John J. Hoare
@dirtyfeed.org
Links to vaguely pop, vaguely culture articles over on Dirty Feed. www.dirtyfeed.org ISSN 2754-2807
Just seen someone criticise the quality of the instrumentation on a demo version of a song - “I’m glad they went down the orchestra route on the final version” - and not for the first time I question whether people are as media-literate these days as I often see claimed.
November 26, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Just seen someone criticise the quality of the instrumentation on a demo version of a song - “I’m glad they went down the orchestra route on the final version” - and not for the first time I question whether people are as media-literate these days as I often see claimed.
I have felt like shit for the past 36 hours with the sniffles and I want one of you to FIX IT
November 26, 2025 at 12:28 AM
I have felt like shit for the past 36 hours with the sniffles and I want one of you to FIX IT
The whole of this looks great, but the first two minutes especially is an absolutely sublime piece of comedy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMTM...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMTM...
Bob Monkhouse Hilarious One-Liners! | Des O' Connor Show
YouTube video by Des O'Connor Tonight
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The whole of this looks great, but the first two minutes especially is an absolutely sublime piece of comedy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMTM...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMTM...
Here's the advert for The Dick Van Dyke Show which featured in the Los Angeles Times on the 3rd October 1961, the day it premiered.
Not sure that picture does the show any favours, Of course Dick has aspects of Stan Laurel, but you don't want the show looking like a rip-off, especially as it isn't.
Not sure that picture does the show any favours, Of course Dick has aspects of Stan Laurel, but you don't want the show looking like a rip-off, especially as it isn't.
November 25, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Here's the advert for The Dick Van Dyke Show which featured in the Los Angeles Times on the 3rd October 1961, the day it premiered.
Not sure that picture does the show any favours, Of course Dick has aspects of Stan Laurel, but you don't want the show looking like a rip-off, especially as it isn't.
Not sure that picture does the show any favours, Of course Dick has aspects of Stan Laurel, but you don't want the show looking like a rip-off, especially as it isn't.
This is terrible compared to everything else in this thread, but I still hold a grudge against Spar for the most REVOLTING cornflakes I have ever tasted from a family holiday in Norfolk in the early 90s.
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore
I feel like we need this
I feel like we need this
November 25, 2025 at 2:05 PM
This is terrible compared to everything else in this thread, but I still hold a grudge against Spar for the most REVOLTING cornflakes I have ever tasted from a family holiday in Norfolk in the early 90s.
Doing my first ever piece of writing about The Dick Van Dyke Show. I always get antsy about things like this, as though I somehow feel I have to do the show justice. You don't worry about that when you're on your 11th article about something.
November 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Doing my first ever piece of writing about The Dick Van Dyke Show. I always get antsy about things like this, as though I somehow feel I have to do the show justice. You don't worry about that when you're on your 11th article about something.
Reposted by John J. Hoare
The hidden chemical attack that forced the Northern line’s extraordinary repair
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
The hidden chemical attack that forced the Northern line’s extraordinary repair
Thirty years ago, an entire section of the Northern line had to be replaced because it was under attack from acid, and hardly anyone noticed that it was happening.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 7:03 AM
The hidden chemical attack that forced the Northern line’s extraordinary repair
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/the...
I'm calling the Coast Guard.
I just found this old picture of a poster that was on the wall at the school my friend taught at and there’s some incredible stuff in there
November 25, 2025 at 1:14 PM
I'm calling the Coast Guard.
Reposted by John J. Hoare
Exactly 75 years ago today, BBC Television began regular broadcasting at Saturday teatimes with the very first episode of Whirligig, one of its first well-known, long-running children’s shows.
To mark the occasion, I’ve written a feature for the BBC website.
But if you’d like to know more… (1/3)
To mark the occasion, I’ve written a feature for the BBC website.
