Acast, the world’s largest independent podcast company, today celebrates a decade of leading the podcast industry. Over the past 10 years, Acast has continued to expand its global footprint and today is home to nearly 125,000 podcasts, enabling advertisers to reach listeners in practically every country worldwide. Today, this has led to more than 37 billion ads served globally. Additionally, since launch, Acast has paid more than $300 million directly to creators around the globe.
In 2014, Acast opened its doors in Stockholm, Sweden, its name inspired by the idea Anyone Can Make A Cast. The business quickly expanded internationally to the UK, then around Europe with offices opening in Norway, Ireland, France, and Germany. In 2016, Acast shifted its sights to the other side of the Atlantic and opened its first North American office in New York City. Sydney, Australia soon followed. In 2021, Acast undertook an initial public offering to be traded on the Swedish stock exchange.
In 2014, Acast opened its doors in Stockholm, Sweden, its name inspired by the idea Anyone Can Make A Cast. The business quickly expanded internationally to the UK, then around Europe with offices opening in Norway, Ireland, France, and Germany. In 2016, Acast shifted its sights to the other side of the Atlantic and opened its first North American office in New York City. Sydney, Australia soon followed. In 2021, Acast undertook an initial public offering to be traded on the Swedish stock exchange.
- 4/25/2024
- Podnews.net
Exclusive: The race to replace Ralph Lee at the helm of BBC Studios Productions is underway, with the studio signaling its ambition by approaching some of the UK’s top unscripted executives.
Lee will step down as the CEO of BBC Studios Productions next month after a six-year stint to “pursue a new challenge” but Deadline is told that headhunter Russell Reynolds Associates is already scoping out successors.
The successful candidate will run a production unit that contributed heavily to BBC Studios’ £1.6B ($2B) content revenue last year, overseeing hits including Good Omens, Strictly Come Dancing, and David Attenborough’s natural history tentpoles.
Deadline understands that Russell Reynolds has held tentative early conversations with potential candidates including Stv Studios managing director David Mortimer, ITV Studios unscripted director Angela Jain and Karl Warner, Channel 4’s outgoing head of youth and digital.
Fatima Salaria, who previously ran The Apprentice producer Naked,...
Lee will step down as the CEO of BBC Studios Productions next month after a six-year stint to “pursue a new challenge” but Deadline is told that headhunter Russell Reynolds Associates is already scoping out successors.
The successful candidate will run a production unit that contributed heavily to BBC Studios’ £1.6B ($2B) content revenue last year, overseeing hits including Good Omens, Strictly Come Dancing, and David Attenborough’s natural history tentpoles.
Deadline understands that Russell Reynolds has held tentative early conversations with potential candidates including Stv Studios managing director David Mortimer, ITV Studios unscripted director Angela Jain and Karl Warner, Channel 4’s outgoing head of youth and digital.
Fatima Salaria, who previously ran The Apprentice producer Naked,...
- 3/14/2024
- by Max Goldbart and Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
My Dad Wrote a Porno host Alice Levine and The News Agents producer Dino Sofos are launching a British podcast festival.
The Crossed Wires festival will take place in Sheffield from May 31 to June 2, featuring the likes of Katherine Ryan, Jon Ronson, comedian Adam Buxton and Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing.
It is being organized by Levine, Sofos and James O’Hara, the latter of whom co-founded the Tramlines Festival, which also takes place in Sheffield.
“Crossed Wires is set to be podcasting’s biggest party,” said the organizers. “This new festival will host the most exciting podcasting talent in Sheffield for three days, so expect to bump into the voices you always have in your headphones at one of the food pop-ups, or rub shoulders with your favourite presenters at one of the many after parties.”
In a similar vein to Tramlines, Crossed Wires said venues around the city...
The Crossed Wires festival will take place in Sheffield from May 31 to June 2, featuring the likes of Katherine Ryan, Jon Ronson, comedian Adam Buxton and Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing.
It is being organized by Levine, Sofos and James O’Hara, the latter of whom co-founded the Tramlines Festival, which also takes place in Sheffield.
“Crossed Wires is set to be podcasting’s biggest party,” said the organizers. “This new festival will host the most exciting podcasting talent in Sheffield for three days, so expect to bump into the voices you always have in your headphones at one of the food pop-ups, or rub shoulders with your favourite presenters at one of the many after parties.”
In a similar vein to Tramlines, Crossed Wires said venues around the city...
- 3/7/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The Podcast Show, the biggest international festival for the business of podcasting, is back for a third year. The one-of-a-kind event will bring together industry leaders, brands, platforms and the sharpest new creators from across the globe to celebrate and help shape the future of podcasting. The festival will take place across two days at The Business Design Centre in Islington, London on 22 & 23 May 2024, in the heart of the city’s media district.
In May 2023, the show brought together over 10,000+ visitors (day and night) from the audio industry globally, to learn, do business and network. It was an extraordinary international celebration of the industry, with 40% of visitors coming from outside the UK. Over 40 countries were represented including: the US, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Canada, Spain, Denmark, South Korea, Brazil and more. The show featured some of the most recognisable names in podcasting including: Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel & Lewis Goodall,...
In May 2023, the show brought together over 10,000+ visitors (day and night) from the audio industry globally, to learn, do business and network. It was an extraordinary international celebration of the industry, with 40% of visitors coming from outside the UK. Over 40 countries were represented including: the US, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Canada, Spain, Denmark, South Korea, Brazil and more. The show featured some of the most recognisable names in podcasting including: Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel & Lewis Goodall,...
- 2/28/2024
- Podnews.net
Acast, the world’s largest independent podcast company and home to the most valuable podcast marketplace has worked with subculture specialists Weirdo to launch “Get Closer To Your Audience”, its biggest ever B2B brand campaign aimed at brands, marketers and advertisers. Rejecting the corporate conventions of B2B marketing, this Valentine’s Day, the campaign playfully connects dating and paid media marketing thanks to the performance talent of Acast podcaster and comedian Katherine Ryan.
The two commercials begin with Ryan, playing the role of a dating expert, seated in a corporate office with eyes locked on the camera. The fluorescent lighting dims, candles begin to flicker, and the mood heats up as Ryan begins to speak. She addresses the camera with a monologue inspired by the world of digital paid media, first with subtle implications of innuendo like “go, on, make an impression,” then a more provocative recommendation to “use that … tone of voice.
The two commercials begin with Ryan, playing the role of a dating expert, seated in a corporate office with eyes locked on the camera. The fluorescent lighting dims, candles begin to flicker, and the mood heats up as Ryan begins to speak. She addresses the camera with a monologue inspired by the world of digital paid media, first with subtle implications of innuendo like “go, on, make an impression,” then a more provocative recommendation to “use that … tone of voice.
- 2/19/2024
- Podnews.net
Exclusive: 3 Arts veteran Josh Lieberman is leaving the management and production company to join Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Also joining Brillstein is Allie Veneris of Authentic Talent & Literary Management.
“We’re excited to continue our focused expansion with the addition of Josh and Allie,” said Jon Liebman and Cynthia Pett, Brillstein’s co-ceo’s. “They have great clients, great taste, and great futures ahead.”
Lieberman was at 3 Arts for almost two decades, having started at the company — now majority owned by Lionsgate — in June 2004 as an assistant.
The list of his clients, dominated by multi-hyphenates in the comedy space, include Dave Attell, Atsuko Okatsuka, Karan Soni, Moshe Kasher, Katherine Ryan, Vanessa Gonzalez, Noah Garfinkel, Brent Morin, David Nihill, Jiaoying Summers, Sara Weinshenk, Jessi Cruickshank, Sarah Burns, Marc Evan Jackson as well as WWE’s Sami Zayn.
For Veneris, this marks a return to Brillstein where she was a college intern in the early 2010s.
“We’re excited to continue our focused expansion with the addition of Josh and Allie,” said Jon Liebman and Cynthia Pett, Brillstein’s co-ceo’s. “They have great clients, great taste, and great futures ahead.”
Lieberman was at 3 Arts for almost two decades, having started at the company — now majority owned by Lionsgate — in June 2004 as an assistant.
The list of his clients, dominated by multi-hyphenates in the comedy space, include Dave Attell, Atsuko Okatsuka, Karan Soni, Moshe Kasher, Katherine Ryan, Vanessa Gonzalez, Noah Garfinkel, Brent Morin, David Nihill, Jiaoying Summers, Sara Weinshenk, Jessi Cruickshank, Sarah Burns, Marc Evan Jackson as well as WWE’s Sami Zayn.
For Veneris, this marks a return to Brillstein where she was a college intern in the early 2010s.
