Dave Gee: Entertainment Now
Latest News from the world of Entertainment, including the newest TV shows, DVD releases, Pop Music, and Celebrity Gossip
Previous posts
Archive
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- November 2008
- October 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
Swiss political party the EDU have submitted their petition against the country's Eurovision entry, Vampires are Alive by DJ BoBo.
The small party, which holds two seats in the Swiss federal government, believes the song's lyrics are evil, and wants to have the song withdrawn as Switzerland's entry in Helsinki.
The EDU managed to collect 49,000 signatures against DJ BoBo's song... which has proven a hit with the wider Swiss population. Vampires are Alive entered Switzerland's singles chart at #3.
There could have been two vampire-related songs in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, but unfortunately Dracula, My Love by the band Andra Simplu was disqualified from Romania's song contest (along with Well-o-wee by the Redenx), because the songs had been performed publicly before October 2006, against Eurovision rules.
(There were also allegations of plagiarism, with elements of Dracula, My Love similar to E-Type's song When religion comes to town. Take a look at the "other" vampire Eurovision song here...
The small party, which holds two seats in the Swiss federal government, believes the song's lyrics are evil, and wants to have the song withdrawn as Switzerland's entry in Helsinki.
The EDU managed to collect 49,000 signatures against DJ BoBo's song... which has proven a hit with the wider Swiss population. Vampires are Alive entered Switzerland's singles chart at #3.
There could have been two vampire-related songs in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, but unfortunately Dracula, My Love by the band Andra Simplu was disqualified from Romania's song contest (along with Well-o-wee by the Redenx), because the songs had been performed publicly before October 2006, against Eurovision rules.
(There were also allegations of plagiarism, with elements of Dracula, My Love similar to E-Type's song When religion comes to town. Take a look at the "other" vampire Eurovision song here...
Switzerland's entry in this years Eurovision Song Contest is being targetted by a Swiss evangelical Christian political party. The Eidgenössisch- Demokratische Union (EDU) has launched a petition to have DJ BoBo's song Vampires are Alive withdrawn from the contest in Helsinki.
The EDU (which holds two seats in Switzerland's federal parliament) believes DJ BoBo's song is "satanically inspired", and will call on the Swiss Government to withdraw the song.
The party has collected 28,000 signatures against sending the song Vampires are Alive, which is already Top 3 in the Swiss music charts. DJ BoBo (real name René Baumann) is currently finishing work on his next album (due out mid-May), and is making no comment.
* Esctoday.com: Vampires alive on the charts, in the news
The EDU (which holds two seats in Switzerland's federal parliament) believes DJ BoBo's song is "satanically inspired", and will call on the Swiss Government to withdraw the song.
The party has collected 28,000 signatures against sending the song Vampires are Alive, which is already Top 3 in the Swiss music charts. DJ BoBo (real name René Baumann) is currently finishing work on his next album (due out mid-May), and is making no comment.
* Esctoday.com: Vampires alive on the charts, in the news
Titanic film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are set to reuinte for a new movie, Revolutionary Road, to be produced by DreamWorks.
The film is an adaption of a 1961 novel by Richard Yates, and will be directed by Kate's hubby Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition). Revolutionary Road is expected to start shooting next summer.
The story follows suburban Connecticut couple Frank and April Wheeler, who bury their own dreams in order to conform with the American Dream.
DiCaprio and Winslet's last collaboration, Titanic, won a record-tying 11 Oscars and made over (US) $1.8 billion worldwide at the box office. (Unfortunately, writers must have found it too tough to come up with a Titanic 2 storyline featuring both their characters? ;-)
DiCaprio's more recent movie-starring roles include The Departed, The Aviator, Catch Me If You Can, and Gangs of New York.
Winslet meanwhile scored an Oscar nomination for last year's film Little Children. She has never actually worked with her Oscar-winning husband, Sam Mendes.
The film is an adaption of a 1961 novel by Richard Yates, and will be directed by Kate's hubby Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition). Revolutionary Road is expected to start shooting next summer.
