If expectations prove correct, tonight is the very last night that the remnants of Chatback will broadcast. No more tape loop - ever.
Despite the often tempestuous relationship that existed between the channel and this forum, I for one will be more than a little sorry to see it go.
There was something uniquely bizarre about it, something so ludicrously inept that made it compulsive viewing. We didn’t know what they'd do next! Cock up channel 960? Not to worry, let's start another one on 962! Set design? Let’s have some large indoor topiary and a magic sparkly key ring holder. It’s as if the mastermind behind the channel was an English David Lynch.
Combined with this the feisty nature of both the producers and the models, and their very public battles with both this forum and each other (!), gave the channel a soap opera like quality which meant we kept watching and kept commenting.
I’d say that Chatback gave this forum its finest hour - part of the pleasure of the channel was that it provoked the most deliciously vitriolic and amusing posts ever. I don’t want to mention any names in particular in case I miss anyone out, but there were a good number of witty posters whose comments were worthy of Private Eye!
I think this passionate contempt was born out of a secret liking, even admiration, for a channel that despite its shoestring budget, incompetent management and belligerent staff, managed to pull off some genuine ground-breaking moves.
Off the top of my head:
April! A genuine character, an oddball par excellence, yet undoubtedly beautiful and charismatic. Her unpredictability and total lack of professionalism made her compulsive viewing.
April's afternoon shows - the sight of her bending over the desk to pick up a pen at 2pm, with her skirt riding ever higher, will stay with me for a good long while!
Amy Williams - a genuine nice person, very sexy and great TV.
Kylie, as above.
Juliet - her coronary-inducing night shows, where we saw almost as much of her as her gynaecologist, were magic.
Also, an honourable mention must go to the supporting cast - Izzie, Summer (dancing with the plant!), the other Amy, Brooke, Jessica, Dogface Wizard and last but certainly not least - the infamous SUPERSPURS!!!
In the very near future another company will be taking over 960 … what will it be like? We wait on tenterhooks! I just hope they’re not too professional – we need another soap opera!
As for Chatback? Well, the song 'My Way' seems curiously apt, so I'll leave you with the words of Frank Sinatra’s classic (the performance is on YouTube, link below):
And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way
I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way"
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!
[instrumental]
Yes, it was my way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AaElp-mimg