- 1/10/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris Rock, David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, Hannah Gadsby, Seth Rogen, and Tom Brady (yes, that Tom Brady) are among the comedians and non-comedians set to appear at the 2024 Netflix Is a Joke festival.
Kevin Hart, John Mulaney, Ali Wong, Chelsea Handler, Maya Rudolph, Nate Bargatze, Nick Kroll, Kumail Nanjiani, Tim Robinson, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Patton Oswalt are just some of the dozens of A-list comics also on the bill when the fest hits venues across Los Angeles between May 2 and 12.
Despite all the comic legends, the name that stands out the most is Brady’s,...
Kevin Hart, John Mulaney, Ali Wong, Chelsea Handler, Maya Rudolph, Nate Bargatze, Nick Kroll, Kumail Nanjiani, Tim Robinson, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Patton Oswalt are just some of the dozens of A-list comics also on the bill when the fest hits venues across Los Angeles between May 2 and 12.
Despite all the comic legends, the name that stands out the most is Brady’s,...
- 12/13/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Netflix is bringing back its “Netflix Is a Joke Fest,” which so far has lined up more than 300 live events across 35 venues in Los Angeles. The event, last held in 2022, will include Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan, Nate Bargatze and Sebastian Maniscalco in a night of comedy at the Hollywood Bowl; also holding stand-up shows there are Bill Burr, John Mulaney, Seth Rogen, Matt Rife, Kevin Hart, Trevor Noah and a joint show with Taylor Tomlinson, Sarah Silverman, Nikki Glaser and Michelle Buteau.
Netflix produces the festival with Live Nation; this year’s event will take place from May 2 to May 12, 2024. Besides the Bowl, other venues on tap include The Greek, The Dolby, The Forum, The Palladium, Orpheum Theatre and The Wiltern, as well as well as comedy venues including The Hollywood Improv, Largo, Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store.
“This is a special time for comedy, both for Netflix and the genre at large,...
Netflix produces the festival with Live Nation; this year’s event will take place from May 2 to May 12, 2024. Besides the Bowl, other venues on tap include The Greek, The Dolby, The Forum, The Palladium, Orpheum Theatre and The Wiltern, as well as well as comedy venues including The Hollywood Improv, Largo, Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store.
“This is a special time for comedy, both for Netflix and the genre at large,...
- 12/13/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix’s L.A.-based comedy festival, Netflix is a Joke Fest, has unveiled the lineup for its 2024 edition, taking place from May 2-12.
This installment of the streamer’s star-studded celebration of comedy, produced in association with Live Nation, will feature over 300 events, covering everything from stand-up to sketch performance, table reads and more. View highlights from the lineup below.
While talent and schedule for the festival are subject to change, further headliners will be announced in the new year. Shows will take place at more than 35 of the city’s most iconic venues, from the Hollywood Bowl and The Greek to Largo, The Hollywood Improv and The Comedy Store.
Set to serve as a festival hub, featuring everything from live stand-up and cast game shows to lawn games, is Outside Joke, an outdoor entertainment space located next to the Hollywood Palladium. Tickets to all events go on sale...
This installment of the streamer’s star-studded celebration of comedy, produced in association with Live Nation, will feature over 300 events, covering everything from stand-up to sketch performance, table reads and more. View highlights from the lineup below.
While talent and schedule for the festival are subject to change, further headliners will be announced in the new year. Shows will take place at more than 35 of the city’s most iconic venues, from the Hollywood Bowl and The Greek to Largo, The Hollywood Improv and The Comedy Store.
Set to serve as a festival hub, featuring everything from live stand-up and cast game shows to lawn games, is Outside Joke, an outdoor entertainment space located next to the Hollywood Palladium. Tickets to all events go on sale...
- 12/13/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Meera Syal, Alison Hammond and the BBC’s Black Ops creator Gbemisola Ikumelo scooped awards at this afternoon’s Women in Film & TV Awards 2023.
Syal was handed a lifetime achievement award a few months after being given the same by BAFTA in what is turning out to be quite the year for the Goodness Gracious Me star, as she joined past winners including Judi Dench, Helen Mirren and Glenda Jackson. Syal, who was presented the trophy by Lenny Henry, said she was honored “to be celebrating this with so many inspirational, talented women that I have the privilege to share an industry with.”
Hammond won best presenter for her work on ITV’s This Morning and Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off at the London awards. Ikumelo, meanwhile, one of the UK’s buzziest up-and-coming creatives, was given the performance gong for her leading role in the BBC’s Black Ops,...
Syal was handed a lifetime achievement award a few months after being given the same by BAFTA in what is turning out to be quite the year for the Goodness Gracious Me star, as she joined past winners including Judi Dench, Helen Mirren and Glenda Jackson. Syal, who was presented the trophy by Lenny Henry, said she was honored “to be celebrating this with so many inspirational, talented women that I have the privilege to share an industry with.”
Hammond won best presenter for her work on ITV’s This Morning and Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off at the London awards. Ikumelo, meanwhile, one of the UK’s buzziest up-and-coming creatives, was given the performance gong for her leading role in the BBC’s Black Ops,...
- 12/1/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Veeps, the streaming platform founded by Joel and Benji Madden, is expanding its reach to include a comedy vertical featuring new specials from superstars like David Cross, Brad Williams, Katherine Ryan and Reggie Watts.
The Live Nation Entertainment-affiliated company will also be the exclusive streaming home for select sets from Sf Sketchfest’s 21st edition in early 2024.
Since 2018, Veeps has streamed performances to millions of viewers worldwide for artists including Billie Eilish, Bob Dylan, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon and thousands more, with the content available on Veeps.com and via apps on Apple TV, Roku, iOS and Android. In October, the company announced the launch of Veeps All Access, a subscription model affording unlimited access to livestream and on-demand content, which also incudes Madden’s music interview podcast-turned-talk series “Artist Friendly” and the upcoming “Cribs”-esque show “Sidehustles.” The comedy vertical will be available via Veeps All Access,...
The Live Nation Entertainment-affiliated company will also be the exclusive streaming home for select sets from Sf Sketchfest’s 21st edition in early 2024.
Since 2018, Veeps has streamed performances to millions of viewers worldwide for artists including Billie Eilish, Bob Dylan, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon and thousands more, with the content available on Veeps.com and via apps on Apple TV, Roku, iOS and Android. In October, the company announced the launch of Veeps All Access, a subscription model affording unlimited access to livestream and on-demand content, which also incudes Madden’s music interview podcast-turned-talk series “Artist Friendly” and the upcoming “Cribs”-esque show “Sidehustles.” The comedy vertical will be available via Veeps All Access,...
- 11/9/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Kendall. Robinson. Duker. Ó’Briain. Martin. The fight is On.
The winners of Taskmaster series 11-15 are currently doing sit-ups, drinking pints of raw egg, and running up and down the steps outside Chiswick Library. They’re in training for Taskmaster’s third Champion of Champions contest.
A little reminder of the contenders for this title now, on account of the internet having destroyed everybody’s attention spans, and shrunk our ability to retain information for longer than it takes a toaster to pop.
Champion of Champions 3 Line-Up Sarah Kendall
Representing series 11 is the magnificently-maned Sarah Kendall, Australian comic, writer and actor. She’s technically the dunce of this operation going in with a whole-series points score of just 158, but a dynamite chick like her isn’t about to let that get in the way. The woman’s ready for the apocalypse at all times, do not underestimate her.
Morgana Robinson
The series 12 champ,...
The winners of Taskmaster series 11-15 are currently doing sit-ups, drinking pints of raw egg, and running up and down the steps outside Chiswick Library. They’re in training for Taskmaster’s third Champion of Champions contest.
A little reminder of the contenders for this title now, on account of the internet having destroyed everybody’s attention spans, and shrunk our ability to retain information for longer than it takes a toaster to pop.
Champion of Champions 3 Line-Up Sarah Kendall
Representing series 11 is the magnificently-maned Sarah Kendall, Australian comic, writer and actor. She’s technically the dunce of this operation going in with a whole-series points score of just 158, but a dynamite chick like her isn’t about to let that get in the way. The woman’s ready for the apocalypse at all times, do not underestimate her.
Morgana Robinson
The series 12 champ,...
- 11/1/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
United Agents Head of Comedy Kitty Laing is stepping down from her role and as a member of the agency’s executive committee following a spate of reposts about the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Laing, who represents the likes of Jamie Demetriou, Katherine Ryan and Nick Mohammed, will continue working with her client roster along with the team at United.
“Following the statements made earlier this week, it has been agreed that Kitty Laing will step away from her leadership roles as Head of Comedy and as a member of the Executive Committee of United Agents, effective immediately,” said a spokesman for United Agents. “Kitty will continue to work with her clients and the team at United Agents.”
