British historian David Starkey made an appearance on a pre-Coronation broadcast on Gb News Thursday, where he claimed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was not sufficiently “grounded” in British culture.
The disgraced historian made the claim after host Andrew Pierce appeared to suggest that Coronation efforts from the British government have been muted.
“The prime minister now has been, in my mind, detached or at least semi-detached, from this Coronation,” Pierce said.
In response, Starkey said: “I think one of the reasons that I think a lot has gone wrong, for example, why parliament has not been properly represented at the coronation of a parliamentary monarchy, is because the government isn’t interested in the constitution.”
Starkey continued to say that what he was claiming was a “difficult and controversial” topic, but he believes it is true, after adding: “The prime minister, the man of immense power, of extraordinary skill, but really,...
The disgraced historian made the claim after host Andrew Pierce appeared to suggest that Coronation efforts from the British government have been muted.
“The prime minister now has been, in my mind, detached or at least semi-detached, from this Coronation,” Pierce said.
In response, Starkey said: “I think one of the reasons that I think a lot has gone wrong, for example, why parliament has not been properly represented at the coronation of a parliamentary monarchy, is because the government isn’t interested in the constitution.”
Starkey continued to say that what he was claiming was a “difficult and controversial” topic, but he believes it is true, after adding: “The prime minister, the man of immense power, of extraordinary skill, but really,...
- 5/4/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
We consider the controversies surrounding BBC Two's sumptuous Wolf Hall adaptation, feat. Damian Lewis, Mark Rylance and Claire Foy...
2015’s roster of prestige dramas is particularly dense, but the BBC’s take on Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall might just have already claimed its crown as the most controversial. It arrived freighted with the baggage always attached to adaptations of acclaimed novels, and further burdened by some thorny controversies all of its own. Mantel’s spirited attack on philosopher-saint Thomas More and equally fervent defence of his nemesis and her hero, Thomas Cromwell, was always bound to ignite debate. That, of course, is before we even touch on the subject of that rogue c-word and the choice to film night-time scenes by candlelight. We want accuracy, but only on our terms; when it jars with our perceptions of the past, out it goes.
Despite its name, Wolf Hall is...
2015’s roster of prestige dramas is particularly dense, but the BBC’s take on Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall might just have already claimed its crown as the most controversial. It arrived freighted with the baggage always attached to adaptations of acclaimed novels, and further burdened by some thorny controversies all of its own. Mantel’s spirited attack on philosopher-saint Thomas More and equally fervent defence of his nemesis and her hero, Thomas Cromwell, was always bound to ignite debate. That, of course, is before we even touch on the subject of that rogue c-word and the choice to film night-time scenes by candlelight. We want accuracy, but only on our terms; when it jars with our perceptions of the past, out it goes.
Despite its name, Wolf Hall is...
- 3/3/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Professor David Starkey has branded Wolf Hall a "deliberate perversion" of history.
The BBC Two programme combines Hilary Mantel's novel of the same name and sequel Bringing Up the Bodies.
Speaking to Radio 5 Live, Starkey said that he had not read the books nor seen the drama because he is "someone who actually knows what happens" and is a "massive believer in fact".
"Wolf Hall is a wonderful, magnificent fiction," he noted. "There is a difference between fact and fiction. The supposition has got to be controlled.
"If you're a novelist, you can imagine whatever you want. I gather Hilary Mantel has imagined this wonderful tender experience of Thomas Cromwell losing wife and children and you have a great deal of emoting.
"This is total fiction. There is not a scrap of evidence for it at all. So the thing that's used to create Cromwell as a sympathetic character is totally fiction.
The BBC Two programme combines Hilary Mantel's novel of the same name and sequel Bringing Up the Bodies.
Speaking to Radio 5 Live, Starkey said that he had not read the books nor seen the drama because he is "someone who actually knows what happens" and is a "massive believer in fact".
"Wolf Hall is a wonderful, magnificent fiction," he noted. "There is a difference between fact and fiction. The supposition has got to be controlled.
