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Remote Control Couch Potatoes

Chris Evans | 11:32 UK time, Tuesday, 16 February 2010

The remote control, ironically the best friend of the armchair sports fan. Whilst their heroes expend thousands of calories out on the pitch - they do anything but - other than exercise one of their thumbs flicking through the channels.

Of course adults have always had a sort of remote control for the telly - it's just that they used to be called kids ! Not as easy to work admittedly - and not always to be found down the side of the sofa - but battery free, and also capable of running to the fridge or making the tea.

This got me thinking back to the days of huge television audiences, the like of which are rarely seen nowadays. Did they exist simply because nobody could be bothered to get up and switch channels ?

CLP

2010

X.

Comments

Page 1 of 3

  • First
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  • Comment number 1.

    Morning Chris,

    Back in the day there were only three channels ´óÏó´«Ã½1, ´óÏó´«Ã½2 and ITV, so there wasn't a lot to watch, that's probably why the viewing figures were so high. Now there are over 900 channels and there's still nothing decent on the telly!!

    Have a nice day now - still loving your work.

    AliB
    xx

  • Comment number 2.

    Typical...i write a missive and a new blog appears!

    Dont talk to me re the remote CLP.. the GM hogs it and cant `possibly` watch adverts so he flicks..and we usually miss the start of the 2nd part.. have started cloudplussing to stop this annoying habit!

    Anyhoo..will repost last post below for anyone totally bored ot of their minds..

    mSc x

  • Comment number 3.

    Morning each

    Flower you beat me to it! BEEZ..we need to be having words.. it will stil be edible and i`m sure between myself and Flower we could bid for it and raise a reasonable amount towards Rips (sorry, OUR) Ferrari... at least 68p..

    And UC..flaming cheese.. went to bed dreaming of it last night after catching up on the blog late on.. apparently i sat up in the middle of the night, exclaimed quite agitatedly (sp?) ` NO, NOT over there, over HERE` and then lay back down again and started snoring. And i hadnt even eaten any of the stuff..maybe i had someone else`s cheese dream for them!

    And as an aside love the stuff, smelly, runny, firm all the lot... yum. (quite like cheese too.....)

    mSc x also not here...

  • Comment number 4.

    Indeed, Christoff. Me, I wonder if Neanderthal man 'ad no muscles in 'is thumb compared to ours.

    I'm always threatenin' our Baz, the nightmare cousin, if 'e doesn't stop textin' me pointless garbage designed to get me into an instant rage, am goin' to go round an' break 'is thumbs. 'E'd be on suicide watch within an hour.

    Mind you. I wouldn't try usin MY child to change channels. Try wrestin' the remote off 'erself durin' Wettin' The Bed or MFI Miami, she'll put yous in traction.

    Clodagh.xx

  • Comment number 5.

    BTW. Did I 'ave the Last Post just then?

    That'd be appropriate. The Brother-outlaw's always sayin' I 'ave that effect.

    C.xx

  • Comment number 6.

    Chris,

    Do you remember remote controls on a wire? What was that all about?! We currently have 3 remotes, 1 for the TV, one for Sky+ and one for the DVD Home Cinema, so you have to press 3 buttons just to switch it on! Personally, I think it was much more fun getting up to switch it on or off but then again, I am a bit old fashioned - I mean, have you seen my cardigans? ;O)
    And yes, there used to be large TV audiences but that's because there was nothing else to watch and because the quality was better, not being spread out over hundreds of channels and before society became more fragmented.

    Nic
    x

  • Comment number 7.

    I'm not really here but it is lunchtime soon.

    Hi everybody

    For the youngsters out there, I can remember when there were only 2 channels ´óÏó´«Ã½ and ITV, I can remember when we got our ´óÏó´«Ã½2 aerial with Colour!! Yep, before that the channels were only in black and white as well..... As Ali quite rightly says, when there was less choice available, the audiences were HUGE 25 or 26 million watching Corrie was not unusual.