The news comes after United conducted a “full and thorough investigation” when Laing’s reposts emerged earlier this week, at which point Laing reactivated her deleted Twitter to post an apology, before subsequently deleting it again.
Laing, who represents the likes of Jamie Demetriou, Katherine Ryan and Nick Mohammed, will continue working with her client roster along with the team at United.
“Following the statements made earlier this week, it has been agreed that Kitty Laing will step away from her leadership roles as Head of Comedy and as a member of the Executive Committee of United Agents, effective immediately,” said a spokesman for United Agents. “Kitty will continue to work with her clients and the team at United Agents.”
The news comes after United conducted a “full and thorough investigation” when Laing’s reposts emerged earlier this week, at which point Laing reactivated her deleted Twitter to post an apology, before subsequently deleting it again.
- 10/26/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
United Agents is “conducting a full and thorough investigation” into one of the most prominent British comedy agents after she was called out for a spate of reposts and shares regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Kitty Laing, who is United’s Head of Comedy and represents the likes of Jamie Demetriou, Katherine Ryan and Nick Mohammed, was the subject of an X thread this morning by Oscar-nominated Borat Subsequent Moviefilm writer Lee Kern.
United said it was “made aware of social media posts by one of our senior agents this morning” and is “conducting a full and thorough investigation into this immediately.” “These are not the views of United Agents,” it added. Laing has apologized in the past few minutes.
In this morning’s lengthy thread, Kern highlighted a string of Laing’s reposts including one calling for Jews in Israel to be referred to as “settler paramilitaries”, another that refers...
Kitty Laing, who is United’s Head of Comedy and represents the likes of Jamie Demetriou, Katherine Ryan and Nick Mohammed, was the subject of an X thread this morning by Oscar-nominated Borat Subsequent Moviefilm writer Lee Kern.
United said it was “made aware of social media posts by one of our senior agents this morning” and is “conducting a full and thorough investigation into this immediately.” “These are not the views of United Agents,” it added. Laing has apologized in the past few minutes.
In this morning’s lengthy thread, Kern highlighted a string of Laing’s reposts including one calling for Jews in Israel to be referred to as “settler paramilitaries”, another that refers...
- 10/24/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Amazon Prime Video is eying a UK version of hit format Lol: Last One Laughing.
Deadline understands the streamer has been scoping out indies to produce the UK version over the past few weeks via an informal tender process, with that process now in its final stages. The show is yet to be greenlit and we understand no final decision will be made until the format launches next year in Ireland, a version that is being helmed by one of the UK’s top presenters, Graham Norton. Trevor Noah, meanwhile, is down to host the upcoming South African version following his Daily Show exit.
Lol: Last One Laughing sees comedians stay in a living room-style studio for several hours during which they must try to make the others laugh by any means possible, while not reacting to their opponents’ attempts to make them break. At the first laugh, the...
Deadline understands the streamer has been scoping out indies to produce the UK version over the past few weeks via an informal tender process, with that process now in its final stages. The show is yet to be greenlit and we understand no final decision will be made until the format launches next year in Ireland, a version that is being helmed by one of the UK’s top presenters, Graham Norton. Trevor Noah, meanwhile, is down to host the upcoming South African version following his Daily Show exit.
Lol: Last One Laughing sees comedians stay in a living room-style studio for several hours during which they must try to make the others laugh by any means possible, while not reacting to their opponents’ attempts to make them break. At the first laugh, the...
- 10/4/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Russell Brand’s last show on mainstream British TV was binned without making it to air five years ago, following allegations by a female comedian of his predatory behaviour, according to The Sun newspaper.
A week after The Times newspaper and Channel 4’s Dispatches programme collaborated to publish a list of claims about the comedian turned influencer, including allegations of rape, sexual assault and abusive behaviour – all of which he denies – The Sun reports that plans for ‘Russell Brand TV’, to be broadcast by the BBC, were put on ice after it transpired that female comedian Katherine Ryan had publicly called Brand on his behaviour during a 2017 recording of Comedy Central’s Roast Battle. The segment of that show was never aired.
This comes after a week in which:
The BBC has removed from its streaming platforms any content featuring the comedian and has announced a review into his...
A week after The Times newspaper and Channel 4’s Dispatches programme collaborated to publish a list of claims about the comedian turned influencer, including allegations of rape, sexual assault and abusive behaviour – all of which he denies – The Sun reports that plans for ‘Russell Brand TV’, to be broadcast by the BBC, were put on ice after it transpired that female comedian Katherine Ryan had publicly called Brand on his behaviour during a 2017 recording of Comedy Central’s Roast Battle. The segment of that show was never aired.
This comes after a week in which:
The BBC has removed from its streaming platforms any content featuring the comedian and has announced a review into his...
- 9/24/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
“It’s the Alex Mahon show,” was how one seasoned British TV executive characterized the industry’s biennial gathering in Cambridge, chaired by the Channel 4 CEO.
The Royal Television Society conference’s line-up was such a draw that even Elisabeth Murdoch was in attendance the day before news broke of her father’s surprise retirement. The traditional turns from UK network leaders were elevated by CAA’s Bryan Lourd jetting in from Hollywood, while James Corden gave his first interview since quitting The Late Late Show.
In an auspicious bit of timing, Katherine Ryan was the after-dinner speaker. She declined to address the Russell Brand-shaped elephant in the room, but did manage to roast an audience member called Ian for looking like a golf fanatic. Unbeknownst to Ryan, he turned out to be Channel 4 chairman Ian Cheshire.
But it was Mahon who presided over it all. The Channel...
The Royal Television Society conference’s line-up was such a draw that even Elisabeth Murdoch was in attendance the day before news broke of her father’s surprise retirement. The traditional turns from UK network leaders were elevated by CAA’s Bryan Lourd jetting in from Hollywood, while James Corden gave his first interview since quitting The Late Late Show.
In an auspicious bit of timing, Katherine Ryan was the after-dinner speaker. She declined to address the Russell Brand-shaped elephant in the room, but did manage to roast an audience member called Ian for looking like a golf fanatic. Unbeknownst to Ryan, he turned out to be Channel 4 chairman Ian Cheshire.
But it was Mahon who presided over it all. The Channel...
- 9/22/2023
- by Jake Kanter and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
We’ve got the keys to the weekend, Insider fans. Jesse Whittock here guiding you through the international film and TV stories you need to read to top off the working week.
Russell Brand Fallout
Serious allegations: Jake and Max headed to the Rts Cambridge Convention this week, a bi-annual confab bringing together the great-and-the-good of the British TV industry to ruminate and speculate over the future of the sector. But, as is so often the case, events got in the way. In the days leading up, Russell Brand was accused by four women of allegations ranging from rape to sexual assault via a bombshell joint investigation that has been nearly five years in the making from The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4. The entertainment world was rocked and the BBC, Channel 4 and Big Brother producer Banijay all reacted by launching investigations into historic allegations, while Brand, a one-time man-of-the-moment,...
Russell Brand Fallout
Serious allegations: Jake and Max headed to the Rts Cambridge Convention this week, a bi-annual confab bringing together the great-and-the-good of the British TV industry to ruminate and speculate over the future of the sector. But, as is so often the case, events got in the way. In the days leading up, Russell Brand was accused by four women of allegations ranging from rape to sexual assault via a bombshell joint investigation that has been nearly five years in the making from The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4. The entertainment world was rocked and the BBC, Channel 4 and Big Brother producer Banijay all reacted by launching investigations into historic allegations, while Brand, a one-time man-of-the-moment,...
- 9/22/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Katherine Ryan avoided the “elephant in the room” at the Rts Cambridge tonight by not mentioning Russell Brand during an Rts Cambridge comedy set.
The Duchess star joked that the “elephant in the room” was that she had lost two stones in the past two months, as she took attendees through an after-dinner comedy set covering her sex life, kids and her ancestry.
Deadline revealed earlier this week that Ryan turned the heat on Brand a number of times during the filming of Roast Battle on Comedy Central in 2018, Brand’s last mainstream TV appearance.
After being introduced by Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon, Ryan didn’t comment on the Brand allegations during tonight’s comedy set, which was jovially received. “Thank you so much for what must have felt like a very strange part of the convention,” she concluded.
Ryan has previously spoken about her experience on Roast Battle,...
The Duchess star joked that the “elephant in the room” was that she had lost two stones in the past two months, as she took attendees through an after-dinner comedy set covering her sex life, kids and her ancestry.
