News

Stalwart UK lit agency Casarotto Ramsay & Associates has appointed leading agent Jodi Shields to the position of Chairwoman with overall responsibility for the company.

Following three decades at the firm, most recently overseeing the film and TV business, Shields now takes on the newly created role.

Tracy Brimm, who joined in 2018 as Creative Affairs Executive will expand her role to include the position of Head of Film and Television.

As Chairwoman, Shields will serve as the strategic lead, working closely with COO Ian Devlin, Head of Theatre Mel Kenyon, the board of directors, heads of department and the advisory board. The role aims to shape the company’s long-term vision and “ensure that the values of the independent agency continue to grow and evolve”. Alongside her tenure as Chairwoman, she will continue her work as a senior agent.

Shields joined the company in 1998, nine years after it was founded...

BBC One’s Have I Got News For You rewrote its closing round just minutes before Friday’s recording after producers learned of the day-long social-media brawl between President Donald Trump and Tesla-SpaceX chief Elon Musk. Host Richard Ayoade fronted the season-69 finale, joined by panellists Jack Dee and sports broadcaster Kelly Cates at Riverside Studios; the episode airs tonight at 9 p.m. and later on BBC iPlayer.

Hat Trick Productions often tapes the show on transmission day to allow late edits, but crew members told Deadline that Thursday’s rewrite was “one of the sharpest pivots in years,” with new graphics illustrating the Trump-Musk exchanges dropped into the autocue on site.

The feud dominating the fresh material began when Musk called Trump’s flagship “Big Beautiful Bill” a “disgusting abomination” and backed a post urging Congress to impeach him, while also alleging the president appears in sealed Jeffrey Epstein files.

Exclusive: It was the bust-up that was long predicted, but spectacular nonetheless. Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s steady separation suddenly went thermonuclear on Thursday, with the former Maga mates exchanging Molotovs across two social media platforms.

Deadline hears that the fireworks broke out as Hat Trick Productions was recording the final episode in the current season of BBC comedy series Have I Got News For You. Cameras were about to be shut down for the night when producers decided to throw the Trump-Musk meltdown at presenter Richard Ayoade and teams led by Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.

Have I Got News For You is always filmed up to the wire to maintain its topicality, but it’s rare that producers toss a breaking news story into the mix. We hear that Trump vs Musk will feature towards the end of the show, with Merton and Hislop offering their typically...

“I believe the word we’re looking for … is motherf*cker.”

This was a correct answer to a question on a CNN comedy quiz show.

That’s right, a quiz show.

That’s right, comedy.

That’s right… CNN!

The show is Have I Got News For You, which debuted Sept. 14 and is now streaming on Max. Hosted by Roy Wood Jr. and featuring comedians Michael Ian Black and Amber Ruffin as regular panelists alongside two guests per episode, the program satirizes and reflects on the week’s news. And...

Roy Wood Jr. is getting back into the news-and-comedy game.

The comedian and Daily Show alum has been named the host of Have I Got News for You at CNN. The cable news outlet will debut its version of the long-running BBC panel show on Sept. 14.

Have I Got News for You is a BBC staple, having been on the air since 1990. The show features two teams of panelists answering questions about the week’s news, with a heavy dose of humor. CNN announced in May that it was developing its own version of the show with Hat Trick Productions, producer of the BBC show.

“For far too long immigrants have been coming to America and taking Black jobs, kudos to CNN and the immigrants at Hat Trick Productions for bringing a Black job to the States,” Wood said in a statement. “It is an honor to be a part...

Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock and other comedians from around the world are on the guest list on Friday for an audience with Pope Francis.

According to the Vatican’s news site, the meeting “promises to be a moment of meaningful intercultural dialogue and sharing of joy and hope.”

Those on the guest list also include Jim Gaffigan, Whoopi Goldberg, Tig Notaro and Conan O’Brien. Also on the list of James Martin, the Jesuit priest who was dubbed the chaplain of The Colbert Report. In total, more than 100 guests are on the list for the papal audience. Ian Hislop and Stephen Merchant are guests from the UK.

The Vatican noted that in an interview with an Italian TV channel, the pope said that he “prays daily in the words of St. Thomas More, asking the Lord to grant him a sense of humor.”

The meeting was organized by the...

Have I Got News for You returns to BBC One with a brand new episode on Friday, 7 June 2024. The episode welcomes comedian Alex Horne as host, with guest panellists Jack Dee and broadcaster Carol Vorderman. Joining the trio are the show’s regular team captains, Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, as they come together […]

Have I Got News for You: Alex Horne, Jack Dee, Carol Vorderman...

