Vanity Fair Poem by Paul Reed

The publicity and hype have made us swoon
Touted in many a TV guide and advert
A new programme for the autumn ‘Coming Soon'
Set in many a Sky Plus and text alert;

It's not a traditional costume drama as such
At least that how it seems to me
Because a Jimi Hendrix track is a nice touch
But he wasn't around in eighteen twenty three;

Nevertheless, this creation of Thackeray, William Makepeace
Obviously has a bit of licence, artistic
Will episode two have Siouxsie and the Banshees?
But maybe I'm being a little bit unrealistic;

There is a top all-star cast for the show
Including Clunes, De La Tour and Palin
Cooke, Jones, Skinner and Rowe
Bateman, Santos and Flynn;

Now the central character has to be strong
And the story has to be really good
Or, despite the hype, it won't be long
Before the trickle of critics becomes a flood;

Now just another little criticism I have here brewing
What is this fashion for a series to start on a Sunday?
Setting the pattern for weekend viewing
But then episode two comes along on a Monday;

So, good luck to Vanity Fair tonight (I think)
In your attempts to lighten my Monday
But I must remember to set my series link
Or I might forget to watch it next Sunday.