TV and Radio permalink
Landscape Man, Channel 4
This discussion has been closed.
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Message 1.Â
Posted by LeadFarmer (U13864996) on Thursday, 25th March 2010
Just read Aprils RHS magazine and theres a new gardening series in April on Channel4 called Landscape Man, following the progress of six gardens over 12 months. Presented by Matthew Wilson of RHS.
Might be worth a watch? -
Message 2
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Thursday, 25th March 2010
Definitely worth a watch if the reviews of the accompanying book are anything to go by and he is also easy on teh eye and ear.
Plus which, Mathew Wilson talks a lot of sense about knowing your soil, aspects and microclimate and gardening with the conditions you have in order for you and your plants to get the best out of them so it should be good on many levels. -
Message 3
Posted by Pete-Free (U7363826) on Tuesday, 20th April 2010
Pinging a reminder that the series starts on Thursday, 22 April at 8pm for an hour.
Sounds good. Here's a preview: . -
Message 4
Posted by jo4eyes (U13654107) on Tuesday, 20th April 2010
Thx for that I was wondering when it'd be on. 'Tape' set. J.
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Message 5
Posted by joanybird (U11052594) on Tuesday, 20th April 2010
He's doing a talk on the series at Harlow Carr next Tuesday, 27 April, 6pm
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Message 6
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Thursday, 22nd April 2010
I admire Mathew Wilson a lot and wish he'd be seen more on TV. However, and I think this won't go down well, I really didn't like the format of the new programme. There was very little 'gardening' shown but an awful lot of hand ringing. "I think he's taken on too much", "His wife has now developed RSI though weeding", "Has he thought through the pond liners", (ie It's all doom and gloom). I've seen this stuff so many time with house building, house make overs, and cookery programmes. All I ask is just show the programme and it's quality will provide the tension. Mathew's contribution seemed to be (probably quite wrongly)to stand on the sidelines and predict failure. I just wanted to see more gardening as part of the massive garden was fabulous.
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Message 7
Posted by PenylanSue (U13901201) on Thursday, 22nd April 2010
He's the new Kevin McCloud.
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Message 8
Posted by garrigillgal (U14258845) on Friday, 23rd April 2010
Morning Paul
There was very little 'gardening' shown but an awful lot of hand ringing. Â
.........I think I must agree with you here - I was really looking forward to it and I must say that the finished space was really lovely and a credit to the couple with their vast experience and limited funds - but I'm getting tired of this format which seems to permeate all such programmes at the minute where folks take on far too much in a limited time and cash scale and instead of a comfortable relaxed and escapist hour for the viewer we are traumatised by their angst - I found little joy in the main body of the programme and it put me off watching any further episodes (but I probably will......hehe)!! -
Message 9
Posted by Ariadne Knickerbocker (U4534559) on Friday, 23rd April 2010
I can't agree with Garrigillgal and Pauln. I was rather worried by a comment in the Radio Times that Matthew Wilson's role was to play 'herald of doom' but watching the programme it seemed to me to point out just what an incredible challenge Keith Wiley and his wife had taken on for themselves. The point was that the Wiley's have an enormous vision and a limited budget and there are only two people creating this vision and they are both middle-aged! Far from being traumatised by their angst (I didn't really notice any angst but maybe that was because Keith Wiley's passion overrode it). I found it incredibly inspiring, people with big dreams and the rocky road to their fulfilment.
It was never going to be a 'garden makeover' programme with a set budget - thank the lord! That kind of garden will never be finished, will always require work and finance and if it was ever 'finished' no doubt Keith Wiley would have to start another one - he didn't look like the kind of man who was ever going to sit and stare!
My only criticism would be that I would have liked to have seen more 'before' and 'after' pictures and more of the planting. I was also slightly confused by the timelines which to me seemed to skip around from the garden's beginning to present state without it always being clear what was done and what was still to be done. -
Message 10
Posted by the cycling gardener (U2350416) on Friday, 23rd April 2010
What an interesting programme. Like Marianum I disagree with Paul and Garrigillgal. This was a programme about landscaping (the hint is in the title) not gardening, which is affirmed by Matthew in the first few moments so I wasn’t expecting a gardening programme. I suppose it’s no surprise that members of this ‘gardening’ board will be disappointed that there wasn’t enough gardening content.
I have huge admiration for visionaries like Keith but worried last night that his earnestness and ever-so-slightly bonkers expression meant it had become a burden for him. His attitude to life is so far removed from my own. I wish in many ways I had his freedom of thought and attitude to costs and practicality, as I must always work within budgets and timescales which so often constrain creativity.
