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On Sunday 11 May 2025, U&Eden broadcasts Parkinson!

Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Parkinson” promises to be an exciting one, featuring a mix of talent from various fields. Airing on U&Eden, this episode will showcase the dynamic TV presenter Charlotte Uhlenbroek, the legendary singer Barry Manilow, and the multi-talented Ben Elton, who is known for his work as a stand-up comedian, scriptwriter, novelist, and director.

Charlotte Uhlenbroek is well-known for her engaging presence on television, particularly in nature documentaries. She brings a unique perspective and enthusiasm that often captivates audiences. Her insights and experiences in the world of TV are sure to make for interesting conversation.

Barry Manilow, a music icon, has a career that spans decades. With countless hits to his name, he is sure to share stories from his journey in the music industry. Fans of his music can look forward to hearing about his creative process...

“Parkinson” is set to return with an exciting episode featuring a diverse lineup of guests. This time, the show will welcome TV presenter Charlotte Uhlenbroek, renowned singer Barry Manilow, and the multi-talented Ben Elton, who is known for his work as a stand-up comedian, scriptwriter, novelist, and director. The episode promises to be a delightful mix of entertainment and insightful conversations.

Charlotte Uhlenbroek, known for her engaging personality and love for wildlife, is expected to share her experiences and adventures. Her passion for nature and storytelling has always captivated audiences, making her a perfect fit for the show.

Barry Manilow, a legendary figure in the music industry, will bring his charm and iconic hits to the stage. Fans can look forward to hearing about his career, inspirations, and perhaps even a few memorable stories from his time in the spotlight.

Ben Elton, with his sharp wit and humor, will add...

The upcoming episode of “Parkinson” promises to be an engaging mix of entertainment and conversation. Scheduled to air on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 11:20 Am on U&Eden, the show will feature a delightful lineup of guests. TV presenter Charlotte Uhlenbroek, known for her work in wildlife documentaries, will share her unique experiences and insights.

Joining her will be the legendary singer Barry Manilow, whose music has touched the hearts of many. His presence is sure to bring a nostalgic vibe as he discusses his career and perhaps shares some stories behind his iconic songs.

The episode will also welcome Ben Elton, a multifaceted talent known for his work as a stand-up comedian, scriptwriter, novelist, and director. His sharp wit and humor are expected to add a lively dynamic to the conversation. Viewers can look forward to a blend of humor, music, and fascinating discussions that showcase the diverse talents of the guests.

NBC’s comedy institution “Saturday Night Live” (“SNL”) is crossing the pond to launch a British edition in partnership with Sky.

The iconic late-night sketch show, which has been a cornerstone of American pop culture since 1975, will debut “Saturday Night Live U.K.” in 2026, bringing its signature mix of political satire, celebrity impersonations and musical performances to British and Irish audiences.

“SNL” mastermind Lorne Michaels, who created the original NBC series, will serve as executive producer for the U.K. adaptation while continuing to steer the American mothership. The London-based version will follow the same live format that has made “SNL” a cultural juggernaut for nearly five decades.

“For over 50 years ‘Saturday Night Live’ has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation all under the masterful comedic guidance of Lorne Michaels,” said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and chief content officer at Sky.

“Live from London, it’s Saturday Night!”

That phrase may not be familiar yet, but that will change next year when NBC’s long-running live sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live hits the U.K. with an official local adaptation.

Comcast-owned Sky and SNL creator Lorne Michaels are taking the venerable old comedy institution across the Atlantic, with Saturday Night Live UK set to air sometime in 2026. The live, fast-paced sketch format will remain the same for the adaptation, with a star-studded lineup of hosts and musical acts complementing a cast of British comedians and comedy writers.

More details on when SNL UK will debut, as well as news on casting, hosts and musical guests will be announced in the coming months.

“For over 50 years Saturday Night Live has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation all under the...

David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin will return in for Ludwig series 2. More news can be found below these words.

David Mitchell has become a familiar face in UK comedy, whether trying to discern who’s telling the truth in Would I Lie To You? or as the uptight Mark Corrigan alongside long time comedy partner Robert Webb in Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain’s Peep Show.

He also took on the role of William Shakespeare in Ben Elton’s sitcom Upstart Crow, and reprised the role for a stage adaptation that opened in 2020 and then again when the play was restaged in 2022.

Just as Alan Davies took a left turn from stand-up comedy to drama in David Renwick’s superb Jonathan Creek, Mitchell recently moved into the realm of crime drama to play the title role in six part BBC series Ludwig.

Anna Maxwell Martin co-stars as Lucy Betts-Taylor,...

