Is there nothing worse than a sanctimonious celebrity lecturing us on the ills of society and government when they actively support that government ?
Ex Eastenders actress Michelle Collins, on The One Show, started telling the hosts about her charity work for Barnardos and how she was campaigning with them to get the government to do something about loan sharks and then started telling us about what happens to the most vulnerable in society during a recession. She said that she was campaigning to get the government to do something about this.
The problem is though that the government are hardly going to do something about it when the person moaning about their policies actually goes out and campaigns for that same government.
Update : The one highlight of The One Show was the presenter from the beach telling people to "Look at the webshite". Made me laugh.
Showing posts with label celebrities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label celebrities. Show all posts
7/20/2009
6/25/2009
Michael Jackson dead ?
Odd rumours circulating that Michael Jackson might be dead ?
No opinions to offer personally on this.
Update : Now confirmed that he is dead. A great shame all round of undoubted talent whose music will live on but whose reputation will be forever tarnished by allegations of abuse.
No opinions to offer personally on this.
Update : Now confirmed that he is dead. A great shame all round of undoubted talent whose music will live on but whose reputation will be forever tarnished by allegations of abuse.
4/08/2009
Parky gets it all so right over Jade Goody
Michael Parkinson has put in to words what many of us felt about he way Jade Goody's illness and death were treated by the press and those around her who were supposedly acting in her "best interests".
Parkinson wrote that she was "the perfect victim of our times...brought up in a cesspit of poverty and died to an orchestrated chorus of exploitation".
He says a lot more too which is hard to disagree with HERE.
Parkinson wrote that she was "the perfect victim of our times...brought up in a cesspit of poverty and died to an orchestrated chorus of exploitation".
He says a lot more too which is hard to disagree with HERE.
2/14/2009
Is there any Z list celebrity TV challenge that Lembit Opik won't do ?
Every time they announce a new celebrity challenge TV show my heart sinks knowing there is a good chance Lembit Opik will whore himself by appearing in the show. Thankfully he didn't appear in "I'm a Celebrity", but appearances on various TV shows from Celebrity Apprentice (which was a good show but left me feeling Lembit came out of it very badly) to Celebrity Mr and Mrs, and others along the way, as a Lib Dem, make my heart sink.
Lembit apparently feels he is unappreciated in the Lib Dems by the members as a whole and feels that some bloggers fail to give him credit for things he has done.
So should I give him credit for appearing in the latest celebrity feature "Team Ant versus Team Dec" on "Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway" ?
No, of course not. When he ought to be knocking on doors in his constituency, when he ought to be doing the work his is paid to do, instead he is appearing on a ITV1.
Credit where credit is due Lembit. Now go and do something I can give you credit for.
Lembit apparently feels he is unappreciated in the Lib Dems by the members as a whole and feels that some bloggers fail to give him credit for things he has done.
So should I give him credit for appearing in the latest celebrity feature "Team Ant versus Team Dec" on "Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway" ?
No, of course not. When he ought to be knocking on doors in his constituency, when he ought to be doing the work his is paid to do, instead he is appearing on a ITV1.
Credit where credit is due Lembit. Now go and do something I can give you credit for.
1/26/2009
The Russel Brand good news the Daily Mail won't want to print
On BBC Look East this evening they reported on a charity that helps to rehabilitate people addicted to drugs who are having their government funding cut by 30%, despite a 40% increase in the number of people seeking treatment. Faced with closure, the Bury St Edmunds Charity "Focus 12" has been saved by comedian Russell Brand who has given them £30,000 and has pledged to raise £60,000 per year every year from now on for the charity.
Possibly the sort of good news the Daily Scum won' t be interest in.
Possibly the sort of good news the Daily Scum won' t be interest in.
11/01/2008
Guess who did well out of Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand ?
I always thought that if Andrew Sachs granddaughter was SO upset about what Russell Brand she would not have been conducting interviews with national newspapers.
And now she's getting lots of publicity. It seems to me that one person has done very well out of this whole affair.
And now she's getting lots of publicity. It seems to me that one person has done very well out of this whole affair.
6/21/2008
How bad does your character have to be in order for you not to be a good character ?
Supermodel Naomi Campbell escaped prison because Chairman of the magistrates' Peter Yiacoumi said he had given Campbell credit for her guilty pleas and previous good character.
