British soul stars Estelle and Duffy have held on to the top spot in the singles and album chart respectively
March 31, 2008
British soul stars Estelle and Duffy have held on to the top spot in the singles and album chart respectively.
Estelle, who decamped to America to record her new album with Kanye West, gains a second week at number one with her bubbly single American Boy.
Duffy, from Nefyn in north-west Wales, spends a fourth week atop the album charts with her debut Rockferry.
Panic At The Disco enter at number two with the psychedelic Pretty. Odd, and Foals debut at three with Antidotes.
Jack Whites side-project The Raconteurs are another new entry at eight - less than a month after they finished recording their sophomore album.
UK TOP FIVE ALBUMS
1 Rockferry - Duffy
2 Pretty. Odd. - Panic At The Disco
3 Antidotes - Foals
4 Footprints In The Sand - Leona Lewis (pictured)
5 Dreaming Out Loud -OneRepublic
Source: Official Chart Company
Consolers of The Lonely was rush-released in digital form because the band wanted fans to hear it "as soon as possible".
They are not the only act to benefit from online promotion this week - US rock act Counting Crows have scored their highest UK chart position in 12 years after trailing their album with two free downloads.
The bands fifth album, Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings, bows into the chart at number 12.
Other new entries in the album chart come from Supergrass, Mike Batt and violinist David Garrett - who famously broke his violin in a fall at the Royal Festival Hall at Christmas.
UK TOP FIVE SINGLES
1 American Boy - Estelle feat Kanye West
2 Flo Rida ft T-Pain - Low
3 Mercy - Duffy
4 Sam Sparro - Black and Gold
5 Madonna ft Justin Timberlake - 4 Minutes
Source: Official Chart Company
The singles countdown is relatively static this week, with only two new entries - from Usher and Snoop Dogg - in the lower reaches of the chart.
Australian singer-songwriter Sam Sparro scores his first top ten hit with the electronic funk of Black and Gold, which rises 19 places to land at number four.
Madonnas duet with Justin Timberlake, a new entry last week, also climbs two places to sit at number five.
Meanwhile, songs from Britney Spears, Scouting For Girls and Yael Naim also breach the top 40 for the first time, having charted outside the main countdown previously.
Dozens of Indonesians have demonstrated outside the Dutch embassy in Jakarta over a Dutch MPs film that has outraged many Muslims
March 31, 2008
Dozens of Indonesians have demonstrated outside the Dutch embassy in Jakarta over a Dutch MPs film that has outraged many Muslims.
Some protesters hurled eggs and plastic water bottles at the embassy as riot police formed a wall to keep them away.
Geert Wilders, leader of the right-wing Freedom Party (PVV) in the Netherlands, released the 17-minute film Fitna ("Strife") on the internet last week.
Showing scenes of terrorist attacks, it claims the Koran inspires violence.
Hundreds of Indonesian school students also demonstrated against the film in central Java on Sunday.
Demonstrators in Jakarta on Monday - from the Muslim group Islamic Defenders Front - held placards saying "Geert Wilders is a Christian terrorist", "Kill Geert Wilders" and "Holland go to hell!"
Police prevented protesters getting to the embassy gates
Iran protested to the Dutch ambassador in Tehran on Sunday. Irans foreign ministry called the film "insulting and anti-Islamic".
The film shows graphic images of terrorist attacks, including the destruction of the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001 and the London and Madrid train bombings, interspersed with verses from the Koran.
The film ends with someone turning pages of a Koran, followed by a tearing sound. It concludes: "Stop Islamisation. Defend our freedom."
Fitna has been condemned by the Dutch government and Dutch broadcasters have avoided showing it. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called it "offensively anti-Islamic".
Mr Wilders has received death threats and is under constant police protection.
Costume drama Cranford is making a comeback in a two-part Christmas special to be screened in 2009
March 31, 2008
Costume drama Cranford is making a comeback in a two-part Christmas special to be screened in 2009.
The BBC series will see Dame Judi Dench reprise her role as Miss Matty in the 1840s saga set in a Cheshire town.
The show, which is nominated for four Bafta awards, will also see the return of co-stars Imelda Staunton, Julia McKenzie and Francesca Annis.
