Exclusive: The director of Riz Ahmed and Rogan Productions’ Channel 4 series Defiance: Fighting the Far Right has opened up about how the show spotlights generational differences within the British Asian community.
Defiance, which launched earlier this week to positive reviews, shines a stark light on the violent struggles of the British Asian community in the late ‘70s and ‘80s, and is told over three hours of interviews and archival footage.
Satiyesh Manoharajah tells Deadline that the show co-produced by Oscar-nominated British Asian star Ahmed explores themes of conflict within the South Asian community, between the older generation who wanted to maintain a low profile and the younger ones who felt that staying quiet was going to get them nothing of significance. This, he adds, is particularly stark due to the fact that the the first British Asian Prime Minister was appointed two years ago.
“I found that there had...
Defiance, which launched earlier this week to positive reviews, shines a stark light on the violent struggles of the British Asian community in the late ‘70s and ‘80s, and is told over three hours of interviews and archival footage.
Satiyesh Manoharajah tells Deadline that the show co-produced by Oscar-nominated British Asian star Ahmed explores themes of conflict within the South Asian community, between the older generation who wanted to maintain a low profile and the younger ones who felt that staying quiet was going to get them nothing of significance. This, he adds, is particularly stark due to the fact that the the first British Asian Prime Minister was appointed two years ago.
“I found that there had...
- 4/11/2024
- by Hannah Abraham
- Deadline Film + TV
BBC Buys HBO Max Thriller ‘Spy/Master’
The BBC has acquired HBO Max thriller Spy/Master as it continues to beef up its iPlayer offering. Acquired from Warner Bros. Discovery, the show stars Happy Valley’s Alec Secăreanu as the most trusted advisor to Romanian President Nicolae Ceaușescu. With his government poised to uncover that he’s a secret agent for the Soviets, Godeanu uses a diplomatic trip to Germany as a springboard to defect to the U.S. The series also stars Aidan McArdle, Ana Ularu (Who Is Erin Carter?), Laurențiu Bănescu (Boss), Andreea Vasile (Umbre), Nico Mirallegro (Our Girl), lulian Postelnicu (Arest) and Elvira Deatcu (Clanul). “A classic spy drama set at the height of the Cold War, Spy/Master is an atmospheric, complex thriller, dripping with style and suspense,” said Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition. The show was nominated for the inaugural...
The BBC has acquired HBO Max thriller Spy/Master as it continues to beef up its iPlayer offering. Acquired from Warner Bros. Discovery, the show stars Happy Valley’s Alec Secăreanu as the most trusted advisor to Romanian President Nicolae Ceaușescu. With his government poised to uncover that he’s a secret agent for the Soviets, Godeanu uses a diplomatic trip to Germany as a springboard to defect to the U.S. The series also stars Aidan McArdle, Ana Ularu (Who Is Erin Carter?), Laurențiu Bănescu (Boss), Andreea Vasile (Umbre), Nico Mirallegro (Our Girl), lulian Postelnicu (Arest) and Elvira Deatcu (Clanul). “A classic spy drama set at the height of the Cold War, Spy/Master is an atmospheric, complex thriller, dripping with style and suspense,” said Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition. The show was nominated for the inaugural...
- 3/27/2024
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Like it or loath it, Gb News is a trailblazer.
The news station, backed by Brexit-supporting billionaire Paul Marshall, crash-landed on British screens in June 2021, but overcame tech and studio fails to establish itself as a genuine force, with a loyal following of around 3M viewers a month and an ability to set the agenda — if not always for the right reasons.
The channel provoked Rupert Murdoch into launching TalkTV and forced Sky News, the established commercial leader, into a major rethink of its schedule. Gb News is now the channel of choice for over half of Tory party members, the people who picked Britain’s prime minister in 2022. Former Pm Boris Johnson will join its presenting ranks as early as this month, Deadline hears.
In securing this foothold, Gb News’ brand of opinionated broadcasting has begun to reinvent the idea of a news channel in the UK. It has...
The news station, backed by Brexit-supporting billionaire Paul Marshall, crash-landed on British screens in June 2021, but overcame tech and studio fails to establish itself as a genuine force, with a loyal following of around 3M viewers a month and an ability to set the agenda — if not always for the right reasons.
The channel provoked Rupert Murdoch into launching TalkTV and forced Sky News, the established commercial leader, into a major rethink of its schedule. Gb News is now the channel of choice for over half of Tory party members, the people who picked Britain’s prime minister in 2022. Former Pm Boris Johnson will join its presenting ranks as early as this month, Deadline hears.
In securing this foothold, Gb News’ brand of opinionated broadcasting has begun to reinvent the idea of a news channel in the UK. It has...
- 1/8/2024
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s been an eventful 2023 for international TV and film. As the strikes shut down Hollywood and streamers retrenched from the mega-spends of the Covid era, shows and movies from far and wide remained in demand like never before, as viewers continued to look to new countries for inspiration. Call it the Squid Game effect, or whatever you want, but neither subtitles nor geographical boundaries are an impediment to content getting seen any more. Here, we run down each Deadline International journalist’s top pick from the year, for the most part avoiding spoilers. You’ll find big-ticket U.S. fare, Japanese anime, restaurant TV dramas and Australian newsroom stories among our eclectic selections.
And for more on the top new non-u.S. titles for the year, be sure to check out our fortnightly Global Breakouts strand, featuring shows from Turkey,...
And for more on the top new non-u.S. titles for the year, be sure to check out our fortnightly Global Breakouts strand, featuring shows from Turkey,...
- 12/23/2023
- by Jesse Whittock, Melanie Goodfellow, Andreas Wiseman, Baz Bamigboye, Max Goldbart, Liz Shackleton, Stewart Clarke, Nancy Tartaglione, Diana Lodderhose, Jake Kanter and Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Laurence Fox’s highly misogynistic rant on Dan Wootton Tonight, which led to the actor and politician’s firing from Gb News, was Ofcom’s most-complained-about TV show of the year in 2023.
The episode in September, in which Fox ranted about journalist Ava Evans – saying no “self-respecting man would climb into bed with her” – narrowly beat complaints around Bridgerton star Adjoah Andoh’s comments during King Charles III’s Coronation to the top spot of the regulator’s annual list.
Fox was fired from Gb News following the rant, which generated nationwide headlines and amassed a total of 8,867 complaints, ahead of Andoh by around 200.
Ofcom investigated almost immediately due to the severity of the breach and it is one of a dozen Gb News shows that have been or are being probed by the regulator this year, with five already found to be in breach. Fox, who regularly featured on...
The episode in September, in which Fox ranted about journalist Ava Evans – saying no “self-respecting man would climb into bed with her” – narrowly beat complaints around Bridgerton star Adjoah Andoh’s comments during King Charles III’s Coronation to the top spot of the regulator’s annual list.
Fox was fired from Gb News following the rant, which generated nationwide headlines and amassed a total of 8,867 complaints, ahead of Andoh by around 200.
Ofcom investigated almost immediately due to the severity of the breach and it is one of a dozen Gb News shows that have been or are being probed by the regulator this year, with five already found to be in breach. Fox, who regularly featured on...