The line up for Taskmaster series 18 has been confirmed, with Jack Dee and Rosie Jones among the famous names.

Now that we’ve come to the end of yet another joyous ten weeks of Taskmaster, it’s already time to look forward to the next series.

According to the British Comedy Guide, the line up for series 18 is as follows: Andy Zaltzman, Babatunde Aléshé, Emma Sidi, Jack Dee and Rosie Jones.

The British Comedy Guide also reported that a new spin-off series called Taskmasterclass will begin on Channel 4 on Thursday 6th June. The show will highlight the contribution of “brains behind the tasks, and feature interviews with former contestants about their time on the programme”. Greg Davies and Little Alex Horne will narrate the hour-long episodes. In the first one, the hosts will discuss “whether there is any point to the seemingly pointless tasks on Taskmaster“, in the process...

The long-running satirical news quiz show Have I Got News for You returns to BBC One with another brand new episode. The episode, airing on Friday 31 May, features Victoria Coren Mitchell as host, with guest panellists Chris McCausland and Sophy Ridge joining team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop. In this episode, the guest […]

Have I Got News for You: Victoria Coren Mitchell, Chris McCausland...

CNN is taking a swing at comedy, with plans to launch a U.S. version of the long-running BBC comedy quiz show Have I Got News For You.

The program was announced during Warner Bros. Discovery’s upfront presentation Wednesday morning. CNN is calling it a limited series, with a debut set for the fall.

Have I Got News For You is in its 66th season at the BBC, having launched in 1990. The program features two teams of panelists who answer questions about the week’s news, cracking jokes and sparking discussions in the process. Hat Trick Productions, the company behind the BBC series, will also produce the U.S. edition.

CNN did not announce a host or any regular panelists (the BBC version features Ian Hislop and Paul Merton as regular panelists).

Have I Got News For You will be CNN’s first real foray into the comedy space,...

The Oscar-nominated novelist, screenwriter and essayist Nick Hornby below writes a special tribute for Deadline commemorating Jenne Casarotto, his agent for nearly 30 years, who died on February 29 aged 77.

The industry titan, who co-founded leading British talent agency Casarotto Ramsay & Associates in 1989, was eulogized today by family, friends and close colleagues at an event named a Celebration of the Life of Jenne Casarotto in the Queen Elizabeth Hall located in London’s Southbank Centre.

Private Eye editor Ian Hislop welcomed guests. Agent colleagues Abby Singer, Mel Kenyon and Jodi Shields spoke of working with Jenne, her son Mark Casarotto commemorated his mother, and producers Jeremy Thomas and Tim Bevan and longtime director clients John Madden and Shawn Slovo told stories about the Jenne they knew and loved.

During the ceremony, it was announced that Casarotto Ramsay & Associates and the National Film and Television School have established The Jenne Casarotto Scholarship...

The BBC is developing a sports based spin-off of long running panel show Have I Got News For You, currently called Have I Got Sports For You

Have I Got News For You stands as one of the longest running panel shows on television. Starting in 1990, team captains Paul Merton and Private Eye editor Ian Hislop are still with the show 34 years later. Classic moments include the show where Roy Hattersley was replaced at the last minute with a tub of lard, the show which immediately followed a scandal involving original host Angus Deayton, prompting Hislop to bring in a copy of News Of The World only for Merton to upstage him by getting the front cover printed up as a t-shirt. Then, the legendary 2008 edition hosted by Brian Blessed.

The BBC is currently in the process of developing a spin-off entitled Have I Got Sports For You. It will...

Charlotte Ivers, a guest panellist on the latest episode of Have I Got News For You, has responded to criticism of her blinking on Twitter.

On last night’s episode (14 April) of the BBC One comedy current affairs show, Ivers was introduced by host Charlie Brooker as a “Sunday Times journalist and broadcaster who worked as a special adviser to Theresa May in 2019”. He quipped: “That special advice presumably being ‘quit’.”

While the show was airing, one viewer felt compelled to ask Twitter: “Why does Charlotte Ivers keep blinking?”

On Saturday morning (15 April), Ivers quoted the tweet, writing: “I don’t f***ing know Jack are we not meant to be blinking at the moment I can’t keep up with the trends Jesus.”

In a follow-up tweet, she wrote: “(This is mildly unfair I know I do a weird fluttering thing with my eyes but I Dont Know...

