That Wacky Redhead

[unclepatrick]

Originally Posted by NCW8

It was mainly due to Equity (the actors union) which limited the number of times that a tv show could be repeated, in order to safeguard employment for actors. This is one of the reasons why tapes of episodes were wiped - if a show couldn't be broadcast again then there was no point keeping it. Imported series weren't subject to the same limits, so could be repeated more often (subject to limits on the amount of non-UK programmes that could be broadcast). Towards the end of the seventies, the limits on repeats were relaxed, so reruns became commoner in the eighties.

Cheers,
Nigel.

So now I get someone else to blame for the lost of episodes of my favorite shows. Thank for posting this, I did not know this.

[Glen]

Oh, Brainbin, tomorrow is my birthday - so be gentle with any Doctor Who updates should they happen to be scheduled for release tomorrow - just sayin'!

[Brainbin]

I once again feel the irony of promoting an advertisement when I remind you that "More to Come" is on its way! But until then...

Originally Posted by phx1138

Excellent work, as usual. (Does hearing that get old?)

Absolutely not Thank you for the compliment!

Originally Posted by phx1138

Can I take as given the World Cup Rally still happens? (If not, you've butterflied a really good Ken Vose murder mystery involving it...)

I see no reason for the World Cup Rally not to happen, so it's still on ITTL.

Originally Posted by phx1138

For those of us not fans of soccer, can you explain how they won TTL? Simply more scoring (as mentioned)?

Basically, yes. Sporting events are highly subject to butterflies (which explains the absence of the "Heidi Game" and the narrow Soviet victory in the Summit Series).

Originally Posted by phx1138

Please, please: she. (I demand a retcon.)

I've corrected that unfortunate oversight

Originally Posted by phx1138

I find myself not believing that. I don't suppose they'd reuse Warrior? (Too militant for Canada in peacetime?)

Bonaventure was renamed (from Powerful), but Warrior and Magnificent were not. That's two against one. Eagle is also a name with a long and venerable history, and (unlike previous RCN carriers) she has already served a distinguished career with the RN, and I think Stanfield would have enough respect for her to recognize that. A name I might see them using if they did feel the need to switch from Eagle was her originally-planned name, Audacious. Which is appropriate on a meta-level - the audacity of the Canadian government acquiring another carrier during detente. But I do like the simplicity of HMCS Eagle (CV-23).

Originally Posted by phx1138

Seriously?

One of three, along with some very bad jobs figures released on polling day (also butterflied away), and Powell's "Rivers of Blood" speech (the only one to remain in place; it was suggested that I eliminate that, too, but I couldn't justify the butterflies reaching that far in early 1968, so it results in a smaller-than-expected Labour majority).

Originally Posted by phx1138

A peaceful Ulster? Who'd have thought? I like this one.

I wouldn't call it peaceful. Paramilitary groups on both sides are active; they're just on the fringes of the dispute, and the vast majority of the people do not condone their methods. Likewise, the British government recognizes one military authority in Ulster, and that's the British Army (who, thanks to the butterflying-away of Bloody Sunday and related precursor events, are generally considered a positive presence by nationalists). But it is more peaceful, certainly.

Originally Posted by phx1138

(And more than half the convoys were escorted by RCN.)

Which, at the conclusion of World War II, was the third-largest navy in the world

(But no, we've always been a nation of peacekeepers )

Originally Posted by phx1138

I'm liking this TL more & more.

We'll be returning to bilingualism and language debates later on - a necessity, given that it's not a "settled issue" ITTL.

Originally Posted by phx1138

Am I reading you right thinking this is the Foreign Investment Review Agency, or something like it? (Am I also right GATT isn't affected, as pre-POD?)

