Showing posts with label TV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TV. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 02, 2023

Tandy in Stockport

Finding a Tandy ghost sign thanks to The Power of Parker!


A recent post in the excellent Tandy UK (InterTAN Ltd) Facebook Group alerted me to the fact that there's a ghost sign from an old Tandy shop in Stockport. A fellow group member had spotted in the background of a scene in the new BBC comedy The Power of Parker. The show is set in Stockport in November 1990.

A Tandy ghost sign in Stockport
Tandy lives on!

The store used to be at 111 Prince's Street. It's now home to a Betfred.

Betfred in Stockport town centre
The former Tandy shop in Stockport as it is today

My first job was at a Tandy franchise shop in Abingdon, Oxfordshire back in 1996 where I remember selling a number of electronic products bearing the 'RadioShack', 'Genexxa' and 'Realistic' brand names.


RadioShack Tandy sign at a shop in Whitstable, Kent (September 2012)
A RadioShack Tandy sign at a shop in Whitstable, Kent (September 2012)

It's crazy to think this Tandy signage has been hidden in (relatively) plain sight in my new hometown!

A Tandy ghost sign in Stockport
A Tandy ghost sign in Stockport

Related blog posts:

Thursday, November 03, 2022

Blockbuster on Netflix

There's a new Blockbuster Video comedy out on Netflix! Will you be watching it?


This is a sign we snapped at our old local (abandoned) Blockbuster Video store in Manchester
The new show is about the last (operating) Blockbuster Video store in the world. This is a sign we snapped at our old local (abandoned) Blockbuster Video store in Manchester

Check out my blog posts about Blockbuster.

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Reliant Regals

It's crazy how many Reliant Regal Supervans we've seen on our minigolf travels.


Reliant Regal Supervan in Ayr
With a Del Boy van in Ayr in 2014

Reliant Regal Supervan for sale
What a bargain!

Reliant Regal Supervan at Teezers in Coventry
An Only Fools and Horses themed crazy golf at Teezers in Coventry

Reliant Regal Supervan at Junkyard Golf in Manchester
At Junkyard Golf in Manchester

Reliant Regal Supervan at Junkyard Golf in London
At Junkyard Golf in London
  
Reliant Regal Supervan at That Funky Golf Place in Birmingham
The last hole at That Funky Golf Place in Birmingham has a Reliant Regal on it

Reliant Regal Supervan at That Funky Golf Place in Birmingham
You have to putt into the van for a hole in one

Reliant Regal Supervan at That Funky Golf Place in Birmingham
The end of the course
Del Boys van in Milton Keynes back in February 2012
Del Boys van in Milton Keynes back in February 2012

Reliant Regal Supervan in Great Yarmouth
Del Boy parked up at Great Yarmouth

I've also seen there are also Reliant Regal gimmicks on a few other courses we're yet to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour!

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Thursday, June 18, 2020

Hardcore Mini Golf

A look at the new Hardcore Mini Golf show.


Taking a nod from the Holey Moley TV series and reminding me of the classic Extreme Dodgeball show Hardcore Mini Golf is a new online minigolf tournament series taking place in the USA.

Hardcore Mini Golf has certainly put its own twist on competitive minigolf and the show features a cast of colourful characters.

The Hardcore Mini Golf tournament sees 16-players battle it out over four rounds on the Peter Pan Mini-Golf course in Austin, Texas.

Check out the trailer and episode one in the videos below.




Visit the Rooster Teeth and Hardcore Mini Golf websites for more information.

Monday, February 17, 2020

On The Chase. Again

My episode of The Chase is going to be on Challenge TV again.


Richard Gottfried on The Chase

Series 5, episode 16 is scheduled to be on at:


8pm today, Monday 17th February.

Richard Gottfried on The Chase

9am on Tuesday 18th February.

Richard Gottfried on The Chase

1am on Wednesday 19th February.

Monday, January 06, 2020

The Chase

My episode of The Chase was on Pick at 5pm on Saturday, 28th December 2019. Did you catch it?


The Chase on Pick

The episode was listed as Series 5, Episode 16. My episode has also previously been listed as Series 5, Episode 39.


The Chase on Pick

It was recorded back in 2011 and aired on ITV in March 2012. Since then it's aired multiple times on ITV and Challenge TV. To my knowledge this was the first time it'd been on Pick.


The Chase on Pick
This was almost a decade ago now!

I wonder when and where it'll be shown next...?

The Chase on Pick

Monday, December 23, 2019

The Chase is on. Again. Possibly

It's possible my episode of The Chase will be on Pick at 5pm this Saturday, 28th December.


