Latest news with #TheGreatBritishBakingShow
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix deal axed, but more ‘TV projects' are on the way
Meghan Markle is hitting pause on her podcast, 'Confessions of a Female Founder,' just as her and Prince Harry's $100 million Netflix deal was axed, per The Mirror UK. As their exclusive deal with Netflix winds down, it's clear Harry and Meghan aren't stepping away from the spotlight — they're just changing how they shine in it. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)(AFP) Speaking on Emma Grede's Aspire podcast last month, Meghan expressed, 'To then take everyone's advice, and mine included, and to say 'I love that there's so much excitement and desire for another season, but I need to focus on my business.'' But don't expect the Sussexes to disappear from the screen entirely. Page Six reported the couple is gearing up for a new chapter, one that could include a fresh first-look deal with Netflix, much like the Obamas' arrangement with the platform after their own exclusive deal ended. ALSO READ| Prince Harry and Meghan Markle heading toward bankruptcy after Netflix deal collapses? 'There are more TV projects coming soon with both the duke and duchess,' one source told Page Six. Meghan and Harry's star power keeps shining? Notably, the couple is reportedly still very much in demand at Netflix, and CEO Ted Sarandos continues to enjoy a close personal relationship with the couple, including regular dinners, per insiders. Meanwhile, Meghan's lifestyle series 'With Love, Meghan' will return for a second season this September. The first season may have flown under the radar, ranking No. 383 on Netflix's recent 'What We Watched' report with 5.3 million views. But a Page Six source pointed out that this actually places it 'in the top 5 percent of Netflix shows,' outperforming titles like The Great British Baking Show, Chef's Table, and Queer Eye Season 9. Meghan is also busy building her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, and growing her wine and home goods line, As Ever. She recently sold out of her rosé wine and is preparing to launch a champagne collection alongside holiday-themed products. ALSO READ| Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's $100 million Netflix deal won't be renewed. What it means for With Love, Meghan 'The brand continues to evolve with new products that align with her vision for quality lifestyle goods at accessible price points,' a source told Page Six. 'This wine is good enough to be poured at Buckingham Palace,' a Brooklyn sommelier praised the Duchess wine, per the New York Post.
Los Angeles Times
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘All the Sharks' might be the friendliest competitive shark show you'll see this summer
It's been 50 years since 'Jaws' ruined that summer, spawning a fleet of increasingly dreadful sequels and knockoffs, turning a simple fish into a movie monster, and a dozen since 'Sharknado' turned the monster into a joke. Sharks had been swimming in the culture before that, to be sure, often with the prefix 'man-eating' appended, though men eat sharks too, and way more often — so who's the real apex predator? And even though they are not as naturally cute as our cousins the dolphins and whales — I have never heard of one balancing a ball on its nose — they have also been made adorable as plush toys and cartoon characters. 'All the Sharks,' premiering Friday on Netflix, is a competition show in which four teams of two vie to photograph the most, and the most different, species of sharks, across two eight-hour days, and are set loose in the waters off Japan, the Maldives, South Africa, Australia, the Bahamas and the Galapagos Islands. And, brother, are there a lot of varieties — hammerhead shark, walking shark, whale shark, tawny nurse shark, pajama shark, pelagic thresher, tiger shark, tasselled wobbegong shark, puffadder shy shark, baby shark, mommy shark and daddy shark, to name but a few. (There are 124 species of sharks in Japanese waters, we're told, and 200 off South Africa.) Points are awarded according to the rarity or abundance of the species in each location. These sharks are neither monsters nor jokes, though at least one contestant finds the banded houndshark 'freaking adorable … their little cat eyes, their subterminal mouth.' As competitions go, it is friendly, like 'The Great British Baking Show' or 'MasterChef Junior.' There's no way to sabotage your opponents, no strategy past guessing where the sharks might be running, eating or hanging out. The purse — $50,000 — goes to the winners' chosen marine charity, though prizes are also awarded to the top-scoring team in each episode. (Cool gear, seaside vacations.) Winning is not so much the point as just staying in as long as possible — because it's fun. Sometimes things don't go a team's way, but no one has a bad attitude. Naturally they are good-looking, because this is television, and fit, because you need to be to do