November 26
Foam fingers at the ready because a new series of Sky1 hit Gladiators is on the way this January. Airing first on ITV from 1992-2000, it was presented by Ulrika Jonsson, John Fashanu and later, Jeremy Guscott. Gladiators made household names of the likes of Wolf, Trojan, Shadow, Jet, Nightshade and Hunter. To this day, they are all still fondly remembered; little wonder Sky1 took the decision to revive this fondly-remembered favourite.
The hit show will see six new Gladiators join the team for the second series. Sadly, veteran referee John Anderson will not be back; he'll be replaced by boxing referee John Coyle. However, in news that will excite hardcore fans, one old-timer is returning: everyone's favourite baddie, 56-year-old Wolf.
Will the Wolfman strike fear into the hearts of all those budding contestants, just as he did way back in the ITV days? Let's hope so because in truth, this is arguably what the resurrected series has lacked and sorely missed: a 'boo! Hiss!' pantomime villain for everyone to love to hate. Born in Bombay, Wolf's real name is Michael Van Wijk. Commentating on his return he said: "I was blown away by the buzz I felt competing in the Gladiators arena again. It was like I'd never been away. The audience was phenomenal and clearly wanted more of the Wolfman. And now I'm back as manager, and I'm in charge."
The new Gladiators are as follows:
Amazon - (real name, Zoe Williams. She's 5ft 10", weighs 10 stone 6lbs and her specialist event is Powerball).
Cyclone - (real name, Donna Williams. She's 5ft 4", weighs 9 stone 3 lbs and her specialist event is Hang Tough).
Doom - (real name, Wayne Gordon. He's 6ft 3", weighs 15 stone and his specialist event is Pursuit).
Goliath - (real name, Barri Griffiths. He's 6 ft 6", weighs 19 stone 9lbs and his specialist event is Earthquake).
Siren - (real name, Amy Guy. She's 5ft 9", weighs 9 stone and her specialist event is hang tough).
Warrior - (real name, Daniel Singh. He's 6ft 3", weighs 17 stone 8lbs and his specialist event is Hang Tough).
Steve Jones, Commissioning Editor, Sky1, 2 and 3, said: "Our new Gladiators are an awesome sight to behold. Bigger, stronger, and even more unstoppable than before. We have found some brilliant characters and they will all be at the top of their game for fear of getting a rollicking from their new manager. I actually feel a bit sorry for our contenders this series."
Really? Well Steve mate, I actually felt a bit sorry for the Gladiators in the first series; some of them appeared far less bulky than their 1990s counterparts. And that's just the women. I swear I saw flesh wobbling on a couple of them - Jet would be horrified. You can see how the newbies perform when Gladiators returns to Sky1 in January. Me? I'm looking forward to seeing whether the Wolfman can turn back time...
Today I am mostly lovin' - Did anyone see High Society's Favourite Gigolo on Channel 4 last night? It was a remarkable story of the meteoric rise and pitiful fall of Britain's first black superstar. An obsessive womaniser (who was also bisexual), Leslie 'Hutch' Hutchinson's many lovers included Cole Porter, Ivor Novello and Tallulah Bankhead. But it was his affair with Lady Mountbatten that created a huge scandal in 1932. Absolutely fascinating programme. A great watch.
Today I am mostly hatin' - I hate to say it, but I think Heroes is losing its way. I really hope it bounces back...
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November 18
Hello everyone. It's good to be back. I don't know about you, but I am kicking myself for falling for a prime piece of hype. I blame myself; I work in this industry, I should know better. But when I saw a headline screaming: '£1 million find on Antiques Roadshow!', visions of Del Boy and Rodney danced before my eyes and I excitedly mentioned the programme to my family. This was a must-watch event, a once in a lifetime TV moment and I didn't want to miss it.
Earlier in the week, the BBC reported that Antiques Roadshow would screen the first ever object to be valued by a show expert at £1 million. The item of interest was kept under wraps and kudos to them because I didn't get a sniff of said closely-guarded secret until the show aired last Sunday at 7.15pm on BBC1. According to the BBC, fine art expert Philip Mould made 'the find' and broke the news to the owner at a venue in Gateshead. The owner knew it was valuable, but, said the press release, the actual value 'shocked' apparently.
At home, my family all wondered what it could be: an Old Master bought for a tenner at a car boot sale? A piece of old China handed down from generation to generation? An old Roman coin found at the bottom of a garden? Answer? None of the above.
Instead, the reveal was.....a design model of Anthony Gormley's Angel of the North sculpture. The model was one of a number he made to win over sceptical councillors ahead of the statue's commissioning. And why was it valued at £1m? Because a larger design model had recently sold at auction for £2m. The model on Antiques Roadshow was OWNED BY GATESHEAD COUNCIL. It had been in council offices for 13 years! What a disappointment. "Is that it??!?" my mum cried in disbelief. "You made us watch this...for that??!!?" said my sister. What could I say? I tried to explain that I'd been taken in, but my family were having none of it and took their frustration out on me.
I'm resolved never to fall for anything that cheap and underhanded again. I'd expect a move like that from a digital broadcaster desperate to get viewers watching some sort of salacious celebrity tat - I certainly don't expect it from Auntie and most definitely not for Horlicks-and-comfy-slippers TV such as the likes of Antiques Roadshow. What annoys me is that this tactic simply wasn't needed; the show has been storming the ratings in recent weeks, beating ITV's much-trumpeted drama Britannia High into the ground. Ever seen The Real Hustle? It tends to air on BBC Three and demonstrates confidence tricks, flimflams, hoaxes, frauds and various other nefarious deeds for a trusting public so that we can avoid becoming victims. May I humbly suggest they add 'The Great Antiques Roadshow Rip-off Scam' to that series?
Today I am mostly lovin' - I am still loving watching the Tina Fey as Sarah Palin Saturday Night Live skits. Absolutely hilarious! She totally nailed that impersonation.
Today I am mostly hatin' - That bloomin' Garnier Nutrisse advert with Davina McCall. Aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrggggggggghhh!
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November 04
Kirill is an exclusive new drama only available on MSN.
Three scientists have vanished. Two bloggers are under siege. One man has an urgent message to deliver. None of them are safe.
It is a dark, gripping, and sinister science fiction-style serial drama that will be updated regularly on MSN. Episodes are around 3 minutes long and very addictive. Fans of high drama TV shows such as Lost will love it, and everyone can check it out here.
Don't miss out!
by guest blogger Ian Viggars
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