Facing The Beast

That's if the episode number hasn't been changed again.


The episode scheduled is listed as Series 5, Episode 16.

My episode has been listed as that before. As well as Series 5, Episode 39.

Shambles

Friday, October 11, 2019

A Coronation Street film location. In Blackpool

Visiting an infamous scene location in British soap history.


I was recently in Manchester city centre and was starstruck when I spotted Sue Nicholls and Mark Eden who played Audrey Roberts and Alan Bradley in Coronation Street.


This bit of celeb spotting got me chatting about the classic and infamous scene where the soap's baddie Alan Bradley got his comeuppance by getting killed by a tram in Blackpool.


My mate Marc 'The Roller' Bazeley and I jokingly wondered whether there was a plaque on the spot he was hit. After a little research I found out that there actually is a plaque to 'commemorate' the incident! It's on the entrance of The Strand Hotel.

Alan Bradley's Coronation Street tram plaque at The Strand Hotel in Blackpool

We regularly visit the seaside resort so on my latest day out there I had a look to see where the scene was filmed.

Scene of Alan Bradley's Coronation Street Death by Tram outside The Strand Hotel in Blackpool
The scene of telly soap baddie Alan Bradley's Coronation Street Death by Tram outside The Strand Hotel in Blackpool

Scene of Alan Bradley's Coronation Street Death by Tram outside The Strand Hotel in Blackpool
A view from outside The Strand Hotel

Scene of Alan Bradley's Coronation Street Death by Tram outside The Strand Hotel in Blackpool
A closer look at the tracks

A view of The Strand Hotel

A view of the street

I was able to avoid the same fate that befell one of soap's most notorious bad guys when I filmed this tram passing by the spot.


We've spotted quite a few interesting plaques on our travels.

Related blog posts:
Plaque-ing Interesting
- Blackpool
- Plaques

Monday, September 09, 2019

Looking back at the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship

A look back at the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship at The Belfry.


Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry

Two years ago we visited The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield to play the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course as part of the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship.


American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship
Peter in action on the 3rd hole in the semi-final

American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship
A pre-final interview with Gemma Care from Sky Sports

The tournament was a televised event and the competition was shown on Sky Sports Golf in November 2017. The National Adventure Golf Championships can be seen in the video below from 26m 55s.



Along with Peter Jones I'd qualified for the grand final of the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship by winning the Welsh Regional Qualifier in April 2017.

Each of the 12-holes on the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course is based on a famous hole from 'big' golf. It's a tricky layout with some very long holes.

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry
Playing one of the very long holes at The Belfry

The Ryder Legends Mini Golf course was the 456th course played and 768th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. You can see videos of the 12-holes on our YouTube Channel (123456789101112).

American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship
Playing hole 3 in the final

We've now visited 925 miniature golf courses since September 2006.

The American Golf Championship Tour Season Review programme can also be watched on the American Golf YouTube Channel with the Adventure Golf competition starting at 31m 33s.


Related blog posts:
- American Golf Adventure Golf Championship
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Adventure Golf
- The Belfry

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Watch me on The Chase

I've been reliably informed that my episode of The Chase is being repeated on Challenge next Tuesday, 2nd April. It's one day late if you ask me!

Richard Gottfried on The Chase
You can watch my appearance on The Chase at 8pm on Tuesday 2nd April. It's repeated again at 1am on the 3rd

I was a contestant on Series 5, Episode 39 of the long-running ITV quiz show. The episode was filmed in 2011 and aired in March 2012.

Related blog posts:
- Appearing on ITV's The Chase!
- The Chase

Sunday, January 21, 2018

American Golf National Adventure Golf Championships now on YouTube

The Grand Final of the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championships is now available to watch on the American Golf YouTube Channel.



Peter Jones and I competed in the tournament held at The Belfry Hotel & Resort back in September 2017.

The minigolf tournament was part of the Family Championship episode as shown on Sky Sports Golf last November.

The National Adventure Golf Championships can be seen from 26m 55s.

Links:
- American Golf Finals 2017 - Family Golf and Adventure Golf Championships
- American Golf Tournaments

Related blog posts:
- American Golf
- The American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final
- Ryder Legends Mini Golf at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield

Friday, January 19, 2018

What is the most boring sport?

Do you agree with the YouGov Poll results?

A recent YouGov Poll of the British public found that Golf was the most boring sport to watch on TV.

I'm glad I play Mini Golf - that's NOT boring at all.