The story follows suburban Connecticut couple Frank and April Wheeler, who bury their own dreams in order to conform with the American Dream.
DiCaprio and Winslet's last collaboration, Titanic, won a record-tying 11 Oscars and made over (US) $1.8 billion worldwide at the box office. (Unfortunately, writers must have found it too tough to come up with a Titanic 2 storyline featuring both their characters? ;-)
DiCaprio's more recent movie-starring roles include The Departed, The Aviator, Catch Me If You Can, and Gangs of New York.
Winslet meanwhile scored an Oscar nomination for last year's film Little Children. She has never actually worked with her Oscar-winning husband, Sam Mendes.
Pop group Scooch have upset the bookies and the media pundits, by winning the BBC's Making Your Mind Up Eurovision selection contest, to represent the UK in Helsinki.
The quartet won over the UK public with their catchy pop song Flying the Flag (For You), and visual "flight attendant" dance routine.
After the six entrants performed live on UK TV last night, Scooch and French singer Cyndi were selected for a new "sing-off", before the pop four-piece were named as the overall winners.
The win was a bit of a surprise to Scooch, considering their competition from the likes of Justin Hawkins (The Darkness) and the fact they'd been all-but written off by the media. Scooch were also the only group in the UK final not signed to a major record label.
The UK is directly qualified for the final on May 12th, and will perform 19th on the night... between two other "novelty" songs from the Ukraine and Romania.
* Esctoday.com: UK Exclusive: Scooch's first winner's interview
* Official Scooch Eurovision Myspace page
The quartet won over the UK public with their catchy pop song Flying the Flag (For You), and visual "flight attendant" dance routine.
After the six entrants performed live on UK TV last night, Scooch and French singer Cyndi were selected for a new "sing-off", before the pop four-piece were named as the overall winners.
The win was a bit of a surprise to Scooch, considering their competition from the likes of Justin Hawkins (The Darkness) and the fact they'd been all-but written off by the media. Scooch were also the only group in the UK final not signed to a major record label.
The UK is directly qualified for the final on May 12th, and will perform 19th on the night... between two other "novelty" songs from the Ukraine and Romania.
* Esctoday.com: UK Exclusive: Scooch's first winner's interview
* Official Scooch Eurovision Myspace page
The United Kingdom will be the last country to select its representative for Eurovision 2007, with tonight's UK national final "Making Your Mind Up" set to choose the 42nd entry in this year's contest.
Six candidates are competing to represent the UK in Helsinki, with six very different song styles.
Leading the way for pop fans is Scooch, who've reformed especially for the contest. Scooch were Mike Stock and Matt Aitken's answer to Pete Waterman's "Abba on speed" group Steps, and had four UK Top 30 singles in 1999/2000, before deciding to go their seperate ways when lead vocalist Natalie Powers became pregnant.
Their 2007 entry, Flying the Flag (For You), continues their familiar cheesy pop style... although the song doesn't have any involvement from former songwriter/producers Stock/Aitken (instead co-written by group member Russ Spencer, with Morten Schjolin, Andrew Hill, and Paul Tarry).
Former East-17 lead singer Brian Harvey is also hoping to represent the UK. His song "I Can" has been kicking around on promo for a few years, but has been remixed and rejigged for his Eurovision attempt. Unfortunately, the end result is a poorer song, with the verses losing their original punch, and a weakened chorus.
Ex-Atomic Kitten Song Liz McClarnon's entry is a pleasant enough Kylie-lite track, Don't It Make You) Happy!, while Big Brovaz might struggle with their non-Eurovision-styled Big Bro Thang (altho they may be contender for 'Worst song title' ;-)
Unknown French singer Cyndi is tipped by some as a surprise winner, with her Titanic -style ballad, I'll Leave My Heart, which does have the distinction of being produced by Grammy award winning producer Brian Rawling.
Finally, the media and bookie favourite is former Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins, who has teamed with Beverlei Brown on They Don't Make 'Em They Like They Used To.
