Gary Kirk

Last night I was on South Bank at the London Studios for the recording of this Sunday’s News Knight with Sir Trevor McDonald, the second show in this new series. I was hoping that Clive Anderson would be one of the comedians featured on Trevor’s “news team” but it was not to be. It was someone better! Alexander Armstrong, nine-times guest host of HIGNFY, joined Reginald D. Hunter and Marcus Brigstocke to dissect some of the week’s stories. I’ve always felt that what we see Marcus saying on TV and radio programmes is only half of what he actually said - as in, the strength of it - and I wasn’t disappointed. It also transpires he can do a remarkable impersonation of Moira Stewart, and he claims his favourite favour of ice cream is raspberry sorbet.

I was disappointed that Alexander spoke so little but, like Clive Anderson the previous week, it’s harder being on the end of the line as they both were. Watch out for a special hand-waving technique Reginald taught all the audience

Some great things to report today!

First, the BBC announce that iPlayer is to be launched in beta on 27 July. This, together with the BBC Archive trial I am part of is very exciting and shows the BBC is fully committed to New Media, as they call it.

Secondly, BBC Head of Comedy Jon Plowman, is to stand down - but only to go back to BBC Two to make programmes. If you’ve never heard of him, then this guy is very good, and this is really amazing news. I like this guy probably as much as I like the legend that is Paul Mayhew-Archer.

Thirdly, looking at BBC Two’s Autumn schedules, I see Steeve Coogan is back in a third series of Saxondale. I liked this, probably because I like Steve, and the actress who played Myfanwy in all three series of Little Britain is in it too. So basically, summer and autumn on the BBC looks good!

I admit I’m watching this. However, I really hate the fact that Piers Morgan is on the panel. I don’t like him and it’s annoying that - at the moment - he’s being reasonable, albeit labouring under the impression the contestants give a toss what he thinks. I want him to fulfil the arsehole on a judging panel stereotype, as demonstrated so wonderfully by Louis Walsh on The X Factor.
Opinion?

If anyone is feeling generous towards me, first of all - hi! Now will you please buy me this to show your gratitude?

I suppose this is a kind of look back on the last three months of Xinki. We’ve moved hosts and have launched a number of new sites. Xinki Photos, the free photo gallery, is the most popular amongst friends and casual visitors. We’re getting moderate traffic from various places on the web, which is obviously good.