The Foreign Investment Review Agency was established by Trudeau in 1973 IOTL, by which time he is out of office ITTL. However, Stanfield would likely establish a similar organization, though almost certainly one with less power (somewhere between the Trudeau model and the Mulroney one that succeeded it IOTL). Or, perhaps, a middle ground - because, by custom, Commonwealth nations are never "foreign" to one another. Therefore, perhaps such an agency would allow exceptions, or relaxed limits, for British (or Australian) investment. Practically speaking, they would have far less to fear than with American investors.

GATT will remain in place until the end of the Cold War ITTL - if and when that happens.

Originally Posted by phx1138

I was thinking of the movies, actually. Apparently, a change in the number of smokers in them changes the number of kids who start. And it's really the coolness plus peer pressure that causes kids to start. (Both my parents smoked...)

Not surprising. When you were a kid, most people smoked (literally!). Though it's been in gradual decline ever since the early 1960s. The "cool" factor of smoking is not going to go away ITTL; at least not until someone gets the bright idea to start showing graphic pictures of the end results of a lifetime of addiction, as IOTL.

Originally Posted by phx1138

Rockefeller has me thinking: what happens with Spiro Agnew & the IRS? (Or was it still IRB, then?)

Gov. Spiro T. Agnew was handily re-elected Governor of Maryland in 1970, and finished out his second term, despite mounting scandals. Unfortunately for him, both Senate seats in Maryland are held by Republicans, limiting his upward potential; therefore, his career is effectively over. (The 1974 gubernatorial election in Maryland was one of the very few Democratic gains from Republican - though not from Agnew himself, as he was term-limited - in the whole cycle).

As for the IRS, assume a mostly-OTL trajectory, excluding Nixon-specific events.

Originally Posted by phx1138

As an aside, do you have an opinion on using "black" even if the period term would have been "Negro"? Does anyone?

"Black" came into widespread use with the rise of the "Black Power" movements, which is about the same time that "Negro" started to be phased out in its favour; both of which coincide roughly with my late-1960s POD, so I've decided to become an early adopter

Originally Posted by ChucK Y

I am personally most interested in the US developments. I am happy to see a Republican Party that had not made the Faustian bargain of the Southern strategy, winning an election at the cost of their soul. OTL, they thought they could take over the South, and discovered that the South had taken over them.

Glad you're still reading, Chuck, because as always, you make very astute observations. The Republican Party of TTL is vocally anti-racist and desegregationist (with the exception of busing, which is a hotly debated issue); Rockefeller, in 1972, campaigned on his personal civil-rights record as Governor of New York as well as the long history of the Republican Party (and many in the GOP did support most of the Civil Rights bills). Whoever might emerge to carry their torch in 1976 will continue using that rhetoric.

Originally Posted by unclepatrick

The purge of older show from the BBC archieve did not start till 1973. [...] If the BBC see that they can still make money off of their older shows, it likley that the purge would be lessen or even stop before it happen.

It may be possible, but I wouldn't count on it.

Originally Posted by Glen

Oh, Brainbin, tomorrow is my birthday - so be gentle with any Doctor Who updates should they happen to be scheduled for release tomorrow - just sayin'!

Happy Birthday, Glen! There's nothing to fear; the only thing I plan on posting anytime soon is the customary "annual" More to Come update.

And now, a special treat! I came across the Alternate Wikipedia Infoboxes thread yesterday, and it inspired me to create one of my own:



The statistics are canonical, but I can't call the infobox canon, because whatever shape the internet might take ITTL (if, indeed, it becomes widely available for public consumption at all) is yet to be determined. I've also created one for the British election of 1974, if anyone is interested in seeing that.

[stevep]

Originally Posted by NCW8

We'll have to see what happens Tomorrow, People.

Cheers,
Nigel

NCW8

If that's the subtle joke I think it is, it dates you, and me. Just catching up after three weeks away so be interesting to see if I'm correct.

Steve

[phx1138]

Originally Posted by Brainbin

Absolutely not Thank you for the compliment!

I thought not. We now know who Carly Simon was singing about, don't we? (Hint: it wasn't Warren Beatty.)

Originally Posted by Brainbin

I see no reason for the World Cup Rally not to happen, so it's still on ITTL.

