Ross & Russ Are in Deep Sh...

In case you didn't know, comedian Russell Brand has resigned from his BBC show on Radio 2 and Johnathon Ross, host of BBC's Friday night chat show has been suspended following complaints of their lewd phonecalls to Fawlty Towers star, Andrew Sachs. Full chronological details of the call controversy can be found on (surprise suprise) BBC website Talk about dramatic! Prank voice messages were left on Sachs' voice machine to get a gist of what was said here it is: Ross: "He [Brand] f**** your granddaughter..." Brand: "I wore a condom.." And Ross again, "She was bent over the couch..." Although the show was pre-recorded, it didn't stop over 4,000 complaints being made to BBC. The complaint number currently stands at over 27,000. Wow, they REALLY upset a lot of people. Later this afternoon, Brand quit his Radio 2 show and Ross issued a formal statement. Wowzar it sure is getting serious. To make matters even juicer the grand-daughter in question, Georgina Baillie, has spoken to the Sun about their "appalling lack of judgement". When it was announced they had been suspended she let her feelings be known in her online interivew with The Sun, "Me and my Grandad are both really happy." Gordon Brown calls the incident, "clearly inappropriate and unacceptable", Culture secretary Andrew Burnham says he is glad the BBC has apologised and that the corporation is investigating the matter. Oh and Piers Morgan was quick to add his two pennies worth in an article in the Daily Mail commenting on the scandal: "He is the highest-paid star in BBC history, their flagship hero, a man given £18million of taxpayers' money to amuse and entertain the nation on the airwaves. Dwell on that amount for a few seconds while you work out how to pay this week's food and petrol bills. What you probably don't expect for all that hard-earned cash is that Ross will use it to abuse and insult a kind, gentle, well-loved, 78-year-old actor with gratuitous sexual sneers about his granddaughter." With everyone pointing the blame at Ross and Russ, I wonder if and when the blame will shift to the editorial team. Who on earth was responsible for letting this, pre-recorded, show go ahead? Someone needs to look closer at that chain of command... Bet Ross and Russ wish they kept their school boy "prank" between themselves and not involved their 400,000 listeners!

Online Sale E-Tailer of the Week

"It's good to shop" With Westfield opening on Thursday and e-tailers offering customers up to 50% off we really are being treated this week! It's going to be difficult to decide where to part with your cash so I've picked the best sales that online retailers have to offer. This was going to be hard decision but between Miss Selfridge, TopShop and ASOS...I had to give it to...

ASOS!

Arcadia stores Topshop and Miss Selfridge sale items are just a tad too selective with what is on offer. Although there are one of pieces like the little black dress and smart tailored trousers there are also a lot of summer stock left behind. Hello?? It's minus degree out there! There is less chance of finding an item of your choice and in your size. Is it me or are online shoppers super fast these days?! ASOS (also known as As Scene on Screen) is offering customers a wider choice of knitwear, trousers, jackets, day and going out tops, not to mention dozens of pages to choose dozens of dresses in every colour imaginable. Seeing as it is the festive season and there is always something to celebrate, what with Halloween, Bon Fire night, office parties, xmas parties, New Years Eve...it would be silly not to purchase at least one item for the wardrobe! You are only just a click away...

www.asos.com

Check back here later for a list of my favourite items. Other online sale websites for you to buy your bargains:- www.topshop.com www.missselfridge.co.uk www.warehouse.co.uk www.peacocks.co.uk .

Notorious B.I.G is Coming To The Big Screen

"If you don't know, now you know..." Notorious B.I.G - Juicy "If you don't know, get to know..." Doyounoah The "Notorious" film trailer was released earlier this week! "Notorious" follows the life and death of one of the most influential HipHop artists of all time, Biggie Smalls, aka Notorious B.I.G. He is one of the most sampled and quoted artist of all time. No one said it better than the man himself "If you don't know, now you know..." But it was more than the catchy rhymes, autobiographical story-telling or smooth easy flow that made him one of the most iconic artists of all time. We salute you Big Poppa! Brooklyn-based rapper, Jamal Woolard, plays the late Biggie Smalls in the biopic, "Notorious". Directed by George Tillman who also directed "Soul Food", the film boasts a strong cast including Angela Bassett (What's Love Got To Do With It, Waiting To Exhale, Stella Got Her Groove Back) Anthony Mackie (8 Mile, Million Dollar Baby ) and Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher). I've seen the trailer- but what do you think? Will you be paying money to see this when it hits the UK screens? Check http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472198/ for details on the official release date in the UK.