"If you're a novelist, you can imagine whatever you want. I gather Hilary Mantel has imagined this wonderful tender experience of Thomas Cromwell losing wife and children and you have a great deal of emoting.
"This is total fiction. There is not a scrap of evidence for it at all. So the thing that's used to create Cromwell as a sympathetic character is totally fiction.
- 1/26/2015
- Digital Spy
BBC Two and BBC Four will air a series of factual programmes to accompany upcoming BBC Two drama Wolf Hall.
From January 2015, the channels will mark the 500th anniversary of Tudor palace Hampton Court Palace with the collection of programmes celebrating the art and culture of the Tudor era.
A Night at Hampton Court Palace will recreate a key event from the building's history to celebrate its 500th anniversary, with the christening of Henry's son and heir Prince Edward being imagined.
Presenters Lucy Worsley and David Starkey will offer audiences an insight into the world of Henry VIII and reveal how the household came together for an event which was the culmination of almost three decades of Henry's reign.
The programme will capture an event which was not only politically iconic but also a carefully managed piece of performance art.
Holbein: Eye of the Tudors - A Culture Show Special...
From January 2015, the channels will mark the 500th anniversary of Tudor palace Hampton Court Palace with the collection of programmes celebrating the art and culture of the Tudor era.
A Night at Hampton Court Palace will recreate a key event from the building's history to celebrate its 500th anniversary, with the christening of Henry's son and heir Prince Edward being imagined.
Presenters Lucy Worsley and David Starkey will offer audiences an insight into the world of Henry VIII and reveal how the household came together for an event which was the culmination of almost three decades of Henry's reign.
The programme will capture an event which was not only politically iconic but also a carefully managed piece of performance art.
Holbein: Eye of the Tudors - A Culture Show Special...
- 12/8/2014
- Digital Spy
Kieran Kinsella
Appropriately enough for this time of year, Acorn Media’s latest batch of DVD releases includes The Fall. It’s a Belfast based psychological crime drama in which Dsi Stella Gibson attempts to hunt down a sadistic serial killer who seems to delight in deviousness. Somewhat unusually for a crime drama, the killer is identified fairly early on as Paul Spector. Thereafter, Spector and Gibson become embroiled in a game of cat and mouse that lasts through five suspensful episodes. The relationship between Spector and Gibson is similar to the one involving Hannibal Lector and Clarice except for the fact that Lector was banged up while Spector is on the loose.
X-Files actress Gillian Anderson takes on the role of Gibson and she seems quite at home on British TV these days having enjoyed success in recent hits such as Great Expectations. Her nemesis is the rather less...
Appropriately enough for this time of year, Acorn Media’s latest batch of DVD releases includes The Fall. It’s a Belfast based psychological crime drama in which Dsi Stella Gibson attempts to hunt down a sadistic serial killer who seems to delight in deviousness. Somewhat unusually for a crime drama, the killer is identified fairly early on as Paul Spector. Thereafter, Spector and Gibson become embroiled in a game of cat and mouse that lasts through five suspensful episodes. The relationship between Spector and Gibson is similar to the one involving Hannibal Lector and Clarice except for the fact that Lector was banged up while Spector is on the loose.
X-Files actress Gillian Anderson takes on the role of Gibson and she seems quite at home on British TV these days having enjoyed success in recent hits such as Great Expectations. Her nemesis is the rather less...
- 10/18/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
That Puppet Game Show debuted with 2.37m viewers on Saturday (August 10), overnight data suggests.
BBC One's latest Saturday night entertainment offering attracted 15.3% of the available audience from 6.45pm.
It was followed by I Love My Country, which continued with 2.77m (16.2%), down 190k on last week's opener.
The National Lottery: Break the Safe scored 3.86m (21.1%) at 8.15pm, while Casualty was watched by 4.32m (22.8%) at 9.15pm and Mrs Brown's Boys pulled in 4.09m (23.6%) at 10pm.
Meanwhile, ITV showed Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to 4.21m (23.8%) at 7pm. The latest episode of The Americans was seen by 860k (5%) at 9.50pm.
