Alastair Campbell On Loose Women

Did anyone see this yesterday? It was one of the most bizarre interviews I have ever seen. The man famed for having a brutal no-nonsense reputation being grilled by Colleen Nolan.

Effectively, it was just a 15 minute party political broadcast for the Labour Party (I don't know whether it contravenes ITV regulations or not - as it's independent I doubt it) but it was a combination of hard political talk, the Iraq war and ephemeral fluffy bullshit. He had the temerity to blast the Press over the Iraq Inquiry and their changing positions between 2002 and 2010 (which we all heard on The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday) but he also blasted celebrity culture when he quite clearly precipitated it in politics. The fact that he was on such a show as Loose Women demonstrates this yet further.

The interview ended with "and after the break, we find out whether you should be upset if your man doesn't know your eye colour or bra size". It was surreal.

I'm very unsure about politicians going on such fluffy shows anyway but I guess it does appeal to the electorate. Whether questions of impartiality are brought up though I am uncertain. Is such undue influence fair from a national broadcaster or is it just the same as the national press and their differing political allegiances? The problem is that the press is far easier to avoid than TV as most people invite the latter into their homes. You can always turn over but once you see something, there is a temptation to stick with it and hear it out.

Alastair Campbell On Loose Women

Did anyone see this yesterday? It was one of the most bizarre interviews I have ever seen. The man famed for having a brutal no-nonsense reputation being grilled by Colleen Nolan.

Effectively, it was just a 15 minute party political broadcast for the Labour Party (I don't know whether it contravenes ITV regulations or not - as it's independent I doubt it) but it was a combination of hard political talk, the Iraq war and ephemeral fluffy bullshit. He had the temerity to blast the Press over the Iraq Inquiry and their changing positions between 2002 and 2010 (which we all heard on The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday) but he also blasted celebrity culture when he quite clearly precipitated it in politics. The fact that he was on such a show as Loose Women demonstrates this yet further.

The interview ended with "and after the break, we find out whether you should be upset if your man doesn't know your eye colour or bra size". It was surreal.

I'm very unsure about politicians going on such fluffy shows anyway but I guess it does appeal to the electorate. Whether questions of impartiality are brought up though I am uncertain. Is such undue influence fair from a national broadcaster or is it just the same as the national press and their differing political allegiances? The problem is that the press is far easier to avoid than TV as most people invite the latter into their homes. You can always turn over but once you see something, there is a temptation to stick with it and hear it out.

The Word 'Gay'

When did the word 'gay' start to be used to describe something bad or to be ridiculed? And isn't the repeated use of the word in this way a tacit acceptation of discrimination? The fact that the word was used repeatedly during my secondary schools days in such a negative way caused untold problems when it eventually came to accepting my sexuality. I rarely agree with Peter Tatchell but I think the overuse of the word in the playground and online to describe bad things sometimes does have negative connotations. Or am I just suffering from a humour by-pass?

The Word 'Gay'

When did the word 'gay' start to be used to describe something bad or to be ridiculed? And isn't the repeated use of the word in this way a tacit acceptation of discrimination? The fact that the word was used repeatedly during my secondary schools days in such a negative way caused untold problems when it eventually came to accepting my sexuality. I rarely agree with Peter Tatchell but I think the overuse of the word in the playground and online to describe bad things sometimes does have negative connotations. Or am I just suffering from a humour by-pass?