Press Gang is a British children's television comedy-drama consisting of forty-three episodes across five series that were broadcast from 1989 to 1993. It was produced by Richmond Film & Television for Central, and screened on the ITV network in its regular weekday afternoon children's strand, Children's ITV, typically in a 4:45 pm slot (days varied over the course of the run). Aimed at older children and teenagers, the programme was based on the activities of a children's newspaper, the Junior Gazette, produced by pupils from the local comprehensive school. In later series it was depicted as a commercial venture. The show interspersed comedic elements with the dramatic. As well as addressing interpersonal relationships (particularly in the Lynda-Spike story arc), the show tackled issues such as solvent abuse, child abuse and firearms control. Written by ex-teacher Steven Moffat, more than half the episodes were directed by Bob Spiers, a noted British comedy director who had previously worked on classics such as Fawlty Towers. Critical reception was very positive, particularly for the quality of the writing, and the series has attracted a cult following with a wide age range. (more...)
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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
27 BC:
Gaius Octavianus was given the title Augustus by the Roman Senate when he became the first Roman emperor. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus
1780:
American Revolutionary War: The British Royal Navy gained their first major naval victory over its European enemies in the war when they defeated a Spanish squadron in the Battle of Cape St. Vincent. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cape_St._Vincent_%281780%29
1938:
Benny Goodman's concert at New York City's Carnegie Hall was instrumental in establishing jazz as a legitimate form of music. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Goodman
1969:
Student Jan Palach set himself on fire in Wenceslas Square in Prague to protest the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia one year earlier. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Palach
2008:
Five days after proposing lyrics for the wordless La Marcha Real, the Spanish national anthem, the Spanish Olympic Committee withdrew the proposal due to widespread criticism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcha_Real
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
Lethean (adj): 1. (chiefly poetic, Greek mythology) of or relating to the river Lethe. 2. (by extension) of or relating to death or forgetfulness http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Lethean
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
We are told we must choose — the old or the new. In fact, we must choose both. What is a life if not a series of negotiations between the old and the new? It seems to me that one should always be seeking to talk oneself out of these stark oppositions. --Susan Sontag http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Susan_Sontag
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