Channel 4’s *Sunday Brunch* returns with another lively and entertaining episode airing at 9:30 Am on Sunday, 22 September 2024. This week, the hosts are joined by a fantastic lineup of guests from the worlds of comedy, literature, and music. Ben Elton, the legendary comedian and writer, stops by to chat about his upcoming tour, offering a glimpse into what fans can expect from his live shows.

Rosie Jones brings her trademark humor as she discusses her TV comedy game show *Out of Order*. With her sharp wit and unique perspective, her segment promises plenty of laughs. Alexander Armstrong, well-known for his presenting and acting career, talks about his latest book *The Golden Linnet*, adding a literary touch to the show. Vogue Williams also joins the conversation to share details about her popular podcast, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at her latest projects.

To top it all off, singer-songwriter Tom Walker provides a musical performance,...

David Mitchell leads new BBC crime drama Ludwig, and the trailer for the show has landed. Anna Maxwell Martin co-stars.

David Mitchell has become a familiar face in UK comedy, whether trying to discern who’s telling the truth in Would I Lie To You? or as the uptight Mark Corrigan alongside long time comedy partner Robert Webb in Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain’s Peep Show.

He also took on the role of William Shakespeare in Ben Elton’s sitcom Upstart Crow, and reprised the role for a stage adaptation that opened in 2020 and then again when the play was restaged in 2022

Just as Alan Davies took a left turn from stand-up comedy to drama in David Renwick’s superb Jonathan Creek, Mitchell is now moving into the realm of crime drama to play the title role in six part BBC series Ludwig.

The synopsis reads as follows:

When...

On Saturday 31 August 2024, ITV broadcasts The Chris McCausland Show!

Season 1 Episode 10 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “The Chris McCausland Show” promises a lively start to the day with a blend of comedy and music. Chris McCausland, known for his sharp wit and warm presence, is set to bring the laughs with the help of two special guests. Joining him on the show are comedians Ben Elton and Lou Sanders, both known for their unique humor and ability to keep audiences entertained.

In addition to the comedy, viewers can look forward to a live musical performance from singer-songwriter Cam Cole. His distinct sound and raw talent are sure to add an exciting and dynamic element to the show. With this mix of laughter and live music, “The Chris McCausland Show” offers an ideal way to kick off the day.

Tune in to ITV to catch this episode and enjoy a morning filled with humor,...

Earlier seasons of Blackadder were already popular. The scriptwriting was filled with pathos as well as humor. The last episode almost was a disaster, but saved by post-production.

British comedies have come to be known for their high standard of humor, while also filtering in pathos that can turn any comedic moment into a poignant one. Blackadder is perhaps one of the most striking examples that took audiences by surprise with a breathtaking ending. Rowan Atkinson's portrayal of the titular character isn't far short of being a defining moment in his career, albeit, Edmund Blackadder had a swift personality change after season 1 wasn't quite the success the creators had hoped for. Prior to becoming the dry, sarcastic lead that fans came to love, Blackadder was a bumbling fool who didn't get viewers on side. Baldrick had his wits about him, and it was down to him to provide guidance as a servant.

Jennifer Saunders reunites with the cast of Absolutely Fabulous for a new documentary called Inside Out. Here are the details…

Following the huge success of Bottom: Exposed earlier this year, Gold have commissioned a similar feature length documentary about Absolutely Fabulous called Inside Out. While Bottom: Exposed featured many interviews and talking heads, Inside Out reunites most of the cast – Whitfield passed away in 2018.

Series co-star Jennifer Saunders said to the British Comedy Guide, “I loved making Ab Fab but I can’t remember a great deal, so much of this retrospective is a revelation to me. Thank you Gold for this kind and helpful programme”.

Its other co-star, Joanna Lumley, added: “It was a fabulous wander down memory lane by actresses who only have the faintest grip on reality. Really thrilling, and I hope vastly entertaining. I loved every second”.

Saunders, along with double act partner Dawn French, began...

The Thin Blue Line actor David Haig is adapting his World War II thriller play Pressure into a film. Here are the details.

While David Haig is perhaps best known for his role as Inspector Grimm in Ben Elton’s The Thin Blue Line, he also an acclaimed dramatic actor, delivering the astonishingly dark Playing Sandwiches monologue in Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads series.

Haig is also a prolific playwright, however. He penned the 2004 play My Boy Jack, about Rudyard Kipling’s son fighting in the first World War. He adapted into a television film in 2007, in which he also starred alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Kim Cattrall.

Pressure premiered in 2018. Haig wrote and also starred in the production, which chronicled the story of the decision makers behind the D-Day landings, the tiny window of opportunity they were afforded in choosing between June 5th or June 6th 1944 and the pressure cooker environment in which they worked,...

