BAFTA special - Helen Mirren

I've never understood where the T comes from in BAFTA. I could google it now couldn't I? Ah right it is from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Which I guess means it exists as an institution for the other 364 days of the year when Stephen Fry isn't being blown kisses by Leonardo DiCaprio. 

But obviously it's the awards we care about. Dame Helen Mirren got a fellowship award. Which is not meant in the way that the hippie cult youth organisation I attended as a child meant it. It just means she's like, really good, and really famous, and has been for a while now. 

She took the opportunity to talk about how great teachers are. Which is of course a very important point. She asked the audience of successful performers how many of them had a teacher who believed in them and inspired them to pursue their dreams. Everyone raised their hands of course. Because when teachers are awesome it makes a difference. But more it made me think about how all famous people (except creepy child stars and royalty) were once on the other end of that, just students with a creative bent that needed encouragement and inspiration. One among hundreds or thousands passing through a school, a course, a classroom, being encouraged and inspired. 

Christmas in a Day

Have you seen the feature length Sainsbury's ad, christmas home video compilation that is Christmas in a Day?

You really should. It's on the youtube for free. It's, you know, totes emosh, and also witty and sarcastic and genuine and all the Christmassy.

I like the woman obsessed with her geese and the woman tweeting Simon Cowell at 1.30am in Christmas morning, obviously the girl who got the Barbie Graveyard, the woman who likes to edit boxing videos as a hobby, all the drunken carol singing, all the petty arguments.

I drew two of my favourite momentquotes for you:

As well as the girl crying because she thinks she's too naughty for a stocking and the girl who wants all her presents to be ipads, this girl's saddest of sad faces when she thinks she's not getting the Camera she wants for Christmas, but trying to be philosophical about it and see the true meaning of the season is so classic. Because this film if anything really shows that she's right, in both senses. It is all about the presents, and all the other things too. 

This gentleman doesn't even need any spiel to tell you how awesome he his, just look at him. 

Launching Real TV Wisdom Shop

So I know you have all been wondering how you could possibly acquire some Real TV Wisdom drawings for yourselves. 

Wonder Nenceforth.

For I have put some in an Etsy Shop. 

Not only can you order a print of ANY Real TV Wisdom drawing you like for an exclusive holiday rateness of only £8, you can also BUY original drawings, COMMISSION your own, and OF COURSE, buy Real TV Wisdom Christmas cards.

 

Christmas Card designs grand reveal

This is a special post, and some special Real TV Wisdom drawings. I've been scouring the land of digitally available video material on the theme of culinary Christmas for the past few weeks trying to find my favourite celebrity chef christmas soundbites (and expressions). The results are the below Christmas card designs which I will be sending out to a special list of people, and will also selling a limited number of packs in the soon to be launcehd REal TV Wisdom Shop. Exciting times isn't it?

If you think you should be one of the select people (you might be already) or if you're interested in buying a pack, feel free to pop me a comment, or an email, or shout really really loud (I might hear you).

Quote from Heston's Christmas Feast, originally aired 18.12.2009 on Channel 4. I really hope Heston does another one of these this year, where a group of celebrities sit in a souped up grotto and make soundbites about the magic of Christmas whilst intercut with scientific experiments and visits to the middle east. 

 From Jamie's Best Ever Christmas, aired 20.12.10 again on Channel 4. Poor Jamie, knowing that his best Christmas and best gravy are forever behind him now.

This is from Nigel Slater's 12 Tastes of Christmas from last year 14.12.12 on BBC One. It took me forever to draw that Christmas Jumper! I love Nigel, love his expressions and his suppers, although I do get him confused with that other posh one with the garden. 

From a way back, this is Nigella Express Season's Eatings 10.12.2007. I watched a LOT of Nigella Christmas clips, but this just summed it up for me, I'd like a little Nigella Christmas Fairy to say calming things, and innuendos to bring peace and tranquility to the holiday season. She's a bit like Attenborough to me, just a very calming televisual presence. I have to say I drew this and sent to the printers before the recent media interest in Nigella's personal life, which may give a somewhat different reading of the meaning of this card. To which I echo Nigella's no comment.

Looking forward to this years Seasonal Cookery Programming. 

Football special: Cristiano Ronaldo

The field of sport is ripe for the plundering for wisdom. Who could know more about hard work and the price of success than people that are paid ridiculous amounts of money so they can focus on nothing else? And Ronaldo's analysis could apply to so many undertakings - whether the Great British Bake Off tent (come on Ruby), the classroom (come on year 11), or of course the football pitch. Unless you have the bravery to push yourself and take risks to expand your knowledge, you will never develop the skills you need to succeed. Courage is not a guarantee of a multi million paycheck of course. 

Kimberley

I almost didn't sketch this piece of Real TV Wisdom, for starters, the GBBO editors are OBSESSED with this soundbite, cos, you know, it sounds a bit rude, and Kimberley looks all sparkly and happy when she says it. So I already saw it two weeks ago and was actually a bit confused to see it in the actual episode this week. Also, the close up angle means you can't see the top of Kimberley's hair. And she was star baker like Ruby and it's not like a thing that I want to draw the star baker. 

But, obviously, i drew it anyway.  Because, you know, it sounds a bit rude, but is very wise. What truly governs our happiness more than our physical comfort, and satisfactory pie? 

Jeremy Kyle

So this was a best of Jeremy Kyle episode as a taster for the new series starting next week. We'd just seen a lovely couple of kids with a kid battle it out with their 'grandparents at war' from last year. Jeremy's been in touch with Chelsea and Jay recently to see how things had changed since being on the show, they hadn't much. And yes Jeremy it really is a shame. Despite the very best of televisual group therapy and soundbite advice, some people do find it difficult to forget the issues of their past which are periodically broadcast to the nation and move on with their lives. A crying shame.

It's times like this my buddy Timon here says: 'slimy yet satisfying'