A special mention must go to Ros, his long suffering but adoring wife, who appears to support him loyally through thick and thin. What a roller coaster of a life she is on in partnership with Keith but her pride in his achievements were obvious for all to see.
Matthew, as usual, did a splendid job guiding us through the project. However, I bet his expletives will have shocked a few older RHS devotees.
My one gripe is about this business where the presenter talks to a third person placed just to the side of the camera. I want presenters to talk to me, not make me feel as though I’m ear wigging someone else’s conversation. I was desperately hoping Matthew wouldn’t be drawn into these shenanigans and am disappointed that he has. Nick Clegg talked directly to camera and look what it’s done for him!
All in all, an engrossing programme and I’m looking forward to next week’s. -
Message 11
Posted by garrigillgal (U14258845) on Friday, 23rd April 2010
It was never going to be a 'garden makeover' programme with a set budget Â
Sorry - I don't think I made myself clear enough -
- I knew it was to be about large scale landscaping and didn't expect another gardening programme - (the clue's in the title). I enjoyed the project and Matthew's part in it - I also mentioned that I appreciated the couple's dedication and knowledge and realised that their funds could not live up to their aspirations at this moment in time. My point was that yet another 'real life' programme focused heavily on the fact that there was a timescale element and that in their enthusiasm the couple had over-reached themselves and, for a period of time were stressed - which is a recurring theme currently featured in several programmes ( Monty's recent My Dream Farm) - I found myself stressed for them - -
Message 12
Posted by martingodliman (U13761957) on Friday, 23rd April 2010
I didn't know before hand who Mathew was he seemed OK to me.
However I was uncomfortable at the obsessive intensity of Keith Wiley it was much more than enthusiasm. I felt worried for his physical and psychological health, not to mention his long suffering wife.
Undoubtedly he was very knowledgeable and skilled a gardener, I can't imagine he will ever relax into enjoying the results though.
A little of him goes along way. -
Message 13
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Friday, 23rd April 2010
It was the format which I didn't like, a similar format occurs in 'Restoration Man' and 'Grand Designs'. The less said about 'Restoration Man', the better.
Back to 'Landscape Man', I just knew that halfway into the programme, something would happen to their health and of course, true to form (and the format), it was his wife's RSI. Of course I admired their enthusiasm, although he did have a slightly manic expression throughout the programme. Should I ever find myself down in that part of the country, I'd like to visit the garden. -
Message 14
Posted by joanybird (U11052594) on Friday, 23rd April 2010
My one gripe is about this business where the presenter talks to a third person placed just to the side of the camera. I want presenters to talk to me, not make me feel as though I’m ear wigging someone else’s conversation. I was desperately hoping Matthew wouldn’t be drawn into these shenanigans and am disappointed that he has.Â
Oh how I agree
. I find it difficult to watch - as though I'm sat in the wrong place . Had to stop watching 'Grow Your Own Drugs' for the very same reason.
I'm going to the talk on Tuesday. Wonder if I dare ask him why they do it
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Message 15
Posted by mummyduckegg (U8437139) on Friday, 23rd April 2010
Do read Alison Graham's opinion in this weeks Radio Times - excellent!
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Message 16
Posted by greeneddy (U6603838) on Saturday, 24th April 2010
I've taped the prog but not watched yet. I heard a good radio interview with Matthew Wilson on Radio 5 Live the other day; the presenter asked him if he was "the new Kevin McCloud (sp?). Matthew replied that he'd rather think of himself as "the same Matthew Wilson, doing something different", or words to that effect; I thought "hear, hear". He said he played different roles in each of the programmes, according to how much experience the people had; in the first prog, he said it was more of a watching from the sidelines, but in other programmes in the series he offers more advice.
Joany, thanks for flagging up that RHS talk; I've had nothing through from the RHS about it, despite being a member, and only 40mins away from Harlow Carr. Sadly, it's my son's consultation evening at school that evening. I got very excited when I saw your post, only to go "oh no", when I looked in the diary. Ah well. Enjoy!
Eddy -
Message 17
Posted by Boofer (U3709461) on Saturday, 24th April 2010
I too have taped the programme but haven't watched it.
When we went to the garden the year before last it looked quite established in parts and unfinished in others but Keith was still buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm.
Have just read this article in the Telegraph which others might find interesting:
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Message 18
Posted by Yakram (U2443370) on Monday, 26th April 2010
Re: the presenter talking to a 'third person'. This is because one is asked to look at the VT editor. This happens if the editor is larger than the cameraperson and has to stand to one side (otherwise they would block the lens.
