“Television has lost its courage,” said the Spitting Image maestro after the cancellation | Tech Reddy

Satirical puppet show Spitting Image has been canceled after two years on BritBox but John Lloyd, the man who produced the series in the eighties, is not surprised.

“The political debate has lost interest,” he tells The Londoner. “I come from a different time when broadcasters were brave and didn’t care what people thought.” Lloyd also produced QI and Blackadder.

Spitting Image ran from 1984 to 1996, channeling politicians such as Margaret Thatcher and drawing 15 million viewers an episode. Lloyd says: “It’s a healthy thing that television should always be ripping off this prime minister,” says Lloyd, “and that didn’t really happen. We as a country are known for laughing at ourselves!”

Celeb secrets are safe at Cow

The Cow in Notting Hill is loved by the likes of Stella McCartney and Victoria Beckham. But should celebrity patrons start worrying about any misbehavior in the pub? Young writer Fergus Burnand, who recently worked behind the bar, wrote a play based on fictional conversations he overheard. Same Again opens soon at the White Bear Theatre. But fear not, Posh! He assures us that the best lines are left unsaid.

Farage can’t take the tube

When we broke the news earlier this week that Simpson’s Tavern was closing, patrons rushed to help. But one famous diner hasn’t seen the inside of the chophouse for a while. Nigel Farage tells us he can’t get to the restaurant by the Bank because he gets so much abuse from the Middle Line these days. And he says the low-traffic neighborhood makes driving to the area impossible. It’s a hard life.

The Beatles’ bog roll is haunting

Abbey Road Studios makes a big deal of its association with the Beatles. Maybe it was because they were humble guests? In a new book by journalist David Hepworth, the head of the studio from the sixties, Ken Townsend, says that the team has made one complaint in eight years. “Toilet paper is very stiff and shiny,” said John Lennon, right. “Unless we change it, we’re going to see Sir Joseph Lockwood [EMI Chairman]”.

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Last night in town

Londoner’s Diary 4 November

Stormzy must have felt a little uneasy when he met his former friend, Maya Jama, at the European premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in Leicester Square last night. The singer recently revealed their split in 2019, describing it as “the biggest loss a man can have”. Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock rocked it in one scene alongside the film’s star, Letitia Wright. Singer Joy Crookes attended a party to launch new earphones from Nothing.