TY. That amounts to the only reason I've ever really cared about soccer. Past knowing an entire soccer team was killed in an airliner accident (1956, IIRC).

Originally Posted by Brainbin

Basically, yes. Sporting events are highly subject to butterflies (which explains the absence of the "Heidi Game" and the narrow Soviet victory in the Summit Series).

Reasonable.

Originally Posted by Brainbin

I've corrected that unfortunate oversight

Just see you don't do it again. (You know why sailors say ships are "she"? It costs so much to keep them in paint & powder.)

Originally Posted by Brainbin

Bonaventure was renamed (from Powerful), but Warrior and Magnificent were not. That's two against one....if they did feel the need to switch from Eagle was her originally-planned name, Audacious. Which is appropriate on a meta-level - the audacity of the Canadian government acquiring another carrier during detente. But I do like the simplicity of HMCS Eagle (CV-33).

I can live with it. I do prefer Audacious, & for much the same reasons you like it. (We actually agree.) IDK enough about RCN pennant numbers to know, but would she be wearing "CV-33"?

Originally Posted by Brainbin

One of three, along with some very bad jobs figures released on polling day (also butterflied away), and Powell's "Rivers of Blood" speech (the only one to remain in place; it was suggested that I eliminate that, too, but I couldn't justify the butterflies reaching that far in early 1968, so it results in a smaller-than-expected Labour majority).

Now it makes more sense: the last straw, then.

Originally Posted by Brainbin

I wouldn't call it peaceful.

Compared to the OTL abandon with which both sides blew each other up? Berlin in 1945 might be peaceful.

Thinking of that, tho, this also means there are two famous cases of false conviction likely not to happen: the Guildford Four (&, as I look, also the Maguire 7) & the Birmingham Six. (Which also means 2 exceptional movies don't get made: "In the Name of the Father" & "The Investigation".)

Originally Posted by Brainbin

Which, at the conclusion of World War II, was the third-largest navy in the world

(But no, we've always been a nation of peacekeepers )

Just don't piss us off. (Or try & take our beer.)

Originally Posted by Brainbin

We'll be returning to bilingualism and language debates later on - a necessity, given that it's not a "settled issue" ITTL.

What part of anything to do with Quebec is ever really "settled"?

There are times I'd love to be PM for a day & say to the separatistas, "Fine. You want to separate? There's a plane leaving in an hour. Be on it. The land belongs to us. And all the Indian land belongs to them. Along with all the hydro dams & such on it. Also, you forfeit Canadian citizenship, & your pensions. And since you're now citizens of a foreign power, any Quebecker working for the federal government is fired. Or maybe we'll lock you all up as spies. I'm sure we can settle this all diplomatically, with, oh, 20yrs of intermittent negotiations. Or you can shut up about separation."

OK, end of rant.

Originally Posted by Brainbin

Foreign Investment Review Agency was established by Trudeau in 1973 IOTL, by which time he is out of office ITTL. However, Stanfield would likely establish a similar organization, though almost certainly one with less power (somewhere between the Trudeau model and the Mulroney one that succeeded it IOTL). Or, perhaps, a middle ground - because, by custom, Commonwealth nations are never "foreign" to one another. Therefore, perhaps such an agency would allow exceptions, or relaxed limits, for British (or Australian) investment. Practically speaking, they would have far less to fear than with American investors.

Eminently sensible.

Originally Posted by Brainbin

GATT will remain in place until the end of the Cold War ITTL - if and when that happens.

I meant the start, not the end, actually: I presume it was in place pre-POD. When it ends will depend more on who gets elected around the time OTL NAFTA.

Originally Posted by Brainbin

Not surprising. When you were a kid, most people smoked (literally!). Though it's been in gradual decline ever since the early 1960s. The "cool" factor of smoking is not going to go away ITTL; at least not until someone gets the bright idea to start showing graphic pictures of the end results of a lifetime of addiction, as IOTL.

