Is everyone holding their breath for Torchwood tonight?

So Season 3 of Torchwood - Children of Earth - debuts tonight at 21:00 on BBC1 and BBC HD and runs on five consecutive nights, culminating in the finale on Friday 10th July.

If for any reason you miss the 21:00 shows, they will be repeated late on BBC3 and BBC HD every night. You can find the times of the repeated shows here.

Despite all the rumours - which I'm not going to repeat here - I am very much looking forward to this Season, even though it is unbelievably short! On paper it sounds very, very creepy and I hope that the format of showing the five shows over five consecutive nights works for it.

I just wish Captain John Hart (James Marsters) was going to make an appearance! ;)

***
Those rumours about a Dr. Who film which have been circulating for a while are set to be either confirmed or shot down sooner than we thought. The proposals for a film starring David Tennant, before he hands over the role to Matt Smith, are apparently going to be announced at the forthcoming Comic-Con event in San Diego.

As I mentioned before, David is apparently attending with Russell T Davies on 26th July.

David has also previously revealed that he has signed up for an unidentified "sci-fi project" and Russell has in the past hinted that an announcement of a "special project" would come soon. He recently told Doctor Who magazine: "News as and when, but I can promise it's worth waiting for."

I've written about these rumours before on here, when the BBC said that a script for a feature-length version of Dr. Who was "in development". It wasn't made clear whether RTD or his replacement Steven Moffat would write the script or whether David would appear in it.

At that time the BBC's entertainment correspondent Lizo Mzimba said there were no guarantees a film would be made and that, if the project went into full production, "a release would be a long time away."

So we wait to hear from the Comic-Con.

Anyway we still get to see him as Dr. Who, as David will definitely be appearing in the three one-off Doctor Who specials later this year before leaving the show.

It will break my heart when he does!

Great Wimbledon Photo...

Bjorn Borg - 5 times Champion, Pete Sampras - 7 times Champion, Roger Federer - 6 times Champion and Rod Laver - 4 times Champion standing holding the trophy in front of the Wimbledon honours board!

Fantastic!

The most thrilling Wimbledon Men's Final EVER...

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!

Roger Federer won the Men's Wimbledon Championship against Andy Roddick in the most exciting final I ever remember seeing!

The result was 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 and finally 16-14! It was the longest final ever, lasting four hours and 18 minutes. However, that doesn't show how close this final was. It really could have gone either way and in fact around the middle of the match I was really beginning to think that Andy would be the winner. I don't know how, but Roger dug a bit deeper and finally managed to break Andy's serve in that final game to win! Unbelievable!

After the match Roger had this to say:

"It was a crazy match with an unbelievable end, and my head is still spinning, but it’s an unbelievable moment in my career."

Andy was so sweet in defeat, with tears in his eyes he said of Roger:

"He’s a true champion, he deserves an ending like this."

He then looked up to Pete Sampras in the Royal Box and said:

"I tried, sorry Pete, I tried to hold him off."

So Roger comes away with his SIXTH Wimbledon Championship, his FIFTEENTH Grand Slam and £850,000 which is approximately US$1,388,985!


Andy, although desperately disappointed at the end of the match, doesn't go away empty handed. It's certainly impressive to have three-time runner-up on your results sheet and of course he also gets the tidy sum of £425,000 which is US$694,110. Not bad for two weeks' work! :)

Anyway, if you get a chance to see it, do so, even if it's only that fifth set. It is really very, very exciting.

Wimbledon Men's Final...

What an incredible day to be at Wimbledon!

Roger Federer versus Andy Roddick. Roger hoping to win his FIFTEENTH Grand Slam!

In the crowd watching we have past great champions Martina Navratilova, Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg. The fabulous Ilie Nastase is here. The lovely John McEnroe and Boris Becker are here as usual. One of my favourite actors, Russell Crowe, is here.

Pete Sampras has done a wonderful thing by coming here after an absence of seven years. He will either witness his US compatriot, Andy, win his first Wimbledon or Roger winning his sixth Wimbledon and thereby beating Pete's own record of 14 Grand Slam titles.

It's a beautiful warm day, with a lovely breeze. The strawberries are luscious and the cream... um, creamy. Now if only Gale Harold loved tennis enough to be here...


ETA: The gorgeous Michael Ballack is here too!

ETA2: Wow, 9 games all in the final set...