The action will resume a year after the conclusion of the serial, which saw the wedding of Sophy and Dr Harrison.
The seasonal special is due to be filmed on location in Wiltshire and London.
Pool of talent
The programmes executive producer Kate Harwood said: " I am delighted that we are able to bring these much-loved characters back to life for a Christmas special in 2009."
She added the shows return would "once again unite an unprecedented pool of talent".
The Sunday night drama, which regularly attracted an audience of eight million people, will vie for best drama serial award at the Baftas ceremony on 20 April.
Dame Judi Dench and Dame Eileen Atkins will go head-to-head in the best actress category.
Dame Eileen played Mattys sister Miss Deborah, who died in an earlier episode of the series.
The show is also leading the Bafta craft shortlist with nominations in seven categories.
The awards honour people who work behind the scenes in the television industry, with categories including screenwriting and costume design.
Haitian-born rap star Wyclef Jean has recorded a radio message asking people in the country to give up crime
March 31, 2008
Haitian-born rap star Wyclef Jean has recorded a radio message asking people in the country to give up crime.
"If you love Wyclef that means you love Haiti," he said in Creole in a short ad run by local stations in the nation.
"So you should not be raping women, kidnapping people and children. There can be no excuse for doing so."
Jean, 35, was made a roving ambassador for Haiti last year by President Rene Preval. The singer gained fame as a member of hip-hop trio The Fugees.
His message was supported by the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas.
Evil practices
Kidnapping is rife in the Caribbean republic, with 36 people abducted in the capital city Port-au-Prince during March alone.
"I reject these evil practices," said Jean in his message, in which he also urged Haitian men to respect womens rights.
Jean was born in Haiti in 1972 but moved with his family to New York when he was nine years old.
The award-winning musician provides humanitarian aid and assistance through his Yele Haiti foundation.
ITV1 has escaped criticism from Ofcom over Sharon Osbournes four-letter outburst at the Brit Awards
March 31, 2008
ITV1 has escaped criticism from Ofcom over Sharon Osbournes four-letter outburst at the Brit Awards.
More than 128 people complained about the live show, which saw Osbourne - who co-hosted the event with husband Ozzy - swear at guest presenter Vic Reeves.
Ofcom said the comments were made "after the watershed and in a programme with a particular reputation".
Some viewers also complained about the "portrayal of the use of alcohol" at the ceremony, held on 20 February.
Mild language
In its ruling, Ofcom said the Brits was an established pop music awards ceremony with a "reputation for controversy".
The incident between Osbourne and Reeves, whom she accused of being drunk, occurred at 2135 GMT.
Ofcom said: "While we understand that this language may have been offensive to some viewers, it was broadcast after the watershed and in a programme with a particular reputation.
"We believe that regular viewers would have been aware of the likelihood of this kind of material.
"Further, Ofcom research indicates that the examples of language quoted are generally considered quite mild."
Ofcom also said the portrayal of the use of alcohol during the ceremony was "limited and incidental" to the coverage.
In Ofcoms view, the programme "did not condone or glamorise alcohol misuse".
"The effect of these images was more likely to be cautionary than attractive," it said.
Irish rockers U2 have signed a 12-year deal with concert promoter Live Nation to handle the bands merchandising, digital and branding rights
March 31, 2008
Irish rockers U2 have signed a 12-year deal with concert promoter Live Nation to handle the bands merchandising, digital and branding rights.
The deal follows the ground-breaking recording and touring contract Madonna signed with the company last year.
U2, however, will continue to release records through Universal Music.
"Weve been dating for over 20 years now," said singer Bono. "Its about time we tied the knot." Live Nation has managed U2s tours since 1980.
Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
Madonnas deal with Live Nation, which brings to an end to her 25-year relationship with Warner Music, has been reported to be worth $120m (£60m) over 10 years.
Great extension
"U2 has created some of the greatest rock music of all time," said Live Nation chairman Michael Cohl.
"It has long been our intention to consolidate and extend our relationship."
Madonnas deal is reported to be worth $120m over 10 years
Live Nation will continue to manage U2s tours and collaborate with the band on its official website.
"We feel weve got a great website but we want to make it a lot better," said Bono.
