Tag Archives: Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais gives prostate cancer the finger

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Comedian and Hollywood star, Ricky Gervais, has put prostate cancer on top of the news agenda again by insisting his comedy partner Karl Pilkington have his bottom examined while being filmed in ‘An Idiot Abroad 2’

The comic duo entered into light hearted banter about the digital rectal examination (DRE) during the sketch which is due to be due aired tonight on Sky2 at 11pm.

The pair were joined by Dr Frank Chinegwundoh, Lead Urology Consultant and Project Lead at Newham University Hospital Trust, who explained to them about the most common cancer in men in the UK, and gave a reluctant Pilkington an internal inspection.

More than 10,000 people have viewed the comic sketch, which has since been uploaded onto You Tube.

Ricky said: “Karl is the typical ‘bloke’ who would rather take his chances with prostate cancer than have another human being put a finger where a finger shouldn’t go. I knew men everywhere would reconsider and say, ‘if Karl can do it so can I’.”

Ricky’s support of raising awareness of prostate cancer first hit the headlines in 2005 when a radio advert he scripted and recorded for The Prostate Cancer Charity was banned by the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre, although the ban was later overturned.

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: “We are extremely grateful to Ricky, Stephen, Karl, and Dr Chinegwundoh for using comedy to raise awareness of prostate cancer and the diagnostic process to literally thousands of people. Through his comedy Ricky has once again broken down some of the misconceptions about the disease and helped to raise awareness of it.

“We know men can be reluctant to go and see their doctor if they have problems ‘down below’ and so to script a sketch that questions this embarrassment in a non-threatening way is just brilliant.”

Gervais later urged his 714,856 Twitter followers to support The Prostate Cancer Charity to continue it’s work by donating money to the cause.

You can view Ricky’s prostate cancer chat on ‘An Idiot Abroad’ here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypphWN1eKVU

Sir Roger Moore, Brigitte Bardot Speak Out Against Animal-Tested Cosmetics

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Hollywood legends Sir Roger Moore, Brigitte Bardot and Virginia McKenna are speaking out in support of a ban on selling animal-tested cosmetics in Europe. They join stars Ricky Gervais, Ke$ha, Leona Lewis, Melanie C, Dame Judi Dench and Mary McCartney in signing Humane Society International’s “CrueltyFree2013” petition.

These stars and more than 92,000 compassionate consumers are urging European Union politicians to keep their promise to make Europe a cruelty-free zone by banning the sale of new cosmetics tested on animals. With a ban in place, any cosmetics tested on rabbits, hamsters or other animals after 2013 would be banned from EU shop shelves.

In 2009, the EU banned animal testing for cosmetics in its own labs, but it is still legal to sell animal-tested products and ingredients imported from countries such as Brazil, China, Canada and the United States. An EU-wide ban on the sale of animal-tested cosmetics is due to come into force in March 2013, but the European Commission has hinted the ban may be delayed, perhaps by many years.

Sir Roger Moore said: “It seems absurd to me that Europe still allows animal-tested cosmetics to be sold in its shops when such animal testing is itself quite rightly banned in its laboratories. If something is unethical, it is unethical full-stop regardless of where in the world it takes place. So I say to EU politicians, stop supporting cosmetics animal testing in other countries by selling these products. You promised to ban them, and a gentleman’s word is his bond.”

Virginia McKenna added: “Sometimes I despair. We are meant to be an enlightened, civilized society, and yet we still exploit defenceless animals in the so-called ‘beauty’ business. Testing mascara, shampoo and other cosmetics on animals is completely unnecessary and totally cruel. Is that the choice we make over kindness and compassion? Shame on us if it is. I unreservedly support Humane Society International’s CrueltyFree2013 Petition.”

Brigitte Bardot said: “We do not have the right to poison then kill animals, sensitive beings, for some beauty creams. It is urgent to equip the European Union with reliable, modern and non-cruel research, by definitively abolishing animal testing which is a cruelty without name.”