ETA3: Um, 12 games all in the final set...

ETA4: Final Result - (highlight if you want to know)Roger Federer wins 5-7 7-6 7-6 3-6 16-14. His Sixth Wimbledon Championship win and his Fifteenth Grand Slam title! Poor Andy Roddick runner-up for the third time.

London Gay Pride...

Later today the London Gay Pride Parade will leave Baker Street at 13:00. It will go down Oxford Street and Regent Street before ending up in Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square.

There will be around 40 floats together with marching groups, dancing groups, bands and thousands of other participants. With up to 500,000 people expected, Gay Pride 2009 is going to be huge. :)

From about 15:00 following the Pride Parade there will be entertainment, speakers, community stalls and music in Trafalgar Square on the Main Stage with some top quality acts. The line up has not yet been confirmed but it should be fabulous and every bit as good as last year, which had Sir Ian McKellan starting the proceedings.

If you need any more information, go to the official site Pride London.

Have a great Pride everyone.

Happy Fourth of July everyone and how to celebrate here in London...

Okay, so for the past four or five years on various blogs and journals, I've been celebrating American Independence Day with my US friends by posting the fabulous picture on the left!

Until this year, the picture was only black and white. However, in the interim some kind and artistic soul has gone to the trouble of colouring his pants in appropriately.

He does look very fetching now, doesn't he?

Interestingly, while hunting down that picture on my laptop, I came across some caps I made ages ago of some Queer as Folk episodes. One of them stood out for me - in more ways than one - and I seriously considered changing my Independence Day celebration picture to this one. I spent ages just staring at each of them in turn trying to decide which one I liked the most and would use - the sacrifices I make for the sake of this blog! Well I just couldn't decide. I like both of them, although for vastly different reasons, so I decided to post them both to help celebrate the Fourth of July with you all!

May all of the Americans out there have a wonderful celebration with family and friends.

Happy Independence Day everyone!

Oh, and judging by the expression she's wearing, it's obvious that Debbie had never seen a pair of American flag pants before... bu... but what do you mean she's not looking at the pants? ;)


Btw, if you're an ex-pat and feeling homesick or just someone who loves all things American, here's a list of places to go later today with special Independence Day themes:

Big Easy
This year special dishes are going to be added to the menu on Independence Day alongside regular dishes. For the weekend of 4th July 2009, diners can order a picnic special for £14.95 per person that includes American Southern fried chicken with coleslaw, watermelon and a Margarita. A Sunday brunch special is available on Sunday 5th July from noon until 4pm, featuring chicken wings, barbecue ribs, coleslaw, beans and apple pie for £14.95 per person. Competitive sorts and those with large appetites could take part in the 19th annual Independence Day rib eating contest - can you beat the record of nine racks?

Chicago Rib Shack
It's an American Independence Day Special at the Chicago Rib Shack, with a whole weekend of all-American live entertainment and menu offers. There will be a two for one offer on breakfasts throughout the weekend, and on Saturday you can slip into some fancy dress and spend the evening listening to music and filling up on ribs, burgers and delicious cheesecakes sure to have you singing the star spangled banner with much gusto.

Eagle Bar and Diner
Expect delicious cocktails and authentic US cuisine at Eagle Bar and Diner, the sleek modern take on the American themed diner in the West End. Londoners can celebrate US Independence in retro style in cool surroundings, complete with a menu of sumptuous dishes from the States. The Independence Day menu is available from 1st - 4th July.

Bodeans
This year, Bodeans is serving up surf and turf from 1st - 5th July. Guests can make it a gourmet Independence Day in London with a whole three quarter pound lobster, a 5oz rump steak, fries and a side salad. The surf and turf dish costs £17.76 per head, in honour of the original date of US independence (4th July 1776).

Black and Blue
For 4th July 2009 Black and Blue are offering an authentic American steakhouse experience using quality British produce for Independence Day by inviting diners to try vintage dry aged steak, cooked to perfection for two. You can also order a burger and chips.

Independence Day at Waxy O'Connors
This year, central London's big Irish pub, Waxy O'Connors, are hosting an American celebration on 4th July. As Independence Day in London is all about feasting on American-themed menus, you can sample theirs whilst listening to live music. Now that's the American way.

