Column: TV scoring an own goal with blanket sport

11:45am Tuesday 3rd July 2012 in Opinion Photograph of the Author By Margo Grimshaw, Lancashire Telegraph columnist

I’M fed up with the way the heads at television think that we are all absolutely fascinated with sport.

It seems that if there’s a football match or a tennis tournament it must take priority over everything else and never mind the poor punter who isn’t interested.

There are lots of channels, so why don’t they designate one or two solely for sport and give the rest of us a break?

I’ve been thoroughly tennis-ed and football-ed out and now I fear we are in for a huge beating of Olympic TV of Titanic proportions.

Is there no consideration for those of us that are ‘sporting deaf’?

And can you believe that they have left David Beckham out of Team GB for the Olympics?

Even I, a non-footie expert, know he’s the great crowd puller and the best known and, dare I say, best loved footballer in the world.

How long do we have to tolerate the chicanery and dishonesty that is laughingly called our banking system?

Those who are found guilty and it seems there might be many, should be jailed, for theft, in whatever form, is a crime and must, be punished.

A few weeks ago, I paid a visit to International Aid, based at Withnell near Preston and chatted to the Reverend Bernard Cocker.

He is an amazing man, though he wouldn’t want me to say that, as he doesn’t think that what he does is in any way out of the ordinary, but 13 years ago he founded this charity.

He has warehouses full of school and hospital equipment, food, and clothing, which he sends off to countries in dire need.

Can you imagine the enormity of the task?

They’ve recently filled and transported several 40ft containers.

His main ambition is to see starving children, in all the areas he is involved in, get one good meal a day.

On Saturday I went up to Ingleton and there just happened to be a jumble sale in the village hall.

Well, that really made my day!

Happiness is a jumble sale.

Comments (5)

9:22pm Tue 3 Jul 12

Parly says...

The batteries haven’t gone in your remote have they? I thought there were a few designated sports channels and then hundreds of shopping channels for people who just can’t get seem to enough of those comfort bras, steam cleaners or paint strippers.
Definitely haven’t seen more footballers than steamers, bras or strippers over the last few weeks (I’m sorry to say)
The batteries haven’t gone in your remote have they? I thought there were a few designated sports channels and then hundreds of shopping channels for people who just can’t get seem to enough of those comfort bras, steam cleaners or paint strippers. Definitely haven’t seen more footballers than steamers, bras or strippers over the last few weeks (I’m sorry to say) Parly

9:26pm Tue 3 Jul 12

Parly says...

Getting really miffed at the double posts LT...

Come on fellers. Be doing.
Getting really miffed at the double posts LT... Come on fellers. Be doing. Parly

9:24am Wed 4 Jul 12

Excluded again says...

Its fine when sports are scheduled. If you don't like it, there are plenty of other channels.

But its different when programmes are just cancelled with no notice. On Saturday night I had just settled down with my two young children to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark on BBC1 for their first time. It was cancelled at the last minute - to show a third round tennis match. The children were very disappointed.
Its fine when sports are scheduled. If you don't like it, there are plenty of other channels. But its different when programmes are just cancelled with no notice. On Saturday night I had just settled down with my two young children to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark on BBC1 for their first time. It was cancelled at the last minute - to show a third round tennis match. The children were very disappointed. Excluded again

11:35am Wed 4 Jul 12

sean_brfc says...

What are you on about Margo? David Beckham is an old man in football terms. Why should we pick him just because he would put more bums on seats? It would be an absolute travesty for someone who at the present time merits it more than him to miss out just because of his celebrity status! It is a sports competition, not a popularity contest!!
What are you on about Margo? David Beckham is an old man in football terms. Why should we pick him just because he would put more bums on seats? It would be an absolute travesty for someone who at the present time merits it more than him to miss out just because of his celebrity status! It is a sports competition, not a popularity contest!! sean_brfc

10:16pm Wed 4 Jul 12

Heretical says...

As far as wall to wall sport is concerned, well, you could,as others have suggested just turn over.Or more radically turn off and go mad...read a book,go out,listen to the radio, garden, be active....write a few columns.
Anything other than parking yourself in a chair watching tv.
As far as wall to wall sport is concerned, well, you could,as others have suggested just turn over.Or more radically turn off and go mad...read a book,go out,listen to the radio, garden, be active....write a few columns. Anything other than parking yourself in a chair watching tv. Heretical

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