On BBC Two, Proms Extra 2013 aired from 7pm, with 570k (3.6%) tuning in. Dad's Army had 1.08m (6.3%) at 7.45pm and David Starkey's Music and Monarchy continued with 770k (4.3%) at 8.15pm.
The fifth instalment of drama Top of the Lake attracted 880k viewers (4.6%) from 9.15pm, after which Qi: Xl had 700k (4.4%) at 10.15pm.
BBC One's latest Saturday night entertainment offering attracted 15.3% of the available audience from 6.45pm.
It was followed by I Love My Country, which continued with 2.77m (16.2%), down 190k on last week's opener.
The National Lottery: Break the Safe scored 3.86m (21.1%) at 8.15pm, while Casualty was watched by 4.32m (22.8%) at 9.15pm and Mrs Brown's Boys pulled in 4.09m (23.6%) at 10pm.
Meanwhile, ITV showed Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to 4.21m (23.8%) at 7pm. The latest episode of The Americans was seen by 860k (5%) at 9.50pm.
On BBC Two, Proms Extra 2013 aired from 7pm, with 570k (3.6%) tuning in. Dad's Army had 1.08m (6.3%) at 7.45pm and David Starkey's Music and Monarchy continued with 770k (4.3%) at 8.15pm.
The fifth instalment of drama Top of the Lake attracted 880k viewers (4.6%) from 9.15pm, after which Qi: Xl had 700k (4.4%) at 10.15pm.
- 8/11/2013
- Digital Spy
I Love My Country debuted with 2.96m viewers on Saturday (August 3), overnight data suggests.
BBC One's new patriotic celebrity quiz show attracted 17.1% of the available audience from 7.30pm.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade earlier grabbed 3.12m (22.4%) from 5.15pm. The National Lottery: Break the Safe scored 4.42m (23.5%) at 8.15pm, while Casualty was watched by 4.41m (22.6%) at 9.15pm and Mrs Brown's Boys pulled in 4.16m (23.6%) at 10pm.
Meanwhile, Your Face Sounds Familiar finished with 3.70m (21.5%) on ITV at 7.30pm, its highest ratings since its debut in June. All Star Family Fortunes earned 3.29m (17%) at 8.45pm and the latest episode of The Americans was seen by 950k (5.4%) an hour later.
Back on BBC Two, Dad's Army aired from 7pm, with 650k (4.2%) tuning in. Proms Extra 2013 had 550k (3.3%) at 7.30pm and David Starkey's Music and Monarchy took 740k (4.1%) at 8.15pm.
The fourth instalment of drama Top of the Lake attracted 890k viewers (4.6%) from 9.15pm,...
BBC One's new patriotic celebrity quiz show attracted 17.1% of the available audience from 7.30pm.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade earlier grabbed 3.12m (22.4%) from 5.15pm. The National Lottery: Break the Safe scored 4.42m (23.5%) at 8.15pm, while Casualty was watched by 4.41m (22.6%) at 9.15pm and Mrs Brown's Boys pulled in 4.16m (23.6%) at 10pm.
Meanwhile, Your Face Sounds Familiar finished with 3.70m (21.5%) on ITV at 7.30pm, its highest ratings since its debut in June. All Star Family Fortunes earned 3.29m (17%) at 8.45pm and the latest episode of The Americans was seen by 950k (5.4%) an hour later.
Back on BBC Two, Dad's Army aired from 7pm, with 650k (4.2%) tuning in. Proms Extra 2013 had 550k (3.3%) at 7.30pm and David Starkey's Music and Monarchy took 740k (4.1%) at 8.15pm.
The fourth instalment of drama Top of the Lake attracted 890k viewers (4.6%) from 9.15pm,...
- 8/4/2013
- Digital Spy
BBC Two drama Top of the Lake continued with 1.28m (7%) from 9.15pm on Saturday (July 21), overnight data suggests.
The second instalment of the six-part series, starring Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss as a detective who returns to New Zealand to investigate the disappearance of a 12-year-old pregnant girl, was down 650k on last week's debut.
