Time at the bar

Apparently, the change in Britain's licensing laws this time hasn't altered people's drinking habits!

Pubs, clubs and shops were all allowed to apply for licence to stay open even later than 11pm. As it turns out over a third of those that did were supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainbury's, with most pubc deciding it wasn't worth the extra cost and hassle of applying, and employing extra staff as well.

So the lesson is: 12 months isn't long enough to change 60 years of wartime-at-the-bar-ding-ding-quick-get-another-one-in-haven't-you-lot-got-homes-to-go-to drinking culture! I need a drink.

Death of the Chinese tea house

Fascinating series of photos on BBC Online today, on traditional Chinese tea houses struggling to survive. Pictures and words by Matthew Pistono.

Fox News launching conservative Daily Show

Just heard that the 'fair and balanced' (their quote) Bush-licking news channel Fox News is thinking of launching a right-leaning version of 'The Daily Show'.

Yes, after only 10 years of The Daily Show on air, they've decided that what the American public needs now is more support for Bush and Cheney- in no way linked to their recent mid-term spanking and the Democrats finally gaining back some balance of power.

But they're kind of missing the point, aren't they? Comedians and satire have always aimed at 'The Man', especially when he treats his subjects with indifference, as though they're getting in the way of The Grand Plan, and disdain bordering on contempt, like some power-drunk Roman emperor.

This might be why 'The Daily Show' won best new programme at the Emmy's a couple of years again, beating all the big networks (including Fox). It is cutting, satirical, and always makes a salient point even when it's being silly. I've watched Fox News in the US, and in all honesty the only reason I can see for its success is that it willfully distorts the news to provoke a response above and beyond its station, typified by head ranter Bill O'Reilly. I give the programme a fortnight.

Review: The Magic Numbers, Bristol Academy, 15 Nov 06

Chubby funsters The Magic Numbers came to town last night, touring their new album 'Those the Brokes'. And from the off, the sell-out crowd were clearly up for a good time, cheering and joining in every chance they got.

In keeping with their music, the whole evening was very bright with the lighting up high throughout, and it was a bit like seeing them on Top of the Pops (had they not walked off!)

Things seemed to go a little flatter when they tried songs from the new album (at least near the back where I was standing), which to be fair has only been out little more than a week. But they soon got people swaying and singing again when they came back with a favourite such as 'Forever Lost'.

The only other bum note came from the drumkit, which had either been badly set up or was suffering from drummer Shaun's over-enthusiastic bashing. Meanwhile bassist Michelle was by far the most active of the group, swinging her guitar and hair around like nobody's business. Singer Romeo concentrated on belting out the words (and yes, they can belt), but it was keyboarder Angela that stole things, with huge cheers every time she opened her mouth, and a warm, wonderful sound came out when she did.

The support group were invited back on stage to cover a Bob Dylan classic, and while the jammin' finale seemed to finish three or four times, people left with what they'd come for - a warm glow and huge, broad smiles.

Oasis flies high

There's been a lot written in the media and online since the new airline Oasis launched, but I have to say I've been very impressed.

Although the flight time was changed to leave two hours earlier from Hong Kong (apparently because of the continued refusal by Russia to let them fly over their airspace), it then actually left 40 minutes later than that. This meant that I still missed my coach home from Gatwick. So with the next coach full and facing a four hour wait at the airport, I bought an extra £53 ticket and jumped on a train.

I e-mailed the CEO (as he was inviting feedback on their website) asking if they'd be good enough to refund me the extra ticket cost, as they'd assured me it would arrive in good time. They replied, not to refund the ticket cost but offering me another free economy return to Hong Kong with them! Very nice too, and I can even transfer it to someone else if I'm not planning on going back so soon.

And this is the impression I get from them overall: new, learning but always keen to help and to right wrongs, whether they are theirs or not. So I'd recommend them completely, even if their flights are currently two hours longer in the air, which they say they are in the process of sorting out by Nov 26. Incidentally, rumours fly whether the 'Russia' problem is down to Oasis, the Russian authorities or perhaps a rival airline greasing palms to ensure permission is not forthcoming...