X Factor accused of faking it
Producers of the hit TV talent show The X Factor have been accused of misleading viewers after it was revealed that the properties where the wannabes performed are not really the judge’s homes, as had been suggested.
On the show, the singing hopefuls were seen to be performing in front of Simon Cowell in a Marbella Mansion, Dannii Minogue in Ibiza, Sharon Osborne in Las Angeles and Louis Walsh in Dublin.
However, the Irish judge subsequently spilled the beans on Graham Norton’s chat show on BBC2 recently.
“That wasn’t my house. That wasn’t Sharon’s house or Dannii’s house or Simon’s house either.”
However, a spokeswoman for the show was quick to clear up any confusion, explaining that the properties were described as “the judge’s houses, not the judge’s homes”.
“We have never said they are the judges’ real homes and it has been this way for the past four years,” she said.
This is the second time this series that the judge’s have been accused of bending the truth after it was revealed that early scenes showing the dramatic decision to bring Louis back were entirely staged.
The Tudors
The Tudors follows the life of King Henry the Eighth (in his twenties and thirties) and stars up-and-coming actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the title role - possibly miscast and more suitable to playing Edward VI or Lord Dudley.
The episode started with Henry handing over his rule of France and signing a treaty with his cousin Francis, ending his war preparations. He reluctantly signs (initially declaring himself “Henry, King of England, Ireland and France”), but at the French court he is introduced to the Boleyn Sisters - Mary and Anne. Mary has been Francis’ mistress and Henry quickly requests an invitation and charms her. He has been increasing disillusioned with his own wife, Catherine of Aragon, the widow of his brother Arthur. He longs for a son and heir, but she has borne him a daughter, Mary, who is destined to marry Francis’ son - Prince Henri Phillipe. Henry has an illegitimate son by Lady Blount and calls him Henry Fitzroy.
Meanwhile, Henry has other worries in the shape of the Pope and the Duke of Buckingham (Steven Waddington - who would have made a convincing Henry VIII). Thomas Boleyn, ambitious father of Mary and Anne, informs Cardinal Wolsey (Sam Neill) about the Duke of Buckingham’s plans to kill the King. The Duke of Buckingham himself has a claim on the throne, as he was a direct descendent of Edward II. He is tried for treason by his peers (led by Lord Norfolk) and is beheaded, whilst Henry celebrates the birth of his son.
Towards the end of the programme, we see more plotting as Henry is no longer paying attention to Mary Boleyn, but another sister - Anne has set her sights on him and his encouraged by her father. The Tudors is Emmy Award nominated and it is easy to see why as there is a stong and well-known cast, drama and intrigue and a lavish production. However, the historical accuracy is questionable.
Samanda aiming for global dominance
While Brian has already gone the way of many Big Brother winners before him and disappeared off the popular radar, for twins Sam and Amanda, the offers keep rolling in.
The blonde pair, known collectively as ‘Samanda’, have just released their own cover version of Barbie Girl and have revealed that they are keen to build on their popularity and establish themselves as a global brand, much like their American counterparts Mark-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
“We love the Olsen twins and we think they’re great and everything they’ve done is amazing,” Sam told BANG Showbiz.
“We never dreamed anything like this could happen to us but when we came out of the ‘Big Brother’ house we were offered a record deal. At first we thought, ‘Oh my God, you’re joking’. But when we realise they were serious we said, ‘Defo’”
The pair also announced that they are to be the new faces of a new skincare range and will join the long list of celebrities who have brought out a fitness DVD, in time for Christmas.
“There are so many things happening all at once,” Amanda added.
The Whistleblowers
In this fascinating series, which in many areas seems to be based upon real life experiences, we see Ben and Alisha tackle the tragic suicide of a young boy who was being educated at one of the new government academies, before being expelled to a state school. What on the surface looks like a tragic case of a young boy struggling to take the pressures of life, suddenly turns into a quest for the truth with Ben going under cover as a teacher at the school, into a world he never knew existed!
