Notebook Letters 8.

* Booking fees can be as much as £26.

* Ian Fleming created Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

* More than a fifth of the world's population live in the time zone GMT+8.

* Russell Brand gardens.

10 things we didn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 25th of March, 2011; 2/3.

* The baby son of physicist Brian Cox, George, has the middle name Eagle, named after the first spacecraft to land on the moon.

* More than 90% of schoolchildren study Of Mice And Men, by John Steinbeck.

* The first text message ever read: "Merry Christmas".

10 things we didn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 25th of March, 2011; 3/3.

Lily: Is she right?

By John Earls

The debate on illegal filesharing has rumbled on for ages, but it's taken Lily Allen's new blog to really bring it into the spotlight.

Allen says filesharing is stopping new acts from breaking through. Muse, Bat For Lashes, Keane and Glasvegas are among many artists to give their views.

But the vitriol from the pro- and anti-Allen camps shows any universally welcome solution is some way off.

What's been dispiriting in musicians offering their views to Allen is how childish the level of debate is.

Paddy McAloon got called "a kn*b" and "just another overpaid musician" when he backed Allen's stance- ironic for anyone who's followed Prefab Sprout.

The bile aimed at Allen herself misses the point: she's stated several times that she doesn't care about her own money, but for new artists' royalties.

A common view among the pro-filesharing camp is that it wouldn't matter if musicians had to go part-time, making music alongside a day job.

The reality is, most bands are already pretty badly paid- even a thriving cult like Future of The Left are barely able to get by after nearly a decade.

How would bands be able to tour much, let alone concentrate on a good album, if they were amateurs?

Several interesting solutions have been offered to get people to pay for.

Matt Bellamy wants ISPs to start taking responsibility, suggesting a sliding scale for web users to pay, depending on what they do only use it to check their e-mail pay a lot less than those constantly downloading.

Bearing in mind that ISPs are as much of a broadcaster now as the BBC, an online "licence fee" seems reasonable.

The record labels don't seem to have thought enough about how technology can be sensibly used to combat filesharing.

Rather than embedding DRMs in iTunes and CDs that make them hard to ceriopy for personal use, why not find a way to give online songs a free trial period?

Free songs could stay on your MP3 player for a week before disappearing, giving enough time to see if you want to buy the album or not.

Even Radiohead's Ed O'Brien- named by Allen in her original blog as someone who doesn't care about the fate of new artists- doesn't support filesharing.

The filesharers say "Ah, but the majors give us X-Factor rubbish, why should we pay for that?"

Yet the majors will focus on guaranteed money-spinners like that- and won't take chances on more leftfield acts that they might once have done.

Teletext page 824; 24th of September, 2009.

New singles by John Earls

IAN BROWN Stellify 9/10

As on My Star and Illegal Attacks, sometimes Brown's dedication matches his ambition- but he's never swung with sheer unadulterated joy until now. Complete with the best brass break all year, it's a mighty funk behemoth.

THE ASTEROIDS GALAXY TOUR The Golden Age 4/10

The nursery rhyme chorus and Noel Coward-era brass is potentially cute, but ruined by Mette's ickle-girl Bonnie Langford sickly, twee vocals.

1/6.

ALICE IN CHAINS Check My Brain 7/10

A solid rather than spectacular return, Jerry Cantrell's swarm of bees guitar strikes home instantly. But new singer William DuVall lacks the character to pull off the sardonic chorus. Fun, but it could have been a grunge classic.

APSE 3.1 7/10

Switching from doomy Horrors-style gothtronica in the verses to a brighter guitar haze in the chorus, only the too low in the mix vocals let them down.

2/6.

METRONOMY Not Made For Love 6/10

A brand new song added on to a sadly inevitable repackage of their Nights Out album, it's pleasant but hardly their best. Too low-key and content to burble along like a minimal Hot Chip B-side, it lacks their usual euphoria.

ADDICTIVE Domino Effect 3/10

You can make jokes about the Londoners' name, but there's every chance their trite, production-line R & B Autotuned guff will land in the Top 40. Sigh.

3/6.

LIVVI FRANC Now I'm That B*tch 4/10

"I'm not a bender/ Return to sender" and "Now I'm that b*tch/ And you're just a clown" are some of the rigorously intellectual claims made over a not-so-bad-actually synth. Can't wait for her next single, U Done A Smellee Plop.

FLAMBOYANT BELLA Get A Reaction 7/10

"These beats are contagious," sings Flo Kirton in her best Sophie Ellis-Bextor impression over a headrush chorus that suggests fine synthpop to come.

4/6.

