Chris McCausland & Lee Mack Set For Sky Festive Special
British comedians Chris McCausland and Lee Mack will front Sky festive special Bad Tidings, about two perpetually feuding neighbors in Northern England who become unlikely heroes after saving their street from notorious burglars with wacky booby traps and British banter. Laurence Rickard & Martha Howe-Douglas are writing, with production commencing this month at Sky Studios Elstree. Also cast are Rebekah Staton, Sarah Alexander, Ben Crompton, Emily Coates, Josiah Eloi, Millie Kiss, Tupele Dorgu, Sunil Patel, Susan Kyd and Donna Preston. Sky Studios is producing, with Tim Kirkby directing. Adnan Ahmed from Sky Studios is the producer and Ail Gupta exec produces. Sky’s Comcast stablemate NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution will handle international sales. Bad Tidings is the latest Sky original festive special, following last year’s The Heist Before Christmas, 2022’s Christmas Carole and 2021’s The Amazing Mr Blunden.
British comedians Chris McCausland and Lee Mack will front Sky festive special Bad Tidings, about two perpetually feuding neighbors in Northern England who become unlikely heroes after saving their street from notorious burglars with wacky booby traps and British banter. Laurence Rickard & Martha Howe-Douglas are writing, with production commencing this month at Sky Studios Elstree. Also cast are Rebekah Staton, Sarah Alexander, Ben Crompton, Emily Coates, Josiah Eloi, Millie Kiss, Tupele Dorgu, Sunil Patel, Susan Kyd and Donna Preston. Sky Studios is producing, with Tim Kirkby directing. Adnan Ahmed from Sky Studios is the producer and Ail Gupta exec produces. Sky’s Comcast stablemate NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution will handle international sales. Bad Tidings is the latest Sky original festive special, following last year’s The Heist Before Christmas, 2022’s Christmas Carole and 2021’s The Amazing Mr Blunden.
- 4/8/2024
- by Jesse Whittock, Hannah Abraham and Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Spend on UK film and high-end TV slid sharply to £4.23B ($5.3B) in the strike-hit 2023, according to the BFI’s latest annual stats.
The figure was 35% down on a record 2022, the BFI said, while floating the silver lining of £4.3B being nearly level with 2019’s pre-Covid spend. There were other green shoots such as a small rise in cinema admissions.
It will come as little surprise that the figures fell so starkly given that the latter half of the year saw film and high-end TV production severely dented due to the writers and actors strikes across the pond.
Film production in the UK fell to £1.36B in 2023 spend, a 31% drop on 2022’s figure, while high-end TV was down by the larger 38% to £2.9B. As with the past few years, high-end TV made up the brunt of overall production spend at around two-thirds.
Of the total £1.36B spent on 207 film productions,...
The figure was 35% down on a record 2022, the BFI said, while floating the silver lining of £4.3B being nearly level with 2019’s pre-Covid spend. There were other green shoots such as a small rise in cinema admissions.
It will come as little surprise that the figures fell so starkly given that the latter half of the year saw film and high-end TV production severely dented due to the writers and actors strikes across the pond.
Film production in the UK fell to £1.36B in 2023 spend, a 31% drop on 2022’s figure, while high-end TV was down by the larger 38% to £2.9B. As with the past few years, high-end TV made up the brunt of overall production spend at around two-thirds.
Of the total £1.36B spent on 207 film productions,...
- 2/1/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s beginning to look a lot like… well, November.
But while it’s certainly pretty Novembery at the time of writing this, there’s already a sleighful of excellent UK Christmas TV to look forward to – from festive funnies like Not Going Out and the last ever episode of Ghosts to Christmassy crime dramas like Beyond Paradise and brand-new Agatha Christie adaptation Murder Is Easy.
And of course, every Whovian’s Christmas wish has been answered with the return of the Doctor Who Christmas special!
There’s a festive feline theme to family viewing, with Julia Donaldson’s annual animated gift to parents being Tabby McTat, and Channel 4 giving us an all-star adaptation of Mog’s Christmas. And, as dependable as cranberry sauce and family arguments, there are all your favourite Christmas special episodes, from Taskmaster to Qi and beyond.
So stock up on the Quality Street, test...
But while it’s certainly pretty Novembery at the time of writing this, there’s already a sleighful of excellent UK Christmas TV to look forward to – from festive funnies like Not Going Out and the last ever episode of Ghosts to Christmassy crime dramas like Beyond Paradise and brand-new Agatha Christie adaptation Murder Is Easy.
And of course, every Whovian’s Christmas wish has been answered with the return of the Doctor Who Christmas special!
There’s a festive feline theme to family viewing, with Julia Donaldson’s annual animated gift to parents being Tabby McTat, and Channel 4 giving us an all-star adaptation of Mog’s Christmas. And, as dependable as cranberry sauce and family arguments, there are all your favourite Christmas special episodes, from Taskmaster to Qi and beyond.
