USA Update

A NUMBER of popular British sitcoms have been removed from streaming services due to controversial content in recent years. 

The classic comedy Little Britain was notably removed from all streaming platforms in 2020. A number of streamers have followed suit with other sitcoms, including Come Fly With Me, Peep Show, Fawlty Towers and Bo’ Selecta!

BBC

A number of classic British sitcoms have been removed from streaming platforms in recent years[/caption]

BBC

Shows like Little Britain have bee criticised for their use of blackface and controversial portrayal of other characters[/caption]

Handout

David Walliams and Matt Lucas’ subsequent series Come Fly With Me has also been axed[/caption]

These shows have either been removed in full or certain episodes have been cut due to their use of controversial storylines and characters as well as outdated themes.

Even Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway has had episodes pulled over the presenters’ use of blackface.

Streamers like Netflix, NOW TV, Britbox and the BBC iPlayer have taken a stand against such shows for their use of racial slurs, sexist language and blackface as “times have changed.”

Acknowledging that their shows have caused offence, comedy stars have offered public apologies with Matt Lucas acknowledging that some of his Little Britain sketches were “wrong” and Bo’ Selecta star Leigh Francis saying he “didn’t realise how offensive” his work was at the time. 

Keep reading for the full list of sitcoms you can no longer watch and details of why they were removed from streaming platforms. 

Little Britain (2003 – 2006)

Little Britain, starring David Walliams and Matt Lucas was a TV favourite across the nation when it first aired but it has now been removed from Netflix, NOW TV, Britbox and BBC iPlayer because of its controversial portrayal of black and Asian characters as well as gay characters and those with disabilities. 

Speaking about removing the sitcom, A BBC spokesperson said: “There’s a lot of historical programming available on BBC iPlayer, which we regularly review.

“Times have changed since Little Britain first aired, so it is not currently available on BBC iPlayer.”

Two years later Little Britain returned to BBC iPlayer but some major changes had been made to the episodes.

A BBC spokesperson said: “Little Britain has been made available to fans on BBC iPlayer following edits made to the series by Matt and David that better reflect the changes in the cultural landscape over the last twenty years since the show was first made.”

Come Fly With Me (2010 – 2011)

Come Fly With Me is David and Matt’s follow-up series to Little Britain, but this sketch show is set in an airport. 

Like its predecessor, it has also been removed from streaming series like BBC iPlayer, Britbox and Netflix for featuring blackface. 

Creators and stars David and Matt have apologised for any offence caused by their programs, with Matt tweeting in 2020: “David and I have both spoken publicly in recent years of our regret that we played characters of other races. Once again, we want to make it clear that it was wrong and we are very sorry.”

The Mighty Boosh (2003 – 2007)

Netflix removed all three series of Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt’s BBC series, The Mighty Boosh. 

The comedy was pulled from the streamer due to Fielding’s performance, which saw him don dreadlocks and blackface paint to portray the ghost of a famous jazz musician in a number of episodes.

However, the sitcom has remained available on BBC iPlayer. BBC director general Tony Hall said the corporation was “constantly assessing whether things feel appropriate” but that no changes needed to be made in response to The Mighty Boosh.

The League of Gentlemen (1999 – 2022)

Like The Mighty Boosh, The League of Gentlemen, which follows the lives of four bizarre characters in Royston Vasey, a fictional town in northern England, has also been pulled from Netflix due to the use of blackface. 

However, the series remains available to stream on BBC iPlayer with co-creator Reece Shearsmith denying that his character Papa Lazarou was supposed to be black.

“It was not me doing a black man,” he said. 

“It was always this clown-like make-up, and we just came up with what we thought was the scariest idea to have in a sort of Child Catcher-like way.

“And I don’t think we ever had any complaints then.”

Bo Selecta (2002 -2004)

Leigh Francis’ comedy sketch show has been removed from Channel 4’s streaming platform. 

The show received nominations for a BAFTA and British Comedy Awards during its run, but creator Leigh Francis has since been criticised for his portrayal of Michael Jackson, Craig David and Trisha Goddard using latex face masks.

The comedian has since apologised, saying in an Instagram video: “I portrayed many black people. Back then I didn’t think anything about it, people didn’t say anything, I’m not going to blame other people. I didn’t realise how offensive it was back then.”