HSI supports the international Leaping Bunny cruelty-free standard. Companies that carry the Leaping Bunny logo are subject to independent audits to guarantee no animal testing, and include Urban Decay, Hard Candy, Montagne Jeunesse, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and the Co-operative. To shop cruelty-free, download our Leaping Bunny Compassionate Shopping Guide.

To join the celebrities and 92,000 EU consumers who’ve signed the CrueltyFree2013 petition so far, please click here, or visit: www.hsi.org/crueltyfree2013

Ke$ha Joins Campaign To Ban Animal-Tested Cosmetics In Europe

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‘Animal’ Singer Ke$ha Joins Campaign To Ban Animal-Tested Cosmetics In Europe

American singer Ke$ha has joined stars Leona Lewis, Ricky Gervais, Dame Judi Dench, Mary McCartney and Melanie C, in urging EU politicians to keep their promise to ban the sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals such as rabbits and hamsters [1].

The stars, and more than 60,000 compassionate consumers, have signed the CrueltyFree2013 petition organised by animal charity Humane Society International [2] urging EU politicians to make Europe a cruelty-free cosmetics zone by 2013.

Animal testing for cosmetics is banned in the UK and EU, but it is still legal to sell animal-tested products and ingredients imported from countries such as Brazil, China, Canada and the United States.

A European Union-wide ban on the sale of animal-tested cosmetics is due to come into force in March 2013, and could be a major step toward a global end to cosmetics animal testing. However, as the 2013 deadline approaches, the European Commission has hinted the ban may be delayed, perhaps by many years [3]. The lives of thousands of rabbits, hamsters, mice and guinea-pigs hangs in the balance.

Ke$ha signed HSI’s CrueltyFree2013 petition as her first collaboration with animal charity Humane Society International following her appointment as the charity’s first ever Global Ambassador.

Ke$ha said:
“I am honored to be the first HSI Global Ambassador because my music is inspired by the freedom and primal beauty of animals and the natural world. I take this opportunity incredibly seriously because we are ALL animals. One of the main underlying sentiments of my music is to respect all living creatures just as they are. I believe that together, we can change laws that allow innocent animals to be unjustly mistreated and abused all over the world.”

Ke$ha’s goal is to help HSI promote respect, protection, and compassion for animals around the world. Her record of musical success is impressive – her hit “TiK ToK” was the biggest-selling digital track in the world in 2010 and her “Animal” album has already sold over 2 million units worldwide. She’s racked up a number of prestigious award nominations, and took home a 2010 MTV Europe Music Award for Best New Act.

Readers can join Ke$ha in signing the CrueltyFree2013 petition at www.hsi.org/crueltyfree2013

HSI is part of the international ‘Leaping Bunny’ cruelty-free standard. Approved brands are independently audited to guarantee no animal testing and include Urban Decay, Hard Candy, Montagne Jeunesse, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Superdrug. To shop cruelty-free download our Leaping Bunny Compassionate Shopping Guide at http://www.leapingbunny.org/images/globalguide.pdf

Nancy Dell'Olio Turns 50

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IT’S TIME TO PUT SAGA IN THE OLD FOLKS’ HOME

Nancy Dell’Olio leads launch of high50 – targeting new generation of fiftysomethings

London, 7th June 2011: high50 (say ‘five-oh’), an online community with cutting edge editorial for people who believe life really begins at 50 – launches with a lead column by Nancy Dell’olio on what turning 50 means to her.

The mortgage is coming to an end, the kids are leaving home, the anxieties and insecurities that bedevil the earlier years are beginning to slip away. It’s like being a teenager again, but with experience.

Reflecting this ideal, high50 will offer quality editorial that is relevant, cool and interesting. With a stellar line-up of journalists readers can expect everything from sex, shopping and sport to music, money and mischief, as well as thought-provoking pieces from the likes of Dominic Sandbrook on 50 years of British history.

High50 will be both inspirational and aspirational, and will source the best promotions and discounts for the discerning – partner brands include erotica boutique Coco de Mer, Champneys spa resorts and luxury travel operator Kuoni.
In what will be the first of many guest columnists Nancy Dell’Olio writes exclusively about what turning 50 means to her:
“This August I want to celebrate my 50th birthday with two days of partying in Puglia, in Italy, where I spent many of my childhood summers. Yes, my 50th: Barack Obama turns 50 this year too. I have something in common with him: everyone’s always asking to see our birth certificates!