BETH JEANS HOUGHTON Hot Toast 8/10

The sumptuous uplifting acoustic on main song I Will Return sounds like a loved-up Laura Marling, while the other four songs showcase a pin-sharp mind trying to distill her joie de vivre into rattling hoedowns. A mini wonder.

IMPLOSION QUINTET I Don't Hear A Single 6/10

An operatic vocal sample doesn't quite fit the James Yorkeston-y gently churning folk-jazz. Too busy with mind games to engage the heart.

5/6.

A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS In Your Heart 8/10

A marked step up from their debut, the New Yorkers now manage to snatch some of Depeche Mode's dark pop on an industrial clatter, given an overground appeal thanks to Oliver Ackermann's yearning vocals. A terrific riot.

THE SOUND OF ARROWS Into The Clouds 8/10

Ooh, lovely. It's been a while since Sweden produced some gorgeous melancholic synthpop, but this duo have the potential to match its finest.

6/6.

Teletext page 822; 21st of September, 2009.

Die hard Bruce Willis fans

Bruce Willis's crowning glory has to be the first Die Hard. Also the often over looked Tears of The Sun. Joe, Dysart

Arsenal stadium murder mystery 2005 remake? Trying to find the Godfather box set. Pete, Aston

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 25th of September, 2009; 1/6.

How scary is hannibal?

I thought Brian Cox as hannibal was terrible. Remember him lying down with his legs up showing his socks. No refinement. Steve, Manchester

William- Speaking of E.T., have you ever noticed that there are three of his kind in the Senate Rotunda in The Phantom Menace? Matth, Wakefield

Do any Vortex viewers know if my Moonwalker DVDs has gone up in value now? Tiffany, Newcastle

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 25th of September, 2009; 2/6.

Gun slinging goes funny

Terence Hill and Bud Spencer, the Trinity spaghetti westerns, gun slinging never got any funnier. Yeeha. Terry, Aberdeen

clint eastwood playing an avenging loner in cowboy films lacked the atmospheric menace created by Alan Ladd in Shane. Jack, Eastbourne

Sandra- Check out Tell No One, The Lives of Others and The Counterfeiters. Modern day classics. Sniper, Sheffield

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 25th of September, 2009; 3/6.

Fan frenzy over Alien Saga

I'm a die hard fan of the Alien Saga. No other Sci-Fi has sent chills down my spine or had me lurking under my bed. District 9 is a gem. Chris, Dagenham

Another good kitchen sink drama is Spring And Port Wine with James Mason and Susan George. H, Basingstoke

I would be grateful if any Vortexer knows where I can obtain a copy of the Tyrone Power film The House In The Square. David

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 25th of September, 2009; 4/6.

Texters' top horror flicks

C's horror choices should be available in a DVD box set. A great list. Jim, Halesowen

C- Thanks for the recommendations. I do love psycho, and also like The Shining and Don't Look Now, films with good stories, acting and dialogue. I was mainly commentng on the sensationalist nonsense that for some reason is popular with a lot of people. I will try some of the others on your list. Thanks again. Peter, Saxmundham

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 25th of September, 2009; 5/6.

Solomon Kane disappointment

I was disappointed by the trailer for the Solomon Kane film, which looks like a Z grade Van Helsing/ Lord of The Rings rip off. Major Easy, Barnet

Does anyone like The Pyx 1973, as much as I? Christopher Plummer investigates the death of Karen Black's heroin addicted prostitute and the viewer is shown via flashback the events leading to death. Instills exquisite melancholia aided by Black's recurring scenes. t rivers, suss*x

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 25th of September, 2009; 6/6.

* When Prince Albert- the future George VI of The King's Speech fame- wanted to marry Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (aka the Queen Mum), she only said yes on his third proposal.

* Their wedding breakfast comprised of dishes named in their honour- a royal tradition continued into the 1980s.

* The average person only uses 20, 000 words, with another 40, 000 in reserve.

10 things we didn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 1st of April, 2011; 1/3.

* One in six people live in India.

* Dark birds are healthier.

* Sleep affects weight.

* The first Eddie Stobart was called Twiggy.

10 things we didn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 1st of April, 2011; 2/3.

* The T.rex had a cousin.

* More than 100, 000 Americans lied about their age in the 1970 census.

* The numbers attending huge street protests are estimated using the size of the streets involved.

10 things we didn't know last week; Ceefax page 129; 1st of April, 2011; 3/3.

A sneaky look at Peep Show

By Andy Welch

An invitation to the Peep Show set to watch it being filmed is not an offer to be sniffed at.

