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Tuesday 29 September 2020

David Walliams, Sheridan Smith and Blake Harrison lead the cast for Sky One’s newest instalment Jack & The Beanstalk: After Ever After

Following last year's hilarious Cinderella: After Ever After, Sky has announced the commission of two further instalments of the entertaining, family-friendly specials for Sky One and NOW TV; Jack & The Beanstalk: After Ever After and Hansel & Gretel: After Ever After.

Sky Original Jack and the Beanstalk: After Ever After will air this coming Christmas on Sky One and streaming service NOW TV and production is due to start next month. The Christmas special stars David Walliams, Sheridan Smith and Blake Harrison and is produced by King Bert Productions. It's created and written by The Dawson Brothers and David Walliams, who takes on the role of the Giant in this reimagining of the classic tale. Alongside Walliams, Sheridan Smith (Cilla, Cleaning Up, The Royle Family) stars as The Woman with No Name, the self-proclaimed greatest giant-killer in the village and Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners, Trust Me) as Dodgy Dave, a shifty market stall trader who sold Jack the magic beans. Further cast includes Jocelyn Jee Esien who plays Pat, Ashley McGuire as Mayoress and Daniel Rigby as the Baker.

All fairy tales end with 'happily ever after' but what happens after ever after? What happened after Jack defeated the giant? The 60-minute Christmas special begins where the fable ends, with a story of two very unlikely friends. We all thought Jack had put an end to the Giant but guess what? The Giant is concussed but very much alive and stuck on earth with no way back to his house in the sky. Jack must think on his feet and outsmart the angry villagers to get the giant home. Along the way, both characters discover their inner self belief and overcome their fears to help one another.

David Walliams said: "I often wondered what happened to Jack after ever after, so I decided to write a sequel because I can't stop writing books! This is a star-studded festive treat - a comedy sequel to one of the best loved English fairy tales. I am delighted to be playing the Giant, alongside some of the biggest names in British TV."

Sheridan Smith said: "This is a brilliantly funny piece and I'm so excited to be working with David again. My part 'The Woman with No Name', is a really fun part and like every baddie, she gets her comeuppance in the end! After the year we've had it's the perfect story for Christmas that the whole family can enjoy together."

Monday 28 September 2020

Netflix Announces The Original Anime Series 'RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness' Coming In 2021

Known as the gold standard of survival horror games with over 100 million units from the game series shipped worldwide, Resident Evil has now been transformed into a Netflix original CG anime series.

This series is scheduled for a global launch in 2021 exclusively on Netflix. Three years after 2017's CG film Resident Evil: Vendetta, technology has further evolved, creating the groundwork for a new series in unprecedented full 3DCG animation.

Since the first game was released in 1996 on Sony PlayStation, the Resident Evil series is nearing its 25th anniversary. With the series continuing to evolve even now, a new title carves itself into the series' history. This series is entitled RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness.

This new series will be produced and supervised by Capcom's Hiroyuki Kobayashi, who is responsible for bringing numerous titles in the Resident Evil series into existence. TMS Entertainment, which has birthed various anime series, will produce the series, while Quebico, led by Kei Miyamoto, the producer of Resident Evil: Vendetta, will be in charge of the full 3DCG animation production.

This will be a horror-action series based around the stories of the two popular characters, Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield. By adding suspense into dynamic action scenes, this series will reveal a Resident Evil world unlike anything seen before.

Who will be the enemy this time? What is the meaning of "Infinite Darkness"? Stay tuned for more news about the Netflix original anime series RESIDENT EVIL: Infinite Darkness!


Filming commences on stylish crime drama Professor T starring Ben Miller and Frances de la Tour

Filming commences on stylish crime drama Professor T starring Ben Miller and Frances de la Tour, produced by Eagle Eye Drama

"I study scumbags, I don't catch them…"
 
Smart and stylish crime drama Professor T has commenced filming on location in Belgium and Cambridge.

The six-part ITV drama stars Ben Miller, Frances de la Tour, Emma Naomi and Barney White and is produced by newly formed production company, Eagle Eye Drama, launched by the same team behind global drama brand Walter Presents.

Based on the hit Belgian series of the same name, Professor T is set against the stunning backdrop of one of the world's most prestigious educational institutions, Cambridge University.

The unique crime series is centered around the eccentric, but brilliant Criminology Professor Jasper Tempest, played by Ben Miller (Bridgerton, Sticks and Stones, Johnny English, Death in Paradise), who suffers with OCD and has a tortured past.

Joining the cast are Andy Gathergood (The Salisbury Poisonings), Sarah Woodward (Quiz, The Pale Horse), Ben Onwukwe (Safe, Marcella, Douglas Reith (Downton Abbey) and Juliet Aubrey (Van der Valk, Snatch).

Tony award-winning actress Frances de la Tour (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The History Boys) takes the role of Jasper's colourful, but overbearing mother, Adelaide. Emerging star Emma Naomi (Blithe Spirit, The Trial of Christine Keeler) will play Detective Inspector Lisa Donckers with rising star Barney White cast as her police sidekick Dan Winters.

Ben Miller comments:

"Professor T has it all: intriguing murders, dreaming spires, and a cast of unforgettable characters, each with their own fascinating secrets. You don't have to be a professor of criminal psychology to know the ITV audience will love it."

In the opening episode, our protagonist finds himself unwillingly caught up acting as an advisor to the police; his interest in crime is purely academic. Diana Tyson (Elizabeth Kate Back) was violently attacked on the university campus where Professor T has tenure.  DI Lisa Donckers (Emma Naomi) suspects that the assault is very similar to one that occurred years beforehand, and, having been a previous student of Professor T's, she thinks he can help.

Although a valuable contributor to the police force, people that don't know Jasper very well, struggle with his behavior. Professor T's relationship with the world often leads him to daydreams and fantasies about the people around him, and the viewer is privy to these wonderful and quirky sequences.

