As a Madness fan I think it only just that Madness should receive such treatment. For example Echo and the Bunnymen are a big band who have had little chart success in the past decade (1 single really - nothing lasts forever) but continue to produce good music thats on the whole critically well received. Not dissimilar Madness despite the unsuccessful chart positioning of Wonderful got great reviews and surpassed expectations with even great (as usual) b-sides to boast.
I'm only 23yrs and there are younger on the list therefore the demand is there and still coming, so if it's good enough for Echo and the Bunnymen then Madness surely deserve this kind of tv exposure. I think we could all do worse than write via e-mail to Granada and the likes asking them about the possibility of Madness showings afterall demand = supply and I know for a fact that this feedback CAN lead to breakthroughs generating interest and have a culmulative effect with the press latching on etc, etc. It was posted lately how the musical was mentioned in the Sun (comic) and how Radio 1 presenters Mark and Lard gave their thumbs up - great a willingness from the media, only now to be backed by the public, including us, i.e. an odd e-mail with news about the band requesting Madness music/news/programs, etc. Hell if this happened even Virgin may get their act together - the bands back catalogue, fantastic! new material and longevity should shadow any decision to pave way for the one/two album boy/girl dancers.
The only difference I can see between what Echo and the Bunnymen offer and that of Madness is their position regarding their future; i.e. Echo and the Bunnymen are still touring and recording for definite, whereas in interviews Madness, despite some recent activity in the form of the Musical and Madstock talk, still do not know what their recording future holds or when we will next see a tour, etc. I think this doubt works against the band.
As for the website the news in the MIS sounds good with each member having their say etc, my only fears are that the effort may dwindle as before with the site. Also it would be great to publicise the launch somehow i.e. newspapers - as anyone who has searched for Madness' site before has probably given up and the advertising on the album and sinles of Wonderful, were perhaps wasted given it's neglect.
Apologies for "mumbling on" I realise this is quite long, but hopefully there is some sense in what I say. Finally and on a brighter note I got a reply to a recent e-mail I sent to Channel 5 having checked out the night fever website, it's below for those who want to read it:
My Comments To Channel 5:
Hello, upon reading your Night Fever section I was shocked to read that Suggs is the former Madness frontman. On the contrary he is most definitely still their frontman and never stopped being so, please rectify this.
Secondly I would like to see some Madness shown on Channel 5 if possible, either their film Take It Or Leave It, the first Madstock concert footage, or indeed even better a documentary. Will Channel 5 be looking into this, they are afterall one of the best band to come out of Britain, and one cited by John Lennon as being the best around.
Thanks,
Alan.
The reply:
Dear Alan
Thank you for your recent e-mail.
We were interested to read your comments regarding Suggs which have been recorded for the attention of all at Channel 5 in the Duty Log. Madness have split and reformed many times but it was not our intention to cause confusion.
Thank you for your suggestions to show TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT and to feature Madness more in our schedules. This has been noted in the Duty Office log, which is distributed to the departments concerned. Obviously, we cannot guarantee that these will be shown but if the opportunity to acquire any new rights arises your request will be taken into consideration.
Should you wish to appear in the audience of NIGHT FEVER which is presented by Suggs, please telephone the ticket line on:
020 7691 6500
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time and trouble to write to us here at Channel 5 - we always welcome viewers' responses.&nb!
sp; We hope you continue to enjoy our selection of programmes.
Please note that the contact details for the Channel 5 Duty Office are as follows:
Telephone: 0845 7 05 05 05 Text telephone for use by deaf people: 0845 7 41 37 87
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Fax: 020 7550 5678
And the Channel 5 website can now be found at:
www.channel5.co.uk
Thank you for your interest in Channel 5.
Yours sincerely
DUTY OFFICER
Anyway sorry for the length of the e-mail.
All the Best,
Alan.
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