The Countdown Begins...

If you didn't already know (where have you been??) London's newest and largest shopping centre, Westfield, opens on Thursday 30th October in Shepherd's Bush. An estimated 20 million are expected to visit the store each year. If you have never been to a "super mall" then Shepherd's Bush is certainly the place to visit. The store boasts over 265 luxury, premium and high street retailers including Debenhams, Next, Marks and Spencer, House of Fraser and Waitrose. International retail stores include Prada, Gucci and Cartier and 17 restaurants for customers to pick and choose how to tantalise their taste buds. And there is more.. A 14-screen cinema, gym and spa will open in 2009 and a new library will serve the local community. Nice! FYI Grazia magazine is offering people the chance to win £5,000 shopping trip at the mall. So visit the website for more details. (see below)

How to get there:- Address:- Westfield London, Ariel Way, W12 By tube:- Shepherd's Bush (Central line) Shepherd's Bush Market (Hammersmtih & City Line) By Bus:- routes 31, 49, 207, 237, 260, 607 and C1 Walk: - to Shepherd's Bush market! For more info visit the Westfield official website www.westfield.com NB: - By the way, if you do decide to visit Westfields, keep you hoodies at home as security chiefs have banned hoods, hoodies or any other form of headgear that "obscures" the face. Read more on this here http://www.thelondonpaper.com/cs/Satellite/london/news/article/1157155844520?packedargs=aid%3D1157155844520%26suffix%3DArticleController

Oakley Design Brief Wrap Party

On Thursday 23rd October, Daydream Network announced the winner of Oakley Design Brief. The event was in Shoreditch, with crowds treated to live DJ set, red bull stand and customised t-shirts by American Apparel. In May 2008, Oakley the sport and lifestyle brand, opened a competition for designers and artists in the UK to design a new range of Limited Edition Oakley sunglasses. 60 artists and designers were shortlisted but, as always, there can only be one winner. (Damn!) The judging panel included Paul Schulte, Creative Director of Oakley, Sally A. Edwards and Sarah J Edwards, Publishers & Editors of Blag Magazine; Simon "Barnzley" Armitage, and Graham Fink, Creative Driector of M&C Saatchi. And the winner was..."Who Is This Kid" (Big congrats!!!) His amazing design will be released in Summer 2009. Check the Oakley website for more details (see below). We drank: Red bull and vodka We Wore: High top trainers, fitted pocket dresses & slogan tees We got: Free customised American Apparel t-shirts biatches!!! Thanks to: Heather @ Oakley Check out www.oakleydesignbrief.co.uk and www.daydreamnetwork.blogspot.com/for more info.

Shoe of the Week!

They were first seen on the catwalk for Gucci's Autumn/Winter 08 collection - and then on Kylie. Lucky little thing, she probably needs them more than the average sized human being does (meow!) I'm talking about the fringe stud boots. Of course not everyone can afford Gucci prices (for those that can - what are you waiting for?? Hurry up and buy!) For us mere mortals, Dune stock a devilishly similar pair and are wickedly priced at £95, what a bargain! If you prefer shoes to boots, Primark has also followed suit and copied another Gucci inspired pair of shoes. I am not sure how much they are but I know they are a lot cheaper than Gucci prices. Get them before I do!

New MTV Reality Show

Usually, I love MTV's cheesy reality shows...who doesn't love The Hills? And then there's Making The Band, Cribs, Sweet Sixteen, Flavor of Love, Pimp My Ride etc. Some of these shows are great; others are so cringeworthy they are hilarious which makes them so entertaining. But I think we can all agree that MTV took it too far when they introduced Peaches Geldof to their new fly on the wall "documentary" which launches the new magazine, Disappear Here. I mean WTF?!? Yes SJP, that's exactly what I did when I found out Peaches Geldof a girl famous for being Sir Bob's daughter and being frequently snapped on the celeb circuit and...and nothing else. But now she's actually going to get a "job" and become editor of magazine to be filmed on MTV. Yes that's right. In the normal world it would take a few years to lead a team of journalists on venture as big as launching a new magazine. But silly billy, this is reality TV of course! Anything's possible! (Particularly if you have a very rich and well connected Daddy -that also helps). So will I be tuning in? I won't bet on it. Then again, we might all be surprised and the show turns out to be incredibly insightful. We see a side of Peaches that shows her creativity, intelligence and excel in the role as Editor... Lol...let's tune in for the laughs..at least! Follow the link below to catch the first episode:- mtv.co.uk/Peaches_Geldof

