It is a very dry read and gives you a historical perspective of the role of a courtier. The book covers the mid-twentieth century to the present day. There are anecdotes, memories, and stories interlaced throughout the book. We are told how people used to cherish the title of being a courtier, but now it appears the job/career title is something to be ashamed of. This is not to mention the uniform a courtier has to wear. A Courtier’s job is not an easy one. Their primary role is to attend to the monarch or other royal family members.
What is interesting is how much power a courtier has over the royal family and the different courtiers. This power comes as advice and suggestions. It almost feels like a coercive relationship, and they trap members of the royal family in a cycle of tradition and appeasing the general public.
Harry, Meghan, William and Kate
Let’s be honest; anyone who invites a new person to join a family is going to have some issues, as we all have different ways and ideas about life. It is no surprise that this book has gossip about the current royal family, their troubles, and the various family members at war with in-laws. These stories and issues have seeped into the book for sensationalism and in an out-of-date sequence, which can get confusing and appear a little unnecessary. Low touches on the accounts of bullying staff and the resulting mental health issues, but much has been written about this before.
Should I Recommend This Book? After delving into its contents, I must admit that I’ve done the legwork so you don’t have to. Furthermore, spanning roughly 400 pages, it leaves me questioning its purpose. Additionally, it comes across as an attempt by the author or publishing company to capitalize on the public’s fascination with the royal family, while desperately searching for a fresh angle to push book sales.
It’s a Fair Cop is this month’s review of a hilarious podcast from BBC Sound by the ex-police officer and now comedian Alfie Moore. However, from this short introduction, you already know that I love it. It’s funny, and I recommend you listen to it.
As an ex-Police Officer in Humberside for 20 years. Alfie uses his podcast it’s a fair cop to swears you ‘in’ as a Police Officer for the session. During the session, he picks on one piece of legislation. Furthermore, he explains the legislation via a case he has investigated. Additionally, he asks the audience what they would do and the ramifications of their actions. Each episode is fast-paced and full of information.
The themes covered are of a grown-up nature and cover most aspects of lawbreaking, from speeding in a car to breaking and entering. Naturally, names have been changed. The audience is asked their opinion of what they should do and the consequences. It was amusing that many of the responses seemed to reflect what each person did for a living. For example, one member of the public suggested that a drug addict stays in the Police Cell as he was ‘kicking off’ until he calmed down. His chosen career was as a paramedic. If he was in an ambulance, the paramedics would have to calm them down instead! Clearly, Alfie’s delivery is amusing, fast, and very thought-provoking.
It’s a Fair Cop – The Best Episode
Undoubtedly, my favourite episode of It’s a fair cop must be from Series 7, episode 2, entitled Custody Officer.
A drunk in the cells was ‘kicking off’ and keeping everyone awake. The custody sergeant instructed Alfie to bring the drunk to the courtroom (which was in the same building as the Police Station). Before this, a box of dressing-up clothes had been stored at the Police station. A key point to this story is that part of this haul was a moose’s head. Alfie duly did as he was told, handcuffed the drunk, and brought the drunk to court. Someone then entered the courtroom from the judge’s chambers.
Obviously, wearing a judge’s robe and the moose’s head and looking at the drunk. Immediately, the judge got a black handkerchief and laid it on his head. He pointed to the drunk and sentenced the drunk to death. They took the drunk back to the cell and heard nothing afterward. I know it’s all in the delivery!!!
This is an uplifting comedy series that looks at our current legislation. It turns it upside down and puts a comedy spin on it. There are seven series currently. Despite this, I got through them in about a week. Also, I have gone back and listened to some of the episodes twice as they were that good. Listen to this series if you find life difficult or just want a laugh.
It’s a fair cop is available on Audible, Amazon, and BBC Sounds. Highly recommend it.
I must admit from the start that this month’s review is of a very old TV show. However, is now available as a podcast, so it fits within my remit. Well, that is my excuse, and I will stick with it.
What am I talking about? Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister is the funniest political show ever written. Why did I listen to this? I hear you say. Politics can be tedious and boring, but the last few months have given us a lot of entertainment. With the current political upheaval we have all gone through. The months of Boris going, staying, telling his truth. Then of course the leadership battle, I wanted something a little lighter to listen to.
Yes Minister, Yes Prime Minister
What I found more interesting is how many issues the show discusses in each episode that is still relevant to our current political landscape. My favourite phrase from the show, which was created in 1980 and ran until 1984, is “We will learn from this and move on” – sound familiar? Can I suggest to our current batch of politicians that they listen to this series of shows, learn the lessons, and let us actually move on?
For those that have not heard of the show or forgotten it. Yes, Minister and Yes Prime Minister is a political comedy show. Described by Mrs Thatcher as the best and most accurate TV show on the air. The show takes a light-hearted view of the bureaucratic red tape that most governments must adhere to.
What is Yes Minister about?
Jim Hacker is a politician. His major concern is the next election. Then how will he look on TV? What have the papers printed? Will the radio have a good soundbite? Jim may run his government department however he likes unless he has a plan, strategy or idea that will disrupt the smooth running of the civil service, which is all the time. (Sound familiar?) Then there is Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Civil Servants, his private secretary, who is there to guide and support him. Still, sounding familiar?
The episode where the old prime minister is being ousted from the role and the civil servants are trying to decide who should be the next PM is priceless. I am not sure why Boris or Liz are coming to mind. But the Civil Servants are after a politician that will take advice and instruction and can be helped to see events from their perspective. The leaking of information was used as a weapon to control and manipulate Jim and Sir Humphrey, depending on who leaked the information. Indeed, Tony Blair even stated that the only time he had a conversation when he was PM and was confident the information would never get leaked to the press was when he would speak to the late Queen.
