More Videos: Charlie Brooker’s Newswipe

Twitter: @charltonbrooker

Interviews: Artist Frank Stella and Musician Peter Holmström (The Dandy Warhols). Topics: Proton Accelerators, Cuddle Parties, French Orgasms, Major MP3 Recorder Mishap, Understanding BBC Accents and Ladder Accidents. Playlist: Little Death, The Los Dos Bros, Fleet Foxes (Daytrotter session), The Standard and The Dandy Warhols.

Preview: “How do you instigate a cuddle party? Do you have to wait for everyone to get there or is everyone just laying there on the floor when you arrive…do you just jump in like it’s a pile of leaves?”

Play Now: http://www.usedwigs.com/pod/podcast52.mp3

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Podcast Website: www.usedwigsradio.com

Dishy Brits Am I the only one watching “Last Restaurant Standing” on the BBC? I think so, no one around the water cooler chimes in when I try to shoe horn it into a conversation.

The odd thing about this reality show is almost all of the contestants are easily likable and not a bunch of fame-seeking whores like the majority of the low-brow louts on American shows (except for the mostly classy “Top Chef”… Mmmm, Padma…).

{BTW, Gordon Ramsey is boiling away ever last ounce of respect he once had with his Jerry Springer castoffs making mush on “Hell’s Kitchen.” What the hell?}

There was only one detestable annoyance on the “Last Restaurant Standing,” Jacqui, and of course she just happened to be a Yank. The Brits have no time for cutesy crap and made short work of her, kicking her fat ass off in an early episode. Bully for them.

Since you don’t watch the show, here’s the deal. Last night was the finale and the steady 8-course-serving Jeremy and Jane beat the Wonder Twins, Jess and Laura. These perky and talented blonde twins probably should have won and I’m sure there was a bit of tumult across the pond when they did not get the nod from the host and esteemed restaurateur Raymond Blanc. To add fuel to this grease fire, I did some quick googling and found out the winners have already bagged out of the the restaurant they won!

From the eatery’s website:

“As some of you may already know, Jane and Jeremy have decided to take a break and have stepped down from Eight at The Thatch. It was a very hard decision for them to take, as they were thrilled to have had the chance of running their own restaurant here in Thame and achieved so much in the time they were here. Although it has not been possible for them to continue… blah blah blah”

Quitters! Boo! I’m sure the Wonder Twins are a bit peeved, but I am also sure they are now celebs in England and probably have many opportunities at their feet. Let’s just hope they keep their flat-but-oddly-pretty faces out of the lad mags.

Definitely catch this series on repeats, it’s a nice mellow change of pace from the bang you over the head fake drama we’re used to.

Spooky! Also on BBC America, “MI-5″ is brilliant! Picture that dumb-ass, “Kiefer sure got himself in another pickle” show “24″ but actually good! MI-5, a show about the United Kingdom’s counter-intelligence and security agency,  is no nonsense, stylish and very balanced; chock full of complex characters, intelligent Frederick Forsyth type writing and some unexpected brutality that is not just for shock value. Don’t watch the show now, go to Netflix and start at the beginning, Season 1, Vol. 1. It will be easier to follow. Trust me!