By JOAN NEWTON
TV AND RADIO. Before I make any comments on all the changes which have taken place on the Television and Radio this week, I must say how good it was that the Feast of St. Michael was so well remembered by both the B.B.C. and I.T.A. On the latter we heard High Mass from St. Effieldreda's, Ely Place, in the morning and a discussion about good and had angels in the evening. On the B.B.C. sound radio we heard an evening service from St, Dominic's, Haverstock
Both the services followed the usual pattern but the discussion
was rather out of the ordinary and must have sounded bizarre to pagan ears. Dom Bernard Orchard and Dom Casimir Wilkins from Ealing Abbey talked over angels with two young friends who asked them the right kind of leading questions.
Catholics and good Christians must have benefited from this reminder that angels are higher in the scale than man but that man could take the place of the fallen angels in Heaven. But the modern pagan who dislikes even the word "sin" must have foond such beliefs hard to swallow. B.B.C, and I.T.A. have been at great pains to show us all the delightful programmes in store for good viewers.
Two weeks ago on I.T.A.'s second birthday they gave us two whole hours "star spangled" nonsense showing us the wonderful personalities who work, sometimes, for I.T.A. It was a very. very dull two hours.
Last week the B.B.C., in threequarters-of-an-hoiir presented a programme of B.B.C. celebrities, As it was shorter, and therefore more stream-lined, it was not quite so boring but even so the variety shows promised us for the coining season do not amount to much.
One variety show is very like the next. One funny man is nearly always like the next. The same faces and the same legs will flash in front of us week after week as they did last year and probably be greeted by the same groans. at least in this family. Such is the compulsion of the TV set, however, that in spite of one's knowing there is a far better programme on the radio one stays glued in front of the screen lapping up programmes one would have despised on the air alone.
PROTEST
IT is for this reason that I want
to make a strong protest to the TV planners on H.B.C. for altering the time of the babies' programme "Watch with Mother" to 1.45 p.m. when the radio version is also on.
There must he many homes these days where both radio and television are used. The babies are very fond of their special programmes and mothers find them an oases of peace in those days of storm and strife when wretched little children are up to mischief all the time.
Now there must be the difficult choice between the two. As an exasperated mother, I already know how difficult it is to choose between the various "Children's Hours " at 5 p.m. and the different "Schools" programmes between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Please could one of these two versions he altered to say, 1.30 p.m.?
It is too early yet to comment on these new TV schools programmes. So far the B.B.C. efforts seem to be better produced, though the matter on both sides is interesting enough. Independent Television always gives the impression of doing everything on a shoestring.
I have not time, either, to make any remarks about that mouthwatering new Network Three on sound radio. I can see myself for weeks ahead sitting in a swivel chair between radio -and television set twirling knobs every half-hour or so because there is so much to look at and to listen to.