    I'm afraid I am the guardian of the remotes in our house and am wont to change channel quickly at the end of one programme so that either 1. the OH does not hear the trailer for a programme that I want to see and he doesn't or 2. to catch the start of a programme on another channel.

    Laters

    mtd ffb xxx

  • Comment number 8.

    Solved...how to buy the Ferrari... We just all need a Zoo!



    Outside Bristol Zoo there is a parking lot for 150 cars and 8 buses. For 25 years, its parking fees were managed by a very pleasant attendant. The fees were £1 for cars, £5 for buses.

    One day, after 25 solid years of never missing a day of work, he just didn't show up; so the Zoo Management called the City Council and asked it to send them another parking agent.

    The Council did some research and replied that the parking lot was the Zoo's own responsibility. The Zoo advised the Council that the attendant was a City employee.. The City Council responded that the lot attendant had never been on the City payroll.

    Meanwhile, sitting in his villa somewhere on the coast of Spain (or some such scenario), is a man who'd apparently had a ticket machine installed completely on his own; and then had simply begun to show up every day, commencing to collect and keep the parking fees, estimated at about £400 per day -- for 25 years.
    Assuming 7 days a week, this amounts to just over £5 million pounds!
    ......
    And no one even knows his name.

    Genius!

    mSc x

  • Comment number 9.

    Beez, yep still here, and fortunately the snow's all gone, although it did give me a bit of a shock this morning! Finlay thought it was fun though!

    Not flying until Thursday morning, so in work tomorrow as well, and trying desperately to get up to date before I go, which is impossible...Crazy really as I'm back in again on Tuesday!

    Chris - Mr JG always has the remote control, and even if I've managed to get it when he's out at work, he will take it straight off of me the minute he gets home!

    Actually, we only had two channels, ´óÏó´«Ã½1 and 2, as my parents hated the adverts, and wouldn't let us watch ITV when we were kids.

    JG x

  • Comment number 10.

    OK you lot - ancient one about to speak - we didn't have a TV cos they were an expensive novelty when I was little !!! Hence I was a lively, fit, not an ounce of spare flesh anywhere - tomboy. Makes you think doesn't it?
    Now turned full circle and the kids are exercising in front of the TV - getting no fresh air.

    I can feel a rant coming on so better scoot - pronto...

    Beez xx

    Flower - Scoobs - so you reckon that creme egg is still edible? :))

  • Comment number 11.

    JG - I'm so glad you said that - for years I have been mocked and shunned as I was never allowed to watch ITV either and therefore have no knowledge of ITV programmes before about 1988!

    We only have two controls, unless we wacth something through the PS3 and then we have a mouse and a game controller to use!

  • Comment number 12.

    Ah NO, Barmy you trumped me on the Last Post!! D'Oh.

    Remote on a wire, Nic? Eee, yous musta bin' posh. Don't remember them. I do remember reel-to-reel tape recorders, though, we used to 'ave to tape Top A The Pops usin' the microphone right next to the telly with the rest of the family gagged an' locked up in the cellar. To this day I can't hear Lady Madonna without thinkin' of the dog barkin' an' a row breakin' out in the background. The big sis never forgave me.

    Clodagh.xx

  • Comment number 13.

    Genius Scoobs utter genius !!!

    Beez xx

  • Comment number 14.

    OMG Nic - I'd forgotten remotes on wires, my first VCR had one of those. Luckily I lived in a studio flat at the time so it didn't have far to stretch (the wire wasn't very long). That also reminds me that the day I got my first VCR was the day that C4 started, my first taped programme was the Comic Strip that evening.

    CLP - you may have started a very nostalgic thread here.

    mtd ffb xxx

  • Comment number 15.

    Scoobs. Pssst.

    'E's alive an' well an' livin' out 'is days shootin' squirrels at 'is holiday home in Knutsford.

    C.xx

  • Comment number 16.

    Beez..its chocolate, its been in the fridge..of COURSE its edible..

    and just realised, MC may be also in on the bidding so we may get it above a quid!

    JG..for you..

    mSc x

  • Comment number 17.