My Thoughts on Yes Minister
The show is a masterpiece of humorous, intelligent quips. They are fast, and you have to keep your eye or ears open for them. If you are looking for a bit of political light relief from the dry political landscape we live in today, listen to these episodes; you won’t be disappointed
“Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war between the Windsors.” by Tom Bower
I think this book is so very sad. It’s sad because a family is being torn apart. It’s sad because a British institution is being attacked. And it’s sad because a nation is being divided into those who believe the Sussex’s truth and those who believe the crown. I am talking about the book “Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the war between the Windsors”.
I will not give you my opinion on who I believe or who I think through the first stone.
Revenge – Two schools of thought
There are two schools of thought. The first is that a very strong-willed and determined American woman decided that she wanted to meet a wealthy English man. There was an introduction to a wealthy English man who was weak and broken. Alternatively, a man in his 30s married an American actress and decided he didn’t want to work in the family business. Together they have made a life and left the country. What is wrong with that?
Now the story gets interesting because the man and woman (Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) have court publicity about their lives as members of the British monarchy, sued newspapers, sued the British government, and have been caught telling tales out of school (various court cases prove this).
Meghan has been a determined woman to become an actress since she attended a red-carpet event at 17. We learn how hard she worked to become an actress and the work involved in getting her website up and running and getting millions of followers to become a lifestyle influencer. She wants to become a humanitarian and is always looking for the next financial project. What’s wrong with that?
Leaving
Prince Harry was unhappy at home and didn’t want to work ‘In the Firm’. He wanted a family of his own. Now he needs to protect and support his family. Is there anything wrong with that?
It is an easy book to read and will interest many who support and don’t support Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. It is important to remember that the author does not appear to like either of them. Therefore, many of the stories are detrimental.
The public has a fascination with the lives of these two individuals. I don’t think the book is an unbiased portrait of Meghan Markle. The author wanted to find issues and inappropriate behaviour, precisely what he saw. If the author wished for an alternative view, they would have found and reported on different stories.
This month’s review is a podcast by Rachel Johnson entitled “Difficult Women”. A name inspired by Ken Clarke’s description of Theresa May as “being a bloody difficult woman”. In this podcast, the journalist, presenter, and writer speak to various influential and successful women in their industry. Johnson discusses the title they have been as “being a difficult woman”? A term typically applied to women by men, or are they, in fact, just passionate and determined?
The podcast style is very much interview/conversation with the added bonus that the women are able to answer the question. It is obvious some of the interviewees are friends with Johnson, or they socialise in the same circles. The opening podcast is with Lady Brenda Hale, who in 2004 was the only woman appointed as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. Then in 2017, she served as the President of the UK Supreme Court. She is now a member of the House of Lords.
Criticism – Well, there would be!!
There has been criticism of the podcast in that, so far, the women are all middle-class with middle-class views. What is wrong with that? Being a middle-class woman with views and opinions is not a crime. In the interview with Sasha Swire, Swire discusses how the wives of some politicians express their political views. They are then regarded as an object of fun with views that are unimportant.
If you listen to the stories, some of the women interviewed had to work hard from poor backgrounds and carve out a career for themselves. The significant takeaway is that education is a great advantage. Whether you went to grammar school or secondary school and then worked your way through the education system, you must take a risk, fight the ‘Old Boy Network’ and at times fight prejudice and discrimination.
I have enjoyed these podcasts, and if you want to listen to Sarah Vine, Baroness Joan Bakewell, and Prue Leith discuss the differences, barriers, and discrimination they had to overcome, this podcast will be for you. Leave your political view of her brother aside, your idea of what a middle-class woman should be and listen to the inspirational stories of these exceptional women at the top of their field.
This month’s book review is that of Matt Lucas, from the Little Britain fame. However, his autobiography ‘Little Me’ is much more than his little Britain characters. The book is more like a chat with a close friend and simultaneously humorous, honest and sad.
Matt Lucas – An ordinary bloke
Matt grew up in an ordinary Jewish family where nothing happened in his life. His family loved him, they supported him, and he loved them. There were visits to his grandparents, his cousin, and everyday family life. He was the school clown, worked hard to establish his career, and became a versatile entertainer. He will always be remembered for his character Vicky Pollard. His career is much more. Singer on Les Miserables, author, storyteller and an actor on Doctor Who, to name a few of his jobs. To be honest, he came across as a nice guy.
The book has taken the guise of an A-Z listing of what has happened in his life. As he states at the beginning of the book, “we will jump around a bit, and I will discuss nothing romantic or give you any details of my love life”. There is a brief paragraph on his husband, and then it’s left there. How refreshing, a celebrity that has morals and wants to keep some of his life private. The book is about his family, his feelings, some of his views and coming to terms with his sexuality. There was some gossip about famous people, and everything was written from his perspective.
He discusses losing his hair early in his life, meeting David Walliams, and working as a duo. His chapter on fame is amusing. You are left feeling that more people should recognise him, ask for his autograph, and feel sad when they don’t.
My Opinion on Matt Lucas
Photo from The Movie Database (TMDB)
I loved the book. He was honest, open, and entertaining. You don’t have to be a Matt Lucas fan to enjoy this book. If you are thinking about a life in comedy, then reading this to find out how hard it is and how much work you must go through to become famous is fascinating. He also discusses things he would rather we didn’t know about, but only in passing. There are some regrets, but not many.
The only thing I would have changed was that he criticises himself and puts himself down a lot, which is unnecessary. Give this book a go, it won’t set the world on fire, but sometimes you want a book to be good, enjoyable and put it down and think, well, I read that and know a little more about him. Available on amazon, audible and other bookshops.