It's funny, but until I read once about the influence of smoking in movies, I'd never noticed it. You really can tell there's a change. So, a suggestion (if you can work it in): a mention of the prevalence in TTL movies?

Originally Posted by Brainbin

Gov. Spiro T. Agnew was handily re-elected Governor of Maryland in 1970, and finished out his second term, despite mounting scandals. Unfortunately for him, both Senate seats in Maryland are held by Republicans, limiting his upward potential; therefore, his career is effectively over. (The 1974 gubernatorial election in Maryland was one of the very few Democratic gains from Republican - though not from Agnew himself, as he was term-limited - in the whole cycle).

Huh. I can only think that beats prison. Presuming he doesn't get nailed anyhow.

Originally Posted by Brainbin

"Black" came into widespread use with the rise of the "Black Power" movements, which is about the same time that "Negro" started to be phased out in its favour; both of which coincide roughly with my late-1960s POD, so I've decided to become an early adopter

Actually, I was thinking about using it or not at all. That is, if an ATL has changed the date of appearance of "black", does it make sense to stick with Negro, or does that sound weird? (I confess, for me it's a bit uncomfortably close to being offensive.)

Originally Posted by Brainbin

The Republican Party of TTL is vocally anti-racist and desegregationist (with the exception of busing, which is a hotly debated issue); Rockefeller, in 1972, campaigned on his personal civil-rights record as Governor of New York as well as the long history of the Republican Party (and many in the GOP did support most of the Civil Rights bills). Whoever might emerge to carry their torch in 1976 will continue using that rhetoric.

Is there a chance of avoiding OTL's Affirmative Action? Not because the aim was wrong, but the method really sucks; it band-aids the problem without addressing the causes: bad schools, crime, poverty... Fix those, you've made Affirmative Action moot (& made its bad ramifications moot, too). I count those good things. Yes, it does need to address class issues, which the U.S. seems not to do well...

Originally Posted by Brainbin

whatever shape the internet might take ITTL (if, indeed, it becomes widely available for public consumption at all

Given its creation was driven by a perceived need to survive nuclear war, I'd imagine DARPAnet still happens more/less on OTL schedule. IDK if a (somewhat) less tense Cold War leads to later development, or earlier commercial release; IMO, it could go either way (which is to say, the way you want it to).

(BTW, BB, thx for the detailed replies.)

[stevep]

Brainbin

Well, its taken 6-7 hours but finally caught up with what I've missed the past three weeks. Only one more thread to catch up on but that will probably be a biggie.

Excellent updates and a lot of old memories stirred. Won't comment on one issue because you already know my opinion and that of a lot of other people and have instructed no further comment on it. [Other than to say I still hope she gets in.]

On the political update I think I'm in heaven. No EEC entry and better relations with the Commonwealth. Given the fact Britain and the other members of the EFTA will be outside the EEC, which is growing more protectionist quickly, I wonder whether Britain could form a common link between the EFTA and Commonwealth to form an alternative trading bloc that avoids being dominated by either US or EEC. [True it makes a lie of the name for EFTA but given the actual situation at the time.] Might also serve to dilute British dominance in EFTA.

With Labour maintaining power for a while that will have interesting effects. Wonder if we still have the same degree of social and economic conflict in 73-74 and if so will Wilson be in a better position to sort out union excesses?

Interesting that Whitelaw takes over from Health but wouldn't assume that ensures we avoid a Thatcher type reaction, either her or Joseph or someone else on the same vein. Mind you, if we get the economy sorted out better, which would allow more growth and development without the problems caused by the EEC membership, that could remove a lot of the venom. Labour, like the Democrats in the US, are getting 'tired' in office so can see the Tories in power soon. However with Whitelaw in charge there is less chance of such destruction I think. [and hope]

A big bonus if Ulster avoids a lot of the bloodshed that was inflicted OTL. Still suspect it likely that one or other extremist group will try escalating some way as their so dependent on conflict to maintain their position. However possibly a hell of a lot of suffering could be avoided.

