If you've blogged, you must have done it. Thought something would make a great article, but having done the research, realised it just didn't work (that is unless you're Mary Honeyball or Paul Flynn, of course, they just write any old crap).
Well, MSN were running with an article yesterday entitled
When the whole world turned on the TV
... there are moments when television switches from servant to master. When it demands to be watched, no matter what we're doing, no matter where we are.
Starting with OJ's slow-motion car chase, they listed all the times we have been glued to our sets ... before explaining why we weren't actually doing so at the time.
I reckon it might work well as a meme though, so here's MSN's stuff and what I was doing, side by side.
OJ, June 17th, 1994
MSN: As such, the chase became a textbook 'where-were-you?' moment.
Dick P: Where was I? Haven't a fucking clue.
Death of Diana, August 31st, 1997
MSN: It being a Sunday, virtually the entire nation was having a lie-in.
Dick P: So was I, having worked late the night before.
Challenger disaster, January 28th, 1986
MSN: It being a Tuesday, this meant that the first report of it on British television occurred at 5pm in an edition of the BBC weekday children’s programme Newsround.
Dick P: It being a Tuesday, I was at work, or just finished and on the way to the pub (before pubs had TV). Don't remember watching much after that.
Resignation of Thatcher, November 22nd, 1990
MSN: Even so, for those at work or school during the day, word of mouth had to make do until a television set could be found.
Dick P: Heard something about it while I was working (again). No chance of turning the TV on in an engineering company though. Next.
England v West Germany, July 4th, 1990
MSN: It was said even Princess Diana, attending a social function in London, was being kept in touch of the score by telephone.
Dick P: Woo hoo! I watched one. I still say Shilton should have saved it.
Queen Elizabeth's Coronation, June 2nd, 1953
MSN: The coronation was the first event in British history to be seen by a mass audience on the small screen.
Dick P: Not by me it wasn't, not having been born and all that.
Iranian Embassy siege, May 5th, 1980
MSN: Their dramatic rescue attempt took place in full view of the ITN cameras. Footage, however, was not broadcast live.
Dick P: Nor did I watch it live. It was a bank holiday and there was a fair up the road.
September 11th, 2001
MSN: It was a weekday afternoon, so most people didn’t see pictures of the attacks until they got home from school or work.
Dick P: I was at work, so didn't see the pictures until ...
Assassination of JFK, November 22nd, 1963
MSN: It wasn’t until 11pm that the BBC was sufficiently organised to broadcast a proper tribute programme.
Dick P: Not born but heard about it years later from Mr P senior who was entertaining an air stewardess at the time. Mrs P senior wasn't happy.
So, not really 'The whole world turning on the TV' at all. Or is it just me?