Alongside feature length documentary Bottom: Exposed, two extended episodes of Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson’s sitcom will debut on Gold this month.

As far as double acts go, to a certain generation Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall are at the apex of anarchic comedy.

Beginning their career at the start of the alternative comedy movement, performing alongside the likes of Hale and Pace, Ben Elton and Andy De La Tour, their violent Twentieth Century Coyote stage act went quickly from The Comedy Store to The Comic Strip, which itself made the leap to television with their now iconic first film Five Go Mad In Dorset. It was quite the transformative time for television comedy, as it was broadcast on Channel 4 exactly a week before the first episode of The Young Ones debuted on rival channel BBC Two.

In 1991, meanwhile, Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson debuted their masterpiece, Bottom.

David Mitchell leads new BBC crime drama Ludwig, and the first details of the show have landed.

David Mitchell has become a familiar face in UK comedy, whether trying to discern who’s telling the truth in Would I Lie To You? or as the uptight Mark Corrigan alongside long time comedy partner Robert Webb in Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain’s Peep Show.

He also took on the role of William Shakespeare in Ben Elton’s sitcom Upstart Crow, and reprised the role for a stage adaptation that opened in 2020 and then again when the play was restaged in 2022

Just as Alan Davies took a left turn from stand-up comedy to drama in David Renwick’s superb Jonathan Creek, Mitchell is now moving into the realm of crime drama to play the title role in six part BBC series Ludwig.

The synopsis reads as follows:

When John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor’s (David Mitchell) identical twin,...

After multiple Oscars, Silver Bears, Golden Globes, Grammys and a Tony, Denzel Washington has earned the right to be called one of the greatest actors of our time. He could drop the surname and still be instantly recognisable – two syllables that guarantee acting excellence.

Key to his success is his ability to mesmerise an audience into seeing past his instantly recognisable face and observing only the character. It’s arguably the central tenet to any actor’s success, yet it is with unusual success and consistency that Denzel Washington has been able to shift from character to character seemingly with ease. This is an actor who rarely repeats himself.

The need for variety and the consistency of execution makes his sole franchise role all the more intriguing. Today sees the digital premiere for the third entry in The Equalizer series, with his Training Day director Antoine Fuqua ending the trilogy...

Steve Coogan is going full Peter Sellers. The Alan Partridge and Philomena star has signed on for a British stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s seminal nuclear war satire Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, with Coogan set to play multiple roles, as Sellers did in the 1964 feature film.

Veep and Death of Stalin director Armando Iannucci is adapting Kubrick’s film for the stage together with Sean Foley. Foley, who has had West End success with such adaptations as The Painkiller starring Kenneth Branagh and Ben Elton’s The Upstart Crow, will also direct the play, which is set to premiere at London’s Noel Coward Theatre on Oct. 8, 2024.

The official Stanley Kubrick account on X, formerly known as Twitter, made the Coogan casting announcement on Tuesday.

Breaking News – Steve Coogan named as lead in the stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s dark comedy Dr. Strangelove.

Wondery and Amazon Music today announce a podcast distribution and ad-sales rep deal with award-winning Welsh comedian Rob Brydon for his hit podcast series Brydon &. The deal will see episodes of the renowned hit show publish one week early and ad-free on Amazon Music (available to Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers and Amazon Prime members) and Wondery+ from May 25th. Brydon & is produced by Rob Brydon in partnership with Talent Bank and will continue to be available on all podcast services after the one-week exclusivity window.

The podcast sees the multi award-winning Brydon chat to some of the biggest names from the world of entertainment, with comedian and author Ben Elton confirmed as the first guest on Amazon Music and Wondery+ on 25th May. Brydon’s interview with Steve Coogan will also be available on all podcast services on 25th May. Future star interviews range from former Doctor Who companion Arthur Darvill...

“Hustlers” director Lorene Scafaria has been tapped to direct Paramount’s “Bee Gees” film, TheWrap has confirmed. She replaces John Carney, who exited the project due to a scheduling conflict.

In March of this year, “Sing Street” filmmaker Carney stepped in for Kenneth Branagh, who was originally attached when the project was announced in March 2021.

Oscar-nominee John Logan wrote the latest draft of the script. He also signed on to the project in 2021, taking over from screenwriter Ben Elton.

The Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb will executive produce the still-untitled film about his band with late brothers Maurice and Robin. One of the most commercially successful music groups of all time, they rose to fame in the late ’60s and exploded with “Stayin’ Alive” in the ’70s.

Also Read:

John Carney to Direct Paramount’s Bee Gees Biopic

The trio was the subject of the 2020 HBO documentary “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,...

Comedian Jordan Gray has responded to the viewers who complained to Ofcom after she stripped naked on Channel 4 as part of the revival of Friday Night Live.

