This week it has come to light that the 1984 Video Recordings Act was never enacted. Most of you will ask, “so what? I’ve never heard of it.” Well you should have.

The act prohibits the sale of ‘adult’ material (eg. 18 rated films) to minors.

Apparently the Home Office in 1984 failed to notify the European Commission of the existence of the Act despite being required to do so under an EU directive. The mistake was not spotted on two subsequent occasions, in 1993 and 1994. As a consequence, effective immediately, police are being told to halt any existing, and to not bring any new, prosecutions for selling ‘adult’ material to minors until the Government passes emergency legislation to re-enact the 1984 Act.

Until then, retailers will be able to sell ‘adult’ material to under-18s without fear of prosecution.

Obviously the larger retailers, especially those in the Entertainment Retail Association (ERA), have vowed not to benefit from the news. Kim Bayley the director general of the ERA said “We are of course surprised that this news has come to light, but we are confident that all ERA members will act responsibly – and will continue to ensure inappropriate material does not get into the hands of children. However, I can’t speak on behalf of smaller video and video games retailers who aren’t ERA members.”

Kids must be having the best summer holidays ever…

To help raise awareness of the importance of relationships within the work place (something that we all know too well is of paramount importance, especially in Media), recruitment firm Tip Top have launched a national ‘hug your boss’ day which will take place on Friday 22nd August. The idea behind the day is ask yourself if you would feel comfortable hugging your boss…if the answer is no then you perhaps need to re-address your relationship and try a bit harder.

Tip Top are hosting a microsite (www.nationalhugyourbossday.co.uk) to promote the day and are encouraging people to upload their affection filled photos to share with the nation. I hope that we can get some Maxus hugs up there – group hug Mercedes team?

In light of the Fourth Plinth campaign by Antony Gormley I have had a media enlightenment!!!….or just a really bad idea that can only go one way.  There seems to be a good amount of unused Underground as well as other outdoor media spaces.  Instead of letting these go to waste why don’t we let the always creative public have a go.

What I am proposing is we can have all the ‘empty’ spaces bought up by one company (or rich person) and sold on the cheap to the public, Maybe £30-£50?  People can submit artwork, poems, thoughts, promotional events, model pictures, CVs, etc. (all approved beforehand).   These entries can then be allocated across stations and outdoor places.  I think as a parameter we should keep religion and politics out of this as people are unable to cope with the idea that people might have different ideas than them.

What would you put on a XTP, cross track, 6 sheet, or even the Colossus?

Sadly enough, I would put up a recruitment poster for my Rowing Club (Thames Rowing Club) for all those who are interests…and should join!

Picture the scenario…. A friend comes over for a TV and take away night. You put the TV on your favourite (embarrassing) programme is on. You REALLY want to watch it but you know that if you admit this out loud it could quite possibly ruin whatever reputation you have been trying to promote and you could become subjected to immense ridicule.

Not. With. Sky. Plus.

It allows you to always be prepared. From the comfort of my desk, I can use my Iphone to sky plus any cheap / tacky / wrong / weird / rude programme I want, it then tape it (in secret) and stores it ready for my alone time, therefore allowing me not to disclose any of my private viewing habits.

However, for the means of the blog, I will let you in (only partially) to my Sky Plus library and what my guilty pleasures are:

 - Behind Bars. Documentary of prison life. (this is on Bravo. Its amazing, they have a different theme every episode, so sometimes it discusses prison relationships, sometimes prison violence etc)
 - Total Wipout USA (on Watch and its a mix of a surreal gameshows like Takeshi’s Castle, Gladiators and Krypton Factor. I’m addicted to it. Americans running around a man made obstacle course, falling in mud and jumping on BIG rubber balls over water. I love this show.)
 - Women who Kill (this is factual and on the crime and punishment channel. Its usually the stories of three separate real life women killers. Worrying I sometimes put this on when I try and fall asleep)

Anyway – what are your TV guilty pleasures?