Room 101 open for deposits.....

[GiveMeABreak]

Plus one for retrieving Smartwatches from 101, or at least Apple Watch. I use mine all the time. mostly for paying for everything and is of course far more secure than carrying a wallet around.

Unlike Jim and his fitness regime ( ) , I turn off all that activity stuff, telling me how many steps I need to do to complete my 'rings', when to breathe and no doubt soon, they'll be telling you when to go to the lav.

The key is as Mike says notifications - and these can be overwhelming with each app you have installed, so I simply spend a bit of time tweaking which apps I want notifications for on my iPhone and mirror these to my watch. One other key thing is turn off the option that automatically installs the Apple Watch version of the App automatically.

Mikes post also reminded me of my cherished Seiko Arctura Kinetic Perpetual Calendar that I've had tucked away for years, which I have not unboxed and started wearing today, so thanks for the inspiration to get that back out.

A couple of shakes and it should spring back from the stone age to today's time and date.

[NewcastleFalcon]

Plus one for retrieving Smartwatches from 101,

There is no retrieving ever needed from the FCF room 101.

It is a collection of personal Vaults. Mike's Smartwatch is firmly deposited in his vault. Your own Room 101 Marc, or Jim's own 101, will never have your own valued smartwatches deposited in them.

Regards Neil

[mickthemaverick]

Having said that Neil, should either of them ever wander near the vortex that is the entrance to my 101 vault beware - smart watches will be sucked in with the greatest available power!! Nothing is more irritating than random bleeps and tones when sitting in a communal area such as a pub or restaurant!!

[GiveMeABreak]

[CitroJim]

I am sick and tired of seeing my sporting events being devalued by having pundit panels filled with selections for PC reasons rather than their actual experience of the sport under discussion. When there is a plethora of available ex Formula 1 drivers available why are we being fobbed off with people who have never driven an F1 car? Why are the football games being analysed and discussed by people who could not qualify to play in the games under discussion? Why oh why are we so weak that we cannot stand up to the PC clan and explain that what we want is the best qualified people, regardless of age, sex or race, to add their views to the discussion!!!!!

Totally agreed Mick... I'm not a fan of pundits at all in any sport at any time... Ex-professionals who have years of experience in the sport under discussion are another thing entirely and I don't see them as pundits...

Cycling is a good example... No pundits but commentary predominantly by ex-pros who know the sport inside out. Most having ridden TdF and other world tour stages at some time in their careers...

Some are not natural broadcasters but that can be forgiven for the sheer quality of their contributions. A few are not strictly ex-pros but still do a fair job...

If it wasn't for pundits BBC Radio 5 Live would have nothing to broadcast... Sometimes I listen just for the sheer comedy value before switching off when one or two pundits become far too full of themselves and start pontificating!

I could easily be a football pundit - I can talk bo***cks as well as anybody

[Gibbo2286]

I'd add 'talking heads' to your pundits dump, Go to the 999 programmes and the 24 hours in A&E and instead of them showing the actual stuff you get nurses, doctors or family members rabbiting on.

[Michel]

I am sick and tired of seeing my sporting events being devalued by having pundit panels filled with selections for PC reasons rather than their actual experience of the sport under discussion. When there is a plethora of available ex Formula 1 drivers available why are we being fobbed off with people who have never driven an F1 car? Why are the football games being analysed and discussed by people who could not qualify to play in the games under discussion? Why oh why are we so weak that we cannot stand up to the PC clan and explain that what we want is the best qualified people, regardless of age, sex or race, to add their views to the discussion!!!!!

Now, I'm split on this. The Sky F1 team seem to be a pretty good mix of pundits, presenters and ex-drivers. Damon, Jenson, Johnny Herbert, Martin Brundle - all great. They do a good job, and the presenters Simon Lazenby, Natalie Pinkham, Naomi Schiff (Ex-W Series driver) I think coordinate the thing very well. I especially like Naomi Schiff, I think she's a great addition. What we have to remember is that to grow the sport, we nee to attract more viewers and get more people interested. Much as we don't like it - Damon, Johnny, Martin are middle-aged, grey men, who are quite nerdy about the sport. Having a lady of colour, who's an ex-driver and has a decent idea of racing can only be a good thing. The same also applies for Karun Chandok. I like him and his analysis.

Ted Kravitz used to get on my nerves when he was younger, but that was perhaps he was partnered with the cretin that is James Allen! Now, I think he's brilliant - cheeky, really doesn't seem to care where he sticks his nose in the paddock, or who he asks what.

Paul di Resta - he's definitely can do one. A more boring, uninterested motor racing pundit I've yet to come across.

I can't watch football for long if it's a live game. I do often watch MOTD for the goals, but turn it off when the pundits come back on.

[Gibbo2286]

I watch sport on tv with the mute button pressed. 'd like a button that turns the commentators off but leaves the rest of the sound/atmosphere on.

[myglaren]

The reason I don't listen to the radio or watch TV, and watch most YT videos with the sound off is the constant blethering of 'presenters' and 'commentators'.
Bung the lot of them, with very few exceptions, into room 101.

[GiveMeABreak]

I also forgot to bung our TV licence in from a few years ago. Sick of all the drivel on there and we disagree with the principle of a TV Licence to fund a particular state broadcaster. The sooner they float and end the taxation without representation the better.

We now pick and choose what we watch on catch up and streaming services. Far less mind numbing

[mickthemaverick]

I'm with you on that one in general Marc, but SWMBO insists on her BBC news on a nightly basis and weekly dose of Monty so hands are tied!! I've tried to convince her to watch ITV or C4 or even C5 let alone Sky but I've decided it would be easier to convince her to go ski jumping in the nude so they get our yearly contribution!!

[GiveMeABreak]

The TV Licensing’s annual report for 2021/2022 has shown that 1.96 million households across the UK stopped paying the fee last year. Long may this continue.

[myglaren]

I still have a licence as I sometimes watch stuff on iPlayer. Not a cost-effective option though as it is (some pounds) for a couple of hours a year.

[CitroJim]

I almost never watch TV but always have a TV licence as it funds the BBC in general and I do enjoy listening to BBC Local Radio and make good use of BBC Sounds so happy to pay for them. I see the licence as a BBC subscription much like others might view Netflix or Amazon Prime...

Calling it a TV Licence is a bit of a misnomer really...

[GiveMeABreak]

Exactly Jim, only for those who choose not to watch or listen to the BBC, they should not have to fund it IMO, the same as if I want to cancel my Netflix or Prime subscription - I can do at any time. But I wouldn't expect others to have to fund these services if they chose not to utilise them.