I Wanna See New 'Steel Magnolias' Movie

1989 tearjerker “Steel Magnolias” is one of my all-time classic favourites so its good to hear the film has been remade, as a TV movie in the US with an all black cast featuring, Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad (Cosby Show), and singer/actress Jill Scott. The original movie, starring Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, Shirley McClaine and Daryl Hannah portrayed a community of strong 'steel' women in a storyline of humour and tragedy.

Image Source: TMZ.com

I know the new version is going to be great with such a strong cast but it probably won't be shown on UK television until about five years time and most likely on Channel 5, that screens US TV movies daily. Can I wait that long?

No Subtitles For Dallas Viewers

As an eighties child, I grew up watching Dallas. When the US TV series returned to our screens last week on Channel 5, I was one of the 3.4 million viewers who tuned in to watch it and was satisfied with the Southfork drama and anxiously anticipated watching it tonight to see what the young Ewing cousins were getting up to.

Dallas Channel 5 Wednesdays 9pm

I was sincerely angered.  No, I was sincerely pissed that there were no subtitles for deaf/hard of hearing viewers.  Channel 5 one of the five mainstream UK TV channels, does not respect its hearing impaired viewers.  Subtitling during the Big Brother season wasn't consistent and I've been unable to watch my former favourite topical debate show The Wright Stuff for two years as subtitles aren't available.

Dallas has brought Channel 5 their best viewing figures in years.  The least they could do is cater for all viewers.  I've been able to follow the storyline and if the subtitles are absent next week, there's no point in me tuning in to watch again.  I'm sure I'm not the only hearing impaired viewer who feels that way too.

Get your act together, Channel 5...There's plenty other channels that deaf people can watch.

Celebrity Big Brother 2012 - I Heart Julie Goodyear

This years Celebrity Big Brother 2012, Channel 5, is proving to be a mad one... “Superbitch” Jasmine Lennard, “Wish List” rinser, Danica Thrall, “Bad Boy Cheater”, MC Harvey and “Poison Penmate”, Samantha Brick were the “obvious” main characters put in the house to stir up controversy.

Super Skinny “Psycho”, Jasmine didn't fail to get her claws out, but she was evicted after just two days. Danica caused a stir with her excessive flirting, but that's her job so there was no big surprise there. The other “main” characters have featured in the drama, but failed to make any big impact on viewers. To my surprise, the star of the CBB house has been the one person at the start of this series I thought was a bad choice...the one and only Julie Goodyear, aka Coronation Street's Bet Lynch.

The fabulous Julie Goodyear

From the moment Julie entered the house, gnawing her gum, she has entertained. The task with former Eastenders fat Heather, Cheryl Ferguson was hilarious. “...I don't take crap from no-one”, her panic when she has to nominate, her instant dislike for Coleen Nolan and of course her bitch sniping behind her fellow housemates back has made the celebrity version of the show truly fantastic this year.

There's a lot of backlash for Julie from the viewers and evicted housemates for being two-faced and manipulative. On Friday's (31^st August) eviction, the crowd were chanting “get her out” but I'm pleading to KEEP HER IN. Without Julie in that house, there will be no point in watching. All the females, bar herself and Coleen, have been voted out, there's four single guys with nowhere to channel their animal lust, comedian Julian Clary looks uncomfortable and Martin Kemp, a big fan of the show, is too aware of the viewing public to let himself be himself.

Julie and Julian
Image Source:  Channel5.com

Although producers balanced CBB housemates age wise, they made a big boo boo putting all those young guys and a bachelor Prince in the house with two “hot” glamour models (Rhian and Danica) who are in relationships. Viewers don't want to watch housemates living in peace and unity, they want drama, action and romance. Excusing the latter, only Julie is delivering the goods.

I couldn't live with her, but love watching her. The chewing gum, the cigarette holder, the leopard print outfits and that bloody handbag. She's classic, she runs the show and is deservedly CBB 2012 forefront winner. Don't hate, Big Brother fans. Appreciate!