    Nic - we had a video with a remote on a wire. Which was exactly six inches too short to reach either the sofa or the two lounge chairs.

    Which brings me to a question. What's the point of an eject button on a remote control?

    Oh and Beez - given your earlier `semi-rant', can we assume that your recent weight loss is due to having your TV repossesed?

  • Comment number 18.

    Psst....Clodagh..is he AKA Baz?!

    mSc x

  • Comment number 19.

    Scoobs, Spain did you say?

    Off to catch the scroundrel, he has had a lot of my money over the years.

    Clever so and so.

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 20.

    I like being 'Barmy' Clodagh, thank you.

    I remember recording Top of The Pops from the telly onto my sister's tape recorder as well. Every song started with me going "no, you have to press the record and play button at the same time" and ended with Peter Powell going "Well, that was . . ." before we pressed stop.

    Happy days. Unfortunately, those happy days came to a swift end when Dad came home with a brand new Betamax video recorder. Oh well . .

    Barmy xx

  • Comment number 21.

    Cheers Scoobs, might be glad of that if it's snowing/raining!

    Baggy, likewise, I thought I was the only one as well!

    JG x

  • Comment number 22.

    ahh remotes with wires were a nightmare, my dad bless him always had it on the table in front of him, it didn't reach to the chair n guaranteed most nights it would be responsible for clearing the table of any cups, plates n vases as someone went ar** over apex, usually me much to mums annoyance!!
    luv
    GM xx

  • Comment number 23.

    Hi Everyone,

    We are getting all nostalgic- lovely. I remember our first colour tv- I must have been about 8 years old. I also remember watching The Double Deckers in the school holidays and all those other programmes,my favourite White Horses- lovely music. There were some very strange programmes for children as well, the black and white "Singing Ringing Tree" was quite scary!
    No such thing as afternoon telly-no change there then!- we were outside playing until Blue Peter and Animal Magic came on.

    Mcw x

  • Comment number 24.

    Christophe, I have 5 remote controls in a box by the side of the sofa (well, if they weren't in a box I'd lose them, then I'd be stuck watching Top Gear all the time, which seems to be on a permanent loop on one particular channel. Not that I mind TG, but I like to dip in and out.

    And yes, I was always the one who had to get up and change the channel in our house, given I was the youngest. And answer the phone, and the door, and peel the spuds and onions, and wash up. *Sigh* it's a hard life I've had you know ;-)

    Fantastic idea to raise money Scoobs, but it's been done so we might get caught. We could blame it all on Rips though - we'd visit you in prison love, honestly!!

    And don't tell MC about the creme egg, what she doesn't know won't hurt her!!


    AF x

  • Comment number 25.

    Come to think of it Chris, you are right. We have far too many channels, it is so easy to use the remote to flick from channel to channel,seeing different variations of the same old programmes. Before,when there were only 3 channels people were more inclined to use the off switch if there was nothing on and go and do something more useful instead....mmmm does that sound like an old childrens tv programme?
    There was always that tennis game! We thought that was very hi tech at the time! Blip! Blip!

    I think I'll go before the men in the white coats get me!


    Mcw x

  • Comment number 26.

    Pssssst. Scoobs. Yup. I shouldn't be surprised..

    Barmy my sweet. Hurrah! I say that because you're far from it.. hahahaha!!

    Clodagh.xx

  • Comment number 27.

    MCW..only last week the GM and i were `utubing` old kids tv themes and The Double Deckers and White Horses both came up! Apparently the GM had a crush on the girl in White Horses and used to just go up and stand in front of the TV and stare whenever she was on....same thing happens now when Nigella Lawson appears!

    We could have a competition here... name the theme tune..

    i`ll start..

    `hey, hey the lightening tree...`


    mSc x

  • Comment number 28.

    Scoobs- Follyfoot?

  • Comment number 29.

    AF..i know, the cover is now blown...perhaps we could start smaller and work our way up to Zoo`s... i`m thinking the local park maybe the first location...always a few boyracers in their pimped up Saxo`s to tap!

    mSc x

  • Comment number 30.