Meanwhile, Your Face Sounds Familiar interested 2.79m (17.2%) on ITV at 7.30pm and All Star Family Fortunes earned 2.3m (12.7%) at 8.45pm. The latest episode of The Americans was seen by 910k (5.3%) an hour later.
Over on BBC One, Raiders of the Lost Ark attracted 2.93m (19.4%) from 6.30pm, after which The National Lottery: In It to Win It scored 3.74m (21.7%) at 8.15pm. Casualty was watched by 4.2m (22.9%) at 9.15pm and Mrs Brown's Boys pulled in 3.94m (23.2%) at 10pm.
Back on BBC Two, Dad's Army aired from 7.45pm, with 1.31m (8.2%) tuning in. David Starkey's Music and...
The second instalment of the six-part series, starring Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss as a detective who returns to New Zealand to investigate the disappearance of a 12-year-old pregnant girl, was down 650k on last week's debut.
Meanwhile, Your Face Sounds Familiar interested 2.79m (17.2%) on ITV at 7.30pm and All Star Family Fortunes earned 2.3m (12.7%) at 8.45pm. The latest episode of The Americans was seen by 910k (5.3%) an hour later.
Over on BBC One, Raiders of the Lost Ark attracted 2.93m (19.4%) from 6.30pm, after which The National Lottery: In It to Win It scored 3.74m (21.7%) at 8.15pm. Casualty was watched by 4.2m (22.9%) at 9.15pm and Mrs Brown's Boys pulled in 3.94m (23.2%) at 10pm.
Back on BBC Two, Dad's Army aired from 7.45pm, with 1.31m (8.2%) tuning in. David Starkey's Music and...
- 7/21/2013
- Digital Spy
BBC TV and Radio will mark the 60th anniversary of The Queen's Coronation with a season of programming.
The shows will present the history behind the memorable day of June 2, 1953, the first Coronation to be televised.
BBC Parliament will air the digitally remastered version of the Abbey Coronation Service for the first time, in full, on Sunday, June 2, 2013. The original footage has been restored by BBC Studios and Post Production and it will air at the exact times of the original transmission, from 10.15am to 5.20pm.
In the build-up to the anniversary, BBC One will air The Queen: A Passion For Horses, a documentary about Queen Elizabeth's lifelong love for horses. Hosted by Clare Balding, the show will include behind-the-scene access to The Queen interacting with her horses and new-born foals.
Balding said: "The Queen is one of the most accomplished and respected breeders in Britain, with an especially...
The shows will present the history behind the memorable day of June 2, 1953, the first Coronation to be televised.
BBC Parliament will air the digitally remastered version of the Abbey Coronation Service for the first time, in full, on Sunday, June 2, 2013. The original footage has been restored by BBC Studios and Post Production and it will air at the exact times of the original transmission, from 10.15am to 5.20pm.
In the build-up to the anniversary, BBC One will air The Queen: A Passion For Horses, a documentary about Queen Elizabeth's lifelong love for horses. Hosted by Clare Balding, the show will include behind-the-scene access to The Queen interacting with her horses and new-born foals.
Balding said: "The Queen is one of the most accomplished and respected breeders in Britain, with an especially...
- 5/3/2013
- Digital Spy
Oliver Stone got so sick of always reading the sanitised version of Us history that he decided to write his own. He talks about the real reason America dropped the atom bomb, how Kennedy is a hero and why he can't stand Hillary Clinton
Oliver Stone has just agreed to take part in the Us version of Jamie's Dream School, the TV show that explored the interesting notion that famous people might educate kids better than teachers. "It was much criticised in Britain but I still think it's a good idea," says Stone over coffee and bagels in a Soho hotel. He'll be the American equivalent of Jamie's history teacher David Starkey. Only, you'd suspect, more radical.
Stone's TV history class might well be named Us Heresies 101. "We're going to take these texts from regular history and compare them to what we think happened." He will teach that the bombing...
