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Showing posts sorted by relevance for query celebrity. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query celebrity. Sort by date Show all posts

Wednesday, 23 July 2008

An end to the era of celebrity (part xx)?

I have blogged several times before about Gordon Brown's false promise regarding ending the era of celebrity; now I read on the BBC that
"Tony Blair was well known for inviting showbusiness figures to his country home Chequers - and it seems Gordon Brown is carrying on the tradition.

Film legend Lord Attenborough, Beatles producer Sir George Martin and Four Weddings and a Funeral writer Richard Curtis have visited in the past year.

Sir Alan Sugar - star of BBC One's The Apprentice - and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson also attended.

...

From the media world, Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre, Sun editor Rebekah Wade and former Mirror boss Piers Morgan - now a TV talent show judge - visited.

Playwright Sir Tom Stoppard and novelist and historian Lady Antonia Fraser were entertained.

Retailers on the list include Sir Terence Conran - founder of the Habitat shop chain - Marks and Spencer boss Sir Stuart Rose and Tesco chief Sir Terry Leahy."

The BBC try to defend "their man" with these weasel words:
"While many of Mr Brown's guests are household names, there is not quite the celebrity focus of the list given for Mr Blair last year.

That included the likes of singer Charlotte Church, DJ Chris Evans, TV presenter Adrian Chiles and the then England football coach Steve McLaren."
However they then list the people invited to be brave and sup with Gordon Brown:
"Among the more famous guests invited by Mr Brown were:


ROYALTY

Duke of York

SHOWBUSINESS

Sir Alan Sugar, child psychologist Tanya Byron, screenwriter Richard Curtis, presenter Emma Freud, chief executive of Royal Opera House Tony Hall, Beatles producer Sir George Martin, playwright Sir Tom Stoppard, Lord Attenborough

AUTHORS

Kathy Lette, Richard North Patterson

OTHER CELEBRITIES

Designer Sir Terence Conran, architect Lord Foster, historian Lady Antonia Fraser, former Mirror editor, writer and TV judge Piers Morgan, architect Lord Rogers"


Hmm I do wonder at some of those names.


The first time I blogged about Gordon Brown ending the era of celebrity was this from May 2007 when I wondered
"wasn't it GB who was first politician to comment on the earth shattering Shilpa Shetty affair? Wasn't it also GB who had "secret" drinks with that political guru Kylie Minogue. I presume he wanted to keep that meeting secret and that it was leaked to the Sun by a political enemy, maybe not... Maybe he has always admired Kylie's musical ability and shapely bottom. Maybe he admires "Kylie Minogue, the pop sex goddess of the moment, hip chick, gay icon, and a fair old belter out of a dance tune" (David Lister, Independent, 23.02.02), I wonder why? I am sure that the lunch had a serious purpose, who else attended? Stephen Fry, one of my favourite comics and I am sure one of GB's as well."
. The next time was later that same month when I blogged
"the person who awarded the Greatest Businessman prize to Innocent Smoothies was Gordon Brown. I am sure he had a very good reason for being there but I doubt if it helped show he is serious about ending the era of celebrity. You can read more about the awards presented here or you could just luxuriate in the natural warmth of Gordon Brown's smile"
The next time was in November when I blogged about Gordon Brown's incredible Countdown birthday message. The next time was when I blogged about Gordon Brown's possible job offer to GMTV's Fiona Phillips - completely unconnected with his love of appearing on the GMTV sofa for a long hard interview.

Friday, 19 December 2008

Gordon Brown and celebrity culture

I have blogged many times about our current Prime Minister's obsession with celebrity, contrary to his avowed wish to mark the end of "celebrity culture". I last blogged here about this subject and included references to his opining on the subject of Shilpa Shetty, his drinks with Kylie Minogue, the celebrities he has invited to Chequers, his appearance at an awards ceremony, his anniversary message to the Countdown TV programme and his rumoured offer of a job to GMTV's Fiona Phillips. I also pointed out his comments about the Jonathan Ross/Russell Brand scandal and about Derek Draper's comment about Gordon Brown that:
"He also shies away from today's celebrity culture, thinking much of it schmaltzy and insincere."


Today I read that Gordon Brown wants Alex Ferguson to manage the UK football team at the 2012 Olympics. Yes that will be another Scot managing a UK team, although at least Alex Ferguson is well qualified for the job and has a long record of success.


For more about Gordon Brown's addiction to the cult of celebrity you could do worse than take a trip to Anorak who have a month by month guide to "Gordon Brown’s 2008, in words and pictures".

