hell on Earth and try to prevent the coming of the Antichrist and with it Armageddon, the final battle between Heaven and Hell (9, Original BBC broadcasts, 6 episodes of 50 minutes each, 3 Discs, BBC, PAL)
Brexitnight - 3 programmes from the night that Britain left the European Union on the 31st January 2020 : BBC News Special with Sophie Rayworth (22 minutes), Road to Brexit with comedian Matt Berry (27 minutes) and Newsnight Special with Emily Maitlis (39 minutes) (9, 1 hour 29 minutes, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)
Sport Relief - Hi-lites of the BBC Telethon with a Sports theme, raising money for charities in Britain and Africa. Coverage includes the Celebrity Boat Race, Football Stars in Bad Cars, The Greatest Dancer with celebrities, Andy Murray challenging Romesh Ranganathan at a game of Crazy Golf, the "Killing Eve" pastiche "Killing Steves" and Gods of the Game with Mo Farah (9, 1 hour 36 minutes, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)
The Heat is On - To raise awareness of Mental Health and as part of the BBC's televised Sport Relief charity fund-raising event, 7 celebrities undertook a 4-day traverse of the Namib desert in Namibia by foot and bike in temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius. The celebrities were Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, Popstar Frankie Bridge, TV presenter Rob Rinder, Newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Childrens TV presenter Karim Zeroual, Actor Samantha Womack and Newsreader Louise Minchin (9, 1 Hour, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)
Question Time : 19.03.20 - In the midst of the Coronavirus outbreak, the show was broadcast for the first time ever without a studio audience and with the panellists sitting a minimum of 2 metres from each other. Fiona Bruce chaired with questions presented to the panel via video messages from the people of Weston-super-Mare. The panellists were Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock, Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham, Director of the Institute of Infection and Global Health Tom Solomon, General Secretary of the British Trades Union Congress Frances O'Grady and Restauranteur Angela Hartnett (10, 1 hour, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)
The Queen : Address to the Nation - As the United Kingdom's Coronavirus Pandemic lock-down entered its 3rd week, the Queen addressed the nation, showing her support for her subjects and the NHS and encouraging everyone to pull together to beat the hard times. Also includes the BBC News from the day (9, 31 minutes, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)
The Steph Show - The first 5 episodes of Channel 4's new chat show, hosted by Steph McGovern. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, the show was broadcast from her house and not a studio, with guests interacted with via video connection (9, 5 episodes of 50 minutes, 3 Discs, Channel 4, PAL)
The episodes are :
30/03/20 - Guests : Keith Lemon (Comedian) and Anton Du Beke (Dancer)
31/03/20 - Guests : Matt Lucas (Comedian) and Stacey Dooley (TV presenter)
01/04/20 - Guests : Alan Titchmarsh (Gardener) and Tom Allen (Comedian)
02/04/20 - Guests : Bill Bailey (Comedian), Harry and Sandra Redknapp (Former football manager and his wife) and Dame Kelly Holmes (Olympic athlete)
03/04/20 - Guest : Scarlett Moffatt (TV presenter)
The Big Night In - Charity fund-raising groups "Comic Relief" and "Children in Need" combined in a live Telethon to raise money and lift the UK's spirits in the middle of the lock-down caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Celebrities created and performed sketches in the isolation of their own homes and presented them via video-link to the show. Celebrity sketches included the cast of Miranda, Dawn French as the Vicar of Dibley, Stephen Fry as Lord Melchett from Blackadder in conversation with Prince William and Matt Lucas and David Walliams re-creating Little Britain characters despite not being in the same location. There was also music from Matt Lucas (Thank You Baked Potato), Sam Smith (Lay me Down) and Celeste (Lean on Me). Over £27.3 million was raised (10, 3 hours, 2 Discs, BBC, PAL)
Prime Minister addressess' the Nation on Coronavirus Lockdown - Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressess' the Nation on the next phase of the Coronavirus Lockdown procedures, after 8 weeks of the Nation suffering restricted access to work and family (13 minutes). Also includes the 10/05/20 BBC News Special (33 minutes) breaking down the speech + the PM addressing the House of Commons on the 11/05/20 (58 minutes) (10, 1 hour 46 minutes, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)