Oliver Stone has just agreed to take part in the Us version of Jamie's Dream School, the TV show that explored the interesting notion that famous people might educate kids better than teachers. "It was much criticised in Britain but I still think it's a good idea," says Stone over coffee and bagels in a Soho hotel. He'll be the American equivalent of Jamie's history teacher David Starkey. Only, you'd suspect, more radical.
Stone's TV history class might well be named Us Heresies 101. "We're going to take these texts from regular history and compare them to what we think happened." He will teach that the bombing...
- 4/15/2013
- by Stuart Jeffries
- The Guardian - Film News
Dr Helen Castor in She Wolves
Kieran Kinsella
As a self-confessed history buff I was excited to hear that Athena’s February line-up would include the BBC documentary series She-Wolves: England’s Early Queens. This critically acclaimed show is hosted by Cambridge historian Dr Helen Castor and the content is largely drawn from her book on the same subject. As you might have guessed, the term “she-wolves” was conjured up by an anonymous misogynist hundreds of years ago to describe the powerful women who once dominated the British Isles. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that Castor portrays the women in question as helpless victims in a man’s world. She is quick to draw attention to their character flaws whilst explaining the obstacles powerful women once faced in a male dominated society.
Most of us are pretty familiar with Elizabeth I, “Bloody Mary,” and Lady Jane Grey. Things...
Kieran Kinsella
As a self-confessed history buff I was excited to hear that Athena’s February line-up would include the BBC documentary series She-Wolves: England’s Early Queens. This critically acclaimed show is hosted by Cambridge historian Dr Helen Castor and the content is largely drawn from her book on the same subject. As you might have guessed, the term “she-wolves” was conjured up by an anonymous misogynist hundreds of years ago to describe the powerful women who once dominated the British Isles. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that Castor portrays the women in question as helpless victims in a man’s world. She is quick to draw attention to their character flaws whilst explaining the obstacles powerful women once faced in a male dominated society.
Most of us are pretty familiar with Elizabeth I, “Bloody Mary,” and Lady Jane Grey. Things...
- 2/5/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
His school project only proved that most of the pupils didn't deserve the attention they got
Thank the Lord, Jamie's Dream School has finished. That programme was bad for the blood pressure. Can it have been the dodgiest, most dangerous TV series ever broadcast?
I know: we've had Ibiza Uncovered, The James Whale Show and that one where Rebecca Loos whacked off a pig. But at least those programmes never pretended to be anything but awful. This one claimed to be useful and well-meaning. It was a mugger dressed like a man from the gas board.
Here is the evil genius of Jamie's Dream School. It was perfectly devised to attract sappy, middle-class liberals like me. It was a Channel 4 documentary about education. It had Andrew Motion and Robert Winston in it. It had a biosphere and a scene at the Globe. It promised to help unlucky, underprivileged teenagers...
Thank the Lord, Jamie's Dream School has finished. That programme was bad for the blood pressure. Can it have been the dodgiest, most dangerous TV series ever broadcast?
I know: we've had Ibiza Uncovered, The James Whale Show and that one where Rebecca Loos whacked off a pig. But at least those programmes never pretended to be anything but awful. This one claimed to be useful and well-meaning. It was a mugger dressed like a man from the gas board.
Here is the evil genius of Jamie's Dream School. It was perfectly devised to attract sappy, middle-class liberals like me. It was a Channel 4 documentary about education. It had Andrew Motion and Robert Winston in it. It had a biosphere and a scene at the Globe. It promised to help unlucky, underprivileged teenagers...
- 4/16/2011
- by Victoria Coren
- The Guardian - Film News
Channel 4 has announced details of its programming surrounding the upcoming royal wedding. The broadcaster revealed plans for a mixture of documentaries, news programming and a special edition of Come Dine With Me to mark the marriage between Prince William and Kate Middleton. Meet The Middletons will see members of the bride's family, including cousins, aunts and distant relations, discuss the five generations of their clan. The programme is expected to focus on how Middleton's family history differs from Prince William's and has been described as "a revealing social history of the last hundred years of British working life and aspiration". Dr. David Starkey will host Kate and William: Romance and the Royals, which will examine how William's marriage to a "commoner" is not unusual in the history of the monarchy. (more)...