    MCW..got it in one! And a beautiful place it is too!

    Your turn!

    mSc x

  • Comment number 31.

    okay - now I'm not complaining - but the age thing comes into effect here - so one for the eighties children, complete the following line

    Thunder, thunder ..............................

  • Comment number 32.

    Tra la la, tra la la

    Can you name that tune?

    Mcw x

  • Comment number 33.

    AF , Scoobs, I can hear you !

    MC xx

  • Comment number 34.

    Mention choc and in she comes !! MC -how you doin mate?

    Beez xx

  • Comment number 35.

    Beez, I'm great thanks, how are you ?? xx

  • Comment number 36.

    Barmy - I used to do that with the tape recorder and mike with radio luxembourg!! Sunday Evenings if I recall.

    Beez xx

  • Comment number 37.

    Baggy - Thundercats?

  • Comment number 38.

    Baggy..is it THundercats?!

    MCw..going with The Banana Splits?!

    And i think i am `between ages` Baggy so some i`ll know and some i wont! The Double Deckers was new to me the other day although the GM (9yrs older) insists it was confirmed viewing!

    mSc x

  • Comment number 39.

    Saving up my choc for you MC although the chocs I got for Valentines have probably been eaten by ......

    Beez xx

  • Comment number 40.

    Damn my slow refresh...but it seems i`m on the same wavelenght as UC..scary! hee hee..

    and double Damn..AF, we are now going to have to share... :(
    MC - fancy seeing you here..how are you? Lovely to see you...!

    mSc x

  • Comment number 41.

    Beez..wasnt me!

    mSc x

  • Comment number 42.

    Scoobs, very impressive, Banana Splits it was!

    Mcw x

  • Comment number 43.

    Skippy, skippy, skippy the bush kangaroo.

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 44.

    yes it was Thundercats - Mr bp is only 4 years older then me but we have completely different frames of refernce when it comes to kids TV - luckily he has a little brother my age so he is aware of what I watched and played with although too old himself.

    On that note - he loves the fact my newphew is into transformers and spends more time choosing his presents then anyone elses!

  • Comment number 45.

    Scoobs, nice to see you too ;-)

    I will on this one occasion, say "no deal" to the offer of the matured egg.

    Am going to see if i can make it through the 40 days , and fine myself every time i lapse .

    MC xx

  • Comment number 46.

    MC - well done - anyone making a list of the blog lent items to see how we all do?

  • Comment number 47.

    And the white dot that remained temporarily, once you had switched the telly off, was to remind you to put your empties out.

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 48.

    Top Cat!
    The most effectual Top Cat!
    Who's intellectual close friends get to call him TC
    Providing it's with dignity.

    How come I can remember all that and not my pin number!!

    Mcw x

  • Comment number 49.

    SB,

    Thanks, it will be tough, but i think i'm the best man for the job ;-)

    MC xx

  • Comment number 50.

    Do you remember those first TV games of "tennis", Just thise lines on the side of the screen and the white dot to bat to your opponent, so dickensian to nowadays.

    MC x

  • Comment number 51.

    Ah Chris see what you've started now.

    This means your replacement of Sir Tel is complete as the blog is turning into a home for the bewildered, which is like the Toggs!

    We also used to have remote on a wire, but we also had one which worked on sound! If you dropped your keys anywhere near it would change channels.

    Also I think the bigger TV audiences are related to central heating (keep with me) as before we all had nice warm houses with CH, we'd all cram into the front room together to watch the telly, not like now when all the kids have their own and wouldn't be caught dead watching what their parents do!

    A

  • Comment number 52.

    Beez - thought your christmas choccie was coming to me!!!

    Hi Scoobs, AF and MC - fellow choccy addict here..... Mind you I did get a nice box of Thorntons (other luxury chocs available) 70% for Valentines - they will be gone before the end of the week even though I am limiting myself to 3 at a time.....

