Ofcom To Investigate C4 Show

Ofcom is to investigate whether impressions show Very Important People broke child protection rules in its 'Paps Zone' sketch.

Channel 4 aired a comedy skit featuring children learning how to deal with fame and handle being in the public eye, seeing them pretend to show nipples to photographers and do lines of cocaine in toilets.

Ofcom will determine whether the clip – which aired on April 27 – broke rules regarding the protection of child actors and wider generally accepted broadcasting standards.

Very Important People sees comedians Morgana Robinson and Terry Mynott send up celebrities including Russell Brand, Gordon Ramsey and Danny Dyer. The sketch in question followed Robinson's spoof of Fearne Cotton teaching children 'invaluable tips' on a fictional show called Fame Skillz, telling them: 'Get your nipples in the paper!'

The broadcasting code states that Channel has a duty to take due care over the 'physical and emotional welfare and the dignity of people under 18 who take part or are otherwise involved in programmes'.

The segment also saw youngsters asked to invent dirty secrets for a fake tell-all biography and being coated in a white power before being sent to a playhouse 'rehab'.

May 21 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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X Factor Denies Fast Tracking Acts

The X Factor has denied a newspaper report that it gave some acts a more favourable audition process in the early stages of the show.

A report in the Sun said that some hopefuls, such as more established acts, had been invited to fast-track auditions separate from everyone else.

A spokesperson said that although acts with management deals were now able to try out, everyone still had to go through the same process.

To see the judges, acts must first audition for the show's producers.

A spokesman said: "All acts have to apply and go through the same process as every other act.

"All acts are auditioned on their own merits and the judges then decide who goes through to the live shows."

For the first time this year, music managers and talent scouts have been told their acts can apply for the new series.

That means that singers and groups are eligible even if they already have a management deal, or have had one in the past.

However, the show said the new rules didn't give any guarantee that anyone would get past the initial producer auditions.

Potential stars were also able to skip the open audition days this year by uploading a performance via Facebook or YouTube.

The ninth series of the singing show returns to ITV at the end of the summer.

May 21 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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C4 Daytime Quiz For Sandi Toksvig

Comedian, author and broadcaster, Sandi Toksvig is to host a new Channel 4 quiz show, 1001 Things You Should Know.

1001 Things You Should Know will see three contestants go head-to-head to prove they know the things they should.

With the series starting from the 1st Thing You Should Know and counting upwards, viewers will also get to play along and see how many things they knew.

1001 Things You Should Know was commissioned by Channel 4 Head of Formats Dominic Bird and Daytime Commissioning Editor David Sayer and is a Thames Scotland production.

Sandi Toksvig commented on the new show: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be doing this show as I only know 999 things and I will be wiser by the end of the series".

Channel 4 Head of Formats, Dominic Bird, said: "1001 Things You Should Know will be packed with familiar channel four faces and we are delighted to welcome Sandi back onto the channel to front the show. Her vast knowledge and warm wit makes her the ideal choice."

May 21 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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Football League Show To Remain On BBC One

The BBC has agreed a deal to save The Football League Show, which had faced the axe after "budget decisions" forced several Christmas editions to be dropped.

BBC Sport has struck a three-year deal with the Football League to keep the Saturday night highlights show on BBC One for three seasons starting this year.

The BBC will also continue to provide midweek highlights of the League Cup and dedicated shows from Wembley stadium for the finals of the League Cup and Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport, said: "Football is a core part of our sports rights portfolio and BBC Sport is delighted to be continuing our relationship with the Football League, bringing games to our audiences on both TV and radio."

The deal will also see Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra continue to hold the non-exclusive rights to all Football League and League Cup games and play-off matches.

May 21 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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