The Masked Singer has returned for its fourth UK series, with a new batch of contestants attempting to sing their way through while remaining undetected.
The show kicked off on New Year’s Day, with the first six acts singing in disguise as the judges and viewers attempted to guess their identities.
The first contestan, Ghost, was unmasked and revealed to be football pundit Chris Kamara.
The remaining six contestants will compete during Saturday (7 January) night’s show.
Fawn is a wide-eyed deer, who wears a brown and white spotted jacket and trousers and matching bow on their head, with furry leg warmers.
She asked for five sugars in her tea, before remarking: “Like a fawn, I admit that when I was young I was a bit awkward.”
The judges noted she was wearing a necklace that said “Sandy”.
“Call me a boffin, but maths was a passion... that my...
The show kicked off on New Year’s Day, with the first six acts singing in disguise as the judges and viewers attempted to guess their identities.
The first contestan, Ghost, was unmasked and revealed to be football pundit Chris Kamara.
The remaining six contestants will compete during Saturday (7 January) night’s show.
Fawn is a wide-eyed deer, who wears a brown and white spotted jacket and trousers and matching bow on their head, with furry leg warmers.
She asked for five sugars in her tea, before remarking: “Like a fawn, I admit that when I was young I was a bit awkward.”
The judges noted she was wearing a necklace that said “Sandy”.
“Call me a boffin, but maths was a passion... that my...
- 1/7/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Every streaming service has that blockbuster high-fantasy property that it’s milking into a dried-out husk. Now has the world of Westeros, while Amazon has Middle-Earth. Netflix, meanwhile, has been piling money into adaptations of Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher series of novels (better known in their video-game form). And so, naturally, after a year that has seen dragons and magic rings dominating television, the lore of The Witcher returns this Christmas with a prequel, set a millennium before Henry Cavill’s Geralt (soon to be Liam Hemsworth’s Geralt) walked these lands. This is The Witcher: Blood Origin.
The action is introduced using a clumsy conceit involving Jaskier (Joey Batey), a familiar face from the first two seasons of the show, and Minnie Driver’s mysterious magic elf. “I slip between worlds and times collecting forgotten stories,” she tells him. “I bring them back to life when the world needs them.
The action is introduced using a clumsy conceit involving Jaskier (Joey Batey), a familiar face from the first two seasons of the show, and Minnie Driver’s mysterious magic elf. “I slip between worlds and times collecting forgotten stories,” she tells him. “I bring them back to life when the world needs them.
- 12/25/2022
- by Nick Hilton
- The Independent - TV
Do decent people become real bastards when they acquire wealth?” For Hugh Quarshie, that’s the central question in the soapy new drama, Riches, in which he plays the CEO of a family-run Black haircare company. For reasons that quickly become clear, Quarshie doesn’t end up having much screen time – but his impact is felt throughout the entire show. Over six episodes, the debut season follows the Richards family as they figure out how to save their business from financial ruin.
Taking the role in Riches was not a difficult decision for Quarshie. Since his first professional credit in 1979, the 68-year-old’s career has ranged widely, from medical procedural Holby City to the title role in Othello for the RSC. Earlier this year, he was Bafta-nominated for best actor in Stephen, a miniseries about the aftermath of Stephen Lawrence’s murder. When he first spoke to Riches showrunner Abby Ajayi,...
Taking the role in Riches was not a difficult decision for Quarshie. Since his first professional credit in 1979, the 68-year-old’s career has ranged widely, from medical procedural Holby City to the title role in Othello for the RSC. Earlier this year, he was Bafta-nominated for best actor in Stephen, a miniseries about the aftermath of Stephen Lawrence’s murder. When he first spoke to Riches showrunner Abby Ajayi,...
- 12/22/2022
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
The UK has officially fallen into a recession, which will push more than 500,000 people into unemployment, according to a new forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility (Obr).
The (Obr), the government’s forecaster, said there will be the biggest fall in living standards in the UK since records began with inflation “tipping the economy into a recession lasting just over a year.”
The forecaster said that it expects household incomes, once adjusted for inflation, to fall back to 2013 levels and will take at least six years to recover.
The UK has been suffering economically due to Brexit, the fallout from the pandemic, an ongoing energy crisis exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine and the disastrous fiscal policies of the previous Conservative government.
UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt, in his inaugural Autumn Statement, today set out a string of tax increases and a tighter public spending plan that he said would generate a combined £55bn.
The (Obr), the government’s forecaster, said there will be the biggest fall in living standards in the UK since records began with inflation “tipping the economy into a recession lasting just over a year.”
The forecaster said that it expects household incomes, once adjusted for inflation, to fall back to 2013 levels and will take at least six years to recover.
The UK has been suffering economically due to Brexit, the fallout from the pandemic, an ongoing energy crisis exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine and the disastrous fiscal policies of the previous Conservative government.
UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt, in his inaugural Autumn Statement, today set out a string of tax increases and a tighter public spending plan that he said would generate a combined £55bn.
- 11/17/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
New U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak could drop plans to privatize public service broadcaster Channel 4, according to a report in the Financial Times.
“The decision to drop the sale of Channel 4 from the media bill has been signalled by Downing Street to industry and Whitehall,” the report said. The privatization plan had been floated during the tenure of Sunak’s predecessor Boris Johnson and carried forward by then Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.
Sunak had “privately been sceptical of the case for prioritizing the Channel 4 privatization while he was chancellor,” the report said. However, during Sunak’s summer leadership campaign after the ouster of Johnson, after which Liz Truss briefly became Prime Minister, Sunak had supported privatization.
“Privatization will help Channel 4 to thrive in an age where they are also competing with Netflix, Amazon, Apple and many more — standing still is not an option,” Sunak’s spokesperson had said at the time.
“The decision to drop the sale of Channel 4 from the media bill has been signalled by Downing Street to industry and Whitehall,” the report said. The privatization plan had been floated during the tenure of Sunak’s predecessor Boris Johnson and carried forward by then Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.
