Dave Gee: Entertainment Now
Latest News from the world of Entertainment, including the newest TV shows, DVD releases, Pop Music, and Celebrity Gossip
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While the residents and Government of Kazakhstan weren't impressed by their self-proclaimed ambassador Borat Sagdiyev, it seems the publicity he's generated has had an unexpected effect.
A new poll has revealed Kazakhstan is now a hot pick for travellers, all thanks to Borat. The former Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan came 3rd in a list of European countries that tourists and gap-year students most want to visit.
Few people knew much about the central Asian republic, until Sacha Baron-Cohen (Ali G) made it famous in his UK TV appearances as Kazakhstani TV Reporter Borat... and most recently in his hit movie, Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan.
The Kazakhstani Government were so concerned by Baron-Cohen's portrayal that they launched their own marketing campaign in the United States to coincide with the release of the movie. However, Borat simply went with the flow, claiming some of officials were actually imposters from evil neighbour Uzbekistan.
Borat held a media conference last September to announce, "Recent advertisements in television and in media about my nation of Kazakhstan saying that women are treated equally and that all religions are tolerated... These are disgusting fabrications."
"There is a man named Roman Vassilenko, who is claiming to be the press secretary of Kazakhstan," Borat added. "Please, don't listen to him: he is a Uzbek impostor, and is currently being hunted by our agents."
It seems though that any publicity is good publicity, with the nation of Kazakhstan beating out more common tourist destinations like Spain and France. Italy and the UK topped the poll, carried out by website Travellers Connected.com.
Travellers Connected spokesman Alastair Banks says last year Kazakhstan got very few votes. "We understand that Kazakh president Nursaltan Nazarbayev thought that Borat had damaged the world’s perception of Kazakhstan. For the right reasons or wrong, it looks however that the film has really put the country on the map."
Because of the increase in demand from travellers, Airline Air Astana has recently added a third weekly flight from London to Almaty, Kazakhstan.
* eMediaWire: Travellers Name Kazakhstan in Top Three European Countries They Most Want to Visit
* Neweurasia.net: Thailand is so last year
* Official Website for Borat Sagdiyev - "Kazakhstan's sixth most famous man"
A new poll has revealed Kazakhstan is now a hot pick for travellers, all thanks to Borat. The former Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan came 3rd in a list of European countries that tourists and gap-year students most want to visit.
Few people knew much about the central Asian republic, until Sacha Baron-Cohen (Ali G) made it famous in his UK TV appearances as Kazakhstani TV Reporter Borat... and most recently in his hit movie, Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan.
The Kazakhstani Government were so concerned by Baron-Cohen's portrayal that they launched their own marketing campaign in the United States to coincide with the release of the movie. However, Borat simply went with the flow, claiming some of officials were actually imposters from evil neighbour Uzbekistan.
Borat held a media conference last September to announce, "Recent advertisements in television and in media about my nation of Kazakhstan saying that women are treated equally and that all religions are tolerated... These are disgusting fabrications."
"There is a man named Roman Vassilenko, who is claiming to be the press secretary of Kazakhstan," Borat added. "Please, don't listen to him: he is a Uzbek impostor, and is currently being hunted by our agents."
It seems though that any publicity is good publicity, with the nation of Kazakhstan beating out more common tourist destinations like Spain and France. Italy and the UK topped the poll, carried out by website Travellers Connected.com.
Travellers Connected spokesman Alastair Banks says last year Kazakhstan got very few votes. "We understand that Kazakh president Nursaltan Nazarbayev thought that Borat had damaged the world’s perception of Kazakhstan. For the right reasons or wrong, it looks however that the film has really put the country on the map."
Because of the increase in demand from travellers, Airline Air Astana has recently added a third weekly flight from London to Almaty, Kazakhstan.
* eMediaWire: Travellers Name Kazakhstan in Top Three European Countries They Most Want to Visit
* Neweurasia.net: Thailand is so last year
* Official Website for Borat Sagdiyev - "Kazakhstan's sixth most famous man"
British actor and former popstar Adam Rickitt arrived in New Zealand this week, to join the cast of local tv soap Shortland Street.
Rickitt's first tv role was as Nick Tilsley (son of Gail) on UK soap opera Coronation Street in 1997, replacing actor Warren Jackson who originally played the character.
He's the first overseas "name" to join the long running kiwi medical soap, which began on State broadcaster TV2 in May 1992, and still manages to draw a healthy young audience in its 7pm weeknight timeslot.