this; most have professional expertise in fishy, watery or wild things. (They certainly know their sharks.) Brendan (marine biologist) and Chris (fisheries ecologist) are a team called the Shark Docs. Aliah (marine biologist specializing in stingrays — which are closely related to sharks, did you know?) and MJ, identified as an avid spearfisher and shark diver, comprise Gills Gone Wild; they met at a 'bikini beach cleanup' and have been besties ever since. British Bait Off are Sarah (environmental journalist) and Dan (underwater cameraman), who like a cup of tea. And finally, there are the Land Sharks, Randy and Rosie. Dreadlocked Randy, a wildlife biologist, says, 'I was always one of the only Black guys in my classes … I got that all the time: 'Oh, you're doing that white boy stuff' and it's just like, 'No, I'm doing stuff that I love.'' Rosie, an ecologist who specializes in apex predators, wants to show girls it's 'OK to be badass … work with these crazy animals, get down and dirty.' She can hold her breath for five minutes. The show has been produced with the usual tics of the genre: comments presented in the present tense that could only have been taped later; dramatic music and editing; the 'hey ho uh-oh' narrative framing of big, loud host Tom 'The Blowfish' Hird, with his braided pirate's beard, whose website identifies him as a 'heavy metal marine biologist.' Footage of great white sharks — the variety 'Jaws' made famous — is inserted for the thrill factor, but none are coming. But whatever massaging has been applied, 'All the Sharks' is real enough. The contestants deal with rough seas, strong currents, jellyfish and sundry venomous creatures, intruding fishermen, limited air, sinus crises, variable visibility and unexpected orcas. And the sharks — who do not seem particularly interested in the humans, as there is no lack of familiar lunch options — do sometimes arrive in great, unsettling profusion. (There's a reason 'shark-infested waters' became a phrase.) Meanwhile, the ocean itself plays its ungovernable part. In their enveloping blueness, dotted with colorful fish and coral reefs, the undersea scenes are, in fact, quite meditative. (Humans move slow down there.) Someone describes it as like being inside a screen saver. In the bargain, we learn not a little bit about shark behavior and biology, and there is an implicit, sometimes explicit, conservation theme. Each encountered species gets a graphic describing not only its length, weight and lifespan but the degree to which it is or isn't endangered — and, sad to say, many are.
Business Insider
18-05-2025
- General
- Business Insider
I play alongside my kids now that they're older more than I did when they were toddlers
I've been taking care of kids since I was a teenager. It started with babysitting, tutoring, and eventually working as a nanny. When I became a speech-language pathologist in my early 30s, I learned that playing with young children is a huge part of language growth and bonding. For years, I spent my workday on the floor, playing pretend and zooming a car down a track hundreds of times to teach vocabulary and speech sounds. While I was spending all day with other people's kids, I also had three young kids of my own. As a single mother, after work, I was completely "played out." I couldn't stand the idea of spending even more time sitting on the floor, doing the same repetitive task. But I knew that quality time and communication were important for my kids' development. Instead of playing with toys, I focused on embodying playfulness. I prioritized meaningful, joyful engagement during everyday tasks. We spent time together in other ways When we cooked together or did chores, we got silly and danced. When we went on walks, we talked about everything we saw. We rode the ferry, hiked, and tried new cuisines together. Wherever we went, I made sure to keep my phone in my purse unless I really needed it. When I truly needed time to myself, I made sure to tell my kids we'd spend time together after I recharged. But I'd do so in a soft, developmentally appropriate way by saying something like, "Let's bake cookies in 20 minutes," and setting a timer. Because this was a normal part of our routine, my kids didn't seem to mind. They often played independently or with each other. From my training, I knew that the most important part was telling my kids the plan in a way they could understand and sticking to it. This built trust, modeled healthy communication, and set kind boundaries. Now, my kids are 15, 13, and 10. As they've gotten older, we started scheduling designated fun time together to make sure we don't get lost in the rush of dinner, homework, and extracurriculars. Last month, my 10-year-old wanted to wander around the local plant nursery, where he could smell the herbs and buy a vine for his bedroom window. My 15-year-old and I spent time learning to animate our illustrations together on Procreate Dreams. My 13-year-old and I still love baking unique