If the editor is small (as in my case when filming several years ago) he/she can position under the cameraperson so it looks as though the presenter is speaking directly at the camera. hth
In "The Garden" every so often there is a "what's on" A5 guide in the middle, and MW's talk was probably highlighted there.
PS: Joanybird:Have a good evening with MW - and give him best wishes from his MB groupies. -
Message 19
Posted by joanybird (U11052594) on Wednesday, 28th April 2010
Just a quick follow-up to Matthew's talk at Harlow Carr last night.
Evidently the first 'Landscape Man' was perhaps the least 'typical' of the programmes in that Keith is a professional gardener and Matthew's job was pretty much just to stand there being somewhat flabbergasted
He is much more hands-on with the other five, although they are individually quite different in terms of personalities, situations, aspiratons, budgets, etc.
The 'talking to someone to the left/right' is evidently an attempt to make it more informal and to not make the presenter the centre of attention (if that makes sense). Still not sure about it
, but promised to keep on watching -
Message 20
Posted by greeneddy (U6603838) on Wednesday, 28th April 2010
Have managed to watch the programme at last, and enjoyed it. That bloke Keith - blimey, what an enthusiast. Obviously a heart and soul man, and the garden is obviously going to be incredible. I was torn between admiration for him and his wife - him with his fantastic ideas, and the guts to just go with them, nevermind that it's all being done on virtually no income and a team of two working 14 hour days - and a churning feeling in my gut that his digger might topple over and take him with it, or something disastrous. Glad it (spoiler coming up!) had a happy ending. And that Ros got to display her paintings (and sell some) in a lovely setting.
Also good to enjoy watching gardening programmes again! I watched Landscape Man, then Alys on fruit, back-to-back. My allotment is mostly fruit, and I was inspired by the fruit leather bit, and by the damson vodka! (no surprises there, then . . .)
Eddy -
Message 21
Posted by LeadFarmer (U13864996) on Thursday, 29th April 2010
Anyone watch last nights episeode, was it any good?
I recorded it but wont get chance to watch it for a few days. -
Message 22
Posted by joanybird (U11052594) on Thursday, 29th April 2010
Don't know what you recorded last night LeadFarmer
, but Landscape Man is on tonight, Thursday - 8pm Ch 4 -
Message 23
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Friday, 30th April 2010
Yes, it was a very enjoyable programme indeed. Such enthusiasm and hard work, and the end results were really good.
Matthew for Gardener's World? -
Message 24
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Friday, 30th April 2010
Twas very good. Such enthusiasum. A go-ahead-husband and wife team and a bit of cash.
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Message 25
Posted by hotsunlover (U5664870) on Friday, 30th April 2010
I was one of the lucky beeb boarders who had the pleasure of meeting Matthew Wilson at Harlow Carr a few years ago (with Joany
). He showed us around and talked about the garden displaying vast knowledge (which he was keen to share) and vision about how he saw the future at HC. I honestly think he would be wasted on the small plots available for Gardeners World. I am sure he would be more than capable of fronting the programme and would probably bring viewers clawing back to the show (including me I guess),but to me, he would be better as a feature presenter, maybe working on a large scheme.
I am loving Landscapeman and am in awe of the dreams people have for their grounds - after all they are not run of the mill, standard sized gardens are they? How wonderful to have such vision.............................maybe I could have that avenue of cherry trees after all -
Message 26
Posted by LeadFarmer (U13864996) on Friday, 30th April 2010
Yeh, I got the dates wrong, but managed to watch it last night. Excellent series.
And yes, Matthew should definately be presenting Gardeners World. Think the viewing figures would be sky high. He makes me realise just what GW is missing. -
Message 27
Posted by nanpickle (U14258493) on Friday, 30th April 2010
I enjoyed this week's programme more than the others as I didn't think Matthew was such a harbinger of doom. In the earlier shows he seemed to keep on about how they had taken on too much and would never make it, he seemed more encouraging this week. Nan x
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Message 28
Posted by Ariadne Knickerbocker (U4534559) on Friday, 30th April 2010
I really enjoyed this week's programme too. OK I'm living in a terraced house with small garden but I need to dream and I'm dreaming about what can be done with a big estate, a digger and a lot of blagging. My dreams may never come true but I still enjoy the fulfilment of other people's.