When it was announced yesterday that Frankie Boyle’s BBC series New World Order had been cancelled, the comedian’s reaction was frank but restrained. “Not surprising in the current climate, I suppose,” he told fans on Twitter, many of whom had followed his superb topical panel show devotedly for the five years it was on the air. Boyle didn’t elaborate on what he meant by the words “current climate”, but it doesn’t take too many imaginative leaps to hazard a guess. New World Order was one of the few shows on TV that was sincerely and unapologetically left-wing. And politically speaking, the BBC is in the midst of a full-fledged climate crisis.

It’s not good for optics that New World Order’s cancellation comes just weeks after the BBC was embroiled in an impartiality row with Match of the Day host Gary Lineker. The dispute – prompted...

Piers Morgan has called out the BBC’s coverage of the Qatar World Cup opening ceremony.

Those tuning into watch the event on Sunday (20 November) instead found Gary Lineker delivering an opening monologue, in which he criticised the host country’s treatment of migrant workers as well as its record on human rights.

Ahead of the first match, which was between Qatar and Ecuador, Lineker explained why the World Cup had become “the most controversial in history”.

Instead of showing events from the opening ceremony, which included a divisive cameo from Morgan Freeman, Lineker presented a segment that highlighted the allegations of corruption behind Fifa’s decision to let the country host the tournament.

He then led his fellow pundits Alex Scott, Ashley Williams and Alan Shearer in a discussion regarding workers rights and the country’s discriminatory laws against the LGBTQ+ community.

Morgan said the BBC’s decision to...

The BBC has debunked Piers Morgan ‘s criticism of its Qatar World Cup opening ceremony coverage.

Morgan took issue with the channel’s decision to not show the event, which included a divisive cameo from Morgan Freeman, in favour of reports on the controversy surrounding Qatar’s selection as host country.

Those tuning into watch the event on Sunday (20 November) instead found Gary Lineker delivering an opening monologue, in which he criticised the host country’s record on human rights.

Ahead of the first match, which was between Qatar and Ecuador, Lineker explained why the World Cup had become “the most controversial in history”.

He then led his fellow pundits Alex Scott, Ashley Williams and Alan Shearer in a discussion regarding workers’ rights and the country’s discriminatory laws against the LGBTQ+ community.

Morgan claimed that the BBC’s decision to lead on the controversy as opposed to the opening...

Rod Stewart has revealed he turned down more than 1m to play in Qatar.

The musician was discussing the forthcoming World Cup when he explained that he’d actually been asked to play a show in the country in 2021.

“I was actually offered a lot of money, over 1m, to play there 15 months ago,” Stewart, 77, told The Sunday Times. “I turned it down. It’s not right to go. And the Iranians should be out too for supplying arms.”

The rocker’s comments come as comedian Joe Lycett told David Beckham he would shred £10,000 if the sportsman didn’t pull out of his Qatar World Cup deal. He is reportedly being paid £10m to be an ambassador.

Beckham has been heavily criticised for accepting the money from a country where homosexuality is illegal, given that he has previously been viewed as a great ally of the LGBTQ+ community.

Many fans...

Khalid Abdalla, the actor who portrays Dodi Fayed in season five of Netflix’s royal drama The Crown, has said the Egyptian film producer has “never really been mourned because he’s never really been known”.

Dodi was the son of billionaire and former Harrods owner Mohamed al-Fayed, and he was in a relationship with Princess Diana when they both died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

Speaking about how little is known about Dodi, who only lived to the age of 42, Abdalla told The Independent: “Dodi’s name has been on people’s lips for 25 years and yet nobody really knows anything about him. When they actually ask themselves, ‘What do I know?’ They might get as far as they know who his father was, and they’ll have the word ‘playboy’, and that’s about it.”

He said: “You ask yourself the question, ‘Wait, how come...

Mark Ruffalo has pleaded with Elon Musk to change his approach to running Twitter.

Musk completed his acquisition of the social media company on 27 October. The time since has seen upheaval at the company with layoffs, and the controversial proposal of a new subscription plan, in which users can pay for the “blue tick” verification badge.

In a series of tweets over the weekend, Ruffalo wrote directly to Musk following an accusation by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that Twitter had “bricked” her profile after she condemned Musk’s plans to introduce a payment model for verification.

The Marvel star wrote: “Elon. Please – for the love of decency – get off Twitter, hand the keys over to someone who does this as an actual job, and get on with running Tesla and SpaceX.

“You are destroying your credibility. It’s just not a good look.”

Musk responded to Rufallo, writing: “Not everything Aoc says...

Ellie Simmonds’s touching question to her Strictly Come Dancing partner is resurfacing after the latest results show.

The Paralympic champion swimmer became the sixth contestant to leave the BBC competition after what head judge Shirley Ballas called “one of the best dance offs ever” with Molly Rainford.

