Thursday 29 August 2019

What I'm Watching - August 2019

TV and film that I've been watching this month.


Deep Water is a new series set in the Lake District, starring Anna Friel. I missed the first episode but saw the next one being advertised so I watched it on catch up. I was a little confused as to the storyline, it didn't seem to be going in any particular direction, but it held my interest enough for me to continue watching. All the episodes are available on ITV Hub, which means we don't have to wait for each episode being shown week after week, I much prefer this. I actually binge watched the whole series, six episodes, and enjoyed them, though I can't say I liked any of the characters. I can see this returning for a second series, though I don't think anything about that's been announced as yet.


The Great British Bake Off returned to our screens on Tuesday night and it looks set to be another good series with some of the contestants already standing out above others. I really enjoy this programme but one thing for me lets it down, Paul Hollywood. No matter how hard I try, I just can't like him. Never mind, the rest of the show more than makes up for me having to put up with him for an hour.


I was curious about A Star Is Born. I've never seen the 1976 version with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson but I heard good things about Lady Gaga's acting debut. The reviews I read weren't wrong, I thought she did a brilliant job. Unfortunately, the storyline lost me half way through the film, long and drawn out, though the soundtrack kept me going, and I didn't see the ending coming. I think I'd have been shuffling in my seat if I'd seen it at the cinema, but it passed an afternoon in my living room. A big thumbs up to Lady Gaga but it's not a film I'll watch again.


I've heard the Simply In Stitches vlogs being mentioned in a couple of places just recently so I thought I'd pop over to You Tube and take a look. Tina is in to both knitting and cross stitch and she's inspired me to have another go at Cross Stitch myself. She's working on some wonderful projects at the moment. I've watched the most recent vlog and have decided to go right back to the very beginning on this channel and work my way up to date from the beginning. There's plenty there to binge watch.

There haven't been many programmes which have taken my fancy throughout August but I've seen a few things advertised which I'm looking forward to watching so I'm sure September will be better.

24 comments:

  1. We don't have the BBCi or ITVhub as I don't want to put all my personal information in just to watch TV. I watched Sanditon and I was a bit um and ah over it, but I'll see how it carries on. I started watching Beecham House when it was on, but that lost my interest half way through. Vanity Fair was recently reshown and I enjoyed that again. I miss Poldark as I'm always working weekend evenings. Best, Jane x

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    1. I usually enjoy period dramas but I started watching Sanditon and turned it off half way through, I just couldn't get into it, I was the same with Vanity Fair. Poldark finished this week, I'll really miss it.

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  2. ooh what a great idea for a post. We don't have a TV but sometimes look for things to watch online. I will be following this post for interest to find things worth watching on those wet afternoons!

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    1. It's good to get recommendations, there's just so much choice these days.

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  3. Bake Off really looks promising, as usual, and hopefully it will be another few weeks of something to look forward to on a Tuesday night. I hate the adverts though now it's on Chanbel Four so I always record it on the Freeview box and give it a half hour head start before I start watching so I can whizz through the adverts.

    I can't make my mind up yet about Deep Water, I've only watched the first two, unfortunately I can't binge watch as we don't have unlimited internet. So I have to buy box sets for a good binge 😀

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    1. Oh, I'm the same, it's very rare that I watch anything live because of the adverts. I record everything so that I can whizz through. Deep Water held my interest but I found the storyline very weak.

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  4. I watched Deep Water on catch-up, I enjoyed it but like you thought that there was not much of a story line. I've only watched GBBO for one season, last years I think it was, I won't watch this years though, (i can't take to PH either!). I have seen the 1976 version of A Star Is Born but it was a long time ago, not seen the re-make. I don't tend to watch many stitching podcasts/vlogs because I tend to find them (dare I say it??) a tad boring. I will check out the one you recommend though as I've not come across that one. Have you watched the new Jane Austin adaptation, Sanditon? I thought the first one was quite good, reminds me of Pride and Prejudice though.

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    1. I really enjoy The Great British Bake Off, I just wish they'd replace Paul Hollywood and that would make it even better. As you know, I've only dabbled with cross stitch so I don't usually watch podcasts or vlogs which are stitching based, but I'm really enjoying this one as there's knitting included too. I have to say though that I'm enjoying seeing all the cross stitch projects she's got on the go too. I did start watching Sanditon but turned it off half way through, I just couldn't get into it.

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  5. I totally agree with you about Paul Hollywood, he makes me want to shout at the tv. We can get Bake Off on Friday on Netflix in USA, so we have to wait a bit. Even with a BritBox subscription TV is not great for us! August is always a rubbish month for tv. CN x

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    1. At least you can get some of the British programmes over there, even if you have to wait a while for them. You definitely haven't missed much in August but things seem to be looking up for September.

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  6. I do the same thing when it comes to podcasts, both video and audio. I'll watch a current episode or two and, if I like it, go right back to the beginning. Initially, I would just watch the old ones until I caught up, but some of them are ancient - one has over 400 episodes! - so I've changed my strategy. Now I watch any new episode that comes out and do the "catch-up" watching in between new episodes. This way, I don't miss what is going on now in Ravelry groups, KALs, etc.

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    1. I used to do exactly the same, leave the new episodes until I'd caught up, but I watch them in between now for the exact same reasons you give. Tina's been having a month away from all social media so it's given me a bit of a head start with the old episodes before she uploads another new one.

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  7. Nice to have things to watch.

    When "Stranger Things" present season, is finished, on Netflix, I am considering getting Netflix back, for a Free month. And watching them. ,-)

    I looked it up and it is finished! But my favorite character, is................. <--No spoilers, in case someone else wants to watch too. :-))))

    ✨🌻✨

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    1. I've never watched Stranger Things but I hear lots of people mention it so I may give it a go myself.

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  8. Oh Great British starts Tuesday! Wheeeeee

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    1. So many people seem to love this series.

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  9. Don't think we have that channel, but will have to take a look and see if Deep Water is available on Prime or Netflix here. I rarely watch cooking shows, but glad you're enjoying the baking. Happy to hear you're getting back into your stitching. I've not done cross stitch in years! I have lots of patterns and floss so should. I LOVED the original movie A Star is Born, and have also been a big fan of Barbara S, so have been reluctant to watch the new version; but have heard good things about it.
    Sandy's Space

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    1. I don't think the remake of A Star is Born is exactly the same storyline so I'd like to see the one with Barbra Streisand in it now. The Simply in Stitches vlogs have really inspired me to have a go at cross stitch again. It's funny how seeing someone else working on something can make you want to do it yourself.

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  10. I’m not keen on Hollywood but the guy that I can’t stand is the guy who gatecrashed and ruined a large piece of Extra Slice. Can’t remember his name. We usually fast forward the section he does.

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    1. I stopped watching Extra Slice a couple of series ago so I'm not sure who you mean, but one person can ruin a whole programme.

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  11. I always think August can be a quiet month for TV as the new schedules are not due until September … talking of which I'm looking forward to Strictly next weekend :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. I'm looking forward to Strictly too. There seems to be some good things coming up in September so I'm looking forward to the new schedules getting going.

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  12. I've only seen A Star is Born, I did enjoy it but as you say it was a bit long-winded.xxx

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    1. I thought I might enjoy it more than I did, but it was watchable.

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