Honour - Series and Episode 1 Preview

Series overview

Two part factual drama, Honour, starring Keeley Hawes, airs on ITV this month. Written by Gwyneth Hughes and directed by Richard Laxton, Keeley stars as the real-life detective who brought five killers to justice in the heartbreaking true story of Banaz Mahmod, the young Londoner murdered for falling in love with the wrong man.

Produced by Hera Pictures in association with Buddy Club, Honour tells the powerful story of Detective Chief Inspector Caroline

Goode's passionate search to discover the fate of missing 20-year old Banaz. DCI Goode discovered that Banaz had been to the police five times to report threats to her life from members of her own family. Appalled that her own colleagues had missed multiple chances to save a young woman's life and prevent a so-called "honour" killing, Caroline vowed that she would not rest until she finally got justice for Banaz. It was a promise that quickly became personally consuming. This tense and emotionally vivid drama brings Caroline's long and unwavering quest to life.

Episode 1

DCI Caroline Goode first hears of Banaz Mahmod when her boyfriend reports her missing.

Caroline discovers that Banaz had been to the police five times to report threats to life, even presenting a list of people wanting to kill her for shaming her family.

Caroline searches for the people on Banaz' list. Ringleader Uncle Ari is questioned but denies the charges. Caroline speaks to estranged sister Bekhal and Kurdish activist, Diana Nammi and realises that this could be a murder enquiry. It is confirmed when one of the suspects confesses over the phone to the rape, torture and murder of Banaz.

Cast

DCI Caroline Goode - KEELEY HAWES
Bekhal Mahmod - RHIANNE BARRETO
Rahmat Suleimani - MOE BAR-EL
Keilly Jones - ALEXA DAVIES
DS Stuart Reeves - MICHAEL JIBSON
Diana Nammi - AHD KAMEL
Banaz Mahmod - BUKET KOMUR
DC Sarah Raymond - AMANDA LAWRENCE
Nawzad Gelly - NASSER MEMARZIA
DS Andy Craig - MARK STANLEY
Mahmod Mahmod - UMIT ULGEN
Behya Mahmod - FISUN BURGESS
Det Chief Supt Phil Adams - DAVID KENNEDY
Ari Mahmod - SELVA RASALINGHAM
Ari's Solicitor - SHIRAZ KHAN
Ali Abbas Homar - SAMMY BROLY
A&E Nurse - ELLA KENION
Mahmod's Solicitor - GRAEME HAWLEY
PC Lorna Wilson - ANGELA BULL
Mohammed Hama - WAJ ALI
Jo Matthews - ANDREA HALL

Friday 25 September 2020

First look trailer released for Your Honor starring Oscar® Nominee and Emmy® Winner Bryan Cranston

The ten episode legal thriller stars Cranston as Michael Desiato, a respected New Orleans judge whose teenage son, Adam (Hunter Doohan), is involved in a hit-and-run that leads to a high-stakes game of lies, deceit and impossible choices. SAG Award winner Michael Stuhlbarg (Call Me By Your Name) stars as Jimmy Baxter, the much-feared head of a crime family opposite Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Hope Davis (For the People) as his wife, Gina, who might be even more dangerous than her husband.

Based on the Israeli series, Kvodo, created by Ron Ninio and Shlomo Mashiach, the thriller also stars Carmen Ejogo (Selma), Isiah Whitlock Jr. (The Wire), and Sofia Black-D’Elia (The Night Of). Guest stars include Amy Landecker (Transparent), Margo Martindale (The Americans), Lorraine Toussaint (Orange Is the New Black), Chet Hanks (Empire), Lamar Johnson (The Hate You Give) and Lilli Kay (Chambers).

The hotly anticipated series sees BAFTA winner Peter Moffat (The Night Of, Undercover) serve as showrunner, executive producer and writer of multiple episodes. The series is executive produced by Emmy nominees Robert and Michelle King (The Good Fight, The Good Wife, Evil) and Liz Glotzer (Evil, The Good Fight). Emmy-nominated and BAFTA-winning writer/director Edward Berger (Patrick Melrose) executive produces and directs the first three episodes.

Sky releases official trailer for The Undoing launching on Sky Atlantic on 26 October

A Sky Atlantic limited series based on the book You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz, Grace Fraser (Kidman) is living the only life she ever wanted for herself. She’s a successful therapist, has a devoted husband and young son who attends an elite private school in New York City. Overnight a chasm opens in her life: a violent death, a missing husband, and, in the place of a man Grace thought she knew, only a chain of terrible revelations. Left behind in the wake of a spreading and very public disaster and horrified by the ways in which she has failed to heed her own advice, Grace must dismantle one life and create another for her child and herself.

Directed by Academy and Emmy award-winning director, Susanne Bier (Brothers, After the Wedding, In a Better World, Birdbox) and written by David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, The Practice, Boston Legal, Picket Fences), The Undoing stars Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Donald Sutherland, Noah Jupe, Edgar Ramirez, Lily Rabe, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Matilda DeAngeli and Noma Dumezweni. The limited series is also created by Executive Producers Susanne Bier; Nicole Kidman and Per Saari for Blossom Films; Bruna Papandrea for Made Up Stories; Stephen Garrett and Celia Costas.

Sophie Okonedo joins an all-star cast in the third series of critically acclaimed Sky original anarchic drama Britannia

Sky today announces that BAFTA and Academy Award® nominated actress Sophie Okonedo (Ratched, Death on the Nile) joins an all-star cast in the third series of critically acclaimed, Sky original drama Britannia. The series, which is currently filming in the UK, is an epic genre-bending tale of clashing civilisations and religions set in a wold of mythic Celtic tribes, psychedelic druids and terrifying Romans, as a young girl tries to build a rebel alliance with a group of misfits.