"U2 are doing their best work right now, on record and in concert," said the bands manager Paul McGuinness.
"The opportunity to integrate U2 and Live Nations vision of the future is a great extension of our established business."
With the decline in CD sales across the globe, artists are increasingly looking at so-called "360 degree deals" that combine their recording, publishing and touring revenues.
Las Vegas gambling movie 21 has opened at the top of the North American box office chart, with ticket returns worth $23
March 31, 2008
Las Vegas gambling movie 21 has opened at the top of the North American box office chart, with ticket returns worth $23.7m (£11.9m).
The film, starring Kevin Spacey and Kate Bosworth, displaced Dr Suess film Horton Hears A Who! into second place after two weeks at number one.
Spoof action release Superhero Movie was new at number three, with Iraq war drama Stop-Loss new at eight.
UK hit Run, Fat Boy, Run failed to enter inside the top 10.
Trailing
The comedy, starring Simon Pegg and directed by former Friends star David Schwimmer, was top of the UK and Ireland box office chart last October.
This weekends US box office takings were 23% down compared to last year, when Blades of Glory was top of the chart.
US BOX OFFICE TOP FIVE
1 21 - $23.7m
2 Horton Hears A Who! - $17.4m
3 Superhero Movie - $9.5m
4 Meet The Browns - $7.8m
5 Drillbit Taylor - $5.8m
Source: Media By Numbers
Media By Numbers, which compiles US box office statistics, said cinema admissions got off to a healthy start in 2008, but are now trailing last years returns by 2.6%.
But it added 2007 was very strong with blockbusters, including 300, released in the early part of the year.
"Every down weekend has a huge impact on the bottom line," said Media By Numbers president Paul Dergarabedian.
Artist Damien Hirst has paid tribute to his "great friend" and contemporary Angus Fairhurst, who has apparently committed suicide at the age of 41
March 31, 2008
Artist Damien Hirst has paid tribute to his "great friend" and contemporary Angus Fairhurst, who has apparently committed suicide at the age of 41.
"He always supported me in fair weather and foul," said Hirst.
"He shone like the moon and as an artist he had just the right amount of slightly round the bend. I loved him."
One of the "Young British Artists" who rose to prominence in the 1990s, Fairhurst is thought to have taken his life on Saturday in Argyll, Scotland.
Born in Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, he studied art at Londons Goldsmiths College in the 1980s, where he formed a lasting friendship and artistic collaboration with Hirst and their fellow student Sarah Lucas.
He was instrumental in organising the Freeze exhibition in 1988, which launched the careers of many of the so-called "YBAs".
Immensely intelligent
He exhibited at the Apocalypse contemporary art show at the Royal Academy in 2000 and had his work shown alongside Lucas and Hirsts at Tate Britain in 2004.
His work included cartoon depictions and clay models of gorillas
Fairhursts last show, at Londons Sadie Coles gallery, came to an end on Saturday, the day of his death.
The gallery has described him as "an intensely intelligent artist" who "had a huge number of close friends from all walks of life".
Lucas, a former partner of Fairhurst, described him as "a lovely man" who was "funny and kind".
He was, she said, "very much loved by all his friends" and "very much loved by me".
Fairhurst, who never reached the heights of his more celebrated contemporaries, was known for featuring practical jokes in his pieces.
Gallery Connections, in which he networked together the phones of galleries in London so they unwittingly spoke to each other, remains on show at Tate Britain.
Witty and perceptive
"Angus Fairhurst was always deprecating about his own talent," Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota said.
"But he made some of the most engaging, witty and perceptive works of his generation and was an enormously influential friend of other British artists."
Strathclyde Police said the body of a 41-year-old man had been found in woodland in Bridge of Orchy on 29 March.
It said a post-mortem would be carried out to establish the cause of death but that foul play was not suspected.
Actor and theatre director Kevin Spacey has criticised the BBC for airing talent shows such as Any Dream Will Do and Id Do Anything
March 31, 2008
Actor and theatre director Kevin Spacey has criticised the BBC for airing talent shows such as Any Dream Will Do and Id Do Anything.
"I felt that was essentially a 13-week promotion for a musical - wheres our 13-week programme?" Spacey said.