Also good to see Canada under better leadership. Know less about the situation in the US but obviously building up for a period when the Republicans get the White House, which is virtually inevitable after the long period of Democrat domination, especially with the economic disruption.

I rather suspect, given the relative performance against Brazil, that presuming we didn't throw away that two goal lead against W Germany [] we would get past Italy in the semis but admit its tough seeing away beating Brazil in the final. However 3rd place is a significant improvement over OTL.

Anyway, hope I will be about for a few weeks and able to keep up with my favourite threads. Many thanks and keep up the good work.

Steve

[stevep]

Originally Posted by phx1138

I thought not. We now know who Carly Simon was singing about, don't we? (Hint: it wasn't Warren Beatty.)

Now that's being rude. Plus we have no evidence that Brainbin is that old, or ever met her. - Seriously I have heard a number of names mentioned but has she finally said who?

TY. That amounts to the only reason I've ever really cared about soccer. Past knowing an entire soccer team was killed in an airliner accident (1956, IIRC).

I think you're talking about Man Utd and the 58 Munich crash? Not the entire team but a hell of a lot of them and the accompanying staff died or were seriously injured.

Steve

[Glen]

Originally Posted by stevep

NCW8

If that's the subtle joke I think it is, it dates you, and me. Just catching up after three weeks away so be interesting to see if I'm correct.

Steve

And me - I caught it, as well.

[unclepatrick]

Originally Posted by unclepatrick

If I remember right, There was a Canadian adaption of The Adolescence of P1 in the early to mid 1970's. It was low budget and only deal with the first part of the book.

OK I was wrong it was made in 1984 and Called Hide and Seek

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0256073/

Still it one of the forgoten TV sci fi
alone with the Half hour Pilot of The House with a Clock in the Wall based on the John Bellairs
The Finish Lord of the RIng adaption call the Hobbits
and the Play of the Day two part adaption of William Gibson Neuromancer
All in the OTL

And I was informed by a Friend that the Neurmancer adaption was a audio adaption, not a Television adaption. Sorry My mistake.

Here is a clip from Hide and Seek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyn_mm11P94

Here is the John Bellairs adaption
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeQv4UQwruU

And here is the Finnish Lord of the Ring adaption
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Koj0V7G46fs

[phx1138]

Originally Posted by stevep

I have heard a number of names mentioned but has she finally said who?

I don't think she ever has.

Originally Posted by stevep

I think you're talking about Man Utd and the 58 Munich crash? Not the entire team but a hell of a lot of them and the accompanying staff died or were seriously injured.

I think that's it. I recall the pilot was blamed, when it was actually slush on the runway.

[NCW8]

Originally Posted by Glen

Oh, Brainbin, tomorrow is my birthday - so be gentle with any Doctor Who updates should they happen to be scheduled for release tomorrow - just sayin'!

Many Happy Reruns !

Originally Posted by stevep

If that's the subtle joke I think it is, it dates you, and me.

I'm not sure that I've ever been accused of being subtle before. But yes, if you use the word "jaunt" in the context of seventies TV, then Brits of a certain age will probably think of the same programme.

Cheers,
Nigel.

[Glen]

Originally Posted by NCW8

Many Happy Reruns !



I'm not sure that I've ever been accused of being subtle before. But yes, if you use the word "jaunt" in the context of seventies TV, then Brits of a certain age will probably think of the same programme.

Cheers,
Nigel.

As will some Americans - I want to say it ran on Nickelodeon of all things back in the early eighties but this is pretty hazy so I could be off.

[stevep]

Originally Posted by NCW8

I'm not sure that I've ever been accused of being subtle before. But yes, if you use the word "jaunt" in the context of seventies TV, then Brits of a certain age will probably think of the same programme.

Cheers,
Nigel.