- 4/4/2011
- by By Catriona Wightman
- Digital Spy
Spoiler alert: I've got a killer segue lined up for the transition from "Jamie's Dream School" to "South Riding"! You're going to love it. That being said, on to the programmes.
Jamie's Dream School
The prog that everyone's talking about right now in Britain is "Jamie's Dream School", a title that puts the 'moron' in 'oxymoron'. Indeed, the weird establishment staffed by celebrities for drop-out students, under the watchful eye of the Naked Chef himself, is so far from being a dream school that I caught myself humming 'Gangsta's Paradise' halfway through the first episode.
So the idea of "Dream School" is that Jamie Oliver, drawing on the experience that saw him revolutionise school dinners for ten minutes back in 2005, gets some cool slebs to sort out the youngsters and inspire them and turn their lives around, or something like that. So he has David Starkey, the famous(ly pompous and creepy) historian,...
Jamie's Dream School
The prog that everyone's talking about right now in Britain is "Jamie's Dream School", a title that puts the 'moron' in 'oxymoron'. Indeed, the weird establishment staffed by celebrities for drop-out students, under the watchful eye of the Naked Chef himself, is so far from being a dream school that I caught myself humming 'Gangsta's Paradise' halfway through the first episode.
So the idea of "Dream School" is that Jamie Oliver, drawing on the experience that saw him revolutionise school dinners for ten minutes back in 2005, gets some cool slebs to sort out the youngsters and inspire them and turn their lives around, or something like that. So he has David Starkey, the famous(ly pompous and creepy) historian,...
- 3/11/2011
- by Dustin Rowles
The fashion designer's outburst is just one example of a growing casual antisemitism
It's interesting that John Galliano could just have got away with his antisemitic ravings, some caught on video in a Paris bar, had it not been for Jewish actress Natalie Portman.
Nicole Kidman and Sharon Stone still wore Dior to the Oscars. It was Portman, the "face" of Dior perfumes, who wore Rodarte. It was Portman who immediately stated she was "shocked and disgusted" and "would not be associated with Mr Galliano". She added: "I hope these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful."
"The opposite of all that is beautiful" – a melodramatic, very actressy statement? Perhaps it was de trop considering this isn't the Middle Eastern conflict, darling, just a sloshed fashion designer, slurring vilely, but also fashion enfant terrible-style, about...
It's interesting that John Galliano could just have got away with his antisemitic ravings, some caught on video in a Paris bar, had it not been for Jewish actress Natalie Portman.
Nicole Kidman and Sharon Stone still wore Dior to the Oscars. It was Portman, the "face" of Dior perfumes, who wore Rodarte. It was Portman who immediately stated she was "shocked and disgusted" and "would not be associated with Mr Galliano". She added: "I hope these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful."
"The opposite of all that is beautiful" – a melodramatic, very actressy statement? Perhaps it was de trop considering this isn't the Middle Eastern conflict, darling, just a sloshed fashion designer, slurring vilely, but also fashion enfant terrible-style, about...
- 3/6/2011
- by Barbara Ellen
- The Guardian - Film News
Jamie's Dream School opened its doors with 2m viewers on Wednesday night, while MasterChef continued to prove popular, the latest audience data has revealed. Jamie Oliver's new project, featuring young people being taught by star teachers such as David Starkey and Robert Winston, averaged 2.1m (8.8%) for Channel 4 in the 9pm hour and 301k (1.8%) on +1. BBC One's MasterChef pulled in a solid 5.09m (21.4%) in the 9pm hour, peaking at 5.53m (24.2%) for the final 15 minutes. The cookery competition beat coverage of Manchester City's Fa Cup victory against Aston Villa, which pulled in 3.46m (14.8%) on ITV1 between 7.30pm. Earlier on BBC One, The One Show and The Boat That Guy Built entertained 4.45m (21%) and 4.85m (22.5%) respectively in the 7pm hour. Waterloo Road mustered 4.8m (20.1%) in the 8pm hour, and (more)...