The Hollywood star is artistic director at the Old Vic theatre in London.
"I have spoken to your chairman but he has yet to get back to me," Spacey said. The BBC replied that its shows were not "unduly promotional".
"These Saturday night shows celebrate musical theatre generally, not just one West End show," said Elaine Bedell, controller of entertainment commissioning.
"The BBC is committed to finding and supporting new musical talent as part of its longstanding commitment as a patron of the arts."
Crossing the line
Speaking to BBC entertainment reporter Colin Paterson, Spacey said it was "great" people were getting "interested in the West End and theatres".
However, he said he thought the BBCs talent shows were "crossing the line" and "unfair".
Id Do Anything finalists battle it out for the role of Nancy in Oliver!
He suggested the corporation instead broadcast a series about the theatre "to help kids find their own sense of self-esteem, confidence and ability to collaborate".
"These are interesting ideas, but they
e not sexy so maybe they don want to put them on air," he said while promoting his latest film 21.
Spacey said it was time to start building the next generation of theatregoers. "If we don , well lose them all to TV," he warned.
He also said he would like to see the return of Play For Today, the landmark BBC series that produced Mike Leighs Abigails Party and Ken Loachs Cathy Come Home.
Judging panel
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? and Any Dream Will Do scoured the country for hopefuls to star in Andrew Lloyd Webbers productions of The Sound of Music and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Id Do Anything is currently seeking to find its Nancy and Oliver for a new staging of Lionel Barts musical version of Oliver Twist.
HAVE YOUR SAY
It can be seen as a promotion for a musical, but it can also be seen as decent family entertainment
Rob, Leicester
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Oliver! is being produced by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, though Lord Lloyd-Webber remains on the judging panel.
The BBC said it "always reflected" other West End shows in its talent programmes.
It also pointed out the corporation had no commercial interest in the West End productions of Oliver!, Joseph or The Sound Of Music.
Spacey is currently starring in David Mamets play Speed-the-Plow at the Old Vic.
Gambling drama 21, the number one film in North America over the weekend, is released in the UK on 11 April.
The BBCs archive of coats, dresses and frilly shirts has been bought by Oscar-winning costume house Angels
March 30, 2008
The BBCs archive of coats, dresses and frilly shirts has been bought by Oscar-winning costume house Angels.
It ends a period of uncertainty for the BBC costume department, which ceased trading in February after initial attempts to sell its collection failed.
More than one million items from shows such as Ashes To Ashes and Blackadder will be transferred to Angels HQ in Hendon, north London, from next week.
Angels is the UKs biggest supplier of costumes to the film and TV industry.
The family-run business has provided tunics to Star Wars, loincloths to Gladiator and ruffs to Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
It won its first Oscar for costume design with Laurence Oliviers Hamlet in 1948, and has picked up a further 29 Academy Awards.
Among those were prizes for films such as Titanic, Ghandi, Memoirs of a Geisha and The English Patient.
Chuffed
The BBC costume department began life on the third floor of Television Centre in west London as a store for the collars and cuffs worn by early TV presenters and newsreaders.
The costume department employed dozens of designers and tailors
Over the next 50 years, it grew into an operation hiring out 15,000 outfits a year, with a turnover of around £1.3 million.
Last year, the BBC announced it was to sell the department as part of a wide range of cuts at the corporation.
However, an early bid - thought to be from prop hire company Superhire - fell through.
The deal with Angels means that the archive of costumes will remain available for use by British film industry professionals and international productions in the UK.
The BBCs collection of around 10,000 wigs has been sold separately to a new company formed by former employees of the costume department.
Chairman of Angels the Costumiers, Tim Angel, said he was "very excited" by the acquisition.
"Ive been working in the costume business for 40 years and one of my first briefs was to try and get BBC work," he said.
"So Im quite chuffed weve managed to buy the stock, because it keeps it all together, and I think thats important".
Angels will also take on four staff from the BBCs costume department to "provide continuity". Around 20 staff worked in the department before it closed in February, and several have been made redundant.
It will take about six weeks to transfer the costumes to Angels warehouses, which already contain six-and-a-half miles of costumes.
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