Simmonds and professional partner Nikita Kuzmin were left overjoyed with their highest marks yet for their Charleston on Saturday’s episode (5 November).

However, it was not enough to keep them from being voted off, with Kuzmin saying he was “disappointed” by the result after it was announced.

Many highlighted a touching moment between the pair after they finished their performance on Saturday. While hugging Kuzmin, Simmonds asked him, “Was that Ok?”

While the crowd applauded, Kuzmin said it was, with Simmonds adding: “Was it? Was it? Are you sure?”

The pair’s friendship has been highlighted by viewers as being one of...

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 is in full flow, with this year’s celebrity contestants continuing to battle it out to win the Glitter Ball trophy.

The latest episode was broadcast on Saturday (5 November), and saw some favourites stumble for the first time.

During the episode, Ellie Taylor apologised to her professional partner Johannes Radebe after receiving “cruel” judges’ comments for their performance.

This week, Hamza Yassin, Kym Marsh and Helen Skelton impressed the judges, while Ellie Taylor and Tyler West were forced to deal with some harsh feedback.

See all the scores below...

Week six leaderboard

1. Hamza Yassin and Jowita PrzystaÅ.

2. Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima

3. Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez

4. Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu

5. Fleur East and Vito Coppola

6. Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin

7. Will Mellor and Nancy Xu

8. Tyler West and Dianne Buswell

9. Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe

10. Tony Adams and Katya Jones

Read More

Ian Hislop...

A man who was “chained” to a wall by Boy George has criticised ITV for signing him up to I’m a Celebrity.

In 2007, Audun Carlsen was detained by the Culture Club singer in an ordeal that led to the singer being jailed.

Carlsen, 41, has said that it’s “hurtful that ITV” have “given him the platform” following reports the singer had become the highest-paid contestant in the reality series history.

It’s been reported that Boy George, 61, has been paid £500,000 to take part.

Carlsen, who was 26 at the time, told The Mirror: “I think giving him this sort of platform and a record fee sends the wrong message to survivors of violence and abuse and is plain wrong. Had I been a woman and he did what he did, he would never have been given the platform.”

At the time, Boy George, whose real name is George O’Dowd, pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment.

TV viewers watched on in disbelief as a contestant on The Wheel won a huge amount of money after answering just one question.

Series three of the game show, hosted by Michael McIntyre, returned for a new episode on BBC One on Saturday (5 November).

It sees three contestants, selected by chance, compete for a chance to win a hefty cash prize with help from celebrity guests.

Throughout the episode, two contestants named Zeki and Cassie, answered several questions correctly, putting £82,000 into the pot. The third contestant, Helen, was never selected, so wa sunable to contribute to the cash prize.

However, after Cassie answered her final question incorrectly, Helen was given a chance to win all of the money. After answering the winning question correctly, with help from Ally McCoist, she won the full jackpot – meaning that she became the first contestant in the show’s history to win the money...

Ian Hislop is being praised for his “bang on” comments to Gary Neville on Have I Got News For You.

The satirical panel show’s latest episode was broadcast on Friday (4 November), and was guest hosted by the retired footballer.

When the subject of the forthcoming World Cup in Qatar came up, Hislop did not hold back.

When the former Manchester United pro, who is commentating at the sporting contest, asked Hislop if “it’s coming home”, he replied: “What, your reputation?”

The decision to attend the contest in Qatar has been branded “unacceptable” due to the country’s human rights record as well as the controversy surrounding migrant workers who were injured in the run-up to the sporting event.

Many are boycotting the event due to the coutry’s stance on the LGBT community, and are calling out Fifa for its “defeaning silence” on the matter as the contest grows nearer.

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 is in full flow, with this year’s celebrity contestants continuing to battle it out to win the Glitter Ball trophy.

The latest episode was broadcast on Saturday (5 November), and saw some favourites stumble for the first time.

During the episode, Ellie Taylor apologised to her professional partner Johannes Radebe after receiving “cruel” judges’ comments for their performance.

This week, Hamza Yassin, Kym Marsh and Helen Skelton impressed the judges, while Ellie Taylor and Tyler West were forced to deal with some harsh feedback.

See all the scores below...

Week six leaderboard

1. Hamza Yassin and Jowita PrzystaÅ.

2. Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima

3. Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez

4. Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu

5. Fleur East and Vito Coppola

6. Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin

7. Will Mellor and Nancy Xu

8. Tyler West and Dianne Buswell

9. Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe

10. Tony Adams and Katya Jones

Read More

Ian Hislop...