- 3/3/2011
- by By Andrew Laughlin
- Digital Spy
The sixth series of The Apprentice gets under way, while Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman are lost for words in a piece of pure poetry
The Apprentice | iPlayer
The Song of Lunch | iPlayer
The Genius of British Art | 4Od
PhoneShop | 4Od
Modern Family | Sky1
Wedding House | C4
The sixth series of The Apprentice at last kicked off after months waiting for Alan Sugar to stop pootling around in his baronial robes trying to help fish Britain out of the toilet and return to the important job of looking cross on television. Flanked by wry uncle Nick and new scrutineer Karren Brady, here he was, glaring at the latest intake of pathologically immodest ninnies – the girls with their hyperalert rictuses and ironed hair, the boys affecting a steely tousledness borrowed from the suit pages of the Next catalogue. His lordship unveiled an unwieldy joke he had prepared earlier. "On paper you all look very good…...
The Apprentice | iPlayer
The Song of Lunch | iPlayer
The Genius of British Art | 4Od
PhoneShop | 4Od
Modern Family | Sky1
Wedding House | C4
The sixth series of The Apprentice at last kicked off after months waiting for Alan Sugar to stop pootling around in his baronial robes trying to help fish Britain out of the toilet and return to the important job of looking cross on television. Flanked by wry uncle Nick and new scrutineer Karren Brady, here he was, glaring at the latest intake of pathologically immodest ninnies – the girls with their hyperalert rictuses and ironed hair, the boys affecting a steely tousledness borrowed from the suit pages of the Next catalogue. His lordship unveiled an unwieldy joke he had prepared earlier. "On paper you all look very good…...
- 10/9/2010
- by Phil Hogan
- The Guardian - Film News
We are all fascinated with the idea of a Monarchy, and for Americans our once close connection to the British crown makes this even more interesting. Historian David Starkey presents a series looking at British rulers from the Saxons to Queen Victoria in a comprehensive and educational program. Who has never dreamt of being a King or Queen, a Prince or Princess? Not many have resisted the allure of imagining .if I were King,. and have had great notions of what could be accomplished. In this historical, educational and realistic view of those who ruled Great Britain audiences will have the opportunity to see what it really meant to be the King. A crown didn.t always mean...
- 8/16/2010
- by June L.
- Monsters and Critics
The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the Fred Weekend Shopping Guide - your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…
(Please support Fred by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)
I really could have done without the over-the-top violence, because I actually found the story behind Kick-Ass (Lionsgate, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.99 Srp) to be pretty damn good, adapted from the comic book of the same name that envisions what it might be like for a real-life teen to decide to become a superhero-styled vigilante. What elevates it, though, is an impressive cast - including Nic Cage...
(Please support Fred by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)
I really could have done without the over-the-top violence, because I actually found the story behind Kick-Ass (Lionsgate, Rated R, Blu-Ray-$39.99 Srp) to be pretty damn good, adapted from the comic book of the same name that envisions what it might be like for a real-life teen to decide to become a superhero-styled vigilante. What elevates it, though, is an impressive cast - including Nic Cage...
- 8/13/2010
- by UncaScroogeMcD
DVD Playhouse—July 2010
By
Allen Gardner
Two From Powell/Pressburger Criterion releases gorgeous new transfers of two of the greatest films to come out of post-war Britain, from that period’s greatest filmmaking team: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Black Narcissus was originally released in 1947 and caused a sensation with its explosive story about a nun (Deborah Kerr), cloistered in a remote convent in the Himalayas, who must battle elements both external (the punishing weather) and internal (temptations of the flesh over duty to the spirit). Also features stellar turns by England’s greatest actresses at the time: Flora Robson, Kathleen Byron and a young Jean Simmons. One of the most dazzling films ever made, bolstered by Oscar-winning cinematography from Jack Cardiff. Bonuses: New transfer, supervised by Cardiff, editor Thelma Schoonmaker Powell; Introduction by filmmaker Bernard Tavernier; Commentary by Powell and Martin Scorsese; Featurettes; Documentaries and interviews; Trailer. The Red Shoes,...
