Brighton Lights: Deer oh deer
Richard Shayler: dashing, dancing, prancing and … Branston pickle?
Huh? What’s that noise? No, I’m just imagining it. Noddy? Jim? Don? Dave? Is that really you? It can’t be, it’s not even December yet! Oh man, it is really you! Well, thanks Slade (and a well known supermarket chain), I’m now going to be an excitable mess until the big day finally arrives.
Yes, it’s true: Merry Xmas Everybody was blasting out as I was doing my weekly shop last week. Noddy Holden was screaming “IT’S CHRISTMAAAS” at the top of his lungs whilst a jar of Branston pickle was making its way into my basket. I started to sing along to the chorus, but then stopped when I realised how bitterly ironic it was…
Sadly, everybody wasn’t having fun. Nobody was looking to the future and there were zero people under the belief that it had just begun. It appeared that I was the only one having fun. There were a few kids having a ball, but they were quickly collared by their conservative parents and told to “stop embarrassing them”.
I left the supermarket a little upset. I found this strange, as I had just bought a Christmas tree scented candle, I was wearing a Christmas elf hat and I was eating a mince pie. Normally under this guise I’m the happiest man alive, but not on that day.
My faith in humanity had been thwarted by a majority of people’s inability to invoke their emotions; the fear of what others might think if you put on a Christmas jumper in November; the alienation you might receive if you join Noddy spreading Christmas cheer down aisle 8, by the sausages.
I understand that Christmas can sometimes be ‘annoying’, but I say embrace it! Put on The Muppets Christmas Carol, wish a stranger merry Christmas and buy some mince pies for the office. I know it’s only November, but who cares? Someone needs to break the festive ice and why can’t that someone be you?
Lynn Ruth Miller and I did just that for Brighton Lights this week by visiting the Pavilion Ice Rink. We had a great time skating … and an even better time drinking mulled wine! We also joined Paul Zenon on his ‘Save The Hippodrome’ campaign. Visit www.ourhippodrome.org.uk to find out more.
Guy Lloyd spent the week with ‘super boyband’ McBusted. You really don’t want to miss that interview; lots of screaming, and that was just Guy.
Our resident musicians for the week are the fantastic Thieves by the Code, and we’ve got plenty of great guests too. Komedia’s comedy booker Stephen Grant, author Dan Tester and BBC comedian Phil Lucas all drop in for a chat. Showing Wednesday to Saturday at 7pm, on Freeview Channel 8, Virgin Media Channel 159 and live online at
www.thelatest.tv
We have a live audience every week too! You get two free drinks and a whole night of free entertainment … I’ve even started providing mince pies. Email me (richard@thelatest.tv) if you’re interested in being a part of the hottest new show on telly!
Follow me: @latestrichard