Chris Evans has reacted to Jeremy Strong’s Captain American revelation.

Evans appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Steve Rogers, the super-strengthed Avenger.

When he is first introduced in 2011 film Captain America: The First Avenger, though, he is shown to be rejected by Second World War military recruitment due to his skinny physical appearance.

In a new interview, Strong, who plays Kendall Roy in HBO show Succession, revealed that he was asked to play the double body of this early pre-Captain America version of Rogers.

Strong had tried and failed to get a part in Jon Favreau’s Cowboys & Aliens.

“Ok, f*** it, I will tell you this story,” he told The Sunday Times, adding that, after being told he’d lost out on the role, he was told about “a top-secret film about Captain america”.

“They needed someone to play Captain America’s young body,...

Festival fans were left baffled after managing to secure Glastonbury tickets up to 45 minutes after the event had “sold out”.

On Sunday (6 November), general admission went on sale, three days after coach tickets sold out in 22 minutes.

Those who had previously registered for tickets rushed to purchase tickets, but many reported that the Seetickets holding site was crashing before they could get onto the processing page.

Twenty five minutes after sales began, seetickets reported a “technical problem”, and urged customers to be patient. However, 15 minutes later, it was announced that tickets had sold out.

Many resigned themselved to the fact they would not be attending the 2023 festival, which is rumoured to feature Bruce Springsteen, Arctic Monkeys and Rihanna on the line-up.

But, it was then reported that people were successfully purchasing up to six tickets despite the official “sold out” announcement.

The Independent learned that, as of writing, somebody was...

Graham Norton ripped Matt Hancock to shreds in the opening of his latest talk show episode.

The host came on stage in the latest instalment of The Graham Norton Show, which was broadcast on Friday (4 November), and immediately started poking fun at the former health secretary’s forthcoming appearance in I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.

“We’ve got a great show for you tonight – I couldn’t be more excited than if I was a maggot about to crawl into Matt Hancock’s ear.,” Norton said.

Showing a photo of the Conservative MP, who has been suspended after signing up to the show, Norton continued: “There he is arriving in Australia – has Hancock forgotten he’s got a job as an MP? I mean, I suppose it’s possible; for months, he had forgotten he was married.”

Norton was referencing the fact that Hancock found himself...

Singer Aaron Carter, who was the brother of Backstreet Boys singer Nick, has died aged 34.

A spokesperson confirmed the news to The Independent, writing: “We are extremely saddened and shocked to confirm the passing of Aaron Carter today.

Addressing his cause of death, the singer’s family said it was currently “being investigated”.

“We ask that you give the family time and they will have more information when available. We cannot express the outpouring of love coming in.”

Carter gained recognition after opening for Backstreet Boys on their 1997 tour when he was just 10.

His self-titled debut album was released later that year and his second record, Aaron’s Party (Come and Get It), went triple platinum following its release in 2000.

Songs featured on the album include “I Want Candy” and “That’s How I Beat”.

That same year, he toured with Britney Spears on her Oops!… I Did It Again Tour.

The death of singer Aaron Carter is being investigated, his family has said.

It was announced on Saturday (5 November) that the former child star, who is the brother of Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter, had died aged 34.

A cause is yet to be announced but, in a statement to The Independent, his family said: “We are extremely saddened and shocked to confirm the passing of Aaron Carter today. At the moment his cause of death is being investigated.”

The statement continued: “We ask that you give the family time and they will have more information when available. We cannot express the outpouring of love coming in.”

Carter, whose body was reportedly found at his home, gained recognition after opening for Backstreet Boys on their 1997 tour when he was just nine.

His self-titled debut album was released later that year and his second record, Aaron’s Party (Come and Get It...

Ian Hislop is being praised for his “bang on” comments to Gary Neville on Have I Got News For You.

The satirical panel show’s latest episode was broadcast on Friday (4 November), and was guest hosted by the retired footballer.

When the subject of the forthcoming World Cup in Qatar came up, Hislop did not hold back.

When the former Manchester United pro, who is commentating at the sporting contest, asked Hislop if “it’s coming home”, he replied: “What, your reputation?”

The decision to attend the contest in Qatar has been branded “unacceptable” due to the country’s human rights record as well as the controversy surrounding migrant workers who were injured in the run-up to the sporting event.

Many are boycotting the event due to the coutry’s stance on the LGBT community, and are calling out Fifa for its “defeaning silence” on the matter as the contest grows nearer.

Helen Skelton has explained why she had a “face like thunder” when her Strictly Come Dancing partner addressed her marriage breakdown on air.