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Big Brother 2012 Caroline Has Furry Lookalike

My friend Joelle, like me, is a Big Brother (Channel 5) fan.  As well as being entertained by the the backstabbing and bitchiness in the house this year, we've also become fixated with Caroline's (static) hair.  Whilst browsing on the web, Joelle found a lookalike:

Cuddly Guinea Pig

Big Brother 2012 Housemate Caroline

I agree the similarities are there but the guinea pig is more pleasant to look at and probably easier to live with than the 'stirring' housemate.

Big Brother 2012 Catchup. Day 5, June 10th

Big Brother 2012 Catch Up, Day 5, Channel 5, 10^th June 2012

Well its been tantrums and tears in the Big Brother house this weekend and believe it or not its all over food. In last nights edition, Chris flipped with Luke S over performing well in tasks (that they haven't been set yet) in order to get the food in. Tonight all the girls were getting in flap over bloody sausages with Lil' Lauren caught in the crossfire.

Sausagegate

Some housemates had one sausage for their bangers and mash meal, others however, decided that they wanted two meaning the sausages weren't shared equally. Deana openly admitted having two, whilst sly Arron kept schtum about his extra portions. Lauren passed a comment about people being inconsiderate. Later in the evening Sheivonne, Sara and Ashleigh were in the toilets slagging Lauren off with Ashleigh being pissed that Lil' Lauren would be a threat to her chance off getting her claws into Luke S. Lydia was earwigging outside the door, then Lil' Lauren came in and confronted the wicked witches where everything turned to the sausages where Lauren was accused of singling out Deana for taking two. Lauren went crying to Daddy Bear Adam, who told the girls to basically take a chill pill.

Nominations

I'm not happy that Big Brother is allowing housemates to talk openly about nominations. Its spoiled the fun of when housemates slip up and the punishments they used to receive. Bad Big Brother.

Luke S, Arron and Conor want to be in the final together and are plotting thick. Lydia overheard their plan and has now formed her own alleys with Lauren, Deana and Adam to ploy their own little nomination plot.

Observations

The housemates haven't even been in the house for a week and the bedroom is a bloody tip.

I can't understand how Luke A is a chef and barely in the kitchen. But if housemates are gonna go mental over a sausage, maybe the heat would be too much for him to stand.

Has anyone noticed how camera aware Chris is? (GET HIM OUT)

Will Adam get the straighteners out when his curtain bob gets too frizzy?

If Deana thought Victoria had evil eyes, isn't she bothered by Rebecca's psycho eyes?

And on the subject of Rebecca, does anybody else think she resembles Mary from Coronation Street?

Big Brother 2012 Day 2, Channel 5

Day 2 in the Big Brother house June 7^th 2012  Channel 5 10pm

Well the housemates are getting to know each other better in the house and all seems merry, bar a few blips.

Loving the Diary Room chair

Self conscious Luke A decided to tell the housemates, a few at a time that he was born female. Once he'd got his secret of his chest he felt accepted and relaxed but still hasn't found the courage to tell Luke S, Arron and Conor yet. Hope he tells them soon and moves on from the subject.

Big Friendly Giant, Adam revealed his past as a criminal too, the look on Luke A and Lydia's face was a treat.

Deana feared she wasn't gelling with anyone and told the girls who showered her with compliments to put her at ease. Deana comes across as the kind of girl who likes a lot of attention which could wear both herself and fellow housemates down in the coming weeks. I honestly can't see her lasting long in the house.

Chris filled the fun factor with his garden workout and dancing antics. He's spreading himself around the house and mixing things which could backfire on him badly if he's not being genuine. In his audition he claimed to be two-faced so that side will probably come out more in the Diary Room in days to come.

