Latest news with #Heroes'
Metro
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
TV fans have just hours to binge ‘bonkers' drama before new season launches
One of the hottest entries into the 'it's terrible but I can't stop watching' 2023 category of TV drama was over on Channel 4. The first season of the frothy swingers drama The Couple Next Door was pretty panned by critics – with a 38% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes – but viewers couldn't get enough. In fact, the season became Channel 4's biggest scripted streaming launch ever, with the first episode garnering more than a million streams in its first week. Starring Sam Heughan and Eleanor Tomlinson, the six-part run saw a young couple move to the 'burbs, only to become a bit overly friendly with their neighbours – with dire consequences. The second season turns the show into an anthology, with only an initial nod to the couples of the first season via a newspaper frontpage, before we meet a new foursome set to swap beds. The one mainstay, besides the Belgian filming location masking for outer Leeds, is Hugh Dennis's cul-de-sac creep Alan (although he's now somewhat reformed, doing community service). To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The new season focuses on the medically inclined power couple of Charlotte (Annabel Scholey) and her husband Jacob (Sam Palladio). She's a heart surgeon, he's an anaesthetist. But when a new nurse Mia (Aggy K Adams) joins their hospital and then decides to rent the vacant house next door to them, their marriage is turned upside down. A complicated situation is worsened by the return of Charlotte's handsome and clearly-still-into-her ex Leo (Heroes' Sendhil Ramamurthy). Senior TV Reporter Rebecca Cook shares her take… If you enjoyed the first season of the swinging Leeds neighbours, you'll be happy to hear this is more of the same – and perhaps better. But if you were among the naysayers, probably best to look away now (it's not improved that considerably). They've done away with some of the yawnsome filler of last season (criminal conspiracy, the strains of local journalism albeit from someone who can afford a humongous house), instead focusing on the character drama with a side of kink. This erotic entanglement is a touch less silly than the last, largely because of one thing: Annabel Scholey. The Split star elevates what is quite soapy material because she's just very good at what she does. Even when it's shooting dangerous looks from under some scrubs. The mysterious Mia from Norway crashes into the couple's 'sex Wednesdays' routine for scenes that are, yes, still a bit overplayed. But if you're coming into this second season from the first, you already know what you're in for. Loosely adapted from the Dutch drama Fatal Injections, the first season was billed a cheesy erotic thriller. Duncan Whittaker wrote on Google reviews that he 'loved it,' adding: 'The ending was such a bonkers bit of fun.' More Trending Jo Austin added: 'It was all a bit daft but entertaining and enjoyable enough.' However, not everyone was completely on board with the season (hence the hate watch adjacent reputation) with Helen Johnson labelling it 'ridiculous!' before adding: 'I've only seen one episode but I laughed several times (and it's not a comedy!).' Not holding back, Dean Skutela added: 'One of the worst programmes I've ever watched. I kept praying for it to get better but it just kept getting worse.' View More » The Couple Next Door season 2 is available to stream on Channel 4, with episode 1 airing on the channel at 9pm. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: All 6 episodes of 'compelling' mystery thriller are streaming now on Netflix MORE: 'Sinister' crime thriller spin-off smashes to top of the Amazon Prime chart MORE: Blind date takes a cheeky turn as woman, 58, announces plans to 'snog' 24-year-old
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Live Aid at 40: Bono recalls iconic performance but laments 'such a bad hair day'
Freddie Mercury peacocking across the stage, pumping his mic stand while 72,000 pairs of hands double clapped in unison during Queen's 'Radio Ga Ga.' David Bowie, elegant in his powder blue suit, giving new meaning to 'Heroes' as a blond tuft of hair flopped against his sweaty forehead. Bono, oh Bono, already changing the world and the trajectory of U2's burgeoning career with an 11-minute version of 'Bad' so searing that it reached through the screen to capture your soul. The breathtaking moments during Live Aid are too numerous to recount considering the towering lineups at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia that also included Paul McCartney, Elton John, The Who, Duran Duran, Eric Clapton, Sting, Madonna, Mick Jagger and Tina Turner. The aptly named 'Live Aid: When Rock 'n' Roll Took on the World,' a four-part documentary that dives into the colossal benefit show spearheaded by Bob Geldof, premieres at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) July 