Sunak had “privately been sceptical of the case for prioritizing the Channel 4 privatization while he was chancellor,” the report said. However, during Sunak’s summer leadership campaign after the ouster of Johnson, after which Liz Truss briefly became Prime Minister, Sunak had supported privatization.
“Privatization will help Channel 4 to thrive in an age where they are also competing with Netflix, Amazon, Apple and many more — standing still is not an option,” Sunak’s spokesperson had said at the time.
- 11/4/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Lbc radio host James O’Brien has condemned Mark Spencer following a comment the Conservative MP made about China.
Former chief whip Spencer, who serves as the MP for Sherwood, was discussing the reports that Liz Truss had been targeted by Russian spies on Sky News, claiming that she had “clearly” been hacked while she was foreign secretary.
When it was put to him that Truss’s personal phone could have been at the centre of the breach, Spencer said that “some little man in China” could be listening into his own private conversations.
“We all talk on personal phones, don’t we?” he said. “I ring my wife, maybe there’s some little man in China listening to the conversations between me and my wife.”
The remark has been widely criticised by figures including Labour politicians and others.
O’Brien, who hosts a daily talk show on Lbc, delivered a damning assessment on Twitter.
Former chief whip Spencer, who serves as the MP for Sherwood, was discussing the reports that Liz Truss had been targeted by Russian spies on Sky News, claiming that she had “clearly” been hacked while she was foreign secretary.
When it was put to him that Truss’s personal phone could have been at the centre of the breach, Spencer said that “some little man in China” could be listening into his own private conversations.
“We all talk on personal phones, don’t we?” he said. “I ring my wife, maybe there’s some little man in China listening to the conversations between me and my wife.”
The remark has been widely criticised by figures including Labour politicians and others.
O’Brien, who hosts a daily talk show on Lbc, delivered a damning assessment on Twitter.
- 10/31/2022
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Liz Truss is being ridiculed not just in the UK but also in the US after she became the shortest-serving prime minister in British history.
Truss handed in her resignation to King Charles last week after just 45 days in office, paving the way for Rishi Sunak to become the first UK prime minister of colour.
US talk show host Stephen Colbert took aim at the former Tory leader during his opening monologue on The Late Late Show.
Noting that Sunak is Britain’s first prime minister of South Asian descent and its first Hindu prime minister, Colbert joked: “Britons will be able to run their entire power grid off the turbines connected to Queen Victoria spinning in her grave.”
On Truss’s record-breakingly short term in office, Colbert said: “That’s not a term in office, that’s a juice cleanse.”
He then offered a “compilation” of Truss’s highlights as prime minister,...
Truss handed in her resignation to King Charles last week after just 45 days in office, paving the way for Rishi Sunak to become the first UK prime minister of colour.
US talk show host Stephen Colbert took aim at the former Tory leader during his opening monologue on The Late Late Show.
Noting that Sunak is Britain’s first prime minister of South Asian descent and its first Hindu prime minister, Colbert joked: “Britons will be able to run their entire power grid off the turbines connected to Queen Victoria spinning in her grave.”
On Truss’s record-breakingly short term in office, Colbert said: “That’s not a term in office, that’s a juice cleanse.”
He then offered a “compilation” of Truss’s highlights as prime minister,...
- 10/25/2022
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - TV
During a breaking political news story, I usually watch both BBC News and Sky News on two different screens, just so I don’t miss anything. This week, like many others, I added a third channel: a livestream of a lettuce.
After Prime Minister Liz Truss’ hard-line policies plunged the economy and her political party into turmoil, the Economist published an eviscerating column about her time so far in office, saying that she “has the shelf-life of a lettuce.”
So, the British tabloid Daily Star then decided to put this theory into action. They bought a lettuce, attached some googly eyes, placed it next to a framed photo of the Pm and published a livestream. “Can Liz Truss outlast this lettuce?” the publication asked readers.
It was a joke that, as you can imagine, set Twitter alight. But it also felt like something that would not Romaine long in the public consciousness (I’m sorry.
After Prime Minister Liz Truss’ hard-line policies plunged the economy and her political party into turmoil, the Economist published an eviscerating column about her time so far in office, saying that she “has the shelf-life of a lettuce.”
So, the British tabloid Daily Star then decided to put this theory into action. They bought a lettuce, attached some googly eyes, placed it next to a framed photo of the Pm and published a livestream. “Can Liz Truss outlast this lettuce?” the publication asked readers.
It was a joke that, as you can imagine, set Twitter alight. But it also felt like something that would not Romaine long in the public consciousness (I’m sorry.
- 10/20/2022
- by Scott Bryan
- Variety Film + TV
Comedians Ricky Gervais, Nish Kumar and David Baddiel are among the celebrities to lead reactions to Liz Truss’s resignation after just six weeks as prime minister.
In a speech outside Downing Street on Thursday 20 October, Truss announced that her replacement would be found within the next week, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
The politician’s resignation came after 15 Tory MPs publicly called for her to step down, following a chaotic six weeks that included a disastrous mini-budget, the firing of former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and the resignation of former home secretary Suella Braverman.
Reacting to the news, Gervais shared a picture of himself making a speech outside No 10, with the caption: “And it wouldn’t even be in the top 10 weirdest news stories of the year.”
Piers Morgan tweeted: “What an absolute shambles.”
Comedian Baddiel posted: “That speech contained the words ‘to take advantage of...
In a speech outside Downing Street on Thursday 20 October, Truss announced that her replacement would be found within the next week, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
The politician’s resignation came after 15 Tory MPs publicly called for her to step down, following a chaotic six weeks that included a disastrous mini-budget, the firing of former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and the resignation of former home secretary Suella Braverman.
Reacting to the news, Gervais shared a picture of himself making a speech outside No 10, with the caption: “And it wouldn’t even be in the top 10 weirdest news stories of the year.”
Piers Morgan tweeted: “What an absolute shambles.”
Comedian Baddiel posted: “That speech contained the words ‘to take advantage of...
- 10/20/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
On Thursday, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss announced her intention to resign as leader of the Conservative Party, with a leadership election set for next week.