Loving

Sheivonne ; Her impressions of fellow housemates in the Diary Room showed her fun side and housemates were pretty impressed, bar Lydia (See Hating)

Luke S ; He comes across arrogant but is showing signs of being a fun housemate. He likes the older ladies and told Big Brother in the Diary Room that Sara's his kind of crush. He's been weighing up Victoria to the other young guys. Would he go there? Also with Sara it's the typical male attitude... go for the prettiest first and if you don't get nowhere there's plenty more to choose from

Hating

Lydia ; The girl needs to get over herself. She's already pissed off being up for eviction and was not a happy bunny when she saw Sheivonne's impression of her “...I'm not in here for the fame”. “I've come in here to be myself...I'm not in it for the fame...I've worked with loads of famous people and my boyfriends a celebrity...” she wailed. Andy Scott Lee, a celebrity??? In his prime he was Z list and now he's at “who cares” status. If this girl don't stop whimpering it'll be goodie bye tomorrow night and good riddance

More tomorrow night. Lydia's my favourite to go but I'm thinking people might not be feeling Victoria. She's hot but her personality makes her seem more 50 than 41.

VIEW ALL BIG BROTHER HOUSEMATES AT BIG BROTHER LAUNCH SHOW

BIG BROTHER 2012 DAY ONE

Big Brother 2012 Day 1

June 6th 2012 Big Brother 2012 Channel 5, 10pm

Day 1 in the Big Brother house: Deana's having second thoughts about the nominations she made, Conor, Victoria and Lydia. Conor told Deana not to worry but revealed his fears at being evicted this Friday in the Diary Room. Victoria asked Deana if she really had “evil eyes”, Deana spun her a line about eye contact made whilst she had to make her decision so Victoria said she's not bothered. Lydia seems to have taken the news the hardest and is struggling to connect with anyone in the house, bar Deana, who she's trying to suss if she's genuine or not. Phew!

Little groups are forming quickly but will change as personalities are revealed more. Sara, Arron and Ashleigh didn't waste any time getting into the hot tub. Luke S and Adam are competing for the Alpha Male role, in a polite way, for now. Bitching has already started with Chris and Scott sharing opinions of other housemates with poor Luke A who's more concerned with how people will react when he reveals that he used to be a she and will Sara, who he met during auditions, reveal his secret before he decides to.

I'M LOVING

Chris, the squeaky voiced bailiff's bitching and wanting to be in everyone's business makes him a perfect housemate for viewers. Especially in these early days when we're waiting for people to let down their guards.

Sheivonne; I was unsure if she'd be annoying or funny when she went in the house but I'm starting to think she could be a cool housemate now if she finds the right sidekick.

Luke A; I'm hoping his “secret” doesn't become more prominent than he is as he seems to be a cool, good spirited person.

I'M HATING

Bloody Benedict going on about his porn and teaching career. I can see him showing some deep issues quite soon.

Scott; I can't take to this guy. He comes across as creepy and slightly fake. Wish Deana had picked him.

Ashleigh; She's seriously going to grate me and talking about “Golden Showers” on the first night in a house full of strangers on National TV is not a good thing.

Wildcard housemates from left Anthony, Bhavesh and Rebecca

Three wildcard housemates are ready and waiting to exchange places with whichever housemate is evicted on Friday. Viewers can vote, via Twitter at channel5.com/bbwildcard for either self-confessed weirdo Anthony Burns, Rebecca Hannon or “stirrer”, Bhavesh Sharma to go in the house. They all seem a bit wacko to me and not worthy of being a housemate more than Conor, Victoria or Lydia.

Tune in to Donz On The Box tomorrow for more Housetalk

Big Brother 2012 launch night

BLOG ALERT : Housemates pictures will be added/updated as soon as I get em.

Big Brother 2012 launch night 5th June, kicked off on Channel 5 this evening with a mega 16 housemates. First housemate in, Deana, was given immunity from Friday nights eviction so long as she nominated three fellow housemates. And she had to nominate in front of them.

