THEGAYUK

Category: TV

  • Can Twitter predict the X Factor 2013 winner?

    Last year we ran a piece where we predicted the winners of X Factor 2012 by the number of Twitter followers they had, we call it the T.W.A.T.S system.

    It’s not an exact science, but by using the number of Twitter fans each contestant had as a barometer (science word) of potential success we managed to get quite an actuate picture of who was going to win.

    So going via the same formula we predict that this is how the X Factor Finals 2013 might look:

    1st Sam Callahan 175,185
    2nd Nicholas McDonald 138, 629
    3rd Kingsland Road 119,352
    4th Tamera Foster 114,081
    5th Luke Friend 113, 314
    6th Rough Copy 107,509
    7th Sam Bailey 89,811
    8th Abi Alton 66,422
    9th Hannah Barrett 58,239
    10th Miss Dynamix 37,001
    11th Shelley Smith 30,023
    12th Lorna Simpson 9,592

    Now as we said earlier we’re not scientists, and this barely constitutes as news, but if we were Hannah or Abi, we’d be shaping up our act – or at least faking some Twitter numbers!

  • People Get Ready As Ja’ime Is Set To Land UK Side

    For those of you not in the know Ja’ime King is a force to be reckoned with. Originally starring in Summer Heights High the posh girl has landed her very own TV show, Private School Girl.

    It was announced earlier in the year that comic genius Chris Lilley was working on a new project, but he kept very secretive about what the project actually was.

    After the huge successes of Summer Heights High, We Can Be Heroes and Angry Boys, he returns with one of his most demanding of characters Ja’ime, the single most, hottest girl on the planet.

    Ja’ime the slut, well not slut, kinda semi-slut is set to land here in the UK on BBC 3 in the Spring 2014.

    We kinda wanna be besties with her.

    Are you ready for this Ja’imazinginess?

  • TV REVIEW | Stephen Fry’s Out There

    TV REVIEW | Stephen Fry’s Out There

    ★★★★ You know when the intelligent heavyweight that is Stephen Fry puts his name to any programme that people will listen.

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  • Gay Couple To Join Channel 4’s Sex Box

    A gay couple take part in a sex experience in front of live studio audience for a Channel 4 progamme that aims to look at the sex lives of normal Britons.

    Three couples, which includes an engaged couple who were childhood sweethearts, a gay couple who have been together for 3 years and couple in their 20s.

    A spokesperson for Channel 4 said that the gay couple had wanted to take part in the show because it was a brilliant opportunity to show how ‘normal’ gay sex could be.

    Mariella Frostrup is to host the new show for Channel 4, which aims to reclaim sex from porn by ‘exploring how the ever-increasing consumption of pornography is distorting people’s expectations of sex and ultimately damaging the sex lives of Britons.’

    The show is to be recorded in front of a live studio audience, who like TV audiences will not see any sex or nudity.

    After each couples’ time in the box, they will talk with Frostrup and a panel of sexperts, which includes psychotherapist, broadcaster and author Phillip Hodson, sex, body language and relationship expert Tracey Cox and internationally syndicated sex columnist Dan Savage

    Sex Box presenter Mariella Frostrup said: “Ten years as the Observer’s Agony Aunt has given me plenty of insight into what an important role sex plays in our lives but also how difficult we find to talk openly about it to each other. The sex we see on screen, in magazines and increasingly online bears little relation to the real experiences of real people. I’m delighted to take part in this attempt to have a frank conversation about an essential element of all our lives. ”

    The actual Sex Box is a completely sound proofed box – however the walls are opaque, so audiences or the production crew will see little.

    Dan Savage said: “Many people have an easier time speaking honestly about sex with their friends – or with anonymous strangers online – than they do with their partners. But honest, fearless communication with the person (or persons!) with whom you actually have sex is central to creating successful long-term relationships. Sex is that important.”

    The show is to be broadcast on the 7th October.

    The Campaign for Real Sex Season starts on 30 September at 10pm with Porn on the Brain.

  • Gay Icon Kylie To Replace Bisexual Jessie J

    She of gold hot pant wearing goodness is about to replace her of bold statement lycra leggings. Yes Jessie J is set to leave BBC’s The Voice.

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  • TECH REVIEW | Netflix

    If, like me, you felt that the arrival of digital TV channels was like all your Christmases come at once, then you probably grew up in my era. Three main channels, all closing down before midnight, then joined by a fourth….and the rest is history.

    Except, these free to view (see what i did there?) are still dependant on an aerial for reception, and, as our friendly local TV guy told us, we have the wrong kind of leaves on the trees that form part of our boundary and for part of the year, Freeview becomes Noview….

    Until now that is. Given the chance to test Netflix for TheGayUK, and report back on its content, I nearly bit the hand that feeds me DVD’s and books to review!

