Celebrity Big Brother - Chantelle Wins!

It's all over and the non celebrity has won Celebrity Big Brother!

Well done to all the celebs, it's been a rollercoaster of a ride.

Well done to the giggly blonde!

Well done to the Great British Public!

Phew! I'm off to bed now!

:)x

Celebrity Big Brother - Goodbye George and Dennis

So they've gone! The two giants of the CBB house left last night to boos and hisses.

George was convinced he had achieved his aim to speak to millions instead of hundreds or thousands and to be fair he had, only not in the way he planned. As Davina pointed out, he wanted to reach the youth of this country in an attempt to get them interested in politics but during his time in the house he succeeded in alienating himself from the youngsters. He was a PR disaster. An advertising agency nightmare. A marketing flop. George, you would probably have done better if you'd kept your mouth shut and stayed at home.

Dennis couldn't understand how come Chantelle is still in the house and seems to be doing well as she is not a celebrity. Let me explain it like this for you. The public vote to keep housemates in the house based on their performance/behaviour in the house. It doesn't matter how many women you've slept with, how many baskets you've scored, how much money is in your bank account or how many people in the world know you, we don't care, it's in the past. What counts is what you're like in the house. Your previous performances don't count. It's like expecting a coach to pick someone for a basketball team based on their performance in the Kindergarten Nativity play. Kindergarten happened in the past. You're picked for the team based on current form.

For the vast majority of people watching the show, Chantelle has been much more likeable hence she's stayed. Yes, you maybe more famous but that's not what people are voting on. Maybe someone should have explained that to you before you signed up.

All the best to the long stayers! We''ll know who wins tomorrow.

:)x

Branston Baked Beans Advert

Is anyone else freaked out by this dancing tin of beans or am I the freak?

Careful how you answer that!!!

:)x

Update: 15th Feb 2006

This post seems to have generated quite a few hits over the past few days so I've decided to add this update.

I've now found the ad here it is at Visit4info for your viewing pleasure and delictation. I've thought about it some more and asked for others to have their say Branston Comments Why not let us all know what you think?

Update no 2: 14 April 2007

Ok, the first link is now paid. Go to TellyAds to see this advert for free but be warned, I take no responsibility for it's effect on your sanity!

:)x

American Idol

Yay! American Idol is back!

ITV2 started with a marathon 2 1/2 hours of AI on Saturday. Randy was his usual piggy in the middle self, Paula and Simon argued, Ryan made stupid jokes and the contestants did what they do best (or not).

Normally I don't laugh too much because there are some people who really have a dream and end up just being humiliated. But Saturday's show was full of moments. The bloke dressed up in a baby doll dress with pig tails and the bloke dressed as the Statue of Liberty got short thrift. The first auditionee got the chance to come back even though he was atrocious. Then there was the guy who's grandmother said listening to him sing always made her cry - well when he opened his mouth we could see why (eww). Finally, let's not forget the deputy (yes a proper policeman - in uniform) who sang "I shot the Sheriff but I did not Shoot the deputy". No it's not me not knowing the song title, that's all he sang over and over and over and over!

They found some great singers though, three sets of twins for a start. It will be interesting to see who gets through to the top 12 or so.

The circus has come back to town!

:)x

Celebrity Big Brother - Rula, George and Preston

Well Rula went out last Friday thanks to being nominated by George and Preston. She was disappointed by George. Now Preston seems to be disappointed by George. Funny how things change ain't it.

I was in stitches last night as George dressed up in a leotard and robot danced. OMG! That so has to go on video.google or something. He's continued to sulk his way through the last few days, ever since he was banned by the group from taking part in nominations and then nominated.

It must be difficult to keep things in perspective when you're locked away from normal life. I was concerned when he talked about not forgetting what's happened even when he leaves the house. It's really not important, everyone is playing a game, some more consciously than others.
The best thing will be to leave it all behind when you leave the house and get on with the rest of your life.

:)x

Celebrity Big Brother - Faria's Gone

She's out. The lady famous for being infamous.

Well Faria, judging by your chat with Davina, you learned some things about yourself (in the short time you were in the house). It's not easy to admit you may need some work that can't be fixed by plastic surgeons. (I know, I've had a lot of "fixing" to do, myself. Oh no, I sound like Barrymore now urgh!) It takes a big person to admit their faults, good for you!

I wonder if any of the other housemates will come to any such conclusions when they eventually leave the CBB house? It will be interesting to see.

Bye Bye Faria. I may not have loved you but what do you care? You don't know me from Adam. Still, I wish you the best for the future.