Fawlty Towers (1975 – 1979)

Fawlty Towers had one of its episodes, The Germans (1975), temporarily removed from UKTV over “racial slurs” and “outdated language”. 

The episode, which shows the character Major Gowen (Ballard Berkeley) repeatedly using the N-word in reference to members of the West Indies cricket team, was taken off the platform while the streamer carried out an investigation. 

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Fawlty Towers was criticised for its use of racial slurs[/caption]

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One scene from a 1975 episode was cut but the series is still available to stream[/caption]

It includes hotel owner Basil Fawlty, played by John Cleese, goose-stepping around while shouting “don’t mention the war” in front of a group of visiting Germans, after suffering a blow to the head. The scene had been edited out of repeats shown on the BBC in 2013. 

However, the episode has returned to UKTV. In a statement the streamer said that its return would come with “extra guidance and warnings… to highlight potentially offensive content and language.”

Peep Show (2003 – 2015)

A series two episode of Peep Show in which Jez (Robert Webb) wears blackface has been re-edited for Netflix. 

However, the unedited version remains on Channel 4’s streaming service. 

The moment appears in the season two episode Dance Class, during a bedroom scene featuring Jez and his girlfriend Nancy, played by Robert Webb and Rachel Blanchard, respectively.

In a statement, Channel 4 said: “We do not believe that erasing our creative history is a quick fix for the issues affecting our society today.”

Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (2002 – 2024)

Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway was essential weekend viewing for over a decade – but early episodes of the popular ITV sketch show did feature some controversial moments. 

During undercover sketches in 2003 and 2004, Ant and Dec dressed as Jamaican women and Japanese girls using makeup and exaggerated accents. 

The episodes have since been removed from ITV’s catch-up service and the presenters apologised, saying: “We realise that this was wrong and want to say that we are sincerely sorry to everyone that we offended. 

“We purposely stopped doing this several years ago and certainly would not make these sketches today.”

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Noel wore dreadlocks and blackface for scenes in The Mighty Boosh[/caption]

Handout

Like Little Britain and Come Fly With Me a number of British sitcoms have been removed from streaming services[/caption]

ANDREAS INIESTA broke down in tears as he confirmed his retirement from football as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Reports that the Barcelona icon, 40, was set to hang up his boots emerged last week, but now he has ended speculation with a video on social media.

Instagram @andresiniesta8

Instagram @andresiniesta8

Instagram @andresiniesta8

Instagram @andresiniesta8

The Spaniard, who spent six years in Japan and one in the UAE after leaving Barcelona, brought to a close a 22-year career with a social media post on Monday afternoon.

It included tributes from some of his former managers including Pep Guardiola, Louis van Gaal and Luis Enrique.

But it was right at the start of the video when Iniesta got choked up.

He was asked: “Andreas, what does football mean to you?”

Instantly, Iniesta became emotional as he wiped away a tear, before he only managed to say: “For me football has been…”

It then cut to a montage of his old coaches praising him.

Guardiola even revealed during his early days at Barcelona that Iniesta gave him the “boost of energy to keep going” and that he will “always be grateful” to the midfielder.

Iniesta made his Barcelona debut in 2002 and went on to appear in 674 games for the Blaugrana, scoring 57 goals and adding 135 assists.

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Instagram @andresiniesta8

His trophy haul includes nine La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.

Playing alongside Xavi and Sergio Busquets, Iniesta is also considered to have been part of one of the greatest midfield trios football has ever seen.

Iniesta played 131 times for Spain and scored 14 goals, winning the World Cup and two European Championships.

He left Barcelona in 2018 to join Japan’s Vissel Kobe on a free transfer.

He would go on to spend five years in the J-League, winning the league, Japanese Cup and Japanese Super Cup.

UAE side Emirates Club, whom he joined in 2023, would prove to be his final team as he made 23 appearances for them, scoring five goals and providing one assist.

The “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star’s husband, Justin Rose, shared a video of Bobbie sitting on a stretcher while getting wheeled into an ambulance.

THE Menendez brothers have revealed the true reason they went on a spending spree after murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989 in brand new interviews.

Erik and Lyle Menendez opened up about their highly publicized murder trials for shooting their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, to death 30 years after the case that shocked the nation.

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The actors portraying the Menendez brothers in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix drama Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story[/caption]

After Ryan Murphy’s drama, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, sparked controversy, a new documentary film called The Menendez Brothers is now on Netflix.