    Now, I’m no tech nerd, nor am I a net novice but accessing Netflix is so damn easy, and with the onslaught of tablets and smart phones, it’s truly portable too.

    But first, a spot of history…

    Netflix is American and was established in 1997 to initially provide DVDs by mail much like LoveFilm. It has since grown and moved into streaming TV via the net and as of earlier this year, had around 36 million subscribers – because this is the genius bit, its subscription only. Not only does it stream older series, and not just US ones but Brit ones too, it also commissions its own. It’s responsible for the resurrection of Arrested Development for a final series, it commissions original series like Hemlock Grove and House of Cards. It’s won Emmys stateside for this last series….so it’s not just a simple streaming or rental service.

    I know, I know….some of these deals rip you off, but having tried this for around a month, I truly feel that this service doesn’t “diddle” its customer base. But it does depend what you want. For instance, some of the series it streams aren’t the most up to date ones and there are series you’d think it would carry that it doesn’t. But, for me, if you’re bored with the usual X-factors-got-a-Voice-no-talent show or hooked on re-runs, then this service is amazing. If you love old movies or schlock horrors, you’ll love this….

    For instance, the entire back catalogue of Buffy? Really? OMG?! Warehouse 13? Yes please! Gossip Girl? As if…

    And there are several films and documentaries that cover gay related issues. I’ll cover details of these at a later date.

    For now, I have to say, I’m a fan…

    It was easy to create my account once I had my activation key, and then download the app for both my iPad and iPhone to watch on the move via my mobile wifi… at home, I can watch something downstairs via Apple TV, whilst the boyfriend watches White Collar upstairs (apparently it’s got good story lines and not just the gorgeous Matt Bomer? Who knew?)

    So, if you want the latest movies or series, maybe look elsewhere for now, but if you want some old fashioned class with a mix of originality, then give Netflix a go….it has a reasonable monthly charge, free first month….and did I mention Matt Bomer?

  • TV REVIEW | Orange Is The New Black

    My Mother always warned me about the dangers of drugs, but she never warned me about the dangers of instant television. Most of my free days at University would be spent binge watching television shows and I would even sometimes pretend to be asleep so I was not disturbed during the fifth season of How I Met Your Mother.

    Whenever one of my favourite shows is cancelled I hope Netflix saves it like it did The Killing or Arrested Development. With this in mind, I was excited when watching the trailer for their original series Orange is the New Black.

    The montage of a variety of woman sold the show to me, and the series lived up higher than its expectations. With Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), the unlikely criminal protagonist set among the backdrop of criminals and an introduction to her ex-girlfriend (Laura Pepron) makes an interesting show.

    Unlike most shows that use prison as a setting, Orange sets a different genre. In comparison to others the show focuses on different characters emotional and psychological challenges, their survival, their love and hatred. Mostly it is set around Piper and her adapting to the way prison is run and overcoming issues with other characters such an angry head chef and crazy eyes.

    If you are still reading this and haven’t signed your life away to Netflix I will give you some reasons why you should:
    • Taylor Schilling is an amazing actress. Even though the show revolves around her life and adjustment to prison it also focuses on the impact it has on her engagement to Larry (Jason Biggs). As the show progresses the other inmate’s storylines become stronger and the audience invests emotions into this. Equally, each characters story is heart breaking and important.

    • Laverne Cox is a brilliant actress, although as a transgender woman herself the issues her character portrays don’t involve acting. I found it more interesting her twin brother played her former male self in the show. With one of the main themes is sexuality there are a variety of bisexual, homosexual, transgender and straight relationships to sink your teeth into.

    • The show does not ignore issues within the prison system and brings them directly to the viewers’ attention. The show leans on racial disputes, employee’s using their authority for sexual favours and those at the top who fiddle the system.

    • Minus the moments where you have to laugh, I can imagine this is what prison is like (or wish). It shows that Jenji Kohan done her research when creating this and I have learned a lot if I ever find myself in prison. I know not to annoy the chef or upset a prison wife.

    • Once you start watching it, as the plot twists slightly you become more intrigued to watch more. Each character surprised me in some way and either left me moved or laughing.

    The best part of Orange for me is that you can watch it all at once. I am glad Netflix are catering for those of us that are unable to follow a show for a number of weeks even if it does mean that your live tweeting and water cooler chat is limited due to others not keeping in time.

  • Gay producer creates iPhone sitcom

    Fancy a comedy break from the gym or light relief on the Tube? GOING NOWHERE, a new British sitcom from enterprising young gay media executive Robert SJ Lucas, is set to get global audience laughing when it is launched as an app next month. The series has been created for iphone users and will have plenty of appeal to gay and lesbian audiences.