- 12/20/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) has become a site for heated debate over the Israel-Hamas war, with the festival drawing protests from both sides.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, IDFA artistic director Orwa Nyrabia confirms that “around 10” directors have pulled their films from the festival lineup in protest over comments made by the IDFA. The Palestinian Film Institute (Pfi) over the weekend also announced it was pulling out from all organized activities at the IDFA film market.
“We respect the choices and the decisions of all filmmakers, whether that is to speak their minds on stage or online or to withdraw their films, all forms of peaceful protest, including criticism of our work, we honor and respect,” Nyrabia tells THR.
On Monday, the Pfi staged a demonstration outside the main IDFA headquarters to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, and to criticize the IDFA for its response...
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, IDFA artistic director Orwa Nyrabia confirms that “around 10” directors have pulled their films from the festival lineup in protest over comments made by the IDFA. The Palestinian Film Institute (Pfi) over the weekend also announced it was pulling out from all organized activities at the IDFA film market.
“We respect the choices and the decisions of all filmmakers, whether that is to speak their minds on stage or online or to withdraw their films, all forms of peaceful protest, including criticism of our work, we honor and respect,” Nyrabia tells THR.
On Monday, the Pfi staged a demonstration outside the main IDFA headquarters to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, and to criticize the IDFA for its response...
- 11/14/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Carol Vorderman has become the first presenter to leave a BBC role over its new social media guidelines.
The presenter, who is a frequent political poster on X/Twitter, revealed she is leaving her Saturday morning radio show on BBC Radio Wales after five years after — aptly with a social media post.
“The BBC recently introduced new social media guidelines which I respect. However despite my show being lighthearted with no political content, it was explained to me that as it is a weekly show in my name, the new guidelines apply to all and any content that I post all year round,” she wrote.
“since those non-negotiable changes to my radio contract were made, I’ve ultimately found that I’m not prepared to lose my voice on social medial, change who I am, or lose the ability to express the strong beliefs I hold about the political turmoil [the UK] finds itself in.
The presenter, who is a frequent political poster on X/Twitter, revealed she is leaving her Saturday morning radio show on BBC Radio Wales after five years after — aptly with a social media post.
“The BBC recently introduced new social media guidelines which I respect. However despite my show being lighthearted with no political content, it was explained to me that as it is a weekly show in my name, the new guidelines apply to all and any content that I post all year round,” she wrote.
“since those non-negotiable changes to my radio contract were made, I’ve ultimately found that I’m not prepared to lose my voice on social medial, change who I am, or lose the ability to express the strong beliefs I hold about the political turmoil [the UK] finds itself in.
- 11/8/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Laurence Fox’s Gb News show, in which stand-in presenter Martin Daubney interviewed Reform Party leader Richard Tice about the hot-button small boats issue, has become the latest to be found in breach by Ofcom.
The regulator has rapped Gb News once again for “due impartiality” issues, following an interview between Daubney and Tice that was deemed to be “insufficiently challenged,” with the “limited alternative views presented dismissed,” according to today’s ruling.
During the program, right-wing commentator Daubney, standing in for Fox, gave his views on the topic of immigration and asylum policy, in the context of controversy over small boats crossing the English Channel. He also interviewed the leader of the Reform Party, Tice, which was flagged up by complainants to Ofcom.
“We considered that immigration and asylum policy constituted a matter of major political controversy and a major matter relating to current public policy,” Ofcom said. “When dealing with major matters,...
The regulator has rapped Gb News once again for “due impartiality” issues, following an interview between Daubney and Tice that was deemed to be “insufficiently challenged,” with the “limited alternative views presented dismissed,” according to today’s ruling.
During the program, right-wing commentator Daubney, standing in for Fox, gave his views on the topic of immigration and asylum policy, in the context of controversy over small boats crossing the English Channel. He also interviewed the leader of the Reform Party, Tice, which was flagged up by complainants to Ofcom.
“We considered that immigration and asylum policy constituted a matter of major political controversy and a major matter relating to current public policy,” Ofcom said. “When dealing with major matters,...
- 10/23/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The Laurence Fox rant on Dan Wootton Tonight is now comfortably the most complained about broadcast of the past two years while complaints have come flooding in for yet another Gb News show, Lee Anderson’s interview with Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
Another 1,500 complaints have been filed to regulator Ofcom over Fox’s rant, bringing the total close to 9,000 and meaning the edition has now totted up the most complaints since an episode of Love Island in August 2021, which attracted nearly 25,000.
The Dan Wootton Tonight episode, which has seen both Wootton and Fox suspended and Ofcom open an immediate investigation, featured Fox making highly misogynistic comments about female political journalist Ava Evans. He claimed no “self-respecting man” would “climb into bed” with her, while Wootton could be heard laughing before he later apologized on social media. Wootton has also had his MailOnline column terminated. Evans has said she has received multiple threats on social media.
Another 1,500 complaints have been filed to regulator Ofcom over Fox’s rant, bringing the total close to 9,000 and meaning the edition has now totted up the most complaints since an episode of Love Island in August 2021, which attracted nearly 25,000.
The Dan Wootton Tonight episode, which has seen both Wootton and Fox suspended and Ofcom open an immediate investigation, featured Fox making highly misogynistic comments about female political journalist Ava Evans. He claimed no “self-respecting man” would “climb into bed” with her, while Wootton could be heard laughing before he later apologized on social media. Wootton has also had his MailOnline column terminated. Evans has said she has received multiple threats on social media.
- 10/4/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Los Angeles, June 4 (Ians) Singer-songwriter Dua Lipa has been “hurt” by the UK Government’s rhetoric towards Albanian migrants.
The ‘Levitating’ hitmaker was born in London to Kosovan-Albanian parents and hit out at the “small-minded” comments made by ministers such as Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who singled out “Albanian criminals” when discussing immigration last year, reports ‘Female First UK’.
Dua told the Sunday Times newspaper: “Of course it hurt. All those words thrown around about immigrants? I always felt London was an amalgamation of cultures. It is integral to the city. So when you hear the government talk about Albanians, for example, it hurts.”
“It’s short-sighted and small-minded, but it’s the way a lot of people think. No matter how we try and change the rhetoric, there will always be those who think, ‘Immigrants are coming into the country and taking jobs’,” she added.
She further mentioned, quoted by Female First UK: “However,...
The ‘Levitating’ hitmaker was born in London to Kosovan-Albanian parents and hit out at the “small-minded” comments made by ministers such as Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who singled out “Albanian criminals” when discussing immigration last year, reports ‘Female First UK’.
Dua told the Sunday Times newspaper: “Of course it hurt. All those words thrown around about immigrants? I always felt London was an amalgamation of cultures. It is integral to the city. So when you hear the government talk about Albanians, for example, it hurts.”
“It’s short-sighted and small-minded, but it’s the way a lot of people think. No matter how we try and change the rhetoric, there will always be those who think, ‘Immigrants are coming into the country and taking jobs’,” she added.
She further mentioned, quoted by Female First UK: “However,...
- 6/4/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Eddie Marsan has shut down an agitated fan who called him a “woke lefty” after he defended Good Morning Britain presenter Adil Ray against racist bullying.
