No. No. No. No. No. I’m disgusted. I really am dismayed. How on earth can they do this?
Will they never learn?
I’m so mad and to be honest, so should everybody else be.
Once again folks we’re on the verge of being forced to watch yet another much-loved classic get the modern day glitzy Hollywood makeover and of course, before it even hits the big screen, we all know it will be awful.
It was bad enough a few weeks ago when I read that Disney (for goodness knows what reason) was set to get the ball rolling on a remake of Mary Poppins.
Set in London 20 years after the original, the new glossy remake is reportedly going to show the Banks family as young adults, possibly with children of their own.
In addition, we’re told we could be seeing a darker side of Mary Poppins. (Are they serious?)
Sounds like a nightmare and to be honest I think we will all need a lot more than a spoonful of sugar to watch this one go down.
In my view it will be no good and as a result the wonderful memories of the original, feauring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, will be ruined.
But that aside, the flying nanny can look after herself for the time being as what concerns me this week is much more important - they want to remake The A-Team.
(Cue the dramatic doomsday music).
Did you get that? What an absolute travesty. How dare they.
The eighties television series, starring Dwight Schultz, who played crazy, mad Murdock, Mr T, who played B.A. Baracus, George Peppard, who played Hannibal, and dreamboat Dirk Benedict, who played Faceman, was an absolute cult classic.
Every Saturday I would be absolutely glued watching the four former commandos-turned-mercenaries take on the bad guys and win the day to help so poor, hard-done-by innocent.
However, while I was absolutely in love with Dirk Benedict, whom I had the privilege of meeting in 2010, I watched the show for a whole other reason - Amy Allen.
Ms Allen, played by actress Melina Culea, was an impeccably dressed journalist who worked alongside The A-Team and from time to time would take part in their wonderful adventures.
She was super cool and I just idolised her and her outfits (even though she only lasted to season two).
I adored The A-Team and have many happy memories of sitting mesmerised at my grandfather’s feet in front of the telly.
Of course, now it’s about to be ruined because someone thinks it should be remade - and get this - with women.
Yes, apparently, the new NBC show will again feature a diverse team of American Special Forces but it will include men and women.
I just don’t know what the world is coming to.
Of course, I know this may offend the feminists among you but I don’t think there should be any women on the team (apart from the stylish reporter). It just won’t work.
We’re told the new 20th Century Fox version will centre around a team who are framed for a crime they didn’t commit and it will reportedly be very funny and compelling.
Oh shut up.
This is a terrible decision and I must right this wrong immediately.
But how to do it as this would be an ideal job for the A-Team but they are no more unfortunately.
There’s only one thing to do therefore, form my own A-Team and take on NBC.
Now, who's with me?
(No women need apply)
Competition
There’s nothing better than catching up with friends over some good food and tasty cocktails - so how do you fancy winning a £50 dining voucher for Tony Roma's in Belfast?
The authentic American restaurant on University Road has just added some fantastic new dishes to its menu.
While still featuring its legendary ribs, world famous steaks, seafood and so much more, Tony Roma’s has added new flavours to the menu to give diners an even bigger choice of freshly prepared meals made with the best ingredients.
Originating in Miami, Tony Roma’s has become an American institution thanks to its signature BBQ dishes, amazing fillets, sirloin and New York strip steaks.
Having opened in Belfast 10 years ago, the Belfast restaurant has continued to serve up its famous ribs, which feature a secret recipe that keeps customers coming back time and again.
Now, they’ve added new tastes to the menu expanding their range of steaks, pasta, burgers and chicken dishes, not to mention a fabulous cocktail menu with 150 gorgeous drinks to choose from.
Find out more about Tony Roma’s at www.tonyromasbelfast.com
I have a £50 voucher for Tony Roma’s to give away.
If you fancy winning the voucher, simply email your name, address and telephone number - along with the answer to the question below - to competitions@irishnews.com
Closing date for entries is Tuesday November 3, 2015.
(Q) Where is Tony Roma’s located in Belfast?
Normal Irish News Rules Apply
Competition winners
The winners of the Lidl competition are Colleen Morrison, from Killyleagh; Lorraine McCartan, from Strangford; and Angeline Murphy, from Omagh
What’s Hot?
New Music - I'm loving Adele's new single, Hello. It's a very emotional and haunting track but a pleasure to listen to. The singer's new album, 25, is due for release on November 20. Count me in.
Halloween – It’s Halloween tomorrow so it’s time to eat lots and lots of sweeties, cuddle up and watch some fantastic fireworks. Spooktacular.
Chocolate Delight - If you're a chocolate lover, just like me, then check out Lidl's gorgeous Chocolate Ganache & Chocolate Orange Ganache, priced £2.49. I tasted them recently and I'm telling you, they are absolutely divine little pots. Perfect for Christmas.
So Not!
Adverts - Did anyone else get really annoyed by how many ad breaks there were during last weekend's X-Factor? I felt like there was a break every two minutes. Very annoying indeed.
Research - New research has found that being on social media for three hours a day is as bad for a child as being bullied. Oh dear.
Easy Peasy Recipe
This week’s Easy Peasy Recipe is Halloween Cookies, courtesy of McKinney’s.
You will need:
100g butter, at room temperature
115g McKinney’s Caster Sugar
1 medium egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
250g plain white flour
For the icing:
McKinney’s Roll out icing
Orange & black icing colour
McKinney’s Icing sugar
To Make:
Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C (170 degrees C for fan oven) / 375 degrees F.
Beat the butter and sugar together until combined.
Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat again.
Beat in the flour.
Once mixed, form into a ball of dough with your hands.
Put the ball of dough onto a work surface that you have dusted with flour.
Roll out the dough to approximately ½ cm thick.
Cut out shapes using Halloween cookie cutters.
Lift carefully onto a baking tray lined with baking parchment.
Bake for 14-15 minutes until golden.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the tray.
Break off some of the white McKinney’s Roll out icing and knead until it softens.
Dust your work surface with McKinney’s icing sugar.
Roll the white icing out to a thin layer and cut out the same shapes you used for the biscuits.
Lift off the work surface carefully. Put a few tiny dots of water on the back and then stick onto your cookies.
Tear off two more pieces of McKinney’s Roll out icing and colour one piece orange for the pumpkins and the other black for the bats.
To colour the icing put a small amount of colour onto the white icing and knead until it is well combined. (You may want to wear gloves when doing this.) Add more colour if necessary.
Use the black and white icing to make eyeballs, mummies, spiders etc.
Do you have an Easy Peasy recipe you would like to share?
You can send your name, address, contact number and recipe (plus photo if possible) to:
Easy Peasy Recipes,
Marie Louise McConville,
Irish News
113-117 Donegall Street,
Belfast,
BT1 2GE
or
m.mcconville@irishnews.com
