Fishing Frenzy

I've had a great scheme for a TV programme. Following on from Robert Llewellyn's (Kryton in Red Dwarf) excellent Car Pool, in which he talks to famous people while he gives them a lift somewhere, I have a vision of Tackle Out - a talk-show where the host goes off angling with a notable person and they sit by a river and talk about this and that.

Much of the chat must of course be about whatever the interviewee is promoting, a play, book etc, but the topics could drift around places that person likes to go fishing, where they have enjoyed been fishing and what their favourite fishing tackle is, where they get it and their angling history and tales.

fishing has previously offered a pleasant backdrop to a telly show, in recent periods Rich Hall did a show sitting in a boat, on the water with his pal, doing comedy. And Robson Green has had a show about extreme angling in different parts of the world. There have also been cult figures become famous from telly shows about angling, most famously of course is the marvellous Rex Hunt from the Fishing Adventures, but in the United Kingdom, John Wilson stands out.

The programme could be quite wide ranging. Thinking of the potential interviewees who are known to be passionate when it comes to the piscatorial pursuits; Jeremy Paxman would be interesting, Billy Connelly would be raucous, maybe some real emotion in having a show where Gazza could talk about his troubles, and a host of notable faces from all strands of life such as Gareth Edwards might well be easily convinced if they were to be paid for a day with the fishing tackle and yak about themselves for a few hours.

There is a forerunner for such a show. Many years ago, the idol of golf commentary presented a similarly themed show where he talked to a celbrity golf enthusiast in 'Around With Alliss' which provided gentle, amusing chat with someone wholly relaxed since they were pursuing their hobby.

What potential the programme may be! The chat-show needs revamping. Jonathan Ross's BBC1 show went on in unchanged form format for too long, the Graham Norton show that has succeededit is a bit repetitive so what about a programme that can appeal to people who are players in the most popular participation sport, the interviewees could attract those who are not really bothered by fishing but might be drawn to it as a result. There could be tips on fishing tackle for people at all levels, what you have to have to get started, different types of fishing and fishing tackle that might be needed for canals as opposed to the sea or gravel pits as well as featuring how fishing boost the protection of the water environs.

The more I ponder it, the more I like the scheme. It doesn't need to be primarily an angling show, in fact much better if it is not, but it could a contender and I shall write to the BBC at once!

20110112