13 – the same date as the original event in 1985 – on CNN. In the two hourlong episodes provided to the press, Geldof, as charmingly scruffy now as he was as a darker-haired thirtysomething in the '80s, hasn't altered his steadfast focus – to raise funds to combat poverty and starvation in Ethiopia. Along with archival footage, Geldof's interviews in segments 'A Band Aid' and 'The Global Jukebox' (9 p.m. ET/PT July 20) are supplemented with current commentary from Bono, Sting and Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor. Also joining the conversation is Ultravox's Midge Ure, Geldof's partner in establishing Band Aid, the superstar lineup of British musicians who first aided Africa with their spirited charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' in 1984, and co-organizer of Live Aid. The other episodes, 'The Greatest Show on Earth" (July 27) and 'Live 8 – 2005' (Aug. 3), both airing at 9 p.m. ET/PT, underscore the challenges Geldof faced getting money allocated to the neediest African communities and explain why he staged another global concert 20 years after Live Aid. For the several generations who weren't alive when the original two-continent, 16-hour concert bonanza unfurled live: Now is your chance to learn about this landmark in music history. Witnessing the devastation Band Aid sought to relieve While the origins of Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' were profiled in a December documentary to mark the 40th anniversary of the anthemic song, still more behind-the-scenes video is unearthed here, along with footage of the rampant disease and starvation plaguing Ethiopia. In a particularly moving segment from the '80s, a father holds his severely ill child, conceding that she will soon die. 'I worried about how to find a shovel,' to bury her, he says in current day. Seated next to him is that same girl, who made a miraculous recovery and is now a grown woman. Geldof visited Ethiopia in 1985 to see the heartbreak himself, earning him the scornful nickname, 'St. Bob.' As he recalls hearing the Band Aid song being played while there, he breaks down on camera at the memory of experiencing Bono's line from the song, 'Tonight thank God it's them instead of you,' while witnessing the distressing effects of malnourishment. 'All the rage, all the shame,' he says through tears. How Band Aid influenced USA for Africa Determined to continue to raise funds while also arguing with the British government about the value-added tax being taken from the song's proceeds, Geldof was thrilled to receive a call from Harry Belafonte. Belafonte, along with Michael Jackson – both of whom Geldof imitates to amusing effect – wanted to involve U.S. artists in the cause with the establishment of USA for Africa. 'If America comes to the party,' Geldof remembers thinking, 'then it's game on.' The nerves behind Live Aid News footage of Geldof's press conference announcing the historic Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia includes his comment that The Who was reforming especially for the event. Cut to an interview with Pete Townshend. 'No we weren't,' he says. 'It was blackmail, really.' But because of Geldof's passion, the band agreed to perform. Other archival media clips include a British TV station breathlessly reporting that fans overwhelmed box offices to get tickets to Live Aid, 'despite the 25-pound price tag.' Some of the behind-the-scenes fretting included Geldof's fear that new technology of using 16 satellites to broadcast the concerts on MTV and around the world would fail. 'No one knew if it would work,' he says. 'There was no plan B.' Bono, Queen and Phil Collins make memorable marks The MVP of Live Aid was unquestionably Phil Collins, who performed solo and with Sting at Wembley Stadium in the afternoon, then hopped aboard the Concorde supersonic airliner to play a second set that night in Philadelphia. While Collins was crossing the ocean, Queen was playing an early evening slot instead of later in the night as would befit an act of their stature because Geldof was no fan of their 'operatic' pop. Show promoter Harvey Goldsmith is more diplomatic, saying the band was put on during a 'low period' to give a 'kick' to the show. 'It seemed like a harebrained scheme,' says Queen's May, with a wry smile acknowledging his underappreciation of the event at the time. Bono, meanwhile, offers reflective insight into U2's momentous performance, which found him scaling the stage barricades during 'Bad' to reach a fan being passed through the crowd. While he believed in the humanitarian cause, he was also aware that, 'this is a TV broadcast and the performer in me is of course looking for some kind of 'moment'.' Bono also admits that even though U2's stirring performance has been decreed a pinnacle of Live Aid, he can't bring himself to watch it. 'It was such a bad hair day,' he recalls. 'It's one of your most famous moments of your life … and you've got a mullet.'