Deadline revealed earlier this week that Ryan turned the heat on Brand a number of times during the filming of Roast Battle on Comedy Central in 2018, Brand’s last mainstream TV appearance.
After being introduced by Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon, Ryan didn’t comment on the Brand allegations during tonight’s comedy set, which was jovially received. “Thank you so much for what must have felt like a very strange part of the convention,” she concluded.
Ryan has previously spoken about her experience on Roast Battle,...
- 9/20/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Russell Brand’s last major television job in the UK ended with him being dropped after he was repeatedly accused of being a “sexual predator” during the recording of the show.
Brand was booked as a judge on Comedy Central’s Roast Battle in 2018, but only lasted a single season on the series after he himself was roasted on-camera over allegations he had sexually assaulted women. He strongly denies criminal wrongdoing.
Three sources close to the Fulwell 73 production said Roast Battle judge Katherine Ryan turned the heat on Brand a number of times during filming. Her allegations did not make the final edit.
The confrontations reveal how speculation about Brand was circulating in the comedy and TV worlds, but he continued to be employed on primetime series. The show appears to be something of a turning point, however, given Brand virtually vanished from UK television screens after 2018, except for...
Brand was booked as a judge on Comedy Central’s Roast Battle in 2018, but only lasted a single season on the series after he himself was roasted on-camera over allegations he had sexually assaulted women. He strongly denies criminal wrongdoing.
Three sources close to the Fulwell 73 production said Roast Battle judge Katherine Ryan turned the heat on Brand a number of times during filming. Her allegations did not make the final edit.
The confrontations reveal how speculation about Brand was circulating in the comedy and TV worlds, but he continued to be employed on primetime series. The show appears to be something of a turning point, however, given Brand virtually vanished from UK television screens after 2018, except for...
- 9/18/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Those six fateful words — “You skiied into my effing back” — are set to be immortalized on the small screen thanks to a new documentary about Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski crash lawsuit.
Production company Optomen are continuing their “Vs” series for Discovery+ with a doc about the “Sliding Doors” star’s legal woes. The civil trial earlier this year saw Paltrow sued by – and then counter-sue – retired optometrist Terry Sanders, after the duo collided on a Utah ski slope in 2016.
Sanders claimed his entanglement with the “Goop” founder caused him to suffer physical injuries and emotional distress while Paltrow, for her part, lost half a day of skiing.
The two-part doc will drop later this year.
Also in the “Vs” series is “Peltz-Beckham vs The Wedding Planners,” which will show how Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s Palm Beach wedding of the year ended in tears, at least for Nelson Peltz,...
Production company Optomen are continuing their “Vs” series for Discovery+ with a doc about the “Sliding Doors” star’s legal woes. The civil trial earlier this year saw Paltrow sued by – and then counter-sue – retired optometrist Terry Sanders, after the duo collided on a Utah ski slope in 2016.
Sanders claimed his entanglement with the “Goop” founder caused him to suffer physical injuries and emotional distress while Paltrow, for her part, lost half a day of skiing.
The two-part doc will drop later this year.
Also in the “Vs” series is “Peltz-Beckham vs The Wedding Planners,” which will show how Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s Palm Beach wedding of the year ended in tears, at least for Nelson Peltz,...
- 7/12/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery UK & Ireland has revealed a raft of new and returning commissions, including Discovery+ shows Gwyneth vs Terry: The Ski Crash Trial and Peltz-Beckham vs The Wedding Planners.
Optomen, makers of Johnny vs Amber and Kim vs Kanye: The Divorce, are behind the two 2×30 series. The former will highlight the legal clash between Oscar winner Paltrow and retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, which led to an avalanche of press earlier this year. The second docuseries unpacks the different points of view of the Peltz-Beckhams and the wedding planners they fired weeks before the ceremony.
Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming second season of 90 Day Fiancé UK, the studio has commissioned a 1×90 Tell All special to be hosted by comedian Katherine Ryan.
Also new to the slate is ghost hunter series Jack Osbourne’s Tasmanian Terror and two new seasons of Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted, ahead of the...
Optomen, makers of Johnny vs Amber and Kim vs Kanye: The Divorce, are behind the two 2×30 series. The former will highlight the legal clash between Oscar winner Paltrow and retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, which led to an avalanche of press earlier this year. The second docuseries unpacks the different points of view of the Peltz-Beckhams and the wedding planners they fired weeks before the ceremony.
Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming second season of 90 Day Fiancé UK, the studio has commissioned a 1×90 Tell All special to be hosted by comedian Katherine Ryan.
Also new to the slate is ghost hunter series Jack Osbourne’s Tasmanian Terror and two new seasons of Celebrity Help! My House Is Haunted, ahead of the...
- 7/12/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Get to shout out "Rhlstp!!" like a proper cool kid as the multi-award-winning and perennially popular live podcast interview series in which comedian Richard Herring chats with some of the biggest names in comedy and entertainment tours this autumn. Usually recorded in London’s glittering West End, Rhlstp is going on the road. The UK & Ire 2023 / 2024 tour will start in September and includes dates in Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Salford, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff and Dublin, along with multiple dates at the show’s spiritual home in London’s Leicester Square Theatre.
Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday 30th June with an exclusive fan pre-sale on Thursday 29th June for Rhlstp badgers and plussers. To become a badger/plusser or to view all dates visit, visit richardherring.com
Richard Herring enjoys continual success as both a writer and performer and is widely known an innovator in the world of podcasts,...
Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday 30th June with an exclusive fan pre-sale on Thursday 29th June for Rhlstp badgers and plussers. To become a badger/plusser or to view all dates visit, visit richardherring.com
Richard Herring enjoys continual success as both a writer and performer and is widely known an innovator in the world of podcasts,...
- 6/29/2023
- Podnews.net
Some of the biggest names from the podcasting industry were at the first day of The Podcast Show. Taking place at The Business Design Centre in Islington, it’s the biggest international gathering of the podcast industry. Among the names attending were Katherine Ryan, Katie Price, Russell Tovey, Sam & Billie Faiers, Giovanna Fletcher, Jordan North, Alice Levine, Paul Chowdhry, Luisa Zissman, Sam Thompson, Pete Wicks, Roman Kemp and Candice Brathwaite.
- 5/25/2023
- by PodcastingToday
- Podcastingtoday
UK rapper slowthai was charged with two counts of rape on Tuesday, May 16th for an alleged September 2021 incident that took place in Oxford, reports The Guardian.
According to the British newspaper, the artist born Tyron Frampton was charged with oral and vaginal penetration of a woman without her consent while appearing remotely before Oxfordshire magistrates court via video. Frampton only spoke to confirm his real name, date of birth, and Northampton address.
Prosecutor Adam Yar Khan told magistrates that the rape charge was an indictable-only offense and must be heard in court. slowthai was granted bail and will appear before Oxford crown court next month.
Shortly after the charges were made public, slowthai shared a statement on social media. “regarding the allegations being reported about me,” he wrote. “i categorically deny the charges. i am innocent and i am confident my name will be cleared.”
He continued, “until then...
According to the British newspaper, the artist born Tyron Frampton was charged with oral and vaginal penetration of a woman without her consent while appearing remotely before Oxfordshire magistrates court via video. Frampton only spoke to confirm his real name, date of birth, and Northampton address.
Prosecutor Adam Yar Khan told magistrates that the rape charge was an indictable-only offense and must be heard in court. slowthai was granted bail and will appear before Oxford crown court next month.
Shortly after the charges were made public, slowthai shared a statement on social media. “regarding the allegations being reported about me,” he wrote. “i categorically deny the charges. i am innocent and i am confident my name will be cleared.”
He continued, “until then...
- 5/16/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
Acast and two charities, Suicide&Co and Turn2Me, have collaborated with some of the biggest podcasters in the UK and Ireland to produce an exclusive podcast mixtape.
Using our Acast+ one-time payment technology, we have created a collection of podcast episodes called ‘The Mindful Mixtape’, featuring some of the biggest and best talents across the UK and Ireland.
This collection will only be available behind a paywall on our Acast+ platform, with proceeds going directly to charities. Listeners will be able to donate fixed amounts to access the mixtapes.
Acast+ was launched in 2021 and provides podcasters additional revenue streams to monetise their content via subscriptions across all platforms. By offering bonus features, ad-free episodes or even exclusive releases, podcasters can use subscriptions to improve direct relationships with their listeners.
One-time payments bridge the gap between subscriptions and regular free content. They can provide a podcaster with a platform to release special episodes,...
Using our Acast+ one-time payment technology, we have created a collection of podcast episodes called ‘The Mindful Mixtape’, featuring some of the biggest and best talents across the UK and Ireland.