The new film features previously unheard audio interviews with the brothers, who are both serving life sentences in California’s Donovan Correctional Facility for the murders, as they speak about the case “in their own words,” according to Netflix.

The interviews revealed new insight into the infamous killings, which prosecutors said during the trials, were motivated by greed because the brothers spent about $700,000 of their family’s fortune in the months after the crime.

However, Lyle and Erik, who were respectively 21 and 18 at the time of the murders, have always pushed back on the financial motive and claimed that the murders were in self-defense following years of abuse by both parents.

“The idea that I was having a good time is absurd,” Erik, now 53, said in a recorded phone call from prison in the new documentary.

“Everything was to cover up this horrible pain of not wanting to be alive.”

In the days after Lyle and Erik killed their parents with shotguns, the brothers spent about $15,000 on three Rolex watches, a jewelry salesperson testified at their trial.

The duo each bought new cars, and Lyle shelled out $50,000 for a personal tennis coach.

Lyle, now 56, said in the doc that the lavish spending covered up the mental anguish that he and his brother suffered.

“I was not enjoying myself as a playboy, that I was actually sobbing a lot at night, sleeping poorly, very distraught at times, and kind of adrift throughout this, all those months,” Lyle said.

The new Netflix documentary, made by director Alejandro Hartmann, is the first time Lyle’s spoken publicly since the pair’s televised interview with Barbara Walters in June 1996 following their second trial.

Erik, who has spoken out more often through his wife Tammi Saccoman, also talked in the film about the despair he felt after the murders – and revealed he still felt lingering pressure from Jose even after his death.

“One of the things that kept me from killing myself is that I was, I felt like I would be a complete failure to my dad at that point,” Erik said.

Erik’s confession about his mental health comes after he previously slammed Murphy’s dramatized take on their case.

Saccoman shared Erik’s statement about the new series on X on September 19.

“I believed we had moved beyond the lies and ruinous character portrayals of Lyle, creating a caricature of Lyle rooted in horrible and blatant lies rampant in the show,” Erik said.

“I can only believe they were done so on purpose. It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives so as to do this without bad intent.”

Murphy pushed back against the criticism and said the drama series was the “best thing that has happened to the Menendez brothers in 30 years,” according to Variety.

The director also told The Hollywood Reporter, “The Menendez brothers should be sending me flowers.

“They haven’t had so much attention in 30 years. And it’s gotten the attention of not only this country, but all over the world.”

The brothers could now face a new trial as new evidence is being considered in the pair’s allegations against their father – and even Kim Kardashian is fighting for their freedom.

The Menendez Brothers is available for streaming now on Netflix.

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Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle in front of the Beverly Hills mansion where their parents died[/caption]

A MUCH-NEEDED discount on highway tolls has been introduced to help drivers still feeling the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.

Drivers can celebrate lower prices on stretches of highway in North Carolina, but it could mean longer commutes during rush hour.

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Drivers can enjoy lower toll prices on stretches of highway in North Carolina[/caption]

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On Friday, transportation service group I-77 Mobility Partners announced that dynamic pricing for toll lanes running from Charlotte to Mooresville will no longer be enforced.

Dynamic pricing in a demand-based model that charges higher prices during busier times of the day to cut down on traffic.

Typically, some drivers will find alternate routes during the cost surge, clearing some of the lanes.

However, Helene has left some alternate highways, including Interstates 40 and 25, with significant damage.

In the announcement, the company said it paused the surged costs to “help mitigate the financial impacts on drivers – especially those assisting with critical relief efforts.”

With at least 231 killed in its path, Helene has been declared the deadliest storm since Katrina blew through in 2005.

Western North Carolina was one of the worst areas hit by the Category 4 hurricane that tore through southeastern states like Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee.

Survivors have been left homeless, searching for loved ones and trying to survive without power or cell service.

The toll relief is a small step toward rebuilding Appalachia but important for those trying to pick up the pieces.

Commuters who use I-77 can expect prices similar to what they saw before the storm.

The paused toll and redirected drivers could bring on a heavier traffic flow in the future.

However, officials say there hasn’t been a significant increase in busy roads since Helene blew through.

“Since the arrival of Hurricane Helene, the 26.4-mile I-77 Express corridor between Charlotte and Mooresville has not seen a heavy increase in traffic volume,” said Mobility Partners’ director of corporate affairs Rob Boisvert.

