Manchester | Tellyspotting

Posted December 23, 2022 - No Comment

50+ years down the road, Bob Dylan reveals what makes him ‘feel at home’

A big TOH to Reid Robinson, Tellyspotting’s intrepid reporter in Richardson, TX who reminded me of one of music’s most controversial moments which occurred at Manchester’s Free Trade Hall in 1966. A heckler branded one of the greatest songwriters of all-time, “Judas” for going electric during a set thus ‘betraying his folk roots’. Reid pointed me in the direction of one Robert Allen Zimmerman and how, over a half century later, he answered one of life’s most sought-after musical questions.

Posted July 3, 2016 - No Comment

R.I.P. Caroline Aherne, co-creator/writer, star of ‘The Royle Family’

Caroline Aherne, the co-creator/writer and star of the brilliant late 90s British situation comedy, The Royle Family, has died at the age of 52. Aherne, who played Denise Royle, co-created and wrote all three series of the critically-acclaimed comedy with co-star, Craig Cash. Centered around the lives of a blue collar, television-fixated Manchester family, the Royles, comprised of family patriarch Jim […]

Posted June 28, 2016 - No Comment

Best crime-fighting car…Ford Cortina or Audi Quattro? You decide.

I was reminded recently about the greatness of the series Life on Mars starring Philip Glenister as DCI Gene Hunt and John Simm as DI Sam Tyler. Primarily set in the 70s, the series centered around Tyler, a policeman in service with the Greater Manchester Police who, after being hit by a car in 2006, finds himself […]

Posted November 8, 2015 - 2 Comments

‘Scott & Bailey’ – consider this an early notice of Must See TV in 2016

The streets of Manchester are, once again, safe as the members of the Major Incident Team (MIT) of the Manchester Metropolitan Police have gotten the band back together and are returning for series five. Suranne Jones (A Touch of Cloth, Doctor Foster), who conceived of the original idea for Scott & Bailey with fellow actress Sally […]

Posted October 18, 2015 - No Comment

Philip Glenister becomes next ‘Prey’ for DS Susan Reinhardt

When series two of the brilliant BAFTA-nominated ITV police drama, Prey, returns later this year, DS Susan Reinhardt will be putting another Life on Mars alumni in her sights. In series one, it was John Simm who starred as Detective Constable Marcus Farrow, the well-liked detective with the Manchester Metropolitan Police and husband with two children. His […]

Posted August 1, 2015 - No Comment

‘Scott & Bailey’ return to make streets of Manchester safe once again

A sigh of relief was heard throughout the land yesterday as ITV announced that the members of the Major Incident Team (MIT) of the Manchester Metropolitan Police will do their best to make the streets of Manchester safe, once again. Suranne Jones, who conceived of the original idea for Scott & Bailey with fellow actress Sally […]

Posted September 4, 2014 - No Comment

'Scott & Bailey' to make Manchester streets safe again beginning Sept 10

It’s hard to believe that, after only three series, Scott & Bailey was one of the early adopters of the concept of featuring strong female police officers. The series was pretty much the lone-wolf on the telly when it came to showcasing strong female characters in roles that were more complicated and had substance. It […]

Posted June 15, 2011 - No Comment

First London Bridge, now BBC Television Centre. What next?

This just in. The BBC is for sale. Actually, the BBC Television Centre, the landmark London home of BBC News and Television, is for sale. This isn’t really new news as it’s been talked about for some time, with staff members making the trek to BBC North, just west of Manchester city centre. What is […]

Posted September 23, 2010 - No Comment

Life on Mars confirmed in North Texas

Two points to ponder One, I’m guessing you’re already done with Red Carpet Premiere Week. The Event really wasn’t that “eventful” and the 33rd season of Survivor just isn’t that compelling. After all, they all survive. Second, there’s no more need for the Mars Exploration Rover Mission. The two robotic space mission rovers, Spirit and […]