Friday, 11 May 2007

Mini rant regarding BBC and Gordon Brown

It's my own fault, I was asking for it; I shouldn't have done it, in fact yesterday I swore I wouldn't do it again. In my defence today,it was early, I was tired, the car radio was tuned to Radio 4. So what do I hear? I hear that GB will change the type of Premiership to one that is serious, sober and .... and that he is determined to mark the end of the era of celebrity. Serious, from a man with those photos that supposedly may come back to haunt him? Sober, from a man who has been fixated on power for so long. from a man who...... Now to his wanting to end of the era of celebrity. I must be confused, I am sorry and I apologise for this, but wasn't it GB who was first politician to comment on the earth shattering Shilpa Shetty affair? Wasn't it also GB who had "secret" drinks with that political guru Kylie Minogue. I presume he wanted to keep that meeting secret and that it was leaked to the Sun by a political enemy, maybe not... Maybe he has always admired Kylie's musical ability and shapely bottom. Maybe he admires "Kylie Minogue, the pop sex goddess of the moment, hip chick, gay icon, and a fair old belter out of a dance tune" (David Lister, Independent, 23.02.02), I wonder why? I am sure that the lunch had a serious purpose, who else attended? Stephen Fry, one of my favourite comics and I am sure one of GB's as well. The purpose of the lunch - pick one of these two - to get people behind GB in his crusade to guarantee every child in the world a place in school or to try and soften his dour image. If the former it would be laudable, if deluded; if the latter then the word hypocrite comes to mind. I am sure that GB with his renowed attention to detail has now learnt who all the major celebrities are and is now better briefed than he was when he misidentified Jermaine Jackson's wife as Jermaine at an official function earlier this year. Well how should GB have known that one of the Jackson 5 was a man.? This is a man unworried by celebrity so he wouldn't have watched Celebrity Big Brother, or read a paper about the programme, would he? Hold on, what about Shilpa Shetty (above)?

Monday, 4 January 2010

Celebrity Big Brother oddity

I don't watch Big Brother any more and Celebrity Big Brother leaves me cold but I am ashamed to admit that I like to watch the 'celebrities' go into the House, just to see if I recognise any of them. Quite a string of the past it, the never were, the never will be and the who? Apart from Vinnie Jones & Stephanie Beacham I don't think I'd have recognised any of the others without being told who they were. Basshunter I remembered from Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Heid Fleiss's face I remembered from the papers way back when I was told who they were. Dane Bowers I have heard of but wouldn't recognise from the porn tape. Stephen Baldwin I feel I should recognise but he seems to have changed somewhat since The Usual Suspects. Alex & Katia, sorry but I don't follow the celebrity gossip mags. Lady Sovereign and Sisco have thankfully not impacted on my musical radar and Page 3 girls pas me by.

The only interesting thing last night and I don't know if it was set-up to generate publicity was the exchange between ex-Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss and Stephen Baldwin: Heidi Fleiss greeted Stephen Baldwin with "I've seen you before." to which he replied "It's been a long time.".... interesting, but only for a few minutes.

I shall not be watching Celebrity Big Brother again this year.

Wednesday, 7 May 2008

Where to begin? (one year on)

Sorry to be a little self-referential, but one year ago I started this blog for something constructive to do, rather than shouting at the radio news and so irritating Mrs NotaSheep.

My first post on 7 May 2007 was on BBC bias and read thus:

"One of the first subjects that made me realise that the Beeb wasn't the source of impartial information that I had been lead to believe it was, was its coverage of the EEC/EU. The unquestioning support of the European Project started out as an annoyance but as I read more about how the EU functioned and aggregated power to itself at the expense of its constituent countries governments, I began to realise that I was being fed a politically biased line. This feeling was exacerbated during the 1990s as the BBC used Europe as a stick with which to beat the hated (by the BBC at least) Conservative government."