“The average increase between Saturday, September 28, and Thursday, October 3 was only 2%.”

Though dynamic pricing has been suspended, drivers should still expect to see prices shift throughout the day.

“Rates will change throughout the day based on predetermined rates that will be lower than pre-storm dynamic pricing,” the release states.

“However, by removing the traffic management provided by dynamic pricing, more drivers may choose to use the express lanes, which could result in slower than usual speeds.”

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have promised to contribute federal funding to restoration efforts in North Carolina.

Harris and Donald Trump have both stepped away from their presidential campaigns to visit victims and share their plans to support rebuilding southern Appalachia.

“We’re here for the long haul,” Harris said during a trip to Asheville on Saturday.

North Carolina’s toll pause came days before Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also announced that highway fees would be suspended in west Florida, central Florida, and Alligator Alley.

Drivers who are looking to save on toll fees can use navigation apps like Waze to avoid the lanes.

E-ZPass also makes it easier and cheaper to pay for tolls in 20 states.

Plus, it’s important to sign up for mobile alerts from their state transportation departments that warn drivers of important toll updates or traffic news.

A FISHERMAN has described the horrific moment he cut open a shark only to find the body of a missing tourist.

The human remains belong to Colleen Monfore, 68, from South Dakota, US, who was eaten by the beast after being swept away by strong currents during a diving trip.

Asia Pacific Press via ViralPres

A fisherman found human remains in a shark’s stomach[/caption]

Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress

Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress

Rescuers spent eight days searching for the woman[/caption]

The body was discovered inside the shark’s stomach by a horrified fisherman in neighbouring East Timor.

The fisherman said: “The shark was caught but it was not in normal health. I thought it had swallowed plastic or a fishing net.

“It was cut open to find the problem and inside there were the remains of a woman.”

The 68-year-old American was with her friends around the Pulau Reong island when the incident happened on September 26.

The guide was unable to pull her back to the boat.

Rescue teams searched for eight days before finally giving up on October 3 due to the dangerous conditions at sea.

Officials in the Liquisa District said the female corpse was still wearing a black wet suit.

Officials in East Timor are contacting the coast guard in Indonesia.

They also appealed for details of anyone with missing friends or relatives due to the popularity of diving in the nearby islands, that are Indonesian territory.

Muhammad Saleh Goro, Head of the Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) for the Management of the Alor Islands Marine Park and surrounding ocean, said: “We have coordinated with the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Dili, and the KBRI has confirmed the truth of this information.

“The body of the woman was found in a shark in Timor Leste. It was not in Indonesian territory.

“We are now investigating the case further to confirm if they are the remains of anyone reported missing in Indonesia.

“From the diving suit worn by the victim, it is suspected that they were a diver.

“The results of the investigation will be published soon after more complete information is available.

“The anecdotal reports from Timor Leste are that the victim in the shark was foreign female.”

Ipda Giovani BM Toffy, the chief of police in Southwest Maluku where the tourist had first gone missing, said the tour guide with the diving group had initially reported her missing.

He said: “The initial search effort was carried out by the victim’s friends because they were on the same trip to the Banda Islands.

“We coordinated with the Nabar Village Government to mobilise residents to help search the coast facing Reong Island and conduct searches around the waters of Reong Island using lon

Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress

Rescue efforts for the woman have been underway since last week[/caption]

TERRY Bradshaw didn’t hold back on his opinions about Deshaun Watson after watching his most recent game.

The Cleveland Browns quarterback is having an awful season, and Terry Bradshaw made it known he thinks he should be benched.

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Watson hasn’t thrown for over 200 yards once this season[/caption]

However, in a typical Bradshaw fashion, he messed up his analogy in a way that had his costars dying of laughter.

Watson has played in all five of the Browns’ games this season, and his stat line is nothing short of awful.

He only has 852 yards and five touchdowns in five games, and has thrown three interceptions as well.

Watson has not crossed the 200 passing yard mark in any of his five games, and the Browns are 1-4 thanks to his poor play.

Bradshaw took notice of this on Fox NFL Sunday, and asked the question of whether or not Watson should be benched.

“Do you put Watson down?” he said.

“He has not played well since he has been in Cleveland.”

The Fox NFL Sunday cast fell into laughter after the statement, and they chimed in to share their opinions.

“I wouldn’t put him down. I’d want to sit him,” Howie Long said.

“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. That was a little harsh,” Michael Strahan said.

NFL fans got a huge laugh out of the segment, and shared their thoughts on social media.

“Browns screwed themselves paying him a fully guaranteed contract,” one fan said.

“Terry had it right,” another fan said.

“Bench himmmm!!!” a third fan said.

“Bradshaw definitely doesn’t hold back; tough love for Deshaun!” a fourth fan said.

“It’s his last year as a starter, guaranteed” a fifth fan said.

The Browns have Jameis Winston waiting behind Watson if they do decide to bench the current starter.

Winston has plenty of experience as a starting quarterback, once leading the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns.

He has over 20,000 career passing yards, and 141 touchdowns, and would probably give Cleveland a better chance of winning.

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Watson only has five touchdowns in five games played this year[/caption]

PITTSBURGH Steelers quarterback Justin Fields took a nasty hit during the team’s Sunday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys.

However, after leaving the game for two plays, the veteran backup Russell Wilson didn’t step in for Fields in the Week 5 NFL primetime matchup.

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Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Justin Fields got hit hard by Dallas Cowboys defender Tyrus Wheat during the third quarter of the Sunday Night Football game in Week 5[/caption]

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Steelers backup signal-caller Russell Wilson looks on before the primetime game[/caption]

During the third quarter, Fields was looking to pass to running back Najee Harris when he was tackled by defensive tackle Tyrus Wheat.

It wasn’t any ordinary tackle, however, as Fields was viciously hit in the process, leading to a roughing the passer penalty for 15 yards.

The Steelers signal-caller went into the blue medical tent to be checked for a concussion.

Pittsburgh called on Kyle Allen to step in and he completed a 19-yard pass.

Fields returned to the contest after missing just two minutes of game action.

It was telling the Steelers didn’t ask for Wilson to replace Fields.

Wilson has missed all five games in the 2024 campaign due to a lingering calf injury.

The nine-time Pro Bowler was inactive against the Cowboys and didn’t play on Sunday night despite being suited up in his football attire on the sidelines.

Wilson technically could’ve played as Pittsburgh’s emergency quarterback.

He could’ve entered the game if Fields and Allen both suffered injuries and couldn’t play in the contest.

Instead, Fields played the rest of the Week 5 game.

The Steelers lost 20-17 to the Cowboys after a late Dak Prescott game-winning touchdown to wideout Jalen Tolbert.

Fields put together a below-average performance, completing 15 of his 27 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Both scores came in the second half and Pittsburgh went just 3-of-12 on third downs and recorded only 233 yards of offense.

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Fields looks to pass versus the Cowboys during the team’s 20-17 loss[/caption]

Reports revealed that Wilson participated in all quarterback drills last week, suggesting he could be ready to play against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 6.

Still, Fields has led Pittsburgh to a 3-2 record with wins over the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers.

He has thrown for five touchdowns and one interception while posting three rushing scores which is second in the league to rookie star Jayden Daniels.

Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Steelers in the offseason.

The 13-year NFL veteran is making $39 million for the season thanks to the Denver Broncos, who are responsible for most of the number due to the $242.5 million contract they signed with him two years ago.

INCREDIBLE plans have been revealed for the world’s first “vertiport” set to host the “Formula One of the Skies” for flying car races.

The cutting-edge designs for the impressive 360-degree flying deck have been revealed in video footage that promises a future filled with high-speed air racing.

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Flying cars from the future pitting against each other in the skies[/caption]

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At the top of the arena is the viewing deck where the audience can be seen enjoying spectacular views of the race[/caption]

The vertiport is being envisioned as an event venue where flying F1 races could be hosted.

It is being designed as a revolutionary viewing deck that will be surrounded by air race tracks where fully crewed flying cars will pit against each other.

The league promises to be “the world’s first electric flying car racing series”.

Developed by a London-based tech firm Airspeeder, the vertiport will give an “unmatched experience” of the race.

While it is still in its concept stage, the tech startup collaborated with HOK, a global architecture firm – to develop renders of what vertiports could look like in the future.

Incredible footage shows F1-like flying cars racing in the skies around the vertiport.

At the top of the arena is the viewing deck where the audience can be seen enjoying spectacular views of the race.

And with a glass facade all around the deck, viewers get panoramic views of the event from each direction.

According to plans, the vertiport will feature “airside zones” with retractable landing pads for flying cars to land and take off – and will be used as pit stops in between competitions.

The Skydeck will feature a module design – and can be fully disassembled or expanded according to needs.

And just like F1 races, the design will initially accommodate up to 10 teams with 20 Airspeeders that race against each other at the tracks.

Stephen Sidlo, a senior executive at the tech startup, said: “We believe that flying car racing will initiate a new mobility revolution, advancing E-VTOL and EV technology to benefit the entire industry.

“This collaboration with HOK represents not just a new sport but the future of high-speed, sustainable mobility.”

Reacting to the incredible designs, one social media user said: “Cutting-edge design meets futuristic racing! Exciting times ahead for airborne motorsport.”

While another joked: “Let’s fly baby!”

Many tech companies are not putting their bets on long-term plans to develop flying cars.

A Californian company has signed a deal with Dubai which could see tourists ferried across the UAE city by flying taxis from next year.

The luxury means of travel will involve paying passengers booking their desired trip through an app and wait at “vertiports”, similar to today’s airports, for a propeller-powered taxi to pick them up.

Each VTOL aircraft will be able to carry four passengers and one pilot.

Travelling at speeds of up to 198 miles per hour, customers will enjoy a unique view of Dubai while making their way to their destinations.

According to Joby Aviation, the US company behind the all-electric aircraft, a flight from Dubai Airport to the glitzy tree-shaped island of Palm Jumeirah will take just 10 minutes by air taxi.

Airspeeder

SPEED MACHINES Incredible video shows plan for world’s first ‘vertiport’ for FLYING CAR racing dubbed the ‘Formula One of the skies’,[/caption]

THE owner of a book dating back well-over a century has discovered its shocking value.

She brought the rare item to Antiques Roadshow for a second look after inheriting it from her late mother-in-law.

YouTube/RoadshowPBS

The owner of an old book was left in tears at its evaluation by Antiques Roadshow[/caption]

YouTube/RoadshowPBS

They inherited the memoranda from their late mother-in-law[/caption]

“My mother-in-law was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and she had a lot of interesting books,” the owner told appraiser Ken Gloss during an episode of the PBS series.

“My husband and I were looking through her things — we found it in the kind of bag you get when you buy a card, and she had put it in there, I guess, forgotten about it.”

The book had a title that read, “Walt Whitman’s Memoranda of the War: Written on the Spot in 1863-1866.”

Whitman was a legendary American poet and essayist, arguably most known for his Leaves of Grass verse collection, per the Poetry Foundation.

Some may also know his poem, O Captain! My Captain! and of Whitman’s fondness of fellow essayist and lecturer Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The owner immediately recognized the name and figured it could potentially be Whitman’s original works if old enough.

“I know enough about books to know that — gee — if it’s old, it might be rare, and I knew enough about Walt Whitman to know that he self-published his own work,” she added.

She also continued that her mother-in-law’s family had lived in Camden, New Jersey, where Whitman also lived and died in 1892.

NOTABLE NOTATION

The book also showed an inscription to what would’ve been her mother-in-law’s “many great uncles.”

Gloss immediately confirmed that her research and conclusion were correct, it was, in fact, Whitman’s works, self-published in Camden.

However, it wasn’t that aspect of the book that interested the appraiser; instead, it was the previously mentioned inscription with the two letters of “WW” at the bottom, Whitman’s initials.

“It’s a very, very nice inscription,” he emphasized.

Gloss explained that the book was a slightly later version than the first and had some signs of wear, taking its value down just a bit.

Still, the decrease was almost completely negated by the rarity and specialty of the inscription.

JUDGEMENT JUSTIFIED

“The fact that it’s not a first edition is a little bit of a detraction, the fact, though, that it has a fabulous inscription just adds to it,” he told the owner.

So, what’s it worth?

Gloss said that considering everything, it would be valued conservatively at around $10,000 to $12,000.

That alone nearly brought the owner to tears.

“If you don’t mind, I’m gonna cry. My mother-in-law’s been dead for just a while, and I feel like I’ve justified her — my mother-in-law was right,” she said.

Gloss added that it was “wonderful,” and without the inscription, it might only be worth around $700 to $800.

Family heirlooms often share special histories and can be worth serious money.

The owner of a handkerchief from World War 2 passed down by their father also had an inscription to thank for its evaluation of $10,000.

A signature within the photo album belonging to a different owner’s grandparents also made it worth $15,000.