50 – what’s not to like? I feel wiser, wittier and happier; I’m in the prime of my joy. It is, as I’ve said, a magical time, and magic has no age – just like my spirit. My spirit is the thing that will keep me vibrant forever. There’s an old saying that goes, “If the young only knew, if the old only could.” Well, huh. I do know, now, and I certainly can, still. Here’s to my fifties: you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

The 50-plus market will soon be the biggest, richest and most influential in the UK, by 2020 accounting for half the population. It is the fastest growing demographic using Facebook and Twitter, accounting for 31% of online users.

In the real world, the over 50s increasingly share interests – music, art, cinema, theatre, television, sport, technology, rock festivals – with people of all ages. Yet advertising, branding and editorial largely ignore them or assume their interests amount to buying end of life insurance policies and stair lifts. High50 looks to change this, and celebrate all that turning 50 has to offer.

Former Sunday Times Style editor and acclaimed author Tim Willis was appointed editor of high50 earlier in the year and has assembled a team of regular columnists which include some of the most respected journalists and writers in the UK, including: Sally Brampton, Linda Kelsey, Elaine Lemm, Julie Welch, Daniela Soave, Peter York and more.

In a year that will see the likes of George Clooney, Julianne Moore, Ricky Gervais, Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie, the Mini Cooper, the World Wildlife Fund, the lava lamp and the President of the United States of America all turn 50, it’s time to change our opinions of ageing.

WELCOME TO HIGH 50 | www.high50.com Anyone can access the high50 site – though registration will bring extra benefits.

2010's most popular bands, comedians and shows. {Showbiz}

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2010: The Year of the ‘man band’

viagogo reveals the most popular gigs of 2010

2010 was the year of the man band with Take That topping the charts as the most popular act of the past 12 months.

According to viagogo, Europe’s largest secondary ticket marketplace, 2010 was a year of testosterone-fuelled acts as the Kings of Leon and JLS complete the top three. There was just one woman in the top ten – Lady Gaga in fourth position.

The Libertines, in their intimate comeback gig at the HMV Kentish Town Forum, was the highest priced ticket of 2010.Tickets for Libertines reunion gig sold for well over the odds with the highest price ticket going for £223, £197 above face value.

Surprisingly, Cliff Richard’s recent 70’th anniversary gigs also pulled in the pennies with fans paying £136 – £76 over face value – to get a glimpse of the golden oldie.

Top 20 most popular acts of 2010

1. Take That

2. Kings of Leon

3. JLS

4. Lady Gaga

5. Michael Bublé

6. Roger Waters

7. Bon Jovi

8. Muse

9. Black Eyed Peas

10. Westlife

11. Usher

12. Katy Perry

13. Justin Bieber

14. Rhianna

15. Leona Lewis

16. Foo Fighters

17. Eric Clapton

18. Linkin Park

19. Tinie Tempah

20. Florence and the Machine

Top 10 most expensive gigs of 2010

1. The Libertines £223

2. Sade £144

3. Cliff Richard £136

4. Van Morrison £133

5. Eric Clapton £126

6. Elton John £125

7. Roxy Music £124

8. Michael Buble £122

9. Kylie Minogue £120

10. Barry Manilow £115

Ed Parkinson, director of viagogo UK said: “This year has been all about Take That with ticket sales breaking all records but other ‘man bands’ have benefitted from a year that’s been all about the boys including Kings of Leon and The reformed Libertines. The X Factor has also played a pivotal role in driving ticket demand for certain acts, with nine acts from the top 20 appearing live on the talent show this year.”