The Eighties comedy series returned for a one-off episode on 21 October as part of the channel’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

Ben Elton was back as the host, along with former Friday Night Live cast members Harry Enfield, Jo Brand and Julian Clary.

A number of new comedians also appeared on the show, including Gray.

Gray, who is trans, performed a rendition of the song “Better than You” from her hit Edinburgh Fringe show Is It A Bird?.

At the end of the song, Gray shouted out: “The best thing about live TV is I can do stupid stuff like this…”

After improvising on the keyboard, she then ran across the stage and stripped completely naked to applause and cheers from the audience,...

Comedian Jordan Gray stripped naked on Channel 4 as part of the revived special episode of Friday Night Live.

The Eighties comedy series returned for a one-off episode on Friday (21 October) as part of the channel’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

Ben Elton was back at the helm, along with former Friday Night Live cast members Enfield, Brand and Julian Clary.

A number of new comedians also appeared on the show, including Gray.

The comic – who is trans – performed a rendition of the song “Better Than You” from her critically acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe show Is It A Bird?.

At the end of the song, Gray – who competed on The Voice in 2016 – shouted out: “The best thing about live TV is I can do stupid stuff like this.”

After improvising on the keyboard, she then ran across the stage and stripped completely naked to applause and cheers from the audience, before returning...

Gogglebox fans have been left unimpressed by Channel 4’s latest announcement about the show.

The popular entertainment series was set to broadcast a new episode on Friday (21 October).

However, it’s now been revealed that the show has been postponed in favour of Ben Elton’s new series Friday Night Live.

The next episode of Gogglebox will air on Saturday (22 October) instead, with Channel 4 stating: “It’s one for your diary. Brand new Gogglebox isn’t on its usual Friday night spot. Saturday at 9pm is your go-to for this week over on Channel 4.”

Fans of the show who had been patiently waiting for the new episode shared their frustration with the news on social media.

“I woke up in a good mood with thoughts of new #TheRingsofPower. Then I remembered, it ended last week. Never mind, it’s Friday – #GoggleBox day! Then I remembered, for some nonsensical reason...

Viewers of The Great British Bake Off have criticised the latest episode for its “offensive” depiction of Mexican food and culture.

The popular Channel 4 reality series branded its latest instalment “Mexican Week”, and saw contestants try their hand at making food inspired by Mexican cuisine.

Fans of the series condemned the stereotypical placement of sombreros and maracas in the episode, as well as a cake decorated with a moustache. The show’s presenters were also criticised for mispronouncing Spanish words, and for making “tacky” jokes.

In one clip, which was used in the social media promotion for the show, Lucas is seen using the typically Spanish name “Juan” to pun on “one”.

The episode also saw contestants make tacos, which some viewers described as “butchering” the famous Mexican dish – while others suggested the segment was a needless abandonment of the show’s baking-first premise.

“I love Bake Off, but Mexican week was a mistake,...

The café and restaurant at Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat farm has been ordered to close over an alleged violation of planning laws.

Situated at the former Top Gear star’s rural property in Chadlington, West Oxfordshire, the farm was the focus of the hit Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm.

A restaurant opened on the premesis in July, folllowing two rejected applications.

West Oxfordshire District Council (Wodc) served the farm a notice in August ordering it to undertake a number of measures within six weeks.

These included the removal of tables used for dining, mobile toilets, and landscaping materials. It was also instructed to cease selling products that were not produced on the farm or within a 16-mile radius (without council approval).

The council claimed that the farm was being used “unlawfully”, claiming that its “nature” and “scale” were “incompatible” with the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

In a statement,...

Ben Elton is bringing back Friday Night Live for a one-off special.

Airing from 1985 to 1988, the Channel 4 series – originally called Saturday Live – was known for catapulting comedians such as Harry Enfield, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie to stardom.

Jo Brand’s first ever TV appearance came on the show, which featured a mix of stand-up comedy and topical sketches. Episodes were broadcast live, but featured a small amount of pre-recorded material as well.

On Thursday 6 October, Channel 4 announced that the show would be returning in October for a special episode as part of the channel’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

Elton will be back at the helm, along with former cast members Enfield, Brand and Julian Clary.

They will be joined by comics including Rosie Jones, Mawaan Rizwan, Jordan Gray, Ronni Ancona and Sam Campbell. Self Esteem will also perform.

Friday Night Live originally aired on a Saturday, but moved...

As regular as Christmas clockwork, no sooner do the evenings begin to draw in and the firesides begin to warm the house with their soft glow, the seasonal TV and movie schedules come out. We all have our yuletide favourites – well-remembered classics from our childhood which sit alongside more recent festive fare – but one story reigns high above all else as the perfect Christmas tale.

