tv – Page 13 – Rob Mansfield: Content-ment

Joaquin Phoenix on Letterman

This is one of the more bizarre, but genuinely entertaining celeb talk show interviews you’ll see for a while.

There has been speculation that Joaquin Phoenix was being serious, but I think it’s clear that even though David Letterman wasn’t in on the gag, he’s playing it for laughs.

Think about it this way: if Joaquin had gone on David Letterman and just given a straight interview, no-one would probably remember it. Now, it’s quickly become an internet phenomenon and tens of thousands of internet goers will have heard of Two Lovers, the movie he’s on plugging.

Enjoy!

Why it’s not just Timmy Mallet that will get a boost…

As Timmy Mallett’s ‘career’ receives a boost with his appearance in I’m A Celebrity, there’s an increasing worry that he’s getting ready to re-release his abominable version of Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini that he somehow managed to get to No.1 back in 1990 under the guise of Bombalurina.

It’s not that the former Wacaday presenter doesn’t deserve another (let’s hope) brief shot at fame, but let’s not forget that his short pop career was masterminded by none other than the (Dark) Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Bombalurina is, as any fewl nose, a character from Lloyd-Webber’s phenomenally successful musical Cats, but it was also the name given to Timmy’s group which Lloyd Webber produced, hence the Cats link.

In fact, Lloyd Webber had previous form at entering the pop charts undercover. Along with a guy called Nigel Wright, he made a song called Tetris, using music from the computer game, under the name Doctor Spin. The track charted at No.6 in the UK charts in 1992 – amazing.

I know ALW has gained some sort of cool status again for his appearances on BBC’s Joseph/SoM/Oliver reality series, but that’s surely no reason for him to make more money and re-inflict IBTWYPDB on us again, is it? Surely Timmy Mallett alone is enough?

I’m a Celeb’s back… not as good as last year!

So the latest line-up for I’m A Celeb has been announced and it has that familiar feel about it. The ‘feel’ being – oh, god what a load of rubbish.

Lots of random young ‘stars’ who most people have never heard of – Nicola McLean, anyone? Boring popstars/soapstars who are desperate to revive their career now they’re no longer a part of what made them famous – Simon Webbe from Blue and ex-EastEnder Joe Swash.

In fact, the most interesting people are the older contestants who might get a little more irritated and annoyed by everyone else: Esther Rantzen, Robert Kilroy Silk, Martina Navratilova and George Takei will surely dominate the action.

The thing is, though, if you think back to previous years, many of the contestants fit into a specific bracket:
– Weird American (David Gest, Angie Dickinson, Huggy Bear – Martina in 2008)
– Outspoken older woman (Christine Hamilton, Lynne Franks, Jan Leeming, Janet Street Porter – Esther in 2008)
– Slightly older attractive woman (Sheree Murphy, Cerys Matthews, Natalie Appleton – Dani Behr in 2008)
– Ex soap star (Elaine Lordan, Malandra Burrows, Dean Gaffney, Chris Bisson – Joe in 2008)
– The one that no-one remembers but they needed to make up the numbers (Diane Modahl, Nigel Benn, Faith Brown, Kimberley Davies – Carly this year)

I don’t really want to commit to watching it, but something tells me I’ll be hooked in 2 weeks time. Roll on Ant & Dec…