    Written, produced and directed by Robert, the series consists of eight episodes in total, each lasting 15 minutes, and stars rising young actors in the lead, Stephen McLeod and Rebecca Livermore, who play two young marketing execs, reservedly gay, punctually uptight Martin and loudly confident Sandra. They find themselves stuck together in a number of awkwardly confined situations, such as a taxi, a lift, a bar, even a cupboard. Despite working as a team, they dislike each other and as they teeter on the edge of turning 30, careers and relationships are moving them forwards but taking them nowhere, fast.

    Born in Tufnell Park, London, 28 year old Robert has always aspired to be a scriptwriter. His parents, a Scotland Yard detective and a graphic designer divorced when he was young, and it was his grandparents who nurtured his love of theatre, music and drama, and his obsession with Dr Who. Determined to follow his creative ambitions, he abandoned his psychology studies and set up Disclosure Group in 2010 which has become the production outlet for a number of his self-penned projects. These include London-based relationship drama, LADIES + GENTLEMEN, which explores a seemingly random group of relationships between boyfriends, girlfriends, lovers and strangers brought together by one shocking event; and a web-based soap, PA’s.

    His current project, PORN brings together five hot guys and girls in a comedy series that mixes muscles with mirth, libido with laughter, tanned torsos with testosterone. He has also worked with Channel 4 developing the ‘For3minutes’ initiative for their 4talent scheme and also provides advertising content for clients such as Zipcar.

    With Netflix having already successfully launched new content as an online subscriber-only service with major dramas such as House of Cards and Hemlock Grove, it is hoped that the independent spirit behind GOING NOWHERE will find Robert going somewhere towards fulfilling his dreams.

    GOING NOWHERE is set to be launched at the end of June.

  • Confessions Of A Male Stripper

    So it’s Friday afternoon, so we thought we’d share these half naked beefcake pictures with you (don’t worry they’re work safe!)

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  • Running order for Eurovision 2013 revealed

    The official running order has been confirmed by the producers of Eurovision 2013.

    France will kick off the marathon music competition, hosted in Sweden, which sees 26 participant nations from across Europe competing to win Eurovision 2013.

    The United Kingdom is placed at number 15, just over halfway through the proceedings.

    Last year the UK’s entry Engelbert Humperdinck performed first – and came 25th in the competition. He sang ‘Love Will Set You Free’

    Running Order

    France

    Lithuania

    Moldova

    Finland

    Spain

    Belgium

    Estonia

    Belarus

    Malta

    Russia

    Germany

    Armenia

    The Netherlands

    Romania

    United Kingdom

    Sweden

    Hungary

    Denmark

    Iceland

    Azerbaijan

    Greece

    Ukraine

    Italy

    Norway

    Georgia

    Ireland

    Yesterday the petitioning and human rights website, AllOut.org was encouraging people to sign a petition to empower Eurovision broadcasters, European Broadcasting Union (EBU) not to censor a woman on woman kiss during Finland’s song ‘Marry Me’ after alleged fears that Turkish broadcaster TRT pulled the transmission of Eurovision because of the kiss.

  • Has Turkey cancelled Eurovision broadcast over gay kiss?

    Turkish national broadcaster TRT has cancelled transmission of Eurovision tomorrow night following reports that it cancelled the broadcast because of the gay kiss between to two women in Finland’s entry – ‘Marry Me’

    According to All Out, ‘Turkey has just banned the show from being broadcast and now the press reports that there is pressure on Eurovision to cancel the kiss before Saturday’s final. Eurovision organisers are worried other Eastern European countries might ban the contest too.’

    The Eurovision final is due to be broadcast on Saturday night (18th May 2013).

     

    The organisers face a choice: will they stand up for a Eurovision that is about unity, creativity and fun – or will they give in to pressure from countries who discriminate against gay and lesbian people?

    If tens of thousands of us sign it could be reported in newspaper articles today and tomorrow, showing Eurovision organisers that there’s a public outcry demanding they keep the kiss.

    Sign the ALLOUT petition now

    www.allout.org/eurovision

    The petition has over 13,000 signatures.

    When an interviewer asked how Finland’s Siegfrids thought viewers in countries such as Belarus and Azerbaijan might react to her performance she said: ”I think that everybody should have the right to do that. It’s no big deal, it’s not big deal to me. It’s a show, and it’s about love and love is beautiful in any form.”

    Pinknews are reporting:

    The TRT station claimed that the cancellation of the broadcast was due to low ratings, but last year a quarter of Turkish households tuned in to watch.

    Eurovision starts at 8:00PM on BBC 1

    You can follow all of TheGayUK tweets athttp://www.twitter.com/TheGayUK or using the Hastag #TGUKEurovision