The plot centres around the controversial school league tables which are present in the education system, something which many people have criticised and warned against. In this fictional storyline we see the power of education, the power of money and the endless pursuit of that top of the league spot, which ensures the school will be able to enrol only the best pupils. The storyline centres on an apparent system whereby students who are not performing in line with expectations are expelled for “various reason” in order to keep the school’s exam grades high.
In an intriguing look into the world of teaching and academy schools, we see how the traditional state schools have now been superseded by an array of sponsored schools, apparently leaving many of the traditional state schools to pick up the pupils rejected by the academies. Education techniques, sponsor influences and the constant battle with the media are covered in great detail, making for a story which takes paths you would never have guessed.
This is the latest in an excellent series of “The Whistleblowers“, a series which has obviously been very well researched and offers a believable glimpse into the real world. It will be interesting to see what “The Whistleblowers” take on next time!
Corrie’s Raquel to play Doctor Who baddie
Former Rovers Return barmaid Sarah Lancashire is the latest big name to be lined up for a part in the hit BBC sci-fi show Doctor Who.
The 43-year old actress, who found fame as Curly’s dizzy wife Raquel Watts on Coronation Street, has confirmed that she will be appearing in the first episode of the new series, due to be aired in the spring.
However, rather than playing the Doctor’s female helper, Sarah will take up the role of an evil businesswoman who fights against David Tennant’s character as aliens attempt to take over modern-day London.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be in Doctor Who,” she told the Daily Mirror.
“It’s a brilliant episode and I’m looking forward to taking the Time Lord on.”
The comedian Catherine Tate will also appear in the new series of the show, reprising her role as the Doctor’s companion Donna Noble.
Watchdog
Watchdog is a long running consumer programme that started in 1980 and champions the rights of the customer. It is currently presented by Nicky Campbell, Julia Bradbury and Paul Heiney (of “That’s Life” fame). Each programme features experiences with particular companies and follow-ups.
Virgin Media’s Pay Per View service for movies was featured in the programme. It works in a similar way to Sky with the ability to pause live tv and have good quality recording, as well as paying for movies “on demand”. Susan Steele signed up and was surprised by the size of the bills, which contained many errors and references to films that she had not seen. Another family had been charged for films and were out of the country and did not have the box or television connected. In response to these anomalies, Virgin Media investigated and found that each of the customers featured in the programme have been the victims of fraud, with the police being involved. The accounts were written off.
Over the years, BT have been featured many times on the programme. It is the biggest telephone provider with 18 million customers. However, during the last few months, there had been complaints that new lines had not been connected and engineers had not turned up. Bills had also been issued for installations that had not taken place and one occasion BT issued a notice saying that they would be disconnecting a line that had never been connected. In response to these claims, BT had mentioned “teething problems” and the failure of IT systems.
The programme also had a feature on the collection of household rubbish. 140 Councils in the UK had switched from weekly to fortnightly collection of rubbish, interspersed with the collection of recycled waste. Watchdog were contacted about the presence of rats in Oxford, as a consequence of the change in collections. In Newquay, residents were told just to leave bin liners of rubbish outside their homes (rather than being placed in bins) and this had led to more rubbish on the streets and an increase in the number of seagulls. People had been fined for placing the wrong items out for recycling or over-filling of rubbish bins. Watchdog would be collecting more information from consumers on this issue over coming weeks.
Watchdog works well as a consumer programme as it gives people an opportunity to vent and raise their concerns over poor service. In most cases, the sheer fact that a company is featured on the programme is enough to get positive action or compensation.
Hollyoaks Roundup
Neville is pleased when Rhys decides to attend Noel’s wake but Rhys is shocked when Neville reveals that Noel had another child - a daughter. Rhys is frozen to the spot when the time comes to meet her and he finds himself face to face with Beth. Horrified at what they have done, the new-found siblings turn against each other and Rhys tells Beth to leave town immediately, but she refuses point blank.It should be a double celebration in the Barnes household for Sarah’s birthday and Kathy’s return, but Ste’s presence causes tension and Mike finally throws him out when he finds money missing from the shop. However, Amy follows Ste out of the door. Things worsen when Ste’s stepdad Terry turns up and attacks the lad.Frankie and Jack’s new foster child, Newt, arrives, but he is a problem child - moody and aggressive, he tests their patience and blows his top when his birthday turns into a kid’s party. Finally, to Frankie’s horror, Newt goes missing, but he bumps into a kindred spirit in the form of Darren, who has lost £10,000 on the horses. The big-time loser wins Newt over and persuades him to give his foster parents another try.