Playing the Ryder Legends Adventure Golf course at The Belfry
Playing the Ryder Legends Adventure Golf course at The Belfry - home of the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championships

We need more of it on the telly - like the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championships that were shown on Sky Sports in November.



Find out more about the YouGov Poll on the YouGov website.

I wonder what the members of the Dull Men's Club think about the Poll...?

Related blog posts:
- Boring
- Dull

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

International Rock Paper Scissors Championship on BBC Two!

Rock Paper Scissors Tournament to feature on James May’s Man Lab on BBC Two this Thursday.

Be sure to tune-in to BBC Two tomorrow (Thursday 4th of April 2013) at 8pm to see the fast-paced and action-packed sport of Rock Paper Scissors on the latest episode of James May’s Man Lab

The hour-long show features James May and his team of Man Lab assistants taking on an array of wacky challenges and building interesting and useful inventions, all with the aim of helping modern man regain the vital skills that are in danger of dying out!

In the episode James teams up with football hardman Neil 'Razor' Ruddock and the UK's top RPS'er Max Deeley - the 2011 UK RPS Champion - in a field of 150 players representing 16 countries!

Photo from the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championship in London
Taking on football legend and member of the Man Lab team, Neil 'Razor' Ruddock in an International Rock Paper Scissors 'friendly' match at the event last year!

The Rock Paper Scissors Championship feature was filmed at last summer’s Wacky Nation International Rock Paper Scissors Championships held at the Knight’s Templar Pub on Chancery Lane in London. At the event our team – San Marino(!) – finished just off the podium in fourth place, having lost in the bronze medal match to Great Britain.

Do keep an out to see if you can spot me or Emily on the programme!

Later in the current series of James May’s Man Lab there will also be a feature on my hometown of Abingdon-on-Thames’ tradition of Bun Throwing, where the Man Lab team helped out in an attempt to get the currant buns to the back of the market place from the roof of the old county hall!

Links:

Related Blog Posts:

Monday, February 04, 2013

Crazy Golf on "Rory and Will - Champions of The World"

The "Unofficial Worlds TV Crazy Golf Championship Challenge" played in Hastings and shown on Channel 5!

Back in September 2012 the 'Castle Golf' World Crazy Golf Champion Michael Smith and three-time Women's World Crazy Golf Champion Ruth Burke and I (ably supported by BMGA Tour Pro Steve Sturdy) filmed a piece for the lighthearted travel documentary "Rory and Will - Champions of The World" for Channel 5 at the famous 18-hole Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Hastings, East Sussex. A few photos from the day's filming are below.

Rory McGrath lines up a Putt on the tough 14th hole in Hastings as his Crazy Golf Coach Michael Smith  looks on

The British Minigolf Association's Crazy Minigolfing Team in Hastings after filming, from l-r Rory McGrath, Ruth Burke, Michael Smith, Will Mellor, and me! (pic by Steve Sturdy)

Rory & Will's Champions of the World 'Unofficial World Crazy Golf Championship' Trophy - with customary seaside 99 with a flake!

If you missed the first airing, then you can watch the episode when it's repeated on Friday 8th of February at 7pm. You can also watch the programme on Channel 5's 'Demand 5' service!

If you enjoyed watching the programme, like Crazy Golf & Minigolf and fancy giving the sport a go then why not sign-up to the British Minigolf Association - there are FREE and paid options available and you can find out more on the BMGA website's Membership page.

The Hastings Crazy Golf course is the host venue for the 'Castle Golf' World Crazy Golf Championship and 2013 will see the eleventh edition of the tournament held. If that's too long to wait to take part in a Crazy Golf tournament then you can enter the first-ever BMGA British Crazy Golf Open that will be held in March!

Related Blog Post:

Links:

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Crazy Golf to feature on "Rory and Will - Champions of The World"

Channel 5 TV show to feature Crazy Golf on new show "Rory and Will - Champions of The World".

The new Channel 5 TV Show "Rory and Will - Champions of The World" will feature Crazy Golf on the next episode. Filmed at the Hastings seafront Crazy Golf course last year Rory McGrath and Will Mellor received some coaching from two of the world's best Crazy Golfers and then challenged each other to find out which of them is the best player in their ongoing challenge match.

You can catch a glimpse of Will Mellor playing Crazy Golf on the trailer for episode 2 at the end of the first show.

Episode 1 saw the pair take on Reliant Robin Racing, Nurdling, Thumb Wrestling, Fishing and Pea Shooting!

Links:

Monday, November 05, 2012

Watch the World Crazy Golf Championship on Trans World Sport this week

Tune in to Trans World Sport on Sky Sports this week to watch the feature on the World Crazy Golf Championship in Hastings!
 