Earlier this month, Ray opened up about the racism he had been subjected to on social media following disparaging comments made about British-Pakistani men by Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
“To see the racist bullying @adilray has been subject to over the last few days, has been heartbreaking, but the way he’s dealt with it, with skill, humour and far superior intelligence has been inspiring,” Marsan tweeted on Sunday (16 April).
The next day, a user responded to The Power star’s post, angrily writing: “I wish you were like the characters you portrayed. Not the woke lefty who tweets what he thinks people want to hear [middle finger emoji].”
Shortly after, Marsan replied: “Have you seen the characters I play?”
The 54-year-old British actor currently features in...
Earlier this month, Ray opened up about the racism he had been subjected to on social media following disparaging comments made about British-Pakistani men by Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
“To see the racist bullying @adilray has been subject to over the last few days, has been heartbreaking, but the way he’s dealt with it, with skill, humour and far superior intelligence has been inspiring,” Marsan tweeted on Sunday (16 April).
The next day, a user responded to The Power star’s post, angrily writing: “I wish you were like the characters you portrayed. Not the woke lefty who tweets what he thinks people want to hear [middle finger emoji].”
Shortly after, Marsan replied: “Have you seen the characters I play?”
The 54-year-old British actor currently features in...
- 4/17/2023
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
Lenny Henry has recalled the racist abuse his family was subjected to while he was growing up in the UK.
The Rings of Power star is making his playwriting debut with August in England, a one-man show that will open at the end of April at the Bush Theatre in west London.
Inspired by the BBC’s 2019 Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle, Henry’s production tells the story of British-Jamaican August Henderson, played by Henry, who faces deportation when he is caught up in the Windrush scandal that saw hundreds of Commonwealth citizens deported and denied their legal rights.
“This could have happened to any of my older brothers or sisters,” Henry said in a new interview with The Times. “My sister Kay came over on my dad’s Jamaican passport.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Henry, 64, recalled the racial abuse that his family has endured.
“My brothers used to get...
The Rings of Power star is making his playwriting debut with August in England, a one-man show that will open at the end of April at the Bush Theatre in west London.
Inspired by the BBC’s 2019 Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle, Henry’s production tells the story of British-Jamaican August Henderson, played by Henry, who faces deportation when he is caught up in the Windrush scandal that saw hundreds of Commonwealth citizens deported and denied their legal rights.
“This could have happened to any of my older brothers or sisters,” Henry said in a new interview with The Times. “My sister Kay came over on my dad’s Jamaican passport.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Henry, 64, recalled the racial abuse that his family has endured.
“My brothers used to get...
- 4/14/2023
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - TV
Adil Ray has criticised Laurence Fox after the Lewis star compared insults aimed at him as an actor to Ray’s own experiences of racism.
On Sunday (10 April), the Good Morning Britain host – who has been vocal about past experiences in which he was the target of racism – responded to a news story about Essex police seizing racially offensive dolls from a pub.
The dolls, traditionally known as “golli***s”, feature a racist caricature of Black people.
Writing on Twitter, Ray commented: “I was called golliw*** at school. Just hearing the word frightens me. I can’t think of any good reason why someone on balance might think it’s ok to display them in a pub.”
In response, Fox tweeted: “Stay strong bro. I feel your pain. [Theatre critic] Quentin Letts described me as having a face that belonged in the winners enclosure at Aintree in a theatre review once, which,...
On Sunday (10 April), the Good Morning Britain host – who has been vocal about past experiences in which he was the target of racism – responded to a news story about Essex police seizing racially offensive dolls from a pub.
The dolls, traditionally known as “golli***s”, feature a racist caricature of Black people.
Writing on Twitter, Ray commented: “I was called golliw*** at school. Just hearing the word frightens me. I can’t think of any good reason why someone on balance might think it’s ok to display them in a pub.”
In response, Fox tweeted: “Stay strong bro. I feel your pain. [Theatre critic] Quentin Letts described me as having a face that belonged in the winners enclosure at Aintree in a theatre review once, which,...
- 4/11/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Got a You shaped hole in your viewing schedule? Prepare to fill it with Obsession, Netflix’s new erotic thriller series.
Following the success of the Penn Badgley thriller, as well as water-cooler moment shows like Sex/Life, Netflix’s latest series promises intrigue, drama and a whole lot of sex.
Written by playwright Morgan Lloyd-Malcolm, Obsession focuses on a forbidden affair between top surgeon William (Spooks’ Richard Armitage) and his adult son’s fiancée Anna (Happy Valley’s Charlie Murphy).
As their attraction grows, so does the show’s erotic tension, as William becomes obsessed with Anna and desperate to keep their passionate affair secret.
The limited series sees Game of Thrones’ Indira Varma star as Ingrid, William’s wife, while Ms Marvel’s Rish Shah plays William’s son, Anna’s fiancé Jay. Pippa Bennett-Warner, Sonera Angel, Anil Goutam and Marion Bailey round out the cast.
Obsession is based...
Following the success of the Penn Badgley thriller, as well as water-cooler moment shows like Sex/Life, Netflix’s latest series promises intrigue, drama and a whole lot of sex.
Written by playwright Morgan Lloyd-Malcolm, Obsession focuses on a forbidden affair between top surgeon William (Spooks’ Richard Armitage) and his adult son’s fiancée Anna (Happy Valley’s Charlie Murphy).
As their attraction grows, so does the show’s erotic tension, as William becomes obsessed with Anna and desperate to keep their passionate affair secret.
The limited series sees Game of Thrones’ Indira Varma star as Ingrid, William’s wife, while Ms Marvel’s Rish Shah plays William’s son, Anna’s fiancé Jay. Pippa Bennett-Warner, Sonera Angel, Anil Goutam and Marion Bailey round out the cast.
Obsession is based...
- 4/6/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Fans of The Mandalorian have been left divided by a pair of high-profile guest stars in the latest episode of the Star Wars spin-off.
Released on Disney+ on Wednesday (5 April), the episode “Chapter 22: Guns for Hire”, saw Jack Black and Lizzo play an eccentric couple.
The pop musician and School of Rock star appeared as “The Duchess” and her partner “Captain Bombardier” respectively, two characters whom Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), Grogu and Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) meet on their travels.
The episode also featured Back to the Future’s Christopher Lloyd, who played Commissioner Helgait.
However, it was Black and Lizzo who drew the strongest reactions from the Star Wars fanbase, with viewers sharing their thoughts on social media after watching.
Pointint to a scene in which Lizzo’s character awards Grogu (aka “Baby Yoda”) with a knighthood, one fan wrote: “Lizzo just knighted Baby yoda aka grogu. What is happening in Star Wars?...
Released on Disney+ on Wednesday (5 April), the episode “Chapter 22: Guns for Hire”, saw Jack Black and Lizzo play an eccentric couple.
The pop musician and School of Rock star appeared as “The Duchess” and her partner “Captain Bombardier” respectively, two characters whom Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), Grogu and Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) meet on their travels.
The episode also featured Back to the Future’s Christopher Lloyd, who played Commissioner Helgait.
