Presenters Meeting: The final countdown
"Good morning everybody," says Alex, today's producer, "and welcome to the final show."
It is too much to bear and Kate immediately starts crying. She falls to the floor, gnashing her teeth and ripping at her clothes. Chris sits in stunned silence, a single tear falling down his stony face. Martin dabs at his eyes with his silken locks, like a modern day Samson.
But then Alex produces a family-size pack of Celebrations, wishes Roger - the other producer - a happy birthday, and everyone is immediately better. Besides, Kate and Chris have a trick up their sleeve.
Usually, the whole team discusses what will happen in the pre-title sequence but today Kate is adamant.
"I'm sorry," she says, addressing Tim, the very nervous executive producer, "but today the pre-title sequence is set in stone and we're not telling you anything about it."
Tim has now gone beyond chewing his finger-nails and is now down to his knuckles. It is not a pretty sight.
"Don't worry," Kate says. "It will run to time, it won't be controversial, and you'll love it. I promise."
Tim nods quietly but there is more nerve-testing to come. On tonight's show Simon King is going to do something with a blow-up turtle called Tallulah. This gets Hannah, one of the assistant producers, singing the song from Bugsy Malone.
"My name is Tallulah. I live til I die... Pop!" I know I saw it a long time ago, but I don't remember there being a 'pop!' in the original song...
Gradually, Tim is appeased by talk of real animals. If all goes according to plan, tonight's episode will include kestrel chicks, a wasp's nest, tawny owls, Arctic terns, razorbills, little ringed plovers, your own home videos, and an update on our cuckoo sightings.
Biggest of all though is the news that the adult male linnet has been seen holding the chicks over the side of the nest.
It is a sad moment and everyone is a bit shocked. But then someone spots some ducklings passing outside. People jump up, run out the door, and don't come back. It is a strange, anticlimactic - but fitting - end to our last presenters meeting.
Once again, nature is calling the shots.
Comments
the mind boggles
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Good grief, box of tissues and reviving glass will be to hand ready for the final show tonight *sigh*
Ah, but wait, there is the virtual Final Wrap Party thanks to the Little Chris Fan Club where we can share the highs and lows of this roller-coaster sensational Springwatch series *waves* see you there Moley and everyone!
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what a great three weeks - chris you have been fab, so knowledgable and relaxed, i really hope that there is room for you all on that sofa when Bill gets back.
The sandwich terns featured last night are breathtakingly beautiful and so fragile in their breeding habits its quite a worry. Nature red in tooth and claw i suppose, still nice to see that nature has a sense of humour [ref toilet moor hen chicks ] what is all that about ?
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I don't know what you lot are consuming in your meetings and beforehand,but I'd jolly well like some too please!
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I would like to use this opportunity to thank you all
Mole ur blogs have been both insightful and funny and I hope u continue with this next yr.
The web team (story developers) your dedication to bring us the action live on the web, chat with us, humour us and generally keep us up to date with the goings on has been much appreciated and loved.
Martin you have been a fantastic addition to Spring watch and I hope to see you in Autumnwatch and future series
Gordon as always you have been fab even if those Badgers have given you the run around
Simon, gorgeous, knowledgeable and passionate about your subjects as u are in everything I see you in
Kate great presenter as always I have really enjoyed ur sense of fun especially in the unsprung
And Chris even if u do have a strange obsession for ur poodles I have really enjoyed having you on our screens. I have always loved Bill Oddie and will continue to do so, so I wasnt sure if I was gonna like u taking over his seat but u have done a truly fantastic job and im glad to have spent 3 weeks listening to ur knowledge on a variety of subjects u are obviously passionate about.
Thank you to all and all the other ppl who have worked so hard to bring us such fantastic stories happy and sad
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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see you all in the Autum, purpsxx
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It's been a brilliant three weeks watching and listening to the crew, I can't believe how much you have crammed into each show, the time has "flown" we have watched the extra 15 minutes after every show this is something you must ask your producer to keep going in autumn watch. Bye for now.
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chris the cock bird linnet do you think that he removed that chick because of the numbers he had to feed had he got two nests on the go.
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to nikki the goshawk
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Brilliant series again, thank you. Chris and Martin were excellent additions to the presenting team, although I do think Kate deserves a medal (or a spa retreat) for coping with their combined mental ages at times! Despite the joshing and the joking, the level of knowledge and enthusiasm of the presenters, again, was superb, this one programme series alone makes it worthwhile paying the licence fee.
I have encouraged my Year 3 pupils to look at the website and watch excerpts from the shows, we have learned, laughed and cried together and I look forward to our last visit to the website tomorrow. The wonderful (collective) effect has been an absolute determination to improve our school garden for wildlife. The class loves all things furry, but for me it was the swallow family.
For the enthusiasm, encouragement, tears, laughter and bad jokes - I thank you myself and on behalf of my class.
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