It's an odd state of affairs that someone who had very publicly been convicted of another assault in the USA should be described as being of "previous good character".
Seemingly hurling abuse, calling people racists, assaulting police officers and spitting at them is not as serious an offence as I would have presumed it to be. Ms Campbell apparently accused the pilot of being a racist, claiming "you wouldn't be doing this if I was white". Might I suggest that the she would be in prison now "were she not famous"
It's an odd state of affairs that someone who had very publicly been convicted of another assault in the USA should be described as being of "previous good character".
Seemingly hurling abuse, calling people racists, assaulting police officers and spitting at them is not as serious an offence as I would have presumed it to be. Ms Campbell apparently accused the pilot of being a racist, claiming "you wouldn't be doing this if I was white". Might I suggest that the she would be in prison now "were she not famous"
3/17/2008
Heather Mills - Spinning out of control and making people hate her even more
What a nasty piece of work Heather Mills is, and her "spin" today in response to her getting almost the minimum she could expect from Paul McCartney was an object lesson in bravado and spin over substance, with some really telling quotes which tell us as much as we need to know about her personality as we would ever want.
in the first instance, it was hilarious to hear that she wanted £125 million of Sir Paul's money. In the end, she got just £700,000 more than Sir Paul was offering, meaning he has to pay her £16.5 million (she gets to keep her own £7.8 million is assets so the total is given as £24.3 million). When asked whether she had, in hindsight, been silly to represent herself, she said in response
"Not at all. Lawyers couldn't get anywhere near this figure."
Let's be clear for Heather, she wanted £109.2 million more than Sir Paul McCartney was offering, instead she got just £700,000. In real percentage terms, by representing herself she gained herself an extra 0.6%. Let's put it this way. A career representing others in the divorce courts is something Heather Mills should avoid if she can only get an extra 0.6%.
The other statements of note were her comments to questions as to whether Sir Paul was mean, her response was an attempt to be above the question, for the "sake of her daughter", followed by the spineless comment "I can't say that for the sake of my daughter but my sister does."
But what shows Heather Mills up in the worst possible light is her comments about the £35,000 that Paul and Heather's daughter will receive as a personal income each year. The problem is that Heather does not think this is enough. Let's get this clear, she thinks that a tax free £35,000 per annum, equivalent to about the same as myself and my wife get jointly, after tax, each year is not enough. Why isn't this enough, well Heather Mills explains
"So, she's obviously meant to travel B class while her father travels A class - but obviously I will pay for that,"
So in effect Heather, you are going to do what every other person in the world does and provide for your child from your own income ! Well what a hero you are (please note this is sarcasm).
What a horrible woman she is.
Today we learnt why she was so keen to get the court ruling made private. It appears she didn't tell the truth when revealing her financial situation.
in the first instance, it was hilarious to hear that she wanted £125 million of Sir Paul's money. In the end, she got just £700,000 more than Sir Paul was offering, meaning he has to pay her £16.5 million (she gets to keep her own £7.8 million is assets so the total is given as £24.3 million). When asked whether she had, in hindsight, been silly to represent herself, she said in response
"Not at all. Lawyers couldn't get anywhere near this figure."
Let's be clear for Heather, she wanted £109.2 million more than Sir Paul McCartney was offering, instead she got just £700,000. In real percentage terms, by representing herself she gained herself an extra 0.6%. Let's put it this way. A career representing others in the divorce courts is something Heather Mills should avoid if she can only get an extra 0.6%.
The other statements of note were her comments to questions as to whether Sir Paul was mean, her response was an attempt to be above the question, for the "sake of her daughter", followed by the spineless comment "I can't say that for the sake of my daughter but my sister does."
But what shows Heather Mills up in the worst possible light is her comments about the £35,000 that Paul and Heather's daughter will receive as a personal income each year. The problem is that Heather does not think this is enough. Let's get this clear, she thinks that a tax free £35,000 per annum, equivalent to about the same as myself and my wife get jointly, after tax, each year is not enough. Why isn't this enough, well Heather Mills explains
"So, she's obviously meant to travel B class while her father travels A class - but obviously I will pay for that,"
So in effect Heather, you are going to do what every other person in the world does and provide for your child from your own income ! Well what a hero you are (please note this is sarcasm).