All Star Lanes
Aspiring chilli chefs can head to the All Star Lanes on Brick Lane for an all American style cook off, with the winning chilli getting a place on the lunch menu. A New York comedian will be keeping the competition light hearted on Thursday 2nd July 2009 and on the 4th there'll be a fancy dress contest with a $100 prize.

Picnic in Portman Square
Spend Independence Day 2009 at an old-fashioned American picnic. Entertainment includes live music and face painting for the kids along with ice cream and other favourite foods of the USA. Hosted by Democrats Abroad UK, the picnic takes place from 1pm to 5pm on 4th July 2009. It's open to all but tickets are £5 and must be bought by a US citizen or permanent resident.

American Beer Festival at The White Horse
American beer, live music and more at The White Horse for the 4th of July weekend.

Royal Air Force Museum
Head to the Royal Air Force Museum for all kinds of American Independence Day fun with displays celebrating American RAF personnel, as well as arts and crafts activities for kids from Saturday 4th July - Sunday 5th July.

Enjoy yourselves everyone.

List courtesy of viewlondon

The two Andys and the two Williams...

So, when I said earlier in the week that The Queen clearing her diary for Sunday's Men's Wimbledon final had put the mockers on Andy Murray reaching the final, I was only joking!

Unfortunately, it really did put the mockers on him and after a fabulous match against Andy Roddick - someone I've always liked and could never understand why he didn't win more grand slams - Andy Murray went out in four sets.

It really was a great match and could quite easily have gone either way, but Andy Roddick just kept plugging away and was definitely the best player on the day. What I would have given to have been there!

Talking of which, what I wouldn't give to be at Wimbledon for the Ladies' Final later today! It really was a fabulous match that Serena had in the semi-final, especially when compared to the other semi with sister Venus absolutely slaughtering Safina. For the sake of Ladies' tennis everywhere let's hope that today's final is a wonderfully exciting three-setter and let the best sister win!

Almost forgot...

Happy Birthday to the wonderful and still gorgeous Trevor Eve!

He's been playing the moody and intense Peter Boyd in Waking the Dead since the two-part pilot aired in 2000! It took off and was so successful, largely because of Trevor, that they've recently finished filming its eighth season. Hopefully there'll be more to come.



***


Also, to all the Canadians out there, may I wish you all a wonderful Canada Day.

You lucky people, you live in such a beautiful country. If there is one place I would love to live it's Canada, especially Toronto! I had such a wonderful time when I was there a few years back.

Wonderful place, wonderful people!

The ubiquitous John Barrowman...

...talking about Torchwood, the upcoming 'Children of Earth' and his love for Captain Jack on Wales Online.



So, he would love to play Captain Jack for the rest of his career.

He said: "If I were asked just to play Jack in Torchwood for the next 20 years I'd be happy and content."

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, any time I see Captain Jack on camera or on screen I absolutely love him."

"I think he's great, I think he's a great character, a great hero and it's not me being egotistical in saying that. I say it because I enjoy playing him, I think he's brilliant and also he's changed my life.

We all know he loves sci-fi and always tries to attend the conventions and loves to talk to fans of the show.

"I think it's because we deal with real things - although we deal with them in a science fiction way - we deal with real emotion, we deal with real humour, we deal with real people, we deal with real relationships, you know, and it's right in front of you."

"Everybody can see themselves in somebody in Torchwood I think and that partially makes it the success that it is."


***

By the way, I don't know about you, but I wasn't particularly overwhelmed by the play on BBC Radio 4 today. It was okay, but I just don't think the thrill is there for me unless I can feast my eyes on Captain Jack and Ianto going at it! ;)

Another play tomorrow, same time, same place, so we'll have to see how that one goes.

Torchwood - Asylum - Today on BBC Radio 4

Don't forget the first of the three afternoon Torchwood radio plays will be broadcast at 14.15 (British Summer Time) today, Wednesday, 1st July.

You can listen from anywhere in the World by clicking the 'Listen Live' feed here.

John Barrowman sitting in for Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2 on 27th June...

Missed this when it was on, but thanks to modern technology you can listen to it now, I am!

It's John sitting in for a two-hour Zoe Ball radio show on BBC Radio 2 last Saturday morning.

Okay, so click HERE.

Hang on a minute, 'John Barrowman blasts BBC bosses'???

What is this all about?

I thought from everything I'd read since we first heard that the third season of Torchwood was being shown on five consecutive days, that John was happy about this!

Well, it seems that he isn't. No, he's not happy at all.

