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Russell Crowe storms out of interview after Mark Lawson says his Robin Hood accent sounds Irish (even though he used Parky's voice as a guide) Mail - audio link with this post

Greed is going to be good at the box office! Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps wows at Cannes
By BAZ BAMIGBOYE IN CANNES - Mail

Lance Reddick: Life beyond The Wire
Actor Lance Reddick, or Lt Cedric Daniels as he is more widely known, talks about the incredible success of The Wire – and how the black community is so badly served by the entertainment industry
Guardian

The Simpsons - Russell Brand

Comedian Russell Brand is to appear in an episode of The Simpsons.

Brand, who is currently promoting new film Get Him to the Greek in London, has revealed he will soon be appearing in the long-running cartoon.

He told a newspaper: "It's true I'm going to be in The Simpsons. I was having an amazing birthday party and found out I was going into space. Then my agent says, 'Oh, 'The Simpsons' want you in an episode.' Once you've gone yellow, you've made it."

The actor - who used to present Big Brother's Big Mouth - is so excited about voicing the part of a cartoon alter-ego, he has his own idea of how he wants the episode to go.

He added: "My ideal show would be where I have a cartoon relapse with Barney and Homer and get smashed out of my mind with them."

waveguide.co.uk

Michael Ball Show

Singer Michael Ball is to host a new ITV1 Daytime show this simmer.

The Michael Ball Show will be broadcast weekday afternoons it will feature a mix of entertainment, discussion and showbiz glamour with the occasional song from ball himself.

Balll will be chatting with established showbiz personalities as well as introducing a variety of rising stars. Guest experts will join him to discuss topics of the day and he will learn how to cook from a host of famous culinary faces.

He will also be spotlighting the people who have hit the headlines and meeting some of the country’s unsung heroes.

Ball said: "I'm hugely excited to be joining ITV at such an exciting time for the channel. This show is a great challenge, which I hope will be lots of fun and feature lots of old friends as well as some new ones. I'm really looking forward to getting started".

David Hall, series editor of The Michael Ball Show said: “Michael is a showbiz legend – it’s in his blood. He is an absolute natural in front of the camera, has incredible warmth, and this show promises to bring a smile to everyone’s face. It’s the perfect afternoon treat”.



Celebrity Pressure Cooker

Lorraine Kelly presents a new daily cookery show, Celebrity Pressure Cooker, starting on July 5 and stripped across the week.

In each show three celebrities will enter the Pressure Cooker kitchen and endeavour to recreate the recipes made famous by a top professional chef, who will watch over their every slice and stir.

Following only the recipe, the celebrities have to produce their own interpretation of the chef’s dishes while viewers get the chance to see how the recipes should be cooked and the dishes compiled.

There is also a masterclass where each of the professional chefs will give viewers a great insight into how to produce their own restaurant quality food at home. Plus there’s top tips from the chefs including which ingredients work best together and how to keep things simple but tasting fanstastic.

For the celebrities to win the day’s show and the prize of the ‘Golden Whisk’ they must also create their own dish using their selection of the chef’s favourite ingredients and produce it in accordance with the chef’s unique style.




Heartbeat Axed

ITV announced today it has axed its long-running police series Heartbeat.

The nostalgic drama, which is set in North Yorkshire, has been on the air for 18 years. Next month's series will be the last

An ITV spokesman said: "We are overhauling our schedule to reflect the changing demands of our audience [and] refreshing the mix of programming we commission and broadcast."

Last January, ITV said production of the show had been suspended.

At the time, the broadcaster said it wanted to clear a stockpile of unbroadcast episodes before filming resumed.

Today, ITV said the decision to cancel the series was not based on saving money, but was part of boss Peter Fincham's plans to overhaul the channel's output.

"We will continue to maintain our significant investment in the genre, the biggest of any commercial broadcaster, but ITV1's future focus will be on new and varied drama commissions," said the spokesman.

"Heartbeat has been an important part of the television landscape over the last 18 years and we are incredibly proud of what it achieved in its heyday as one of ITV1's top rated dramas," the spokesman said.

Set in the 1960s, Heartbeat was based on the books of Peter Walker, who wrote under the pen name Nicholas Rhea.

The story followed police constable Joe Mason, played by Joe McFadden, who patrolled the streets of Aidensfield.

waveguide.co.uk

BBC 6 Music saved from closure
By Sherna Noah and Vicky Shaw, Press Association
Independent

BBC Ditches The Restaurant

BBC Two programme The Restaurant, fronted by celebrity chef Raymond Blanc, will not return to TV screens, it has been confirmed.

The reality show focused on couples competing for a chance to open a restaurant financially backed by Blanc.

A BBC statement said "the time is right for The Restaurant to close its doors after three successful series."

Blanc is currently "in discussions" with the BBC about a new series of Kitchen Secrets and other projects.




New Steve Coogan Series

Steve Coogan is to return to TV with a new comic creation – himself.

The star, who has appeared in a number of Hollywood movies in recent years, will appear in a new semi-improvised comedy series The Trip.

The BBC Two series sees Coogan and co-star Rob Brydon playing versions of themselves as they take a trip around the north of England to undertake a series of restaurant reviews.