Created by the multi-award-winning writers Jez Butterworth, his brother Tom Butterworth and James Richardson. Britannia is produced by Vertigo Films and Neal Street Productions and brings a moment of our history to life like never seen before on TV with humour, heart and violence.

Sophie will star as Hemple, the wife of General Aulus (David Morrissey), who arrives in Britannia to find out why her husband has failed with Lokka’s mission to capture the chosen one, Cait. If he isn’t up to the job, she certainly is. Series three also sees the return of actors David Morrissey, Mackenzie Crook, Annabel Scholey, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Eleanor Worthington-Cox, and ZoĆ« Wanamaker.

Sophie Okonedo said: “I’m so glad to be plunged into the weird and wonderful world of Britannia. I was already a fan of the show and its writers Jez and Tom Butterworth, so I jumped for joy when they offered me the wonderful character of Hemple. Without giving too much away I’ll just say this woman has a huge appetite…”

Wednesday 23 September 2020

New Sky original comedy Bloods begins filming in London Starring Samson Kayo and Jane Horrocks

Lucy Punch, Julian Barratt, Adrian Scarborough, Kevin Garry, Sam Campbell and Aasiya Shah join the cast of Sky’s new paramedic comedy

Filming has begun on new Sky original Bloods. Starring BAFTA nominated Samson Kayo (Famalam, Truthseekers) and Golden Globe nominated Jane Horrocks (Absolutely Fabulous, Little Voice), the series follows a pair of seemingly mismatched paramedics and their fellow ambulance station colleagues through the life-saving world of a south London emergency service. Made for Sky by Bafta award-winning Roughcut TV (Stath Lets Flats, People Just Do Nothing, Cuckoo) Bloods will air on Sky One and NOW TV in 2021.

Joining Kayo and Horrocks for emergency callouts, the ensemble paramedic cast will include; Lucy Punch (Motherland), Julian Barratt (Mighty Boosh) Adrian Scarborough (Gavin and Stacey), Kevin Garry (Absolutely Fine), Sam Campbell (Melbourne International Comedy Festival Barry Award winner) and Aasiya Shah (Raised By Wolves) .

The six-part Sky original is shot on location in South London and follows tough-acting loner Maleek (Kayo) and his over-friendly divorcee paramedic colleague Wendy (Horrocks). Their partnership looks dead on arrival. But pretty soon they’re giving each other life support. An ensemble comedy, set within the fast-paced, never-ending rush of 999 call outs, Bloods charts Maleek and Wendy’s struggle to gain the respect of their fellow paramedics. Each 30-minute episode will bring humorous relief to the world and characters of the paramedic service and recognises the talent of those who put their own lives at risk in an emergency to help keep us safe and healthy.

Samson Kayo said: “I’m super excited to show the world Bloods especially because I almost became a paramedic. Lucky for the NHS, I chose to play the character instead! I’m looking forward to hopefully bringing a bag of laughs to Sky with the lovely team at Roughcut who have some quality comedies under their belt!”

Jane Horrocks said: “I am very much looking forward to working on Bloods and being paired with the extremely funny Samson Kayo. I know nothing of the world of paramedics, but maybe I need to overcome my fear of blood before I start.”

Little Mix The Search - Q&A


Little Mix The Search will see the multi-award winning group (Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock) creating bands and becoming mentors to a new wave of talent.

The singers who make it into new bands will live together and gain access to Little Mix’s inner circle who have contributed to their phenomenal success, including creative directors, vocal coaches, music directors, choreographers and producers.


What’s your ambition for the series? 

Leigh-Anne: To find the next best big group and be the best mentors that we can be. 

Perrie: We wanted the show to be different and unique, and feel fresh and young. We also hoped we would find amazing talent, as if we haven't got amazing talent it doesn’t work. Luckily the talent was so good. The show is everything we wanted it to be. 

How is LMTS different to other talent shows? 

Jesy: I think it’s more current and fresh. It’s nice to see mentors who can relate to everything, who are living proof that a show like this can make you successful.

Leigh-Anne: The format is completely different to any other talent show. Us girls have been through it, we've been in their shoes and auditioned before. We’ve been successful - we’ve lived it. We can help them and guide them, and hopefully they can follow in our footsteps in terms of success.

Jade: It’s really authentic. We’ve lived the experience ourselves. As mentors we're hands on and want to support them during and after the show. It’s a new way of doing things and we don’t follow the stereotypical rules of a talent TV show. We want to really support the acts, and I think that will really resonate with the audience watching. 

How do you hope fans will react when they tune into Little Mix The Search? 

Jesy: I hope they love it as much as we love it. I hope they think the talent is good. I feel confident they will! 

Jade: I think they’ll be quite overwhelmed at how much talent there is on the show. We’ve had so many incredible singers and artists. It will give people an insight into our friendship as a group. It will be nice for people to see us open up more. People don’t see that side of us all the time.

How was filming the audition stages of the show? 

Leigh-Anne: It was really fun. It was actually amazing to know all these incredible singers wanted to be on our show. We were really happy with the talent we found.

Jade: It was really bizarre being on the other side of it and having to judge people. It was very emotional knowing you’ve had to let someone down. At the time when you get a no it can feel the worst thing ever. It was emotionally draining going home knowing you’ve let someone down. But at the same time, it’s amazing when you find insanely talented people so it's rewarding at the same time.

What are you looking for in the contestants of LMTS? 

Perrie: We’re looking for someone who has that dynamic they can bring to the group. A friendly personality, but their talent needs to be off the scale. We’re looking for the full package. 

Jade: It isn’t just enough to be an amazing singer. You need authenticity, people love to love the person behind the music. Someone that has something very interesting about them. I love the people that come to the show knowing what sort of artists they are. That confidence and awareness is appealing to me. 

You’ve filmed the auditions already, are you happy with your line up?

Perrie: Completely! The whole time we were doing the auditions, we kept looking at each other and saying we can’t believe these people have auditioned for our TV show. 