After Rickitt's initial 18-month stint on Corrie, he quit to embark on a pop music career in 1999, under the guidance of former Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith.
His debut single I Breathe Again hit #5 in the UK chart (as well as being a hit overseas). His followup "Everything my Heart Desires" went Top 10, and his debut album "Good Thing" charted in the UK, USA, and Asia.
Rickitt then decided to return to acting, starring as Mark in a UK tour and West End production of the musical Rent, followed by a few smaller theatre and tv roles.
He returned to Coronation Street in 2002, and was involved in a controversial storyline when his character was involved in the show's first gay kiss with Todd Grimshaw (played by Bruno Langley).
(Rickitt also has political aspirations, and is keen to one day become a British MP He was approved as a prospective parliamentary candidate for the UK Conservative Party (good lad), and in May 2006 was one of 100 would-be-MPs chosen for the Conservative Party 'A-list'.)
Meanwhile Shortland Street production company, South Pacific Pictures says the 28 year old actor, singer and model "has been signed on to do a little bit of work and it will depend on how well he does as to whether it will continue".
Producers aren't yet revealing details of the character Rickitt will be playing, but with the tv show shooting ahead, his storylines won't hit New Zealand screens for a couple of months.
* NZ Herald: Ex-Coro star in NZ soap
* Adam Rickitt - Official Website
Rickitt's first tv role was as Nick Tilsley (son of Gail) on UK soap opera Coronation Street in 1997, replacing actor Warren Jackson who originally played the character.
He's the first overseas "name" to join the long running kiwi medical soap, which began on State broadcaster TV2 in May 1992, and still manages to draw a healthy young audience in its 7pm weeknight timeslot.
After Rickitt's initial 18-month stint on Corrie, he quit to embark on a pop music career in 1999, under the guidance of former Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith.
His debut single I Breathe Again hit #5 in the UK chart (as well as being a hit overseas). His followup "Everything my Heart Desires" went Top 10, and his debut album "Good Thing" charted in the UK, USA, and Asia.
Rickitt then decided to return to acting, starring as Mark in a UK tour and West End production of the musical Rent, followed by a few smaller theatre and tv roles.
He returned to Coronation Street in 2002, and was involved in a controversial storyline when his character was involved in the show's first gay kiss with Todd Grimshaw (played by Bruno Langley).
(Rickitt also has political aspirations, and is keen to one day become a British MP He was approved as a prospective parliamentary candidate for the UK Conservative Party (good lad), and in May 2006 was one of 100 would-be-MPs chosen for the Conservative Party 'A-list'.)
Meanwhile Shortland Street production company, South Pacific Pictures says the 28 year old actor, singer and model "has been signed on to do a little bit of work and it will depend on how well he does as to whether it will continue".
Producers aren't yet revealing details of the character Rickitt will be playing, but with the tv show shooting ahead, his storylines won't hit New Zealand screens for a couple of months.
* NZ Herald: Ex-Coro star in NZ soap
* Adam Rickitt - Official Website
English singer and actor Elaine Paige is to return to the London stage for the first time in six years, for the West End production of The Drowsy Chaperone.
The show, a spoof on 1920's style musicals, has been a surprise hit on Broadway, and won 5 Tony awards last year including Best Score and Best Book. The new musical recouped its (US) $8 million investment in just seven months, after opening at Manhattan's Marquis Theatre in May 2006.
Bob Martin played the lead "Man in Chair" character on Broadway. The (fictional) 1928 musical-comedy The Drowsy Chaperone comes to life in his New York apartment, when he plays his favourite cast record on his turntable. Martin will reprise his role in the West End production, set to open in the English spring.
Elaine Paige (who says she loved the Broadway production) will play the character of the Drowsy Chaperone. No other casting has been confirmed yet, although the popular Michael Ball and John Barrowman are both rumoured to have been approached.
London previews at the Novello theatre begin in mid-may, with The Drowsy Chaperone set to have its premiere on June 6.
(The Drowsy Chaperone has music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison, and a book by Don McKellar & Bob Martin).
* Whatsonstage.com: Chaperone Premieres at Novello with Paige, 6 Jun
The show, a spoof on 1920's style musicals, has been a surprise hit on Broadway, and won 5 Tony awards last year including Best Score and Best Book. The new musical recouped its (US) $8 million investment in just seven months, after opening at Manhattan's Marquis Theatre in May 2006.