What a horrible woman she is.
Today we learnt why she was so keen to get the court ruling made private. It appears she didn't tell the truth when revealing her financial situation.
2/11/2008
Heather Mills - A self fulfilling prophecy
Watching the news today and the various spin put on the divorce hearing of Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, it is fascinating to hear "friends" of heather Mills making the arguments as to why she should have so much of Sir Paul's money.
She apparently refused a substantial offer amounting to several tens of millions of pounds last year because "it was not enough money to provide for her security". Note that is not financial security, but personal security. This apparently relates to the fact that she is hounded by the press and abused in the street by ordinary members of the public. Not at all nice for her, I am sure, but is there a reason for this abuse ?
The problem is that there is a reason, and it was brought on by Heather Mills herself. Upon splitting with Sir Paul, she could have let it be known that the split was amicable (even if it wasn't) and she wanted a swift settlement that would ensure that she was not grabbing Sir Paul's millions. This would have left Heather Mills in a strong position in terms of public support and would ahve meant there would have been no public or press backlash. The problem was that I don't remember this happening.
Most people seem to think that she has been after as much money as possible right from the start. And strangely, despite her denials, her actions since, her loathing from the general public, her tears on TV and her rants at the tabloid press have made her unpopular and increased the perceived need to have more personal security. It's a sort of self fulfilling prophecy that she has brought upon herself.
The saddest part though is not that Sir Paul McCartney will be deprived of several tens of millions of pounds of his fortune or that Heather Mills gets sworn at in the street, bad as those things are. No, the saddest thing is that two people, two parents, have fallen out so publicly and their daughter will always be reminded of it. If it's not hard enough having one of the most famous people in the world as your dad, it's harder still to have your parents appear to hate each other so publicly.
I hope Heather Mills and Sir Paul can find happiness in whatever they do in the future and can build a happy life for their little girl.
She apparently refused a substantial offer amounting to several tens of millions of pounds last year because "it was not enough money to provide for her security". Note that is not financial security, but personal security. This apparently relates to the fact that she is hounded by the press and abused in the street by ordinary members of the public. Not at all nice for her, I am sure, but is there a reason for this abuse ?
The problem is that there is a reason, and it was brought on by Heather Mills herself. Upon splitting with Sir Paul, she could have let it be known that the split was amicable (even if it wasn't) and she wanted a swift settlement that would ensure that she was not grabbing Sir Paul's millions. This would have left Heather Mills in a strong position in terms of public support and would ahve meant there would have been no public or press backlash. The problem was that I don't remember this happening.
Most people seem to think that she has been after as much money as possible right from the start. And strangely, despite her denials, her actions since, her loathing from the general public, her tears on TV and her rants at the tabloid press have made her unpopular and increased the perceived need to have more personal security. It's a sort of self fulfilling prophecy that she has brought upon herself.
The saddest part though is not that Sir Paul McCartney will be deprived of several tens of millions of pounds of his fortune or that Heather Mills gets sworn at in the street, bad as those things are. No, the saddest thing is that two people, two parents, have fallen out so publicly and their daughter will always be reminded of it. If it's not hard enough having one of the most famous people in the world as your dad, it's harder still to have your parents appear to hate each other so publicly.
I hope Heather Mills and Sir Paul can find happiness in whatever they do in the future and can build a happy life for their little girl.
1/30/2008
An endorsement from (the late) Jeremy Beadle
I was genuinely sorry to hear this evening that Jeremy beadle had died at the age of 59.
I was always somewhat bemused by the stinging criticism Jeremy Beadle got in the press and from other TV personalities. Yes, his shows might have appealed to the a "certain" type of audience, but they did attract viewers, they were successful and whenever you delved deeper in to his background, Jeremy Beadle always struck me as being a highly intelligent man.
He was something of an expert on London murders and famous police cases, he was also an illusionist, and author and had been one of the original presenters on Talk Radio before it became a recluse for failed footballers and was renamed "Talk Sport".