Have there been any moments that have really stood out to you so far? 

Leigh-Anne: Every now and again you get that one audition that sticks out. My favourite audition was two boys; they are brothers and an r'n'b rap group. It was really emotional. Sometimes people just connect with you, and it was a nice moment. 

Perrie: Certain people when they auditioned made me cry. When you have that connection vocally, it really moves you. We all feel something unique, and we all react differently.

Jade: When we chose the final bands line up. Seeing their journey from their first audition to on stage, we were blown away by how well they gelled. I love that feeling you get when something really special happening in front of you, it’s really exciting. 

How was it being on the other side, and judging rather than auditioning? 

Jade: With great power comes great responsibility. We all felt it at the beginning with our first nos, it was so hard to say it. As we got into it we realised there was only a certain amount of spaces and we had to decide if people were ready. It's exciting to give someone a platform. 

Jesy: I really enjoyed it because I felt we could give a lot of advice that they genuinely took on board. They know we’ve been in that position, which I think helps put them at ease.

Do you have any regrets from auditions? Anyone upon reflection you wish you’d put through? 

Leigh-Anne: Yes I do have some regrets. It's annoying when you watch it back and think 'why did I say no to them'. There are also people that the other girls didn’t put through which I'm sad about.

Perrie: I went into this saying I just wanted to be true to myself. There were times when people would fight hard for their place and I'd think - go on then! I wish I’d been more stern but it’s hard when you see how much they want it. Certain people won me over, but deep down I knew it wasn't right.

Did you have any disagreements between yourselves during the auditions? Did you fall out at all over decisions on who to put through to the next stage? 

Leigh-Anne: There’s quite a few times where my face says it’s all! We all have different tastes in music, so we’re bound to disagree sometimes.

Jesy: We didn’t fall out, but we defo had disagreements. It didn’t surprise me though, as we all have different taste in music.

Jade: We definitely had disagreements. A couple of times maybe I went off in a huff! There are moments we couldn’t believe someone wouldn’t put someone through. It’s inevitable that we’re not always gonna agree on certain people. But we all respect each other's opinion.

Did you feel bad having to let anyone go/give negative (constructive) feedback?

Perrie: I found that really difficult. Difficult being the decider. Because I’ve been there and I know how much that 'yes' means. I rang my mum crying at one point, as I found it so hard saying no to people. I know how hard it hits when it’s something you're passionate about.

Leigh-Anne: Yeah there was one girl, I felt she was too young. It’s not like we’re giving negative feedback, it’s all very constructive. Sometimes people just aren’t ready, and it would be unfair to put them through if we know that. 

Jesy: It wasn’t nice to send people home. I struggled with that, because we know exactly how that feels.  

Can you give us any intel about the live shows?

Jade: There’ll be a few surprises. It’s six completely different bands, different genres, and they’ll each bring their own thing, and each be in control of what they want to do. Oh and defo expect some Little Mix performances!

Leigh-Anne: They’re gonna be massive! We’re excited because the performances are gonna be HUGE. 

Jesy: It’s gonna be really different because each group will bring their own vibe and their own style of performance.

Did you have memories of your time auditioning on a talent show? 

Perrie: I didn’t want to do it, but my mum forced me. I’m really thankful now! I was painfully shy and didn’t wanna do anything that would embarrass myself. 

Jade: I just remember being terrified. And when you're nervous it affects your vocals. I sympathise with people whose nerves get the better of them. I remember thinking 'if you nail this it could change your life', which is quite a surreal feeling to have. 

Quite a few of the contestants were really nervous; do you have tips on how you overcome your own nerves if you’re ever in that position? 

Leigh-Anne: Some nerves are good, as it shows you care. It’s all about breathing techniques. It’s so hard to control nerves, but you can overcome it. Once you feel the support it definitely helps.

Perrie: It’s easier said than done, but if you’re gonna let your nerves get in the way, you’re not gonna do well. It’s 30 seconds, so fake it 'til you make it! Put on a character, pretend it’s not you. 

Do you think these shows are the best way to break into the music industry? 

Jesy: Not necessarily, but I do think it gives people a massive platform. You get to build a fanbase and showcase your talent for people in the industry like management and labels, so it's all exposure.

Leigh-Anne: It’s what you do after that is important. You have to create music that people will buy into and show who you are as an artist.

Jade: For someone like me from a working class background, I couldn’t afford to move to London, or pay for studio time. My resources were limited. So doing a show like this gives big opportunities. The Search puts people through their paces, and that experience is priceless even if you don’t win. There’s so much experience to be had. 

What has been your most memorable experience during your career so far? 

Perrie: Just being in the group, with all the laughs and success we’ve had. Doing it together has made it incredible.

Jade: When we won our first Brit award. That was such a whirlwind couple of weeks. We were on tour with Ariana in the USA at the same time, and that moment I thought we’d really made it. It was one of those pinch me moments! We were used to being the underdog up until that point. When we were given that Brit, it was like we were seen and recognised as artists.

What top qualities do you think it takes to be in a globally successful band? 

Leigh-Anne: Dedication, drive and commitment. You need to basically want it and work hard. 

Jade: It’s essential you’re all on the same wavelength about what you wanna be as a group. To be able to see the bigger picture and support each other. You’ve got to work hard for it, support each other and let each other shine.

Who would be in your dream pop super group - if you could take members from any different pop group ever?  

Leigh-Anne: Mel B, Normani, Emma Bunton, BeyoncƩ and all of Little Mix!

Perrie: Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Mel C, Gary Barlow, Diana Ross 

Jesy: Missy Elliot, Normani, BeyoncĆ© and myself! 

Jade: Normani, Missy Elliot, myself and TLC’s Left Eye 

What’s the best piece of advice about the industry/your career you have ever been given and who gave it to you? 

Leigh-Anne: Know your power, believe in yourself and don't let anyone dim your light. 