Alastair Sim – putting the Og in ScroOGe back in ’51.

There have been many dozens of adaptations of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol over the years. Some set their scene in the traditional Victoriana of Dickens’ tale, others go farther afield, gender-swapping Scrooge or even anthropomorphise him as with the 1998 video classic – An All Dogs Christmas Carol. Anyone can be rich and redeemed! Those interested in becoming as wealthy as Mr. S can stop off at refuelcasino to try their hand at amassing their own well-stocked counting house.

Exclusive: Saturday Night Live is heading to the UK.

Deadline understands that a British version of the long-running NBC comedy variety series is in the works at Sky. The project is in the early stages of development.

This would mark the most high-profile international adaptation of the Lorne Michaels-created series, which has been remade in a number of territories around the world including in China, Germany, Italy and South Korea.

SNL reps are understood to be in London at the moment discussing the deal with Sky, which is owned by Comcast, the media conglomerate that also owns NBC. SNL is produced by Broadway Video and SNL Studios with Michaels as creator and exec producer.

The move is the talk of British entertainment and talent circles with comedians lining up to be involved.

Casting, both in front of and behind the camera will be key to the project’s success...

Paramount has shifted the release dates of many of its blockbusters, including first bumping back Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick” and the seventh and eighth “Mission: Impossible” films.

“Top Gun: Maverick” will now open November 19, 2021, sliding back from a July 4 holiday weekend. And “Maverick,” which is co-produced by Skydance, is taking the spot previously held by “Mission: Impossible 7.” The “Mission: Impossible” sequel will now open May 27, 2022. That also pushes “Mi:8” to July 7, 2023 from November 2022.

Other release date changes and announcements include for “Snake Eyes,” “Jackass,” the untitled “Bee Gees” biopic and even a new “Star Trek” movie.

Next up for Paramount is “Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe – Origins,” which moved up from Oct. 22 to now open on July 23, 2021. That film stars Henry Golding as the character based on the Hasbro toy line and is directed by Robert Schwentke. Then there’s “Jackass,” the revival of the 2000s stunt and prank show,...

Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh has been tapped to direct an upcoming biopic centred on disco legends The Bee Gees. Paramount Pictures' currently untitled Bee Gees movie will be produced by Gk Films, Amblin and Sister, with Bee Gees member Barry Gibb on board as an executive producer.

The biopic is being written by British comedian, author, and playwright Ben Elton, who previously worked alongside Branagh for the 2018 period movie All Is True, which detailed the final days in the life of renowned playwright William Shakespeare. The Bee Gees biopic has long been sat at Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks, before moving to Amblin, and will now be released by Paramount Pictures through Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King, who has teamed up with former DreamWorks exec Stacey Snider and her new production company, Sister.

While the plot of the movie is unknown at this time, the Bee Gees biopic will likely follow the lives of brothers Barry,...

How deep is director Kenneth Branagh’s love for the Bee Gees? I suppose we’re about to find out. The veteran director has been tapped to direct the untitled Bee Gees biopic for Paramount, according to Deadline.

Branagh’s notable directing and acting career is marked by a string of Academy Award-nominated Shakespeare adaptations throughout the ’90s, including “Henry V,” “Hamlet,” and the joyful “Much Ado About Nothing.” Other directorial credits include “A Midwinter’s Tale,” “Sleuth,” “Thor,” the Lily James-led “Cinderella,” and “Murder on the Orient Express.”

Paramount has also tapped screenwriter Ben Elton to draft the film’s screenplay.

Continue reading Kenneth Branagh To Direct A Bee Gees Biopic For Paramount at The Playlist.

Kenneth Branagh will direct the Bee Gees biopic for Paramount Pictures, an individual with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap.

Ben Elton is writing the script for the film that is still untitled. It will follow the life and career of brothers Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb — following their first No. 1 hit “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” the band went on to write and perform hundreds of songs, and also worked on the soundtrack for 1977’s “Saturday Night Fever.

The Bee Gees were also the subject of HBO’s recent documentary titled “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” directed by Frank Marshall.

Barry Gibb is the only surviving member of the band — Maurice died in 2003 and Robin died in 2012.

Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment is producing alongside Graham King via Gk Films and the production company Sister. Barry Gibb will serve as executive producer.

Branagh most recently...

Kenneth Branagh has been tapped to direct the upcoming Bee Gees biopic for Paramount Pictures.

The movie will center on the life and times of the genre-spanning band, following the humble beginnings of brothers Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb into their journey to pop superstardom. Following their first No. 1 hit “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” the Bee Gees went on to write and perform hundreds of popular songs and worked on the soundtrack for the 1977 film “Saturday Night Fever.”