:)x

Max and Paddy The Power of Two

Since it's still just about January I can still say it's the New Year! Being as we're now three weeks into the year this is where those resolutions start to stand or (more likely) fall. I didn't make a resolution (I don't believe in them) but I have decided it's about time I stopped living such a sedentary life and started putting a bit of effort into looking after myself.

With these thoughts swimming round my mind, I was highly amused to notice the glut of keep fit and workout dvd's being pushed on TV recently. We had all sorts of A - Z listers pushing their latest productions. Most of them might have been present when the videos were filmed but I doubt they'd even met the trainers before never mind been using that particular workout for any length of time. Is it me being cynical? Maybe.

To be fair some of the contenders like Jade Goody, Davina, last years Big Brother winner Anthony and Ulrika Johnson have obvioulsy been training. I still found it funny watching them swinging their arms, flashing their teeth and breathing heavily as they tried to encourage us to spend that Christmas voucher. The one that really got me wondering though was Max and Paddy The Power of Two.

I saw the ad a good few times before I believed that it was for real. It just seemed strange to me that two characters from a programme called "The Road to Nowhere" were pushing people to get up off their bums and workout. I was relieved to see they had changed the title. "The Road to Nowhere" is not exactly motivational is it?

The DVD looks fun and a novel idea getting two such comedic characters to get you through an exercise routine. It looks about my level too, maybe not overly strenuous but full of laughs. The Brian Potter Workout Live from the Phoenix Club must surely be something worth seeing.

So come on people. Someone out there must have bought it. I think it's your duty to share your experiences with Max and Paddy. I checked out the reviews on Amazon where the majority seem to love it but just for my own curiosity has anyone out there taken the plunge? Tell us what you really think

;)x

I'm not man mad - honest!

Looking back at my posts I can see how you would be excused for thinking the only reason I watch TV is to drool over blokes.

Well that would be sad and even sadder would be the fact I would admit it to the whole world by confessing on a blog! Oh er, oops did I just do that? Just joshing honest!!!

:)x

Desperate Housewives

They're back tonight! Channel 4 at 10pm. Woohoo!!!

I can't wait to catch up with the latest happenings in Wisteria Lane.

The fallout from the death of poor, poor Rex promises to be packed full of action as his wife, Bree, and mother duke it out over whether he was really happy. I felt really sorry for Rex or maybe I should say the actor Steven Culp (nice) because he was also in Star Trek Enterprise and got killed off there too.

How's Tom going to cope with being an at home dad? How's Lynette going to cope with going back to work?

What next in the long running threesome of Carlos, Gabrielle and John? Is Carlos going down for a long stretch? Will Gabrielle end up a single mother or is this John's chance to "get his gal"?

Then there's Susan, being held at gun point by Zach, who just finished beating up nasty Felicia. Does this violence run in the family? After all, his dad marched poor Mike off to execute him and his mom killed his (biological) mom. Maybe this is a case of nurture v nature!

As for Edie! In the middle of so much gossip and so in the dark!

Finally we throw the mysterious new neighbours, the Applewhites, into the mix!

It gonna be good people, it's gonna be goooooood!!!

:)x

Coronation Street

I'm sitting here waiting for someone to come fix my front door and totally amazed at what I'm hearing. There's a debate on the local radio station about the use of the phrase "white trash" in Coronation Street on Monday night.

Sunita's brother sat in her little bedsit and cussed her for not making up with Dev. He went on to say something like "you don't want to end up like your white trash, single mother friends" (my paraphrase). Now I admit I was a bit suprised and stopped reading long enough (I was catching up on a few other blogs) to turn round and look at the telly. Sunita's response was to tell her brother exactly what she thought of him and throw him out the flat. That having been said, I returned to my reading and thought no more about it.

Apparently there have been loads of complaints to Granada about the use of the term. People were furious about the use of the term, equating it to calling black people niggas. It's racist, it's terrible, it shouldn't be allowed!

Do what?!?

As a "friend" said to me when I told him about my feelings on racism in this country - come on get that chip off your shoulder!

My understanding is the phrase came from America and was used originally in the deep south as a derogatory term by well to do white plantation owners towards white people who befriended or defended slaves. It's come into everyday parlance now through such high class programmes as Jerry Springer. The term fit in with the character who has exactly that same kind of attitude. A very nasty, narrow minded little man who thinks he's better than everyone else.

Yeah it's not nice. But I don't recall any outrage when Kelly and Lloyd were called Monkeys by Ronnies husband, when Hayley was being abused for being a transexual by that little brat Sophie webster or when Sean was being abused by Les and Cilla? These were just incidences of charaters showing how spiteful, malicious, vicious and cruel they are or can be. Is that not the case? So why is it different here?