The Countryfile presenter and professional dancer Gorka Marquez were being interviewed by Claudia Winkleman when Marquez hinted at the “rough time” Skelton has had in recent months.

In April, Skelton revealed that her ex Richie Myler had “left the family home” just four months after they welcomed their third child.

“Very sad to say that Richie and I are no longer a couple,” she wrote. “He has left the family home. We will be doing our best to co-parent our small children.”

Skelton, who married Myler in 2013, accompanied the post with two broken heart emojis.

In a recent episode of the BBC competition, which aired on 15 October, Marquez said: “I know you’ve been having a difficult time and I know you may feel like you’re...

A UK footballer-turned-commentator has been called out on a TV quiz show for his hypocrisy in taking a World Cup commentary role in Qatar, where he has previously highlighted human rights abuses.

Former Manchester United footballer Gary Neville — who usually serves as a thorn in the Tory government’s side with his comments on social media where he voices his concern for less well off people — sparked a blacklash when it was announced that he had agreed to be a pundit for Qatar’s state broadcaster beIN Sports for the World Cup – due to begin later this month in the country where human rights abuses, lack of tolerance for minority groups and treatment of migrant workers have all led critics to question why the world’s biggest sports tournament is taking place there.

When Neville made his debut as the guest host of the BBC’s topical news quiz Have I Got News For You...

Graham Norton ripped Matt Hancock to shreds in the opening of his latest talk show episode.

The host came on stage in the latest instalment of The Graham Norton Show, which was broadcast on Friday (4 November), and immediately started poking fun at the former health secretary’s forthcoming appearance in I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.

“We’ve got a great show for you tonight – I couldn’t be more excited than if I was a maggot about to crawl into Matt Hancock’s ear.,” Norton said.

Showing a photo of the Conservative MP, who has been suspended after signing up to the show, Norton continued: “There he is arriving in Australia – has Hancock forgotten he’s got a job as an MP? I mean, I suppose it’s possible; for months, he had forgotten he was married.”

Norton was referencing the fact that Hancock found himself...

Elizabeth Olsen has addressed rumours that she was cast in House of the Dragon.

The Marvel star recently set the record straight on speculation surrounding her casting in the fantasy series.

Fans will be disappointed to learn that Olsen – best known for her Emmy nominated performance as Wanda Maximoff in WandaVision – will not be making an appearance on the hit HBO programme anytime soon.

“I don’t know how things, rumours like that, get started – and then people think they’re legitimate,” Olsen told Entertainment Tonight.

“Dream casting is fun, yeah, but I heard it was, like, announced, though, which is weirder,” she added.

People informed the actor that the rumours began to circulate seemingly due to a post on an unverified pop culture Twitter account shared on 4 September.

“I never heard of such a thing,” said Olsen, 33.

The actor said, however, that she would be open to starring in...

The One Show hosts managed to keep the show on track after Ian Hislop and Paul Merton cracked a risky joke.

Hislop and Merton are both known for making political quips on Have I Got News For You, with Hislop having been a team captain on the BBC programme since its inception in 1990.

During their recent interview with Alex Jones and Ronan Kemp, however, the pair made a joke that put everyone in the studio on edge.

The duo were asked how they come up with content for Have I Got News For You, to which they explained the hosts usually “know what’s gonna come up” meaning that they can plan around it.

Hislop continued: “Except when something absolutely bizarre happens, like Liz Truss is Prime Minister – then you’re on your own.”

After a moment of silence, Merton added: “Oh did you feel that nervousness that went around the room then.

Richard Ayoade and the cast of Have I Got News For You have ripped into the “national scandal” surrounding the alleged This Morning queue jump.

Presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were accused of “skipping the queue” to see the Queen’s coffin lying in state before her funeral on Monday (19 September) while filming for This Morning.

Willoughby and Schofield denied the accusations, saying that they would “never jump a queue”.

At the time of writing, nearly 70,000 people have signed a petition calling on ITV to “axe” the presenters over the alleged queue-jumping.

During Friday (23 September) night’s episode of Hignfy, host Ayoade joked that the “national scandal” was “the biggest thing that’s happened” this week.

“ITV’s Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield… apparently just appeared in Westminster Hall on Sunday without having spent the previous 36 hours queueing,” Ayoade said.

“Just appeared? Like a haunting?” comedian Roisin Conaty asked.

Have I Got News for You viewers are reacting to Boris Johnson’s “brutal” send-off episode.

As the end of Johnson’s time as prime minister grows nearer, the satirical series recorded a special instalment, titled “Have I Got News for Boris: A Very Special Tribute”, which was broadcast on Friday (2 September).