Jesy: 'Don’t read comments'. Nicola Roberts told me that.

Sum the show up in three words 

Jade: Fun, fresh, authentic 

Leigh-Anne: Electrifying, trailblazing, fun 

Perrie: Fresh, fun, exciting 

Jesy: Unique, current, fun 

Sunday 20 September 2020

TikTok Statement On Proposed Deal Blessed By Donald Trump

"We are pleased that the proposal by TikTok, Oracle, and Walmart will resolve the security concerns of the US Administration and settle questions around TikTok's future in the US.

"As part of this proposal, Oracle will become our trusted technology provider, responsible for hosting all US user data and securing associated computer systems to ensure US national security requirements are fully satisfied. We are currently working with Walmart on a commercial partnership as well. Both companies will take part in a TikTok Global pre-IPO financing round in which they can take up to a 20% cumulative stake in the company. We will also maintain and expand TikTok's Global headquarters in the US, while bringing 25,000 jobs across the country.

"TikTok has won the hearts of hundreds of millions of people around the world, including 100 million Americans, because it's a home for entertainment, connection, and expression. We're delighted that the individuals who've turned their creativity on TikTok into thriving careers, the small businesses using TikTok to reach customers during the pandemic, and the families who've found joy and connection through our platform will be able to use TikTok for many years to come.

"Our team works tirelessly to provide a safe and inclusive platform and we're thrilled that we will be able to continue serving our amazingly diverse and creative community."

Friday 18 September 2020

Celebrity Karaoke Club


ITV2
Wed 23 Sep 2020
10.00pm - 11.00pm

Seven celebrities unleash their vocals as they head into a karaoke bar with the hopes of winning this exciting music competition. Whether their voice is like Mariah Carey or Mariah Scarey, in this competition it’s all about the love of karaoke and commanding a stage - in everything from epic solo performances to group battles.

But there’s a twist, because the people they will have to impress are their fellow competitors, every celebrity karaoke singer is also a karaoke judge. At the end of every episode they’ll be sending someone home, with new celebrities joining the competition also hoping to be crowned the karaoke king or queen.

The celebrities heading into Karaoke Club for the competition are:

TV favourite Scarlett Moffatt
Comedian and Loose Women favourite Judi Love
Comedian and TV host Joel Dommett
International drag queen and entertainer Courtney Act
TV and radio presenter Roman Kemp
Ibiza Weekender’s David Potts
TV and radio presenter Melvin Odoom
Reality star Jessica Wright
Comedian and impressionist Luke Kempner
Singer and actress Diana Vickers
Drag Race’s Baga Chipz
Singer-songwriter Tallia Storm
Love Island's Samira Mighty

In between the rounds the stars can grab a cocktail at the bar or have a good old gossip about their rivals in the toilets, because when the singing stops, the competition really begins. Can the stars form alliances with their fellow competitors and let popularity propel them to victory? Or will they rely on their performance to steal the top spot?

Episode 1

This brand new series sees Scarlett Moffatt, Courtney Act, Jess Wright, Melvin Odoom, Tallia Storm, Luke Kempner and David Potts  take to the karaoke stage with the hopes of being crowned the ultimate karaoke star. Whether their voice is like Mariah Carey or Mariah Scarey, in this competition it’s all about the performance. But there’s a twist, because every celebrity karaoke singer is also a karaoke judge and they are all voting to kick someone out of the club at the end of the night.

And that’s not all because as the drinks starts flowing so does that gossip, and our famous faces chat about everything from their rivals, to threesomes, and who has slid into their DMs.

Channel 4 commissions new crime thriller Before We Die starring Lesley Sharp


Channel 4 has commissioned six-part crime thriller, Before We Die, starring Lesley Sharp, Vincent Regan and Patrick Gibson, from newly formed production company, Eagle Eye Drama, launched by the same team behind global drama brand, Walter Presents.

Based on the hit Swedish series of the same name, Before We Die is set in Bristol and is Eagle Eye’s second drama commission.

Lesley Sharp (Scott & Bailey, Three Girls, Bob & Rose) leads the cast as detective Hannah Laing who becomes deeply conflicted when she discovers her son is playing a crucial role as an undercover informant in a brutal murder investigation. Patrick Gibson (The Tudors, The OA) plays the role of her mixed-up son, Christian, while Croatian actor Toni Gojanović, who starred in HBO Europe’s recent hit series, Success, will take on the role of Davor Mimica the leader of the criminal gang. Vincent Regan (Troy, 300, Wallander) stars as Billy Murdoch, a non-conformist investigator, who is seconded to Hannah’s unit to advise on Eastern European drug gangs.

Channel 4 Head of Drama Caroline Hollick, who commissioned the series, says: “Every episode of Before We Die is a rollercoaster of excitement – and I’m so delighted to have Lesley Sharp bring her trademark gravitas and charisma to Channel 4.  It’s a privilege to be part of this truly inspiring European collaboration.”

Thursday 17 September 2020

Sundance Now - The Bureau Season 5 Trailer


Garnering critical acclaim across the globe and winning awards galore, French spy thriller THE BUREAU is probably one of the greatest TV series you’ve never heard of…But that’s about to change as Sundance Now UK, the AMC Networks’ streaming service available as an Amazon Prime add on, has the exclusive UK premiere of THE BUREAU, Season 5. This exclusive Sundance Now series is streaming now in full (September 17, 2020).

https://amzn.to/2RAQapC - You can watch individual episodes on Amazon, or click the "Watch with Sundance" link for a free trial!

THE BUREAU, Complete 1 – 5 Seasons is also now available exclusively on Sundance Now in the UK. Hailed as “the smartest and most authentic-feeling procedural espionage series anywhere in the world” by The New York Times, the suspense filled series, from creator and showrunner Ɖric Rochant (Mafiosa, The Patriots) takes us into the undercover world of French agents at the DGSE, France’s leading intelligence centre.