Peter Sellers : A State of Comic Ecstasy - A look at the life and career of one of the greatest comic genius's of all time. Using archive footage and interviews with friends, colleagues 'and family, the programme follows Sellers from his early days in a music hall revue group, through his wartime service in India and Burma to his global superstardom on radio and in film (9, 1 hour 16 minutes - On the same disc as 2015 Peter Sellers : Talking Comedy, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)
Isolation Stories - A series of 4 plays set and filmed during the Coronavirus Pandemic lockdown. Each play was filmed by the actors on their mobile phones and edited remotely. The plays are : "Mel" starring Sheridan Smith, "Ron and Russell" staring Robert and Tom Glenister, "Mike and Rochelle" starring Angela Griffin and Darren Boyd, and "Karen" staring David Threlfall and Eddie Marsan. Also includes a 22 minute behind-the-scenes feature on how the whole thing was done (9, 4 episodes of approximately 15 minutes each + 1 episode of 22 minutes, 1 Disc, ITV, PAL)
Pluto : Back from the Dead - The story of how our knowledge of the dwarf planet Pluto, 3.5 billion miles from Earth, was dramatically expanded by the New Horizons spacecraft after it performed a flyby in 2015. The information gathered revealed a world that may be able to support life. Includes interviews with scientists involved in the New Horizons mission (9, 1 hour, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)
Alan Bennett's Talking Heads - Talking Heads is a series of dramatic monologues written by British playwright Alan Bennett and performed by British actors during the Coronavirus lockdown. 10 of the episodes are re-makes of the original 1988 series. The actors performing the monologues are Sarah Lancashire, Monica Dolan, Imelda Staunton, Harriet Walter, Jodie Comer, Lucian Msamati, Martin Freeman, Rochenda Sandall, Lesley Manville, Tamsin Greig, Kristin Scott Thomas and Maxine Peake (9, 12 episodes of approximately 35 minutes each, 4 Discs, BBC, PAL)
The Kemps : All True - In a spoof "Mocku-mentary", Rhys Thomas interviews Gary and Martin Kemp, former members of 80's pop band Spandau Ballet, about their lives and careers following the bands 40th anniversary celebrations. As well as looking back at their musical history, the film reveals Gary and Martin’s other passions. Martin attempts to launch a new film franchise, The Hardest British Bastards of the Galaxy, and Gary has his own vegan meat-substitute, Wonge. Includes cameos from Shirlie Kemp, Simon Day, Christopher Eccleston, Alan Ford, Anna Maxwell Martin, Daniel Mays, Lucy Montgomery and Tony Way (9, 1 Hour, 1 Disc, PAL)
22/09/20 - PM Boris Johnson tightens COVID-19 restrictions - In the wake of the rising rate of infections in the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation and informed them of a tightening of restrictions to try and curb the spread of the virus. His speech (7 minutes) is followed by a BBC News Special analysing the new restrictions (21 minutes) (10, 28 minutes, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)
US Presidential Election - For the first time since 1992 an incumbent President failed to win a second term as Democrat Joe Biden beat Donald Trump to become the 46th President of the USA. The election saw the highest voter turnout in 120 years, with each candidate receiving more than 70 million votes. The result was very close, with Biden only securing the win 4 days after election day. Biden, and running mate Kamala Harris, secured 290 electoral votes. Discs 1 to 4 are the BBC broadcast from election night. Disc 5 is a compilation of BBC News reports from the 4th to 8th of November when Joe Biden was confirmed as President (9, 9.5 hours of coverage, 5 Discs, BBC - Neil/Kay, PAL)
Out of Her Mind - Comedian Sara Pascoe stars in a comedy about her character (also called Sara) who is long-term singleton and who feels left behind when her best friend Scoopy (Cariad Lloyd), sister Lucy (Fiona Button) and mother Carol (Juliet Stevenson) all try to move on to bigger things in their lives (9, 6 epsiodes of 25 minutes each, 2 Discs, BBC, PAL)
The South Bank Show : Gillian Anderson - Melvin Bragg interviews American actress Gillian Anderson on the set of her stage show at the Old Vic in London, and discusses' her wide-ranging career in the theatre, film and on television (9, 43 minutes, 1 Disc, SKY Arts, PAL)
The Emily Atack Show : Series 1 - Actress, writer and TV personality Emily Atack looks at different themes each episode (Dating, Going Out, Family, Image, Friends and Growing Up), using stand-up comedy, sketches and impressions (including Gemma Collins, Keith Lemon and Holly Willoughby) (9, Original Broadcast - 6 episodes of 32 minutes each, 2 Discs, ITV, PAL)