This collection will only be available behind a paywall on our Acast+ platform, with proceeds going directly to charities. Listeners will be able to donate fixed amounts to access the mixtapes.
Acast+ was launched in 2021 and provides podcasters additional revenue streams to monetise their content via subscriptions across all platforms. By offering bonus features, ad-free episodes or even exclusive releases, podcasters can use subscriptions to improve direct relationships with their listeners.
One-time payments bridge the gap between subscriptions and regular free content. They can provide a podcaster with a platform to release special episodes,...
- 4/14/2023
- Podnews.net
Joe Lycett has annouced the lineup for the next episode of his Channel 4 series Late Night Lycett.
The comedian and TV host will be welcoming radio presenter Greg James, actors Daisy May Cooper and David Harewood, TV personality Rylan and comedian Katherine Ryan onto the second episode of the show this Friday (7 April).
Late Night Lycett premiered last week, with a chaotic opening episode that featured a memorble guest appearance from Alan Carr.
The series is filmed live in Lycett’s hometown of Birmingham, with new episodes arriving each Friday.
One clip from the first episode has been widely shared on social media. The segment saw Lycett and Carr satirise right-wing news punditary, such as that seen on Gb News.
Lycett appears wearing a fake mustache, in the guise of a character known as “Richard Yewtree”, presenting a segment called “Straight Talking”.
Carr was tasked with reading a reactionary rant from the TV autocue,...
The comedian and TV host will be welcoming radio presenter Greg James, actors Daisy May Cooper and David Harewood, TV personality Rylan and comedian Katherine Ryan onto the second episode of the show this Friday (7 April).
Late Night Lycett premiered last week, with a chaotic opening episode that featured a memorble guest appearance from Alan Carr.
The series is filmed live in Lycett’s hometown of Birmingham, with new episodes arriving each Friday.
One clip from the first episode has been widely shared on social media. The segment saw Lycett and Carr satirise right-wing news punditary, such as that seen on Gb News.
Lycett appears wearing a fake mustache, in the guise of a character known as “Richard Yewtree”, presenting a segment called “Straight Talking”.
Carr was tasked with reading a reactionary rant from the TV autocue,...
- 4/5/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Frankie Boyle has reacted to the news that the BBC has cancelled his comedy series New World Order.
The Scottish comedian has hosted the programme for six series, the first season of which arrived in 2017 on BBC Two.
In the satirical show, Boyle dicusses two current affair issues, usually related to politics, alongside guests that have included Sara Pascoe, Miles Jupp and Katherine Ryan.
However, the BBC has decided to end the series, with a spokesperson stating: “We would like to thank Frankie Boyle and all those involved for six great series of New World Order.”
The corporation made it clear that they are not severing ties with Boyle, adding: “We look forward to seeing what he does next on the BBC.”
Boyle responded to the news on social media, telling his followers: “Ah well, there’s to be no more New World Order on the BBC. Not surprising in the current climate,...
The Scottish comedian has hosted the programme for six series, the first season of which arrived in 2017 on BBC Two.
In the satirical show, Boyle dicusses two current affair issues, usually related to politics, alongside guests that have included Sara Pascoe, Miles Jupp and Katherine Ryan.
However, the BBC has decided to end the series, with a spokesperson stating: “We would like to thank Frankie Boyle and all those involved for six great series of New World Order.”
The corporation made it clear that they are not severing ties with Boyle, adding: “We look forward to seeing what he does next on the BBC.”
Boyle responded to the news on social media, telling his followers: “Ah well, there’s to be no more New World Order on the BBC. Not surprising in the current climate,...
- 3/23/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
BBC Radio 2 faces ‘cheating scandal’ after quiz contestant accused of ‘Googling’ answers live on air
Radio presenter Gary Davies has found himself in the middle of a scandal concerning the “Ten To The Top” game on his new Radio 2 show.
Furious listeners have accused one contestant of secretly using Google to help her answer questions while appearing on the show.
The new music quiz was launched after Ken Bruce recently left BBC Radio 2 after 40 years working for the broadcaster. He has moved to Bauer’s station Greatest Hits Radio where he will carry on his well-loved PopMaster quiz.
Former Top of The Pops presenter Gary Davies is temporarily covering the show until Vernon Kay will take over Radio 2’s mid-morning show in May.
Just days after the launch of Davies’ slot and his new pop quiz, on Thursday (9 March) listeners have theorised that one contestant, competing under the name “Shiela”, allegedly cheated after she finished the quiz with a perfect score of 65.
When Shiela,...
Furious listeners have accused one contestant of secretly using Google to help her answer questions while appearing on the show.
The new music quiz was launched after Ken Bruce recently left BBC Radio 2 after 40 years working for the broadcaster. He has moved to Bauer’s station Greatest Hits Radio where he will carry on his well-loved PopMaster quiz.
Former Top of The Pops presenter Gary Davies is temporarily covering the show until Vernon Kay will take over Radio 2’s mid-morning show in May.
Just days after the launch of Davies’ slot and his new pop quiz, on Thursday (9 March) listeners have theorised that one contestant, competing under the name “Shiela”, allegedly cheated after she finished the quiz with a perfect score of 65.
When Shiela,...
- 3/10/2023
- by Ellie Muir
- The Independent - TV
Donald Glover has joked about his Community co-star Chevy Chase using the N-word.
The actor and musician starred opposite Chase across five seasons of the hit show, which also starred Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, and Gillian Jacobs.
Glover, 39, appeared at the 2023 Writers Guild Awards in New York on 5 March to present Atlanta executive producer Paul Simms with an honorary award.
During his speech, he recalled how the award that Simms would be receiving was named after former Saturday Night Live writer Herb Sargeant, who had starred on Weekend Update, hosted by Chevy Chase.
“Chevy Chase once called Herb one of the funniest writers working in television,” Glover said onstage. “Chevy Chase once called me… You know what? This is about Paul.”
Later during his speech, Glover recalled meeting Simms on the set of Girls.
“I asked Lena [Dunham], ‘Hey, what made you decide to work with Paul [Simms]?’ And she goes ‘Honestly,...
The actor and musician starred opposite Chase across five seasons of the hit show, which also starred Danny Pudi, Alison Brie, and Gillian Jacobs.
Glover, 39, appeared at the 2023 Writers Guild Awards in New York on 5 March to present Atlanta executive producer Paul Simms with an honorary award.
During his speech, he recalled how the award that Simms would be receiving was named after former Saturday Night Live writer Herb Sargeant, who had starred on Weekend Update, hosted by Chevy Chase.
“Chevy Chase once called Herb one of the funniest writers working in television,” Glover said onstage. “Chevy Chase once called me… You know what? This is about Paul.”
Later during his speech, Glover recalled meeting Simms on the set of Girls.
“I asked Lena [Dunham], ‘Hey, what made you decide to work with Paul [Simms]?’ And she goes ‘Honestly,...
- 3/10/2023
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - TV
Katherine Ryan has admitted she is eager to “roast” celebrities and revealed that an award show stage would be the perfect place for her to do it.
The Canadian comedian, 39, who starred in The Duchess, explained in a new interview that she “would die” to present any of the major awards ceremonies this season.
The mother-of-three told Metro: “I would die to present the Baftas or the Oscars or the Emmys or the Mobo awards or the Brits – anything like that.
She added: “I feel like it’s almost the last place where a comedian can roast and that’s because the status in the room is so high that someone like Ricky Gervais does an incredible job of letting those people show their vulnerability and have a laugh at themselves.”
“I love that kind of comedy. I would love to do that,” the comedian said.
She said she had...
The Canadian comedian, 39, who starred in The Duchess, explained in a new interview that she “would die” to present any of the major awards ceremonies this season.
The mother-of-three told Metro: “I would die to present the Baftas or the Oscars or the Emmys or the Mobo awards or the Brits – anything like that.
She added: “I feel like it’s almost the last place where a comedian can roast and that’s because the status in the room is so high that someone like Ricky Gervais does an incredible job of letting those people show their vulnerability and have a laugh at themselves.”
“I love that kind of comedy. I would love to do that,” the comedian said.
She said she had...
- 3/10/2023
- by Ellie Muir
- The Independent - TV
It’s 9pm on a Wednesday, and a man with a mullet is crowd surfing across the George Tavern in Shadwell. The weekend has arrived early in this corner of east London, it seems – and it came with Slowthai.
