Your perfect evening in front of the google-box

I think we have reached peak as far as Sky and BT Sport go. Crowds will begin to be important again. The Premier League, as far as investors go is almost a complete sellout, and those still eager to jump onto the bandwagon are having to look down the divisions. Plenty have made a success of that - Bournemouth and Leicester City for example.

Most clubs capable of getting a 30,000+ crowd through the gates have got their man in place. Leeds have got their Italian nutjob in place, and perhaps he will sell out for a profit within the next year or two, especially if they go up via the playoffs. Forest have their money man in place although he appears to be trying to sell, hopefully (for Forest fans) to someone who has the clubs best interests at heart. Derby have got their man, and are resurgent under Gary Rowett after two years of managerial merry-go-rounds. Newcastle have their billionaire in place, as do Brighton (if not quite a billionaire).

I'm hoping that gradually, the clubs without a huge fan base will begin to drop down, and be replaced with 'proper' football clubs, properly run. Wolves, Birmingham and Aston Villa are all playing in the 2nd tier, as do the majority of the Yorkshire clubs. Most of them began to believe that they had a God-given right to be in the top league. Some have dropped down to the third tier before they woke up - Derby, Forest, Villa, Leeds and Wolves have all been down there. Doncaster, Darlington, Swindon and Plymouth are not hotbeds of football, but it's an amazingly difficult division to get out of.

I think you're right - he plays the buffoon/bigot/obtuse Yorkshireman to great effect, and now he qualifies as a grumpy old git, he's in his element.

I watched the Nazaire raid documentary and another that he did (about his father-in-law, Major Cain) were brilliant. I wish he'd do more because he has got a great deal of talent, which he hides under the Top Gear bushel. Despite your compliment (thank you!), I wish I had anything like the talent he has - and the job and the income.

I didn't realise Clarkson had done a documentary on the raid at St Nazaire (I would like to watch it), I worked there for a month a couple of years back and the old German submarine base still figures prominently on the coast. While I was there I met a extremely interesting old English chap (stopping at the same hotel) who conducted 1st and 2nd World War tours. One of the best tours I had was a tour of Colditz castle, extremely interesting to say the least.

No you are! I also have never seen either of those episodic offerings and, like Gerry, Star Wars has passed me utterly unwatched.

Star Wars passed me by too, I have watched the "Family Guy" version of it though

There are also a few decent vids on YT made by people visiting the U-boat pens. As you'll have seen yourself their scale is massive.

His compendium books of his Sunday Times columns are hugely entertaining. I want to dislike the man - on ideological grounds - but in truth I can't.

He's interested in Spitfires and Mosquitoes / Brunel & Trevithick / steam locomotives and mechanical engineering etc - and so am I!

Third I think as I have no idea what these programs are that you are talking about.

So - there are a few other Star Wars virgins out there! I feel slightly better now.

I have lived and worked overseas most of my adult life, the past 35 years in Dubai. Never get to watch UK TV.

Your wish is my command

Here's the other one because your wish had already been granted!

A very good watch as are many of these documentaries, we are forever in the debt of these brave men.

Lots of progs in common - particularly How it's Made and Air Crash Investigation - and most of the comedy shows you mention.

G

Netflix and Amazon is available here now, so I have been able to watch some good series, The Crown, Vikings, Peaky Blinders come to mind, plus The Grand Tour, which is compulsory if you are Clarkson fan, which I am.

Clarkson also did a five part series for the BBC - Inventions that changed the world - in 2004. More recently he told the story of "PQ17, an Arctic Convoy Disaster". These are all available online.

Yes I'm also looking forward to the second series, really enjoyed it.