'Good Game! Good Game! Didn't She Do Well!'

Of all of the programmes from my childhood 'The Generation Game' is the one I associate most with Christmas. Watching the Generation Game with old Brucie (or middle-aged Brucie as he was then!) was a real family thing. The show appealed to everyone whatever age you were because its mixture of slapstick humour, interesting games and Bruce's fantastically funny way of making fun of the whole thing - and taking the mickey out of the contestants - was simply television magic.

I am not one for hankering over the every word of  celebrities but Bruce Forsyth will always be someone very special to me. The ULTIMATE professional he has made so many shows over the years I associate with happy times and 'Strictly'  has a touch of The Generation Game about it somehow...

Take a look at the video above. If you haven't watched a whole episode of 'The Generation Game' for years (as I hadn't when I watched this yesterday) it is sure to bring back many happy memories. In my case, it inspired me to come up with a new Christmas song based on my love for my childhood Christmases would you believe! 'Christmas 73' is the working title for the song as yet but that's hardly full of excitement so I will let the lyrics percolate for a few days and then see if I can come up with something much more snazzy! 

For those of you new to my world, I have a habit of writing and recording a new Christmas song every year (as long as I can afford it!) and then 'release' them in early to mid Dec on my Youtube channel (Maybrick44). If my producer (and friend) Harvey Summers likes 'Christmas 73' it could be my 'release' this year! 

Anyway, back to Bruce and the Christmas edition of 'The Generation Game'...

'Nice to see you, to see you....NICE!' Has to be one of the best catchphrases any entertainer could have to start a show, don't you think? I mean, straight away he or she is interacting with the audience and making them feel a real part of the show, welcomed and at home. I know Brucies jokes are all a bit out dated in 2013 but I much prefer 'gentle leg pulling' that the more graphic stuff of today. The prizes that get dished out here to losing contestants are also hilarious! Walking off screen with a drill (no box - with the wires dangling and all!) after losing out must really have made men feel better about their lives. Its a bit like saying "Well, loser, back to your D.I.Y. chores for the missus!" HA HA

Oh and where would we have been in those days without one of Anthea Redfern's twirls?

To be honest, she is as wooden a presenter as Pinocchio but it doesn't really matter as Brucie is such a large personality there simply wouldn't have been room on screen for another! That's why the scenes here with the equally awesome, Frankie Howerd are nothing short of T.V. heaven. Frank comes across as a nice guy during his chat to the losing contestants in the semi final and he is sorely missed today.

Oh well, enough chat, get watching and don't forget to let me know your thoughts on the subject.