However, it was Black and Lizzo who drew the strongest reactions from the Star Wars fanbase, with viewers sharing their thoughts on social media after watching.
Pointint to a scene in which Lizzo’s character awards Grogu (aka “Baby Yoda”) with a knighthood, one fan wrote: “Lizzo just knighted Baby yoda aka grogu. What is happening in Star Wars?...
- 4/6/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Adil Ray has spoken out after receiving “nothing but” racist messages in the wake of Suella Braverman’s comments about “British-Pakistani males”.
Speaking about the government crackdown on child sexual abuse on Sunday (2 April), the home secretary singled out British-Pakistani men as she alluded to grooming cases in Rotherham and Rochdale.
Braverman pointed to a “predominance of certain ethnic groups – and I say British Pakistani males – who hold cultural values totally at odds with British values, who see women in a demeaned and illegitimate way and pursue an outdated and frankly heinous approach in terms of the way they behave”.
Braverman was subsequently accused of “dog whistle” politics, while the Nspcc argued that only considering race could create new “blind spots”.
During a discussion on Good Morning Britain on Thursday (6 April) about the government’s refugee policy, Ray shared his fear that the country was becoming more divided.
“We had another divide this week…...
Speaking about the government crackdown on child sexual abuse on Sunday (2 April), the home secretary singled out British-Pakistani men as she alluded to grooming cases in Rotherham and Rochdale.
Braverman pointed to a “predominance of certain ethnic groups – and I say British Pakistani males – who hold cultural values totally at odds with British values, who see women in a demeaned and illegitimate way and pursue an outdated and frankly heinous approach in terms of the way they behave”.
Braverman was subsequently accused of “dog whistle” politics, while the Nspcc argued that only considering race could create new “blind spots”.
During a discussion on Good Morning Britain on Thursday (6 April) about the government’s refugee policy, Ray shared his fear that the country was becoming more divided.
“We had another divide this week…...
- 4/6/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Piers Morgan has apologised to Kathy Burke after blocking her on Twitter in 2017.
On a recent episode of her podcast, Burke claimed that Morgan blocked her on the social media platform in 2016, after she joked about him falling for a tweet mourning a celebrity who had died years before.
After the comedian told the story, her guest Jennifer Saunders called the TalkTV presenter a “t***”.
On Wednesday (5 April) evening, Morgan, who is currently preparing to air his Uncensored interview with Stormy Daniels, called for a truce with Burke, suggesting that the pair should both unblock each other.
“I agree with @ferrifrump about this, I was a t***,” he tweeted.
“Apologies for being such an overly-sensitive snowflake 7yrs ago @kathyburke – I just tried to unblock you but discovered you’d revenge blocked me. Shall we have a mutual de-blocking?”
On the podcast, Burke explained how she had mocked Morgan after he...
On a recent episode of her podcast, Burke claimed that Morgan blocked her on the social media platform in 2016, after she joked about him falling for a tweet mourning a celebrity who had died years before.
After the comedian told the story, her guest Jennifer Saunders called the TalkTV presenter a “t***”.
On Wednesday (5 April) evening, Morgan, who is currently preparing to air his Uncensored interview with Stormy Daniels, called for a truce with Burke, suggesting that the pair should both unblock each other.
“I agree with @ferrifrump about this, I was a t***,” he tweeted.
“Apologies for being such an overly-sensitive snowflake 7yrs ago @kathyburke – I just tried to unblock you but discovered you’d revenge blocked me. Shall we have a mutual de-blocking?”
On the podcast, Burke explained how she had mocked Morgan after he...
- 4/6/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
A man who made more than £1m selling fake vinyl records was caught out by a fan of The Clash.
Richard Hutter – who has been given a suspended jail sentence – had been selling counterfeit records over a six-year period.
He was uncovered after selling an LP of the British punk band to a fan who then demanded their money back because the sound quality was not as sharp as they thought it should have been.
According to The Guardian, when the refund was refused, the customer complained to trading standards officers, who bought two sample records from Hutter’s website: Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses, and Songs for the Deaf by Queens of the Stone Age. Both vinyls turned out to be fake.
Hutter’s home address was searched in July 2018 as a result, with officers seizing his phone and laptop, as well as a number of counterfeit records and sleeves.
Richard Hutter – who has been given a suspended jail sentence – had been selling counterfeit records over a six-year period.
He was uncovered after selling an LP of the British punk band to a fan who then demanded their money back because the sound quality was not as sharp as they thought it should have been.
According to The Guardian, when the refund was refused, the customer complained to trading standards officers, who bought two sample records from Hutter’s website: Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses, and Songs for the Deaf by Queens of the Stone Age. Both vinyls turned out to be fake.
Hutter’s home address was searched in July 2018 as a result, with officers seizing his phone and laptop, as well as a number of counterfeit records and sleeves.
- 4/5/2023
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - Music
Don Lemon has strongly denied recent accusations lodged against him, which included claims of workplace misogyny and “diva-like behaviour”.
In a new damning report from Variety, several sources alleged he had disrespected CNN co-hosts Nancy Grace on air and broadcaster Soledad O’Brien during an editorial meeting, among other things.
According to fellow colleagues, Lemon mocked Grace by mimicking her on air.
While Grace declined the outlet’s request for comment, a person close to her confirmed “she thinks he’s an ass” and that he was generally “rude, dismissive and really unfamiliar with the [news] content being discussed”.
Other witnesses spoke about a time he had allegedly argued O’Brien wasn’t Black in an editorial meeting attended by around 30 additional staffers.
He was claimed to have been upset that O’Brien was chosen to host CNN’s 2008 docuseries Black in America.
“Don always wanted to be front and center on anything high profile,...
In a new damning report from Variety, several sources alleged he had disrespected CNN co-hosts Nancy Grace on air and broadcaster Soledad O’Brien during an editorial meeting, among other things.
According to fellow colleagues, Lemon mocked Grace by mimicking her on air.
While Grace declined the outlet’s request for comment, a person close to her confirmed “she thinks he’s an ass” and that he was generally “rude, dismissive and really unfamiliar with the [news] content being discussed”.
Other witnesses spoke about a time he had allegedly argued O’Brien wasn’t Black in an editorial meeting attended by around 30 additional staffers.
He was claimed to have been upset that O’Brien was chosen to host CNN’s 2008 docuseries Black in America.
“Don always wanted to be front and center on anything high profile,...
- 4/5/2023
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
Gordon Ramsay says he gets particularly upset when people suggest he uses cocaine due to his strict anti-drugs stance.
The celebrity chef discussed his itinerant upbringing on various council estates and his brother’s heroin addiction on the latest episode of Spencer Matthews’s podcast, Big Fish.
“Growing up in multiple s***holes, you get one’s s*** together early,” Ramsay told the former Made in Chelsea star.
“I just wanted to better myself and get out of a situation that was unfortunate. I had grown up on 15 council estates.”
He continued: “I set out to change and give my family the security and everything that I had wished for at their age. I never expected that level of success, like any success it's worked for.”
The 56-year-old explained that while he was becoming more successful, his brother’s addiction issues were escalating.