This year’s ‘Castle Golf’ World Crazy Golf Championship was filmed for a feature that will be shown on the TV sports show Trans World Sport this week.
 
From the Trans World Sport programme listing:
"This week, time with Belarusian football team BATE Borisov. Plus, meet the stars of the Professional Bull Riding Tour in Texas, and the Crazy Golf World Championships in England."
 
Trans World Sport will be shown on Sky Sports in the UK on the following days and times:
07/11/2012 - Sky Sports 1 at 10pm
08/11/2012 - Sky Sports 2 at 12pm
08/11/2012 - Sky Sports 2 at 4pm
09/11/2012 - Sky Sports 4 at 2pm
10/11/2012 - Sky Sports 4 at 9am
10/11/2012 - Sky Sports 4 at 1pm
 

Sunday, April 01, 2012

Last chance to watch me on The Chase on the ITV Player

Check out my latest TV Quiz Show Appearance online.


You can watch my appearance on The Chase from 5pm on Friday 2nd March 2012 at the ITV Player.

You can read a news story about my appearance on The Chase in the Herald & Post e-edition - "Richard is chasing a quiz-show dream"

Blog Post:

Friday, March 02, 2012

Appearing on ITV's The Chase!

‘Today’ I faced one of the finest quiz brains in the UK as I appeared on hit ITV quiz show ‘The Chase’!

The programme sees four strangers teaming up to take on a Chaser in a general knowledge quiz, firstly as individuals and then, if they qualify, in the Final Chase.


On the show, filmed last year, I was up against quiz supremo Mark Labbett and in the Cash-Builder round only managed to answer one question correctly out of nine in one minute of quick fire questions. I was like a deer caught in the headlights!


In the head-to-head chase itself I was offered either a measly £4 to take a step closer to safety, or £20,000 to take a riskier step forward. After a chat with my team mates I opted to play for the £1,000 and managed to answer three questions out of seven before being caught two steps from home. It must have been the pressure of appearing in front of a ‘studio audience’.


The four questions (out of 16) that I answered correctly were:
- What food-related nickname is given to the Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London
o Answer: Beefeaters
- In punctuation, which character is also known as an ‘interrogation point’?
o Answer: C) Question Mark
- What name is given to the narrow, cobbled street in York’s city centre?
o Answer: C) The Shambles
- Which actress played the leader of the Pink Ladies in the film ‘Grease 2’?
o Answer: C) Michelle Pfeiffer

The Chaser and I both got the question “What is a bluebonnet?” wrong. It’s a Plant, not a Fungus.

Another team mate, Alison, was also eliminated from the game which left two players, Anne and Glyn, to play for £10,000. They took on the Chaser with an 18 step head start after correctly answering 16 questions, plus their ‘bonus’ two step head start.

The Chase is hosted by comic and actor Bradley Walsh and is now in its fifth series. Thousands of people apply to appear on the show each year. I was on number 39 of a series that will be over 100 shows long.

For the next month you can still catch the show on the ITV Player online.


In 2009 I also appeared on BBC2’s quiz show Eggheads, when I led a team of Minigolfers known as the ‘Nutters with Putters’. Our team played for £18,000 but unfortunately lost in the final head-to-head game.

Of the two shows I found The Chase to be much tougher as you’re really put on the spot with the quick fire questions.

Who knows what show I’ll go on next – Climbing for Dollars perhaps... and with TV quiz shows getting repeated over the years maybe I'll win in a re-run!

Links:
- ITV

The Chase

Set your videos, TiVo, Sky+, Betamax, V2000 etc. and tune in to ITV today (Friday 2nd March) at 5pm as I'm going to be on the quiz show 'The Chase'!!!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Regular Show & Miniature Golf

Just before Christmas one of my nephews told me to check out a cartoon on the Cartoon Network called ‘Regular Show’, so I did.

It’s brilliant.

The show followers two 23-year-old Park Groundskeepers, Mordecai and Rigby, and the many shenanigans they get up to as they try to avoid work and their angry boss, Benson. The pair enjoy slacking off, playing video games (on what looks like a Sega Master System 1), Zombies and Rock Paper Scissors, amongst other things!

The rest of the cast of characters on the show are a weird bunch too.

One of the episodes ‘Do Me A Solid’ features Minigolf (in an ironic sense).

I urge you to check out Regular Show, it’s anything but!

Links:
- Regular Show on Cartoon Network UK
- Regular Show on Cartoon Network USA
- Regular Show page on Wikipedia