Search results matching tag 'Sky News'

Why do Rednecks keep chimps?

1704826 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:45:00 GMT

I wasn't so much choking on my cornflakes this morning as puking into my hands when I saw the piece on Sky News about the woman who had her face and hands ripped off by a chimpanzee belonging to a neighbour.

The interview, filmed for The Oprah Winfrey Show, showed what remains of her face - her nose, lips and eyelids were torn off in the attack - obscured by a veil. It also featured a particularly harrowing recording of the chimp owner's 911 call to police.

Untypically unexploitative, the interview revealed the woman to have considerable dignity and bravery considering her ordeal.

If you can bear it, the online story about the escapades of Travis the chimp is here. But don't do what I did and click for the extended content without reading the warning.

It all brought me back to thinking about Jacko again. Perhaps this incident explains why he liked a veil and whether Bubbles really did go and 'live on a farm' after all.

Sky News should show attempts to move the 70-stone fat man live on telly

1704826 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:04:00 GMT

Rolling news services have changed television viewing for ever for news junkies like me. Rather than having to wait to get an evening fix delivered by an authoritative gentlemen speaking to a grateful nation, live news feeds are available all day long and we have Sky News to thank for pioneering this.

While they sometimes end up making news out of the trivial (Gately's funeral dare I say it....), there are occasions when the television footage they show is unmissable.

The NHS's decision to move the heaviest man in Britain, who eats three Chinese meals a night and claims incapacity benefit, from his home in Ipswich to a specialist unit where they'll attempt to cut through the blubber and reduce the size of his stomach is one such TV moment to savour.

Previous efforts, when he was a mere slip of a thing at 56 stone, involved a forklift truck and the removal of walls to prise the former postal worker out. On this occasion the use of a heavylift Chinook helicopter was considered but has now been ruled out in favour of a five ton ambulance. Quite how they get him into the ambulance is a different question.

With elements of ITV's You Bet, it's got the makings of a great live TV event and I'm sure that Change4Life would find sponsoring it would generate a more useful return on investment than sponsoring The Simpsons.

Sky News, Eammon Holmes and Gok Wan-alike

1704826 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:58:00 GMT

At midday today, an estimated 3000 people who have selflessly decided to sacrifice getting a job in order to cause disruption in the name of climate change will set up camp at an as yet unknown London location. They promise 'direct action' in the week-long protest as well as 'workshops'. Exciting stuff.

I learnt this from Sky News' excellent anchor Eammon Holmes who interviewed a spokesperson from the group, who was called Alan, this morning. Unfortunately Alan looked like an even more feminine version of Gok Wan and Holmes, genuinely confused by the person's gender, introduced him as such adding 'I was expecting someone called Alan'. It was brilliant.

He then proceeded to barely hide his contempt for the lazy androgynous loony with a series of sarcastic quesitions. I can't say I ever watched Holmes on GMTV - all a bit too cosy - but he is an excellent and affable host. As well as appearing to be the best resourced news channel, he is part of the reason why Sky News is unmissable television in the morning.

I look forward to watching what the Camp for Action Change get up to over the rest of the week and Holmes' wry commentary on it.

Uri Geller cries all the way to the bank

1704826 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:38:00 GMT

A clip of creepy cutlery twister Uri Geller was on Sky News this morning. It was an excerpt from some more high quality entertainment we can look forward to on ITV1 on Sunday night - My Friend Michael Jackson: Uri's Story.

A blubbing Geller talks about how Jacko was his 'brother' and a 'true friend' and then shows them going shopping to meet that other oddball Mohammed Fayed.

All very moving stuff. Until you remember that it was Geller who introduced Jackson to Martin Bashir whose filmed encounter (also shown on ITV1) arguably led to his complete downfall. The two subsequently fell out and Geller appeared on telly denouncing Jackson's activities with small boys.

In short, other than appearing on rubbish TV shows in the early 80s and talking nonsense about crystals - which memorably failed to help his Exeter FC - Geller only has his acquaintance with another fruitcake to thank his career for. What a strange way to make a living.

Please don't watch it - it'll only encourage Geller as a professional Jackson mourner and mean ITV will make more of this rubbish.

Max, Jacko and Mrs Slocombe's ***

1704826 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:14:00 GMT

What a terrible week for fans of the 70s - three of its biggest stars cark it on the space of one week.

The BBC has received over 700 complaints about its coverage of Jacko's death, an event that unfortunately knocked poor Farrah Fawcett Majors off the news agenda, and the majority of these weren't about it being insensitive but rather that there was too much of it.

Couldn't agree more - even the otherwise excellent Sky News has gone into overdrive and I'm getting pretty sick of what could tastelessly be described as the broadcasters Blanket Coverage.

With Mollie Sugden the latest to join the entertainment chorus line in the Sky, I should imagine that there are some other stars of the 70s contemplating their own mortality.

Anyway, go on Andy Roddick!

Just what the world needs - yet another half-baked blog on Digital Britain

1704826 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:30:00 GMT

The report has certainly got media commentators everywhere worked into a frenzy given that following its consultation the 240-page report largely contains recommendations for further consultations. Nonetheless the fact that the BBC may finally have to share some of the licence fee is of significance.

The switch-off of analogue radio is something that is painfully overdue and the Digital Britain report has said that this should occur by the end of 2015, which is still a painfully long way off. Greater coordination among stakeholders, Ofcom and radio manufacturers is required for this to come any time sooner and thereby help the sickly radio industry.

Of equal importance is ensuring that there is compelling content on DAB-only stations in order that people see the benefits - much like Sky News has done for DTT services -on the principle that 'build it and they will come'. While Adam & Joe on BBC 6Music is enough to convince me that DAB is the future and offers an alternative to the other tawdry analogue-only breakfast shows, this may not be enough for everyone.

We're all pleased about the Gurkhas but steady on Dave Cameron

1704826 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:33:00 GMT

Victory! There's something particularly sweet when the House of Commons defies the will of the Government (probably because it's such a rare occurrence) and genuinely Does The Right Thing, so the vote on the Gurkhas yesterday was electric.

I realise that I've been a little unfair - unlikely bedfellows the Daily Telegraph and the Mirror both campaigned for fair treatment for former soldiers, a subject that also united MPs from all political persuasions who understand the simple principle that if you are good enough to die for this country then you are good enough to live here.

Dave Cameron however seems to have got a bit carried away with it all judging by this clip from Sky News's website when he appears to make a lunge at national treasure Joanna Lumley. While not quite tongue against teeth, it's embarrassing enough.