We are experiencing technical difficulties…
Hey, remember the test patterns when TV stations were “experiencing technical difficulties” and how they came on just at the best big of Gilligan’s Island or The Brady Bunch?
This one is for the radio broadcast which was due to go on tonight but has experienced some rather severe technical difficulties — so much so that Kristen reported that it baffled the tech support guy. Which is, frankly, pretty cool. I’m thinking the techie is scratching his head in an endearingly confused, big-haired, baffled manner. Possibly with a wrinkled, freckled nose and a short sleeved button down shirt.
Anyway, we’ll reschedule. I’ll let you know when. But until then, enjoy this rather strange test pattern. What is that Native American doing up there? Inspiring us to wait patiently by his example? Trying to sniff out who farted? Keeping a sharp eye out for litterbugs? What?
And just for good measure, here’s the BBC testcard, last seen in November of 1997 when the BBC started broadcasting 24 hours a day.
Oh for a time when the television took a few hours off.
Not that I wish failure on anyone, but since I fell asleep last night at 9:30, I am glad I didn’t miss the debate. I even took the time to write it in my calendar!
I know you have seen an episode or two of Life on Mars…did you see the little girl and her clown come to life and actually taunt Sam (it may be a dream, it may not be, it is hard to tell)? Super scary and aren’t we all glad the BBC is on a 24 hour schedule now?
Glad to hear it was technical difficulties as opposed to my technical illiteracy which prevented me from tuning in.
I was just about to post about life on mars – how fantastic that someone beat me to it with the same thought!
‘now for the test card and some music’ … oh, the happy hours i spent watching that … for want of anything else. this is clearly what gave the intellect i have today … god help me!
Apparently it’s still used when there’s a cock up.
http://www.meldrum.co.uk/mhp/testcard/bbc_test.html
I know. I had to explain to my brother Billy Joel’s song “Sleeping with the television on.” I miss the test pattern and how (in the US at least) the day was ended with the national anthem. Now we’re all New Yorkers (the city that never sleeps…)