BBC

From the train going through Shepherds Bush - which, as always, sounds a bit rude - here is Television Centre where the best TV in the world comes from. If you don't count Eastenders, that is.

Just to drop names thickly on the carpet, I once hobnobbed in the BBC bar here with the likes of Paul Edington, Nigel Hawthorne and Derek Fowlds, from the cast of Yes Minister. I also chatted with Jonathan Lynn, the comedy writer from the show but didn't get to talk to Antony Jay who had all the inside dope on what really goes on in the corridors of Westminister - which was a shame 'cos he was the one I really wanted to meet.

I also have an unconfirmed sighting of Derek in a bar in Manila some years later but that is a whole other story.

Tip for getting free tickets to the shows - always ask for about 20 at once. They love groups, especially for the comedy audiences - better reaction, apparently. Then give away the ones you don't want.

Secure front entrance. We don't want pesky revolutionaries taking the place over and announcing a free republic, do we.
Now THEY are satellite dishes. You could get the news from Alpha Centuri on these babies.