Bob Martin played the lead "Man in Chair" character on Broadway. The (fictional) 1928 musical-comedy The Drowsy Chaperone comes to life in his New York apartment, when he plays his favourite cast record on his turntable. Martin will reprise his role in the West End production, set to open in the English spring.
Elaine Paige (who says she loved the Broadway production) will play the character of the Drowsy Chaperone. No other casting has been confirmed yet, although the popular Michael Ball and John Barrowman are both rumoured to have been approached.
London previews at the Novello theatre begin in mid-may, with The Drowsy Chaperone set to have its premiere on June 6.
(The Drowsy Chaperone has music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison, and a book by Don McKellar & Bob Martin).
* Whatsonstage.com: Chaperone Premieres at Novello with Paige, 6 Jun
American Idol judge Paula Abdul had obviously taken more than her normal supply of "morning uppers" when she appeared on Seattle's Q13 Fox News recently ;-) (Maybe she was still celebrating her deal to produce and star in a movie based on the Bratz line of dolls...)
This is great... Paris Hilton's $200,000 Bentley runs out of gas (petrol to non-Americans ;-) and she has to call on the paparazzi following her to help out...
"I've never put gas in the car... How much does gas cost??"
(Clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live)
"I've never put gas in the car... How much does gas cost??"
(Clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live)
US broadcaster NBC has commissioned a pilot of the popular UK comedy series, The IT Crowd, as it looks to broaden its schedule.
The British Channel 4 show follows the lives of 3 I.T. Support workers, whose base is the dingy basement of a large British corporation. The show's about to begin a second season in the UK.
The IT Crowd will be remade with an all-American cast, following NBC's success with the US version of The Office.
It's the third overseas-conversion the NBC is considering at for the 2007-2008 Fall TV season. The network's already commissioned pilots for Aussie hit comedy series Kath & Kim, and the BBC Three show I'm With Stupid. (Kath & Kim stars and creators Gina Riley and Jane Turner are expected to consult on the US version).
The British Channel 4 show follows the lives of 3 I.T. Support workers, whose base is the dingy basement of a large British corporation. The show's about to begin a second season in the UK.
The IT Crowd will be remade with an all-American cast, following NBC's success with the US version of The Office.
It's the third overseas-conversion the NBC is considering at for the 2007-2008 Fall TV season. The network's already commissioned pilots for Aussie hit comedy series Kath & Kim, and the BBC Three show I'm With Stupid. (Kath & Kim stars and creators Gina Riley and Jane Turner are expected to consult on the US version).
Donald Trump is moving to Hollywood for the 6th season of his hit NBC reality show, The Apprentice, which this season moves to a new Sunday night timeslot in the US.
And joining him on the West Coast this season - and by his side in the boardroom - are two of his children... Ivanka Trump and Donald Jr.
Ivanka previously filled in for Carolyn Kepcher on five episodes of The Apprentice Season 5. Donald Jr. also appeared in Season 5 as an observer. Other Apprentice winners will also join and advise Donald Trump Snr. in the boardroom.
Another twist this season has taken a leaf out of the Big Brother book, splitting the teams into the "Haves" and "Have-Nots", depending on their performance. The losing team each week has to sleep in tents and use outdoor showers and toilets, while the winning team gets to live it up in a luxurious hilltop mansion.
The winning project manager will now stay in the top job until their team loses. They'll also sit with Donald Trump in the boardroom, helping decide each week which member of the opposition team should be fired.
* Zap2it.com: 'The Apprentice' Goes Hollywood
* The Apprentice 6: Official site on Yahoo!
And joining him on the West Coast this season - and by his side in the boardroom - are two of his children... Ivanka Trump and Donald Jr.
Ivanka previously filled in for Carolyn Kepcher on five episodes of The Apprentice Season 5. Donald Jr. also appeared in Season 5 as an observer. Other Apprentice winners will also join and advise Donald Trump Snr. in the boardroom.
Another twist this season has taken a leaf out of the Big Brother book, splitting the teams into the "Haves" and "Have-Nots", depending on their performance. The losing team each week has to sleep in tents and use outdoor showers and toilets, while the winning team gets to live it up in a luxurious hilltop mansion.
The winning project manager will now stay in the top job until their team loses. They'll also sit with Donald Trump in the boardroom, helping decide each week which member of the opposition team should be fired.