Wake up people! It happens all the time in this programme. It's a SOAP!!!

:)x

Oh So... Dancing on Ice!!!

I was going to post a piece about the lovely and extremely talented ice dancer John Barrowman (recently seen as Captain Jack in Dr Who and in the current remake of The Producers). About how he's one of the best contestants so I was pretty much guaranteed the chance to enjoy watching (drooling over) him week after, week, after week in Dancing on Ice.

Then I did a bit of research tonight only to discover that he's gay and to top it off, expected to do the civil partnership thing soon. Bugger! Er I mean Crap! Er I mean Damn!

The pool of available men gets ever smaller! (sigh)

;)x

Oh well, no getting away from it, he's a looker alright!

Wikipedia
Mail on Sunday

Dancing on Ice

I watched the first show in the series on Saturday and was pleasantly surprised it was quite good I ended up enjoying all the contestants whether they were brilliant or just plain bad. I don't know what happened to me. Maybe I was just in a good mood.

I was quite surprised to see that Andi survived but not disappointed that Tamara had been voted out because it looked as if he was just taking it all as one big joke. Who turns up over an hour late to the first practice for a show like this?

I’m relieved that it’s going to be screened over 8 weeks because watching night after night would be way too much! (Yeah, I know I can always hit the off button.)

I hope it's the last for a long time in the same 'ole tired formula of celebrity contestants doing ususal stuff to encourage the public to slavishly phone up to tip money into the pockets of lazy TV execs.

It's nice to see this programme for Torville and Dean. I couldn't believe when the clips of their olymnpic performances brought tears to my eyes. I only hope the performances of the celebs over the next few weeks don't do the same for the wrong reasons.

;)x

Celebrity Big Brother - Yet Again

I have not commented on this over the last few days because I have only been watching bits.

I was particularly annoyed with George Galloway’s comments after the box task about “The Americans”. What came out of his mouth was truly unnecessary and deeply offensive. He also annoyed me with his comments about Dennis being lazy, he annoyed me with his comments about Chantelle being dumb, he annoyed me with the incident over the cigars and cigarettes with Pete. He just plain annoys me!

I’m so disappointed that he has not been nominated because even though I usually just sit and snipe at the TV I would have happily voted multiple times to get him out of the house and off my telly!

Michael (and I’m sure a number of you would be upset at me for saying this) seriously needs therapy. He thinks he’s royalty. Yes he’s been through a lot. Yes he’s experienced things we could never imagine. Yes he’s been through detox, etc. How does this give him the right to shout people down? It doesn’t mean that he has all the answers. It doesn’t mean that he’s fully qualified to diagnose other people.

He’s got an insight into himself and probably a better idea than most about what’s really going on behind the façade that most people put on. But what was right for him is not necessarily right for others and he needs to understand and accept that. He’s like the man who’s given up smoking and then goes out and preaches to other smokers.

Take a chill pill Mr Barrymore. You’re not in there as the house therapist. You’re there to re-launch your career so I think you should just concentrate on that!

I’m starting to like Dennis a bit more. He’s still a bit over sexed but I love the way Traci is handling him. Much respect to the woman! She’s standing up for herself and a lot of what she’s saying to him about the way that he treats women is right! You never know, he might come out of the house having learned something.

Preston, Preston, Preston! If I were your girlfriend I’m not sure I would talk to you for fear that my words would be heard somewhere on the far side of the moon. I know you like Chantelle and who would blame you. She is quite funny, surprisingly witty, easy to get on with and easier for you to relate to than most of the other people in the house. To top if off you must be missing your girlfriend, poor you. Be very, very, very careful. We see those touchy feely moments and as for those long lingering looks... trust me dear readers I was (sadly) watching the live feed when the birthday party incidents were happening! Oh dear!

Pete needs to leave before he goes completely mad. I thought he was going to strangle our Mr Jim. He wasn’t happy when Jim fixed it for him to talk to his boyfriend, although that was what he was pining for. What can you do? As for teasing Preston and Chantelle, sometimes you do need to let things drop.

Rula and her Pants of Power was brilliant. I haven’t laughed so much for days! I still don’t think she’ll win. What about her over acting when she came out of nominations? Choking back tears, she explained to the rest of the housemates how she had to nominate someone for eviction and how terrible it was. (My eyes filled up - not.) Maybe she needed a bit of a rehearsal first. I think her performance was as good as any Oscar acceptance speech.

