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Saudi Man Boasted On TV About Sex
A Saudi appeals court has upheld a verdict against an airline
sales clerk sentenced to five years in prison and 1000 lashes for boasting
on a television programme about his sexual exploits, media reports said
today.
The Jeddah court confirmed an October 7 verdict against Mazen Abdul Jawad,
who landed in hot water after appearing on a program called Bold Red Line,
the Okaz daily said.
He had been charged and convicted of offensive behaviour under the strict
shariah Islamic laws of the conservative Saudi kingdom.
During his July television appearance on the Beirut-based Lebanese
Broadcasting Corp (LBC) program, Abdul Jawad boasted about picking up women,
having sex and using sexual aids.
The show outraged Saudi conservatives, who pressed authorities to take
action against Abdul Jawad and others involved in the show.
Three friends of Abdul Jawad who appeared on air with him received two-year
prison terms and 300 lashes each.
Abdul Jawad's lawyer, Sulaiman al-Jimaie, had argued the case was marred by
numerous procedural errors.
Charges brought against three production crew, including two women, were
later dropped after the intervention of Saudi King Abdullah.
Jimaie also objected that the owners and managers of LBC, which is owned by
Saudi tycoon Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's Rotana group, were not charged or
convicted of wrongdoing.
LBC later axed the show, and in December Rotana head, Nezar Nagro, saidthat
the program "was a mistake".
23:23
February 09
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
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Product Placement
The ban on product placement for commercial television
broadcasters in the UK has today been lifted.
Broadcasters will be able to take payment for displaying commercial products
during shows, with some exceptions, from later this year, the government
announced today.
The change aims to generate extra funds for commercial broadcasters and
bring the UK in to line with other European countries, where product
placement has been allowed for several years.
Industry experts estimate product placement could generate a further £100m a
year for commercial TV in the UK, but analysts say it is not likely to boost
earnings before 2010 or 2011.
"It is a step in the right direction as it will deliver additional revenue
for investment in original content in the UK," ITV said in a statement.
However, the company also said the measures were "limited." "We do not
necessarily agree with the restrictions placed on certain categories."
Alcohol, tobacco and food and drinks which are high in fat, salt or sugar
will not be allowed to feature and product placement will be banned from TV
news, current affairs, consumer and religious programming.
Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Ben Bradshaw said
continuing the ban "would lead to continuing damage to its finances at a
time when this crucial part of our creative industries needs all the support
we can give it."
Advertising body ISBA, which has opposed paid-for product placement, said it
had "serious concerns" about the "blacklist" of banned products. product
placement would lead to higher advertising costs and more complaints from
viewers.
21:00
February 09
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
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Katie
Price Launches New TV Show
Katie Price vowed today that her marriage to Alex Reid would
be more private than her relationship with Peter Andre – but told reporters
she could not wait to get “Reidinated”.
The 31-year-old was launching the latest series of her fly-on-the-wall show
What Katie Did Next – in which she says she believes Reid is “using” her for
fame.
Despite Price dumping Reid on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, the
documentary shows how the couple secretly rekindled their relationship
within days.
Fresh from her marriage in Las Vegas last week, Price said at the launch
that she could not wait to get pregnant – or “Reidinated” as she put it.
The first episode of the programme, screened at the launch, shows Price
being told after she emerged from I’m A Celebrity last year that Reid has
been speaking to the media.
In the show Price says: “They would not be interested in him if it wasn’t
for me... don’t do stories, don’t use me to get famous.”
But at the end of a meeting behind closed doors to explain to Reid why he
has been dumped, the couple are back together, with Price telling the show
she has “fallen” for Reid.
The couple kept their reconciliation a secret from the media, with Price
going out in public alone.
Asked about the break-up at today’s launch, Price said: “I hate the first
show. When I saw bits of it I’m like: ’Oh my God, can’t you say at the end
that we’re... back together again?’
“I mean that was then and literally after two days... we were back on.
“So it was all fine... but that’s part of the show now, so you’ll get to see
what happens.”
Asked if she still believed Reid was using her for fame, Price responded
“No, not at all.”
She said she was “so glad” Reid appeared on 'Celebrity Big Brother', which
he went on to win – “because it goes to show, he won it himself and it goes
to show he’s a genuine guy”.
She said of watching the show: “All I wanted him to say was, ’Oh I really
love Kate’, and every night when I was watching it I’m like, ’Say it, say
it’, ’cos I’m pining for him.
“He never did, but we made up for it after.”
Asked about her desire to be pregnant, Price said: “Yes, I can’t wait to be
Reidinated.
“We’re absolutely dying to have a baby. I’m so hoping that by the end of
this series that I can announce that I’m pregnant... I so can’t wait to get
preggie. So watch out for the bump.”
Price refused to answer a question about whether the couple had signed a
pre-nuptial deal, saying: “I’m not discussing anything about our marriage.”
19:00
February 09
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
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Emmerdale
Actor On The Move
Alex Carter is leaving his role as postman Jamie Hope, ITV
has confirmed.
The actor told listeners about his decision during an interview with Shaun
Keaveny of BBC 6 music.
A spokesman later said: "We can confirm that after four years on the show,
Alex Carter has decided to leave Emmerdale."