With the meeting taking place in a north London equestrian centre, it makes you wonder what will Mark and Jez be doing this time?

Disappointingly, the main characters aren't galloping about on horseback. They've merely transformed the clubhouse into a Mexican restaurant.

"They have a little bus venture on the side," explains Sam Bain, who has written Peep Show with comedy partner Jesse Armstrong since it began in 2003.

The last series finished with the news that Sophie, the estranged wife of Mark (David Mitchell), is pregnant.

"It's sort of been resolved," begins Sam the answerabout the storyline. "It might be in episode one, might be in episode two, but the answer is there.

"Olivia, who plays Sophie, suggested it could be Johnson's as she wanted a black baby but I can't reveal whether she was given that.

"There are lots of possibilities but Jesse and I decided that in our first meeting with Dave and Robert (Webb).

With the details under wraps, the pair will be drawn on returning characters Super Hans, Johnson and Big Suze are all back, as is Mark's love interest Dobby.

"The triangle between Mark and Gerard is still going on," says co-star David Mitchell, 35.

"Mark's big question is can he prove himself worthy of Dobby," adds Sam.

"Because she is the ultimate geek dream. In fact, the geeks have a lot of love for Dobby. The online support for her in the forums is very strong. We can never get rid of that character now, there would be geek wrath." With that, David burst out laughing: "All of this is making more and more horrible sense," he laughs.

Terrible things have been happening in front of computers.

"Definitely," asserts Sam. "There have been love letters and proposals of marriage too."

As previously mentioned, the device that gets Peep Show the biggest laughs come in the shape of Mark and Jez's brutal monologues.

"There have been times when Jesse or I have thought of something so dark we've had to leave it out," admits Sam.

Go on, give us an example, comes the obvious question.

"You want me to mention something that is so terrible we couldn't put it in?" he responds. "Don't be so ridiculous! It might make you laugh, but it's not worth it for me in the long run."

Teletext page 132; 25th of September, 2009.

Quotations of the week

By John Earls

"I know everyone will suggest that f***ing a pig is how I obtained this disease." Marilyn manson has swine flu.

"My car broke down yesterday. I've got no time for a feud." Johnny Marr and Morrissey email rather than feud.

"I want to be able to move like that, put my leg behind my ear." Jay-Z says that touring with chris martin is inspiring him to consider doing yoga.

1/6.

The week ahead in radio

Keri Hilson and Paloma Faith are on Fearne Cotton (Radio 1, Mon-Fri, 10am).

Tiesto is profiled on Stories (Mon, 9pm), while Funeral For A Friend are on The Rock Show (Tue, 12am) and The Enemy do Nick Grimshaw (Mon-Thu, 10pm).

British Steel tells the history of metal (R2, Sat, 10pm). Alberta Cross do Dermot O'Leary (Sat, 3pm) and The Low Anthem, Peter Hook and Jah Wobble are on Radcliffe & Maconie (Mon-Thu, 8pm).

2/6.

The week ahead in TV

Shakira is on Jonathan Ross (BBC3, Fri, 10.35pm). Razorlight are on Rock Corps (C4, Sat, 12pm).

Paramore and Filthy Dukes are on 4 Music (C4, Sun, 12am).

The XX , Mika, Gladys Knight, The Duke And The King and The Cribs are on Later Live (BBC2, Tue, 10pm).

Stereophonics' new video debate on C4 (Thu, 12.05am), followed by The Veronicas and Kid Harpoon on 4 Play (12.10am).

3/6.

The week ahead in gigs

Richard Hawley starts touring on Thursday, the same day as Twisted Wheel kick off.

Fatboy Slim, Editors and Tony Allen play shows at a secret Oxfam store in London for the charity.

The Twang start touring on Wednesday, Dinosaur Jr are in town from tomorrow, Billy Bragg curates a London charity gig on Thursday and continuing tours include Tom McRae and Hockey.

4/6.

Champs of the week

Wayne Rooney PS happened to be stood near him at Stereophonics' London gig on Monday. Not only was he friendly to any picture/ autograph hunters, but Wayne really does love that band- singing along and playing air guitar, giving 100% for all 90 minutes.

Lily Allen Whatever the merits of her music, she didn't deserve the idiotic vitriol levelled at her by filesharers for daring to suggest that music should be paid for on her blog.

5/6.

Chumps of the week

Empire of The Sun Having said for months that their gigs need to be a spectacle before they'd play live, it emerged that Nick Littlemore- 50% of the duo- wouldn't bother turning up for them anyway. Great album, you can push the eccentricity angle too far.

