In my posting yesterday I related how the 65 year old archaeologist, Mick Aston, had quit the 'Time Team' programme after 19 years, when producers hired 30 year old Cambridge graduate and former model, Mary-Ann Ochota, as a new co-presenter.
Britain is no longer a country for an old Professor of Archaeology called Mick Aston and a television series called 'Time Team'
http://britainisnocountryforoldmen.blogspot.com/2012/02/britain-is-no-longer-country-for-old.html
I went on to say that, like many old men, if it came to a choice, I preferred young Mary-Ann to old Mick.
Oh dear ! What do I read in 'The Daily Mail' today ? :
Day after TV Time Team boffin quits over ‘dumbing down’, former model presenter who sparked row throws in the trowel
Apparently, Mary-Ann has told 'Time Team' fans like me that she will not be in the next series after all, saying :
"I always loved 'Time Team' and was very excited to be working with Mick. He wasn’t so keen. The series didn’t work out quite how I wanted it to either. Needless to say, I’m not coming back for the next series either."
Mary-Ann, who holds a master’s degree in 'archaeology and anthropology' from Cambridge University, mounted a robust defence of her position on the Time Team Facebook page saying that :
‘I was brought in to be a co-presenter, not an archaeologist, so I could ask the questions viewers might be asking.’
Within minutes, the site was abuzz with comments and one said:
'You really have to establish your archaeological credentials first on the show or it looks like the programme producers have employed you purely for the 'totty factor' despite having the appropriate academic qualifications.’
Old Men of Britain say : "Ignore that Mary-Ann. Please reconsider. We need you. Time Team Needs you. Your presence would have been a dose of fresh air after that old professor in a funny jumper."
P.S. Dictionary definition of 'totty' :
(noun] a girl or woman, especially one regarded as sexually desirable.
I wonered from the start what on earth Mary-Ann was there for. She did not seem to fullfill any real role. It might have been better if she had gone onto the programme as an archaeologist, for which she seems to be qualified
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