Within the DGSE (Directorate General of External Security), the "Office of Legends" operate the most valuable members of the French intelligence services: secret agents. Spending prolonged amounts of time immersed in hostile countries, these operatives are tasked with identifying potential sources of intelligence among the people they come into contact with. Operating under a fabricated identity, they live for years in a permanent state of double identity, between an apparently normal life and their covert intelligence activity. The thrilling first series begins with one of the top agents, Malotru, (Mathieu Kassovitz, AmĆ©lie, The Fifth Element, La Haine) recalled from a lengthy undercover mission in Damascus. Although lauded as a hero by the Bureau, can he settle back into his old life after six years as someone else? And what about the Syrian girlfriend he left behind… is she who she says she is, or could she be his downfall? The highly anticipated 10-part fifth season features two episodes directed by renowned award-winning director Jacques Audiard (Rust and Bone, A Prophet).

JJA (Mathieu Amalric, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Quantum of Solace), Director of Internal Security, has taken over the running of the office as Marie-Jeanne (Florence Loiret Caille, The Little Bedroom) is testing her fieldwork skills in Egypt. The DGSE is shaken by rumours published about Malotru’s (Kassovitz) fate: is he dead or alive and what role did the DGSE and the CIA play? The leaks bring back old demons for JJA, increasing his paranoia and worrying his closest collaborators, Sisteron (Jonathan ZaccaĆÆ, Robin Hood) and Ellenstein (Jules Sagot, You’ll Be a Man). His fears are raised when new agent, Mille Sabords (Louis Garrel, Little Women), tries to approach the Saudi secret services while investigating the sacrificial victim Paul Lefebvre. Another collateral casualty of Malotru’s disappearance is CĆ©sar (Stefan Crepon), the genius geek who infiltrated the best cyber-attackers of the FSB, who are now preparing a large-scale operation.

Exclusive Premiere: Thursday, September 17, 2020 Episodes: 10

https://amzn.to/2RAQapC - You can watch individual episodes on Amazon, or click the "Watch with Sundance" link for a free trial!



AMC Networks’ streaming service Sundance Now is for culture craving TV watchers looking for their next series to obsess over and offers a rich selection of original and exclusive series from engrossing true crime to heart-stopping dramas and fiercely intelligent thrillers from around the world as well as star-studded films and fascinating documentaries, all streaming commercial-free. New programmes are added every week. Sundance Now UK is available as an add-on subscription service through Amazon Prime Video Channels.

Wednesday 16 September 2020

Competition: Win The Man Who Killed Don Quixote DVD


The Man Who Killed Don Quixote is released on September 21st on DVD and Blu-ray

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies to give away on DVD

Synopsis
See 2020 Oscar and BAFTA Nominees Adam Driver and Jonathan Pryce spar in the lead roles in this visually stunning epic adventure.

Toby, a cynical advertising director, finds himself trapped in the outrageous delusions of an old Spanish shoe-maker who believes himself to be Don Quixote. In the course of their comic and increasingly surreal adventures, Toby is forced to confront the tragic repercussions of a film he made in his idealistic youth – a film that changed the hopes and dreams of a small Spanish village forever. Can Toby make amends and regain his humanity? Can Don Quixote survive his madness and imminent death? Or will love conquer all?

Buy From Amazon at
https://amzn.to/2ZIC9L8

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 28-09-20
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

Tuesday 15 September 2020

The Mandalorian - Season 2 Trailer!


Disney has released the first trailer for The Mandalorian‘s much-anticipated second season, landing on Disney+ in October.

“Wherever I go, he goes.”

A second season, consisting of eight episodes, is scheduled to premiere on October 30, 2020.

Saturday 12 September 2020

Channel 4 to broadcast free to air coverage of Autumn Nations Cup


Channel 4 will show live free to air television coverage of England’s clash with Ireland when the rugby giants meet in the Autumn Nations Cup this November.

Channel 4 - the only place where viewers can enjoy free to air television coverage of the tournament - will also show exclusive live coverage of the inaugural competition’s opening match between Ireland and Wales. In addition to three live matches, Channel 4 will broadcast highlights from all the rounds of the eight-team tournament after striking a deal with Amazon Prime Video.

Channel 4 teamed up with Amazon Prime Video to ensure rugby fans can enjoy the entire tournament with Prime Video showing a range of games exclusively which will be available to Prime Members. This tournament follows hard on the heels of the conclusion of the Guinness Six Nations. Prime Video will also carry live coverage of England vs Ireland alongside Channel 4s live coverage.

The Autumn Nations Cup has been lined up to replace the autumn rugby internationals which have been kyboshed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The competition opens on Friday, 13th November, when Ireland take on Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin live on Channel 4. The cup competition will be held over four weeks and features all Six Nations teams – England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales – who will be joined by Georgia and Fiji.

Channel 4’s Head of Sport Pete Andrews said: “We’re delighted to have teamed up with Amazon to bring rugby fans this fantastic tournament. It’s thrilling to be offering first class live international rugby on Channel 4 and it’s great to be launching the tournament live on a Friday night with Ireland v Wales. The England Ireland match-up the following week is a mouth-watering prospect live on Channel 4.

As well as live coverage of Ireland vs Wales (13.11.20) and England vs Ireland (21.11.20), Ireland’s game against Georgia (29.11.20) will also be live on Channel 4.

England will be in one pool with Georgia, Ireland and Wales while France, Fiji, Italy and Scotland make up the other pool. Channel 4 will carry highlights of the tournament’s conclusion, the finals weekend on 6th December. After playing other teams in their pool, the leaders of each table will play each other in a final. A finals weekend will also see the second placed teams of both groups play each other, both third placed teams play and so on. Channel 4's coverage will be produced by Sunset + Vine Wales.

Channel 4 will also be showing live coverage of the Heineken Champions Cup Final on 17th October, about one month before the Autumn Nations Cup kicks off.

