My media
Each Monday, the “Guardian” newspaper has a media supplement and features an interview with a famous person recording which media he or she uses – the title of the piece is “My media”. I thought that today I’d interview myself on these lines.
Newspapers
Every day, we have delivered the two Left-of-centre national newspapers: the “Guardian” and the “Mirror”. The first is excellent in covering politics, current affairs and cultural issues. The second tells me who’s hot in the celebrity world and who’s sleeping with whom. On Sunday, we have the “Observer”. I devour newspapers and learn so much from them.
Magazines
The only magazine I take is “Film Review”. I have copies going back continuously to 1978 (must be worth something). You see, I’m a massive movie fan and love to read serious reviews and background on the stars. I review every film I see for this web site.
Books
I’ve aways adored books and often browse in bookshops. However, I’m a slow and conscientious reader. I try to read a book a month and attempt to alternate between non-fiction and novels but invariably read much more non-fiction, especially history. At the moment, I’m reading a 500-page work on the Second World War. I review every book I read for this web site.
Television
I never switch on the TV and just watch what happens to be on. I check the listings each weekend and use our Sky+ PVR to record all the programmes I want to see in the week ahead. Then most evenings I watch one or two recorded programmes. I enjoy series like “Desperate Housewives”, “Lost”, “Heroes” and “Rome” (“The West Wing” was my favourite before it ended) and watch a lot of programmes on history and current affairs such as Andrew Marr’s recent history of post-war Britain. When I watch live television, it is usually the BBC’s 10 pm news.
Radio
The only radio I listen to is Classic FM, but this is on in the bathroom when I’m shaving, in the kitchen when I’m eating and (often) in the study when I’m on the PC. When my brother-in-law Derek visits (which is every week), he switches the kitchen radio to The Jazz or Smooth FM – both which I enjoy.
Advertisements
I really like TV ads -I think that British ones are clever and witty and often amusing. I don’t enjoy the ads at the cinema so much – they all seem to be aimed at people in their 20s and are too flashy. Since I spend a lot of time on the London Underground, I see a lot of poster ads.
New media
I’m a huge fan of the Internet and spend ages e-mailing, blogging and surfing. My favourite sites are the BBC and the “Guardian”, but I use Google and Wikipedia all the time. When I don’t know something or want more detailed information, I search the web till I find out and learn so much. My friend Nick spends even more time on-line than me and regularly recommends pieces, some of which I share with you on this blog.