Deana, a pretty Asian girl is the company of a wild and wacky bunch. Here's my first impressions, and as always with Big Brother, they usually change as the weeks go by.

Deana

HM 1 Deana : Pretty, came across bolshy and upfront in audition footage but I see a sneaky side to her which will involve backstabbing and manipulation to get what she wants. My side-kick, Joelle, who is helping me edit this write up liked her at first but didn't like the way she came across throughout the programme.

HM 2 Arron : Manchester model claims to be a player but isn't all that hot or cool enough to carry it off. A little bit too prissy for my liking. Will watch him and see. Joelle thinks he's a knob.

HM 3 Caroline : Self-confessed lazy bones has big unruly hair and will probably come across as totally annoying or funny. Joelle likes her.

HM 4 Shievonne : 28 year old Londoner is a little self-obsessed and loud. May get on with Caroline. May get on other HM's nerves.

HM 5 Conor : Irish Jack-The-Lad came across cocky on audition footage but throughout the show seemed like a funny housemate who can get on with anyone, yet is able to stand up for himself. Will either be great pals with Arron or enemies. Conor was nominated by Deana at the end of the show. Her reason; he didn't make the effort to talk to her.

HM 6 Lauren : Farmer's daughter Lauren is well educated and obviously in there for the TOTTIE factor. Seems likely to get up to pool and bedroom antics to keep viewers watching.

HM 7 Luke A : Transexual Luke is a 31 year old chef who is married. A lot of stories to tell and as a chef will be great in the kitchen until housemates decide they want to eat/cook different things from the others. Seems confident within himself

Adam

HM 8 Adam : Brit Born, American reared, former prisoner turned good guy seems genuine and will probably want to take the fatherly role in the house which normally means boring viewing and bossy to housemates.  Has 14 sisters so should know how to handle any bitching between female housemates.

Sarah

HM 9 Sarah : Gorgeous TOTTIE model from Edinburgh. Definitely a fave with the guys and I caught Luke A checking her out with a BIG grin on his face. I thought Deana may have picked her for nomination, but she escaped.

HM 10 Scott : Me and Joelle don't like this self-confessed snob, gay student as he appeared to snub Adam and Shievonne on his entrance in the house. Will have to keep my eyes on him.

HM 11 Ashleigh : Loopy Ashley likes to swear and annoyed me and Joelle so much from the audition footage we didn't pay her any attention.

HM 12 Luke S : Clever young entrepreneur comes across cocky but he insists he's not.

HM 13 Lydia : 25 year old dancer/model Lydia is the girlfriend of Andy Scott Lee (Michelle Heaton's ex) so she would have had a good briefing on how to portray herself on reality TV. Such a shame she's been nominated for eviction by Deana who said they didn't talk enough, which Lydia refuted. Lydia was not a happy bunny at the end of the show.

HM 14 Benedict : 32 year old stripper loves porn and will obviously be keen to show his body off in the house and get some action. He's not all that hot and may make the girls flesh crawl with too much sex talk.

HM 15 Chris : Chubby, squeaky voiced Chris seems to be a eager to please guy and will think he's funny when he's not. He's single but I don't think he'll find love in the house but may please viewers...Or not.

HM 16 Victoria : 41 year old Victoria is hot for her age but putting just one housemate in her age group is a little bit cruel. She may be ostracised by the other girls and may come across desperate to viewers if she joins in the fun. Poor Victoria may be last in, first out as Deana nominated her for having evil eyes.

Big Brother is wicked making Deana pick 3 housemates to face the public vote as she has to spend 3 nights with them and faces heavy backlash and possibly being up herself next nominations, especially if Lydia stays in. She could have opted out of the decision and faced the public vote herself, which is what a coward like me would've done. If she's as straight up as she claims she'll handle herself well but something tells me there's gonna be tears and slanging matches over the next few days.

Roll on tomorrows show. I can't wait.

We've missed you Big Brother.

Images from www.channel5.com