I always thought Faria cuddling up to Dennis while at the same time telling the other housemates that she doesn’t fancy him was a joke! Yes and I’m a Supermodel! She finally admitted it to Traci (with Dennis across the other side of the room) and they proceeded to laugh, giggle and chat about him like schoolgirls. Flip! How old are they again?

Who have I left out? Of course, Maggot! What’s there to say? He’s ok. I thought he’d be a bit more zany but I think he’s been outshone by some of the other housemates and I don’t blame him for keeping his head down.

The nominations have been set

Dennis, Faria and Pete.

Who goes ...... you decide!

:)x

Due South

There’s one country that I’ve always wanted to visit and that country is Canada

Imagine my choice joy when I discovered Due South ten or so years ago. I was in seventh heaven. The star of the show Paul Gross was anything but gross. The story line engaging, the script funny and his sidekick, Ray, a suitably dorky but nice kinda guy.

All the ingredients I needed to keep me amused and to be suitably distraught when the series came to an abrupt end.

I’ve not had much good to say about ITV recently but I’m beginning to really love ITV3. Why? Because in addition to Quantum Leap, they’ve brought Due South back! Yippee!!!

Now I don’t have to save my pennies, no need to go all the way to Canada. I love Mounties so I can just tune in everyday at 7pm and feast my eyes on the beauty that is …. Benton Fraser (and his wolf of course).

Thank you very kindly!

:)x

Soapstar Superstar - The Final

It's all over, the final has come and gone. I think the right person was chosen thought it was a tough call. Andy was suprisingly good especially once he learned to let go a bit and wiggle those hips (LOL).

Well done Richard, your youth, your boyish good looks and obvious charm helped but the fact that you have an astounding voice and ability did the job.

:)x

Honda Civic

Have you all seen the new adverts for the Honda Civic?

I think it’s very, very good using a choir to make the sounds as the car travels along is very clever. It really caught my attention tonight. So much so that I have been to their web site and had a good look again.

To my surprise and pleasure not only does it show the advert but they also show the making of the advert (I guess for those anoraks like me who wonder about these things).

If you’ve not seen the ad, go have a look at it here www.honda.co.uk/civic

Don’t get tempted to buy the car though, unless of course, you’re going to buy it for me.

:)x

Celebrity Big Brother - First Eviction

So Jodie is out of the Celebrity Big Brother house. I’m disappointed with you all. What are you playing at voting her out first?

Now Mr George "I’m an MP and you should all scrape and bow to me" Galloway, will have even more of a big head.

I’m shaking my head at you all and you don’t want me to be doing that trust me.

Get it right next time, vote George out for Wednesday! I'm warning, don’t let me start waving my finger at you!

:)x

Quantum Leap

I've just watched an episode of Quantum Leap starring the very yummy Scott Bakula. The man doesn't just look god but he can act and sing too, both brilliantly.

I'd forgotten how much I used to enjoy watching the show and it did not fail to impress this evening. In this episode he thought he was trying to find out who the killer of his partner in a private detective agency was but it turned out he was there to help the birth of pulp fiction novels. Very clever stuff. Very funny how his character looked like Hunmphrey Bogart.

Suddenly, I realised that Sam sounded like Fry and Al sounded like Bender. You know, the characters from Futurama (one of my other faves). It was weird I sat there thinking how brilliant. Two of my favorite shows in one!

Just totally surreal.

:)x

Jamie Oliver's Flavour Shaker Again!

Last year (oh my gosh - last year already) I posted a comment about Jamie's Flavour Shaker advert. This is the one where the woman shakes her booty. It's crude, sexist and some say racist but as a black woman myself I find it amusing. (At least this woman is using her bum for something.) I think it's funny, I wanted to give you a link in case you hadn't seen it but couldn't find it. Well I've found it on this wonderful thing called the internet!

Even better, he's done the advert with a Mariachi band. I didn't see this one at the time, I think it's amusing too. Don't worry loves, I've given you the link to both adverts below.

Enjoy.... Booty Shaker and Mariachi Shaker.

:)x

Huggies Nappies

I usually hate clever adverts where adults have clearly been working hard at sounding like children.

The one that's been making me wince for ages is the Huggies ad. Two babies are fighting over a "new, stretchier" nappy. They describe it as stretchified and stretchificated - urgh!

Now don't go running out on me y'all because I forgive Huggies for the silly words every time I see the adorable smiles on the faces of those oh so cute babies! They're lovely!

And no, I'm not, not, not broody!!! (At least I don't think so.)

:)x