But if you’d like to know more… (1/3)
Whirligig
A tribute to a much-loved Saturday teatime children's favourite, 75 years on.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Exactly 75 years ago today, BBC Television began regular broadcasting at Saturday teatimes with the very first episode of Whirligig, one of its first well-known, long-running children’s shows.
To mark the occasion, I’ve written a feature for the BBC website.
But if you’d like to know more… (1/3)
To mark the occasion, I’ve written a feature for the BBC website.
But if you’d like to know more… (1/3)
All these stories remind me of the time when I was an active Tumblr user, and I got an email - along with many other people - warning me that I had been interacting with a load of accounts linked with "Russian activity".
And I thought I had been REALLY CAREFUL about who I interacted with.
And I thought I had been REALLY CAREFUL about who I interacted with.
November 24, 2025 at 11:03 PM
All these stories remind me of the time when I was an active Tumblr user, and I got an email - along with many other people - warning me that I had been interacting with a load of accounts linked with "Russian activity".
And I thought I had been REALLY CAREFUL about who I interacted with.
And I thought I had been REALLY CAREFUL about who I interacted with.
“You’ll be visited by three spirits”
The three spirits:
The three spirits:
November 24, 2025 at 8:12 PM
“You’ll be visited by three spirits”
The three spirits:
The three spirits:
Just seen an article which asks “Why write an article about a TV show that ended seven years ago?”
*shuffles feet*
*shuffles feet*
November 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Just seen an article which asks “Why write an article about a TV show that ended seven years ago?”
*shuffles feet*
*shuffles feet*
Evening repost for this!
Brand new on Dirty Feed: just how reliable are Bob Monkhouse's memories of The Golden Shot?
www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/11/poor...
www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/11/poor...
November 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Evening repost for this!
Reposted by John J. Hoare
I can finally announce!
This Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, BBC Radio 4, a drama I've written - 'The Truth about Phyllis Twigg' - will inform, educate and entertain about the first ever radio drama! 103 years later to the day.
If you like this classy image, you should see our cast...
This Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, BBC Radio 4, a drama I've written - 'The Truth about Phyllis Twigg' - will inform, educate and entertain about the first ever radio drama! 103 years later to the day.
If you like this classy image, you should see our cast...
November 24, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I can finally announce!
This Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, BBC Radio 4, a drama I've written - 'The Truth about Phyllis Twigg' - will inform, educate and entertain about the first ever radio drama! 103 years later to the day.
If you like this classy image, you should see our cast...
This Christmas Eve, 2:15pm, BBC Radio 4, a drama I've written - 'The Truth about Phyllis Twigg' - will inform, educate and entertain about the first ever radio drama! 103 years later to the day.
If you like this classy image, you should see our cast...
Brand new on Dirty Feed: just how reliable are Bob Monkhouse's memories of The Golden Shot?
www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/11/poor...
www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/11/poor...
November 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Brand new on Dirty Feed: just how reliable are Bob Monkhouse's memories of The Golden Shot?
www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/11/poor...
www.dirtyfeed.org/2025/11/poor...
Just bumped up a footnote in a piece I'm writing to take its rightful place as part of the main text, I believe in giving the small guys a chance at the big time.
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Just bumped up a footnote in a piece I'm writing to take its rightful place as part of the main text, I believe in giving the small guys a chance at the big time.
Beautiful stage direction from the pilot episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show:
TED BAXTER ENTERS, AND AS ALWAYS, THERE IS THE FEELING THAT HE EXPECTS APPLAUSE.
The entire character, summed up in one line.
TED BAXTER ENTERS, AND AS ALWAYS, THERE IS THE FEELING THAT HE EXPECTS APPLAUSE.
The entire character, summed up in one line.
November 23, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Beautiful stage direction from the pilot episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show:
TED BAXTER ENTERS, AND AS ALWAYS, THERE IS THE FEELING THAT HE EXPECTS APPLAUSE.
The entire character, summed up in one line.
TED BAXTER ENTERS, AND AS ALWAYS, THERE IS THE FEELING THAT HE EXPECTS APPLAUSE.