treats, and we use The Great British Baking Show as inspiration. I actually like playing with them now that they're older I've also realized I love "big kid" toys more than I expected. A couple of years ago, we invested in board games for our family Christmas present, and last year, we had a blast playing our first video game together. I love finding new ways to goof off together, and we try to play games together twice a month as a family. My favorite part of the year with my kids is Thanksgiving, when we travel to a rural cabin. Half the trunk is filled with new board games, rackets, DIY obstacle courses, and craft materials. The best part is that all three of my kids often teach me how to play, and as I learn their games, I learn more about how they think. My son recently guided me through Roblox, and even though I called on my vintage Nintendo skills when we found Kirby's Return to Dreamland, I still had a lot to learn. As he explained strategies in both games, I could tell he cared about both of us having a good time. He often came to rescue me in Kirby when I couldn't figure out how to get out of a maze or beat a villain. When I truly couldn't understand the point of Roblox after several sessions, my son said, "Figuring it out together is the whole awesome point!" And he was right. My relationship with my kids has grown and changed over the years. For us, joyful connection is all about discovery and finding ways to make ordinary moments extraordinary.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The best soundbars for 2025: My top picks for theater-quality audio at home
Psst! Your TV has terrible speakers! I know, it's crazy, seemingly at odds with its stunning 4K HDR picture, but it's true. The blame lies with simple physics: There's just not enough room inside the cabinet to accommodate anything but small, underpowered hardware. And that's why you're often struggling to catch what Dame Prue Leith is saying on The Great British Baking Show. Fortunately, there's an easy fix: add one of our best-soundbar picks. These compact but powerful speaker arrays will make TV audio bigger and better, while also improving the clarity of voices — meaning you'll never miss a moment of Prue's saucy wit. More good news: You don't need to spend a lot of money to land a great audio upgrade. There are some solid soundbars priced $150 or less and great ones under $300. Make no mistake, you may need to spend a bit more if you have a big room to fill and want the added power of a subwoofer, rear satellites and Dolby Atmos speakers. But in our newly updated list, we're definitely leaning more into affordability. Just as there are some amazing Apple AirPods Pro alternatives priced $100 and less, so are there sweet soundbars that won't break the bank. Also, keep scrolling past the reviews for answers to commonly asked questions (like whether Dolby Atmos is really that big a deal). Best overall soundbar for 2025 Other top soundbars we recommend for 2025 Other soundbars we've tested Factors to consider when choosing a soundbar How we tested FAQs Specs comparison chart Read more: The best wireless headphones, tested and reviewed The best outdoor speakers to pump up your party jams The best streaming devices Update Mar. 21, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability and added a handy specs chart below. Our number one pick for the best overall soundbar remains unchanged. (back to top) (back to top) Below you'll find sound systems that we tested and liked, but for one reason or another are no longer part of our "best" roster. Some have been supplanted by newer iterations; others may not be affordable for some buyers. But they're still worth investigating, especially if you can get a deal (which is often the case with older or discontinued hardware). (back to top) The most important "feature" is the soundbar itself; everything else is just gravy. That said, if you have aging ears, some kind of dialogue- or voice-boosting capability can make a big difference. Luckily, nearly every product here offers that in one form or another. Room size: Does size matter? As with most speakers, the larger the soundbar, the bigger and better the audio quality is likely to be. From a décor standpoint, a compact soundbar might look a little awkward sitting in front of a big TV, and vice versa. For example, I wouldn't pair the Roku Streambar with a 75-inch screen. Soundbar height: One often-overlooked consideration is height. If the soundbar is going to park directly in front of your TV, make sure it's not so tall as to block the latter's infrared receiver. That would block signals from the TV's remote, a fairly significant issue. HDMI port: It's not critical, but if your TV has an HDMI ARC or eARC port (most modern ones do), I recommend choosing a soundbar that has an HDMI port as well. Among other things, that pairing simplifies controlling the soundbar's volume using your TV's remote — an important usability consideration. (Juggling multiple