It was on the radio that I had my only ever contact with Jeremy Beadle when back in 1995, when studying late at night at University, I heard him talking about electronic methods of voting on his Talk Radio phone in show. He made a couple of logical assumptions which I disagreed with, so decided to phone in. Unlike many shows and modern presenters, he did not play devils advocate but listened, asked constructive questions, and seemed to genuinely be grateful for my call. Indeed I was on air for about 15 minutes discussing a wide range of other issues as he seemed to think my views were of some merit. As we wound up the call, and the line went dead, I went back in to the living room where my housemates were listening and as there was a bout a 12 second delay on the call to be able to eliminate swearing and abusive callers, I heard what he said about me just as I entered the room, his words were
"That was Nich in Coventry. What a bright bloke. I do like talking to genuinely intelligent people".
Thanks Jeremy. It was nice to be given the time to speak to you back in 1995 and may you rest in peace.
I was always somewhat bemused by the stinging criticism Jeremy Beadle got in the press and from other TV personalities. Yes, his shows might have appealed to the a "certain" type of audience, but they did attract viewers, they were successful and whenever you delved deeper in to his background, Jeremy Beadle always struck me as being a highly intelligent man.
He was something of an expert on London murders and famous police cases, he was also an illusionist, and author and had been one of the original presenters on Talk Radio before it became a recluse for failed footballers and was renamed "Talk Sport".
It was on the radio that I had my only ever contact with Jeremy Beadle when back in 1995, when studying late at night at University, I heard him talking about electronic methods of voting on his Talk Radio phone in show. He made a couple of logical assumptions which I disagreed with, so decided to phone in. Unlike many shows and modern presenters, he did not play devils advocate but listened, asked constructive questions, and seemed to genuinely be grateful for my call. Indeed I was on air for about 15 minutes discussing a wide range of other issues as he seemed to think my views were of some merit. As we wound up the call, and the line went dead, I went back in to the living room where my housemates were listening and as there was a bout a 12 second delay on the call to be able to eliminate swearing and abusive callers, I heard what he said about me just as I entered the room, his words were
"That was Nich in Coventry. What a bright bloke. I do like talking to genuinely intelligent people".
Thanks Jeremy. It was nice to be given the time to speak to you back in 1995 and may you rest in peace.
1/26/2008
Celebrities and MP's getter better data safety under government rules
The government, despite constant lies, knows that the safety of data on their systems is poor and have now admitted as much when it was revealed that celebrities, MP's and other famous people have to send their tax returns in by post due to concerns about the safety of the online tax returns.
It is astonishing that the government should not ahev realised that by allowing a two tier system they are admitting that one tier of their system has a fault. But secondly, isn't it incredible that famous people and the rich and powerful are allowed to have a more secure system for filing their tax returns than us mere mortals.
It is astonishing that the government should not ahev realised that by allowing a two tier system they are admitting that one tier of their system has a fault. But secondly, isn't it incredible that famous people and the rich and powerful are allowed to have a more secure system for filing their tax returns than us mere mortals.
1/06/2008
Proving that even bad publicity can be good sometimes
I am personally not a believer in the old adage that "All publicity is good publicity". For example, I cannot see how the headlines "Leading Tory in Rent-Boy shock" could possibly be good news for the Tories or how "Tesco admit they are Bastards" would make people rush through their doors. Just ask Gerald Ratner and I am sure he would agree that the publicity he received for his statement about his cheap jewellery in the Ratners stores he ran didn't exactly do him or his firm a lot of good.
However, if you look at today's music chart you will see that despite a week of lurid headlines about Brittney Spears being institutionalised because of her addictions, refusing to hand her children over to their father, losing custody of her children and a series of photos of her apparently strapped to a stretcher going in to an ambulance, Brittney Spears last single, which was out some months ago, has jumped 22 places from number 41 up to number 19 in the UK top 40 singles.
So obviously any publicity can be good for you, on certain occasions.
However, if you look at today's music chart you will see that despite a week of lurid headlines about Brittney Spears being institutionalised because of her addictions, refusing to hand her children over to their father, losing custody of her children and a series of photos of her apparently strapped to a stretcher going in to an ambulance, Brittney Spears last single, which was out some months ago, has jumped 22 places from number 41 up to number 19 in the UK top 40 singles.
So obviously any publicity can be good for you, on certain occasions.
12/23/2007
To think Bryan Ferry got in trouble for saying he liked the imagery of Nazi art !