Ben Elton is writing the script for the still-untitled biopic.

The band was the subject of a recent HBO documentary titled “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” which was directed by Frank Marshall. Barry Gibb, the only surviving member of the band, was interviewed for the doc; Maurice died in 2003 and Robin in 2012.

Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment is producing the film with “Bohemian Rhapsody” producer Graham King...

Kenneth Branagh has been set to direct the untitled Bee Gees biopic movie for Paramount Pictures.

The film got set up in a massive rights package in late 2019 by Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King at Gk and it became the first film project for Sister — the venture launched by Elisabeth Murdoch, Stacey Snider and Jane Featherstone. Amblin quickly came aboard as producer and financier of 25% of the film.

Barry Gibb, who participated in the touching Frank Marshall-directed HBO documentary How Can You Mend a Broken Heart about the Gibb siblings, is very involved in the narrative film, and will be executive producer.

Ben Elton is writing the current draft of the screenplay. Among his scripting credits is All Is True, the 2018 pic which Branagh directed and starred as William Shakespeare.

In that deal that Deadline broke in 2019, Paramount got life rights to the Gibb family estate, and the rights...

Kenneth Branagh is set to direct Paramount Pictures’ untitled Bee Gees movie.

The biopic, with Ben Elton writing the script, had long gestated at Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks and, more recently, at Amblin, before heading to Paramount through Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King, who had teamed with former DreamWorks exec Stacey Snider and her new company Sister.

Gk Films, Amblin and Sister will produce, and Barry Gibb will executive produce.

The Bee Gees, comprised of Gibb brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice, are among the world’s best-selling music artists of all time. The British-Australian pop trio rose to fame in the 1960s and ...

Kenneth Branagh is set to direct Paramount Pictures’ untitled Bee Gees movie.

The Bee Gees biopic, with Ben Elton writing the script, had long gestated at Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks and more recently at Amblin, before heading to Paramount through Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King, who had teamed with former DreamWorks exec Stacey Snider and her new company Sister.

Gk Films, Amblin, and Sister will produce, and Barry Gibb will executive produce.

The Bee Gees, comprised of Gibb brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice, are among the world’s best-selling music artists of all time. The British-Australian pop trio rose to fame in the ...

Exclusive: Grammy nominated recording artist Wale Folarin, Cedric Sanders, Jackson White, Colin Woodell and Olivia Stambouliah are joining Michael Bay’s Endeavor Content-Universal action thriller Ambulance, we have learned.

The five join the growing cast that includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eiza Gonzalez, Garret Dillahunt, A Martinez, Keir O’Donnell and Moses Ingram.

As we first told you, the pic is based off the original Danish Film Ambulancen and in the spirit of such 1990s action pics as Speed and Bad Boys. Chris Fedak wrote the original script. Bay, Bradley Fischer of New Republic Pictures, James Vanderbilt, Will Sherak and Ian Bryce are producing. Michael Kase and Mark Moran are EPs.

Folarin is best known as a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum recording artist. Folarin’s albums The Gifted [2013] and The Album About Nothing [2015] were both named to the Billboard 200 at #1 back-to-back with follow up, “Ambition” achieving gold certification. To this day, he...

Mr. Bean and Johnny English actor Rowan Atkinson has bemoaned the rise of cancel culture, comparing keyboard warriors to a “medieval mob roaming the streets looking for someone to burn.”

In an interview with the Radio Times, the multi-hyphenated British star blamed social media platforms for increased levels of polarization, which he said makes him fearful for the future of freedom of speech.

“The problem we have online is that an algorithm decides what we want to see, which ends up creating a simplistic, binary view of society. It becomes a case of either you’re with us or against us. And if you’re against us, you deserve to be ‘cancelled’,” Atkinson said.

“It’s important that we’re exposed to a wide spectrum of opinion, but what we have now is the digital equivalent of the medieval mob roaming the streets looking for someone to burn. So it...

In this claustrophobic if unconvincing thriller, an arrogant landowner incurs the wrath of the builders renovating his ancestral home

There’s some really strong acting talent involved in this claustrophobic thriller set in south Wales, including the excellent Steve Speirs, who recently showed what a great comic turn he is as Burbage in Ben Elton’s Upstart Crow. But, however much I wanted to like it, this film never quite gelled: the dialogue and the confrontations seemed forced; some characters looked and sounded like caricatures; and the moment of escalation from tension into open violence was unconvincing.

Kevin Guthrie plays Simon, an arrogant landowner who is refurbishing the ancestral home as part of a colossal tax dodge on the advice of his slippery accountant Richard (James Lance). To do this, he has hired five builders: Bob (Speirs), Jim (Chris Reilly), Dave (William Thomas), Steve (Charley Palmer Rothwell) and Viktor (Goran Bogdan...