Truss’ exit was swift — she served as Pm for 44 days, 10 of which were dedicated to public mourning for Queen Elizabeth II — but the decision was unsurprising to many, including Scottish satirist and writer Armando Iannucci, who appeared to respond to the news on Twitter by immediately posting a scene from his television series “The Thick of It.”
https://t.co/7rIba8iyQV
— Armando Iannucci (@Aiannucci) October 20, 2022
“The Thick of It,” which began in 2005 and ran until 2012 (four series and two specials for a total of 23 episodes), was a brutal satire of the British government, focusing on the employees of the fictional Department of Social Affairs as they contend with constant media controversies and power plays. The clip Iannucci shared comes from the third series,...
Truss’ exit was swift — she served as Pm for 44 days, 10 of which were dedicated to public mourning for Queen Elizabeth II — but the decision was unsurprising to many, including Scottish satirist and writer Armando Iannucci, who appeared to respond to the news on Twitter by immediately posting a scene from his television series “The Thick of It.”
https://t.co/7rIba8iyQV
— Armando Iannucci (@Aiannucci) October 20, 2022
“The Thick of It,” which began in 2005 and ran until 2012 (four series and two specials for a total of 23 episodes), was a brutal satire of the British government, focusing on the employees of the fictional Department of Social Affairs as they contend with constant media controversies and power plays. The clip Iannucci shared comes from the third series,...
- 10/20/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has ferociously condemned the Tory government, following Liz Truss’s resignation after just six weeks as prime minister.
On Thursday 20 October, Truss resigned as leader, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
Truss’s resignation came after 15 Tory MPs publicly called for her to step down, following six weeks that included a mini-budget that caused the pound’s value to plummet, the firing of former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and the resignation of former home secretary Suella Braverman just yesterday (19 October).
The new prime minister will be announced in the next week.
Reacting to the news, Yorke tweeted: “Bring down this UK government, they do not speak for us, right the f*** now… they have no authority, no mandate, no clue, cats in a bag tearing themselves to pieces while the country suffers in extreme distress. Enough of this s***. Shame on them.”
Other stars...
On Thursday 20 October, Truss resigned as leader, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
Truss’s resignation came after 15 Tory MPs publicly called for her to step down, following six weeks that included a mini-budget that caused the pound’s value to plummet, the firing of former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and the resignation of former home secretary Suella Braverman just yesterday (19 October).
The new prime minister will be announced in the next week.
Reacting to the news, Yorke tweeted: “Bring down this UK government, they do not speak for us, right the f*** now… they have no authority, no mandate, no clue, cats in a bag tearing themselves to pieces while the country suffers in extreme distress. Enough of this s***. Shame on them.”
Other stars...
- 10/20/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - Music
Joe Lycett has joked that Liz Truss should run in next week’s leadership election, after she stood down as prime minister following just six weeks in office.
In a speech outside Downing Street on Thursday 20 October, Truss announced she was resigning, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
The politician’s resignation came after 15 Tory MPs publicly called for her to step down, following a chaotic six weeks that included a disastrous mini-budget, the firing of former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and the resignation of former home secretary Suella Braverman.
In her speech, Truss announced that there would be a leadership election in the next week.
Reacting to the news on Twitter, Lycett posted: “@trussliz Omg just heard there’s a leadership election nxt week????? u shud run babe youd be perfect!!!”
Read reactions from other comedians and stars here.
Lycett has been making headlines in recent weeks...
In a speech outside Downing Street on Thursday 20 October, Truss announced she was resigning, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
The politician’s resignation came after 15 Tory MPs publicly called for her to step down, following a chaotic six weeks that included a disastrous mini-budget, the firing of former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and the resignation of former home secretary Suella Braverman.
In her speech, Truss announced that there would be a leadership election in the next week.
Reacting to the news on Twitter, Lycett posted: “@trussliz Omg just heard there’s a leadership election nxt week????? u shud run babe youd be perfect!!!”
Read reactions from other comedians and stars here.
Lycett has been making headlines in recent weeks...
- 10/20/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
Liz Truss is out as UK Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party after just six weeks in office.
Truss announced her resignation this morning during a nationally televised address, saying she had informed the King of her move.
“I recognize given the situation I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative party,” Truss said as she resigned.
A Conservative party leadership race will take place in the coming week to find Truss’s replacement. Her successor will be the UK’s third prime minister this year.
Truss and her beleaguered government have faced severe pressure from opposition parties as well as her colleagues since the publication of a ‘mini-budget’ by former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in September, which resulted in the British pound falling to an all-time low against the dollar.
Under the plans, which Kwarteng described as a “new era” for the UK economy,...
Truss announced her resignation this morning during a nationally televised address, saying she had informed the King of her move.
“I recognize given the situation I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative party,” Truss said as she resigned.
A Conservative party leadership race will take place in the coming week to find Truss’s replacement. Her successor will be the UK’s third prime minister this year.
Truss and her beleaguered government have faced severe pressure from opposition parties as well as her colleagues since the publication of a ‘mini-budget’ by former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in September, which resulted in the British pound falling to an all-time low against the dollar.
Under the plans, which Kwarteng described as a “new era” for the UK economy,...
- 10/20/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Hugh Grant has said that his father is considering voting for Labour following a disastrous week in politics for the Tories.
The Bridget Jones’s Diary star is a frequent critic of the Conservative party and has ramped up his criticism in recent months.
On Wednesday (19 October), the Tories descended into further chaos as Suella Braverman resigned as home secretary following two data breaches within her office.
However, the MP took aim at Truss in her resignation letter, accusing the government of breaking “key pledges” and “pretending we haven’t made mistakes”. She has been replaced by Grant Shapps, who Truss fired as transport secretary last month.
Following Braverman’s resignation, actor Grant tweeted that the chaos in government had swayed even his “Tory party member” father.
“94-year-old ex-army Tory party member father just said he’d now vote Labour,” Grant tweeted, adding: “Pre-whisky.”
At the time of writing, the...
The Bridget Jones’s Diary star is a frequent critic of the Conservative party and has ramped up his criticism in recent months.
On Wednesday (19 October), the Tories descended into further chaos as Suella Braverman resigned as home secretary following two data breaches within her office.