Remember a few weeks ago the furore because Bryan Ferry said their was something rather beautiful about some of the imagery of the art produced in the Nazi period. Heaven knows what the press will make of this comment from the actor Will Smith.
10/27/2007
Bumping in to celebrities
I've been in London for most of the last 36 hours (of which I will write more later in the week about my observation on London), and as usual with my trips, I managed to bump in to a celebrity.
When we went to Amsterdam a couple of years ago we saw Noel Gallagher (from Oasis ) and the guy who plays Mickey Miller in Eastenders. Then we went to London last year and saw Betty Boothroyd. A year ago this week we went to Blackpool and saw Russell Brand at a motorway services station off the M6 toll road and yesterday whilst walking along Old Compton Street in London I saw Lee Mead, who is the star of Joseph (the musical) and winner of the TV series "Any Dream Will Do".
Personally, I am not the sort of person who gets over enamoured at stars, but as someone who voted for Lee repeatedly (I know, I am sad), I couldn't help but speak to him, tell him I voted for him and I was pleased he was doing so well. What I was delighted about was that he was told me how grateful he was and was a real gent. So at least I can say that I voted for nice person, not just a great singer.
I know, not really a political point and not really newsworthy, but I think it is fair to point out that "celebrity" does not turn everyone in to an arsehole.
When we went to Amsterdam a couple of years ago we saw Noel Gallagher (from Oasis ) and the guy who plays Mickey Miller in Eastenders. Then we went to London last year and saw Betty Boothroyd. A year ago this week we went to Blackpool and saw Russell Brand at a motorway services station off the M6 toll road and yesterday whilst walking along Old Compton Street in London I saw Lee Mead, who is the star of Joseph (the musical) and winner of the TV series "Any Dream Will Do".
Personally, I am not the sort of person who gets over enamoured at stars, but as someone who voted for Lee repeatedly (I know, I am sad), I couldn't help but speak to him, tell him I voted for him and I was pleased he was doing so well. What I was delighted about was that he was told me how grateful he was and was a real gent. So at least I can say that I voted for nice person, not just a great singer.
I know, not really a political point and not really newsworthy, but I think it is fair to point out that "celebrity" does not turn everyone in to an arsehole.
7/03/2007
Pete Docherty - What a pillock !
Last Friday, Jonathan Ross had on his show a drug taker who also plays some music by the name of "Pete Docherty".
On the Jonathan Ross show he made mention of his court case (which was today), which begs the question if he knew about it last Friday why did he fail to attend today before an arrest warrant was issued for him ?
Why do the press, journalists and TV types (Jonathan Ross included) fawn around these people ?
It seems to me that if you are an ordinary member of the public and you commit a petty crime, you'll be punished severely, but if you are a celebrity you'll almost certainly be let of with no more than a slap on the wrist.
On the Jonathan Ross show he made mention of his court case (which was today), which begs the question if he knew about it last Friday why did he fail to attend today before an arrest warrant was issued for him ?
Why do the press, journalists and TV types (Jonathan Ross included) fawn around these people ?
It seems to me that if you are an ordinary member of the public and you commit a petty crime, you'll be punished severely, but if you are a celebrity you'll almost certainly be let of with no more than a slap on the wrist.
6/27/2007
Chantelle and Preston split up - Who ???
Two people I'm not really interested in have split up, apparently.
I guess this says as much about Blair's legacy as anything else that two people of questionable talent (I've seen the Ordinary Boys live and wouldn't go again) are somehow front page news in tabloids.
Whoever you are Chantelle and Preston, I'm sure you'll sell plenty of magazines on the back of this news. you never know, you might get a "Hello" exclusive out of it !
I guess this says as much about Blair's legacy as anything else that two people of questionable talent (I've seen the Ordinary Boys live and wouldn't go again) are somehow front page news in tabloids.
Whoever you are Chantelle and Preston, I'm sure you'll sell plenty of magazines on the back of this news. you never know, you might get a "Hello" exclusive out of it !
3/10/2007
It's not a traditional British wedding without a fight
It just goes to show that it does not matter how much money you spend on a wedding, someone will always have too much to drink and want to start a fight.
Although I'm not sure it was one of the guests who started it, at least Liz Hurley can say she had a proper traditional British wedding.
Read about it HERE.
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