The entire character, summed up in one line.
Reading the script for the first episode of The Wonder Years. Note the four words of voiceover they dropped from the final episode in order not to screw over future storytelling opportunities!
November 23, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Reading the script for the first episode of The Wonder Years. Note the four words of voiceover they dropped from the final episode in order not to screw over future storytelling opportunities!
I told everyone when I was working for makro in Exeter that I was moving to London, to work in television. I’m not sure they believed me.
To be fair, until I actually got my first job (working in dirt-cheap playout, but still), I wasn’t sure I believed me either.
To be fair, until I actually got my first job (working in dirt-cheap playout, but still), I wasn’t sure I believed me either.
November 23, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I told everyone when I was working for makro in Exeter that I was moving to London, to work in television. I’m not sure they believed me.
To be fair, until I actually got my first job (working in dirt-cheap playout, but still), I wasn’t sure I believed me either.
To be fair, until I actually got my first job (working in dirt-cheap playout, but still), I wasn’t sure I believed me either.
Just watched Her and She and Him (1970) which in some ways is a very nice film, but it's very difficult to interpret it as anything other than intensely homophobic. Oh well.
November 22, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Just watched Her and She and Him (1970) which in some ways is a very nice film, but it's very difficult to interpret it as anything other than intensely homophobic. Oh well.
I highly recommend this entire thread, not just the initial link.
It was 62 years ago #OnThisDay in 1963 that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Here's a piece I wrote for the History of the BBC website a couple of years ago about how the BBC covered the news.
I'm quite pleased with this one...
www.bbc.com/historyofthe...
Here's a piece I wrote for the History of the BBC website a couple of years ago about how the BBC covered the news.
I'm quite pleased with this one...
www.bbc.com/historyofthe...
Breaking news - November 1963
BBC History recalls one of the first truly global news stories of the modern multi-media age
www.bbc.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I highly recommend this entire thread, not just the initial link.
Reposted by John J. Hoare
It was 62 years ago #OnThisDay in 1963 that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Here's a piece I wrote for the History of the BBC website a couple of years ago about how the BBC covered the news.
I'm quite pleased with this one...
www.bbc.com/historyofthe...
Here's a piece I wrote for the History of the BBC website a couple of years ago about how the BBC covered the news.
I'm quite pleased with this one...
www.bbc.com/historyofthe...
Breaking news - November 1963
BBC History recalls one of the first truly global news stories of the modern multi-media age
www.bbc.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:35 AM
It was 62 years ago #OnThisDay in 1963 that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Here's a piece I wrote for the History of the BBC website a couple of years ago about how the BBC covered the news.
I'm quite pleased with this one...
www.bbc.com/historyofthe...
Here's a piece I wrote for the History of the BBC website a couple of years ago about how the BBC covered the news.
I'm quite pleased with this one...
www.bbc.com/historyofthe...
I BLOODY SAID ON TWITTER AT THE TIME THAT IT SHOULD HAVE HAD A STUDIO AUDIENCE, AND THE WRITER AGREES
Weekend catch-up: The writer behind one of the most slated sitcoms in recent times has told of the ‘horrendous’ abuse he received – including death threats. http://dlvr.it/TPPvsd
November 22, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I BLOODY SAID ON TWITTER AT THE TIME THAT IT SHOULD HAVE HAD A STUDIO AUDIENCE, AND THE WRITER AGREES
Say what you like about Edgar Wright’s version of The Running Man, but it’s the most positive depiction of the future of linear broadcasting I’ve seen in years.
November 22, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Say what you like about Edgar Wright’s version of The Running Man, but it’s the most positive depiction of the future of linear broadcasting I’ve seen in years.
“I didn't think you could make it. I'm glad you did though, I've been meaning to talk to you about Trotsky.”
November 22, 2025 at 10:06 AM
“I didn't think you could make it. I'm glad you did though, I've been meaning to talk to you about Trotsky.”