However, the MP took aim at Truss in her resignation letter, accusing the government of breaking “key pledges” and “pretending we haven’t made mistakes”. She has been replaced by Grant Shapps, who Truss fired as transport secretary last month.
Following Braverman’s resignation, actor Grant tweeted that the chaos in government had swayed even his “Tory party member” father.
“94-year-old ex-army Tory party member father just said he’d now vote Labour,” Grant tweeted, adding: “Pre-whisky.”
At the time of writing, the...
- 10/20/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - Film
Comedy duo Dick and Dom have joined calls for the UK government to call a general election.
The Dick & Dom in da Bungalow stars – real names Richard McCourt and Dominic Wood – shared their thoughts on Twitter following a turbulent day in British politics.
Wednesday (19 October) saw the sudden dismissal of home secretary Suella Braverman after just weeks in the role.
“#GeneralElectionNow you twisted f***s,” tweeted Dick and Dom, from their official shared Twitter account.
Since Truss took over as prime minister just weeks ago, calls have been mounting for a general election.
The Independent has launched a petition, known as Election Now, calling for an election to be held following the turmoil of recent political events.
Braverman’s dismissal is but the latest episode of upheaval in Truss’s short but controversial leadership.
Last week, chancellor of the exchequor Kwasi Kwarteng was removed from the role after a disasterous...
The Dick & Dom in da Bungalow stars – real names Richard McCourt and Dominic Wood – shared their thoughts on Twitter following a turbulent day in British politics.
Wednesday (19 October) saw the sudden dismissal of home secretary Suella Braverman after just weeks in the role.
“#GeneralElectionNow you twisted f***s,” tweeted Dick and Dom, from their official shared Twitter account.
Since Truss took over as prime minister just weeks ago, calls have been mounting for a general election.
The Independent has launched a petition, known as Election Now, calling for an election to be held following the turmoil of recent political events.
Braverman’s dismissal is but the latest episode of upheaval in Truss’s short but controversial leadership.
Last week, chancellor of the exchequor Kwasi Kwarteng was removed from the role after a disasterous...
- 10/20/2022
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Liz Truss’ difficult week is going from bad to worse. A former aide has claimed the under fire British Prime Minister’s advisers would lie about deaths in her family so she could miss appearing on British current affairs program Question Time.
Speaking on the Whitehall Sources podcast, Kirsty Buchanan said Truss did not like media appearances, so her team would find excuses to pass on them. Buchanan worked for the Pm when she was Justice Secretary between mid-2016 and 2017.
“She didn’t like the media, so we used to spend quite a lot of time making up excuses and killing off minor members of her family so she didn’t have to go on,” said Buchanan. “Only minor people like aunts and cousins and things — I’m not talking about major members of the family.”
After her team “ran out of excuses, Buchanan said Truss eventually agreed to appear on Question Time,...
Speaking on the Whitehall Sources podcast, Kirsty Buchanan said Truss did not like media appearances, so her team would find excuses to pass on them. Buchanan worked for the Pm when she was Justice Secretary between mid-2016 and 2017.
“She didn’t like the media, so we used to spend quite a lot of time making up excuses and killing off minor members of her family so she didn’t have to go on,” said Buchanan. “Only minor people like aunts and cousins and things — I’m not talking about major members of the family.”
After her team “ran out of excuses, Buchanan said Truss eventually agreed to appear on Question Time,...
- 10/19/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
David Baddiel, Kathy Burke and Krishnan Guru-Murthy are among the celebrities who have reacted with joy to Miriam Margolyes swearing about Jeremy Hunt live on Radio 4’s Today programme.
At the end of an interview on the Saturday morning episode of the show (15 October), actor Margolyes told the hosts her reaction to seeing the new chancellor, Hunt, in the studio.
“When I saw him there,” she told Justin Webb and Martha Kearney, “I said, ‘You’ve got a hell of a job, best of luck.’ And what I really want to say was, ‘F*** you, bastard.’ But you cant say that.”
“Oh no no no you mustn’t say that,” replied Webb. “We’ll have to have you out of the studio now.”
“We will,” added Kearney. “With many apologies.”
Reacting to the chaotic scenes on Twitter, comedian Baddiel posted: “I love the panic on the presenters’ parts. They know...
At the end of an interview on the Saturday morning episode of the show (15 October), actor Margolyes told the hosts her reaction to seeing the new chancellor, Hunt, in the studio.
“When I saw him there,” she told Justin Webb and Martha Kearney, “I said, ‘You’ve got a hell of a job, best of luck.’ And what I really want to say was, ‘F*** you, bastard.’ But you cant say that.”
“Oh no no no you mustn’t say that,” replied Webb. “We’ll have to have you out of the studio now.”
“We will,” added Kearney. “With many apologies.”
Reacting to the chaotic scenes on Twitter, comedian Baddiel posted: “I love the panic on the presenters’ parts. They know...
- 10/15/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
Miriam Margolyes broke the first rule of radio this morning (Saturday 15 October) as she said “f*** you” live on the Today programme.
The actor was reacting to seeing the new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, in the BBC Radio 4 studio, when she swore.
“When I saw him there,” she told the hosts Justin Webb and Martha Kearney, as she was finishing her interview, “I said, ‘You’ve got a hell of a job, best of luck.’ And what I really want to say was, ‘F*** you, bastard.’ But you cant say that.”
“Oh no no no you mustn’t say that,” replied Webb. “We’ll have to have you out of the studio now.”
“We will,” added Kearney. “With many apologies.”
Margolyes made the remark at about 8.30am, at the end of an interview about her Harry Potter co-star, Robbie Coltrane, who died aged 72 on Friday (14 October).
Speaking about her friend,...
The actor was reacting to seeing the new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, in the BBC Radio 4 studio, when she swore.
“When I saw him there,” she told the hosts Justin Webb and Martha Kearney, as she was finishing her interview, “I said, ‘You’ve got a hell of a job, best of luck.’ And what I really want to say was, ‘F*** you, bastard.’ But you cant say that.”