A year on from that initial post, I feel first that I have been banging on about the same subjects but also that the tide is turning. Whilst a year ago if I mentioned such concerns I got a look of blank indifference from family and friends, now it seems that many are "seeing the light" regarding the BBC and also the fraud that is Gordon Brown. "GB" was indeed the subject of my second article a full four days later, entitled "Mini rant regarding BBC and Gordon Brown":

"It's my own fault, I was asking for it; I shouldn't have done it, in fact yesterday I swore I wouldn't do it again. In my defence today,it was early, I was tired, the car radio was tuned to Radio 4. So what do I hear? I hear that GB will change the type of Premiership to one that is serious, sober and .... and that he is determined to mark the end of the era of celebrity. Serious, from a man with those photos that supposedly may come back to haunt him? Sober, from a man who has been fixated on power for so long. from a man who...... Now to his wanting to end of the era of celebrity. I must be confused, I am sorry and I apologise for this, but wasn't it GB who was first politician to comment on the earth shattering Shilpa Shetty affair? Wasn't it also GB who had "secret" drinks with that political guru Kylie Minogue. I presume he wanted to keep that meeting secret and that it was leaked to the Sun by a political enemy, maybe not... Maybe he has always admired Kylie's musical ability and shapely bottom. Maybe he admires "Kylie Minogue, the pop sex goddess of the moment, hip chick, gay icon, and a fair old belter out of a dance tune" (David Lister, Independent, 23.02.02), I wonder why? I am sure that the lunch had a serious purpose, who else attended? Stephen Fry, one of my favourite comics and I am sure one of GB's as well. The purpose of the lunch - pick one of these two - to get people behind GB in his crusade to guarantee every child in the world a place in school or to try and soften his dour image. If the former it would be laudable, if deluded; if the latter then the word hypocrite comes to mind. I am sure that GB with his renowned attention to detail has now learnt who all the major celebrities are and is now better briefed than he was when he misidentified Jermaine Jackson's wife as Jermaine at an official function earlier this year. Well how should GB have known that one of the Jackson 5 was a man.? This is a man unworried by celebrity so he wouldn't have watched Celebrity Big Brother, or read a paper about the programme, would he? Hold on, what about Shilpa Shetty (above)?"


One year on the sober, serious Gordon Brown has been exposed to all for the politically inept loser that I knew he was. It is now really only elements of the Labour Party and the BBC that will back him to the hilt, right up until the moment that he has to leave office - when they will transfer their allegiance to the next leader of the Labour party.

Wednesday, 18 February 2009

Gordon Brown and celebrity culture (update)

I note that our Prime Minister, who came to vowing to mark the end of "celebrity culture, has once again dipped his toe into celebrity waters. In attempt to appeal to the masses, the Great Clunking Failure has used his monthly news briefing to express his sadness for Jade Goody's ill-health, to applaud her determination to help her family and to wish her well.

Gordon Brown a serious man for serious times?

Monday, 23 March 2009

I just don't understand - oh hold on, now I do

The death of Jade Goody was the lead article on the BBC Radio 4 News yesterday evening; why? A minor celebrity famous for:
1. being less than intelligent
"Do they speak Portuganese in Portugal? I thought Portugal was in Spain."

2. for making racist remarks to Shilpa Shetty
3. for making a lot of money from a little talent

has died. For some reason this "news" is the lead item on the BBC why? In OK magazine, the Sun newspaper and on Radio 1 maybe, but on the home of intelligent speech radio?

Then it hit me, Gordon Brown the man who vowed to mark the end of "celebrity culture" has waded in so as to share the nation's grief. The BBC loyally report that:
"Prime Minister Gordon Brown is leading tributes to reality TV star Jade Goody who has died of cancer at 27, praising her as a "courageous woman".

...

The prime minister said he was "deeply saddened" by the news.

"The whole country has admired her determination to provide a bright future for her children.

"She will be remembered fondly by all who knew her and her family can be extremely proud of the work she has done to raise awareness of cervical cancer, which will benefit thousands of women across the UK."


It is more than apt that whilst Tony Blair lead the Country's grief at the death of the Princess of all our hearts, Gordon Brown tries to lead the Nation's "grief" at the death for a minor celebrity of limited intelligence.


Where Gordon Brown leads the BBC must follow so the lead "Have Your Say" subject is What is Jade Goody’s legacy?. It appears that the BBC is agog to know:
"Did you know Jade Goody? What contribution do you believe she made to cancer awareness? What are your thoughts?"
As is often the case the Readers recommended comments are a breath of sanity, take a read, it would seem that there are some people out there with a sense of perspective.


As an aside I have a friend who is currently trying to fight off cancer, she is managing this with dignity and honour whilst raising money for cancer charities rather than for her family and there are many more like my friend. I would have thought that their life and fight was more worthy of celebration than that of the self-obsessed Jade Goody.

Wednesday, 30 May 2007

Gordon and his hatred of celebrity culture

I have previously blogged about Gordon Brown's determination to end the era of celebrity. I am sure he meant it honestly after all he seems a straight kind of guy. Then I saw a review of a programme broadcast on ITV last Monday - Greatest Britons. Apparently this centred upon a viewer vote to decide which of the following was the "Greatest Living Briton": Paul McCartney, The Queen, Julie Andrews, Robbie Williams and Baroness Thatcher. Other awards presented included Greatest Sportsman which went to Sir Ranulph Fiennes, a great man but an odd choice as sportsman.

More interestingly, the person who awarded the Greatest Businessman prize to Innocent Smoothies was Gordon Brown. I am sure he had a very good reason for being there but I doubt if it helped show he is serious about ending the era of celebrity. You can read more about the awards presented here or you could just luxuriate in the natural warmth of Gordon Brown's smile ....

Saturday, 17 January 2009

David Lammy on Celebrity Mastermind (update)

Further to my recent piece about David Lammy's quite appaling performance on Celebrity Mastermind, I saw that someone came to my site after Googling David Lammy Mastermind. David Lammy's own site fills results one and two whilst I am in position three.

I took a trip to David Lammy's site and there see that he manages to put a positive spin on his appearance:
"David’s specialist subject is Muhammad Ali. He chose to answer questions about the life and times of the famous boxer because Ali’s outstanding achievements as an athlete inspire other young men to strive for excellence in their own lives.

Appearing on the programme was a great opportunity to do something for ActionAid, an organisation which David has long supported. By taking part, David raised £2750 for the charity which will go towards its work to tackle the effects of poverty and change what keeps people poor.

Commenting on his TV appearance, David said:

“I am delighted to have been given the chance to take part in Celebrity Mastermind to do my bit for charity. "

No mention of his appaling performance in the General Knowledge round, maybe it's time to update your site David...

Wednesday, 29 October 2008

Gordon Brown and "celebrity culture"

I have blogged before about Gordon Brown's avowed wish to mark the end of "celebrity culture"; here I remarked upon his comments about Shilpa Shetty and his drinks with Kylie Minogue, here I blogged about the celebs that he had invited to Chequers, here I blogged about his appearance at an awards ceremony, here I blogged about his anniversary message to the Countdown TV programme and here I blogged about his rumoured offer of a job to GMTV's Fiona Phillips. More recently I blogged about Derek Draper's comment about Gordon Brown:
"He also shies away from today's celebrity culture, thinking much of it schmaltzy and insincere."
That's the Derek Draper married to GMTV's Kate Garraway, that is.

Anyway, I see that Gordon "quickly onto the bandwagon" Brown has now issued an opinion about the Jonathan Ross & Russell Brand story. The BBC dutifully report that
"PM Gordon Brown has criticised Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross for their "inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour" on Brand's radio show.

He said the BBC and watchdog Ofcom must take "appropriate action" over four prank calls made to actor Andrew Sachs and broadcast on 18 October.

...

"This is clearly inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour, as is now widely recognised," Mr Brown said.

"Ofcom have said they will investigate the matter and it is for the BBC, the BBC Trust and Ofcom to take any appropriate action.""

"A serious man for serious times"?

Sunday, 28 September 2008

Derek Draper spinning like a top

Derek Draper was given some space in yesterday's Telegraph to spout his usual rubbish. One comment came shining through as even more "out there" than most, he described Gordon Brown thus:
"He also shies away from today's celebrity culture, thinking much of it schmaltzy and insincere."
This is the same Gordon Brown who opined on the Shilpa Shetty affair, had secret drinks with Kylie Minogue, who recorded a tribute to Countdown on its 25th birthday, who offered GMTV's Fiona Phillips a peerage and a place in cabinet. The same Gordon Brown whose invitees to Chequers include Lord Attenborough, Beatles producer Sir George Martin and Four Weddings and a Funeral writer Richard Curtis, Sir Tom Stoppard, Lady Antonia Fraser, Piers Morgan and Kathy Lette.

Gordon Brown does not shy away from celebrity culture, he embraces it because he thinks it makes him look human. How wrong he is, he has all the warmth and sincerity of a snake and the fakest smile of any politician I have ever seen. For the avoidance of doubt, none of this would matter if Gordon Brown had run our economy competently; if he had been the economic genius that he believes he is, then he could be as weird and unpleasant as he wanted to be but he has failed at that as well so no excuses.

Tuesday, 27 May 2008

Our dumbed down education system (update)

Further to my earlier post about SATS for 14 year olds that a 8 year old should be able to answer, I see in the Daily Mail that:

"As part of a controversial A-level in popular culture, pupils will learn about the tradition of kissing in cinemas and ponder such questions as "is skateboarding better than polo?".

The qualification, being offered by the country's biggest exam board from September, also entails a study of celebrity body images and allows pupils to write about clothes and hairstyles.

One assignment requires them to "explore the relationships between cinema-going and dating" with the aid of source material like The Drifters hit Kissin' in the Back Row of the Movies.

Another asks students to describe the cultural significance of their bedrooms and friends.

The A-level in "communication and culture" is billed by the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance as "excellent preparation" for higher study.

...

Coursework topics for study in 2008/09 include "retail therapy".

Students can opt to compile a project titled "explore the meanings of shopping', where they will have "clear opportunities to engage with primary sources" - like "shopping mall food halls".

Meanwhile pupils opting for "popular music as cultural communication" can investigate sources such as "CD recordings".

Further areas of study include the cult of celebrity, body modification, forms of communicating including texting, computer games, graffiti and street art.

Students will be encouraged to explain the difference between "high" and "popular" culture while tackling the poser "Is skateboarding better than polo?"

And they will also be invited to discuss why their mobiles or iPods are "important" to them.

Critics condemned many of the topics covered as unsuitable for A-level study.

Nick Seaton, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: "Many parents and employers will consider this a waste of school time and expect an A-level covering 'culture' to concentrate on great literature, art or music."

The A-level replaces AQA's A-level in communication studies, which features on lists held by some universities of subjects considered poor preparation for degree courses.

An AQA spokesman said the syllabus had been approved by the exams watchdog Ofqual.

"Communication and culture is a dynamic area of study with a strong contemporary orientation," she said.

'"A central theme of the specification is an exploration of the meanings and practices of everyday life.""



I despair, I really do. Giving 'A' level students a worthless 'A' level is not kind it is cruel. The academic students will rightly spurn such a qualification and those that do decide to take an 'A' level in popular culture will find that employers treat this qualification with the appropriate degree of scorn.

"But I got a 'A' level, C grade and I cant get a job 'cept in McDonalds"

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

Will there be tears for Peaches Geldof from Richard Bacon today?

Will there be tears for Peaches Geldof from Richard Bacon today? If there are then maybe you should watch this video as well... Can I suggest that from 2:48 would be the most illuminating.




It's from the BBC's Most Annoying Person list for 2010 - Peaches Geldof. What's that you're saying Richard Bacon?

"No matter how much we might want Peaches to go away" 

Hmmm, want to retract those unfortunate words now, Richard Bacon? I'm sure you just meant you wanted her to disappear from the public eye, but even so... a tad unfortunate given what's happened?


As I Tweeted yesterday, Peaches Geldof's death is a tragedy for her family and friends but should not have been the top news story on the BBC news last night. Celebrity deaths are given way too much attention in our celebrity obsessed culture.

Sunday, 7 February 2010

A serious man for serious times

Let me take you back in time, not too far, just to September 2008 when Gordon Brown gave his speech as Labour leader to the Labour Party Conference. Let's examine Gordon Brown's speech and see if it chimes with reality.

"I didn't come into politics to be a celebrity or thinking I'd always be popular. Perhaps, that's just as well. No, 25 years ago I asked the people of Fife to send me to parliament to serve the country I love.

And I didn't come to London because I wanted to join the establishment, but because I wanted and want to change it.

So I'm not going to try to be something I'm not."
Well he managed to become popular although the celebrity thing seems to have gone by the board what with Gordon Brown preferring to be interviewed by the incisive Fern Briiten and the hard hitting Piers Morgan rather than Jeremy 'pussycat' Paxman.

"if people say I'm too serious, quite honestly there's a lot to be serious about - I'm serious about doing a serious job for all the people of this country."
The serious man has with the serious job to do, is the man who prefers to be interviewed on the couch by Fern Britten and opine on Susan Boyle than be interviewed by Paxman and discuss the collapsing UK economy.

"And so here I am - working for this incredible country, while trying as far as possible to give my children an ordinary childhood. Some people have been asking why I haven't served my children up for spreads in the papers. And my answer is simple. My children aren't props; they're people."

But ready to cry on television in an effort to appear normal.

"And where I've made mistakes I'll put my hand up and try to put them right. So what happened with 10p stung me because it really hurt that suddenly people felt I wasn't on the side of people on middle and modest incomes - because on the side of hard-working families is the only place I've ever wanted to be. And from now on it's the only place I ever will be."
Interesting if he makes mistakes he will try and put them right but not apologise.

"But our duty, what gives us moral purpose, is serving the people who need us most- Britain's vast majority - people on middle and modest incomes who need to know that they are not on their own amidst this change - we are on their side."
That will be the people who will be paying an extra 3-5p in the pound on Income Tax for the next 30, 40, 50 years to pay fir Gordon Brown's stupidity.

"We are and will always be a pro-enterprise, pro-business and pro-competition government. And we believe the dynamism of our five million businesses large and small is vital to the success of our country. "
Fine words but since the reality is completely at odds with the rhetoric I think we can just ascribe the words 'political promises' to these sentiments.

"So the new settlement also requires another great and historic endeavour to end the dictatorship of oil and to avert catastrophic climate change, a transformation in our use of energy. New nuclear power, an unprecedented increase in renewables and investment in clean coal."
How's the nuclear power plans coming along, any chance of them being on-stream before the blackouts start?

"And I am asking the climate change committee to report by October on the case for, by 2050 not a 60% reduction in our carbon emissions, but an 80% cut - and I want British companies and British workers to seize the opportunity and lead the world in the transformation to a low carbon economy and I believe that we can create in modern green manufacturing and service one million new jobs."
Ah man made climate change the refuge of socialist scoundrels and totalitarians the world over. It's not happening but that won't stop them using it as an excuse to tax us more.

"But I say to you that we will invest it wisely, continuing our record investment in schools, Sure Start centres, transport and hospitals."
That great New Labour lie, that all Labour spending is 'investment' and so beyond criticism.

"People feel their communities are changing before their eyes and it's increasing their anxiety about crime and anti-social behaviour. And so we will be the party of law and order."
Why do people feel their communities are changing? Could it because since 1997 Labour have openned our borders to an unprecedented degree and so changed the face of the UK for ever and in a way that they had no mandate for. As for claiming to be the party of 'law and order', the politicisation of the police force and the turning of much of the judicial system into a revenue raising arm of government rather than a punishment programme has had the expected result of making much of the UK's inner cities near no-go areas.

"When we talk about three million more people in work since 1997 - that's not just a number, that's a life that's been changed - three million times over"
How many of thise three million jobs have gone to UK citizens and how many to immigrants from elsewhere in the EU or beyond? That makes the figures look and sound less impressive.

"fairness is in our DNA."
No comment necessary re this absurd claim form the head of one of the most unfair governments ever to ruin this country.

"The measures we have taken this year alone will help lift two hundred and fifty thousand children out of poverty. "
Is that a gross or net figure? I think the former, in which case how many dropped into poverty. Anyway how is poverty defined and does that definition explain why Labour have concentrated on those on the margins of poverty rather than the poorest, with the side disbenefit that economic equality is now worse than it was in 1997.

"And Ed Balls and I will never excuse, explain away or tolerate low standards in education. So we will keep up the pace of reform: more academies, trust and specialist schools, more of the brightest and best graduates becoming teachers, more investment in building schools for the future - state of the art schools for world class schooling."
As the UK drops down the world's education leagues. Whilst in the UK we now have an all shall have prizes education system as exam standards drop year after year.

"in just one year in the fight against hospital infections, we have doubled the number of matrons and achieved a 36 percent reduction in MRSA."
How much did the number of matrons reduce in the first 10 years of this Labour government and how much did MRSA increase before this 36% reduction?

"Jacqui Smith and Jack Straw are introducing a landmark reform in our justice system - to put victims first. In consultation with victim support we will create an independent commissioner who will stand up for victims, witnesses and families"
12 years of putting the interests of the criminals first and now a change of heart, is that one anyone could really believe.

"I am proud that Britain will honour our obligations to provide refuge from persecution. And we recognise the contribution that migrants make to our economy and our society, but the other side of welcoming newcomers who can help Britain is being tough about excluding those adults who won't and can't. That's why we have introduced the Australian-style points-based system, the citizenship test, the English language test and we will introduce a migrant charge for public services."
What about the migrants who don't make a positive contribution but who live off of benefits and in some cases work for the destruction of the UK? Is this the same "Australian-style points-based system" that Labour so derided when originally suggested by the Conservative party?

"And so let's hear no more from the Conservatives - we did fix the roof while the sun was shining."
Really? How?


There is more, much more, but I really have a limited bullshit input and I have reached that now.

Tuesday, 19 June 2007

BBC bias even in death

I actually think the BBC cannot help it, thanks to an anonymous contributor to Biased-BBC for the heads up. The BBC have a Have your Say section on their news web site. This is often a place where questions are posed from a left of centre viewpoint and the BBC find that the responses it gets are not always to their liking. If you do go to this site, then do look at the "Readers Recommended" area as well as the "Most Recent" section, always illuminating. It is very common for the BBC to request "tributes" when a celebrity dies, can you guess which recent celebrity death is marked just by a request for "comments"?

Here is a list for you:
Ronnie Barker: "Your tributes"

Jack Lemmon: "Your tributes"

Spike Milligan: "Your tributes"

Barry Took: "Your tributes"

Richard Pryor: "Your tributes"

Bernard Manning: "Your comments"


I wonder how the BBC will handle the deaths of two politicians, John Prescott and Margaret Thatcher, when the times come? In fact this is not a fair comparison, Prescott is a fool and a knave, Thatcher was a great Prime Minister, but that is not how the BBC will see it I am sure. I am sure many of the BBC still harbour rage over the miners' strike and the Poll Tax and much else, whereas Prescott was a "character".

Thursday, 1 November 2007

Gordon Brown and the end of the era of celebrity

Remember Gordon Brown saying that the era of celebrity was over, well now it appears that in BBC land, where no story is complete without a positive view of Gordon Brown, that "Famous fans of TV quiz Countdown, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, have sent birthday wishes to celebrate the programme's 25th birthday...The Prime Minister says: "I want to congratulate Countdown on reaching 25 years on air. It's done more than any other programme to make counting and spelling fun and popular and is really good exercise for the mind." He also discloses that he could have done with the help of the programme's number cruncher Carol Vorderman when he was Chancellor. "I wish she could have helped on some of my budgets when I was Chancellor - I might have got the sums right more often!""

I think we all wish Carol Vorderman had helped Gordon with his budgets after all he has admitted previously that "I did maths at school and for one year at university but I don’t think I was ever very good at it - and some people would say it shows,". It shows Gordon, my how it shows.

Returning to the BBC, do you think the BBC should just be more honest in their outlook and just put "Vote Labour" on every page of their website.


UPDATE:
Thanks to The Spine for this

Wednesday, 10 March 2010

An end to celebrity culture, my arse!

The great Clunking Idiot has once again tried to get in on the Celebrity Game by attempting to appear on Match of the Day 2. The Guardian has the story:
"Downing Street asked if Brown could appear in the MOTD2 studio alongside the presenter, Adrian Chiles, and pundits, who include Lee Dixon, towards the end of last year. The prime minister's advisors wanted him to talk about England's bid for the 2018 World Cup, but after taking advice, the show's production team declined.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "We made the judgment it wouldn't be appropriate in the run-up to the election"."

I think you can judge what my reaction to this story is going to be, so let's instead look at three comments form Guardian readers:
"* Northumberland

Downing Street asked if Brown could appear in the MOTD2 studio alongside the presenter, Adrian Chiles

Is there anything this bloke won't do to ingratiate himself to the public. What next, tight pants, shirt unbuttoned down to the navel and a guest appearance on Dancing on Ice? What a tosser....


*outofbubble outofbubble

What a desperate twat.


* thirdattempt thirdattempt

Gordon Brown once claimed claim that his favourite goal of all time was scored by Paul Gascoigne for England versus Scotland.

He would be the only Raith Rovers supporter in history whose favourite goal was scored by England (never mind the fact that it was against Scotland).

Or, rather more likely, he is a liar who will say anything his handlers tell him, no matter how ridiculous it is.

Do you think he is listening to a lot of Arctic Monkeys at the moment?"

Sunday, 18 November 2007

An end to the era of celebrity?

I have blogged before about Gordon Brown's promise to end the era of celebrity politics. It appears that Gordon Brown offered GMTV's Fiona Phillips a place in cabinet and a peerage. "Mr Brown told the breakfast sofa chat queen she was "a great communicator" and offered to fast-track her into government. Fiona, 46, would have been given a seat in the House of Lords, becoming BARONESS PHILLIPS." Now why would Gordon Brown offer an impartial television presenter a job as a minister in his government? Maybe this section in the news report may give you a clue - "Fiona has never made a secret of her ardent support for the Labour Party. A guest of the Blairs at the PM's country retreat, Chequers, she has since become a close confidant of Gordon Brown. She has been derided for several gushing interviews with key Downing Street and Labour Party characters, including Cherie Blair, of whom she said on screen "Oh, you are lovely," and "You've got so much soul.""

Another impartial "news" broadcaster who seems to support the Labour party, I wonder who else Gordon might select from? Simon Mayo from BBC Radio 5 Live perhaps, James Naughtie from BBC Radio 4's Toady programme almost certainly, Jane Garvey formerly from BBC Radio 5 Live and now Womans Hour on BBC Radio 4 might be persuaded.

Tuesday, 26 April 2011

Andrew Marr - oh dear

The news that Andrew Marr has decided to become the first public figure to voluntarily admit previously trying to conceal his infidelity via a super-injunction/gagging order comes as no real surprise. I doubt that there were many people who if interested had not managed to discover who the male celebrity, previously only hinted at in news reports, was. Andrew Marr managed to impose a High Court injunction in January 2008 so as to suppress any reporting of a relationship with a fellow journalist five years earlier. At the time Andrew Marr believed he had fathered a child with the woman and so was making maintenance payments. A fairly recent DNA test showed that he was not in fact the girl's father. Private Eye has dropped heavy hints in the past, indeed the current issue continues that pattern, and I believe was planning to challenge the injunction.

Now Andrew Marr has made the odd comment that "I did not come into journalism to go around gagging journalists"; but that is just what you did do Andrew.

However I am not really concerned by Andrew Marr's private life, his infidelity, his mistress or his love-child (or not). I am more concerned by the way that a former member of the Socialist Campaign for a Labour Victory whilst at Cambridge University, a former self-confessed 'raving leftie' nicknamed 'Red Andy' and the current husband of the political journalist at the left-wing Guardian Jackie Ashley has become one of the chief political interviewers at the 'impartial' BBC.

Andrew Marr's infidelities and gagging orders are of no real interest to me but his blatant pro-Labour/anti-Conservative bias in interviews is. Here is what I wrote in June 2010:
'Here is the text of a complaint that I have just lodged at the BBC Trust's complaint's page re the bias shown by Andrew Marr in his interviews with the three main party leaders:

'... Andrew Marr's interview with Gordon Brown broke down between subjects thus:
Hung parliaments, campaign, the Queen - 12m 18s (48.5%)
Immigration - 5m 21s (21%)
Bankers - 3m 11s (12.5%)
Ash cloud - 2m 40s (10.5%)
Afghanistan - 1m 56s (7.5%)
Cuts, deficit - 0 m 0s (0%)

Andrew Marr's interview with Nick Clegg broke down between subjects thus:
Hung parliaments, Clegg personally - 11m 7s (49.7%)
Immigration - 7m 32s (33.7%)
Trident - 3m 42s (16.6%)
Cuts, deficit - 0m os (0%)

Andrew Marr's interview with David Cameron broke down between subjects thus:
Cuts, deficit - 15m 26s (67%)
Priorities - 3m 20s (14.5%)
Hung parliament, campaign - 3 m 0s (13%)
Living Wage - 1m 18s (5.5%)


So Andrew Marr spent 2/3 of the whole interview discussing with David Cameron a subject that he chose not to raise with Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown at all. If the subject of 'cuts' was so important as to warrant 2/3 of the interview with David Cameron, why was it not important enough to raise with Gordon Brown or Nick Clegg? Does Andrew Marr believe that only the Conservatives will make cuts or is that just the perception he would like to leave viewers with?


Andrew Marr's position as one of the BBC's lead interviewer is compromised by such blatant bias; what action will the BBC Trust take against him now that you have proof of his anti-Conservative bias?


The percentages are sourced from http://beebbiascraig.blogspot.com/2010/05/more-on-marr.html - If you disagree with the figures, do please correct them.'
You can read about the BBC's response and my response to that here.

Anyway now that Andrew Marr has decided to come clean about his personal life do you think he will do the same about his political bias?


Friday, 23 January 2009

I Pledge

"TOGETHER WE CAN
TOGETHER WE CAN OBEY
DIVIDED WE ARE INSIGNIFICANT
BUT TOGETHER WE CAN BE A MOLECULE
ON OUR PRESIDENT'S CHEEKBONE
FADING AND MELTING AND SHRINKING
INTO THE ONE UNIVERSAL GLORY OF HIM
OBEY
OBEY
OBEY"


Read the detailed transcript of the new celebrity Pledge of Obama Allegiance video at IowaHawk.