Written by Cecil Castellucci | Art by Emanuela Lupacchino, Various | Published by DC Comics

First off, full confession, I have not read a single issue of this book before this one. No particular reason, but there are only so many hours in the day, and this was not a book that really registered on my radar. So why pick this up? Firstly, I love the character. I’ve been reading Barbara Gordon’s exploits as far back as the 1970’s, in various back-ups, and she was always a good character, though she endured a few mediocre adventures along the way. Obviously The Killing Joke changed things seemingly forever for Babs, and as Oracle she carved out another decent career. We’ve come full circle of course. The other reason I picked this up? I knew it was the last issue of the run, which tend to be very good, and also...

‘The Heights’, shot at ABC Studios Perth.

Long-mooted, a studio precinct in Western Australia looks finally set to become a reality, with the state government today formally calling for market-led proposals to build, locate and operate a Perth-based facility.

As per Minister for Local Government, Heritage, Culture and the Arts David Templeman’s announcement, the proposed facility would provide studio, digital and post-production activities to complement the state’s recent boom in location-based production due to the $16 million Wa Regional Film Fund. The studio must also meet requirements of the emerging games and immersive technologies sectors.

More specifically, the proposal should include:

a sound stage between 2,323 square metres and 3,716 square metres with a 15-metre ceiling and large opening doors so that trucks can drive in/out; two to three smaller sound stages of at least 929 square metres; production offices of approximately 1,000 square metres; two construction workshops of at least 675 square metres each; costume,...

‘H is for Happiness’, previously supported by the Warff.

The Western Australian Government has topped up the state’s regional film fund with a further $16 million over the next four years.

Screenwest will administer the Wa Screen Fund, designed to encourage production in regional areas, boost local economies and drive tourism.

The funds come via the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

First launched in 2016, the Warff has helped to drive an upswing in production in Wa in recent years.

Among the projects the fund has backed are both seasons of Bunya Productions’ ABC drama Mystery Road, Lingo Pictures’ Upright, Komixx Entertainment’s children’s series Itch, docuseries Aussie Gold Hunters, as well as films such as Gregor Jordan’s Dirt Music, Simon Baker’s Breath, Jeremy Sims’ Rams, Owen Trevor’s Go!, Ben Elton’s Three Summers and John Sheedy’s H is for Happiness.

The new fund...

There’s no dearth of crisp, stylized comedies on British television and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag is not the only Brit sitcom worth watching. Comedian David Mitchell of Peep Show fame has been starring in the Ben Elton comedy Upstart Crow, which takes a cheeky look at William Shakespeare’s life and also uses old-timey parallels to poke fun at modern pop culture.

Related: Peep Show: 10 Episodes That'll Never Get Old

Upstart Crow also premiered on stage early this year at the Gielgud Theatre in West End, where the star cast reprised their roles. The show does a brilliant job of critiquing the flaws of both Elizabethan culture and the modern entertainment industry simultaneously.

Here are just a few reasons why Upstart Crow is absolutely unmissable when it comes to British comedies.

The writers of All Is True, Hotel Mumbai, Relic, Ride Like a Girl and The Favourite have been nominated for best original feature film in the 52nd annual Awgie Awards.

Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears (Deb Cox) and True History of the Kelly Gang (Shaun Grant) are the contenders for the feature film adaptation category.

Andrew Knight scored two nominations, for Ride Like a Girl (shared with Elise McCredie) and for TV series or miniseries for an episode of ABC’s Jack Irish, competing with Bloom (Glen Dolman), Secret City: Under the Eagle (Matt Cameron) and The End (Samantha Strauss).

Ben Elton wrote All is True, John Collee and Anthony Maras wrote Hotel Mumbai, Christian White and Natalie Erika James scripted Relic and Tony McNamara and Deborah Davis collaborated on The Favourite.

In the running for telemovie or miniseries up to four hours are The Cry (Jacquelin Perske...

Patty Jenkins is now known as the director behind celebrated films “Monster” and “Wonder Woman,” as well as the recent gritty TNT limited drama series “I Am the Night.” But her first passion is comedy — and in particular, surreal, absurdist comedy.

“A lot of my friends who I’d known in the comedy world, in the ’90s, in New York, were shocked [after ‘Monster’ was released],” she told Variety‘s “My Favorite Episode” podcast. “They were sort of like, ‘we all thought you were, like, a comedy person — what happened?'”