    Fellow oldies, now you're talking White Horses (theme tune sung by Jackie) Follyfoot (with that gawgus bloke with long dark hair), scary Singing Ringing Tree (didn't Seza and Debs have that on video or something) I could go on for ages.

    Of course at the end of the week it would be 'It's Friday, It's five past five and its ..........!???'

    mtd ffb xxx

  • Comment number 53.

    Cream cake time?

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 54.

    Crackerjack! mtd!

  • Comment number 55.

    I was a Blue Peter fan, and that was followed by John Craven on Newsround .

    MC x

  • Comment number 56.

  • Comment number 57.

    Correct Mcw However to be effective it must be CRACKERJACK!!!!!!!

    mtd ffb xxx

  • Comment number 58.

    MCw , you now get a Crackerjack pencil xx

  • Comment number 59.

    Do I get a CRACKERJACK!!!! pencil?

    Mcw x

  • Comment number 60.

    Doh MC- You beat me to it!

  • Comment number 61.

    Can you imagine what the children would think now if they were offered a pencil as a competition prize? Or a cabbage come to think of it!

  • Comment number 62.

    MCw, it's all yours , I've got my Blue Peter Badge xx

  • Comment number 63.

    Did anyone have or has anyone still got, a cabbage patch doll?

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 64.

    Happy days.

    Actually, am still gigglin' as a result of my visit to the Midlands to meet the brand-spankin' new baby great-niece Lizzy. The lovely niece and I were titterin' away at the fact that she and her younger sister used to love coming up to my house, where I had a whole tape of Road-Runner, which they an' the GD used to sit an' watch on the loop. Ergo, upon my return, I got on to Amawhatsit, ordered the DVD and sent it direct in big sis Gracie's name.

    Turns out that mum has just spent a whole morning chortlin' away hysterically, watchin' said DVD, whilst 3-year old Gracie digs up the patio, looks after Lizzy an' robs the Post Office.

    Good parenting down the generations, huh.

    Clodagh.xx,

  • Comment number 65.

    Perhaps in that case we should collect all these unwanted bit of chocolate and other stuff and organise a bring and buy sale!

  • Comment number 66.

    Must just switch off my computer and go out and do something more boring instead... see what I did there?

    It's been fun, see you later,

    Mcw x

  • Comment number 67.

    Why dont you MCw.x

  • Comment number 68.

    MC..well done to you in advance..! And AF..its halfsies!

    Loved Crackerjack! `oooh, i could crush a grape`!

    SBP, knowing how old you are i think Mr Baggy must be around my age so i would be good at playing this game with him!

    Next one..

    `up above the streets and houses`..

    mSc x

  • Comment number 69.

    ..OOO Double Or Drop. Marvellous.

    Oops.

    C.xx

  • Comment number 70.

    Clodagh

    Beep Beep!

    See that's the problem now, as all the cartoons are on their own channel you don't get Tom & Jerry, Bug Bunny et al filling in that 5 minutes before the news like they used to do.

    No more Elmer Fudd going 'kill der wabbit' in a wagnernerian rhine helmet. Oh me lost youth!

    A

  • Comment number 71.

    Rainbow !!! ha ha Scoobs , brings back memories ;-)

    Right, got to go , have a happy Pancake night.


    MC xx

  • Comment number 72.

    "Rainbow climbing high, paint the whole world with a rainbow"

    I love Rainbow

    AliB
    x

  • Comment number 73.

    I remember when it was Mary, Mungo and Midge, then a bit of a play with some Plasticine that had turned a strange khaki colour where I had stupidly mixed it all together, then tea then straight to bed after Crossroads.

    Barmy xx


  • Comment number 74.

    I found repeats of Rainbow on one of the cable kids chaneel, Nick Classics I think, my little girl loved em

    A

  • Comment number 75.

    Rainbow was brilliant!

    Well done everyone

    Next..bit obscure this one but if you know it you know it if you get my drift!

    `Dance your cares away, worry`s for another day...`

    mSc x Who really has lots to do!

  • Comment number 76.

    Down at Fraggle Rock.

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 77.

    TF..well done!