So stock up on the Quality Street, test...
- 11/30/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
James Nesbitt and Timothy Spall headline seasonal special The Heist Before Christmas, here’s the trailer.
As seemingly happens to many an English actor of a certain age, it’s now Timothy Spall’s turn to play Father Christmas. Happens to the best of them, and in this case, it’s for a British movie that’s heading to Sky next month. Let’s get down to the basics.
The synopsis for the film in question, The Heist Before Christmas, reads as follows:
Twelve-year-old Mikey Collins, who’s dirt-poor and hates Christmas, finds two Santa Clauses in the woods. One has just robbed a bank and is on the run with the cash, the other Santa claims to have fallen out of his sleigh. Mikey has no time for this second guy – he’s well past believing any of the Jingle Bells, spirit-of-the-season rubbish, even if his little brother Sean...
As seemingly happens to many an English actor of a certain age, it’s now Timothy Spall’s turn to play Father Christmas. Happens to the best of them, and in this case, it’s for a British movie that’s heading to Sky next month. Let’s get down to the basics.
The synopsis for the film in question, The Heist Before Christmas, reads as follows:
Twelve-year-old Mikey Collins, who’s dirt-poor and hates Christmas, finds two Santa Clauses in the woods. One has just robbed a bank and is on the run with the cash, the other Santa claims to have fallen out of his sleigh. Mikey has no time for this second guy – he’s well past believing any of the Jingle Bells, spirit-of-the-season rubbish, even if his little brother Sean...
- 11/27/2023
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
Timothy Spall has likened 'Harry Potter' to a "religion".The 66-year-old actor played the role of Peter Pettigrew/Wormtail in five movies in the franchise based on J.K. Rowling's novels and is amazed by the appeal that the films still hold for viewers.Speaking to Variety, Timothy said: "'Harry Potter' is such a big deal. It's edging towards becoming a bit of a religion. It's bizarre."It's great storytelling, but it was also beautifully made. One day, I wandered into a studio and there was someone (manually) putting leaves on a tree, one by one. That's dedication. They were doing that for the audience."Timothy's latest role is as Father Christmas in the Yuletide flick 'Joy to the World' and he described it as an "unusual" festive picture.The 'Sixth Commandment' star said: "It's a Christmas story, but an unusual Christmas story."It's about a troubled 12-year-old kid who is pretty obnoxious,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Timothy Spall is ready to bring “Joy to the World.”
“It’s a Christmas story, but an unusual Christmas story,” he tells Variety about his upcoming film, directed by Edward Hall. Calico Pictures and Shuk (Studio Hamburg UK) produce for Sky, while James Nesbitt co-stars.
“It’s about a troubled 12-year-old kid who is pretty obnoxious, really. He is clever but doesn’t like his life. His mom is struggling and his brother is desperate for a present he is not going to get. He is full of hate. Then he witnesses a robbery.”
It’s an unusual robbery, however, taking place during a “Santa Dash.”
“He sees one of them rob a bank, tries to pursue him and then encounters this old man in the woods, under the tree, claiming he is Father Christmas. Obviously, the kid thinks he’s mad. It’s a sweet movie, but it has this hard edge to it,...
“It’s a Christmas story, but an unusual Christmas story,” he tells Variety about his upcoming film, directed by Edward Hall. Calico Pictures and Shuk (Studio Hamburg UK) produce for Sky, while James Nesbitt co-stars.
“It’s about a troubled 12-year-old kid who is pretty obnoxious, really. He is clever but doesn’t like his life. His mom is struggling and his brother is desperate for a present he is not going to get. He is full of hate. Then he witnesses a robbery.”
It’s an unusual robbery, however, taking place during a “Santa Dash.”
“He sees one of them rob a bank, tries to pursue him and then encounters this old man in the woods, under the tree, claiming he is Father Christmas. Obviously, the kid thinks he’s mad. It’s a sweet movie, but it has this hard edge to it,...
- 9/24/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Tl;Dr:
Ringo Starr’s “No No Song” was co-written by an important rock songwriter. The tune was partly inspired by a scary incident at a hotel. Ringo discussed his memories of recording the song.
Ringo Starr‘s “No No Song” is about someone turning down different types of drugs. The track was inspired by another rocker’s drug habits. Subsequently, Ringo revealed “No No Song” didn’t reflect his attitude toward illicit substances at the time he recorded it.
How Ringo Starr’s ‘No No Song’ is connected to Three Dog Night’s ‘Joy to the World’
Hoyt Axton is a songwriter most known for crafting Three Dog Night’s “Never Been to Spain” and “Joy to the World” as well as Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher.” He also co-wrote “No No Song” with David Jackson. During a 1982 interview with The Oklahoman, he recalled deciding to quit drugs and alcohol...