Coogan – whose hit characters have included Alan Partridge and Paul Calf - launched his most recent comedy persona Tommy Saxondale in 2006.

The six-part series is directed by Michael Winterbottom.

In the series Coogan is commissioned by a Sunday newspaper to review half a dozen restaurants but splits from his food-loving American girlfriend with just days to go.

He enlists the help of Brydon to accompany him on the journey as they head off around the Lake District, Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales, discussing life and food.

US star Ben Stiller also makes a guest appearance as Coogan’s agent.

Announcing the series, the BBC said: “In the style of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', the story is fictional but based around their real personas.”

Another comedy to feature in the new BBC Two season is Whites, a series about a chef who is past his sell-by date starring Jonathan Creek actor Alan Davies.



Live Aid Drama

Filming has started on new BBC Two drama, When Harvey Met Bob, which follows one of the most iconic moments in 20th-century history, Live Aid; the biggest televised international charity event in history.

Janice Hadlow, Controller BBC Two said: "To mark the 25th anniversary of Live Aid, BBC Two celebrates with an ambitious single drama which tells the story behind the biggest televised international charity event in history and the two inspiring men that made it happen."

This one-off, 90-minute drama stars Domhnall Gleeson as Bob Geldof and Ian Hart as Harvey Goldsmith, the two men who together changed the politics of international aid forever.

When Harvey Met Bob is written by Joe Dunlop, directed by Nick Renton and produced by Catherine Magee.

waveguide.co.uk

Robbie Williams relights Take That’s fire as he rejoins band 15 years after quitting

By Ben Todd and Sara Nathan MAIL

Nick Knowles New Quiz Show

TV presenter Nick Knowles has signed up to host a new BBC Two Daytime quiz show, Perfection, where only 100 per cent accuracy can win the jackpot.

The answer is always true or false, with topics ranging from geography and science through to the bizarre. Contestants will have to decide if statements like: Italy is larger by area than the UK; hydrogen makes up 78 per cent of the air we breathe; and elephants can jump, are true or false.

In a final twist, the contestant can negotiate with competitors to join them for a share of the prize. But will they strike an agreement? Every day the stakes get even higher as the money rolls over, giving players another chance to hit the jackpot.

BBC Daytime has also re-commissioned a third series of Pointless, the game show where obscure knowledge is the key to success, hosted by comedian Alexander Armstrong.

Both series have been commissioned by BBC Daytime controller Liam Keelan, who said: "Quizzes remain hugely popular with our audiences, who are always looking for new formats and ways of perfecting their general knowledge. I'm really thrilled to add this innovative new show to our daytime line-up."


Coronation Street Actress To Stay

Actress Sue Nicholls has ruled out retirement saying that she wants to stay on Coronation Street for as long as she can.

The actress plays salon owner Audrey Roberts in the Weatherfield drama.

Nicholls, who turns 70 next week, has admitted that her life away from the Street is more stressful.

She told the TV Times: "When I come through the gates of the studio, it's like coming into a different world.

"I think I'm a bit happier in my Weatherfield world, because I've only got to worry about Audrey.

"In the real world, when I have a free week, oh, I find it terribly exhausting and I can't cope! Ringing the accountant, having a row with BT; you have to do all that."

She added: "I would like to get in the car while I can still drive, and travel through France and Spain - places where I went to in my youth - but that can wait.

"I'm a bit of a romantic but, in reality, it's trips to Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer for me."

waveguide.co.uk

In the Pipeline: Jeremy Kyle set for new servicemen show

By Tim Oglethorpe Mirror

He's famous for dishing out orders to his guests - but how will Jeremy Kyle cope with stroppy sergeant majors and angry admirals?

Talk show host Jezza has bagged himself a primetime ITV1 series on servicemen and their families.

The behind-the-scenes look at life in uniform, home and abroad, has a 7.30pm weeknight slot.

"A lot of the details are under wraps" he says. "But it's a departure for me and an exciting challenge."

Tune in for a battle of wills...

Steve John Shepherd Joins EastEnders



This Life star Steve John Shepherd is set to star in EastEnders as a new member of the Moon family.

The actor will play Michael Moon, the cheeky cousin of Alfie Moon, played by Shane Richie, who is returning to Albert Square after a five year absence.

Michael is described as a "cheeky chap with a silver tongue who loves a lot of female attention - much like his older cousin Alfie."

Best known for his role as solicitor's clerk Jo in cult 90s drama This Life, Shepherd has since appeared in episodes of Being Human, Plus One and Lunch Monkeys.

He said: "I can vividly remember watching the first ever episode of EastEnders and I’m very excited to be joining such a fantastic and iconic programme.

"Michael Moon will be an exciting character to play – on the surface he a loveable, cheeky chappy but underneath he has hidden depths which will be exciting to explore."

Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood added: "I’ve been a fan of Steve John Shepherd’s work for years. He’s a fantastic signing for EastEnders, an exciting addition to the Moon family, and is set to cause a big splash in Albert Square from the moment he arrives."

Michael is expected to make his debut in the soap this September when Alfie and on-screen wife Kat Moon (Jesse Wallace) return to take over the Queen Vic after it is burned to the ground.

waveguide.co.uk