Coronation Street Roundup
David’s simmering fury seems to be making him more unstable than ever, and he sabotages everything he can find at the builders’ yard, from deleting messages and destroying invoices to loosening the bolts on the balcony… With grim inevitability, Jason falls victim to this latest ‘prank’ and is crushed under the collapsing balcony. He survives, but won’t be able to walk for a while - will he and Sarah ever make it down the aisle? Bill, meanwhile, is suspicious about why the previously solid scaffolding would just suddenly collapse and realises that it’s been tampered with. Not surprisingly, he and Jason instantly suspect David and tell Gail. When she confronts him, however, he declares they soon won’t have to worry about him ever again…John feels terrible about kissing Rosie and agrees to meet her at Carla’s flat to discuss what happened. But when he arrives, the teen temptress has no trouble luring him into the bedroom. Later, Rosie tells John that she has decided to return to school. But not to Oakhill, she is going back to Weatherfield High so they can see each other every day!
Emmerdale Roundup
Katie stuns everyone by offering herself as a surrogate mum. Gray is delighted, but will Perdy be so keen to have the surrogate in the same village? Chas has doubts of her own but it seems Katie is becoming blinded by her crush on Gray.The Sugdens begin to pick up their lives after the blaze as gossip spreads around the village like, well, wildfire, fuelled in part by Jasmine’s article in the Hotten Courier. Could this open her way into a journalistic career? Pollard scuppers his son David’s plans with Jasmine, but he has plans of his own. Having discovered he can walk again, Pollard keeps up the invalid act to keep Val near and doting on him. However, after a jealous Val spies on Pollard and sees him leave his chair, she plots a revenge by luring him on a picnic and abandoning him so he has no choice but to walk home. Pollard wins her round, however, and warns David not to interfere with their relationship.David, meanwhile, is also being hampered in his pursuit of Jasmine by Nicola, who has set her scheming sights on him.
Sam is saving for a house of his own, and asks Pollard for a helping hand, but Zak threatens Pollard to stay out of their affairs. He softens, however, and Sam rents Dale View, but the first thing he does is blow his budget on a housewarming party. Elsewhere, Marlon’s marital bed is still strictly off limits, and he makes matters worse when he inadvertently vents his frustrations (verbally, at least) in the Woolpack. Donna seems more concerned for Ross, who’s having romantic troubles of his own.
Neighbours Roundup
Declan rescues Mickey and his dog, Jake, just before the police arrive, and hides them at his mother’s house, but the fugitive is discovered when Rebecca sees Jake and calls Steve the vet to treat his injured paw.Mickey is reunited with an angry Ned, but their troubles aren’t over as Ned and Janae’s budding relationship is strained and Mickey is still worried about his part in the wedding bus crash, as Ringo’s life hangs in the balance. Mickey is not the only nervous one. Toadie is shaken and stirred by the possibility he might have been over the legal alcohol limit when the mini-bus crashed. His fears seem well founded when he’s arrested during a public debate with his political opponent and private lover, Steph.Frazer is vindicated, and when Ringo comes out of his coma he celebrates, but when he hears of Carmella’s involvement with the boy he is furious and throws her out, sparking his first married row with Rosie. Carmella’s already in turmoil, having promised her love to Ringo but made a pact with God to give him up if he survives.Rebecca continues to rekindle Paul’s affections, but Elle and Oliver are on tenterhooks over the paternity test. Is Paul, as Rebecca suggests, Oliver’s father?There seems to be no doubt about the mother, however, and Declan soon takes advantage of the discovery that he has a wealthy older brother.Elsewhere, Adam asks Pepper to move with him to