Nigel

Well actually less subtle then as I missed that - obviously forgotten too much as getting on for 40 years since I saw the programme. More a question of the actual Tomorrow, People which reminded me it was about this time.

Steve

[Brainbin]

The "present date" is April 8, 1975 (a Tuesday). In Hollywood, the 47th Academy Awards ceremony is underway. By the end of the night, Chinatown will have emerged victorious as the winner of Best Picture, an award collected by the notorious Robert Evans, marking the zenith of his prolific and tumultuous film career.

Hollywood isn't just about the movies, however. Television, which has been the dominant form of entertainment since the late 1950s, continues to form a significant part of studio portfolios. Most of the Golden Age film studios - MGM in particular, though Universal and Columbia also deserve mention - now focus more on the small screen than they do on the silver one; which is to their benefit, as their motion pictures continue to prove hit-or-miss at best with audiences. This shift in strategy was spearheaded by Desilu, a financially successful studio that focuses almost exclusively on television, remaining solvent primarily thanks to continuous syndication revenues. Even the sale of film rights to the various networks are not able to provide such consistent income. And then there is the promise of a (sadly elusive) moneymaker like Star Trek...

Now that the recession is well and truly setting in, the entertainment industry is finding increasing success at returning to well of escapism that proves such a standby of trying times. It also serves to amplify the existing trend of retro nostalgia: the thriving economy that typified most of the 1950s was just one more reason to long for that decade. And as it stands, most settings are increasingly becoming sugar-coated: cynical, realistic portrayals of deeply flawed protagonists are not the crowd-pleasers that they had been just a few years before. Continuing series, launched only a few years before, are increasingly forced to find the warmth and the humanity in their characters, or risk viewer desertion. Some will have better luck making this transition than others...

So, what can we expect next, and all on account of that wacky redhead?

We'll be taking our usual general overview of the next production and broadcast season: 1974-75.

It will finally be time to play the music and light the lights, as we take a look at the variety show... as written and performed by puppeteers.

Our exploration of pop culture will continue with an examination of public television in the American market, and what programming it has produced.

We'll have another look at the popularity of retro nostalgia shows, in particular an already-mentioned series, and how it has made its mark on popular culture.

And, finally, we'll conduct an in-depth investigation of the tenure of a certain, very popular British program, in a foreign market, and how that affected its production...

All this and more, coming up on... That Wacky Redhead!

Acknowledgements

Now is the time for me to give special thanks to the following consultants, who have provided me with valuable assistance (and may yet continue to do so, if all goes well) over the course of the development of this timeline: Chipperback, e of pi, truth is life, vultan, Electric Monk, and Thande.

Now is also the time for me to engage in some good old-fashioned shameless plugging: remember that you can find a complete list of Official, Canonical Updates on the Alternate History Wiki page for this timeline. Highly recommended for those of you who suffer from Archive Panic. Which also reminds me: remember that this timeline has a TV Tropes page (which was not shamelessly created by me, thank you very much), and I invite any tropers reading this thread to contribute. I think it would be more authentic if consumers added examples, rather than the producer (Also, there's the question of what becomes Word of God, and subjective tropes in general... it would all be very messy.)

But anyway. My sincerest thanks to all of you for your praise, your criticism, your many and varied opinions, and your continued readership!

[vultan]

A pleasure to be onboard this wacky ride, Brainbin!

[Brainbin]

Originally Posted by phx1138

I can live with it. I do prefer Audacious, & for much the same reasons you like it. (We actually agree.) IDK enough about RCN pennant numbers to know, but would she be wearing "CV-33"?

That was actually a typo - it would be CV-23, because Bonaventure was designated CVL-22 (the "L" stands for "light carrier", which Eagle assuredly was not), following Warrior and Magnificent (20 and 21, respectively). Why there were no "1" to "19" within the RCN registries is beyond me.

Originally Posted by phx1138

Is there a chance of avoiding OTL's Affirmative Action?

I don't plan on covering the subject of Affirmative Action in any way, shape, or form within this timeline.