Style Shows on TV

Is it me or has television erupted with dozens of fashion show programmes lately?? We have (in no particular order..) Mary Queen of Shops, Twiggy's Frock Exchange, Gok Wan's Fashion Fix, Frock Me, The Fashion Show...the list goes on! To be frank, I haven't seen them all so I can't really comment (yet!) about whether any of these so-called "fashion" shows are any good..but I have always loved Gok Wan's shows especially Gok Wan's Fashion Fix. How To Look Good Naked is also great as it offers audiences practical style advice and fashion tips that actually work - for any body shape or size. You feel less of a skinny minny, fat frump or just plain weird after watching his show as he talks about how to disguise unflattering body areas, to make yourself appear taller/slimmer, where to buy the latest items and most importantly always stresses to his victim, I mean guest, to shop according to their size! You've gotta love his honesty! I've also started watching the Fashion Show on itv2 which is suprisingly quite good! Presented by model (WAG to be honest!) Abigail Clancy, BBLB's George Lamb and model Michelle De Swarte, it offers an insight into the fashion world, revealing and exposing all the must have's and must nots. The Fashion Show Each week, celebrity guest come in and discuss their favourite and worst outfits. The Fashion Show also has the presenters, Abigail and Michelle, go head to head and find the ideal outfit for a lucky viewer. It also ends with a live performance which makes pleasant viewing. Don't you just love it when music and fashion merge?! If you like this you'll LOVE BET's Rip The Runway (you can catch that on Sky Channel 209 http://www.bet.com/specials/rtr08

Afro-Saxons

"Weaving, Braiding and Dying To Win..." It's Black History Month this month and what better way to spend it by watching a film following talented Afro hair stylists as they enter the most competitive hair competition in the UK - the Black Beauty and Hair Awards. Angela is a braid stylist to the stars, Wayne and Cyndia are the leading junior stylists at the UK's biggest chain of Afro hair salons, George and Apple are a Thai couple obsessed with Afro hair and Michael is a Birmingham leading Afro stylist. All are weaving, braiding and dying to win.. Created by Chocolate Films, Afro-Saxons is a sharp and funny observational documentary for all, and has already caught the attention of film critics and several national newspapers:- "Sharp and often funny." Derek Malcom, Evening Standard "Spirted and funny documentary...it's good to see a vision of modern urban life free of grimy gun-slinging cliches" Sukhdev Sandhu, The Telegraph "An entertaining and frequently amusing documentary" FILM FOUR "If you don't find it complusive viewing, you're dead from the neck up." Elsa O'Toole, New Nation Not to mention yours truly worked as a Production Runner on set, so you can take my word for it when I say it's a fantastic documentary not to be missed! Catch it at:- Peckham Multiplex on 17th-23rd October 9pm everyday except Thurs; Mon & Tue 3:15; Sat & Sun 1.15pm Box Office Number: 0870 0420 299 RichMix 17th-23rd October 5pm, 6:45pm and 8:30pm Box Office Number: 0207 613 7498 The Tricycle 24th October at 2:30pm and 25th October at 4pm Box Office Number 0207 328 1000 The ICA 9th November at 6:15pm Box Office Number: 020 7930 3647 For more details visit:- http://www.afro-saxons.com and http://www.chocolatefilms.com/

Mobo Awards 2008

Ever since the MOBO Awards started in 1995, I have always wanted to attend. It's an opportunity to showcase the most talented artists of any race or nationality to perform the wide range of music of Black origin. The ceremony is full of glitz, glamour and swarming with talent - just like all awards show should be. Artists such as Corinne Bailey Rae, Lemar, Akala and Amy Winehouse have all been awarded with a MOBO and on Wednesday 15th October was no different. Universal musicians were awarded MOBOs in the categories of Best UK Female (Estelle see pic below!) Best UK Male, Best International Act, Best Jazz, Best Gospel and many others (see end of blog for full list of winners).   