“The flipside to my success is my brother’s addiction to heroin.
The celebrity chef discussed his itinerant upbringing on various council estates and his brother’s heroin addiction on the latest episode of Spencer Matthews’s podcast, Big Fish.
“Growing up in multiple s***holes, you get one’s s*** together early,” Ramsay told the former Made in Chelsea star.
“I just wanted to better myself and get out of a situation that was unfortunate. I had grown up on 15 council estates.”
He continued: “I set out to change and give my family the security and everything that I had wished for at their age. I never expected that level of success, like any success it's worked for.”
The 56-year-old explained that while he was becoming more successful, his brother’s addiction issues were escalating.
“The flipside to my success is my brother’s addiction to heroin.
- 4/5/2023
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - TV
Jennifer Saunders has claimed that she is blocked on Twitter by Suella Braverman.
Appearing on the latest episode of Kathy Burke’s podcast Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake, the comedians shared stories about famous figures who had blocked them on the social media platform.
After Burke spoke about being blocked by Piers Morgan in 2016, Saunders shared her own “weird” celebrity social media story.
“The only person I’m blocked [by], and this is a really weird one, is when they had the leadership contest for the Tory party,” Saunders shared. “[I saw] the name Suella Braverman and I thought, I don’t know who this is.”
“You were blocked?” Burke asked, with the Absolutely Fabulous star replying: “I was blocked. I’ve never googled her before, I’ve never done nothing. I don’t even say anything on Twitter... Blocked. Weird.”
The Independent has contacted Braverman’s office for comment.
Appearing on the latest episode of Kathy Burke’s podcast Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake, the comedians shared stories about famous figures who had blocked them on the social media platform.
After Burke spoke about being blocked by Piers Morgan in 2016, Saunders shared her own “weird” celebrity social media story.
“The only person I’m blocked [by], and this is a really weird one, is when they had the leadership contest for the Tory party,” Saunders shared. “[I saw] the name Suella Braverman and I thought, I don’t know who this is.”
“You were blocked?” Burke asked, with the Absolutely Fabulous star replying: “I was blocked. I’ve never googled her before, I’ve never done nothing. I don’t even say anything on Twitter... Blocked. Weird.”
The Independent has contacted Braverman’s office for comment.
- 4/4/2023
- by Gabby Colvin
- The Independent - TV
BBC Breakfast experienced what appeared to be an amusing production blunder on Tuesday (4 April) during a weather segment.
At 8am, the news and current affairs series introduced presenter Carol Kirkwood, who issued a brief update on the weather forecast.
However, though she was discussing the weather in the UK, the map behind her was in fact an unlabelled image of Spain and Portugal.
“Good morning,” she began. “It’s a cold and frosty start to the day for many of us today. But there’s a fair bit of sunshine away from the north and west, where we’ve got thicker cloud and some rain.”
She went on to give a brief update on the weather for the Bank Holiday weekend, before teasing a more extensive weather report later in the programme – all while the map of Spain remained unchanged behind her.
The mishap didn’t escape the notice of BBC Breakfast viewers,...
At 8am, the news and current affairs series introduced presenter Carol Kirkwood, who issued a brief update on the weather forecast.
However, though she was discussing the weather in the UK, the map behind her was in fact an unlabelled image of Spain and Portugal.
“Good morning,” she began. “It’s a cold and frosty start to the day for many of us today. But there’s a fair bit of sunshine away from the north and west, where we’ve got thicker cloud and some rain.”
She went on to give a brief update on the weather for the Bank Holiday weekend, before teasing a more extensive weather report later in the programme – all while the map of Spain remained unchanged behind her.
The mishap didn’t escape the notice of BBC Breakfast viewers,...
- 4/4/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Donald Glover has opened up about Liam Neeson’s 2022 cameo in Atlanta, revealing that the Northern Irish actor initially turned down the role due to a race row.
While promoting the revenge movie Cold Pursuit in 2019, Neeson told The Independent that he once walked the streets with a cosh for days, looking to kill a “Black bastard” after someone close to him was raped many years ago.
Neeson said that he felt “ashamed” of his past “awful” behaviour. His comments were widely condemned and the premiere of Cold Pursuit was cancelled.
Last year, Neeson had a cameo in Glover’s dark comedy Atlanta, in a scene in which Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles (Brian Tyree Henry) meets Neeson at a bar called “Cancel Club” and discusses his past “transgression”.
In a new interview with British GQ, Glover said that Neeson had originally said no to the scene as he was “trying...
While promoting the revenge movie Cold Pursuit in 2019, Neeson told The Independent that he once walked the streets with a cosh for days, looking to kill a “Black bastard” after someone close to him was raped many years ago.
Neeson said that he felt “ashamed” of his past “awful” behaviour. His comments were widely condemned and the premiere of Cold Pursuit was cancelled.
Last year, Neeson had a cameo in Glover’s dark comedy Atlanta, in a scene in which Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles (Brian Tyree Henry) meets Neeson at a bar called “Cancel Club” and discusses his past “transgression”.
In a new interview with British GQ, Glover said that Neeson had originally said no to the scene as he was “trying...
- 4/4/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Jack Black has said he will “call Elon Musk’s bluff” over his Twitter blue tick verifcation.
Musk, who owns the social media platform, announced the company was going to remove blue ticks from the accounts of legacy verified users from 1 April, meaning only accounts that paid the company $8 or $11 per month would have the badge.
However, users noticed that, instead of losing their verification status, Twitter has seemingly instead removed information differentiating between legacy verified accounts and Twitter Blue subscribers.
It remains to be seen if Musk’s promises blue tick removal will proceed – although New York Times lost its verification on Sunday (2 April).
School of Rock actor Black has weighed in on the matter, telling Variety: “I don’t know if I’m going to pay for it.”
He said at the premiere of animated film The Super Mario Bros Movie: “I’m a little embarrassed by the...
Musk, who owns the social media platform, announced the company was going to remove blue ticks from the accounts of legacy verified users from 1 April, meaning only accounts that paid the company $8 or $11 per month would have the badge.
However, users noticed that, instead of losing their verification status, Twitter has seemingly instead removed information differentiating between legacy verified accounts and Twitter Blue subscribers.
It remains to be seen if Musk’s promises blue tick removal will proceed – although New York Times lost its verification on Sunday (2 April).
School of Rock actor Black has weighed in on the matter, telling Variety: “I don’t know if I’m going to pay for it.”
He said at the premiere of animated film The Super Mario Bros Movie: “I’m a little embarrassed by the...
- 4/3/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - Film
The 2006 dystopian thriller Children of Men aired on BBC Two last night (2 April), prompting viewers to comment on how much the film mirrors reality.
The movie, co-written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, is based on Pd James’s 1992 novel The Children of Men.x
It is set in 2027, and imagines a world in which two decades of human infertility have left society on the brink of collapse.
Asylum seekers try to find safety in the UK, where they are subjected to detention or deportation by the government.
Clive Owen plays civil servant Theo Faron, who attempts to help refugee Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) escape the calamity.
Many viewers have been posting on social media about the parallels between the movie and real life.
