Despite being disappointed by "Spitfire dig - Live" and "Egyptian Tomb dig - Live", I'm quite looking forward to this. Which is unusual for a perpetual pessimist like me!

Seems ok so far. Why does it have to be live though? A recorded programme would have allowed experts to answer questions fully, instead of being left looking a little uncertain why the question had been asked in the first place.

Is it compulsory to have Guy de la B in every programme about Romans?

quote:

Originally posted by Steffan:
Seems ok so far. Why does it have to be live though? A recorded programme would have allowed experts to answer questions fully, instead of being left looking a little uncertain why the question had been asked in the first place.

Is it compulsory to have Guy de la B in every programme about Romans?

You're right Steffan, seems ok, and some of it isn't live! I do believe GdlB is the right man for the job. I can't think of a more knowledgeable presenter, can you? H eappears to be bringing it very much alive.

'Fraid I fell asleep before the second ad break! Was it good enough to find a tape of it to borrow?

Even by the time I fell asleep, I was wondering what was so "live" about it!

I think perhaps two hours was a bit much. The last half hour seemed lose direction a bit. I was at Herculaneum earlier this year and was fascinated by the wooden features that remain and are visible to the visitors, but the beds and the shrine that were shown tonight were just amazing. All in all I thought it was very good programme and although there was no real reason for the live element, it did give it a certain edge. Obviously there will be some recorded material in any event like this; you can't expect the presenters to get up Vesuvius in the dark from Herculaneum or Pompeii within an hour or so. Also, if interviewing someone in another language, it is perhaps favourable to cut the interprer to save time.

I just couldn't watch it to the end. I had as much of the 'talking with the hands' as I could take. These two 'Guys' were too much for me. Have they never heard of verbal expression?. It was like watching the flails of a couple of windmills. Even the Latins were more sedate.
Suggestion;-Handcuff their hands behind them at the beginning or revert to 'voice over'.

Ron.

The Latins?

Eileen - I might have managed to stay awake about 5 minutes longer than you! I did have the presence of mind to stick the DVD recorder on though so I've got a "treat" tonight instead (or I could save it until Saturday in case the football gets too tense! ). If you can watch EP DVDs, I'll bring it to the barbie.

By the way, I couldn't stand the way Edwina Silver kept saying HercAlaneum!

Sorry -its probably me but -it was the woman. If it had been Carenza.... do we have to have the gosh, golly way of presentation? Is it obligatory to have a female - always presentable of course!

I thought she was quite good. She looked as if she understood what shwe was talking about as opposed to some of the people they have had on TT Lives.

Why can't a TV programme have a young female presenter without accusations that she is only there because of her looks? She seemed to be very competent at her job.

Many lovely women are superb presenters Steffan -I just did not think that this one was. It didn't flow, long pauses and too many hand gestures -but if it works for you -fine.

I'm with Ann on this point. Some presenters' enthusiasm comes across as endearing - Edwina Silver's just grates!

Personal opinion, I know, but if they'd had Kate Humble instead I'd have been far happier! (And she's young, presentable and enthusiastic!)

I didn't notice any of this hand gesture stuff, I have to admit, but then I was more interested in the subject matter.

I thought Edwina was ok, although I agree that Kate Humble would be good. GdlB was, as always, in his element and very good at presenting, but nobody has mentioned Peter Snow.

Personal opinion, I thought the whole program was well balanced and presented. Great stuff - more please!

I've noticed that every time Ch5 does one of these themed Live shows it improves on the last one. I think it is encouraging that they review and learn from each one. I found last night's show to be very interesting although there was a bit of repetition at times. It was worth it though. The finds were incredible and I shivered as they walked through alleyways, buildings and streets that seemed so impressive.

Jenni, I have no idea if I can play an EP DVD, so I guess bring it along & I'll find out! If my player won't I'm sure I can find one somewhere that will...

Having just read"The Last Days Of Pompeii" by Lytton. I decided to watch C5's creation, notwithstanding the fact that the main presenter was the over dramatic John Snow, who would create a national drama over a casual visit to a public urinal.
After 80 minutes of frantic hand and arm waving, I could take no more. So I switched off.
Tie their arms behind their backs and they would be speechless. Also, anyone unable to see the flailing limbs, must either bear the surname 'Nelson' or else be in need of an urgent visit to an optician.
With regard what I saw of the show, 5 out of 10 would be my maximume point award.
However, I watch very little TV. This is the only life I have, and I resent wasting it staring at a light behind a piece of glass.

Ron.

quote:

Originally posted by RonW:
Having just read"The Last Days Of Pompeii" by Lytton. I decided to watch C5's creation, notwithstanding the fact that the main presenter was the over dramatic John Snow, Ron.

Poor John Snow, he has now been compared to PETER Snow, who was the actual presenter of Pompeii live.

I've nearly finished watching it, still squashing irritation at some points ("here I am, joined with Andrew..." ) - perhaps it would have been smoother if it hadn't been Live (in parts, at any rate!) and I don't see that the Live aspect actually added anything (eg a sense of drama, discovery, anticipation or anything else that one might expect).

For me, the highlight so far has been Guy's exploration of a Roman water system - intelligent, well-presented, knowledgeable and informative: just what I would want!

I'll bring it with me, Eileen - let me know what else you'd like me to bring!

It was a bit lightweight but still interesting. I'd no idea about the wooden items surviving. That was fascinating and worthy of a programme by itself.

Felt like a child being talked at. All that shouting! It didn't come across as a coherent whole, although some of the bits were fascinating. It dashed about from one aspect to the other in a random fashion. Once or twice I nearly turned it off.It was a case when the presentation got in the way of the subject. Quite disappointing.