Jenkins said she’s been obsessed with comedy since listening repeatedly to Steve Martin’s “Wild and Crazy Guy” album. “There was something about edgy, interesting comedy that always has really delighted me and caught my imagination,” she said. “I always was, all through my youth, going out of my way to find kind of underground, comedic things.”

As she...

Left to Right: Judi Dench as Anne Hathaway Shakespeare and Kenneth Branagh as William Shakespeare. Photo by Robert Youngson. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

Kenneth Branagh returns to William Shakespeare but this time it is not one of Shakespeare’s works but the Bard himself that Sir Kenneth takes on. All Is True is an imagined tale of Shakespeare’s life after he retired from the stage and plays, and returned to his home in Stratford-upon-Avon where he lived out the last three years of his life. Of course, not all is true in All Is True, because there is much that is not known about this part of Shakespeare’s life. A few facts are known and they serve as the starting point. All Is True creates a tale based on what is known, spinning a plausible and entertaining tale based on what is true, much as Shakespeare did in his history plays.

Don Kaye May 15, 2019

After directing and filming many of Shakespeare’s plays, Kenneth Branagh finally played the Bard himself.

After Laurence Olivier, modern film audiences probably associate Irish writer and director Kenneth Branagh most closely with the works of William Shakespeare. Branagh’s breakout film was 1989’s Henry V, which he adapted, directed and starred in, and he went on to direct and/or star in four more film versions of the Bard’s plays: Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Hamlet (1996), Love’s Labour Lost (2000) and As You Like It (2006). He also played Iago in a 1995 version of Othello which he did not direct, and has also directed and performed in numerous stage versions of Shakespeare’s works as well.

So it seems to make sense that Branagh would actually play Shakespeare himself, which he does in All is True, a new film he directed from a script by British comedian and author Ben Elton.

From director Kenneth Branagh and screenwriter Ben Elton, All Is True explores the last three years in the life of William Shakespeare (also played by Branagh), as he leaves London after a fire destroys the Globe Theatre and returns to his family in Stratford-upon-Avon. Once he’s back home, he tries to connect with his wife Anne (Judi Dench) and daughters Judith (Kathryn Wilder) and Susanna (Lydia Wilson), who are not particularly pleased that he’s back, especially with as haunted as he still is over the death of his son Hamnet, when he was only 11. At …...

While working on studio projects, Kenneth Branagh had also been pursuing a more ‘indie’ project with All Is True, returning to his longtime interest in Shakespeare. Starring Branagh along with Judi Dench and Ian McKellen, the filmmaker/actor called up his pals at Sony Classics about taking on the title, which it opens stateside this weekend. Following doc hits Apollo 11 and Amazing Grace, Neon is going for three with the Friday release of documentary The Biggest Little Farm, which debuted in Telluride last fall. IFC Films is opening crime biodrama Charlie Says by director Mary Harron and starring Matt Smith and Hannah Murray in the top 25 markets this weekend ahead of its on-demand availability beginning May 17, while Cohen Media Group is out with French-language drama My Son starring Guillaume Canet in New York and L.A.

Other limited releases include Kino Lorber’s Pasolini from Abel Ferrara, starring Willem Dafoe...

Sir Kenneth Branagh has spent a major part of his career interpreting the works of William Shakespeare. His 1989 breakthrough in film featured Branagh as the star and director of Henry V (he won Oscar nominations for both jobs). So it only seems fair that Branagh should be the one to play the Bard in All Is True, directing a mesmerizing meditation on the last days of the greatest writer in the English language.

Such a grandiose statement may lead you to fear that Branagh and screenwriter Ben Elton mean to...

How do we honor an icon when so little truth is known about his life? If Kenneth Branagh’s earnest Shakespearean biopic is any guide, we would do best to stick with the Bard’s own works. Indeed, it’s hard to watch “All Is True” without noticing what’s missing most: the nimble wit and profound insight we’ve already seen in Branagh’s own Shakespearean adaptations.

One can certainly empathize with the director’s desire to dig more deeply, after 35 years of committing the Bard of Avon’s work to stage and screen so successfully. But in the end, this fictionalized biography primarily reminds us how rare its subject’s talents really were.

As depicted by screenwriter Ben Elton, Shakespeare (Branagh) comes home to Stratford in 1613, hoping for a quiet retirement. He has been devastated by a recent fire, which burned his beloved Globe Theatre to the ground.

All Is True Sony Pictures Classics Reviewed for Shockya.com & BigAppleReviews.net linked from Rotten Tomatoes by: Harvey Karten Director: Kenneth Branagh Screenwriter: Ben Elton Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen Screened at: Sony, NYC, 4/11/19 Opens: May 10, 2019 Shakespeare has been mutilating college students’ Gpa for decades, maybe centuries, as English majors, perfectly […]

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