“Just rewatching 2006 dystopian film Children of Men in which the UK is a police state and illegal immigrants are imprisoned (or executed) by the gov,” tweeted one fan.
The movie, co-written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, is based on Pd James’s 1992 novel The Children of Men.x
It is set in 2027, and imagines a world in which two decades of human infertility have left society on the brink of collapse.
Asylum seekers try to find safety in the UK, where they are subjected to detention or deportation by the government.
Clive Owen plays civil servant Theo Faron, who attempts to help refugee Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) escape the calamity.
Many viewers have been posting on social media about the parallels between the movie and real life.
“Just rewatching 2006 dystopian film Children of Men in which the UK is a police state and illegal immigrants are imprisoned (or executed) by the gov,” tweeted one fan.
- 4/3/2023
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - Film
Few in the U.S. had likely heard of Gary Lineker when, over the weekend, he brought the BBC, one of the U.K.’s best-known and most-respected institutions worldwide, to what has been described in the media as a “crisis like no other.”
Over the course of five chaotic days and countless headlines, triggered by a tweet from Lineker — a former soccer star and, as host of the BBC’s flagship soccer show Match of the Day since 1999, one of the U.K.’s most recognizable and beloved television personalities — the British public service broadcaster became embroiled in a major public spat over its impartiality and the influence the government may or may not have on its operations, one that looks likely to reverberate for some time.
The situation erupted March 7, when the U.K.’s interior minister, Home Secretary Suella Braverman, unveiled the government’s hugely controversial new legislation...
Over the course of five chaotic days and countless headlines, triggered by a tweet from Lineker — a former soccer star and, as host of the BBC’s flagship soccer show Match of the Day since 1999, one of the U.K.’s most recognizable and beloved television personalities — the British public service broadcaster became embroiled in a major public spat over its impartiality and the influence the government may or may not have on its operations, one that looks likely to reverberate for some time.
The situation erupted March 7, when the U.K.’s interior minister, Home Secretary Suella Braverman, unveiled the government’s hugely controversial new legislation...
- 3/14/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Gary Lineker has been a major topic of discussion for days, following his tweet in response to Suella Braverman’s immigration bill.
Last week, the government announced a new policy to halt small boat crossings. It will result in the deportation of asylum seekers who arrive via boat to Rwanda or another “safe third country” without hearing their asylum claim.
Reacting to the news, Lineker expressed his distaste for the decision and responded to someone who pushed back on his view on Twitter.
He wrote: “There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
“This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?”
After questions were raised about whether the football pundit had broken BBC’s impartiality rules with his social media use,...
Last week, the government announced a new policy to halt small boat crossings. It will result in the deportation of asylum seekers who arrive via boat to Rwanda or another “safe third country” without hearing their asylum claim.
Reacting to the news, Lineker expressed his distaste for the decision and responded to someone who pushed back on his view on Twitter.
He wrote: “There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
“This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?”
After questions were raised about whether the football pundit had broken BBC’s impartiality rules with his social media use,...
- 3/13/2023
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
Joe Lycett has joked that he is “very much available” to step in for Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker amid his “impartiality” row at the BBC.
The Match of the Day host became emroiled in controversy after comparing the language used to launch a new government asylum policy with 1930s Germany.
On Friday (10 March), the BBC announced it had decided Lineker would take a break from presenting the sports highlights programme. Later that day, his co-hosts Ian Wright and Alan Shearer pulled out of football show in “solidarity” with Lineker.
You can follow The Independent’s live blog for updates here.
Reacting to the news on Friday night, Lycett shared a tweet reading: “I have informed the BBC that I am very much available for tomorrow’s #Motd.”
He attached a screenshot from his viral BBC politics interview on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, in which he claimed to...
The Match of the Day host became emroiled in controversy after comparing the language used to launch a new government asylum policy with 1930s Germany.
On Friday (10 March), the BBC announced it had decided Lineker would take a break from presenting the sports highlights programme. Later that day, his co-hosts Ian Wright and Alan Shearer pulled out of football show in “solidarity” with Lineker.
You can follow The Independent’s live blog for updates here.
Reacting to the news on Friday night, Lycett shared a tweet reading: “I have informed the BBC that I am very much available for tomorrow’s #Motd.”
He attached a screenshot from his viral BBC politics interview on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, in which he claimed to...
- 3/11/2023
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - TV
Fatboy Slim has showed his support for Match of the Day host Gary Lineker during a live performance.
The presenter has become embroiled in a row over impartiality after comparing the language used to launch a new government asylum policy to 1930s Germany on Twitter.
On Friday (10 March), the BBC announced that Lineker would take a break from presenting the highlights programme until an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media had been reached.
You can follow The Independent’s live blog here.
DJ Fatboy Slim – real name Norman Cook – was performing at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse later on Friday when he made his support for Lineker known.
During his set, the face of the BBC football pundit appeared on screen, with Cook turning to applaud Lineker, prompting cheers from the crowd.
Other faces including Prince and Greta Thunberg were included as part of the show.
View...
The presenter has become embroiled in a row over impartiality after comparing the language used to launch a new government asylum policy to 1930s Germany on Twitter.
On Friday (10 March), the BBC announced that Lineker would take a break from presenting the highlights programme until an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media had been reached.
You can follow The Independent’s live blog here.
DJ Fatboy Slim – real name Norman Cook – was performing at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse later on Friday when he made his support for Lineker known.
During his set, the face of the BBC football pundit appeared on screen, with Cook turning to applaud Lineker, prompting cheers from the crowd.
Other faces including Prince and Greta Thunberg were included as part of the show.
View...
- 3/11/2023
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - Music
Richard Madeley has defended Gary Lineker’s criticism of the government’s new asylum policy, saying that calls to sack the Match of the Day host are “preposterous”.
Lineker, 62, has faced criticism from members of the Tory party, after comparing the language used to launch the controversial policy with that of 1930s Germany.
During an appearance on Question Time on Thursday night (9 March), Madeley said: “Clearly, if [Lineker] was a political journalist, political presenter or interviewer in any of the areas of the BBC that we’re talking about, like Newsnight, then clearly he shouldn’t have made those comments.
“Those comments would be a dereliction of duty and deeply compromising to his programme, to himself, future interviews and of course to the BBC, which is publicly funded by us.
“But he’s a sports presenter; he talks about football and games and tactics, and headers and corners and referees and...
Lineker, 62, has faced criticism from members of the Tory party, after comparing the language used to launch the controversial policy with that of 1930s Germany.
During an appearance on Question Time on Thursday night (9 March), Madeley said: “Clearly, if [Lineker] was a political journalist, political presenter or interviewer in any of the areas of the BBC that we’re talking about, like Newsnight, then clearly he shouldn’t have made those comments.
“Those comments would be a dereliction of duty and deeply compromising to his programme, to himself, future interviews and of course to the BBC, which is publicly funded by us.
“But he’s a sports presenter; he talks about football and games and tactics, and headers and corners and referees and...
- 3/10/2023
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
Michael Caine is calling B.S. on a recent UK counter-terrorism report.