By
Allen Gardner
Two From Powell/Pressburger Criterion releases gorgeous new transfers of two of the greatest films to come out of post-war Britain, from that period’s greatest filmmaking team: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Black Narcissus was originally released in 1947 and caused a sensation with its explosive story about a nun (Deborah Kerr), cloistered in a remote convent in the Himalayas, who must battle elements both external (the punishing weather) and internal (temptations of the flesh over duty to the spirit). Also features stellar turns by England’s greatest actresses at the time: Flora Robson, Kathleen Byron and a young Jean Simmons. One of the most dazzling films ever made, bolstered by Oscar-winning cinematography from Jack Cardiff. Bonuses: New transfer, supervised by Cardiff, editor Thelma Schoonmaker Powell; Introduction by filmmaker Bernard Tavernier; Commentary by Powell and Martin Scorsese; Featurettes; Documentaries and interviews; Trailer. The Red Shoes,...
- 7/27/2010
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
London -- Channel 4 is putting troubled children at the heart of its spring/summer season, with a hard-hitting strand, "Britain's Forgotten Children," focusing on what happens when children are raised by the state.
The season will include actress Samantha Morton's directorial debut, "The Unloved," a semi-autobiographical drama about what happens to a young girl growing up in a children's home. While in "Adopt Me," the broadcaster will examine why a quarter of the 4,000 children up for adoption every year fail to find a home.
In "The Homecoming," a film for the "Cutting Edge" documentaries strand, journalist Rachel Roberts explores the repercussions for children of being in care, while Rageh Omaar also will report on the subject in a special edition of "Dispatches."
Drama highlights for the season include "Endgame," a feature-length political thriller starring William Hurt, inspired by the secret talks between Afrikaners and Anc exiles that took place...
The season will include actress Samantha Morton's directorial debut, "The Unloved," a semi-autobiographical drama about what happens to a young girl growing up in a children's home. While in "Adopt Me," the broadcaster will examine why a quarter of the 4,000 children up for adoption every year fail to find a home.
In "The Homecoming," a film for the "Cutting Edge" documentaries strand, journalist Rachel Roberts explores the repercussions for children of being in care, while Rageh Omaar also will report on the subject in a special edition of "Dispatches."
Drama highlights for the season include "Endgame," a feature-length political thriller starring William Hurt, inspired by the secret talks between Afrikaners and Anc exiles that took place...
- 3/25/2009
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TV historian Dr. David Starkey has branded period drama The Tudors "gratuitously awful". The BBC, which airs the Showtime-produced series in the UK, has been accused of "squandering" licence fee payers money by Starkey. He told The Telegraph: "It is gratuitously awful. There are errors in Shakespeare when he handles history but they are there for a purpose. The mistakes in The Tudors are completely gratuitous." Starkey took issue with the show's malleable approach to history, particularly a plot (more)...
- 10/17/2008
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
LONDON -- New BBC director general Mark Thompson will address questions on the pubcaster's future in one of the highlight sessions of this year's Edinburgh International Television Festival, festival organizers said Tuesday. Thompson will make his first major public appearance to expand on the BBC's recent publication of "Building Public Value" in the run-up to its Royal Charter review in 2006. The former chief executive of Channel 4 will join other luminaries -- including director Stephen Frears, screenwriter Andrew Davies and historian David Starkey -- at the festival, which runs Aug. 27-29 in the Scottish capital.
- 7/14/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Channel 4's Janice Hadlow, best known in the industry for bringing to television such historians as Simon Schama and David Starkey, was named the new controller of digital channel BBC4 on Tuesday. Hadlow, who was head of specialist factual programming at Channel 4 since 2002, succeeds Roly Keating, who takes over this month as controller of BBC2 (HR 5/17). "Janice has a fantastic track record in bringing new ideas to television," said BBC director of television Jana Bennett, who made the announcement. "She has a restless imagination, and she will find new ways to open rich territory for audiences."...
- 6/16/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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