The punkish, 28-year-old Northampton rapper is four nights into a six-date tour of pubs, social clubs and back rooms that’s so far touched down in Sunderland, Blackpool and Milton Keynes. He’s blitzing through tracks from his scuzzy new post-punk leaning album, Ugly, which no one in the 150-strong crowd has heard yet – but that, evidenced by the man with the mullet, doesn’t appear to matter. “Everyone put your phones away, so we can just be in the moment,” says Slowthai, born Tyron Kaymone Frampton. It’s more demand than request: people nattering at the back get booted out to the smoking area not long after.
As with all...
The punkish, 28-year-old Northampton rapper is four nights into a six-date tour of pubs, social clubs and back rooms that’s so far touched down in Sunderland, Blackpool and Milton Keynes. He’s blitzing through tracks from his scuzzy new post-punk leaning album, Ugly, which no one in the 150-strong crowd has heard yet – but that, evidenced by the man with the mullet, doesn’t appear to matter. “Everyone put your phones away, so we can just be in the moment,” says Slowthai, born Tyron Kaymone Frampton. It’s more demand than request: people nattering at the back get booted out to the smoking area not long after.
As with all...
- 3/4/2023
- by Will Pritchard
- The Independent - Music
“I’ve been lacking motivation, I need an innervention,” gasps slowthai in the opening bars of his third album, Ugly. It is, perhaps, an acknowledgement of his disappointing second album, Tyron (2021). Released in the wake of his bad behaviour at the 2020 NME awards (where he made sexually inappropriate comments to host Katherine Ryan), that record had handed off all his most personal lyrics to guest artists. But Ugly finds the Northampton-born rapper back on intense, energetic form, taking a series of rapid breaths before plunging back into the chaotic energy of his soul. An “innervention”, he told Rolling Stone, is a self-reckoning. “You look inward,” he explained, “and you go, ‘Check yourself, man.’ Then you’re like, ‘Ok, I went into autopilot, and I had to pull myself back into my body in some way but I’m awake now.”
On Ugly, he uses rock music as an alarm bell...
On Ugly, he uses rock music as an alarm bell...
- 3/3/2023
- by Helen Brown
- The Independent - Music
Comedian and presenter Katherine Ryan appears to have criticised the age gap between The Only Way is Essex star James Argent and his girlfriend, Stella Turian.
Argent, 34, has been dating the 18-year-old actor and singer for eight months.
The couple met while Argent was attending a friend’s wedding in Mykonos, Greece, last summer. He then flew out to Italy to see her in September.
“The second we saw each other that day we realised there was an amazing link between us and that we would like to be more than friends, and it’s just grown,” he told The Sun.
He added that the relationship remains long-distance as Turian is “super busy” with her work in Italy while he is working between London and Essex.
After their relationship went public, much was made of the age gap between the two.
Posting to her Instagram Stories this week, Ryan filmed herself cuddling her baby daughter,...
Argent, 34, has been dating the 18-year-old actor and singer for eight months.
The couple met while Argent was attending a friend’s wedding in Mykonos, Greece, last summer. He then flew out to Italy to see her in September.
“The second we saw each other that day we realised there was an amazing link between us and that we would like to be more than friends, and it’s just grown,” he told The Sun.
He added that the relationship remains long-distance as Turian is “super busy” with her work in Italy while he is working between London and Essex.
After their relationship went public, much was made of the age gap between the two.
Posting to her Instagram Stories this week, Ryan filmed herself cuddling her baby daughter,...
- 2/23/2023
- by Roisin O'Connor
- The Independent - TV
The Last of Us went to great lengths to distinguish itself from a zombie show, even going so far as banning its crew from using the “Z word on set”.
HBO Max’s hit adaptation of the popular video game stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as two survivors in a post-pandemic US who embark on a life-threatening journey across the country.
Along the way, they come across “the Infected”, a subset of the remaining population whose bodies have been taken over by fungi.
And while the Infected, sometimes referred to as “clickers” and “bloaters”, may appear zombie-like, fans and crew alike would be remiss to allude to them as such.
“We weren’t allowed to say the Z word on set,” series cinematographer Eben Bolter told The Credits in a recent interview. “It was like a banned word. They were the Infected. We weren’t a zombie show.
“Of course,...
HBO Max’s hit adaptation of the popular video game stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as two survivors in a post-pandemic US who embark on a life-threatening journey across the country.
Along the way, they come across “the Infected”, a subset of the remaining population whose bodies have been taken over by fungi.
And while the Infected, sometimes referred to as “clickers” and “bloaters”, may appear zombie-like, fans and crew alike would be remiss to allude to them as such.
“We weren’t allowed to say the Z word on set,” series cinematographer Eben Bolter told The Credits in a recent interview. “It was like a banned word. They were the Infected. We weren’t a zombie show.
“Of course,...
- 2/14/2023
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
Viewers of The Last of Us have been left overjoyed thanks to the Super Bowl.
On Sunday (5 February), the fourth instalment of the video game adaptation was released on HBO, with the episode following the next morning in the UK on Sky and Now.
When the episode ended, it was then revealed that fans will have less time to wait than usual.
Instead of having a full week wait in between episode four and five, viewers had to wait a total of just five days.
The Last of Us’s fifth episode has been released on HBO Max two days early, in an attempt to avoid a clash with the Super Bowl, which will take place in the show’s usual timeslot on Sunday (12 February).
It will also be broadcast in its usual timeslot of 9pm Et/Pt on the Sunday.
Sky has also released the episode early. It is...
On Sunday (5 February), the fourth instalment of the video game adaptation was released on HBO, with the episode following the next morning in the UK on Sky and Now.
When the episode ended, it was then revealed that fans will have less time to wait than usual.
Instead of having a full week wait in between episode four and five, viewers had to wait a total of just five days.
The Last of Us’s fifth episode has been released on HBO Max two days early, in an attempt to avoid a clash with the Super Bowl, which will take place in the show’s usual timeslot on Sunday (12 February).
It will also be broadcast in its usual timeslot of 9pm Et/Pt on the Sunday.
Sky has also released the episode early. It is...
- 2/13/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
Ulrika Jonsson has criticised Leonardo DiCaprio amid rumours that the actor, 48, is dating a 19-year-old.
The TV presenter was responding to claims that the actor is reportedly dating Israeli model Eden Polani.
Neither DiCaprio nor Polani have confirmed if they are in a relationship, and The Independent has contacted DiCaprio’s representative for comment. Meanwhile, a source told People: “Leo and Eden just so happened to have been seated next to each other at the party, and were hanging in the same group.”
The rumours have led social media users to highlight that the age gap between the pair is the same one shared by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, Pascal’s teenage co-star in The Last of Us.
Jonsson, who is best known for her work as a TV host and was a finalist on Celebrity Masterchef in 2017, has weighed in on the debate, branding DiCaprio’s “pursuit...
The TV presenter was responding to claims that the actor is reportedly dating Israeli model Eden Polani.
Neither DiCaprio nor Polani have confirmed if they are in a relationship, and The Independent has contacted DiCaprio’s representative for comment. Meanwhile, a source told People: “Leo and Eden just so happened to have been seated next to each other at the party, and were hanging in the same group.”
The rumours have led social media users to highlight that the age gap between the pair is the same one shared by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, Pascal’s teenage co-star in The Last of Us.
Jonsson, who is best known for her work as a TV host and was a finalist on Celebrity Masterchef in 2017, has weighed in on the debate, branding DiCaprio’s “pursuit...
- 2/11/2023
- by Ellie Muir
- The Independent - TV
Viewers of The Last of Us have been left overjoyed thanks to the Super Bowl.
On Sunday (5 February), the fourth instalment of the video game adaptation was released on HBO, with the episode following the next morning in the UK on Sky and Now.
When the episode ended, it was then revealed that fans will have less time to wait than usual.
Instead of having a full week wait in between episode four and five, viewers had to wait a total of just five days.
The Last of Us’s fifth episode has been released on HBO Max two days early, in an attempt to avoid a clash with the Super Bowl, which will take place in the show’s usual timeslot on Sunday (12 February).
It will also be broadcast in its usual timeslot of 9pm Et/Pt on the Sunday.
Sky has also released the episode early. It is...
On Sunday (5 February), the fourth instalment of the video game adaptation was released on HBO, with the episode following the next morning in the UK on Sky and Now.
When the episode ended, it was then revealed that fans will have less time to wait than usual.
Instead of having a full week wait in between episode four and five, viewers had to wait a total of just five days.
The Last of Us’s fifth episode has been released on HBO Max two days early, in an attempt to avoid a clash with the Super Bowl, which will take place in the show’s usual timeslot on Sunday (12 February).
It will also be broadcast in its usual timeslot of 9pm Et/Pt on the Sunday.
Sky has also released the episode early. It is...
- 2/11/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
The new true-crime documentary, Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence, has been met with shock from viewers.