remotes is not my idea of fun.) You may be able to do this via an optical connection as well, but the HDMI option also helps you hear soundbar audio from any other sources connected to the TV, like a game console, streamer or cable box. It's necessary for Dolby Atmos as well (see below). Connectivity: If you're looking for a fully wireless option, most modern soundbars support Bluetooth, though not all TVs do. My advice is to go wired, as you'll ensure the best audio quality and avoid possible audio-video synchronization issues. (You can still use the Bluetooth feature, and possibly Wi-Fi as well, to stream music from your phone or tablet.) Subwoofers and satellites: For purposes of this roundup, I've chosen only those additional speakers that connect wirelessly to the soundbar. They still need AC power, meaning extension cords may be required, depending on where you're placing everything. But in most cases, they'll connect and synchronize automatically, making this a fairly plug-and-play arrangement. (back to top) Here's the thing: Every soundbar here sounds good, if not great. Obviously, overall audio quality is important, but I believe we're starting from a high baseline: Any of these products will noticeably improve your sound experience. So instead of delving into highly subjective sound tests and confusing terminology, I focused on real-world considerations like these: How good is the instruction manual? Is it clear and detailed, with print that's large enough to read without a magnifying glass? How's the remote? Is it laid out logically, with reasonably sized buttons that are labeled clearly? Does the soundbar have a useful front-panel display that shows volume levels and/or mode settings? Speaking of modes, is it easy to switch between TV audio and Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (for listening to music)? Are there any senior-friendly features like dialogue enhancement and voice controls? All the soundbars were tested with a Roku Pro Series TV. I played movies such as Godzilla Minus One, All Quiet on the Western Front and Despicable Me, along with TV shows like Andor, Survivor and The Old Man. Let me just say it again: You can't go wrong with any of these. (back to top) True to its name, a soundbar is basically a group of speakers contained in a long, low-profile cabinet. The advantage is that it can usually sit right in front of the TV, or below it if it's wall-mounted. There may be other speakers in the mix as well for a full speaker system, including a subwoofer combo (which is very nice to have, as it provides the bass needed for more well-rounded sound) and, in some cases, side and/or rear speakers (aka satellites) to create a surround sound experience. There's an option for every budget. If you want to splurge, it's easy to spend $500 or $1,000 or more on a fancy system with a big subwoofer and wireless rear speakers. But even an inexpensive soundbar, one priced below $200 or even $100, will dramatically improve your TV viewing (and listening) experience. A standalone soundbar is usually quite easy to install: Just plug it into an AC outlet and then connect it to your TV. However, if you're not electronics-savvy, take note that many of the products here arrive with very basic setup guides and limited instructions. Often you'll be directed to online manuals and/or videos, which can be challenging if you're viewing them on your phone. For example, although the Sonos Arc is fairly easy to install, it comes with barely any printed documentation. You'll have to install the Sonos app and create an account to complete the setup process, and any additional help must be found online. In most installations, you'll need to adjust your TV speaker settings so the audio gets directed to just the soundbar. Some TVs will do that automatically when such speakers are detected, especially if there's an HDMI-eARC port. If not, it's usually pretty easy to find the necessary audio settings in the TV's menus. There's often a step or two required to make your TV remote recognize the soundbar system. For this you may have to consult both the soundbar and TV instruction manuals — and remember that one or both may live online. If you tend to struggle with tech stuff, consider researching all this before you make your purchase, the better to avoid obstacles or surprises during setup. The simplest explanation: Dolby Atmos is simulated surround-sound, the goal being to more fully immerse you in audio without the need for side and rear speakers. (There's another term for this: spatial audio.) How well this works depends on a number of factors, including room size and shape, where you sit in the room, the source material and the capabilities of the soundbar itself. Some higher-end models, including the Sonos Arc Ultra, add up-firing speakers to the mix, effectively bouncing sound off the ceiling. My two cents: It's a nice feature to have, but keep in mind that not all movies and TV shows take advantage of the technology, and