* Zap2it.com: 'The Apprentice' Goes Hollywood
* The Apprentice 6: Official site on Yahoo!
The Countdown is on for the start of 24 Season 6, and yet another hectic day in the life of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) and company...
For viewers in the US, Jack's "day" begins with a special 2-hour premiere on Sunday January 14th, followed by another 2 action-packed hours on Monday 15th.
The wait will be longer for most overseas viewers... Hopefully New Zealand viewers will see the hit show back in prime-time again this season. Programmers at TV3 moved the last batch of Season 5 episodes to a late night timeslot, because of falling ratings (after they scheduled a Model search show as its lead-in!?!)
Season 6 picks up about 20 months after the end of "Day 5", where Jack Bauer was on a slow boat to China after being kidnapped by Chinese operatives. He somehow returns to the United States to assist new president Wayne Palmer (DB Woodside), following a series of terrorist attacks across the country.
New cast members involved this season include Powers Booth (Deadwood), Kal Pen (Harold & Kumar go to White Castle), Peter MacNicol (Numbers), and Rick Schroder (NYPD Blue).
TV reviewers who have seen preview copies of the first 4 episodes seem very impressed with the new season of 24, and say the show is as fresh and as action-packed as ever.
* Check out the 24 Season 6 teaser trailer below...
* EW.com: '24': So Good It's Scary
* Update 8/1 - The first 4 episodes of 24 Season 6 have been leaked, and are flying around online on BitTorrent and other platforms. Episodes 1-4 of the hit Fox show were on a special pre-screening DVD released to reviewers and industry insiders.
For viewers in the US, Jack's "day" begins with a special 2-hour premiere on Sunday January 14th, followed by another 2 action-packed hours on Monday 15th.
The wait will be longer for most overseas viewers... Hopefully New Zealand viewers will see the hit show back in prime-time again this season. Programmers at TV3 moved the last batch of Season 5 episodes to a late night timeslot, because of falling ratings (after they scheduled a Model search show as its lead-in!?!)
Season 6 picks up about 20 months after the end of "Day 5", where Jack Bauer was on a slow boat to China after being kidnapped by Chinese operatives. He somehow returns to the United States to assist new president Wayne Palmer (DB Woodside), following a series of terrorist attacks across the country.
New cast members involved this season include Powers Booth (Deadwood), Kal Pen (Harold & Kumar go to White Castle), Peter MacNicol (Numbers), and Rick Schroder (NYPD Blue).
TV reviewers who have seen preview copies of the first 4 episodes seem very impressed with the new season of 24, and say the show is as fresh and as action-packed as ever.
* Check out the 24 Season 6 teaser trailer below...
* EW.com: '24': So Good It's Scary
* Update 8/1 - The first 4 episodes of 24 Season 6 have been leaked, and are flying around online on BitTorrent and other platforms. Episodes 1-4 of the hit Fox show were on a special pre-screening DVD released to reviewers and industry insiders.
NBC is preparing to launch its version of "theatre idol"... a new reality show aimed at finding the next Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbroski for a Broadway revival production of the hit musical Grease.
You're The One That I Want is hoping to repeat the success of the BBC tv show, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, which aimed to find an actress to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival of The Sound of Music.
The tv talent search proved popular with UK viewers, with newcomer Connie Fisher now starring as the nun-turned-nanny Maria von Trapp, in the smash-hit musical revival at the London Palladium.
The Grease talent search will be hosted by Access Hollywood's Billy Bush, and UK TV host and actress Denise Van Outen. The judges are Producer David Ian (also part of the UK tv show, and co-producer of the West End production), Grease co-creator Jim Jacobs, and theatre Director & Choreographer Kathleen Marshall.
The show is being described as "the biggest casting call in Broadway history", with judges and the American public looking for actors who can sing, dance, and act the iconic roles of Danny and Sandy... with the prize being a couple of contracts on Broadway.
The Grease You're The One That I Want tv show starts on NBC on January 7th in the United States (no word yet on whether it'll screen elsewhere). The production of Grease itself is set to open on Broadway this June.
Check out the sneak preview below...
* NBC.com - Grease: You're The One That I Want
3rd Jan - Update: Two more Reality Theatre shows for the UK... Producer David Ian will also team up with X Factor judge Simon Cowell for a British version of the Grease tv search, for a new West End production of the musical. The show will screen on ITV1, with the revival hitting the London stage in Summer 2007.