Perth Now
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Margaret Cho slams 'not nice' Ellen DeGeneres
Margaret Cho has slammed Ellen DeGeneres for being "not nice" to her. The 56-year-old comic first crossed paths with the former talk show host on the stand-up circuit in the 1980s, so she always found it "really weird" that Ellen would pretend they had never met when she appeared on her eponymous daytime programme. Speaking on The Kelly Mantle Show, Margaret said: "Ellen was really weird and not nice to me for most of my career. "I opened for her in the 1980s, when she was a headliner in comedy clubs. Later, when I would do her talk show in the 2000s, she would act like we just met. "And I'm like, 'B****, what?' That's weird. We go way back. It's so creepy and weird." Margaret will never forget one particular incident when, after she had attended a David Bowie concert in a "Chinese emperor outfit", the 'Heroes' hitmaker - who died in January 2016 -praised the elaborate costume during an apeparance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show the following day, but his remarks were edited out of the final broadcast. She said: "It made me so mad. "The producer, who was a really good friend of mine, had to call and tell me, 'I can't believe she did this but she cut it out of the show. But you need to know that he was going on and on about your outfit! God said your name.' '[It's] so rude! I don't know if it was personal, maybe it was [cut] for time. But still, I'm going to take it personally just because I decided to.' Margaret isn't the only comic to have criticised Ellen because Rosie O'Donnell recently admitted there is still unresolved "stuff" between herself and the Finding Dory star - who she previously accused of pretending she didn't know who she was - but insisted she doesn't bear any "malice" towards her. Rosie told Us Weekly magazine: 'I don't want to fight against another gay woman. It's not like we're tenaciously opposed to each other. We're just very different people. "We have had some stuff in the past that we never resolved. And not in any way as, as partners or lovers or anything like that, just as friends and comedians, but I wish her the best. I seriously do."
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Salman Khan's Galwan Valley film casts Chitrangda Singh as its leading lady: Reports
1 2 Salman Khan is all set to head back into battle, this time with the patriotic military action drama, reportedly based on the India-China Galwan Valley clash in 2020. According to the latest buzz, the film has found its leading lady in Chitrangda Singh, India Today reports. This will mark the actress' first time collaborating with Khan and sharing screen space. The untitled film is said to be based on the Galwan chapter from the book India's Most Fearless 3 by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh. Salman will reportedly portray Colonel B. Santosh Babu, the commanding officer of the 16 Bihar Regiment, who led Indian troops during the Galwan conflict. This project is said to be significant for the actor, as it will mark his first time portraying a real-life character in a full-length feature. While he previously donned military uniforms in 'Heroes' and 'Jai Ho', they were limited appearances. Directed by Shootout at Lokhandwala's Apoorva Lakhia, the upcoming film promises a gripping retelling of real events with high-octane action and emotional depth. As per Pinkvilla, the team is said to be planning a marathon 70-day shooting schedule which is expected to wrap by October. Salman is currently undergoing physical transformation and military training to prepare for the role. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The actor has been seen shedding his buky Sikandar look to rock a new lean avatar. Besides Salman and Chitrangda, three younger actors will also be part of the ensemble cast, though their names are yet to be announced. Salman and Chitrangda's film collaboration comes nearly a decade after the two made headlines for their growing friendship. Back in 2015 it was reported that Salman turned mentor for the beauty, who had expressed her desire to work in more films. At the time, Chitrangda was the ambassador of Salman's brother, Sohail Khan's CCL (Celebrity Cricket League) team.
New Statesman
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Statesman
This England: With a couple of kookies…
A portrait of David Bowie took the artist Ed Chapman 180 hours to make – out of biscuits. The mosaicist created images of the 'Heroes' singer for McVitie's, which is celebrating 100 years of the Chocolate Digestive. He used more than 1,000 of the treats to fashion the faces of icons including Trevor McDonald and Judi Dench out of whole biscuits, fragments and crumbs. His works go on show 2-5 May at McVitie's Chocolate Digestives Experience in Regent Street, London. Wales Online (Amanda Welles) Suite oblivion A sofa dumped in a Gloucestershire village has become an unexpected tourist attraction – with fans taking photos and giving Tripadvisor reviews. The two-seater was abandoned on waste ground in Lydbrook, but photographer Alex Elton-Wall saw potential in the forlorn furniture – and has since taken the portraits of more than 150 locals. 'It's taken on a life of its own,' Alex said, but he expects the fly-tipped seat will soon be disposed of properly. 'All good things come to an end,' he said. Metro (Daragh Brady) Forced to eat crow The owner of a cockerel that awoke neighbours early has been ordered to pay nearly £4,000. Harold Brown let the bird make 'unacceptable levels of noise' disturbing their sleep 'from as early as 5am each day,' said New Forest District Council. Mr Brown's bid to quash a conviction for non-compliance was dismissed at Southampton Crown Court. BBC (Michael Meadowcroft) Each entry that appears in the New Statesman receives a £5 book token. Send your entries to comp@ [See also: This England: One previous owner] Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Related
