TommyWatch
On watching a clip of Tommy Sheridan's entrance into the Big Brother House (yes, readers, see how much I am willing to suffer for you), I'm struck by the booing. I thought that hardly anyone had heard of him (hence Davina's explanation of just who he is) so wouldn't be in a position to jeer. Maybe they just boo politicians by default. Maybe they were sent there by the SSP. Or the News of the World. Or MI5. Or, in Tommy's mind, no doubt, all three in a massive conspiracy. Though having said that, they seemed to have been booing everyone.
I'm also struck by Davina's inability to pronounce the word 'Convener'. So for the benefit of La McCall, and those listening to her, it's pronounced "con-VEE-ner", and not "CUH-vuh-ner". Note the extra N in the first syllable, and the stress on the second syllable rather than the first. It is not the word "coven", with an "-er" suffix on the end, but "convene" with the suffix. For those unfamiliar with the meaning, a Committee Convener is its Chairperson, while the Convener of a political party is, in effect, its Leader.
And as Tommy Sheridan is a Co-Convener, let me take a moment to remind everyone of Rosemary Byrne's existence. And, indeed, Solidarity's existence, which has received fewer first preference votes than the SSP across the Council By-Elections that took place last year, came behind the SSP in the two Westminster By-Elections (including eighth and last place in Glenrothes), and in 2007, lost its only Councillor when Ruth Black defected to Labour.
So you might think that this is a good way of getting easy publicity - reminding the world of Tommy Sheridan's existence on national television. But his perjury trial will do that. And publicity for Tommy isn't necessarily publicity for Solidarity. But then. this isn't about the advertising: the man himself has said that he's after the cash this will bring.
Trying to move cash from Channel 4's coffers to his own bank account. I'm not sure that's the conventional Socialist view of redistribution of wealth, but there you go.
3 comments:
Ah, but did you go on to watch Big Mouth where the former editor of Heat expressed pity for Tommy (because he looked really upset by the booing)? My slavish devotion to all Sheridan coverage will continue until he's voted out ;-)
"But then. this isn't about the advertising: the man himself has said that he's after the cash this will bring."
According to the Torygraph Ulrika is getting £175K, the bloke from AUstin Powers £150 K or so, and the bloke from the boyband £20K (the lowest sum). Tommy is somewhere in the middle.
From each according to his ability to each according to his need?
By the way, best wishes for the new year
Scott
(PS I see your word verification admires Jonathan Watson's Sir Alex - "verprau" ;-) )
Truthfully, I did not watch the Big Mouth programme - I tried to watch the main show tonight but found it so soul-crushingly dull that I had to switch off. I shall have to do my Tommywatching via your good self as I do not have the stomach to watch the thing, alas, alas.
I agree the Socialism of the exploit is questionable - though he still seeks to call people "Brother" and "Sister", and Terry Christian is more "civilian" than he is.
And I think locking him in a compound with Ulrika Jonsson may prove to be an error. You know what she's like...
I suppose someone has to watch such shows.
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