It’s actually the shows where no one is under the age of 60 – and are all apparently alive. It used to be that the token older person on the box was David Dimbleby on Question Time but not any more.
Wrinklies are everywhere, and they’re entertaining, too (shock!). For the first time in many years there’s a sort of weird balance in television; young people watch themselves on reality TV (hopefully in a sound-proof room) and we watch Bobby George!
Yes, the champion darts player is back at the oche again as part of The Real Marigold On Tour (BBC2, Monday). It was thoroughly involving and surprisingly informative.
You will recall George was recently showing the benefits and ills (literally) of taking marijuana on a US bus trip for ITV.
Last week, though, he was reunited with his merry band from The Real Marigold Hotel in India, on a trip to China.
The only thing that he was under the infl uence of here was chef Rosemary “Shouty” Shrager who makes Brian Blessed sound like a Chinese whisper.
Shrager was the classic, booming foreigner who can’t understand a word she’s hearing. “HOW DO YOU SAY THANK YOU?” she bellowed at a timid-looking Chinese lady selling bus tickets.
After Shrager was told, she then started shouting, “CHE!!! CHE!!! CHE!!!” like someone who’s just discovered a miracle anti-ageing pill. She’s also an incredible control freak, like many chefs, which seems to rather suit her companions such as affable dancer Wayne Sleep.
However, her fellow boomer, actress Miriam Margolyes, can rack up the decibels too. There is one difference; Margolyes is absolutely hilarious, fearless and completely without shame. Is it an act?
Probably not but, in any case, I don’t care. Anyone who shouts out in company, “I’m a short, fat, old lady,” commands my eternal respect. You are speaking to the country, Miriam; well done. Margoyles has that tic inside her brain that says the unsaid. It’s not brilliant when your delicate maiden aunt arrives for tea over Christmas but it’s great television.
As the four all relaxed with a beer from their new Chinese host, Miriam sought to explain the dynamic of their rather odd group: “There is no sex between us; we’re just good friends.” That’s a whole other programme. Maybe try Channel 4.
I’m certain Bobby George wouldn’t hesitate! Shrager wasn’t alone in struggling with the language and the producers appeared to give the group little help in finding their way around the impressive Chengdu city. It gave the show a “real” feel, since most of these travelogue programmes are overwhelmed by minders and scouts.
They could have done with one at the restaurant when a “smart” iPhone app deciphered one dish as “husband and wife lung film”.
I wonder if that’s now on general release in China. They did discover what older people get up to in China. It was impressive, though bizarre.
I was most taken with the “kick the shuttlecock” activity in the People’s Park. It was literally that before they all retired for tea, which our friend Bobby described later as “terrible”.
But the most hilarious adventure involved Miriam and Wayne visiting a huge shopping centre that also featured a large, wavy swimming pool.
As Miriam tried on her lifebelt, and was liberally sprayed with water, she bellowed: “This is a ****ing nightmare.” Well, well. Maybe she is hoping for a cameo in Ex On The Beach.
Daily Express :: TV and Radio Feed