Originally Posted by phx1138

Given its creation was driven by a perceived need to survive nuclear war, I'd imagine DARPAnet still happens more/less on OTL schedule. IDK if a (somewhat) less tense Cold War leads to later development, or earlier commercial release; IMO, it could go either way (which is to say, the way you want it to).

We'll have to see which way Cold War politics go from here. I'm keeping that very close to my vest

Originally Posted by stevep

Well, its taken 6-7 hours but finally caught up with what I've missed the past three weeks. Only one more thread to catch up on but that will probably be a biggie.

Welcome back, once again, Steve

Originally Posted by stevep

Excellent updates and a lot of old memories stirred.

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy them. There will be more where those came from, though not in the immediate future.

Originally Posted by stevep

On the political update I think I'm in heaven. No EEC entry and better relations with the Commonwealth. Given the fact Britain and the other members of the EFTA will be outside the EEC, which is growing more protectionist quickly, I wonder whether Britain could form a common link between the EFTA and Commonwealth to form an alternative trading bloc that avoids being dominated by either US or EEC. [True it makes a lie of the name for EFTA but given the actual situation at the time.] Might also serve to dilute British dominance in EFTA.

The likeliest situation is forming a proper Commonwealth Trade Alliance, with similar policies to the EFTA, and have each member state conduct their external trade relations independently. Ireland might be convinced to join the EFTA (at least for what is in their minds a temporary spell), but they'll obviously shy away from anything with "Commonwealth" in the name. But this notional "CTA" can be a political force, say if they act in concert to boycott South Africa, for example (or any other pariah nations), or even agree to impose tariffs jointly, since they'll carry a lot of weight (as three of the world's ten largest economies ITTL).

Originally Posted by stevep

With Labour maintaining power for a while that will have interesting effects. Wonder if we still have the same degree of social and economic conflict in 73-74 and if so will Wilson be in a better position to sort out union excesses?

Yes, we will; but no, he won't, since Labour will be bitterly divided between the left and the right. Sorting out the unions will be left to Whitelaw and his Cabinet.

Originally Posted by stevep

Interesting that Whitelaw takes over from Health but wouldn't assume that ensures we avoid a Thatcher type reaction, either her or Joseph or someone else on the same vein. Mind you, if we get the economy sorted out better, which would allow more growth and development without the problems caused by the EEC membership, that could remove a lot of the venom. Labour, like the Democrats in the US, are getting 'tired' in office so can see the Tories in power soon. However with Whitelaw in charge there is less chance of such destruction I think. [and hope]

We'll have to see what awaits us in the later 1970s...

Originally Posted by stevep

A big bonus if Ulster avoids a lot of the bloodshed that was inflicted OTL. Still suspect it likely that one or other extremist group will try escalating some way as their so dependent on conflict to maintain their position. However possibly a hell of a lot of suffering could be avoided.

Things will be remaining low-key there for the foreseeable future. The nationalist paramilitaries are being firmly kept in line by the policies started by Mason (who, IOTL, was said to have "almost beaten" them), and the unionists, in turn, are being corralled by Powell, who strongly supports keeping direct rule in place for as long as it takes, and strongly decries extremism. Blood is still being shed, unfortunately, but it's definitely on a smaller scale than IOTL. I'm hoping that there will not be a need to change that.

Originally Posted by stevep

Also good to see Canada under better leadership.

Thank you. It's good to write about Canada under better leadership

Originally Posted by stevep

Know less about the situation in the US but obviously building up for a period when the Republicans get the White House, which is virtually inevitable after the long period of Democrat domination, especially with the economic disruption.

Indeed so. 1974 was as inevitable for the Republicans as 1932 was for the Democrats.

Originally Posted by stevep

I rather suspect, given the relative performance against Brazil, that presuming we didn't throw away that two goal lead against W Germany [] we would get past Italy in the semis but admit its tough seeing away beating Brazil in the final. However 3rd place is a significant improvement over OTL.