The Vicar of Dibley...in Lockdown - 13 years after the final "The Vicar of Dibley" episode, comedian Dawn French reprised her role as the nation's favourite vicar, Geraldine Granger. In the midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic she delivered her Sermons to her parishioners via weekly on-line "Zoom" meetings, in her unique style (10, 34 minutes, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)
Being Bridget Jones - To mark the 25th anniversary since the creation of Bridget Jones, her creator, author Helen Fielding, looks at how the character was created and how she bacame a global icon for Womanhood. Includes interviews with friends and colleagues + the stars of the film adaptations, Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth (9, 1 hour, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)
Billy Connolly : It's been a Pleasure - After announcing his retirement from stand-up comedy due to illness, Scottish comedian Billy Connolly looks back at his career with the help of anecdotes from friends and family. Includes archive clips of his stage shows + interviews with Dustin Hoffman, Elton John, Russell Brand, Lenny Henry and Aisling Bea (9, 45 minutes, 1 Disc, ITV, PAL)
Back to the 80's - Presented by comedian Lenny Henry, Channel 4 counts down the 20 best moments on the channel between 1980 and 1989 (9, 1 hour 30 minutes, 1 Disc, Channel 4, PAL)
Back to the 90's - Presented by comedian Vic Reeves, Channel 4 counts down the 20 best moments on the channel between 1990 and 1999 (9, 1 hour 30 minutes, 1 Disc, Channel 4, PAL)
Back to the 00's - Presented by TV presenter Davina McCall, Channel 4 counts down the 20 best moments on the channel between 2000 and 2009 (9, 1 hour 30 minutes, 1 Disc, Channel 4, PAL)
Back to the 10's - Presented by comedian Jimmy Carr, Channel 4 counts down the 20 best moments on the channel between 2010 and 2019 (9, 1 hour 30 minutes, 1 Disc, Channel 4, PAL)
New Elizabethans - Journalist Andrew Marr looks at how British society has changed since Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952, and looks at several "New Elizabethans" who have helped shape the change. Episode 1 looks at transgender pioneer James Morris, socialite Nancy Mitford, actress Diana Dors, actress Ruth Ellis, politician Roy Jenkins, moral campaigner Mary Whitehouse, actor Graham Chapman, activist Darcus Howe, music industry executie Alan McGee and artist Tracey Emin. Episode 2 looks at Earl Mountbatten of Burma, Colonel Colin ‘Mad Mitch’ Mitchell, cookery writer Elizabeth David, politician Tony Benn, activist Jayaben Desai, singer and activist Bob Geldof, peace campaigner Helen John and environmentalist David Attenborough. Episode 3 looks at socialite Norah Docker, Inventor Christopher Cockerell, singer Dusty Springfield, Unionist Jimmy Reid, film director Ridley Scott, Inventor Clive Sinclair, businesswoman Anita Roddick, architect Zaha Hadid and Inventor James Dyson (9, 3 episodes of 1 hour each, 2 Discs, BBC, PAL)
The Go-Go's - Documentary telling the story of American All-Girl band The Go-Go's, from their rise in the late 1970's / early 1980's to the present day. The band are the most successful female rock band of all time and were pioneers in that they wrote all their own songs and played all their own instruments. Includes interviews with all the band members (Charlotte Caffey, Belinda Carlisle, Gina Schock, Kathy Valentine and Jane Wiedlin) and also features clips of their shows (9, 1 hour 30 minutes, 1 Disc, SKY Arts, PAL)
Hubble : The Wonders of Space Revealed - To celebrate the 30th anniversary of its launch, the BBC tells the remarkable story of how Hubble revealed the awe and wonder of the universe and how a team of daring astronauts risked their lives to keep it working (10, 1 hour, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)
I am Burt Reynolds - A documentary looking at the life and career of American Actor Burt Reynolds. Using archive interviews with Mr.Reynolds and current interviews with friends, family and contemporaries, including Bruce Dern, Jon Voight and Loni Anderson, the documentary charts his rise to the #1 box office draw in the 1970's through to his decline due to ill-health brought on by an addiction to pain-killers (9, 1 hour 26 minutes, 1 Disc, SKY Arts, PAL)
The Secret World of Japanese Bicycle Racing with Sir Chris Hoy - In 2005, former Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy spent time in Japan learning how to race the Keirin competitively. In this documentary he returns to Japan to tell the story of Japanese Keirin racing and what is required to be successful (8, Copied from the internet - 22 minutes - On the same disc as 2024 Sir Chris Hoy : Finding Hope, 1 Disc, BBC, PAL)