Queen Elizabeth visits Ireland

For the first time in 100 years, a British monarch is visiting the Republic of Ireland. The last time this happened the Irish were British subjects, and 90 years since independence it is clear that old troubles still exist.

Two bomb scares however have not deterred Her Majesty from making a visit that will certainly find its way into future GCSE books about the Anglo-Irish crisis. By crisis I mean all the events over the last 600 years which have contributed to the fear and hatred of the two societies involved.

Some Irish nationals claim that the border between the two countries is just as dangerous as 20 years ago, and that the press in both countries sees it as in their best interests not to report attacks. Internationally, news has hailed the visit of Queen Elizabeth the First. 'Now that would be historic!' says Mark Davenport, Northern Ireland political correspondent on Twitter.

While David Cameron calls this an historic day, one is left wondering what the future holds for Ireland. With the economic crisis, the bomb scares, and the relationship with the EU, is the Republic of Ireland going to look the same in 100 years time?

A page has certainly been turned, and I am sure a book is being written about the visit. Hopefully it will be positive, and will probably point out the effect of the visit being around Easter. The Queen has always been one for symbolism!

The Apprentice is back!

As the title may suggest... the Apprentice is back! Wednesdays at 9pm will be spent watching the 7 season of this amazing show.

Lord Sugar is finally back on our screens firing the idiots that somehow make it onto the program. I heard a very true fact on the radio today: the first seasons offered the audience the chance to see actual professionals perform at their best (does anyone remember Ruth Badger?). I remember thinking that I really wanted to try my hand in business, but watching today's contestants I'm left feeling I dodged a bullet, working with people who act like the back end of a flatulent giant living ego because they think they should is simply ridiculous. They certainly are very good, and some have an admirably suave... but please loose the childish attitudes!

We're left with a program that entertains us, the public's interest in business is replaced with hope that the contestants will fail and get yelled at by the big boss.

But that's fine because we remember why we watch it, it's terrific fun and if these characters can make it then I'm sure I can.

Prince William and (Princess) Catherine

Interesting Spread of Nuclear Power

With the mess of Chernobyl back in the news, the BBC website has provided this interesting map of the number of nuclear reactors at certain times in history. I hadn't realised how many reactors the UK built in the 1960s, many more than the US! Another thing is it shows France's dependency on nuclear power, I vaguely remember one of the things Sarkozy's government did first was built a dozen new reactors.

Article accessible HERE.

Friday Night Dinner - Fantastic new comedy sitcom

Ok maybe not 'new', the fifth episode airs on April 1st, here are a couple pictures to show who stars and what you can expect from these great episodes.

The family, played by Simon Bird, Tom Rosenthal, Paul Ritter and Tamsin Greig.

The neighbour 'Jim'. Played by Mark Heap, whom I first noticed playing Prince Tertius in the 2007 film 'Stardust', also highly recommended. This neighbour fears his own dog and finds himself unknowingly in the most awkward social situations, it's a remarkably character and looks like great fun to play. One moment that sticks out is when his dog gets drunk and is carried home by the boys (played by Simon Bird and Tom Rosenthal), when one asks 'Isn't he going to wake up?', Jim jumps backward in shock whimpering the words 'Is he?'. Last week saw the mum (played by Tamsin Greig) running thinking her best friend has come round to show off a new dress, she skips excitedly toward the door singing 'I'm getting married in the morning! Ding Dong? the bells are going to...' She opens the door to find Jim singing '...chime' and smiling happily.

Very awkward and absolutely legendary comedy from Robert Popper's new show.

My final 10 O'clock Live review

The time is 1am and I feel like exploring the bizarre lands beyond my grammatically incomprehensible mind. I watched the first half of 10 O'clock Live this evening only to find Lauren had not only increase her foul vocab but also fell into what must have been Alan Carr's wardrobe, emerging with a hideous pink jacket peppered with glittery rocks with matched the large metallic teddy bear hanging off her necklace. I would have turned the channel over anyway as even Charlie Brooker was a being a bit too vulgar, and Jimmy Carr appearing in pink frock and a blond wig spending 5 minutes selling holiday getaways to a bloke in a Gaddafi costume signaled an unexpected low in his career. The show seems to have gone from cutting edge political satire to a series of confusing gags involving politicians with the odd debate thrown in. Jimmy Carr, I've seen you do better.

David Mitchell hosted a debate between a Labour MP, a Tory MP and an Activist. I don't want to spoil it but you can imagine what the result was. Yes, 2 minutes of shouting, laughing and David firing terrific questions at people with opinions. It was hard to watch as he asked those questions knowing he wouldn't get anywhere near a satisfying reply in the few minutes he had. In the end we had more swearing, comparisons of the government to a man getting intimate with a panda, and swooping camera shots between satirical skits. Even if my cat hadn't fallen in the Vaseline and started running round like a maniac foaming at the mouth, I'm sure I would have changed the channel anyway!

Jamie Oliver's Dream School - Week 4

I could have predicted last night's episode last week. The kids reduced the headmaster to tears, Jamie was lost for words, and yet there was a glimmer of hope. The somewhat understated transformation of teacher/student relations caught me by surprise when one-to-one conversations appeared on screen. The teachers were finally able to show their brilliance and we got to learn about the individual students rather than the rowdy bunch, one of them even got a signed copy of Starky's book on Elizabeth I, which he duly notes has sold millions, suggesting it's in a bookshop near you and you should buy because the author is on TV and finally comes across as 'a nice guy'.

Tempers flared just before their first Latin class (with Mary Beard) and what could have been an interesting session turned into a huge inter-student argument. When confronted by the headmaster, he became the target of blame for rudely interrupting an argument that he didn't understand, never mind the Latin teacher! 

Poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion made his rules clear that any student who interrupts will be excluded, and Motion hit the nail on the head when he swiftly sent away three kids who were stunned to have been the target of a well-deserved kicking off. Well done on that front, discipline works! and so does a one-to-one talk, take away the distraction of a classroom and (surprise surprise) you'll find the kid has a brain, and feelings... maybe it's their up-bringing that made them this way?

And voila! you have a Channel 4 documentary! Emotion, arguing, frustration, then feelings, lifestyle problems, a bit of blubbering, a teenage mum in trouble, Jamie Oliver looking concerned... what more could they do?

Cherie Blair. Can't wait.