different streaming services "deliver" it differently. In the end, I'm not convinced Atmos is a must-have for the average viewer. Your TV must have an HDMI eARC port, and the soundbar must be connected to that port. Atmos cannot be transmitted across a regular HDMI or HDMI ARC port, nor via an optical connection. (back to top) Dimensions Connectivity No. of embedded speakers Dolby Atmos? Subwoofer? Hisense AX5125H Soundbar 2.4" x 36.2" x 3.5" HDMI (x2), Bluetooth, optical 9 Yes Yes Sony HT-S100F Soundbar 2.5" x 35.5" x 3.5" HDMI, Bluetooth, optical 2 No No Roku Streambar 2.4" x 14" x 4.2" HDMI, Bluetooth, optical, Ethernet (with USB adapter) 4 No Optional Vizio SV210D-0806 All-in-One Soundbar 2.6" x 36" x 4.7" HDMI, Bluetooth 4 Yes 2 (embedded) Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar 3.1" x 46.1" x 4.3" HDMI, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 14 Yes No (back to top)
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How to watch 'The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2025' with the help of a VPN
If you just can't get enough of the cozy comfort series that is The Great British Baking Show, here's some good news: Starting this weekend, you can catch the newest celebrity edition of the show, but only if you know where to look. The Great Celebrity Bake-Off for Stand Up To Cancer, as the show is formally called, is an annual tradition that sees loads of British actors, musicians, and other personalities test their baking skills under the tent, all in an effort to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer, a charity that funds cancer research. This year's five episodes will feature celebs like Chicken Shop Date creator Amelia Dimoldenberg and Sex Education star Jim Howick, among many others. (Here's the complete list of participants who will compete against each other on the series.) The show is set to air on Sunday nights on Channel 4 in England, but the good news is that you can still tune in if you live outside the UK. Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 episodes ofThe Great Celebrity Bake-Off, including who will be appearing, when they air, and how to watch from anywhere with the help of a VPN. The Great Celebrity Bake-Off will air on Sunday March, 16 at 7:40 p.m (GMT). That's 3:40 p.m. ET for those in the U.S.. Episodes will air weekly on Sunday nights for five consecutive weeks. The Great Celebrity Bake-Off will air exclusively on Channel 4 in the U.K. Though Netflix carries several recent season of The Great British Baking Show, and its various spin-offs and specials, the platform does not show episodes of The Great Celebrity Bake-Off. That means to watch Amelia work outside of the chicken shop, you'll need a VPN to help you watch from inside the U.S.. If you want to watch this year's episodes of The Great Celebrity Bake-Off from abroad, all it takes is the help of a VPN. By using a VPN with a location set to a location in the United Kingdom, viewers in the U.S. can tune in to the broadcast for free on after the show airs live on Sunday nights. You will need to create an account on the site (you'll need a UK postal code handy to do this) and log in after changing your server location. A VPN (virtual private network) helps protect your data, can mask your IP address and is perhaps most popular for being especially useful in the age of streaming. Whether you're looking to watch Friends on Netflix (which left the U.S. version of the streamer back in 2019) or tune in to overseas broadcasts, a VPN can help you out. Looking to try a VPN for the first time? This guide breaks down the best VPN options for every kind of user. Three out of the four regular stars of The Great British Bake-Off will be part of the celebrity specials: presenters Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond will appear as comic relief, offering encouragement to the contestants, and longtime judge Paul Hollywood will also take part. His colleague, Dame Prue Leith, will not be participating; she will be replaced by Caroline Waldegrave OBE. the owner of the Dudwell Cookery School in Somerset, England. (Leith has confirmed that her absence is simply a matter of scheduling and she is not leaving the regular show as a judge.) So just who are the celebrities on The Great Celebrity Bake-Off? Well, there may be a few you've heard of and a few who, if you're not from Britain, might be unfamiliar to you. Here's the complete list of celebrity participants: Amelia Dimoldenberg (Chicken Shop Date) Chris Ramsey (Podcaster) Kate Garraway (GMB presenter) Jamali Maddax (Comedian) Gbemisola Ikumelo (Actress) Maxine Peake (Actress) Adam Buxton (Actor) Ellie Goldstein (Model) Stuart Douglas (Ex-footballer) Roman Kemp (Radio presenter) Rosie Ramsey (Podcaster) Phil Wang (Comedian) Self Esteem (Musician) Scarlette Douglas (TV presenter) Sarah Beeny (TV presenter) Jim Howick (Actor) Sophie Willan (Actress) Tommy Tiernan (Comedian) Meera Syal (Comedian) Gloria Hunniford OBE (TV presenter)