    Extra bonus point for anyone who can tell me the name of the little workmen in yellow hats..without search engining it!

    mSc x

  • Comment number 78.

    PS - hows the neck today TF..and Beez and Pip..

    mSc x

  • Comment number 79.

    Cross eyed lion and a chimp called Judy??

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 80.

    doozy's????

    I am one!

  • Comment number 81.

    Can't remember that, but do I get a bonus point for knowing that Fulton Mackay was the lighthouse keeper. Obv after he retired from slade prison!

    A

  • Comment number 82.

    Proper pain in the, Scoobs, but enjoying the heat ta.xx

    Hope all others are improving.

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 83.

    Daktari - MTF

    mtd ffb xxx

  • Comment number 84.

    More our era eh mtd.

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 85.

    Why should we follow Mr spoon??

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 86.

    Yep - and what about Robinson Crusoe (the dubbed version)?

    mtd ffb xxx

  • Comment number 87.

    Has that got something to do with Button Moon???

    mtd ffb xxx

  • Comment number 88.

    Afternoon All,
    Don't get me started on the 'mote control debate. With 3 men in our house (4 counting the dog, but he's not worked out how the 'mote works!!) I am constantly bombarded with rugby/football/fishing/cars etc etc and when they finally run out of something to watch it's "Mum, what would you like to watch?" Good job I like baking at least there always something in the tins for them when 'their' programmes are on.

    Isn't that what Mothers are for?

    Grump over for the day - therapy session starting in 5mins (got the ironing board out - lovely) Only downside is it's got to be put away. OOOOh i'd iron anyday/everyday if someone put it away.
    BLYipE

  • Comment number 89.

    Baggy.... SO close!
    AT..well done on the name of the keeper..now what was the dog called?!

    TF.. The Dac somethings? Tip of my tongue!

    mSc x

  • Comment number 90.

    Loved the theme tune.

    Gonna be singing it in my head all afternoon now.

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 91.

    Ah..Mtd beat me! THats it..Daktari.. remember my mum telling me about them..

    mSc x *running away VERY quickly..*

  • Comment number 92.

    Nearly Scoobs, checkout post 83.xx

  • Comment number 93.

    You do right to leggit Scoobs.LOL.

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 94.

    TF..youve not seen me run, may take some time to leggit!

    Right..must work, must work, must work...but please carry on..!

    mSc x

  • Comment number 95.

    Right, off to wedge myself in an upright position in my car.

    Have a nice afternoon all.

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 96.

    Nic (& all others with multiple remotes) #6
    Why dont you pair the Sky+ remote with your TV and then you can control both from the one unit.

    I wont go on about Kids TV becuase most on here have probably never heard of Rag, Tag & Bobtail or the Woodentops!!

  • Comment number 97.

    Oh yes we have .

    TF.xx

  • Comment number 98.

    Scoobs

    Wasn't the dog called Sprocket?

    I'm too young to remember Daktari!

    What about

    ' and they ride on the footplate, there and back again'

  • Comment number 99.

    Ello CLP & ALL....

    Bingo Star ere.....

    A just wanted ter say a think a need a break from the blog!!!!

    Az am struggling ter write any 'umour with so many problems... need things ter settle abit in me mind!!!!!!!
    And a keep drifting inter feeling.... ANGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    About the way a keep getting used by NASTY people even though am nice ter them!!!!!
    Yer see am drifitng inter it again!!!!!!

    Although me commentations on Sundee were me drifting back inter Bingo Star 'umour... the bit about delivering the nappies!!!!
    That waz meant az 'umour but maybe it might ave been interpretted az noot 'umour although it waz meant az 'umour!!!!!!

    So az me blogs lately 'ave gone MAD.... az a go completely.... MAD..... thanks ter being abused by people with issues..... I need a break!!!!!!!!

    Bye!

    PS 'ad more bad news terdee... but az much az it's broekn me again terdee.... i'll keep it ter meself!!!! The curse continues!!!!

  • Comment number 100.

    Ivor the engine?

    TF.xx

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