Having England lose in the semi-finals was done for narrative purposes, as alluded to in the update; I reasoned that it would be better for morale if they lost to Italy but then won against the Soviets and came in third, rather than beat Italy only to be brutally crushed by Brazil and come in second. Besides, just think about it as a "transfer" of luck: IOTL, the bad luck came when you were against Germany; but ITTL, the bad luck came when you were against Italy

Originally Posted by stevep

Anyway, hope I will be about for a few weeks and able to keep up with my favourite threads. Many thanks and keep up the good work.

I hope to keep up with my posting regimen!

Originally Posted by stevep

Now that's being rude. Plus we have no evidence that Brainbin is that old, or ever met her. - Seriously I have heard a number of names mentioned but has she finally said who?

I'm certainly not that old, nor have I met Carly Simon - who is an incredibly coy woman, as she has never revealed the subject of that song. Though she has hinted. The subject has the following letters in his name: A, E, and R. Note that all three of the prime suspects (Warren Beatty, Mick Jagger, and James Taylor) have each of those letters in their name; they also have no other letters in common between them. Therefore, if she divulges another letter, she eliminates one of them from the suspect pool. (As an interesting coincidence, I myself have all three of those letters in my name ) To be fair, the generally-accepted "real" explanation is that the subject is a composite.

Originally Posted by unclepatrick

And I was informed by a Friend that the Neurmancer adaption was a audio adaption, not a Television adaption. Sorry My mistake.

Thank you for the links

Originally Posted by NCW8

I'm not sure that I've ever been accused of being subtle before. But yes, if you use the word "jaunt" in the context of seventies TV, then Brits of a certain age will probably think of the same programme.

I believe I made clear that I got the reference, too, as evidenced by my pun-worthy groan I am familiar with the show, though only through TV Tropes, where it was once described as being so pitifully underfunded as to make Doctor Who seem positively lavish in comparison!

Originally Posted by vultan

A pleasure to be onboard this wacky ride, Brainbin!

Thank you, vultan

I don't have an exact date for the next update. It'll be ready, as they say, when it's ready - which might be in a few days, or in a week or two! Either way, until then!

One more bonus infobox for all of you in the meantime:

[NCW8]

Originally Posted by Brainbin

I believe I made clear that I got the reference, too, as evidenced by my pun-worthy groan I am familiar with the show, though only through TV Tropes, where it was once described as being so pitifully underfunded as to make Doctor Who seem positively lavish in comparison!

That's true, but like Dr Who, they made up for it by having some reasonable scripts. It was more of a children's series than Dr Who, but generally didn't patronise it's audience. For example, I remember one story that was based on the idea that aliens were responsible for the Nika Riots (admittedly it did say the riots happened in Rome rather than Constantinople, but that's a minor quibble).

Cheers,
Nigel.

[Glen]

Originally Posted by NCW8

That's true, but like Dr Who, they made up for it by having some reasonable scripts. It was more of a children's series than Dr Who, but generally didn't patronise it's audience. For example, I remember one story that was based on the idea that aliens were responsible for the Nika Riots (admittedly it did say the riots happened in Rome rather than Constantinople, but that's a minor quibble).

Cheers,
Nigel.

I remember that episode - thought it was rather odd, until I learned about the real-life events it was based off of, then it was just a bit off.

Red and Green was it, or Red and Blue?

Agreed that their sets made Doctor Who look posh - and that is saying something!

[stevep]

Originally Posted by Glen

I remember that episode - thought it was rather odd, until I learned about the real-life events it was based off of, then it was just a bit off.

Red and Green was it, or Red and Blue?

Agreed that their sets made Doctor Who look posh - and that is saying something!

Glen

Initially 4 teams but by the time of the riots only the blue and green teams had any influence.

Steve

[Glen]

Originally Posted by stevep

Glen

Initially 4 teams but by the time of the riots only the blue and green teams had any influence.

Steve

Ah, now I've got it!