Ringo Starr’s “No No Song” was co-written by an important rock songwriter. The tune was partly inspired by a scary incident at a hotel. Ringo discussed his memories of recording the song.
Ringo Starr‘s “No No Song” is about someone turning down different types of drugs. The track was inspired by another rocker’s drug habits. Subsequently, Ringo revealed “No No Song” didn’t reflect his attitude toward illicit substances at the time he recorded it.
How Ringo Starr’s ‘No No Song’ is connected to Three Dog Night’s ‘Joy to the World’
Hoyt Axton is a songwriter most known for crafting Three Dog Night’s “Never Been to Spain” and “Joy to the World” as well as Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher.” He also co-wrote “No No Song” with David Jackson. During a 1982 interview with The Oklahoman, he recalled deciding to quit drugs and alcohol...
- 7/12/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Some of Ringo Starr‘s songs became huge hits in the 1970s. One of those hits sounds an awful lot like The Beatles’ “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da.” Despite this, the song’s co-writer said the track was inspired by his own experiences.
Ringo Starr’s ‘No No Song’ sounds a lot like The Beatles’ ‘Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da’
Ringo’s “No No Song” has a light calypso/reggae element to it. It also has a jocular tone typical of Ringo’s solo work and the songs he sang for The Beatles. In terms of feel, style, and melody, “No No Song” is pretty similar to “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da.”
Considering The Beatles’ catalog was so successful, the former Beatles would have every reason to regurgitate their old songs. Despite this, they rarely did. Of all The Beatles’ songs, it’s a wonder why Ringo regurgitated “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da.” Perhaps it’s because his signature style was light and funny.
Ringo Starr’s ‘No No Song’ sounds a lot like The Beatles’ ‘Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da’
Ringo’s “No No Song” has a light calypso/reggae element to it. It also has a jocular tone typical of Ringo’s solo work and the songs he sang for The Beatles. In terms of feel, style, and melody, “No No Song” is pretty similar to “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da.”
Considering The Beatles’ catalog was so successful, the former Beatles would have every reason to regurgitate their old songs. Despite this, they rarely did. Of all The Beatles’ songs, it’s a wonder why Ringo regurgitated “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da.” Perhaps it’s because his signature style was light and funny.
- 6/30/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Just because some classic rock songs are overrated doesn’t mean they’re bad. Despite this, all the classic rock songs on this list need to be taken down a peg. Notably, Elvis Presley’s cover of one of these tracks is more famous than the original song.
The Beatles’ John Lennon and Paul McCartney | Fox Photos/Getty Images 5. The Beatles’ ‘Penny Lane’
Yes, The Beatles’ “Penny Lane” is an important song that helped drive the psychedelic revolution of the 1960s. It’s also an unpleasant track with a repetitive plunking piano track. And that horn solo is just so cheesy, it’s like it’s from Elvis’ Vegas period.
According to Stereogum, Paul McCartney took inspiration from The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds to compose “Penny Lane.” It doesn’t come close to capturing the brilliance of that album, or even Paul’s other psychedelic outings. It’s a wonder...
The Beatles’ John Lennon and Paul McCartney | Fox Photos/Getty Images 5. The Beatles’ ‘Penny Lane’
Yes, The Beatles’ “Penny Lane” is an important song that helped drive the psychedelic revolution of the 1960s. It’s also an unpleasant track with a repetitive plunking piano track. And that horn solo is just so cheesy, it’s like it’s from Elvis’ Vegas period.
According to Stereogum, Paul McCartney took inspiration from The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds to compose “Penny Lane.” It doesn’t come close to capturing the brilliance of that album, or even Paul’s other psychedelic outings. It’s a wonder...
- 2/11/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When it comes to Netflix’s star-studded production of The Prom, one thing’s universal: this movie is a lot of fun. And mostly for the right reasons!
Based on the short-lived Broadway musical, The Prom tells the story of Emma (newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman), an Indiana high schooler who isn’t allowed to attend the dance with her girlfriend Alyssa (Hamilton‘s Ariana DeBose). Well, that’s part of the story, at least. The movie is mostly about a quartet of washed-up actors — Dee Dee (Meryl Streep), Barry (James Corden), Trent (Andrew Rannells) and Angie (Nicole Kidman) — who decide...
Based on the short-lived Broadway musical, The Prom tells the story of Emma (newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman), an Indiana high schooler who isn’t allowed to attend the dance with her girlfriend Alyssa (Hamilton‘s Ariana DeBose). Well, that’s part of the story, at least. The movie is mostly about a quartet of washed-up actors — Dee Dee (Meryl Streep), Barry (James Corden), Trent (Andrew Rannells) and Angie (Nicole Kidman) — who decide...
- 12/12/2020
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
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