The “Dark Knight Rises” actor spoke out on his 1964 war film “Zulu” being labeled as a “key text” for white nationalists and supremacists in a new research report from Prevent, written by William Shawcross. Other films “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “The Great Escape,” and “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” and novels “The Lord of the Rings,” “Brave New World,” and “1984” were among the list of texts that could inspire extremists, according to the report.
Caine called the inclusion of “Zulu” in the list the “biggest load of bullshit” in an interview with The Spectator. “That is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever heard,” Caine said, later adding, “There are no films I wish I hadn’t made. I got paid for all of them.”
He shared that the role of a “posh officer” in war period...
The “Dark Knight Rises” actor spoke out on his 1964 war film “Zulu” being labeled as a “key text” for white nationalists and supremacists in a new research report from Prevent, written by William Shawcross. Other films “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “The Great Escape,” and “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” and novels “The Lord of the Rings,” “Brave New World,” and “1984” were among the list of texts that could inspire extremists, according to the report.
Caine called the inclusion of “Zulu” in the list the “biggest load of bullshit” in an interview with The Spectator. “That is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever heard,” Caine said, later adding, “There are no films I wish I hadn’t made. I got paid for all of them.”
He shared that the role of a “posh officer” in war period...
- 3/9/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
BBC Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has landed himself and the corporation in hot water once again, this time on the government’s controversial asylum policy.
The Home Secretary said this morning she is “obviously disappointed” and the BBC is understood to have spoken to Lineker and reminded him of his responsibilities after he described yesterday’s policy for handling Britain’s small boats crisis as “beyond awful.” He went on to equate the language used to sell the policy with “that used by Germany in the 1930s.”
Speaking to the BBC’s Today in the past hour, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she is “obviously disappointed” by Lineker’s comments. “I don’t think [comparing the policy to Nazi Germany] is an appropriate way of framing the debate,” she added.
Given that he is contracted but not employed by the BBC, the former footballer does not have to abide by the corporation’s...
The Home Secretary said this morning she is “obviously disappointed” and the BBC is understood to have spoken to Lineker and reminded him of his responsibilities after he described yesterday’s policy for handling Britain’s small boats crisis as “beyond awful.” He went on to equate the language used to sell the policy with “that used by Germany in the 1930s.”
Speaking to the BBC’s Today in the past hour, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she is “obviously disappointed” by Lineker’s comments. “I don’t think [comparing the policy to Nazi Germany] is an appropriate way of framing the debate,” she added.
Given that he is contracted but not employed by the BBC, the former footballer does not have to abide by the corporation’s...
- 3/8/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Pink has denied claims that she was making a dig at Christina Aguilera in a recent interview regarding the filming of the “Lady Marmalade” music video.
The artists collaborated alongside Mya and Lil’ Kim on the 2001 hit song. However, Pink recently echoed previous sentiments that alleged that the music video was not without its difficulties.
While being interviewed by Buzzfeed, the 43-year-old singer ranked the “Lady Marmalade” video as her least favourite to work on because it “wasn’t very fun”.
“I’m gonna put that right down here at 12,” she began, before explaining her positioning.
“It wasn’t very fun to make; I’m all about fun, and it was a lot of fuss. There were some personalities… Kim and Mya were nice,” she explained, listing everyone in the video except from Aguilera.
“I guess it is iconic, but I remember I kept crying because my skin didn’t like the makeup.
The artists collaborated alongside Mya and Lil’ Kim on the 2001 hit song. However, Pink recently echoed previous sentiments that alleged that the music video was not without its difficulties.
While being interviewed by Buzzfeed, the 43-year-old singer ranked the “Lady Marmalade” video as her least favourite to work on because it “wasn’t very fun”.
“I’m gonna put that right down here at 12,” she began, before explaining her positioning.
“It wasn’t very fun to make; I’m all about fun, and it was a lot of fuss. There were some personalities… Kim and Mya were nice,” she explained, listing everyone in the video except from Aguilera.
“I guess it is iconic, but I remember I kept crying because my skin didn’t like the makeup.
- 2/20/2023
- by Megan Graye
- The Independent - Music
Beverley Knight has described home secretary Suella Braverman as “a risible character” due to the Home Office’s “disgusting” choice to abandon Windrush reform plans.
Last month, Braverman was criticised after ditching plans to establish the post of migrants’ commissioner, as well as saying that the Home Office would not hold reconciliation events, despite previous government commitments to address the injustices of the Windrush scandal.
In a new interview, Knight was asked her opinion about Braverman’s decision.
“It’s disgusting. She’s a risible character,” she told The Guardian in an interview published on Sunday (19 February).
“I cannot believe she’s in government. I cannot believe she is our home secretary.
“Priti Patel I thought was awful – but then in true hold-my-beer style, Suella Braverman entered the picture…”
Knight is currently starring in Sylvia at London’s Old Vic theatre, playing leading suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst.
Elsewhere in the interview,...
Last month, Braverman was criticised after ditching plans to establish the post of migrants’ commissioner, as well as saying that the Home Office would not hold reconciliation events, despite previous government commitments to address the injustices of the Windrush scandal.
In a new interview, Knight was asked her opinion about Braverman’s decision.
“It’s disgusting. She’s a risible character,” she told The Guardian in an interview published on Sunday (19 February).
“I cannot believe she’s in government. I cannot believe she is our home secretary.
“Priti Patel I thought was awful – but then in true hold-my-beer style, Suella Braverman entered the picture…”
Knight is currently starring in Sylvia at London’s Old Vic theatre, playing leading suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst.
Elsewhere in the interview,...
- 2/19/2023
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - Music
With films such as 1960’s Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Karel Reisz was a pioneer in reshaping perceptions of ordinary Britons. I think there’s still lots to learn from them
Twenty years ago on Friday my father, the film-maker Karel Reisz, died at the age of 76. Along with Lindsay Anderson and Tony Richardson, he was a leading figure of the British new wave. Unlike Anderson, who cultivated an outspokenly cantankerous persona, he disliked being interviewed about his work and was never really a public figure. Yet, rather like Ken Loach today, his films were widely admired for compassionately exploring the parts of British society that most earlier directors had ignored. At a time of economic turmoil and intense disillusion with politics, they remain urgently relevant.
Born into a middle-class Jewish family in Czechoslovakia, my father escaped to Britain on a kindertransport at the age of 12 (both my paternal grandparents...
Twenty years ago on Friday my father, the film-maker Karel Reisz, died at the age of 76. Along with Lindsay Anderson and Tony Richardson, he was a leading figure of the British new wave. Unlike Anderson, who cultivated an outspokenly cantankerous persona, he disliked being interviewed about his work and was never really a public figure. Yet, rather like Ken Loach today, his films were widely admired for compassionately exploring the parts of British society that most earlier directors had ignored. At a time of economic turmoil and intense disillusion with politics, they remain urgently relevant.
Born into a middle-class Jewish family in Czechoslovakia, my father escaped to Britain on a kindertransport at the age of 12 (both my paternal grandparents...
- 11/24/2022
- by Matthew Reisz
- The Guardian - Film News
Click here to read the full article.
John Oliver kicked off Sunday’s Last Week Tonight by noting it had been a busy week, “from massive protests still ongoing in Iran to the fact that Tom Brady suddenly has one less ring.”