“Oh no no no you mustn’t say that,” replied Webb. “We’ll have to have you out of the studio now.”
“We will,” added Kearney. “With many apologies.”
Margolyes made the remark at about 8.30am, at the end of an interview about her Harry Potter co-star, Robbie Coltrane, who died aged 72 on Friday (14 October).
Speaking about her friend,...
- 10/15/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
Miriam Margolyes broke the first rule of radio this morning (Saturday 15 October) as she said “f*** you” live on the Today programme.
The actor was reacting to seeing the new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, in the BBC Radio 4 studio, when she swore.
“When I saw him there,” she told the hosts Justin Webb and Martha Kearney, as she was finishing her interview, “I said, ‘You’ve got a hell of a job, best of luck.’ And what I really want to say was, ‘F*** you, bastard.’ But you cant say that.”
“Oh no no no you mustn’t say that,” replied Webb. “We’ll have to have you out of the studio now.”
“We will,” added Kearney. “With many apologies.”
Margolyes made the remark at about 8.30am, at the end of an interview about her Harry Potter co-star, Robbie Coltrane, who died aged 72 on Friday (14 October).
Speaking about her friend,...
The actor was reacting to seeing the new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, in the BBC Radio 4 studio, when she swore.
“When I saw him there,” she told the hosts Justin Webb and Martha Kearney, as she was finishing her interview, “I said, ‘You’ve got a hell of a job, best of luck.’ And what I really want to say was, ‘F*** you, bastard.’ But you cant say that.”
“Oh no no no you mustn’t say that,” replied Webb. “We’ll have to have you out of the studio now.”
“We will,” added Kearney. “With many apologies.”
Margolyes made the remark at about 8.30am, at the end of an interview about her Harry Potter co-star, Robbie Coltrane, who died aged 72 on Friday (14 October).
Speaking about her friend,...
- 10/15/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
Brian Cox took aim at Liz Truss on Question Time Thursday (6 October) night.
The actor known for playing the sharp-tongued patriarch Logan Roy on HBO’s Succession appeared alongside Piers Morgan, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Equalities Nadhim Zahawi MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Lisa Nandy MP and founder of the Black Farmer range of food products Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones.
Asked how long Truss would be able to stay on as prime minister, Morgan kicked off proceedings by saying he wasn’t “sure how she has the brass neck to stay on the job” after her cabinet’s mini-Budget announcement plunged the value of Sterling to record lows against the dollar.
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s pledge to abolish the 45p rate of tax, paid by people who earn more than £150,000 a year, was met with a major pushback and...
The actor known for playing the sharp-tongued patriarch Logan Roy on HBO’s Succession appeared alongside Piers Morgan, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Equalities Nadhim Zahawi MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Lisa Nandy MP and founder of the Black Farmer range of food products Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones.
Asked how long Truss would be able to stay on as prime minister, Morgan kicked off proceedings by saying he wasn’t “sure how she has the brass neck to stay on the job” after her cabinet’s mini-Budget announcement plunged the value of Sterling to record lows against the dollar.
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s pledge to abolish the 45p rate of tax, paid by people who earn more than £150,000 a year, was met with a major pushback and...
- 10/6/2022
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - TV
Rust will resume production after a settlement was reached with the estate of Halyna Hutchins, who was killed on set.
The western film’s production was shut down after cinematographer Hutchins was shot and killed on the film’s set on 21 October 2021 in New Mexico.
Alec Baldwin, the film’s lead star, was the one who was holding the gun when it discharged. The weapon is believed to have been loaded with dummy rounds instead of gunpowder and a projectile.
The bullet hit Hutchins, as well as the shoulder of the film’s director, Joel Souza. According to onlookers, a horrified Baldwin repeatedly yelled: “What the f*** just happened”.
Souza and the film’s “principal players”, which is believed to include Baldwin, are returning to the film, which resumes production from January 2023. Souza said the film would be completed “in honour” of Hutchins.
Matthew Hutchins, Halyna’s husband, said on...
The western film’s production was shut down after cinematographer Hutchins was shot and killed on the film’s set on 21 October 2021 in New Mexico.
Alec Baldwin, the film’s lead star, was the one who was holding the gun when it discharged. The weapon is believed to have been loaded with dummy rounds instead of gunpowder and a projectile.
The bullet hit Hutchins, as well as the shoulder of the film’s director, Joel Souza. According to onlookers, a horrified Baldwin repeatedly yelled: “What the f*** just happened”.
Souza and the film’s “principal players”, which is believed to include Baldwin, are returning to the film, which resumes production from January 2023. Souza said the film would be completed “in honour” of Hutchins.
Matthew Hutchins, Halyna’s husband, said on...
- 10/5/2022
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - Film
M People founder Mike Pickering has condemned prime minister Liz Truss’s use of his band’s hit song “Moving On Up” at the Conservative Party conference.
Truss walked onstage to the sound of the 1993 dance-pop track, as she delivered her Conservative Party conference speech in Birmingham on Wednesday (5 October).
Many people watching the speech immediately pointed out both the irony of the song’s lyrics, as well as the fact that singer Heather Small’s son is a Labour councillor.
“So apparently we can’t stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird!” Pickering wrote on Twitter. “So sad it got used by this shower of a government. [By the way] Truss, Labour used it with permission in Nineties. I don’t want my song being a soundtrack to lies.”
So apparently we can't stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird! So sad it got used by this shower of a government.
Truss walked onstage to the sound of the 1993 dance-pop track, as she delivered her Conservative Party conference speech in Birmingham on Wednesday (5 October).
Many people watching the speech immediately pointed out both the irony of the song’s lyrics, as well as the fact that singer Heather Small’s son is a Labour councillor.
“So apparently we can’t stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird!” Pickering wrote on Twitter. “So sad it got used by this shower of a government. [By the way] Truss, Labour used it with permission in Nineties. I don’t want my song being a soundtrack to lies.”
So apparently we can't stop Truss walking out to our song, very weird! So sad it got used by this shower of a government.
