Options
Locomotion : Dan Snow's History of the Railways : BBC2
Doghouse Riley
Posts: 32,491 Forum Member
✭✭✭
I'm always wary of so called documentaries where the name of the presenter is included in the title. Particularly when you think that presenter isn't an expert on the subject.
I guess the producers feel that the subject wouldn't be interested enough without the addition.
They were dead right. I s'ppose I can't complain that the programme seemed to be "50% Dan Snow." Lot's of close ups of Dan's face included by the director (is there something going on there?)
Ten minutes of the hype was enough for me, we've had enough programmes on railways recently and many more before that, all better than this, it's getting like "railwaymania" on the BBC.
Though I'm sure some love Dan Snow and will watch it.
I guess the producers feel that the subject wouldn't be interested enough without the addition.
They were dead right. I s'ppose I can't complain that the programme seemed to be "50% Dan Snow." Lot's of close ups of Dan's face included by the director (is there something going on there?)
Ten minutes of the hype was enough for me, we've had enough programmes on railways recently and many more before that, all better than this, it's getting like "railwaymania" on the BBC.
Though I'm sure some love Dan Snow and will watch it.
0
Comments
There were some interesting facts in it but take out all the fluff and wobbly camera shots and it could have been cut down to about 30 minutes.
Not sure if I'll watch next week, will probably give it a go though.
I only got as far as him firing the gun,(for cryin' out loud) this was "Blue Peter Level."
To think BBC2 has sunk to this sort of dumbed down nonsense.
I still don't understand what the bit with the gun was about, I initially thought there were going to rats around but no mention was made of that.
Why shoot in the tunnel with just a silly little torch in his hand? They could have easily lit the area around him much better.
Perhaps he should go back to doing BBC shows with his father Peter Snow or perhaps his fathers cousin Jon Snow could help him out at Channel 4.
This is an example of what the endemic nepotism in TV, does for the quality of programmes.
I was surprised they didn't mentioned the Rainhill Trials, since that seemed an important part of the George Stephenson story, and would've added a bit of drama. Also couldn't see the point of having him wander around what I assume was Edge HIll Cutting at the start without actually bothering to explain where he was or how it connected with anything else that came later.
This may have been true, but surely it was made up for by the inclusion of a lot of close-up footage of young Dan "doin' stuff?"
Talking of which, I hope it doesn't end up doing what they did with his Empire Of The Seas series and finishing the last episode at some abritrary historical point for no obvious reason. Cos I remember that leaving me a little non-plussed at the time.
Hmm..
Propose a topic, pay me a lot of money to talk about it, I'll gen up on it and "clearly" demonstrate an interest in it.
Yes, in many businesses, when it comes to getting a job, "pull" is so much more effective than "push." None more so than the BBC.
Or you could say, such a happy coincidence that people selected for jobs in TV frequently happen to have a relative already in the business.
The Dimbleby's were really lucky, weren't they?
He has a first in modern history at Balliol so he is a historian and not just a TV presenter. He comes up with great snippets from history in his Tweets, my favourite was on Chris Hoy in the Olympics as the greatest mounted charge by a Scotsman since Ensign Ewart at Waterloo.
My point about "pull" rather than "push" is that there must be lots of similarly, or better academically qualified people out there, who never get the opportunity to find similar jobs.
Oh dear for once I find my self agreeing with you:):)
It was too much Dan and not enough information.:mad:
It would only be polite of me to say, thanks for that, but I wouldn't have minded in the least if you didn't, why should I?
I agree that there were times this felt a bit like 'The Dan Snow Show' - I suppose producers felt like he would bring in viewers who wouldn't normally watch these type of documentaries. It's the kind of programme Fred Dibnah excelled at - sadly, I don't think Dan is the new Fred.
I actually saw this being filmed at Beamish Museum in Co.Durham (the scenes where Dan ran alongside the Rocket) and he was a right miserable git. Refused to sign autographs and wouldn't speak to anyone. They did that running take about 15 times so he was probably knackered.
I am afraid so.
Does anyone recognise the location?
However could he or his peers carry an entire show as a presenter? I'm not sure about that.
You could apply this to factual shows in general. Most are aimed at the lay person, not intended as a TV lecture like the Open University.