The HBO host’s jab at Tom Brady was a reference to both his divorce from Gisele Bundchen and his seven Super Bowl rings.
After that remark, Oliver moved on to the turnover in the United Kingdom’s prime ministership. Oliver pointed to the fact that former Liz Truss was in the job for only 45 days, during which time the tabloid newspaper Daily Star had created a stunt asking which would last longer — Truss or a head of iceberg lettuce. After Truss resigned, a photo of the head of lettuce was projected on the outside walls of Parliament.
“Pretty good, right?” Oliver said. “From the challenge itself to...
John Oliver kicked off Sunday’s Last Week Tonight by noting it had been a busy week, “from massive protests still ongoing in Iran to the fact that Tom Brady suddenly has one less ring.”
The HBO host’s jab at Tom Brady was a reference to both his divorce from Gisele Bundchen and his seven Super Bowl rings.
After that remark, Oliver moved on to the turnover in the United Kingdom’s prime ministership. Oliver pointed to the fact that former Liz Truss was in the job for only 45 days, during which time the tabloid newspaper Daily Star had created a stunt asking which would last longer — Truss or a head of iceberg lettuce. After Truss resigned, a photo of the head of lettuce was projected on the outside walls of Parliament.
“Pretty good, right?” Oliver said. “From the challenge itself to...
- 10/31/2022
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Harry Styles has announced that the new music video for his track “Music For A Sushi Restaurant” will be released on Thursday (27 October) at 5pm.
The news was shared on Styles’s official HQ Twitter account. The track is the first song on Styles’s latest album Harry’s House.
However, it’s not just the announcement that’s caught fans’ attention. Styles’s new look for the music video is attracting comments too.
“Not The Beard” reads one comment, while another says “I’m terrified”.
“What in the Don’t Worry Darling future is this,” reads one fans response while someone else wrote: “Idk how to feel abt this”
Other fans have noticed a distinct likeness between Styles’ appearance and certain fictional characters.
Many have made the comparison to Tom Hanks’ character in Castaway.
“I knew this looked familiar,” tweeted one person with a photo of Hanks and Styles to show the similarity.
The news was shared on Styles’s official HQ Twitter account. The track is the first song on Styles’s latest album Harry’s House.
However, it’s not just the announcement that’s caught fans’ attention. Styles’s new look for the music video is attracting comments too.
“Not The Beard” reads one comment, while another says “I’m terrified”.
“What in the Don’t Worry Darling future is this,” reads one fans response while someone else wrote: “Idk how to feel abt this”
Other fans have noticed a distinct likeness between Styles’ appearance and certain fictional characters.
Many have made the comparison to Tom Hanks’ character in Castaway.
“I knew this looked familiar,” tweeted one person with a photo of Hanks and Styles to show the similarity.
- 10/27/2022
- by Megan Graye
- The Independent - Music
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
Channel 4 news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy has apologised “unreservedly” to Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker for calling him a “c***” in what he called an “unguarded moment”.
The broadcaster said the remark followed a “robust interview” with Mr Baker but it was “beneath the standards I set myself”.
During an off-air moment after his interview with Mr Baker, Mr Guru-Murthy was heard on a livestream saying “what a c***”.
He later tweeted: “After a robust interview with Steve Baker MP I used a very offensive word in an unguarded moment off air.
“While it was not broadcast that word in any context is beneath the standards I set myself and I apologise unreservedly.
“I have reached out to Steve Baker to say sorry.”
Mr Baker later replied to the tweet accepting the apology. “I appreciate you apologising. Thank You,” he wrote.
But, later, Mr Baker told John Pienaar on Times...
The broadcaster said the remark followed a “robust interview” with Mr Baker but it was “beneath the standards I set myself”.
During an off-air moment after his interview with Mr Baker, Mr Guru-Murthy was heard on a livestream saying “what a c***”.
He later tweeted: “After a robust interview with Steve Baker MP I used a very offensive word in an unguarded moment off air.
“While it was not broadcast that word in any context is beneath the standards I set myself and I apologise unreservedly.
“I have reached out to Steve Baker to say sorry.”
Mr Baker later replied to the tweet accepting the apology. “I appreciate you apologising. Thank You,” he wrote.
But, later, Mr Baker told John Pienaar on Times...
- 10/20/2022
- by Lamiat Sabin
- The Independent - TV
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
Prince William and his father King Charles III greeted mourners in a surprise appearance. Pic credit: ©ImageCollect.com/Alpr/AdMedia
The royal family is showing their steely determination and pragmatism (most likely learned from the Queen herself) this week, as they’ve all put aside their own grief to greet mourners on several walkabouts, hold vigils at the Queen’s coffin, walk in a procession, and speak to dignitaries.
The new Prince of Wales and King Charles III made a surprise visit to South Bank near Lambeth Bridge in London today as they greeted mourners who were waiting in line for a chance to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
Her body is currently Lying-In-State at Westminster Hall and will be moved to Westminster Abbey in a formal procession on Monday for her funeral service.
Royal fans went crazy for the father-son duo as they shook hands and told...
The royal family is showing their steely determination and pragmatism (most likely learned from the Queen herself) this week, as they’ve all put aside their own grief to greet mourners on several walkabouts, hold vigils at the Queen’s coffin, walk in a procession, and speak to dignitaries.
The new Prince of Wales and King Charles III made a surprise visit to South Bank near Lambeth Bridge in London today as they greeted mourners who were waiting in line for a chance to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.
Her body is currently Lying-In-State at Westminster Hall and will be moved to Westminster Abbey in a formal procession on Monday for her funeral service.
Royal fans went crazy for the father-son duo as they shook hands and told...
- 9/17/2022
- by Sarah Veldman
- Monsters and Critics
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
Updated: The BBC will broadcast a live debate with the final two candidates Conservative Party leadership candidates on July 25. The corporation confirmed that all four remaining candidates have agreed to take part if they make it to the final two. Tuesday’s debate on Sky News was canceled as frontrunners Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss declined to participate.
Presented by Sophie Raworth, with analysis from BBC political editor Chris Mason and BBC economics editor Faisal Islam, “Our Next Prime Minister” will broadcast live from Stoke on Trent in front of a 80-100 strong audience on BBC One. The 60-minute program will be simulcast on BBC Radio 5 Live with coverage continuing after the debate and across BBC News Online and the BBC News Channel.
Jonathan Munro, interim director of BBC News and Current Affairs, said: “We’re delighted to be offering BBC audiences the chance to be part of this pivotal moment in politics and hear,...
Presented by Sophie Raworth, with analysis from BBC political editor Chris Mason and BBC economics editor Faisal Islam, “Our Next Prime Minister” will broadcast live from Stoke on Trent in front of a 80-100 strong audience on BBC One. The 60-minute program will be simulcast on BBC Radio 5 Live with coverage continuing after the debate and across BBC News Online and the BBC News Channel.
Jonathan Munro, interim director of BBC News and Current Affairs, said: “We’re delighted to be offering BBC audiences the chance to be part of this pivotal moment in politics and hear,...
- 7/19/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.