Leona is back!
...and so is Will Young!
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Saturday, 23 July 2011
RIP: Amy Winehouse
It's 7:30pm on 23rd July 2011 and online sources and TV news shows have reported that Amy Winehouse is dead. It's such terrible, terrible news. Amy was a star. She had a unique voice and a talent that will be sadly missed.
Many years ago, my friend Amy (not Winehouse) managed to get me on the guestlist to see Amy Winehouse perform live. It was before she hit the big time. I was incredibly excited about seeing her perform because I loved her debut.
Unfortunately it was a shambolic performance. She was clearly drunk and staggered across the stage. Most people knew that she had problems and this was before the media took such an interest into Amy's private live, relationships and addictions. Me and my friends left the concert early as we couldn't bear to see the disasterous performance continue. It was a few months later that Amy reached global success.
Despite the shamoblics, I'm proud to have been in the same room as her. Addictions and issues aside, Amy (according to the people that knew her) was a vunerable but lovely person. I think it's important that we don't forget that.
Friday, 8 July 2011
Sensible controls are needed for the press
It's been an odd couple of days. Whilst we've all been aware of the allegations of phone hacking for some time, can any of us really say that the demise of the News of the World wasn't a shock? I, like many, have been gripped by how the story has been portrayed in the media over the past few hours. It will certainly be very interesting to see how this eventually pans out. Although the NOTW's last edition is on Sunday, this story is clearly going to run and run.
Some newspaper hacks have been complaining about the sacking of some of the NOTW staff, suggesting that there are reputable people that worked for the tabloid and that they don't deserve this outcome. I dare say that is true for a few, but do they really expect some sort of sympathy from the public? The NOTW's conduct is under close examination because of all sorts of alleged sordid activities. I'll be honest - the sacking of those staff is not something that concerns me in the slightest. It's not on my radar. I'm afraid I simply don't care. ( NOTW columnist Dan Wootton would disagree about my lack of sympathy.) I care more about low earning members of the public who then get made redundant and struggle to feed and keep their families warm. I have little concern for a journalist who makes his/her money by trying to find salacious stories about football players affairs, which I will use as an example.
What footballers get up to in the bedroom is none of my business and it should be none of yours. They get paid to play football. Sure, they get paid well - but aren't they the very reason why people go to matches or watch them on TV? Maybe they deserve to be paid well? - after all, they are the talent and without them it would be a bunch of hapless blokes walking around a pitch saying "what do I do with this ball?" The fact that a footballer is addicted to risky sex is not a big deal to me. I'm tried of the argument about celebs deserving what they get as some are considered to be role models for kids. I'm a fan of lots of writers, film stars and pop stars - but I don't know what their basic moral code is, or what they get up to away from the TV cameras, because believe it or not, as humans we are not perfect.
The level of scrutiny on individuals goes too far. The fact that a famous TV presenter cross-dresses in the privacy of their own is not something of national importance. We all have our faults, and whilst I enjoy reading some celeb gossip, I put it into the context of understanding that humans fail occasionally. However, clearly if there is evidence that a serious crime has occurred, then the general public should be aware of it - particularly if the crime is so hideous, such as (ironically) this whole hacking story.
I struggle with the way that some journalists and photographers behave. I feel that there is a distinct lack of responsible behaviour in many areas of the media. It's the contradictory things - you can't publish a piece about a politicians lack of morals and then go on to print a story which revels about several celebrities sex lives, which we all have and like to keep private. I'm afraid I wouldn't take that kind of publication seriously.
There clearly needs to be sensible boundaries in terms of behaviour. I'm all in favour for a new regulator, but equally I don't want to live in a society where really important stories never get to see the light of day. We need balance.
Some newspaper hacks have been complaining about the sacking of some of the NOTW staff, suggesting that there are reputable people that worked for the tabloid and that they don't deserve this outcome. I dare say that is true for a few, but do they really expect some sort of sympathy from the public? The NOTW's conduct is under close examination because of all sorts of alleged sordid activities. I'll be honest - the sacking of those staff is not something that concerns me in the slightest. It's not on my radar. I'm afraid I simply don't care. ( NOTW columnist Dan Wootton would disagree about my lack of sympathy.) I care more about low earning members of the public who then get made redundant and struggle to feed and keep their families warm. I have little concern for a journalist who makes his/her money by trying to find salacious stories about football players affairs, which I will use as an example.
What footballers get up to in the bedroom is none of my business and it should be none of yours. They get paid to play football. Sure, they get paid well - but aren't they the very reason why people go to matches or watch them on TV? Maybe they deserve to be paid well? - after all, they are the talent and without them it would be a bunch of hapless blokes walking around a pitch saying "what do I do with this ball?" The fact that a footballer is addicted to risky sex is not a big deal to me. I'm tried of the argument about celebs deserving what they get as some are considered to be role models for kids. I'm a fan of lots of writers, film stars and pop stars - but I don't know what their basic moral code is, or what they get up to away from the TV cameras, because believe it or not, as humans we are not perfect.
The level of scrutiny on individuals goes too far. The fact that a famous TV presenter cross-dresses in the privacy of their own is not something of national importance. We all have our faults, and whilst I enjoy reading some celeb gossip, I put it into the context of understanding that humans fail occasionally. However, clearly if there is evidence that a serious crime has occurred, then the general public should be aware of it - particularly if the crime is so hideous, such as (ironically) this whole hacking story.