Hosted by Mel B and Rev Run the Mobo's turned out to be an eventful award's ceremony with performances from UK stars Taio Cruz, Sugababes, Estelle, Jay Sean, Craig David and American acts Jon Legend and Flo'rida. Although several UK acts won awards including Estelle for Best Female, Dizzee Rascal for Best Male and Chipmunk for Best Newcomer, I was disappointed that more UK acts were not nominated for awards. Making the chance much slimmer for British artists to win. Best International Act should be the only category which has musicians from all around the world. I feel that International musicians, particularly American artists, should not appear in the other categories. After all, doesn't the MOBO's represent British artists showcasing Music of Black Origin? America has several black award ceremony's including American Black Music Awards, BET Honours, BET HipHop Awards and the most well known event showcasing Black music, BET Awards. 

I don't remember seeing Dizzee Rascal or Lemar nominated for an award in any of these shows... Criticism of the MOBO's has increased over the years with several people within the entertainment industry speaking out over the MOBO's choice of nominees and award categories. Nothing is perfect and most Award shows deserve some constructive criticism. I do think that the MOBO's has slightly lost its way and needs to refocus on what the brand represents, what is its purpose and how best to support home-grown talent. Gone are the days of looking to America as the only country which breeds talented artists. The world is full of talented musicians- they are not only in America! However, I do think that the public, media and others in the entertainment industry should support the MOBO's to become the best awards ceremony it can be. This is not directed to only its critics but also to its sponsers- you know who you are!  So overall I would give the MOBO's 6/10 it has a long way to go but hopefully with the support of the public (no booing artists who can't turn up-it is not the organisers fault blame it on the artists' management/publicists/music company they are signed to..) Anyhoo enough with my ranting check out the pics everyone below... MOBO Winners Best UK Female - Estelle Best UK Male - Dizzee Rascal Best UK Newcomer - Chipmunk Best International Act - Chris Brown Best Reggae - Mavado Best Jazz - Yolanda Brown Best Gospel - Jahaziel Best African Act - Gice Best Song - American Boy (Estelle) Best R&B/Soul - Chris Brown Best HipHop - Lil Wayne Best Video - Bleeding Love(Leona Lewis) Best Album - Spirit (Leona Lewis) Best Club DJ - Tim Westwood Lifetime Achievement Award - Motown BeMOBO - Ricky McCalla

Me and my friends attending the MOBO'S-

I'm back BIATCHES!

Oh...Did I mention im back?!?! That's right my blog is BACK up and running!!! Have FINALLY finished my Masters(yes that's right MASTERS) in Journalism..soooo busy with my head in the books didn't have time to update my blogs but never fret-this time I'm back & im not going anywhere! Check me out on www.myspace.com/doyounoah for my blogs on everything music related - you know how I do.. Love ya xoxo

Writers Block

  I love being in a room full of creative people (which happens very rarely if I might add!) their talent just rubs off on me (so I like to think..!) Which is why Writers Block was such a pleasant surprise. I didn't know what to expect when my friend Ade invited me along to what is described by the founders of Writers Block (Daniel and Felicia) as "a contemporary performance night". 

But fret not, I was welcomed with open arms by the lively crowd into the creative minds of the young Londoners...ooo argh! 

   

Hosted by Tracey at the Juno Bar in Shoreditch, the night offered a selection of writers, poets, film makers, story tellers and musicians. The venue was small yet intimate allowing people to socialise throughout the night. It would be insane to pick out the best performance as each performer gave the audience and insight into their creative mind showcasing their amazing individual talents. I will be definately going again..the first Wednesday of each every month. Be there or..not be there because I will - with or without ya! Check out http://www.lovewritersblock.com for more info!

The Blue Elephant

If you are like me, then you would know finding a fab restaurant can be hard work, to say the least! I like to think I am the adventurous type and would spontaneously try out a restaurant from its amazing review in the newspaper. Er, yah! I'm much more likely to try a new restaurant that has been recommended to me. So I'm going to be that someone - for you. I'm going to *highly* recommend The Blue Elephant in Fulham just a few minutes from Fulham Broadway tube station. It has amazing decor, the kind friends, work colleagues or even Gran would be surprised at your delightful choice of brasserie. It offers a good selection of authentic Thai food at a fair price. Whether or not I should share this bit of information that apparently Jordan aka Katie Price is also a fan of this restaurant...I will leave with you to decide whether that is a good or bad thing...