Top 10 most popular theatre shows of 2010

1. Glee Live!

2. Britain’s Got Talent

3. Flight of the Choncords

4. Lord of the Dance

5. Doctor Who Live

6. Love Never Dies

7. BBC Electric Proms

8. Strictly Come Dancing

9. Diversity

10. Les Miserbales

As for theatre, it’s TV that is driving us from our sofas to the stalls, with two

thirds (60 per cent) of shows in the top 10 most in demand theatre productions being based on the small screen

Top 10 most popular comedians of 2010

1. Michael McIntyre

2. Frankie Boyle

3. Peter Kay

4. Lee Evans

5. Ricky Gervais

6. Billy Connelly

7. John Bishop

8. Jimmy Carr

9. Dara O’Brien

10. Tim Minchin

TV dominates the most in demand comedians list as well with newly appointed Britain’s Got Talent judge Michael McIntyre topping the funnymen league, whilst Apprentice You’re Fired host Dara O’ Brien clinches ninth place. Panel show guests Frankie Boyle and Jimmy Carr are also cashing in on their TV fame, taking 2nd and 8th place in the most in demand comedians’ list.

Who was your favourite entertainers of 2010? Let us know.

Celebrity wildlife hero Brian May supports BUAV's call for an end to the UK's role in cruel monkey trade.

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Rock guitarist Brian May and TV wildlife expert Bill Oddie have joined the BUAV in its call on the UK Government to stop supporting the cruel trade in wild-caught monkeys. Brian May and Bill Oddie joined a host of MPs, primatologists and other scientists who attended an event at the House of Commons for the BUAV’s Stop the Baby Trade campaign to end the cruel trade in monkeys for research. The event was hosted by Leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas MP, with guest speaker, field biologist and conservationist Ian Redmond OBE.

Brian May and Bill Oddie were shocked to learn about the cruelty and suffering involved in the capture of wild primates. Despite a UK ban on the import of wild-caught primates since 1997, there is not a similar ban on their offspring. Since 2009, over 2,000 monkeys born to wild-caught parents have been imported into the UK. The majority of these came from Mauritius which is the UK’s main supplier of primates.

Dr Brian May CBE said:

“The imprisonment and abuse of wild animals must stop. BUAV has uncovered evidence of monkeys ripped from their jungle homes and families, and forced to produce babies who will be shipped to laboratories around the world. The UK plays a major part in allowing this cruel trade to continue by importing monkeys from countries such as Mauritius for British laboratories. On behalf of the Save-Me foundation, I call on the Government to cut all ties with this cruel trade immediately, and fully support the BUAV’s campaign to Stop the Baby Trade.”

Bill Oddie OBE said:

“To me this issue is not whether or not animals should ever be used in medical research, it is about the utterly unacceptable and blatantly cruel conditions in which monkeys are trapped, transported and kept. I fully support the BUAV’s campaign to Stop the Baby Trade.”

Caroline Lucas MP has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM 957) calling on the Government to completely disassociate the UK from the cruel trade by banning the use of primates born to wild-caught parents, as well as those from facilities which trap wild primates for breeding purposes. The EDM has to date been signed by 80 MPs.

Other famous supporters of the campaign include comedian Ricky Gervais and celebrity designer Meg Mathews.

http://www.stopthebabytrade.org

EDM:

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=41946&SESSION=905

Frost Film Review: Cemetery Junction

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Frost Rating ****

A group of 20 something’s living in the early 70’s in the isolated Cemetary Junction, a sleepy suburb near Reading. Their days consist of mundane jobs, chasing girls, drinking and drawing bits and bobs on billboards.

So far it doesn’t sound like a premise for a hilarious Gervais-Merchant film but underneath the gushy-feel-good-coming-of-age premise is an observant and clever comedy.

I don’t want to give too much away but the story follows three friends living in sleepy Cemetary Junction; Freddie (Christian Cooke), Bruce (Tom Hughes), and Snork (Jack Doolan); who’s lives are transformed by the reappearance of Freddie’s childhood sweetheart Julie (Felicity Jones).
Gervais and Merchant manage to get away with some incredibly politically incorect jokes but it’s set in the 70’s so the audience forgives them. What really makes this film keep you laughing is the brilliant script.

So my advice, if you want to be entertained by a warm, funny, easy on the brain-film…definately go watch it!!!
15 cert (94 mins)

Cemetery Junction Official Site – Sony Pictures

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYDeHIszUqA