The UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and chancellor Jeremy Hunt have confirmed £37m funding for Crown Works Studios, in the north east of England, set to be of one of Europe’s largest film studio complexes.
The funding has unlocked a £450m investment from FulwellCain, a joint venture between UK-based film, TV and music outfit Fulwell 73 and investment firm Cain International, backed by Sunderland City Council.
Hunt said last week in the spring budget that over time, the government will make up to £120m available for the development.
The aim is create 8,000 jobs in the region and to generate...
The funding has unlocked a £450m investment from FulwellCain, a joint venture between UK-based film, TV and music outfit Fulwell 73 and investment firm Cain International, backed by Sunderland City Council.
Hunt said last week in the spring budget that over time, the government will make up to £120m available for the development.
The aim is create 8,000 jobs in the region and to generate...
- 3/14/2024
- ScreenDaily
Following a routine procedure for an enlarged prostate in January, tests concluded that King Charles III has cancer.
A statement released by the Palace on Feb. 5 read in part: “During the king’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.”
It’s been more than a month since the monarch began his treatment and there is a tell-tale sign that things are going well with that.
King Charles hasn’t been slowing down continuing with ‘business as usual’ King Charles III meets with Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt in the private audience room at Buckingham Palace | Aaron Chown – Wpa Pool/Getty Images
In the weeks since his diagnosis, the king...
A statement released by the Palace on Feb. 5 read in part: “During the king’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer. His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties.”
It’s been more than a month since the monarch began his treatment and there is a tell-tale sign that things are going well with that.
King Charles hasn’t been slowing down continuing with ‘business as usual’ King Charles III meets with Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt in the private audience room at Buckingham Palace | Aaron Chown – Wpa Pool/Getty Images
In the weeks since his diagnosis, the king...
- 3/12/2024
- by Michelle Kapusta
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Details have emerged from the UK government on the long-awaited enhanced tax support for UK indie films, termed the UK Independent Film Tax Credit (Iftc), unveiled as part of chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s spring budget today (March 6).
Under the Iftc, eligible films will be able to opt-in to claim enhanced Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (Avec), at a rate of 53%, on their qualifying expenditure, which equates to around 40% in relief.
To be eligible for the Iftc, films will need to have production budgets (excluding marketing and distribution) of up to £15m. There is no lower budget limit.
Films will also need to...
Under the Iftc, eligible films will be able to opt-in to claim enhanced Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (Avec), at a rate of 53%, on their qualifying expenditure, which equates to around 40% in relief.
To be eligible for the Iftc, films will need to have production budgets (excluding marketing and distribution) of up to £15m. There is no lower budget limit.
Films will also need to...
- 3/6/2024
- ScreenDaily
UK-qualifying films budgeted between £1m and £15m will now receive tax relief of 40% following the introduction of the long-awaited “indie tax credit” aimed at reinvigorating the homegrown production sector.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled the changes in today’s (March 6) Spring budget.
He also introduced a VFX tax credit of 5%, with the 80% cap removed and a 40% relief on business rates for UK studio facilities.
Films and high-end TV (Hetv) programmes currently have a headline credit rate of 34%. This equates to 25.5% in actual relief, capped at 80% of core expenditure, but with no budget limit. The Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (Avec), a reform from...
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled the changes in today’s (March 6) Spring budget.
He also introduced a VFX tax credit of 5%, with the 80% cap removed and a 40% relief on business rates for UK studio facilities.
Films and high-end TV (Hetv) programmes currently have a headline credit rate of 34%. This equates to 25.5% in actual relief, capped at 80% of core expenditure, but with no budget limit. The Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit (Avec), a reform from...
- 3/6/2024
- ScreenDaily
The film and TV committee has published its first proposals.
The UK government’s film and TV committee looking into the challenges facing the country’s independent film and high-end TV industry has published its initial recommendations following submissions from 130 companies and industry bodies.
The Culture, Media and Sport (Cms) Committee has written to chancellor Jeremy Hunt to highlight the government’s priorities for its Autumn Statement next week.
This is ahead of the full inquiry that will take place in the coming months and coincides with the publication of all 130 submissions.
The letter’s key points noted the need...
The UK government’s film and TV committee looking into the challenges facing the country’s independent film and high-end TV industry has published its initial recommendations following submissions from 130 companies and industry bodies.
The Culture, Media and Sport (Cms) Committee has written to chancellor Jeremy Hunt to highlight the government’s priorities for its Autumn Statement next week.
This is ahead of the full inquiry that will take place in the coming months and coincides with the publication of all 130 submissions.
The letter’s key points noted the need...
- 11/15/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Warner Bros Discovery has confirmed it plans a major expansion of its Leavesden studio lot, with the UK location set to become the epicenter of DC Studios production.
The media company has spent the past year-plus in cost-cutting mode, delivering $4 billion in cost savings related to the 2022 merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery while also working to reduce debt. At the same time, it has been battling with production rival Pinewood, which is also in expansion mode and looking to attract major U.S. shoots, which are proliferating in the UK. Barbie, one of the top-grossing Warner Bros movies ever made, was shot at Leavesden.
Plans call for 10 new sound stages and 400,000 new square feet of production and support space, according to a press release. The growth surge will increase the production capacity in Leavesden by more than 50%. The total stage count will rise from 19 to 29 and the overall production space...
The media company has spent the past year-plus in cost-cutting mode, delivering $4 billion in cost savings related to the 2022 merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery while also working to reduce debt. At the same time, it has been battling with production rival Pinewood, which is also in expansion mode and looking to attract major U.S. shoots, which are proliferating in the UK. Barbie, one of the top-grossing Warner Bros movies ever made, was shot at Leavesden.
Plans call for 10 new sound stages and 400,000 new square feet of production and support space, according to a press release. The growth surge will increase the production capacity in Leavesden by more than 50%. The total stage count will rise from 19 to 29 and the overall production space...
- 9/21/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched broadcast standards investigations into TalkTV, owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and Gb News after receiving complaints.
The issue of politicians who also serve as newsreaders being in potential breach of Ofcom’s impartiality rules has cropped up in recent months. In April, Ofcom launched an investigation into Gb News over an interview given by chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt to Esther McVey and Philip Davies on March 11 on the “Saturday Morning with Esther and Philip” news program. All three politicians are members of parliament representing the ruling Conservative party. The investigation is ongoing.
On Monday, Ofcom revealed that it is investigating an episode of “State of the Nation” on Gb News, which aired on May 9, after receiving 40 complaints. Presented by Conservative member of parliament Jacob Rees-Mogg, the episode covered a breaking news story about a civil trial verdict involving former U.
The issue of politicians who also serve as newsreaders being in potential breach of Ofcom’s impartiality rules has cropped up in recent months. In April, Ofcom launched an investigation into Gb News over an interview given by chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt to Esther McVey and Philip Davies on March 11 on the “Saturday Morning with Esther and Philip” news program. All three politicians are members of parliament representing the ruling Conservative party. The investigation is ongoing.
On Monday, Ofcom revealed that it is investigating an episode of “State of the Nation” on Gb News, which aired on May 9, after receiving 40 complaints. Presented by Conservative member of parliament Jacob Rees-Mogg, the episode covered a breaking news story about a civil trial verdict involving former U.
- 7/3/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The UK has officially fallen into a recession, which will push more than 500,000 people into unemployment, according to a new forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility (Obr).
The (Obr), the government’s forecaster, said there will be the biggest fall in living standards in the UK since records began with inflation “tipping the economy into a recession lasting just over a year.”
The forecaster said that it expects household incomes, once adjusted for inflation, to fall back to 2013 levels and will take at least six years to recover.
The UK has been suffering economically due to Brexit, the fallout from the pandemic, an ongoing energy crisis exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine and the disastrous fiscal policies of the previous Conservative government.
UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt, in his inaugural Autumn Statement, today set out a string of tax increases and a tighter public spending plan that he said would generate a combined £55bn.
The (Obr), the government’s forecaster, said there will be the biggest fall in living standards in the UK since records began with inflation “tipping the economy into a recession lasting just over a year.”
The forecaster said that it expects household incomes, once adjusted for inflation, to fall back to 2013 levels and will take at least six years to recover.
The UK has been suffering economically due to Brexit, the fallout from the pandemic, an ongoing energy crisis exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine and the disastrous fiscal policies of the previous Conservative government.
UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt, in his inaugural Autumn Statement, today set out a string of tax increases and a tighter public spending plan that he said would generate a combined £55bn.
- 11/17/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
As a fictionalised retelling of the lives of the royal family, The Crown often touches on real-life events of the time, from political turmoil to national scandal.
However, season five also contains an unexpected link to current events – and it’s all to do with a yacht and a national recession.
Since the release of season five last week (Wednesday 9 November), fans have been particularly intrigued by the relationship developments between Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki), the then-Prince Charles (Dominic West) and Camilla Parker Bowles (Olivia Williams).
An additional plot point in the very first episode concerns the Queen (Imelda Staunton) wanting repairs made to the Royal Yacht Britannia amid economic turmoil in the 1990s.
In the episode, titled “Queen Victoria Syndrome”, we see Staunton’s Queen Elizabeth II make a request to the prime minister, John Major (Jonny Lee Miller), for funding for adjustments to her much-loved boat.
“It...
However, season five also contains an unexpected link to current events – and it’s all to do with a yacht and a national recession.
Since the release of season five last week (Wednesday 9 November), fans have been particularly intrigued by the relationship developments between Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki), the then-Prince Charles (Dominic West) and Camilla Parker Bowles (Olivia Williams).
An additional plot point in the very first episode concerns the Queen (Imelda Staunton) wanting repairs made to the Royal Yacht Britannia amid economic turmoil in the 1990s.
In the episode, titled “Queen Victoria Syndrome”, we see Staunton’s Queen Elizabeth II make a request to the prime minister, John Major (Jonny Lee Miller), for funding for adjustments to her much-loved boat.
“It...
- 11/17/2022
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
Paramore have removed former band member Jeremy Davis from the artwork of their self-titled album.
Released in 2013 and featuring the singles “Now” and “Still Into You”, Paramore featured album art showing Davis, singer Hayley Williams and guitarist Taylor York stood against a black background.
On Tuesday (15 November), Kerrang reported that the picture had been swapped out on streaming for an image of a person with red hair (presumably Williams) wearing a denim jacket emblazoned with the words “grow up”.
It is not known when the album art was changed, but many fans have speculated that it is a move to further distance themselves from Davis.
The bassist left the pop punk band in December 2015, having previously departed then returned in 2005 and 2007 respectively.
Months after his final departure, the musician sued Paramore twice, claiming he wasn’t fairly paid for his contributions to the group. The lawsuit was settled in May 2017.
the new,...
Released in 2013 and featuring the singles “Now” and “Still Into You”, Paramore featured album art showing Davis, singer Hayley Williams and guitarist Taylor York stood against a black background.
On Tuesday (15 November), Kerrang reported that the picture had been swapped out on streaming for an image of a person with red hair (presumably Williams) wearing a denim jacket emblazoned with the words “grow up”.
It is not known when the album art was changed, but many fans have speculated that it is a move to further distance themselves from Davis.
The bassist left the pop punk band in December 2015, having previously departed then returned in 2005 and 2007 respectively.
Months after his final departure, the musician sued Paramore twice, claiming he wasn’t fairly paid for his contributions to the group. The lawsuit was settled in May 2017.
the new,...
- 11/16/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - Music
Margot Robbie has reflected on the early years of her career, saying she wasn’t prepared for the consequences of fame she experienced after starring in 2013’s Wolf of Wall Street.
The actor was only 23 when she landed her breakout role as Naomi Lapaglia, the wife of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort, in Martin Scorsese’s dark comedy based on the real-life Belfort and his criminal behaviour defrauding wealthy investors out of millions.
In a new Vanity Fair interview published on Monday (14 November), Robbie recalled the loss of privacy from her intense and instantaneous success as one of her “lowest moments”.
“Something was happening in those early stages and it was all pretty awful, and I remember saying to my mom, ‘I don’t think I want to do this,’” she recounted.
“And she just looked at me, completely straight-faced, and was like, ‘Darling, I think it’s too late not to.
The actor was only 23 when she landed her breakout role as Naomi Lapaglia, the wife of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort, in Martin Scorsese’s dark comedy based on the real-life Belfort and his criminal behaviour defrauding wealthy investors out of millions.
In a new Vanity Fair interview published on Monday (14 November), Robbie recalled the loss of privacy from her intense and instantaneous success as one of her “lowest moments”.
“Something was happening in those early stages and it was all pretty awful, and I remember saying to my mom, ‘I don’t think I want to do this,’” she recounted.
“And she just looked at me, completely straight-faced, and was like, ‘Darling, I think it’s too late not to.
- 11/14/2022
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - Film
Lewis Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved” has become the most streamed song in the UK, overtaking Ed Sheeran’s hit single “Shape of You”.
The news was announced by the Official Charts Company as part of a list of the UK’s all-time most streamed songs, compiled to celebrate 70 years of the Official Singles Chart.
Capaldi, 26, receved a special matte black No 1 award and an inflatable crown after amassing 562 million audio and video streams combined.
“I’m the streaming king in the UK on this particular song!” he said in a statement. “I feel huge, I feel massive, I feel my loins expanding as I become more and more aware of the reality of my coronation as the king of music.
“Thank you. A very large accolade that I will now shoulder for the rest of my life, or until Ed Sheeran releases his next album.”
Sheeran, 31, co-wrote track “Pointless” with Capaldi,...
The news was announced by the Official Charts Company as part of a list of the UK’s all-time most streamed songs, compiled to celebrate 70 years of the Official Singles Chart.
Capaldi, 26, receved a special matte black No 1 award and an inflatable crown after amassing 562 million audio and video streams combined.
“I’m the streaming king in the UK on this particular song!” he said in a statement. “I feel huge, I feel massive, I feel my loins expanding as I become more and more aware of the reality of my coronation as the king of music.
“Thank you. A very large accolade that I will now shoulder for the rest of my life, or until Ed Sheeran releases his next album.”
Sheeran, 31, co-wrote track “Pointless” with Capaldi,...
- 11/14/2022
- by Roisin O'Connor
- The Independent - Music
House of the Dragon tricked viewers with an actor switch-up that nobody seemed to notice.
The finale of the Game of Thrones prequel series aired on HBO and Sky Atlantic last month.
Upon the episode’s broadcast, viewers did not seem to notice that one of the characters was played by a different actor entirely.
The detail was revealed by director Greg Yaitanes who, during a podcast interview, said the producers had to improvise when actor Elliot Tittensor got Covid-19 while they were filming the episode.
Elliot appeared in the show alongside his twin brother Luke, as members of the kingsguard Sers Arryk and Erryk, respectively.
Fortunately, when Elliot was unable to perform his lines, Luke stepped in to play Erryk instead.
“There’s that scene, that big scene where Corlys comes down and they’re putting the markers on the table and the messenger comes in,” Yaitanes said on...
The finale of the Game of Thrones prequel series aired on HBO and Sky Atlantic last month.
Upon the episode’s broadcast, viewers did not seem to notice that one of the characters was played by a different actor entirely.
The detail was revealed by director Greg Yaitanes who, during a podcast interview, said the producers had to improvise when actor Elliot Tittensor got Covid-19 while they were filming the episode.
Elliot appeared in the show alongside his twin brother Luke, as members of the kingsguard Sers Arryk and Erryk, respectively.
Fortunately, when Elliot was unable to perform his lines, Luke stepped in to play Erryk instead.
“There’s that scene, that big scene where Corlys comes down and they’re putting the markers on the table and the messenger comes in,” Yaitanes said on...
- 11/11/2022
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
Drake and 21 Savage are facing legal trouble after using false Vogue covers to promote their album.
The rap artists released a joint project titled Her Loss on Friday (4 November). As part of their promotional campaign to create buzz for the release, both artists posted mocked-up images of them on the front cover of the fashion magazine.
“Me and my brother on newsstands tomorrow!!!” reads the caption on their collaborative Instagram post, uploaded on 30 October.
It continues: “Thanks @voguemagazine and Anna Wintour for the love and support on this historic moment.”
However, Vogue’s publishing company Condé Nast has accused the pair of using the magazine to drum up publicity for their music without their permission.
In documents filed to Manhattan federal court on Monday (7 November), the complaint reads: “All of this is false. And none of it has been authorised by Condé Nast.”
According to Reuters, Condé Nast claimed...
The rap artists released a joint project titled Her Loss on Friday (4 November). As part of their promotional campaign to create buzz for the release, both artists posted mocked-up images of them on the front cover of the fashion magazine.
“Me and my brother on newsstands tomorrow!!!” reads the caption on their collaborative Instagram post, uploaded on 30 October.
It continues: “Thanks @voguemagazine and Anna Wintour for the love and support on this historic moment.”
However, Vogue’s publishing company Condé Nast has accused the pair of using the magazine to drum up publicity for their music without their permission.
In documents filed to Manhattan federal court on Monday (7 November), the complaint reads: “All of this is false. And none of it has been authorised by Condé Nast.”
According to Reuters, Condé Nast claimed...
- 11/9/2022
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - Music
Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard is back this Christmas and features a line up of some of the UK’s biggest pop stars.
On Monday (7 November) it was announced by Roman Kemp on Capital Breakfast that acts including Dua Lipa, Lewis Capaldi and Coldplay will be performing at the annual event.
The concert runs every December, but did not take place in 2020 due to the pandemic.
The ball is held at the O2 across the second weekend of the month, with the line up spread over the two days.
“Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard is always an amazing weekend, and we have another massive line-up in store for Capital listeners, packed with biggest artists on the planet,” Kemp said.
On Saturday 10 December, the line up will include Lewis Capaldi, Coldplay, Tom Grennan, Mimi Webb, Nathan Dawe, Sam Smith, Ksi and Sigala.
On Sunday 11 December, Dua Lipa,...
On Monday (7 November) it was announced by Roman Kemp on Capital Breakfast that acts including Dua Lipa, Lewis Capaldi and Coldplay will be performing at the annual event.
The concert runs every December, but did not take place in 2020 due to the pandemic.
The ball is held at the O2 across the second weekend of the month, with the line up spread over the two days.
“Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard is always an amazing weekend, and we have another massive line-up in store for Capital listeners, packed with biggest artists on the planet,” Kemp said.
On Saturday 10 December, the line up will include Lewis Capaldi, Coldplay, Tom Grennan, Mimi Webb, Nathan Dawe, Sam Smith, Ksi and Sigala.
On Sunday 11 December, Dua Lipa,...
- 11/8/2022
- by Megan Graye
- The Independent - Music
Ozzy Osbourne has claimed that he and his wife Sharon had to enlist “armed guards” after a backlash against Sharon surrounding her talk show exit.
Sharon Osbourne was removed from her CBS chat show The Talk following a racism row, in which she defended Piers Morgan over his criticism of Meghan Markle.
In August, the couple announced that they would move back to the UK after 20 years in LA due to a number of recent shootings.
“Everything’s f****** ridiculous there. I’m fed up with people getting killed every day. God knows how many people have been shot in school shootings,” Osborne told The Observer in August.
“And there was that mass shooting in Vegas at that concert … It’s f****** crazy. And I don’t want to die in America. I don’t want to be buried in f****** Forest Lawn,” he added.
However, the Black Sabbath frontman...
Sharon Osbourne was removed from her CBS chat show The Talk following a racism row, in which she defended Piers Morgan over his criticism of Meghan Markle.
In August, the couple announced that they would move back to the UK after 20 years in LA due to a number of recent shootings.
“Everything’s f****** ridiculous there. I’m fed up with people getting killed every day. God knows how many people have been shot in school shootings,” Osborne told The Observer in August.
“And there was that mass shooting in Vegas at that concert … It’s f****** crazy. And I don’t want to die in America. I don’t want to be buried in f****** Forest Lawn,” he added.
However, the Black Sabbath frontman...
- 11/8/2022
- by Megan Graye
- The Independent - Music
Former WWE marketing manager Michelle Donelan has been reappointed UK Culture Secretary, with responsibility for the future of the BBC and Channel 4.
Donelan has in the past few minutes headed into new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s 10 Downing Street home, where she was quickly re-given the job she has held for the past few weeks under Liz Truss’ leadership. Truss resigned in disgrace last week and was officially replaced by Sunak today, who promised he will “unite the country with actions not words.”
Related Story "Mistakes Were Made" By Liz Truss Government, Says New British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Who Promises To Unite The Country "Not With Words But With Actions" Related Story 'Doctor Who' Moves To Disney+ Outside UK And Ireland Via BBC-Disney Branded Television Partnership Related Story "Am I Allowed To Be This Gleeful?": BBC News Presenter Taken Off Air & Corporation Investigating Following Boris Johnson...
Donelan has in the past few minutes headed into new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s 10 Downing Street home, where she was quickly re-given the job she has held for the past few weeks under Liz Truss’ leadership. Truss resigned in disgrace last week and was officially replaced by Sunak today, who promised he will “unite the country with actions not words.”
Related Story "Mistakes Were Made" By Liz Truss Government, Says New British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Who Promises To Unite The Country "Not With Words But With Actions" Related Story 'Doctor Who' Moves To Disney+ Outside UK And Ireland Via BBC-Disney Branded Television Partnership Related Story "Am I Allowed To Be This Gleeful?": BBC News Presenter Taken Off Air & Corporation Investigating Following Boris Johnson...
- 10/25/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Rishi Sunak became Britain’s third prime minister this year on Tuesday, tasked with taming an economic crisis that has left the country’s finances in a precarious state and millions struggling to pay their food and energy bills.
Sunak, who is the U.K.’s first leader of colour, met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, where the monarch officially asked the new leader of the governing Conservative Party to form a government, as is tradition.
Sunak clinched the leadership position Monday, seen by his party as a safe pair of hands it hopes will stabilize an economy sliding toward recession — and stem its own plunging popularity, after the brief, disastrous term of Liz Truss.
Her package of unfunded tax cuts spooked financial markets with the prospect of ballooning debt, drove the pound to record lows and forced the Bank of England to intervene — weakening Britain’s fragile economy and...
Sunak, who is the U.K.’s first leader of colour, met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, where the monarch officially asked the new leader of the governing Conservative Party to form a government, as is tradition.
Sunak clinched the leadership position Monday, seen by his party as a safe pair of hands it hopes will stabilize an economy sliding toward recession — and stem its own plunging popularity, after the brief, disastrous term of Liz Truss.
Her package of unfunded tax cuts spooked financial markets with the prospect of ballooning debt, drove the pound to record lows and forced the Bank of England to intervene — weakening Britain’s fragile economy and...
- 10/25/2022
- by Melissa Romualdi
- ET Canada
During a breaking political news story, I usually watch both BBC News and Sky News on two different screens, just so I don’t miss anything. This week, like many others, I added a third channel: a livestream of a lettuce.
After Prime Minister Liz Truss’ hard-line policies plunged the economy and her political party into turmoil, the Economist published an eviscerating column about her time so far in office, saying that she “has the shelf-life of a lettuce.”
So, the British tabloid Daily Star then decided to put this theory into action. They bought a lettuce, attached some googly eyes, placed it next to a framed photo of the Pm and published a livestream. “Can Liz Truss outlast this lettuce?” the publication asked readers.
It was a joke that, as you can imagine, set Twitter alight. But it also felt like something that would not Romaine long in the public consciousness (I’m sorry.
After Prime Minister Liz Truss’ hard-line policies plunged the economy and her political party into turmoil, the Economist published an eviscerating column about her time so far in office, saying that she “has the shelf-life of a lettuce.”
So, the British tabloid Daily Star then decided to put this theory into action. They bought a lettuce, attached some googly eyes, placed it next to a framed photo of the Pm and published a livestream. “Can Liz Truss outlast this lettuce?” the publication asked readers.
It was a joke that, as you can imagine, set Twitter alight. But it also felt like something that would not Romaine long in the public consciousness (I’m sorry.
- 10/20/2022
- by Scott Bryan
- Variety Film + TV
Comedians Ricky Gervais, Nish Kumar and David Baddiel are among the celebrities to lead reactions to Liz Truss’s resignation after just six weeks as prime minister.
In a speech outside Downing Street on Thursday 20 October, Truss announced that her replacement would be found within the next week, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
The politician’s resignation came after 15 Tory MPs publicly called for her to step down, following a chaotic six weeks that included a disastrous mini-budget, the firing of former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and the resignation of former home secretary Suella Braverman.
Reacting to the news, Gervais shared a picture of himself making a speech outside No 10, with the caption: “And it wouldn’t even be in the top 10 weirdest news stories of the year.”
Piers Morgan tweeted: “What an absolute shambles.”
Comedian Baddiel posted: “That speech contained the words ‘to take advantage of...
In a speech outside Downing Street on Thursday 20 October, Truss announced that her replacement would be found within the next week, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
The politician’s resignation came after 15 Tory MPs publicly called for her to step down, following a chaotic six weeks that included a disastrous mini-budget, the firing of former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and the resignation of former home secretary Suella Braverman.
Reacting to the news, Gervais shared a picture of himself making a speech outside No 10, with the caption: “And it wouldn’t even be in the top 10 weirdest news stories of the year.”
Piers Morgan tweeted: “What an absolute shambles.”
Comedian Baddiel posted: “That speech contained the words ‘to take advantage of...
- 10/20/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
On Thursday, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss announced her intention to resign as leader of the Conservative Party, with a leadership election set for next week.
Truss’ exit was swift — she served as Pm for 44 days, 10 of which were dedicated to public mourning for Queen Elizabeth II — but the decision was unsurprising to many, including Scottish satirist and writer Armando Iannucci, who appeared to respond to the news on Twitter by immediately posting a scene from his television series “The Thick of It.”
https://t.co/7rIba8iyQV
— Armando Iannucci (@Aiannucci) October 20, 2022
“The Thick of It,” which began in 2005 and ran until 2012 (four series and two specials for a total of 23 episodes), was a brutal satire of the British government, focusing on the employees of the fictional Department of Social Affairs as they contend with constant media controversies and power plays. The clip Iannucci shared comes from the third series,...
Truss’ exit was swift — she served as Pm for 44 days, 10 of which were dedicated to public mourning for Queen Elizabeth II — but the decision was unsurprising to many, including Scottish satirist and writer Armando Iannucci, who appeared to respond to the news on Twitter by immediately posting a scene from his television series “The Thick of It.”
https://t.co/7rIba8iyQV
— Armando Iannucci (@Aiannucci) October 20, 2022
“The Thick of It,” which began in 2005 and ran until 2012 (four series and two specials for a total of 23 episodes), was a brutal satire of the British government, focusing on the employees of the fictional Department of Social Affairs as they contend with constant media controversies and power plays. The clip Iannucci shared comes from the third series,...
- 10/20/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has ferociously condemned the Tory government, following Liz Truss’s resignation after just six weeks as prime minister.
On Thursday 20 October, Truss resigned as leader, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
Truss’s resignation came after 15 Tory MPs publicly called for her to step down, following six weeks that included a mini-budget that caused the pound’s value to plummet, the firing of former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and the resignation of former home secretary Suella Braverman just yesterday (19 October).
The new prime minister will be announced in the next week.
Reacting to the news, Yorke tweeted: “Bring down this UK government, they do not speak for us, right the f*** now… they have no authority, no mandate, no clue, cats in a bag tearing themselves to pieces while the country suffers in extreme distress. Enough of this s***. Shame on them.”
Other stars...
On Thursday 20 October, Truss resigned as leader, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
Truss’s resignation came after 15 Tory MPs publicly called for her to step down, following six weeks that included a mini-budget that caused the pound’s value to plummet, the firing of former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and the resignation of former home secretary Suella Braverman just yesterday (19 October).
The new prime minister will be announced in the next week.
Reacting to the news, Yorke tweeted: “Bring down this UK government, they do not speak for us, right the f*** now… they have no authority, no mandate, no clue, cats in a bag tearing themselves to pieces while the country suffers in extreme distress. Enough of this s***. Shame on them.”
Other stars...
- 10/20/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - Music
Joe Lycett has joked that Liz Truss should run in next week’s leadership election, after she stood down as prime minister following just six weeks in office.
In a speech outside Downing Street on Thursday 20 October, Truss announced she was resigning, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
The politician’s resignation came after 15 Tory MPs publicly called for her to step down, following a chaotic six weeks that included a disastrous mini-budget, the firing of former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and the resignation of former home secretary Suella Braverman.
In her speech, Truss announced that there would be a leadership election in the next week.
Reacting to the news on Twitter, Lycett posted: “@trussliz Omg just heard there’s a leadership election nxt week????? u shud run babe youd be perfect!!!”
Read reactions from other comedians and stars here.
Lycett has been making headlines in recent weeks...
In a speech outside Downing Street on Thursday 20 October, Truss announced she was resigning, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in UK history.
The politician’s resignation came after 15 Tory MPs publicly called for her to step down, following a chaotic six weeks that included a disastrous mini-budget, the firing of former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and the resignation of former home secretary Suella Braverman.
In her speech, Truss announced that there would be a leadership election in the next week.
Reacting to the news on Twitter, Lycett posted: “@trussliz Omg just heard there’s a leadership election nxt week????? u shud run babe youd be perfect!!!”
Read reactions from other comedians and stars here.
Lycett has been making headlines in recent weeks...
- 10/20/2022
- by Ellie Harrison
- The Independent - TV
Liz Truss is out as UK Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party after just six weeks in office.
Truss announced her resignation this morning during a nationally televised address, saying she had informed the King of her move.
“I recognize given the situation I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative party,” Truss said as she resigned.
A Conservative party leadership race will take place in the coming week to find Truss’s replacement. Her successor will be the UK’s third prime minister this year.
Truss and her beleaguered government have faced severe pressure from opposition parties as well as her colleagues since the publication of a ‘mini-budget’ by former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in September, which resulted in the British pound falling to an all-time low against the dollar.
Under the plans, which Kwarteng described as a “new era” for the UK economy,...
Truss announced her resignation this morning during a nationally televised address, saying she had informed the King of her move.
“I recognize given the situation I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative party,” Truss said as she resigned.
A Conservative party leadership race will take place in the coming week to find Truss’s replacement. Her successor will be the UK’s third prime minister this year.
Truss and her beleaguered government have faced severe pressure from opposition parties as well as her colleagues since the publication of a ‘mini-budget’ by former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in September, which resulted in the British pound falling to an all-time low against the dollar.
Under the plans, which Kwarteng described as a “new era” for the UK economy,...
- 10/20/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Hugh Grant has said that his father is considering voting for Labour following a disastrous week in politics for the Tories.
The Bridget Jones’s Diary star is a frequent critic of the Conservative party and has ramped up his criticism in recent months.
On Wednesday (19 October), the Tories descended into further chaos as Suella Braverman resigned as home secretary following two data breaches within her office.
However, the MP took aim at Truss in her resignation letter, accusing the government of breaking “key pledges” and “pretending we haven’t made mistakes”. She has been replaced by Grant Shapps, who Truss fired as transport secretary last month.
Following Braverman’s resignation, actor Grant tweeted that the chaos in government had swayed even his “Tory party member” father.
“94-year-old ex-army Tory party member father just said he’d now vote Labour,” Grant tweeted, adding: “Pre-whisky.”
At the time of writing, the...
The Bridget Jones’s Diary star is a frequent critic of the Conservative party and has ramped up his criticism in recent months.
On Wednesday (19 October), the Tories descended into further chaos as Suella Braverman resigned as home secretary following two data breaches within her office.
However, the MP took aim at Truss in her resignation letter, accusing the government of breaking “key pledges” and “pretending we haven’t made mistakes”. She has been replaced by Grant Shapps, who Truss fired as transport secretary last month.
Following Braverman’s resignation, actor Grant tweeted that the chaos in government had swayed even his “Tory party member” father.
“94-year-old ex-army Tory party member father just said he’d now vote Labour,” Grant tweeted, adding: “Pre-whisky.”
At the time of writing, the...
- 10/20/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - Film
Comedy duo Dick and Dom have joined calls for the UK government to call a general election.
The Dick & Dom in da Bungalow stars – real names Richard McCourt and Dominic Wood – shared their thoughts on Twitter following a turbulent day in British politics.
Wednesday (19 October) saw the sudden dismissal of home secretary Suella Braverman after just weeks in the role.
“#GeneralElectionNow you twisted f***s,” tweeted Dick and Dom, from their official shared Twitter account.
Since Truss took over as prime minister just weeks ago, calls have been mounting for a general election.
The Independent has launched a petition, known as Election Now, calling for an election to be held following the turmoil of recent political events.
Braverman’s dismissal is but the latest episode of upheaval in Truss’s short but controversial leadership.
Last week, chancellor of the exchequor Kwasi Kwarteng was removed from the role after a disasterous...
The Dick & Dom in da Bungalow stars – real names Richard McCourt and Dominic Wood – shared their thoughts on Twitter following a turbulent day in British politics.
Wednesday (19 October) saw the sudden dismissal of home secretary Suella Braverman after just weeks in the role.
“#GeneralElectionNow you twisted f***s,” tweeted Dick and Dom, from their official shared Twitter account.
Since Truss took over as prime minister just weeks ago, calls have been mounting for a general election.
The Independent has launched a petition, known as Election Now, calling for an election to be held following the turmoil of recent political events.
Braverman’s dismissal is but the latest episode of upheaval in Truss’s short but controversial leadership.
Last week, chancellor of the exchequor Kwasi Kwarteng was removed from the role after a disasterous...
- 10/20/2022
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Liz Truss’ difficult week is going from bad to worse. A former aide has claimed the under fire British Prime Minister’s advisers would lie about deaths in her family so she could miss appearing on British current affairs program Question Time.
Speaking on the Whitehall Sources podcast, Kirsty Buchanan said Truss did not like media appearances, so her team would find excuses to pass on them. Buchanan worked for the Pm when she was Justice Secretary between mid-2016 and 2017.
“She didn’t like the media, so we used to spend quite a lot of time making up excuses and killing off minor members of her family so she didn’t have to go on,” said Buchanan. “Only minor people like aunts and cousins and things — I’m not talking about major members of the family.”
After her team “ran out of excuses, Buchanan said Truss eventually agreed to appear on Question Time,...
Speaking on the Whitehall Sources podcast, Kirsty Buchanan said Truss did not like media appearances, so her team would find excuses to pass on them. Buchanan worked for the Pm when she was Justice Secretary between mid-2016 and 2017.
“She didn’t like the media, so we used to spend quite a lot of time making up excuses and killing off minor members of her family so she didn’t have to go on,” said Buchanan. “Only minor people like aunts and cousins and things — I’m not talking about major members of the family.”
After her team “ran out of excuses, Buchanan said Truss eventually agreed to appear on Question Time,...
- 10/19/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Black Adam was originally much more violent, it has emerged.
The DC Comics superhero film stars Dwayne Johnson as the titular character, acting opposite Pierce Brosnan, Noah Centineo, Aldis Hodge, and Quintessa Swindell.
Black Adam is rated PG-13 for “sequences of strong violence, intense action, and some language”.
The first several cuts of the film, however, originally earned an R rating, meaning unsuitable for children below the age of 17.
Producers Beau Flynn and Hiram Garcia confirmed to Collider that it took “four rounds” of cuts for the Motion Pictures Association to grant Black Adam the PG-13 rating.
According to Flynn, the original cut of the film featured 10 violent kills carried out by Jonhson’s character. The production team removed around five of those kills in order to secure the PG-13 rating.
Garcia told the publication: â.â.“We really wanted to make sure that we honoured the character of Black Adam.
The DC Comics superhero film stars Dwayne Johnson as the titular character, acting opposite Pierce Brosnan, Noah Centineo, Aldis Hodge, and Quintessa Swindell.
Black Adam is rated PG-13 for “sequences of strong violence, intense action, and some language”.
The first several cuts of the film, however, originally earned an R rating, meaning unsuitable for children below the age of 17.
Producers Beau Flynn and Hiram Garcia confirmed to Collider that it took “four rounds” of cuts for the Motion Pictures Association to grant Black Adam the PG-13 rating.
According to Flynn, the original cut of the film featured 10 violent kills carried out by Jonhson’s character. The production team removed around five of those kills in order to secure the PG-13 rating.
Garcia told the publication: â.â.“We really wanted to make sure that we honoured the character of Black Adam.
- 10/18/2022
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - Film
Five days after Boris Johnson was voted in as the United Kingdom's new prime minister, John Oliver took the politician to task on HBO's Last Week Tonight.
The former London mayor and British foreign secretary takes over from Theresa May, beating current foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt in an election last week.
Oliver made the argument that Johnson's "bumbling Brit" persona is manufactured.
He showed a clip of an interview in which Johnson told a story of a somewhat bizarre hobby of his, claiming that he enjoys making buses out of crates to relax in his free time ...
The former London mayor and British foreign secretary takes over from Theresa May, beating current foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt in an election last week.
Oliver made the argument that Johnson's "bumbling Brit" persona is manufactured.
He showed a clip of an interview in which Johnson told a story of a somewhat bizarre hobby of his, claiming that he enjoys making buses out of crates to relax in his free time ...
- 7/29/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Donald Trump traveled across the pond on Monday for his state visit to the U.K and meeting with Queen Elizabeth. The president and first lady Melania Trump flew to London Stansted Airport via Air Force One and were greeted by U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. Woody Johnson and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. The commander in chief stepped off the plane wearing a dark suit and bright blue tie while his spouse donned a navy blazer and skirt, which she paired with a red and white blouse. The couple then boarded their helicopter, Marine One, and made their way to Winfield House, which is the U.S. ambassador's residence in the capital. After Melania changed into a white Dolce & Gabbana dress and matching Herve...
- 6/3/2019
- E! Online
We possibly spoke too soon. The battle between 21st Century Fox and Comcast for ownership of Sky could have hit a bump in the road as a result of Boris Johnson’s resignation as UK Foreign Secretary.
Culture Secretary Matt Hancock, who has overseen the takeover from a political level, has been named Health Secretary in Theresa May’s government. He replaces Jeremy Hunt, who was named Foreign Secretary after Johnson resigned over the Pm’s Brexit strategy earlier today.
Hancock was thought to be on the brink of finally giving Rupert Murdoch’s group the ultimate greenlight to buy the 61% of the European pay-tv firm...
Culture Secretary Matt Hancock, who has overseen the takeover from a political level, has been named Health Secretary in Theresa May’s government. He replaces Jeremy Hunt, who was named Foreign Secretary after Johnson resigned over the Pm’s Brexit strategy earlier today.
Hancock was thought to be on the brink of finally giving Rupert Murdoch’s group the ultimate greenlight to buy the 61% of the European pay-tv firm...
- 7/9/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.