He went on: "He's been a great asset to the show and we wish him all the
very best for the future."
During his radio interview, Alex joked that the soap has him "by the b***s",
saying he can't plan his future at the moment because he has to be in work.
He joked: "I'm getting thoroughly depressed because I'm in work every day
for about four hours. It's like they're teasing me because I'm leaving and
I've got one line. I'm in work every day. It's driving me mental."
Asked how his exit will come about, Alex said: "Why spoil the habit of my
character's lifetime? It's nothing interesting - I think I just go in a
cab."
17:00
February 09
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
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BBC Reveals
Pay Details
The BBC today revealed that it paid a total of £229m to
artists, presenters, musicians and other contributors for the year up to
March 2009. That equates to 6.56% of the licence fee.
Of that figure, £70m went to the top earners whose salaries topped £100,000.
The BBC has not disclosed individual salaries, saying they are commercially
confidential, despite continued pressure from MPs.
There were around 300,000 contracts signed with performers, the majority of
which were under £1,000.
Caroline Thomson, the BBC's chief operating officer, said:
"Artists, presenters, musicians and other contributors are central to the
BBC's ability to deliver high quality and distinctive programming and we
know that audiences expect to see and hear them on BBC programmes.
"The BBC engages some of the greatest performers in the world across
television and radio, and also nurtures and develops people that will be at
the heart of our programmes in the future. They add to the credibility,
expertise and creativity of the BBC."
She added: "We are committed to bring this figure down."
The total amount paid by the BBC to artists, presenters, musicians and other
contributors will now be published each year in its annual report.
The news comes as the BBC also published the business-related expenses of
its 107 most senior decision-makers for the period July to September 2009.
A total of £188,000 was claimed in overall expenses - up from £175,000 the
previous quarter.
A BBC spokesman said the increase was attributed to the cyclical nature of
the business where a higher spend on flights was made for annual conferences
and LA screenings.
For the first time, the BBC has also published details of the gifts and
hospitality the senior managers declared covering the period April to
September 2009.
BBC director general Mark Thompson declared that he attended the British
Grand Prix with his son as guests of Formula One.
He was also given a digital camera from Panasonic as part of a visit to
Korea and Japan, which he donated to Children In Need.
However, the majority of senior managers did not declare any gifts or
hospitality.
Meanwhile, the BBC has also agreed to reveal licence fee-funded payments to
some of its leading sports presenters to a House of Commons spending
watchdog but not to the public.
16:00
February 09
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
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Dave Gorman
Following the success of the first run of his series Genius,
Dave Gorman will be returning to BBC Two later this year with another
six-part series.
Once again he will enlist the help of some celebrity guests and together
they will debate the merits, imagination and fun of the brilliant and
bizarre ideas sent in by the public.
Over the course of the series members of the public will be invited on to
the show to pitch their ideas and inventions for making the world a more fun
place and a chance to be awarded genius status.
Highlights from last series included making the Isle of Wight symmetrical,
teaching maths through dance and making fizzy onion juice as a
thirst-quenching drink!
Dave Gorman said: "I'm obviously delighted that Genius is coming back for
more. In times like this we should remember that ideas – clever ideas, hair
brained schemes and the downright daft – are perhaps this country's greatest
natural resource. I'm looking forward to celebrating more of this nation's
most eccentric thinkers soon."
10:31
February 09
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
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EastEnders
- Jessie Wallace
Actress Jessie Wallace is returning to the BBC's EastEnders
to reprise her role as Kat Slater.
Wallace, 38, has signed an initial one-year deal to return to
the soap together with Shane Richie, her on-screen husband.
The popular couple were last seen on Christmas Day 2005, leaving Walford for
a new life in America.
Wallace said: "I am excited to slip back into Kat's stilettos. I've missed
her."
Shane said: "More than anything, I'm looking forward to getting my face
covered in Kat's lipstick again!"
07:40
February 09
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
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BBC To
Reveal Pay Details
The BBC is to reveal the total amount paid to its radio and
television performers.
The Corporation will not disclose individual salaries, saying they are
commercially confidential, despite continued pressure from MPs.
However, the corporation will give new details of the pay and expenses given
to BBC executives.
Many performers have taken a pay cut, top executives' pay has been published
and frozen, and bonuses have been withdrawn.
Meanwhile, the BBC has also agreed to reveal licence fee-funded payments to
some of its leading sports presenters to a House of Commons spending
watchdog but not to the public.
Jeremy Peat, a BBC trustee, said he would provide a breakdown of the costs
for major events in confidence to the Public Accounts Committee.
He made the offer after committee chairman Edward Leigh accused the
corporation of being "obsessed" with celebrities and suggested the figures
should be made public.
A National Audit Office (NAO) investigation found last month that the
broadcaster was failing to show its coverage of major sporting and music
events was providing value for money.
While the NAO had been given the breakdown of the proportion spent on
presenters for individual events, it was not allowed to make that public, Mr
Leigh said.
Mr Peat said the BBC had to protect the confidentiality of pay deals with
its "top talent".
He also said that revealing the split between talent and other staff for
each event would make it "possible for people, on the basis of information
which is available or could be made available, to get a very good
approximation of the cost of some individual talent for some of these
events".
07:22
February 09
2010 - waveguide.co.uk
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