Meanwhile, Andrew Lloyd Webber is to cast the leads for a West End revival of his musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (written with Tim Rice) via a new BBC1 reality TV show. Graham Norton, who hosted How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, will return for this show.
* Whatsonstage.com: Reality TV Stars Wanted for Grease & Dreamcoat
You're The One That I Want is hoping to repeat the success of the BBC tv show, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, which aimed to find an actress to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival of The Sound of Music.
The tv talent search proved popular with UK viewers, with newcomer Connie Fisher now starring as the nun-turned-nanny Maria von Trapp, in the smash-hit musical revival at the London Palladium.
The Grease talent search will be hosted by Access Hollywood's Billy Bush, and UK TV host and actress Denise Van Outen. The judges are Producer David Ian (also part of the UK tv show, and co-producer of the West End production), Grease co-creator Jim Jacobs, and theatre Director & Choreographer Kathleen Marshall.
The show is being described as "the biggest casting call in Broadway history", with judges and the American public looking for actors who can sing, dance, and act the iconic roles of Danny and Sandy... with the prize being a couple of contracts on Broadway.
The Grease You're The One That I Want tv show starts on NBC on January 7th in the United States (no word yet on whether it'll screen elsewhere). The production of Grease itself is set to open on Broadway this June.
Check out the sneak preview below...
* NBC.com - Grease: You're The One That I Want
3rd Jan - Update: Two more Reality Theatre shows for the UK... Producer David Ian will also team up with X Factor judge Simon Cowell for a British version of the Grease tv search, for a new West End production of the musical. The show will screen on ITV1, with the revival hitting the London stage in Summer 2007.
Meanwhile, Andrew Lloyd Webber is to cast the leads for a West End revival of his musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (written with Tim Rice) via a new BBC1 reality TV show. Graham Norton, who hosted How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, will return for this show.
* Whatsonstage.com: Reality TV Stars Wanted for Grease & Dreamcoat
US free-to-air broadcaster MyNetworkTV is considering a major revamp to its schedule, following the failure of its wall-to-wall telenovela strategy to pull in viewers.
The network was created by News Corp (Fox) last September, to provide primeetime programming for tv stations left out in the cold with the merger of WB & UPN as the CW network.
But MyNetwork's two hour weeknightly block of telenovelas (short run television serials) hasn't proven a hit with viewers. The network's two launch dramas, Desire and Fashion House, finished their thirteen week run in early December, with average ratings of less than 1%.
Network execs are now looking at cutting back the serials to just two nights a week, and are considering options for other non-drama programming to fill the gaps.
It's believed the network already has some alternative shows in development, including Celebrity Love Island (based on a British format), Catwalk (a model quest reality show), and On Scene (a crime news magazine show).
Execs are also looking at signing a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (a US martial arts league), as well as playing the live games show My Games Fever in prime-time (the programme is currently being trialled in daytime by 10 stations). The premium phoneline gameshow format has proven successful in the UK and other markets).
MyNetworkTV's second round of shows launched on December the 6th, but ratings haven't improved. Academy-award winning actress Tatum O'Neal stars in Wicked Wicked Games, which is followed by Watch Over Me, featuring pulp tv veterans Casper Van Dien and Catherine Oxenberg.
The network was created by News Corp (Fox) last September, to provide primeetime programming for tv stations left out in the cold with the merger of WB & UPN as the CW network.
But MyNetwork's two hour weeknightly block of telenovelas (short run television serials) hasn't proven a hit with viewers. The network's two launch dramas, Desire and Fashion House, finished their thirteen week run in early December, with average ratings of less than 1%.
Network execs are now looking at cutting back the serials to just two nights a week, and are considering options for other non-drama programming to fill the gaps.
It's believed the network already has some alternative shows in development, including Celebrity Love Island (based on a British format), Catwalk (a model quest reality show), and On Scene (a crime news magazine show).
Execs are also looking at signing a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (a US martial arts league), as well as playing the live games show My Games Fever in prime-time (the programme is currently being trialled in daytime by 10 stations). The premium phoneline gameshow format has proven successful in the UK and other markets).
MyNetworkTV's second round of shows launched on December the 6th, but ratings haven't improved. Academy-award winning actress Tatum O'Neal stars in Wicked Wicked Games, which is followed by Watch Over Me, featuring pulp tv veterans Casper Van Dien and Catherine Oxenberg.
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This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.
This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.
The owner of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
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