UK Eurovision stalwart Terry Wogan will co-host the UK's Making Your Mind Up programme, alongside Fearne Cotton. Unlike many other countries, the UK's selection is decided entirely by televoting.
Special guests at the UK show include last year's Eurovision winners, Finnish freako rockers Lordi, and former Eurovision winners Bucks Fizz (the UK national final is named appropriately after their 1981 winning song, Making Your Mind Up).
Six candidates are competing to represent the UK in Helsinki, with six very different song styles.
Leading the way for pop fans is Scooch, who've reformed especially for the contest. Scooch were Mike Stock and Matt Aitken's answer to Pete Waterman's "Abba on speed" group Steps, and had four UK Top 30 singles in 1999/2000, before deciding to go their seperate ways when lead vocalist Natalie Powers became pregnant.
Their 2007 entry, Flying the Flag (For You), continues their familiar cheesy pop style... although the song doesn't have any involvement from former songwriter/producers Stock/Aitken (instead co-written by group member Russ Spencer, with Morten Schjolin, Andrew Hill, and Paul Tarry).
Former East-17 lead singer Brian Harvey is also hoping to represent the UK. His song "I Can" has been kicking around on promo for a few years, but has been remixed and rejigged for his Eurovision attempt. Unfortunately, the end result is a poorer song, with the verses losing their original punch, and a weakened chorus.
Ex-Atomic Kitten Song Liz McClarnon's entry is a pleasant enough Kylie-lite track, Don't It Make You) Happy!, while Big Brovaz might struggle with their non-Eurovision-styled Big Bro Thang (altho they may be contender for 'Worst song title' ;-)
Unknown French singer Cyndi is tipped by some as a surprise winner, with her Titanic -style ballad, I'll Leave My Heart, which does have the distinction of being produced by Grammy award winning producer Brian Rawling.
Finally, the media and bookie favourite is former Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins, who has teamed with Beverlei Brown on They Don't Make 'Em They Like They Used To.
UK Eurovision stalwart Terry Wogan will co-host the UK's Making Your Mind Up programme, alongside Fearne Cotton. Unlike many other countries, the UK's selection is decided entirely by televoting.
Special guests at the UK show include last year's Eurovision winners, Finnish freako rockers Lordi, and former Eurovision winners Bucks Fizz (the UK national final is named appropriately after their 1981 winning song, Making Your Mind Up).
After many weeks of tough competition in the Melodifestivalen 2007 contest, Sweden has selected local band The Ark to represent their country in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
The Ark's glam-rock song The Worrying Kind will compete in the final of this year's contest in Helsinki, after Sweden finished 5th in Athens last year with Carola's Invincible. Eurovision commentators have described The Worrying Kind as a little like "The Bay City Rollers meets Slade in The Darkness".
Eurovision fans are divided about the Swede's selection of The Ark. For many the choice brings back bad memories of 2005, when Sweden were relegated after Martin Stenmarck's song Las Vegas finished 19th in the final.
This year's Melodfestivalen wasn't up to Sweden's usual standard, but here's a clip of the song the country should have chosen... Måns Zelmerlöw with Cara Mia. (Måns polled 2nd with Swedish televoters, but the Jury placed him just fourth).
The Ark's glam-rock song The Worrying Kind will compete in the final of this year's contest in Helsinki, after Sweden finished 5th in Athens last year with Carola's Invincible. Eurovision commentators have described The Worrying Kind as a little like "The Bay City Rollers meets Slade in The Darkness".
Eurovision fans are divided about the Swede's selection of The Ark. For many the choice brings back bad memories of 2005, when Sweden were relegated after Martin Stenmarck's song Las Vegas finished 19th in the final.
This year's Melodfestivalen wasn't up to Sweden's usual standard, but here's a clip of the song the country should have chosen... Måns Zelmerlöw with Cara Mia. (Måns polled 2nd with Swedish televoters, but the Jury placed him just fourth).