- 10/5/2022
- by Megan Graye and Roisin O'Connor
- The Independent - Music
Dolly Parton has paid tribute to the “wonderful talent” Loretta Lynn, following the country music icon’s death aged 90.
The family of the US artist shared a statement on social media announcing that Lynn had died at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, on Tuesday 4 October.
Veteran country singer Parton said she considered Lynn her sister and that she would miss her “dearly”.
In a post on Instagram, she wrote: “So sorry to hear about my sister, friend Loretta.
“We’ve been like sisters all the years we’ve been in Nashville and she was a wonderful human being, wonderful talent, had millions of fans and I’m one of them. I miss her dearly as we all will. May she rest in peace”.
Parton’s sister and fellow singer Stella Parton also shared a tribute, writing from her Twitter account: “My heart is broken with the news of my sweet friend Loretta Lynn passing.
The family of the US artist shared a statement on social media announcing that Lynn had died at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, on Tuesday 4 October.
Veteran country singer Parton said she considered Lynn her sister and that she would miss her “dearly”.
In a post on Instagram, she wrote: “So sorry to hear about my sister, friend Loretta.
“We’ve been like sisters all the years we’ve been in Nashville and she was a wonderful human being, wonderful talent, had millions of fans and I’m one of them. I miss her dearly as we all will. May she rest in peace”.
Parton’s sister and fellow singer Stella Parton also shared a tribute, writing from her Twitter account: “My heart is broken with the news of my sweet friend Loretta Lynn passing.
- 10/5/2022
- by Roisin O'Connor
- The Independent - Music
Velma is officially a lesbian in the new animated film Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!, finally confirming a well-known fact among fans and Scooby-Doo creatives.
Following Amazon Prime Video’s release of the newest iteration of the iconic childhood franchise on Tuesday (4 October), a clip of Velma’s first encounter with her crush, villain Coco Diablo, has gone viral.
“Wooo! Gay Velma!” one fan tweeted, with another adding: “Ahhhhhh! About time they get it right!”
The recent verification of Velma’s sexuality isn’t too surprising for many as James Gunn, the writer of the early live-action movies, and Tony Cervone, former supervising producer on the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated series, previously confirmed Velma’s sexual identity, but said they were never able to officially show it onscreen.
Gunn shared a tweet in 2020 saying that he had “tried” to make Velma a visible lesbian in the live-action movies, “but the studio just...
Following Amazon Prime Video’s release of the newest iteration of the iconic childhood franchise on Tuesday (4 October), a clip of Velma’s first encounter with her crush, villain Coco Diablo, has gone viral.
“Wooo! Gay Velma!” one fan tweeted, with another adding: “Ahhhhhh! About time they get it right!”
The recent verification of Velma’s sexuality isn’t too surprising for many as James Gunn, the writer of the early live-action movies, and Tony Cervone, former supervising producer on the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated series, previously confirmed Velma’s sexual identity, but said they were never able to officially show it onscreen.
Gunn shared a tweet in 2020 saying that he had “tried” to make Velma a visible lesbian in the live-action movies, “but the studio just...
- 10/4/2022
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
Kwasi Kwarteng’s “we get it” statement, in which he revealed that he was backtracking on plans to scrap the 45p tax rate, has been roasted on social media – with many comparing his words to those of Shiv Roy in the HBO satire Succession.
On Monday (3 October), the chancellor said in a statement that “we get it and we have listened”, following a fierce backlash to the move, which makes those earning over £150,000 a year richer as the poorest people struggle, in the worst cost-of-living crisis the UK has seen for decades.
Kwarteng’s statement sounded all too familiar to some on social media, who compared it to a speech given by Sarah Snook’s character Shiv Roy in Succession.
In season three of the hit show, Shiv used the phrase “we get it” while addressing Waystar Royco employees after a series of scandals hit the company.
“Does the UK government...
On Monday (3 October), the chancellor said in a statement that “we get it and we have listened”, following a fierce backlash to the move, which makes those earning over £150,000 a year richer as the poorest people struggle, in the worst cost-of-living crisis the UK has seen for decades.
Kwarteng’s statement sounded all too familiar to some on social media, who compared it to a speech given by Sarah Snook’s character Shiv Roy in Succession.
In season three of the hit show, Shiv used the phrase “we get it” while addressing Waystar Royco employees after a series of scandals hit the company.
“Does the UK government...
- 10/4/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
UK newspaper The Mirror has apologised for its “terrible error” after mistakenly including a picture of the wrong person in a story about the new Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng.
After the newspaper published a story about the politician’s mini-budget last week, it took Kwarteng himself to point out on social media, “That isn’t me.”
That isn’t me… @DailyMirror pic.twitter.com/rcxn4VjoNW
— Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) October 1, 2022
Unfortunately for The Mirror, the error occurred on the first day of Black History Month in the UK, and it had to apologise swiftly for its mistake in posting instead a picture of Bernard Mensah, the president of international for Bank of America.
An hour after the error was pointed out, the newspaper issued a statement saying: “This morning a picture in a story about Kwasi Kwarteng was wrongly captioned on The Mirror website. This was a terrible...
After the newspaper published a story about the politician’s mini-budget last week, it took Kwarteng himself to point out on social media, “That isn’t me.”
That isn’t me… @DailyMirror pic.twitter.com/rcxn4VjoNW
— Kwasi Kwarteng (@KwasiKwarteng) October 1, 2022
Unfortunately for The Mirror, the error occurred on the first day of Black History Month in the UK, and it had to apologise swiftly for its mistake in posting instead a picture of Bernard Mensah, the president of international for Bank of America.
An hour after the error was pointed out, the newspaper issued a statement saying: “This morning a picture in a story about Kwasi Kwarteng was wrongly captioned on The Mirror website. This was a terrible...
- 10/2/2022
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Given the state of British politics, I’m not sure that using a reality TV format to choose our next prime minister is such a terrible idea. Of course, Make Me Prime Minister (Channel 4) isn’t actually designed to do this – that’s the task of a tiny handful of unrepresentative Tory activists in Liz Truss’s case – but rather to entertain and to educate us a little.