Since the series arrived in US streaming service Hulu on Thursday (9 February), many have posted on social media about how disturbing they have found the story of a sex cult led by a student’s middle-aged father.
Stolen Youth showcases interviews with victims of Larry Ray, incorporating video tapes and audio recordings to tell the story of his grim 10-year influence over a group of young people.
It follows the story from the cult’s origins in 2010 – which began when Ray moved into his daughter’s halls of residence near New York and started to manipulate her friends – to its recent demise.
Last month, Ray was sentenced to 60 years in prison, after being charged with crimes including sex trafficking, extortion and racketeering conspiracy.
Viewers have been posting their first reactions on Twitter.
Since the series arrived in US streaming service Hulu on Thursday (9 February), many have posted on social media about how disturbing they have found the story of a sex cult led by a student’s middle-aged father.
Stolen Youth showcases interviews with victims of Larry Ray, incorporating video tapes and audio recordings to tell the story of his grim 10-year influence over a group of young people.
It follows the story from the cult’s origins in 2010 – which began when Ray moved into his daughter’s halls of residence near New York and started to manipulate her friends – to its recent demise.
Last month, Ray was sentenced to 60 years in prison, after being charged with crimes including sex trafficking, extortion and racketeering conspiracy.
Viewers have been posting their first reactions on Twitter.
- 2/10/2023
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
Katherine Ryan has called out Leonardo DiCaprio amid rumours he’s dating a 19-year-old.
The comedian, who created and starred in Netflix series The Duchess, was responding to claims the actor is dating Israeli model Eden Polani.
Neither DiCaprio nor Polani have confirmed if they are in a relationship, and The Independent has contacted DiCaprio’s representative for comment. Meanwhile, a source told People: “Leo and Eden just so happened to have been seated next to each other at the party, and were hanging in the same group.
But the rumours have caused social media users to draw attention to the fact that their age gap is the same one shared by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, Pascal’s teenage co-star in The Last of Us.
Ryan hit out at DiCaprio over the rumours, joking that his dating habits – which have seen him criticised for never publicly dating a woman...
The comedian, who created and starred in Netflix series The Duchess, was responding to claims the actor is dating Israeli model Eden Polani.
Neither DiCaprio nor Polani have confirmed if they are in a relationship, and The Independent has contacted DiCaprio’s representative for comment. Meanwhile, a source told People: “Leo and Eden just so happened to have been seated next to each other at the party, and were hanging in the same group.
But the rumours have caused social media users to draw attention to the fact that their age gap is the same one shared by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, Pascal’s teenage co-star in The Last of Us.
Ryan hit out at DiCaprio over the rumours, joking that his dating habits – which have seen him criticised for never publicly dating a woman...
- 2/10/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
Martin Lewis has reacted after being shown his first ever appearance on This Morning on his 20th anniversary.
He also praised ITV for “supporting consumerism television”, and accused the BBC of relegating the broadcast of similar shows “in the middle of a cost of living crisis”.
“I know we shouldn’t say things like this,” he said, before thanking ITV for giving him an opportunity to share his expertise. “Quite right,” Willoughby replied.
A BBC spokesperson told The Independent in reposne: “Consumer affairs programming appears across the BBC and Watchdog is watched by millions as part of The One Show.
“Our cost of living campaign ‘Tackling It Together’ is running across all BBC platforms at all times of the day, delivering value for all.”
Money savings expert Lewis, 50, has appeared on the ITV daytime show every week since 2003 and, to celebrate the ocassion, hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby showed...
He also praised ITV for “supporting consumerism television”, and accused the BBC of relegating the broadcast of similar shows “in the middle of a cost of living crisis”.
“I know we shouldn’t say things like this,” he said, before thanking ITV for giving him an opportunity to share his expertise. “Quite right,” Willoughby replied.
A BBC spokesperson told The Independent in reposne: “Consumer affairs programming appears across the BBC and Watchdog is watched by millions as part of The One Show.
“Our cost of living campaign ‘Tackling It Together’ is running across all BBC platforms at all times of the day, delivering value for all.”
Money savings expert Lewis, 50, has appeared on the ITV daytime show every week since 2003 and, to celebrate the ocassion, hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby showed...
- 2/9/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
Katherine Ryan has called out Leonardo DiCaprio amid rumours he’s dating a 19-year-old.
The comedian, who created and starred in Netflix series The Duchess, was responding to claims the actor is dating Israeli model Eden Polani.
Neither DiCaprio nor Polani have confirmed if they are in a relationship, and The Independent has contacted DiCaprio’s representative for comment. Meanwhile, a source told People: “Leo and Eden just so happened to have been seated next to each other at the party, and were hanging in the same group.
But the rumours have caused social media users to draw attention to the fact that their age gap is the same one shared by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, Pascal’s teenage co-star in The Last of Us.
Ryan hit out at DiCaprio over the rumours, joking that his dating habits – which have seen him criticised for never publicly dating a woman...
The comedian, who created and starred in Netflix series The Duchess, was responding to claims the actor is dating Israeli model Eden Polani.
Neither DiCaprio nor Polani have confirmed if they are in a relationship, and The Independent has contacted DiCaprio’s representative for comment. Meanwhile, a source told People: “Leo and Eden just so happened to have been seated next to each other at the party, and were hanging in the same group.
But the rumours have caused social media users to draw attention to the fact that their age gap is the same one shared by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, Pascal’s teenage co-star in The Last of Us.
Ryan hit out at DiCaprio over the rumours, joking that his dating habits – which have seen him criticised for never publicly dating a woman...
- 2/9/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
Comedian Katherine Ryan has criticised Leonardo DiCaprio’s preference in dating younger women and called it ‘creepy’.
Leonardo, 48, split up from his long-term model girlfriend Camila Morrone last summer, a few months after she turned 25, reports ‘Mirror.co.uk’.
Since then, he has been spotted getting cosy with 27-year-old Gigi Hadid as well as with other younger models. Hollywood superstar Leo has never publicly dated anyone over the age of 25 years old.
As per ‘Mirror.co.uk’, over the years, fans have been theorising that the ‘Titanic’ actor breaks up with women when they reach their mid-twenties. After it was recently rumoured that he was getting close to 19-year-old Israeli model Eden Polani, comedian Katherine took to Twitter to comment on his dating preferences.
Quote tweeting a person mentioning his age and his new rumoured romance, Katherine said: “This is literally all I’ve talked about for Seven Years (sic...
Leonardo, 48, split up from his long-term model girlfriend Camila Morrone last summer, a few months after she turned 25, reports ‘Mirror.co.uk’.
Since then, he has been spotted getting cosy with 27-year-old Gigi Hadid as well as with other younger models. Hollywood superstar Leo has never publicly dated anyone over the age of 25 years old.
As per ‘Mirror.co.uk’, over the years, fans have been theorising that the ‘Titanic’ actor breaks up with women when they reach their mid-twenties. After it was recently rumoured that he was getting close to 19-year-old Israeli model Eden Polani, comedian Katherine took to Twitter to comment on his dating preferences.
Quote tweeting a person mentioning his age and his new rumoured romance, Katherine said: “This is literally all I’ve talked about for Seven Years (sic...
- 2/7/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
Britney Spears has opened up about why she recently deleted her Instagram account.
On Thursday (26 January), the 41-year-old singer wrote on Twitter that some fans allegedly sent the police to her house to perform a wellness check on her after she deleted her Instagram account.
“As everyone knows the police were called to my home based on some prank phone calls,” Spears wrote. “I love and adore my fans but this time things went a little too far and my privacy was invaded.
“The police never entered my home and when they came to my gate they quickly realised there was no issue and left immediately.
“This felt like I was being gaslit and bullied once the incident made it to the news and being portrayed once again in a poor and unfair light by the media,” Spears continued.
On Sunday (29 January), the singer posted a Twitter video clip showing her in the gym,...
On Thursday (26 January), the 41-year-old singer wrote on Twitter that some fans allegedly sent the police to her house to perform a wellness check on her after she deleted her Instagram account.
“As everyone knows the police were called to my home based on some prank phone calls,” Spears wrote. “I love and adore my fans but this time things went a little too far and my privacy was invaded.
“The police never entered my home and when they came to my gate they quickly realised there was no issue and left immediately.
“This felt like I was being gaslit and bullied once the incident made it to the news and being portrayed once again in a poor and unfair light by the media,” Spears continued.
On Sunday (29 January), the singer posted a Twitter video clip showing her in the gym,...
- 1/29/2023
- by Ellie Muir
- The Independent - Music
The Masked Singer has unveiled yet another celebrity hiding underneath an extravagant costume.