I struggle with the way that some journalists and photographers behave. I feel that there is a distinct lack of responsible behaviour in many areas of the media. It's the contradictory things - you can't publish a piece about a politicians lack of morals and then go on to print a story which revels about several celebrities sex lives, which we all have and like to keep private. I'm afraid I wouldn't take that kind of publication seriously.
There clearly needs to be sensible boundaries in terms of behaviour. I'm all in favour for a new regulator, but equally I don't want to live in a society where really important stories never get to see the light of day. We need balance.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
More Madonna Album News
Earlier today, it was revealed that it was Madonna's first day in the recording studio for the new album.
There are two other producers which have been mentioned as possible collaborators: A-Trak and David Guetta.
There are two other producers which have been mentioned as possible collaborators: A-Trak and David Guetta.
Friday, 24 June 2011
Style: Habitat
The news that yet another (much loved, in my eyes) retail chain has gone into administration is very sad. It feels like our high streets are going down hill. Certainly in regards to Habitat, many stores have not made the necessary changes to keep afloat during these hard times. Even the wealthy are holding onto to their pennies.
Perhaps a chain like Habitat should have been creating more affordable ranges? I don't have all the answers, but I bet Mary Portas has a few ideas. This is what she said on Twitter: " ...its been a long time since Habitat was brilliant. Some private equity running it without vision or taste has led to this. Its sad".
Celebrity Reality TV: career destroyer or saviour?
It's very easy to have an opinion about the celebrities that appear on reality TV shows such as 'I'm a celebrity...get me out of here'. To most people, and perhaps quite rightly, it's their idea of hell. The celeb contestants are filmed 24 hours a day and made to do all sorts of embarrassing (and in some cases revolting) tasks in an attempt to win first place. Surely the only people that sign up to these shows are those celebs who are desperate and penniless? - or are we too quick to judge?
Reality TV shows are not only a common occurance. They are also a ratings winner. Should we be really judging the people that sign up? Should we be congratuling them for making a smart move? After all, that exposure can give a star many more opportunties - such as magazine interviews, advertising and endorsements...? The exposure can help promote a book, a tour or a new album. The rewards could be amazing. Unless of course you are not seen in a good light. It's a difficult decision to make.
Celebrities should think hard. Are they willing to let the public see all of their flaws? No matter how good an actor or actress, nobody can keep up an act 24 hours a day.
The news that Rachel Stevens (solo performer and former singer with S Club 7) has apparently signed up for Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 is not a shock in the sense that we haven't seen much of her recently. According to rumours, she will be realising some new material via 'Fascination Records' which is home to The Saturdays. I can't confirm either story. In case you have forgotten who Rachel is, see the below video:
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| "This show is boring" said Granny Poptweetz |
Celebrities should think hard. Are they willing to let the public see all of their flaws? No matter how good an actor or actress, nobody can keep up an act 24 hours a day.
The news that Rachel Stevens (solo performer and former singer with S Club 7) has apparently signed up for Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5 is not a shock in the sense that we haven't seen much of her recently. According to rumours, she will be realising some new material via 'Fascination Records' which is home to The Saturdays. I can't confirm either story. In case you have forgotten who Rachel is, see the below video:
Madonna's next album - who will produce?
The recent news that Madonna has started preparing for a new album is sending fans into a frenzy. The latest rumour (courtesy of www.examiner.com ) is that Madge might be collaborating with Jim Steinman. To those that didn't know, Jim has produced and written some of pop's most celebrated songs for artists such as Celine Dion and Meatloaf.
According to the source, Joe Henry is a definite collaborator - and you may remember Joe as he worked on 'Don't Tell Me' and 'Jump'. I admire Joe greatly as he appeared on Julia Fordham's 'Concrete Love' album, duetting with Julia on the haunting track 'Alleluia'.
Many Madonna fans are hoping that she will reunite with William Orbit as he did such a fabulous job on the 'Ray of Light' album.
Links: Guy O'Seary , www.madonna.com
Pit stains, bad hair days and dodgy pants
Admit it. You love to criticise people. You love to sit outside a cafe, watch the people go by and comment on their appearance. You like to think that you are better than them. Well, quite frankly who doesn't?
We all love to judge people and even if we think we are grounded and fair people, there is no denying that we all take a bit of pleasure from talking about folks bad hair. I'm probably one of the worst culprits for doing it but I don't do it in a mailicious way. I don't confront those people (even though it takes all of my strength not to).
The thing is, none of us are perfect (although I am nearly there). I realise that I don't have a right to comment on why a woman in her mid sixties is wearing a mini ra-ra. I dare say that some people don't like the clothes I wear (although, let's face it, I seriously doubt that).
Open the pages of any weekly gossip magazine and you are confronted by a series of photos of celebs looking worse for wear - but I don't mind that - it reminds me that we're all the same. We all have pit stains from time to time and most of us never look good in the morning.
We all love to judge people and even if we think we are grounded and fair people, there is no denying that we all take a bit of pleasure from talking about folks bad hair. I'm probably one of the worst culprits for doing it but I don't do it in a mailicious way. I don't confront those people (even though it takes all of my strength not to).
The thing is, none of us are perfect (although I am nearly there). I realise that I don't have a right to comment on why a woman in her mid sixties is wearing a mini ra-ra. I dare say that some people don't like the clothes I wear (although, let's face it, I seriously doubt that).
Open the pages of any weekly gossip magazine and you are confronted by a series of photos of celebs looking worse for wear - but I don't mind that - it reminds me that we're all the same. We all have pit stains from time to time and most of us never look good in the morning.
Thursday, 23 June 2011
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