In true Have I Got News for You style, the BBC series didn’t hold back in roasting Johnson.

Near the beginning of the episode, panellist Paul Merton noted how the BBC had billed the episode as a “tribute”, with Ian Hislop quipping: “Tribute? Funny way to spell ‘good riddance’”. When guest Janet Street Porter stated: “I hope it’s going to be balanced”, Merton replied: “Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.”

Many viewers couldn’t get enough of the episode, which one person branded a fitting send-off”. However, others found the Jack Dee-hosted episode to be disrespectful, and called...

Have I Got News for You viewers are reacting to Boris Johnson’s “brutal” send-off episode.

As the end of Johnson’s time as prime minister grows nearer, the satirical series recorded a special instalment, titled “Have I Got News for Boris: A Very Special Tribute”, which was broadcast on Friday (2 September).

In true Have I Got News for You style, the BBC series didn’t hold back in roasting Johnson.

Near the beginning of the episode, panellist Paul Merton noted how the BBC had billed the episode as a “tribute”, with Ian Hislop quipping: “Tribute? Funny way to spell ‘good riddance’”. When guest Janet Street Porter stated: “I hope it’s going to be balanced”, Merton replied: “Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.”

Many viewers couldn’t get enough of the episode, which one person branded a fitting send-off”. However, others found the Jack Dee-hosted episode to be disrespectful, and called...

Engaging in satirical rounds of news and discussion with a revolving round of team captains and panelists has led to a successful run for the British television panel show, ‘Have I Got News for You.’ The BAFTA Award-winning BBC series has long proved that format is a success, as the program has been on the […]

The post Paul Merton and Ian Hislop Explain Have I Got News for You on BBC One Broadcast appeared first on Shockya.com.

Simon Brew Aug 18, 2017

After a career spanning over 70 years, Sir Bruce Forsyth has left us...

Here’s some very sad news. Legend of British television Sir Bruce Forsyth has died, at the age of 89. He had been unwell for some time.

His manager issued a statement, reported by the BBC, saying:

“It is with great sadness that the Forsyth family announce that Sir Bruce passed away this afternoon, peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife Wilnelia and all his children. A couple of weeks ago, a friend visited him and asked him what he had been doing these last 18 months. With a twinkle in his eye, he responded 'I've been very, very busy... being ill!'”.

He leaves behind the kind of body of work that no piece like this can ever do justice too (although I have a real soft spot for the amazing time he hosted Have I Got News For You...

Laura Poitras’ Julian Assange film, a Jo Cox documentary, and a Walter Murch talk all feature.

UK documentary Sheffield Doc/Fest has unveiled its full 2017 programme.

This year’s closing night event will be the world premiere of Jo Cox: Death Of An MP, a BBC2 documentary that focuses on the investigation of the politician’s murder, including contributions from eye witnesses, Cox’s family, and people who knew her attacker.

As previously announced, the festival will open with a screening of Daisy Asquith’s documentary Queerama, featuring a live Performance From John Grant.

This year’s Doc/Fest grand jury will include American Honey director Andrea Arnold, as well as Indian documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan and ex-Channel 4 news broadcaster Paul Mason.

UK premieres in the programme this year include Laura Poitras’ Julian Assange portrait Risk, Whitney Houston doc Whitney: Can I Be Me, Ramona Diaz’s Motherland, Joseph Beuys doc [link...

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Catch Tenth Doctor, David Tennant hosting Have I Got News For You? tonight! We’re not really used to seeing him presenting, but in the past, he’s done stints on Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Red Nose Day, so it’s not completely unprecedented. The satirical show will, as always, feature Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, the former of whom is...

The post David Tennant Hosts Have I Got News For You? appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

As the conflict between the government and the BBC rages on, it has been revealed that the majority of the public are against the introduction of a new part-subscription service.

The BBC Trust conducted a public consultation from 22 July to 18 September and also engaged in independent audience research, and its findings show that most people support a tweaked version of the licence fee.

The wider public consultation of 40,000 respondents found that 53% of people supported a modernised licence fee, which takes into account iPlayer services.

Elsewhere, 16% voiced their support for a part-subscription model, while 53% were opposed to the idea.

2,908 people took part in an independent quantitative research study, with 128 people also taking part in qualitative focus groups.

At an event today (October 16), BBC Trust Chairman Rona Fairhead said: "The BBC has always been a universal public service broadcaster and the public have told us in their thousands that they want it to stay that way.

