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Sir Bill Cotton Dies
Sir Bill Cotton, former head of light entertainment at the
BBC and controller of BBC One, has died aged 80.
It is understood he died in a Bournemouth hospital.
David Croft, writer of Dad's Army, paid tribute to Sir Bill, who retired in
1987, as the "master jeweller" in the "golden age" of television.
Sir Bill was the BBC's head of light entertainment between 1970 and 1977 and
was also in charge of BBC One for four years.
He also served as the BBC's managing director of television and was awarded
the Academy Fellowship by Bafta in 1998.
Speaking in 2000, Sir Bill said light entertainment on television formed
part of the nation's culture.
"Basically, fundamentally, television was a performer's medium and news and
current affairs were the sideshow.
"One of the reasons that I honestly believe that the care taken on light
entertainment had to be the same care as was taken for ballet, or opera, or
serious drama, is because you are contributing to the culture of the
country. I think it's sad if it isn't."
22:00
August
11 2008 - waveguide.co.uk
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ITV Rapped
Over Pre-Watershed Show
ITV has been rapped by Ofcom for failing to protect children
from a show which saw contestants enter spinning washing machines, eat
glass, and turn into a human dartboard.
The World's Got Talent, a spin-off from Britain's Got Talent,
was broadcast on ITV1 before the watershed, at 19:00, in April, and two
months later on digital sister channel ITV2 at the time time.
Viewers complained that children watching the show might emulate the
activities of the performers from around the world.
As well as featuring a man who climbed into a giant washing
machine and rotated inside as it operated, the programme showed a performer
setting himself on fire.
Channel Television, which made the programme, said the show was broadcast as
a prelude to the next series of Britain's Got Talent. It defended the
footage, saying it was introduced with guidance stating, "Are they all a bit
crazy? Definitely. Do not try this at home!" and another warning saying "Do
Not, I repeat, do not try this at home under any circumstances."
It said that at 19:00, the very youngest children were likely to be in bed.
But audience figures for the original broadcast on ITV1 show that it
attracted a high number of children, making up almost 13 per cent of the
total audience share.
Almost 300,000 viewers, 6 per cent of the audience, were between the ages of
four and nine.
Ofcom said it did not believe repeated warnings would be enough "necessarily
to provide sufficient protection from harm".
The World's Got Talent was shown at a "time when younger children are often
allowed to stay up later than usual" and "appealed to family audiences
familiar with Britain's Got Talent", it said. It pointed to research showing
that children are prone to emulate what they see on screen.
21:00
August
11 2008 - waveguide.co.uk
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Olympics Record For US
US
network NBC had its highest ever audience for a non-American hosted summer
Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, despite delaying coverage of the
Beijing event for 12 hours in order to show it in evening primetime.
The opening ceremony also pulled in the biggest ever share of viewers in
China.
According to competing figures from the Nielson company and CSM Media
Research, the four-hour spectacle drew between 6 per cent and 68.8 per cent
of China's total audience.
The Beijing ceremony averaged 34.2 million viewers in the US for NBC,
according to figures from Nielsen Media Research.
NBC's rating was the highest ever for a summer Olympics opening ceremony,
apart from the US-hosted Atlanta event in 1996.
The US network's website also saw its highest traffic ever on Friday with 70
million page views - 10 times more than the opening day of the Athens games.
20:16
August
11 2008 - waveguide.co.uk
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Nativity Comedy
Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen are to star in a new BBC
film - Nativity.
The comedy sees the Office star play Mr Maddens - a
frustrated, under-achieving, primary school teacher embroiled in a long-term
rivalry with Gordon Shakespeare, a teacher from the nearby private
school.
Maddens wants to beat Shakespeare in getting a five-star
review for his Christmas nativity play, even though he loses every year.
Ugly Betty and Extras star Ashley will play Maddens ex-girlfriend, Jennifer
Lore, who happens to be a major Hollywood producer.
The film will be directed by creator Debbie Isitt and will be
an improvised comedy, shot on location in the West Midlands over six weeks.
Isitt said: "I'm so excited to be making another film with
BBC Films and Screen West Midlands. Their enthusiasm and support for my work
is fantastic."
David M Thompson, executive producer for BBC Films, said:
"I'm a big fan of Debbie's work having backed her previous film, Confetti.
She is clearly a highly original talent with a bold and imaginative way of
working, as well as a great sense of comedy. With an idea of such charm and
wit, I am delighted our association is continuing."
17:27
August
11 2008 - waveguide.co.uk
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Neighbours
Actress - Pneumonia
Neighbours actress Kym Valentine (Libby Kirk) has been
temporarily replaced in the Australian soap because of on-going health
issues.
She is being replaced as Libby by McLeod's Daughter star Michala Banas.
Valentine was affected by pneumonia and suffered a collapsed lung on a
flight to the United States, and although she is recovering, the soap's
producers have decided to replace her.
The arrangement, which is expected to last for a month, was finalised by
Neighbours' executive producer Susan Bower last week.
Speaking about the decision, Valentine told the Australian press: "It is
heartbreaking. It is very, very hard to do, but I am trying to be strong
about it and do what is best for me.
"I will be back. Don't you worry about that.
"I am so grateful for Michala. I am just so happy to be handing the role to
her."
16:32
August
11 2008 - waveguide.co.uk
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Actor Terence Rigby
Dies
Actor Terence Rigby, who appeared in numerous of television
dramas and films, has died at his London home, his spokesman has confirmed.
The 71-year-old, who had been suffering from lung cancer, was best known for
his role as PC Snow in the 1960s TV series Softly, Softly: Task Force.
His film credits included Get Carter and Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies.
Catherine Sparks, Rigby's sister, said: "We are so proud of Terry and are
going to miss him terribly."
"He was true to his art and respected by all the industry - he was the
actor's actor," she added.
16:20
August
11 2008 - waveguide.co.uk
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New BBC Two Drama
BBC Two is to screen a new three-part thriller about
witchcraft and a mutilated body pulled from the River Thames.
It is the first original drama from Joe Penhall, whose
previous credits including adapting The Long Firm for television.
Moses Jones, which began filming in London last week, follows the
investigation into the suspected witchcraft murder, which sparks off a wave
of violence in the capital.
Kate Harwood, the BBC controller of series and serials, said:
"Joe Penhall is an amazing writing talent, and this is an incredibly
exciting project for BBC drama production.
"Moses Jones is a vibrant and atmospheric thriller set in the heart of
London, which will capture the imagination of the BBC Two drama audience."
The series, commissioned by BBC Fiction controller Jane Tranter, is being
directed by The State Within's Michael Offer. It is being made in-house.
Penhall will executive produce alongside Hilary Salmon, whose credits
include The Passion, Criminal Justice, Maxwell and The Long Firm.
The drama is expected to air later in the year.
08:00
August
11 2008 - waveguide.co.uk
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