Our Survey Says…
‘HAVING convinced themselves of the success of Great Britons, the programme in which different public figures argued the merits of various dead white mens claim to the title of the Greatest Briton, the BBC is looking to extend the idea across the schedule.
Many people might see The Big Read as a completely fatuous exercise, given that – one suspects most of the voting public have only a passing acquaintance with the books selected.
But at least it can be argued that it will encourage people to read more which in itself is no doubt a good thing, especially if they can be persuaded to venture past Harry Potter.
What merit tonights BBC Gardener Of The Year show, in which amateur gardeners have to create a garden based on one of the novels in the Top 100 of the Big Read shortlist, has is much harder to see.
Tonight, Matthew (or rather Monty Don), contestants try to build gardens in the style of Bird Song, Lord Of The Flies, Lord Of The Rings, Gone With The Wind and The Shell Seekers.
No-one, alas, chose The Secret Garden ’
Posted: 12th, December 2003 | In: Celebrities Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