I have to say, having been badly jaundiced by over-exposure to politics and politicians over some decades, I am pleasantly surprised at how well the show works. Somehow it actually manages to make the political process look like God’s work. A minor miracle.
Basically, it’s a bit of a rip-off of The Apprentice, with two teams of members of the public taking it in turns to be their “team leader”, ie Pm, and to take on assignments and make fools of themselves.
I have to say, having been badly jaundiced by over-exposure to politics and politicians over some decades, I am pleasantly surprised at how well the show works. Somehow it actually manages to make the political process look like God’s work. A minor miracle.
Basically, it’s a bit of a rip-off of The Apprentice, with two teams of members of the public taking it in turns to be their “team leader”, ie Pm, and to take on assignments and make fools of themselves.
- 9/27/2022
- by Sean O'Grady
- The Independent - TV
Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Netflix’s new serial killer thriller based on real crimes, has been terrifying viewers from its first few scenes.
The show stars Mare of Easttown actor Evan Peters as the man also known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal” or the “Milwaukee Monster”, who committed the murders and dismemberments of 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991.
It arrived on the platform on Thursday 22 September, and since then, many viewers have found the gruesome scenes too much to handle.
“I’m tapping out at episode two... Jeffrey Dahmer is too sick and twisted and I can’t make it through this s***,” tweeted one viewer.
“This Jeffrey Dahmer series has me scared to walk outside,” added another, while a third called it “so nauseating”, adding: “Like what in the actual f*** was wrong with this fool?”
“Seriously, not advisable to binge. One of the most disturbing true crime series I’ve watched,...
The show stars Mare of Easttown actor Evan Peters as the man also known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal” or the “Milwaukee Monster”, who committed the murders and dismemberments of 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991.
It arrived on the platform on Thursday 22 September, and since then, many viewers have found the gruesome scenes too much to handle.
“I’m tapping out at episode two... Jeffrey Dahmer is too sick and twisted and I can’t make it through this s***,” tweeted one viewer.
“This Jeffrey Dahmer series has me scared to walk outside,” added another, while a third called it “so nauseating”, adding: “Like what in the actual f*** was wrong with this fool?”
“Seriously, not advisable to binge. One of the most disturbing true crime series I’ve watched,...
- 9/26/2022
- by Ellie Harrison and Megan Graye
- The Independent - TV
Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Netflix’s new serial killer thriller based on real crimes, has been terrifying viewers from its first few scenes.
The show stars Mare of Easttown actor Evan Peters as the man also known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal” or the “Milwaukee Monster”, who committed the murders and dismemberments of 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991.
It arrived on the platform on Thursday 22 September, and since then, many viewers have found the gruesome scenes too much to handle.
“I’m tapping out at episode two... Jeffrey Dahmer is too sick and twisted and I can’t make it through this s***,” tweeted one viewer.
“This Jeffrey Dahmer series has me scared to walk outside,” added another, while a third called it “so nauseating”, adding: “Like what in the actual f*** was wrong with this fool?”
“Seriously, not advisable to binge. One of the most disturbing true crime series I’ve watched,...
The show stars Mare of Easttown actor Evan Peters as the man also known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal” or the “Milwaukee Monster”, who committed the murders and dismemberments of 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991.
It arrived on the platform on Thursday 22 September, and since then, many viewers have found the gruesome scenes too much to handle.
“I’m tapping out at episode two... Jeffrey Dahmer is too sick and twisted and I can’t make it through this s***,” tweeted one viewer.
“This Jeffrey Dahmer series has me scared to walk outside,” added another, while a third called it “so nauseating”, adding: “Like what in the actual f*** was wrong with this fool?”
“Seriously, not advisable to binge. One of the most disturbing true crime series I’ve watched,...
- 9/26/2022
- by Ellie Harrison and Megan Graye
- The Independent - TV
The British pound fell to an all-time low against the dollar as markets reacted to the UK’s biggest tax cuts in 50 years.
The pound plunged more than 4 early Monday morning to 1.0327 before stabilizing at around 1.06. The steep slide came as trading opened in Asia and Australia, extending an almost 2 drop from Friday and fueling predictions that the pound could continue to fall to parity with the US dollar.
If the pound continues to stand at this low level against the dollar, imports of commodities such as oil and gas, which are priced in dollars, will be more expensive to buy. British people visiting the US will also find that their money does not go as far as it once did. In short, you will be paying more for whatever you buy overseas.
On the production side, this trend is good for U.S. firms who want to shoot in...
The pound plunged more than 4 early Monday morning to 1.0327 before stabilizing at around 1.06. The steep slide came as trading opened in Asia and Australia, extending an almost 2 drop from Friday and fueling predictions that the pound could continue to fall to parity with the US dollar.
If the pound continues to stand at this low level against the dollar, imports of commodities such as oil and gas, which are priced in dollars, will be more expensive to buy. British people visiting the US will also find that their money does not go as far as it once did. In short, you will be paying more for whatever you buy overseas.
On the production side, this trend is good for U.S. firms who want to shoot in...
- 9/26/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Susanna Reid had an awkward exchange on Monday’s (26 September) episode of Good Morning Britain, after cracking a joke about Rachel Reeves’s new haircut.
The ITV morning show host made the comments during a conversation about tax cuts in the new government mini-budget.
She alluded to the fact that it appeared further cuts had been made, referencing Reeves’s hair, an exchange that was made even more awkward when Reeves had trouble hearing the Gmb host, forcing her to repeat the joke.
Co-host Ed Balls appeared surprised by Reid’s comments, remarking: “Good job I didn’t say that about her hair – I’d be in total trouble!”
However, Reid defended her comment on air, claiming that a new hairstyle on a public figure such as an MP was noticeable.
The awkward moment in the Gmb studio also fell flat with many viewers at home, who shared their thoughts on social media.
The ITV morning show host made the comments during a conversation about tax cuts in the new government mini-budget.
She alluded to the fact that it appeared further cuts had been made, referencing Reeves’s hair, an exchange that was made even more awkward when Reeves had trouble hearing the Gmb host, forcing her to repeat the joke.
