What is the link between the British satirical TV show of four decades ago called "That Was The Week That Was", the Eurovision Song Contest and yesterday's Parliamentary by-election at Haltemprice & Howden?

Hi Colin,
Ronnie Carroll was the candidate for the Make Politicians History Party in the by-election. He got a disappointing 29 votes. Disappointing, because he didn't want any.
Rewind now to 1962, and the night of the Eurovision Song Contest, and try to picture this. A young FredPuli sits on the sofa at the ancestral home, breathlessly awaiting the votes for Ronnie Carroll in the contest. Fred knew all the words to Carroll's catchy entry for Britain, "Ring-A-Ding Girl." After all, he'd bought the single just days before. A crestfallen Fred watched Carroll come in at fourth place, and there began his disenchantment with Eurovision. He mercilessly mocked the contest thereafter(although he did secretly buy a copy of Dana's "All Kinds of Everything" in 1970).
Fred, tears in his eyes, turned off the black and white telly. Yes, the Pulis were rich, but nobody had colour TVs back then. He turned to his mother and said, "Mummy, I've made a decision. I'm running away to London to become a Cockney." His mother replied, "Don't be silly, darling. You don't know the way."

Carroll was married to Millicent Martin, who was part of the "That Was the Week That Was" team, and she sang the theme tune. This was bit before my time, but I wish I had seen it. The list of writers was impressive.

Almost correct, dg.

See Ronnie Carroll on TV ? Huh! I saw him live at The Savoy Theatre , Clacton-on-Sea in the '60s. You don't get better than that. What a place for the stars, was Clacton. Roy Hudd got his first full summer season at Clacton's Ocean Theatre,sharing the billing with 'The Waltzing Waters', who weren't a 'who but a 'what': fountains of sea water pumped up from the sea underneath the stage,tastefuly illuminated with changing lights, all to the accompaniment of the mighty Compton Theatre Organ to which they 'danced'. Next season it was Ted Rogers, before he learned that 3-2-1 trick with his fingers (It's all right. They can't touch you for it)

People had real entertainment in those days (provided they stayed at home)

Dana? The single? I got the LP! (Dana went to the bad:She stood for President of Ireland and ended up as a Member of the European Parliament )

Sadly, there were no Cockneys in London in the days of which you speak.They were long extinct. Going to London to become an Essex boy wouldn't have had the same appeal.Going to London to get to wear a horsehair wig....that's another matter (you'd get arrested for that in Newmarket, but those were the swinging sixties and those judges just didn't care)

quote:

Going to London to get to wear a horsehair wig....that's another matter

Yes, and there are few things more interesting than a man in a wig and robes. Unless, of course, you're in the dock.

Dana stood for president? Didn't know that! But I am fairly certain you didn't own the LP.
You know, the Eurovision Song Contest isn't all bad. Where would the world have been without ABBA?