In fact, he feels that the BBC is punishing the success of Torchwood, which has been gaining viewers since it first premiered on BBC3. It was so successful in fact that the BBC moved it from BBC3 to BBC2 last year and subsequently to BBC1 this year. What has got John's blood boiling is the fact that the season has been more than halved with only five hour-long episodes instead of the earlier 13 episode seasons.



I must admit that, as I've said before here, I'm not at all sure about the five consecutive days idea or the foreshortened season. There are only two things which are consoling me at the moment and they are firstly, that according to this article as well as others, Russell T. Davies says that Season 4 is ready to go, and is only dependent upon the viewing figures for next week's Season 3. Secondly, I have every faith in RTD and I'm certain that the five episode season showing over five days and the three plays on BBC Radio 4 this week are both his idea. Remember what he did with the second season of the original Queer as Folk over here? He just loves to mix things up and he'd be the first one to admit that sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. So, we'll see.

Just remember people, if you don't watch Season 3 and keep those viewing figures up, we are less likely to have a Season 4 to either look forward to or just simply moan about! :)


***


When I saw that picture of John Barrowman above, it jogged a memory and, as I had already mentioned Queer as Folk, I thought that gave me a wonderful reason - as if I needed one - for posting a picture of Gale Harold, the fabulous 'Brian Kinney' in Queer as Folk US.

Notice the shirts everyone? If it wasn't for the fact that the shirt Gale has on is about five years old now, I'd swear that he and John share a wardrobe! ;)

Torchwood reminder and a 'behind the scenes' video...

Okay, so there can't be many people who don't know that the new Torchwood season starts next Monday, 6th July at 21:00 on BBC One and runs over five consecutive nights.

This is what John Barrowman has to say:

"The third season will be as action packed and as sexy as ever, but it will also be far more darker than any of the previous shows."

"We know what Torchwood is and we know what it’s about – it’s full of drama and action."

"This storyline is one of the darker Torchwood storylines. Every time you turn a corner you don’t know what’s going to happen. And when you watch episode one you’re going to want to see two, and when you’ve seen two you’ll want to see three. You’re just going to want more and more and more."

"You’ll learn a lot about the characters in ways that you’ve never known them before. If you like relationships then you’re going to see the difference in Jack and Ianto’s relationship and Gwen and Rhys’s – but you’re also going to see the similarities."

"The characters have evolved in ways because we’re learning new things about them. It makes it really interesting for us to play as actors, and for the audience every episode will bring a new revelation."

"I think the one storyline works perfectly for this series – it’s epic, it is pacy."

"One of the team is hiding a secret that will be a revelation to a lot of people – not only to the viewers watching but to the team itself. It will be very uncomfortable for the characters. And people watching it will question why they did it. Will they be able to understand why they did it?"

"But, as in all things with science fiction, as a series, we can touch on subjects that are not touched upon in a number of other dramas."

"Anything that involves children doing stuff they are not supposed to be doing is creepy. I let my parents watch episode one and two with me, and watched their reaction. Normally they would get up during a show and have a drink or go to the bathroom, but they didn’t move. My mum and dad – who are my biggest critics – were glued to the screen."

"We finished watching it and the following morning my dad turned to me and said: 'When are we watching three?' If they don't like something I do then they will say it. They absolutely loved this."

Sounds great doesn't it? I can't wait to see it, but in the meantime, what some of you may not know is that starting tomorrow - Wednesday, 1st July - there will be three Torchwood radio plays all with John Barrowman, Eve Myles and Gareth David-Lloyd as Captain Jack, Gwen and Ianto, broadcast over three consecutive afternoons between 14:15 - 15:00 on BBC Radio 4.

Here's the schedule:

Wednesday, 1st July
Asylum
By Anita Sullivan

The Torchwood team investigate after a strange teenage girl is arrested.

Thursday, 2nd July
Golden Age
By James Goss

The Torchwood team go to Delhi on the trail of a dangerous energy field.

Friday, 3rd July
The Dead Line
By Phil Ford

Torchwood investigate when people start falling into coma-like trances.

These three plays apparently fill in the gap between last year's season finale and the new mini series Children Of Earth.

For those of you who cannot wait to catch a glimpse of our intrepid Captain Jack et al, here's a 'behind the scenes' video, watch out for the snog:

Oh, dear...