Co-host Ed Balls appeared surprised by Reid’s comments, remarking: “Good job I didn’t say that about her hair – I’d be in total trouble!”
However, Reid defended her comment on air, claiming that a new hairstyle on a public figure such as an MP was noticeable.
The awkward moment in the Gmb studio also fell flat with many viewers at home, who shared their thoughts on social media.
- 9/26/2022
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Post Malone has been admitted to hospital after “having a very difficult time breathing”.
Last week, the “White Iverson” rapper tripped over on stage, bruising his ribs in the process.
While he reassured fans that “everything is good” following the incident, on Saturday (24 September), Post cancelled his concert at the Td Garden in Boston at the last minute.
In a post shared to his Instagram Story on Saturday (24 September), the musician wrote that he was struggling to breathe and experiencing “a stabbing pain whenever I breathe or move”.
“Boston, I love y’all so f***ing much,” Post wrote.
“On tour, I usually wake up around 4 o’clock Pm, and today I woke up to a cracking sound on the right side of my body. I felt so good last night, but today it felt so different than it has before. I’m having a very difficult time breathing, and...
Last week, the “White Iverson” rapper tripped over on stage, bruising his ribs in the process.
While he reassured fans that “everything is good” following the incident, on Saturday (24 September), Post cancelled his concert at the Td Garden in Boston at the last minute.
In a post shared to his Instagram Story on Saturday (24 September), the musician wrote that he was struggling to breathe and experiencing “a stabbing pain whenever I breathe or move”.
“Boston, I love y’all so f***ing much,” Post wrote.
“On tour, I usually wake up around 4 o’clock Pm, and today I woke up to a cracking sound on the right side of my body. I felt so good last night, but today it felt so different than it has before. I’m having a very difficult time breathing, and...
- 9/25/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - Music
Exclusive: New UK Prime Minister Liz Truss and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng are preparing to unveil the government’s plan to tackle the worst cost-of-living crisis for decades, and the TV industry is not immune.
As Britain’s production community feels the crunch, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Paramount-owned Channel 5 have each told Deadline that they are taking a flexible approach to the budgets they set producers to make shows in order to account for any extra costs, with Channel 4 currently in the process of reviewing its commissioning tariffs.
And those costs are spiraling, with gas and energy bills skyrocketing and inflation hovering at an incredible 10. Truss and Kwarteng’s plan, which comes after the UK parliament shut down due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, will aim to deal with this in some regard and they have already unveiled a blueprint to help protect businesses over the coming months.
As Britain’s production community feels the crunch, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Paramount-owned Channel 5 have each told Deadline that they are taking a flexible approach to the budgets they set producers to make shows in order to account for any extra costs, with Channel 4 currently in the process of reviewing its commissioning tariffs.
And those costs are spiraling, with gas and energy bills skyrocketing and inflation hovering at an incredible 10. Truss and Kwarteng’s plan, which comes after the UK parliament shut down due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, will aim to deal with this in some regard and they have already unveiled a blueprint to help protect businesses over the coming months.
- 9/22/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Liz Truss is to be the next UK Prime Minister, replacing Boris Johnson and defeating Rishi Sunak to become the third woman to hold the office.
Truss’ victory was just announced in Parliament and she will officially take up the post tomorrow, when Johnson, who resigned in disgrace in July over multiple scandals, heads to the Queen’s residence in Balmoral.
The former Foreign Secretary and International Trade Secretary won comfortably, with 57 or 81,000 of the Conservative Party member base voting her in compared to 60,000 for Sunak.
Although nominated by less MPs than Sunak and starting the race considerably behind him, she has been favorite for the majority of the eight-week long run-off period, which has included 12 hustings around the country and multiple interviews.
Accepting her victory, Truss said it has been a “hardening campaign” during which the “depth and breadth of Conservative Party talent” was shown, while she also thanked “my friend Boris Johnson.
Truss’ victory was just announced in Parliament and she will officially take up the post tomorrow, when Johnson, who resigned in disgrace in July over multiple scandals, heads to the Queen’s residence in Balmoral.
The former Foreign Secretary and International Trade Secretary won comfortably, with 57 or 81,000 of the Conservative Party member base voting her in compared to 60,000 for Sunak.
Although nominated by less MPs than Sunak and starting the race considerably behind him, she has been favorite for the majority of the eight-week long run-off period, which has included 12 hustings around the country and multiple interviews.
Accepting her victory, Truss said it has been a “hardening campaign” during which the “depth and breadth of Conservative Party talent” was shown, while she also thanked “my friend Boris Johnson.
- 9/5/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
London, July 22 (Ians) In a first, the UK government has blocked University of Manchester from sharing motion camera technology with a Chinese firm over national security concerns, the media reported on Friday. Kwasi Kwarteng who is business, energy and industrial strategy secretary stopped the university not to share the camera technology with Beijing Infinite […]...
- 7/22/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Exclusive: The pressure is ramping up on UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries to refuse to privatize Channel 4 after a group of Scottish politicians from her own party sent a letter urging her to keep it public, Deadline can reveal.
The letter was sent by Sharon Dowey, a minister for Scottish Parliament, on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives late last year, in which she said the sale of Channel 4 would create a “significant risk that Scotland’s independent production sector, not to mention all the associated companies within that ecosystem, would be under threat.”
Dowey, who is a Shadow Minister for Culture, pointed out that Channel 4 is “rare” in having Scottish-based commissioners and that its shows hand IP to the producer, thereby building their businesses. If privatized, however, a private buyer would have no motivation to commission shows from different producers based around the country, nor have commissioners based beyond London,...
The letter was sent by Sharon Dowey, a minister for Scottish Parliament, on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives late last year, in which she said the sale of Channel 4 would create a “significant risk that Scotland’s independent production sector, not to mention all the associated companies within that ecosystem, would be under threat.”
Dowey, who is a Shadow Minister for Culture, pointed out that Channel 4 is “rare” in having Scottish-based commissioners and that its shows hand IP to the producer, thereby building their businesses. If privatized, however, a private buyer would have no motivation to commission shows from different producers based around the country, nor have commissioners based beyond London,...
- 2/2/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
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