Richard Shayler: Sometimes TV is a little like a marriage…
What’s the best way to tell someone you’re completely in love with them? A hushed whisper in their ear telling them they can have the last Ferrero Rocher round your parents house at Christmas? A reassuring grab of their thigh whilst taking off and landing on the airplane? An encouraging prod down the flumes? Or is it simply sitting through rubbish TV like Made In Chelsea and pretending you like it?
No, it’s not any of them. Girls these days expect all of that – especially about the rubbish TV. Oh, I know … it’s asking them to marry you! What better way to tell someone you love them than telling them you want to be with them every second of every day, and every second of every night? Shared bank accounts! In-laws! People carriers!
It’s a glorious moment in anyone’s life to happily say “I’m getting married. I’m going to spend the rest of my life with someone and buy a house and a dog and, most probably, a people carrier.”
I often feel that the Brighton Lights crew are like an old married couple. We kiss, we argue, we make each other laugh and we make each other cry. We smoke, we drink, and we cook each other meals.
William (Brighton Lights’ director) made me a delectable meal of microwaved frozen cheese on toast, garnished with rocket, quite recently. It was simply delicious. Coincidentally, William actually got married a few weeks ago … I thought something was different when I saw him driving around in an Espace. Nonetheless, much like any long-term relationship, the good times outweigh the bad ten-fold. I love everything about Brighton Lights; the crew, the presenters, the set, the VTs, the guests. I even still like the theme tune, and I must have heard it over a thousand times. (OK, I might have made that last bit up.)
We’ve now got a brand spanking new set, Lou Merlin is a genius! It’s got beautiful strips of different coloured oblong fabric against the wall. It’s then bordered by a completely jaw-dropping railing fashioned to look like one from the sea front. It truly is a beautiful design coupled with excellent craftsmanship.
This week, tune in to see comedian George Egg ironically cooking… scrambled eggs! Using only things he’s nabbed from a hotel room. We’ve got Mark Barrowcliff telling us all about his latest sci-fi novel and actress Rachel Blackman telling us all about her time in The Matrix. Latest TV’s very own Bill Smith and Mhairi Beverage dropped by to keep us up to date with the channel. Fraser Geesin popped in to make us laugh, as did Andy Thomas. And we’ve got amazing music all week from the fantastic Your Garden Day.
Freeview Channel 8, Virgin Media Channel 159 or streamed live online at thelatest.co.uk, Brighton Lights is on at 7pm every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Repeated at 10pm. Get watching! I know I will be. What’s that love? TOWIE’s on at 7pm? Err, yes I do enjoy it. No, I’m not just saying that. Looks like I’m watching the 10pm repeat then, doesn’t it?! Ahh, the things we do for love…
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