Sugababes AKA Sugababe Fried Chicken. In the future, everyone will be a Sugababe for 15 minutes. We're setting up Sugadames: Dame Vera Lynn, Dame Judi Dench and Dame Shirley Williams.

6/6.

Teletext page 824; 25th of September, 2009.

Thanks for recommendations

I'm still waiting for an op. Thanks, everyone, for the '50s/ '60s sci-fi tips- I bought and watched them. Phil, leeds

Bruce Willis's best film is Hudson Hawk. It got a critic panning and was a flop but I enjoyed it. John, leeds

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 25th of September, 2009; 1/6.

Method in the marathons

To all those Vortexers having Star Wars movie marathons- What I want to know is what order do you watch them? In chronological order 1-6, or as they were made: 4-6 then 1-3? Gary, Bolton

Pleased to see the Trinity Westerns mentioned. I saw Trinity Is Still My Name in Italy. I didn't understand a word of it, but I creased up laughing when Terence and Bud went into a posh restaurant and caused havoc with their foul eating habits. Dodger, Colchester

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 25th of September, 2009; 2/6.

Sensationalist cinema meaty

Peter- I have psycho, The Shining and Don't Look Now in my collection, but I'm sure there are people who consider them to be "sensationalist nonsense". One man's meat is another's poison. What's nonsensical about sensationalist cnema- a medium designed to titillate all our senses? t rivers, suss*x

Steve- Brian Cox as hannibal lecter was showing his socks to fool people into thinking he had become an ordinary bloke. Tony, Salisbury

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 25th of September, 2009; 3/6.

Vision is clear

I'be been thinking about a thread a Vortexter suggested about lost or incomplete versions of flawed films that might have been improved if the director's vision wasn't abandoned. Here's my lot: Orson Welles- The Magnificent Ambersons, David Fincher- Alien 3, Richard Donner- Superman II, Stanley Kubrick- AI, David Lynch- Dune, Fritz Lang- Metropolis, Sam Peckinpah-Major Dundee. I'm not asking you to agree, but can anyone think of others? Paul, Plymouth

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 25th of September, 20009; 4/6.

Carpenter is patient

The Thing Review- Your comment about how Carpenter has little patience is ridiculous. Look at Halloween, which in its first half is nearly nothing but build up. And Assault On Precinct 13, where it slowly reaches up to a battle scene. Simon, Dorset

Just want to thank Matth for using the correct terminology with tetralogy when talking about a four-part saga and not "quadrilogy", which is not even a real word. Steve, Birmingham

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 25th of September, 2009; 5/6.

Hollywood poor on zombies

Oh no, not more zombie rubbish from the worst possible people- harrelson and Hollywood. What do they know about horror/ comedy? All they do is abuse it when they run dry of original ideas. Yawn. The best slasher is Adam Green's Hatchet, which has the psych played by ex-jason, Kane Hodder.

Re movie marathons- I once did all the Carry On films in a week. I watched them after coming out of hospital. A real pick me up. Duane, Hull

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 26th of September, 2009; 6/6.

Best football films

Best football films- Mean Machine, Mike Bassett: England Manager and Escape To Victory. Matte, Larne

I've done a Bond-athon, although that makes me sound like Alan Partridge... A-ha! Jim, Halesowen

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 27th of September, 2009; 1/6.

Avatar video gossip

To all those looking forward to the forthcoming Avatar, there will be an accompanying video game, set two years before the movie. Matth, Wakefield

My favourite foreign films are Day For Night, La Route Au Corinth, Cyrano de Bergerac and La Demoiselles de Rochefort. Cate, Poole

Am I the only person who thinks jack nicholson is a terrible actor? Ian, Glasgow

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 27th of September, 2009; 2/6.

Don't walk out on me

I have seen over 400 films on big screen and only time that I have ever walked out was 20 minutes into The HitchHiker's Guide To The Galaxy. It was truly awful. Sniper, Sheffield

Just got Apocalypse Now- it's the first time I've watched it all the way through. Best war movie. Pete, Aston

Try watching all five Saw movies in one go- migraine inducing but each to their own. Eddie, Greater Manchester

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 27th of September, 2009; 3/6.

Show Nick Love some love

As usual, the Daily Mail slated Nick Love's epic 'ladsploitation' remake The Firm. Although I enjoyed it, it does seem as though he amalgated elements from his two most successful films- Football Factory and The Business- after the failure of Outlaw. Rich, Aylesbury

Could anyone tell me the name of the sci-fi film starring one of the Baldwin brothers about invading alien that had reversible legs? Steve, Newcastle

Vortex; Teletext page 817; 27th of September, 2009; 4/6.