On Saturday (28 January), Pigeon was revealed to be Katherine Ryan.
The comedian and actor gave a total of three performances in the bird disguise, styled with a cardigan, pearls and a handbag with cats printed on the outside.
Ultimately, the judging panel chose not to keep her in the competition on the latest episode after her rendition of the Cheryl hit, “Fight For This Love”.
Before the unmasking, guesses for Pigeon’s identity included Emily Atack, Gemma Collins and Stacey Solomon.
When Ryan eventually revealed herself, the audience and the judging panel applauded and appeared shocked.
“That accent was so good!” said a stunned Davina McCall, referring to the Canadian comic’s use of a Cockney accent to disguise her own voice.
Discussing the inclusion of a cauliflower and mint sauce in her video package, Ryan said:...
On Saturday (28 January), Pigeon was revealed to be Katherine Ryan.
The comedian and actor gave a total of three performances in the bird disguise, styled with a cardigan, pearls and a handbag with cats printed on the outside.
Ultimately, the judging panel chose not to keep her in the competition on the latest episode after her rendition of the Cheryl hit, “Fight For This Love”.
Before the unmasking, guesses for Pigeon’s identity included Emily Atack, Gemma Collins and Stacey Solomon.
When Ryan eventually revealed herself, the audience and the judging panel applauded and appeared shocked.
“That accent was so good!” said a stunned Davina McCall, referring to the Canadian comic’s use of a Cockney accent to disguise her own voice.
Discussing the inclusion of a cauliflower and mint sauce in her video package, Ryan said:...
- 1/29/2023
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
ITV has welcomed a new crop of 13 incognito celebrities to compete in the UK version of The Masked Singer.
On Sunday 1 January, the top-secret singing series, which sees a number of celebrities dressed in head-to-toe costumes to conceal their identity while they compete, began its fourth season.
During the first episode, Jellyfish was among the first batch of competitors to perform for this year’s judges panel, which consists of singer Rita Ora, comedian Mo Gilligan, former Big Brother presenter Davina McCall and BBC host Jonathan Ross.
Saving herself from elimination, Jellyfish wowed the judges and audience with her debut performance of Guns N’ Roses’s “Sweet Child o’ Mine”.
Also competing in the first round were Phoenix, Knitting and Jacket Potato.
This season’s first elimination was Ghost, who was unveiled as former football star Chris Kamara.
Jellyfish is currently still in the competition. In the meantime, here is...
On Sunday 1 January, the top-secret singing series, which sees a number of celebrities dressed in head-to-toe costumes to conceal their identity while they compete, began its fourth season.
During the first episode, Jellyfish was among the first batch of competitors to perform for this year’s judges panel, which consists of singer Rita Ora, comedian Mo Gilligan, former Big Brother presenter Davina McCall and BBC host Jonathan Ross.
Saving herself from elimination, Jellyfish wowed the judges and audience with her debut performance of Guns N’ Roses’s “Sweet Child o’ Mine”.
Also competing in the first round were Phoenix, Knitting and Jacket Potato.
This season’s first elimination was Ghost, who was unveiled as former football star Chris Kamara.
Jellyfish is currently still in the competition. In the meantime, here is...
- 1/21/2023
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
"Romantic Getaway", the 5-episode Brit-produced comedy series "Romantic Getaway", stars Katherine Ryan as 'Alison', Romesh Ranganathan as 'Deacon', now airing on the Sky Comedy channel:
"...a couple struggling to conceive decide to fund more 'IVF' treatment through illegal means.
"However, things escalate out of their control when they accidentally steal more than a million dollars..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...a couple struggling to conceive decide to fund more 'IVF' treatment through illegal means.
"However, things escalate out of their control when they accidentally steal more than a million dollars..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 1/6/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
What better way to start the new year than easing into it with some of the best comedic talents in the form of Romesh Ranganathan and Katherine Ryan in the Sky comedy series ‘Romantic Getaway.’
This six-part modern Bonnie and Clyde story sees couple Alison (Katherine Ryan) and Deacon (Romesh Ranganathan) desperate to have a child. After countless IVF attempts, they are faced with the possibility it might not happen. They are unable to afford more rounds, and with mounting debts the pressure on the relationship begins to show. What is their solution? Steal. Now they must avoid getting caught…
The series is a comedy beginning directly after Deacon and Alison have
defrauded their dodgy boss, Alfie (Johnny Vegas) of £500k. The couple are sat in their car, buzzing with adrenaline. But after the buzz wears off, they must not only contend with the gruelling process of IVF, but also...
This six-part modern Bonnie and Clyde story sees couple Alison (Katherine Ryan) and Deacon (Romesh Ranganathan) desperate to have a child. After countless IVF attempts, they are faced with the possibility it might not happen. They are unable to afford more rounds, and with mounting debts the pressure on the relationship begins to show. What is their solution? Steal. Now they must avoid getting caught…
The series is a comedy beginning directly after Deacon and Alison have
defrauded their dodgy boss, Alfie (Johnny Vegas) of £500k. The couple are sat in their car, buzzing with adrenaline. But after the buzz wears off, they must not only contend with the gruelling process of IVF, but also...
- 12/21/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Congratulations to Katherine Ryan and Bobby Kootstra, who are welcoming a new baby into the world!
The 39-year-old Duchess star was met with a bundle of congratulatory comments when her partner uploaded a photo of her newborn on Instagram this Friday.
Read More: Katherine Ryan Juggles Being A Single Mom With City Life In Hilarious Trailer For ‘The Duchess’
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Bobby Kootstra (@bobby_k__)
Bobby captioned the photo “Fenna Grace Kootstra”, revealing the newborn’s name.
Read More: BBC Backs Katherine Ryan Following ‘Straight White Men’ Joke On ‘All That Glitters’
He also made sure to include his praises to Ryan for her “strength repeatedly through the relatively lengthy delivery at home.”
After having nearly given birth to her first child in the back of a mini-cab, Katherine recently told “The Jonathan Ross Show” that she was considering having a home birth because she gives birth “quickly.
The 39-year-old Duchess star was met with a bundle of congratulatory comments when her partner uploaded a photo of her newborn on Instagram this Friday.
Read More: Katherine Ryan Juggles Being A Single Mom With City Life In Hilarious Trailer For ‘The Duchess’
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Bobby Kootstra (@bobby_k__)
Bobby captioned the photo “Fenna Grace Kootstra”, revealing the newborn’s name.
Read More: BBC Backs Katherine Ryan Following ‘Straight White Men’ Joke On ‘All That Glitters’
He also made sure to include his praises to Ryan for her “strength repeatedly through the relatively lengthy delivery at home.”
After having nearly given birth to her first child in the back of a mini-cab, Katherine recently told “The Jonathan Ross Show” that she was considering having a home birth because she gives birth “quickly.
- 12/16/2022
- by Emerson Pearson
- ET Canada
“Masked Singer” host Davina McCall, “We Are Lady Parts” creator Nida Manzoor, legendary British sports anchor Sue Barker and Emma Butt, a dubbing mixer, dialogue and SFX editor and Adr recordist, were among the women celebrated at the Women in Film and TV Awards on Friday evening in London..
Comedian Katherine Ryan hosted the event, which saw numerous famous faces in attendance including “Bad Sisters” star Anne-Marie Duff, who awarded Ramita Navai a prize for the BBC News and Factual award, former Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston, who handed Nainita Desai the Gravity Media Creative Technology prize, and “Bridgerton’s” Adjoa Andoh, who presented Akua Gyamfi the Mercury Business award.
Other well-known names present at the event were “Inside No. 9” star Jessica Hynes, TV “Ridley Road’s” Tamzin Outhwaite, “Strictly Come Dancing” semi-finalist Aj Odudu, “This Morning” host Dermot O’Leary, who presented and accepted the Eikon presenter award on Davina McCall’s behalf,...
Comedian Katherine Ryan hosted the event, which saw numerous famous faces in attendance including “Bad Sisters” star Anne-Marie Duff, who awarded Ramita Navai a prize for the BBC News and Factual award, former Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston, who handed Nainita Desai the Gravity Media Creative Technology prize, and “Bridgerton’s” Adjoa Andoh, who presented Akua Gyamfi the Mercury Business award.
Other well-known names present at the event were “Inside No. 9” star Jessica Hynes, TV “Ridley Road’s” Tamzin Outhwaite, “Strictly Come Dancing” semi-finalist Aj Odudu, “This Morning” host Dermot O’Leary, who presented and accepted the Eikon presenter award on Davina McCall’s behalf,...
- 12/2/2022
- by Manori Ravindran and K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
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