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Message 29
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Saturday, 1st May 2010
Nan
That was only the second programme of the series, but I get your drift -
Message 30
Posted by nanpickle (U14258493) on Saturday, 1st May 2010
Oh dear Paul, I do get muddled, think it was probably because I taped it and watched it in 2 portions - it's my age
Nan x -
Message 31
Posted by Colin (U2252951) on Saturday, 1st May 2010
I can't see the point of Landscape Man. So two toffs hire massive machinery and 'get the men in' to put in 100s of plants. What relevance has that to any viewers outside of Surrey?
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Message 32
Posted by Paul N (U6451125) on Saturday, 1st May 2010
Colin
You won't wind us up. We're just starting to really enjoy the programme. Byee -
Message 33
Posted by joanybird (U11052594) on Tuesday, 4th May 2010
I don't suppose Colin will want to know this
, but, for those that do, I've just got next week's Radio Times and 'Landscape Man' has been re-scheduled.
As from this weekend it is changing to 7pm on a Sunday - opposite Alan Titchmarsh'e new series on the seasons on ITV -
Message 34
Posted by Miss-polly (U14402803) on Friday, 7th May 2010
Does anyone here have 250,000.00 pounds to spend on the garden? was gonner put angry smiley but decided on
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Message 35
Posted by Obelixx (U2157162) on Friday, 7th May 2010
I've only seen teh first two programmes so far but I'm really enjoying this programme and seeing people with vision struggle against financial and temporal odds to achieve their dream. It's also great to see MW's obvious empathy and see him giving help and advice so generously and calmly with no dramatic hyping.
If you scale it down to pounds per square metre these people are not that different from more ordinary house/garden owners with smaller plots and correspondingly smaller budgets but sadly, so often lacking the imagination or the dream.
It's amazing what can be achieved with a bit of lateral thinking and some careful sourcing of materials and growing your own plants from seeds, cuttings and swaps with friends, neighbours and family. It's also worth checkinjg out local plant sales at churches and garden clubs en even car boot sales.
It isn't necessary to go down to the local DIY store or garden centre and spend a fortune for instant results. You can do bits at a time as resources allow. -
Message 36
Posted by SparklyTwirler (U14115376) on Friday, 7th May 2010
Another excellent programme last night. Last one of this series is on Sunday
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Message 37
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Friday, 7th May 2010
I really enjoyed the programme.
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Message 38
Posted by LeadFarmer (U13864996) on Saturday, 8th May 2010
A great problem.
Must be nice to be able to buy your perfect garden, and have folk do all the hard work. -
Message 39
Posted by LeadFarmer (U13864996) on Saturday, 8th May 2010
Meant to say 'A great programme'.
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Message 40
Posted by Stressed out (U11163734) on Saturday, 8th May 2010
To be honest it was a waste of money. Why not wait and buy the 'gold' garden if that's what floats your boat, because the sad people he was trying to impress will always say it was a silver garden.
It was just the sea of roses that made me think no.
Where were the interesting plants? Everything was run of the mill.
Boys with big diggers -
Message 41
Posted by LeadFarmer (U13864996) on Saturday, 8th May 2010
RowanCottage, I know what you mean. The guy resembled someone who just wanted to 'out do' everyone else.
In another life, he would probably be living in an unofficial caravan site. In Doncaster!
But I do like the series. -
Message 42
Posted by Stressed out (U11163734) on Saturday, 8th May 2010
LeadFarmer
RowanCottage, I know what you mean. The guy resembled someone who just wanted to 'out do' everyone else.
In another life, he would probably be living in an unofficial caravan site. In Doncaster!
But I do like the series.Â
I thought more money than sense. You could have had something really classic for the amount of money he had spent. What he got was a bit chav.
Good programme though great advert for digger hire -
Message 43
Posted by Amazing (U7102651) on Sunday, 9th May 2010
There is another one on next Sunday.
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Message 44
Posted by SparklyTwirler (U14115376) on Monday, 10th May 2010
Sorry - I can't count
I'm glad though, because I am really enjoying the series and don't want it to end -
Message 45
Posted by Joe_the_Gardener (U3478064) on Monday, 10th May 2010
Saw the first one, but the programme seemed to lack structure (and I felt that the camera was trying hard to avoid looking at some areas of the plot). A shot from a high platform would have been useful; maybe there was one, but all that hard work sent me to sleep for ten minutes halfway through.
Missed the second one, but got back from holiday for the one about the couple with the 7-figure chequebook. I really couldn't see why MW was hired - Matt Whatsisname and his mate with the motorbike off Watchdog would have been just as relevant. I got as far as their failure to buy gold at Chelsea and then switched over to Bill Oddie's prog which, although it had the feel of recycled material, wasn't a tedious lot of pretentious twaddle.
Joe
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