From the sequin-tastic return of Strictly Come Dancing to the promising prospect of The West Wing and Birds Of A Feather colliding as Rob Lowe and Pauline Quirke star in You, Me and The Apocalypse - pull up an easy chair for Digital Spy's top TV picks for the next seven days.

1. CSI - Tuesday, 10pm on Channel 5

After 15 years and uncountable grisly murders in Las Vegas, the CSI team will say farewell in a feature-length movie. Rejoice as William Petersen is back as Gil Grissom, alongside a host of former faces to solve one last case.

It's not a complete end, as Ted Danson has moved sideways to spinoff show CSI: Cyber, but it should be a tough act to follow.

2. You, Me and the Apocalypse - Wednesday, 9pm on Sky1

Like a TV supergroup, this needs to be seen purely because of the eye-rubbingly impressive cast. The West Wing...

Ian Hislop refused to sign a protest letter defending the BBC because he didn't think people would care what he said.

As the conflict between the government and the BBC rages on, many famous names have pledged their support to the broadcasting company in a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron.

However, the Have I Got News for You regular thought the move was "entirely inappropriate" as it does no good to the cause.

Hislop told Press Gazette: "Had I seen my own name on the list, I would have thought, 'You overpaid wanker - why should I care what you say?'

"To have a letter from a load of famous people saying, 'I like the BBC and I get paid by them'. I mean, so what?"

Nevertheless, he said that he's worried about the future of the BBC from a viewer's perspective.

"I think it's playing all its cards very,...

Is ITV really going to bring back Cold Feet?

That's the rumour, with the broadcaster apparently looking to plug the Downton-shaped hole in its schedule with a revival of the popular comedy-drama.

If it's true, they'll have a job bringing the cast back together - some have gone on to be huge telly and film stars, while others have stepped out of the spotlight entirely...

James Nesbitt

Nesbitt's carefree lothario Adam Williams met his match in Helen Baxendale's Rachel - the couple overcame infidelity and infertility but were denied lasting happiness when Rachel was killed in a traffic accident.

Since Cold Feet wrapped, Nesbitt has become one of British television's most in-demand leading men.

He fronted BBC One's gritty cop series Murphy's Law from 2003-07, led Steven Moffat's supernatural thriller Jekyll - also in 2007 - and played the title character in ITV's short-lived medical drama Monroe (2011-12).

Of late,...

Marvel's Agents of Shield: Channel 4, 8pm

In the penultimate episode of the series, some shocking sacrifices are made when Coulson (Clark Gregg) and the team have to fight the Inhumans.

Meanwhile, Calvin (Kyle MacLachlan) faces a tough decision when he has to choose between his heart and his job as the woman that he loves comes close to finishing her quest.

Have I Got News For You: BBC One, 9pm

Comedian Jack Dee sits in the host chair tonight to present the satirical current affairs quiz show.

The last episode of the series also sees James Acaster joining regular team leaders Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.

Big Brother Timebomb: Live Eviction: Channel 5, 9pm

Spend the evening in with a bumper packed Big Brother schedule starting with the main show at 9pm, followed by Bit on the Side at 10:30pm and live streaming from the house at 11:30pm.

Marvel's Agents of Shield: Channel 4, 8pm

The story of May's transformation into 'The Cavalry' is revealed as she finds herself at a crossroads in the war between Coulson and Gonzales.

As Skye learns more about her heritage from Lincoln, the truth sends her in a new direction.

The Graham Norton Show: BBC One, 10.40pm

Graham is joined this week by comedian Miranda Hart as she talks about her role in the upcoming action flick Spy. Soon to be starring in romantic drama A Royal Night Out, Rupert Everett also takes to the sofa, as well as Greg Davies.

Eurovision hopefuls Electro Velvet will be on stage to perform their song 'Still In Love With You' ahead of the contest later this month.

The Blacklist: Sky Living, 9pm

The detective thriller is ramping up the tension as Red is left fighting for his life, pleading with Liz to...

You might have noticed there's a General Election happening. But how can you keep up with all the bewildering swingometer and poll-closing action on TV? Fear not, because we've put together a handy guide to all of the best coverage.

What to watch now

If you missed Educating Joey Essex: General Election - What Are You Sayin'? fear not, the programme is now available on ITV Player.

If you ever wanted to see a former Towie star interrogating the party leaders - minus spoilsport David Cameron, of course - then this is the show for you.

General Election 2015: Who are the celebrities voting for?

How should you watch the 2015 General Election? Take our fun quiz to find out

Preview shows (aka "the warm-up act")

The election isn't until tomorrow, but that doesn't mean you can't start getting in the spirit of it early. Our pick for tonight is...