So, Andy Murray has managed to get through the first week of Wimbledon without any trouble or mishap. His game has improved immeasurably this year. He certainly looks better. He's filled out with so much muscle that he even looks like a champion athlete instead of a piece of string!

Was that first week just a little too easy though, was there anyone there who really challenged him? Everyone around me in Britain seems to think that this is the year that we get a male Wimbledon champion again. I'm not so sure. In one way I hope they're right, it would be fantastic to have a British champion at long last. However, Roger Federer still has my heart and I can't help but want him to regain the championship!

Anyway, it's probably a moot point as to whether Andy can win this year. Apparently The Queen has cleared her diary so that she is free to attend Wimbledon next Sunday, 5th July, in case he reaches the final.

Okay, well you see right there, that's put the mockers on it! ;)

Randy Harrison, Bridget Everett and Kenny Mellman...

...singing "Knock You Down" at Our Hit Parade Joe's Pub on 24th June, 2009.

I just wish I had been there to witness this in person! Brilliant!



Another brilliant video, this time concentrating on Randy:

What a very sad day...

Yes, yesterday was a very sad day indeed.

I think everyone was expecting the news that the brave battle Farrah Fawcett had been having with cancer for three years now had ended and that the cancer had finally won. I think it was lovely that she got back together with Ryan O'Neal before her death and I really hope that she found great comfort in having him around for the last few years.

Rest in Peace, Farrah.




***


So, to the shock. Michael Jackson is dead. Apparently from a heart attack.

I was a huge fan. Firstly, of The Jackson 5, then The Jacksons and lastly of Michael when he went solo and became the huge success that he was. I, like the rest of the world, loved him. He was the most fantastic entertainer at that time.

Later though, I just couldn't get passed all his strange and very questionable behaviour with kids, both his own and all those others he invited to his home for playtimes and sleepovers. I know, I know, he was never convicted of any wrongdoing, but after all that I found it impossible to feel the same way about him.

What I can't help wondering now is, did he take an accidental overdose of those prescription painkillers he was apparently on causing the cardiac arrest or, dare I say it, was life so stressful for him with the pressure of his getting older and that massive upcoming UK tour cause him to do something unthinkable?

I don't know. What I do know is that it proves, yet again, that success and fame can come too early. That childhood can be stolen and it's never good. Money and success are NOT enough to live a happy life. You need lots of love, freedom and a huge helping of luck for that to happen.

Rest in Peace, Michael.

Michael Jackson is dead...

Here's a sweet young Michael Jackson with The Jackson 5 singing I want you Back. This is when my friends and I fell for the magic that was Michael.

Gale's 'cameo' role in Passenger Side...

I was going to post a little about this film after its premiere at the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival yesterday, but, well, not really feeling like it now so I'll just tell you that someone's Galecentric review of the film has been posted on Gale's IMDB message board. If you're thinking of going to see it, please be aware that this does contain spoilers.

Otherwise there is this review of the film from the Hollywood Reporter.

Some Gale caps from the video of earlier...

Nothing wonderful here really as we are never given a full frontal! Various views of the new cut from the side though. There wasn't even a close-up of Gale on the podium as there was for Christian Slater so nothing great.

The last little scene could have produced a couple of great caps, but Gale, being the fine southern gentleman that he is, never changed his expression, looked at Oded Fehr with interest the whole time he was speaking, never fidgeted or even BREATHED! I think he only blinked once, so if you want a couple of caps of that please let me know, otherwise that last cap represents it all. :)

At last, here's a video from Campus Moviefest, with a little bit of Gale...

Ever since we saw the first photos of the red carpet at the Campus Moviefest, and that girl with the microphone held so close to Gale's luscious lips, every one of his fans has been waiting and searching for a video. Well, it's here at last.

Unfortunately, we don't get to hear Galeface's dulcet tones. What we do get is a 58 second video full of excited flashes of the event. Gale and his companions on the red carpet, with Oded Fehr saying a few words. Don't blink or you'll miss a sighting of Gale at the podium - no audio though, I'm afraid! The good news is that if something is called a "teaser", we can be fairly certain there is something larger on it's way. ;)



A couple of new photos too. The first one is so lovely, with Gale being all protective with his arm around Nora Zehetner's shoulders:






The first large photo is courtesy of Digital Kitchen LA's photostream via critic75 at livejournal
All the rest, courtesy of the lovely Gale Harold.it