Donald Fear WINS £1,000,000 with THREE lifelines left! | Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? | ITV


The phrase Jeremy Clarkson has been waiting to say, "DONALD FEAR… YOU HAVE JUST WON A MILLION POUNDS!"

The sixth UK million pound winner, 14 years in the making, is... Donald Fear!

Monday 7 September 2020

Doc Martin hangs up his stethoscope


The production team behind the hugely successful ITV drama Doc Martin have confirmed the next series, which begins filming in 2021, will be the final instalment in the life of the grumpy Cornish GP.

In spite of his cantankerous bed side manner, Doc Martin has won legions of fans in the UK and around the world for his incisive diagnoses and medical excellence as he treats patients in the sleepy Cornish fishing village of Portwenn where he spent holidays as a child.  His on-off love affair and eventual marriage to Louisa, played by long standing co-star Caroline Catz, created rare tender moments between the two characters as Martin often found it difficult to reveal his true feelings for her. 

Series 10 will begin filming in the spring of 2021 with the drama then airing on ITV later that year.

Explaining their decision Martin Clunes and producer Philippa Braithwaite on behalf of production company, Buffalo Pictures, would like fans to embrace the final series and view it as a celebration of the character who has struck a chord with millions of viewers.

Commented Martin Clunes and Philippa Braithwaite:

“We have loved making nine series of Doc Martin.  When we launched the series in 2004 we could never have imagined how much our loyal viewers would take to the grumpy Doc like they have.  The series has avid fans both in the UK and throughout the world and we are thrilled that Doc Martin has topped the ratings every time.

However, after sixteen years we now feel that the time has come to say goodbye to Portwenn.  We will be making the tenth and final series in 2021 and we are very much looking forward to returning to Cornwall to film it.”

Piers Morgan’s Life Stories - Captain Sir Tom Moore


Sun 13 Sep 2020
8.00pm - 9.00pm

Captain Sir Tom Moore joins Piers Morgan to look back on his extraordinary life - which spans an entire century.

He reflects on the devastating accident which left him in intensive care at the age of 98 - and how his gratitude to the NHS and battle to regain mobility led to his record-breaking charity walk.

Tom reveals the untold story of his first marriage - and how his beloved second wife Pamela brought him happiness and a family before her tragic terminal illness left him rebuilding his life once again.

He also takes stock of his wartime service in Burma, and gives Piers a touching insight into how, after his fundraising heroics made him a global phenomenon, his life has changed at the age of 100.

The Singapore Grip - ITV


Sun 13 Sep 2020
9.00pm - 10.00pm

Series overview
Adapted from Booker Prize winner J.G. Farrell’s novel by Oscar winning screenwriter and playwright Sir Christopher Hampton (Atonement, Dangerous Liaisons), The Singapore Grip stars Luke Treadaway, David Morrissey, Jane Horrocks, Colm Meaney and Charles Dance. Former Coronation Street actor Elizabeth Tan and rising star Georgia Blizzard will also star as leads in the highly anticipated series.

An epic story set during World War Two, The Singapore Grip focuses on a British family living in Singapore at the time of the Japanese invasion.

Olivier Award winning actor Luke Treadaway (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Ordeal By Innocence, Traitors) plays the reluctant hero and innocent abroad Matthew Webb.

Award winning actor, David Morrissey (The Missing, Britannia, The Walking Dead) takes the role of ruthless rubber merchant Walter Blackett, who is head of British Singapore’s oldest and most powerful firm alongside his business partner Webb played by Charles Dance OBE (Game of Thrones, And Then There Were None).

With Webb’s health failing, Walter needs to ensure the future of their firm is secure. He decides Webb’s son Matthew is the perfect match for his spoilt daughter Joan (Georgia Blizzard). Matthew’s idealism leaves Walter increasingly suspicious as Matthew himself falls under the spell of Vera Chiang (Elizabeth Tan), a mysterious Chinese refugee.

Episode 1
For rubber baron Walter Blackett and his family, 1941 Singapore is full of wealth and privilege, and the horrors of war-torn Europe a distant whisper. With his company’s silver jubilee approaching, Walter looks to consolidate his power as his elderly partner, Mr Webb, moves further into retirement. With the issue of his legacy to consider, Walter must decide where to place his trust; in his wilful daughter Joan and the apple of his eye, or his son Monty, a reckless liability. But their world is rocked by the arrival of Vera Chiang, a mysterious Chinese dissident, seeking their aid.

Cast
Matthew Webb - Luke Treadaway
Walter Blackett - David Morrissey
Vera Chiang - Elizabeth Tan
Sylvia Blackett - Jane Horrocks
Mr Webb - Charles Dance
Major Brendan Archer - Colm Meaney
Joan Blackett - Georgia Blizzard
Monty Blackett - Luke Newberry
Capt. James Ehrendorf - Bart Edwards
Francois Dupigny - Christophe Guybet

Saturday 5 September 2020

Britain’s Got Talent - Q&A with Ashley Banjo



Britain’s Got Talent returns to ITV! Following the auditions in Spring, BGT is back for the semi-finals and grand finale.

We’ll welcome back the acts who impressed the judges and made it through to the semi-finals, not forgetting our golden buzzer acts, singer Fayth Ifil; comedian and singer, Jon Courtney; choir Sign Along With Us; comedian Nabil Abdulrashid; and mother and daughter singing duo, Honey and Sammy.

As usual, Ant and Dec will host the semi-finals whilst Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams will be joined by Ashley Banjo at the judges’ desk. Eight contestants will perform in each semi-final and the judges will choose one act to go through. The second finalist will then be chosen via public vote when the episode airs.

The series will then culminate with the live final, in October, where one act will triumph as Britain’s Got Talent 2020 Champion and win the life-changing £250,000 prize plus that coveted role on The Royal Variety Performance.


Q&A with Ashley Banjo

How does it feel to be joining the panel of Britain’s Got Talent?

As if 2020 couldn’t get any crazier! It’s super humbling and super exciting! I remember being on that stage last year and talking about how it’s been ten years since we won, and how people should never tell you, you can’t do something. Walking on that stage as a 20-year-old street dancer from the streets of East London and now I am walking out there and stepping in for the big man! It feels really nice, almost poetic.

What did you think when you heard the news about Simon’s accident?

First and foremost, me joining the show this year is bittersweet because I feel like this year has been full of horrible news. There are a few people over the course of Diversity’s career who have been integral and had a huge impact, and Simon’s one of those. So, to hear that he had had the accident was horrible. I’m just so glad to hear he’s recovering well.

You’ve got some big shoes to fill!

Do you know what? That’s the thing, if I was stepping in for any of the other judges then I’d feel that way, I’d feel nervous about it being big shoes to fill. But with Simon his shoes are well and truly on, no one can ever replace him or fill his shoes. I just feel like I am doing a job for him because Simon can never be replaced in that way. I’m just an addition to the panel, that’s the way I see it. It actually makes me less nervous, the fact I’m stepping in for Simon. To be honest anyone sitting in Simon’s chair would have to bring a level of respect where people go, ‘Do you know what? That person knows what they are talking about’. There’s no one more qualified than Simon when it comes to judging variety acts, and if you’re going to sit on that panel you better have some decent qualifications. But I think in terms of the niche of BGT I am a weirdly qualified person purely because of my journey on the show.

He’s TV’s ‘Mr. Nasty’, so will you be tough like him?

I’ll be tough on everyone! I won’t be Mr. Mean, just Mr. Honest. With a show like BGT there’s no mucking about. It’s not a celeb-based show, it’s not like everyone’s there just for entertainment, this is life changing stuff. I’m going to be sitting there questioning what they are doing, why would you use your two minutes to show the world what they can do and then do that? If that’s how I feel, then I’ll say it!

You are testament to how life changing this show is…

Absolutely. The other judges get it, of course they do, they’ve had as much experience as anyone. But they can never understand the show in the same way as I do. Hearing that title music for the show, even now sitting at home, when I hear that music it sends waves through my stomach. Even now all these years later, I hear that music and Ant and Dec saying, ‘Here’s Diversity…’. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Every time we go out there on that stage I think that this is us walking back in there after ten years and still being able to hold our own. I don’t know if anywhere in the world any other act has done that.

How did the rest of Diversity react when you told them the news?

So, we were on the tour bus and I was like, ‘Guys, I’m in chats about us doing a performance on BGT, so we might have some last-minute rehearsals to do’, and they were like, ‘Oh, OK, no problem, we’ve got this!’. Then I said, ‘And by the way, they want me to step in for Simon’. There was a moment of silence, then they started laughing and erupted into a big wave of noise which I shall not repeat! It was a special moment. They are super happy because we operate as a team, we’re in this together, so they are proud. I think they are prouder than I am!

You’ve had loads of experience being a TV judge, but will you approach BGT differently?

I think so, definitely. I’ve been a judge on other shows and I’ve worked in the industry for a long time now, but this feels personal to me, do you know what I mean? I feel like no other contestant from that show, or even Simon, has had the experience of Britain’s Got Talent that I have. To have been on the show all those years ago and to have then consistently kept the brand of Diversity going ever since, be out there working hard in the mainstream, and now becoming a judge on the show, that’s a very individual story. I’m super excited.

Do you feel any pressure?

Not with this no. I feel pressure every year to remain great at what we do and to keep pushing boundaries, so this is a humbling reward for responding to the pressure all the time. At the same time, you don’t want to sit on that panel and be a potato! You want to make sure you give input, that you’re valued and bring something to the show. So obviously I feel a bit of pressure but I’m just excited about giving it a go.

How are you feeling about working with Amanda, Alesha and David?

I know Alesha really well, Diversity’s only TV performance this year was with her. I know Amanda and although I don’t know David quite as well, he’s a character, right? So, I am super excited to be working with them and getting to see them in a different light.

As someone who has been in their shoes on this show and as a performer too, what’s your advice to them about dealing with the fact there’s no live studio audience?

They’ve got a set up that no one in the history of the show has ever had, so what some people might see as a disadvantage, like having no crowd, I as a performer would be trying to bounce off that and use the situation to my advantage. However you do that is down to you, it’s about showing your creativity. People are going to have to bring their A game, this is a tough challenge. It’s tough anyway but with the changes, it’s crazy. For a start they’ve got me when they will have been thinking about Simon as a judge, they probably haven’t got a clue what I’m looking for. That will bring a different element for them to think about.

Dance acts are always compared to Diversity, are you looking forward to seeing what they bring to the show this year?

Apparently the one to beat Diversity is in the show this year. I’ve been told X1X Crew are really good. They’ve been tipped as the people who might raise the bar on the show so how poetic is it that this is the year I am on the panel?

Have you got any idea what type of act you might like to see in the final?

It’s all so different! In a variety show like BGT it’s not like judging a dance competition or even a skating performance where you’re looking at the technicality. I feel like with BGT it has to be about how it makes you feel in the moment. Everyone is so different, there’s no even playing field, so you have to go with what hits you in the gut.

The semi-finals will hopefully put a smile on people’s faces…

This year has been crazy for everyone so absolutely I want BGT to remind everyone of how fun we are as a nation. BGT is a warm, family show which reminds us all how talented and eccentric this country is. You want to bring all of that this year more than ever before, 2020 is going to be a year that goes down in history, so I want BGT to be part of the positivity of that story.

Will fans see Diversity perform this year?

You may indeed! I never try and better what we did on the show the last time we performed, I always try and be in the moment. If you try and better what you did you’ll never succeed because we’re not the same people we were last year. Our story now is different. What we can say now is something else completely.