The Bookseller.com

22nd August 2008

Anna Richardson is The Bookseller's media editor. Anna's media blog will provide a weekly insight into the big books featuring in the media.

Worth switching on for

04.01.08

Another year, another reality TV show: Channel 4 launched its new version of "Celebrity Big Brother"--"Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack"--last night, in an effort to erase memories of last year's racism controversy involving a certain Jade Goody.

The new programme sees "celebrities" take on the role of "big brother" to a selection of "gifted" housemates (from politician to classical musician), chosen from the general public and has attracted a different species of "celebrity"--replacing previous years' D-listers and "where are they now's" with an intriguing mix of not exactly A-listers, but stars with at least a modicum of talent.

Among them are Little Britain's Matt Lucas, who kicked off proceedings last night, artists Jake and Dinos Chapman, critic Brian Sewell, former footballer Ian Wright and comedians Jimmy Carr and Joan Rivers.

That's about it - same old, cringe-worthy shenanigans to line C4's coffers, keep Heat magazine supplied with reality TV stars to hound (and the odd publisher with inferior celebrity autobiography fodder); so if you're after some alternative media fixes, here is what I'm looking forward to in 2008:

Seeing Sense
It's only taken one episode of the BBC1 adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility for Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet's big screen incarnations of the Dashwood sisters to fade, and I cannot wait for the next instalment on Sunday. Andrew Davies--ubiquitous as he is--has done it again. Much as in his definitive version of Pride and Prejudice in the 1990s, there is atmosphere, trembling, swooning and buttoned-up emotions with a few dashing and darkly brooding men thrown in--perfect.

Cooking like the grown-ups
Two of the most formidable TV chefs, Delia and Gordon, are both back on TV this year to share more cooking secrets. Delia returns to the BBC with "How to Cheat", with an accompanying Ebury book, and Gordon presents a live one-hour cook-along on 18th January on Channel 4. If you fancy doing it the real Michelin-starred way, put on your chef's whites, swear like a trooper and start preparing.

A bit of Rough
Also returning to TV is the Rough Guides brand. A new format linked to the travel guides will be broadcast on Five.

I'd Do Anything
Oh joy! BBC1 has combined one of the world's favourite musicals with a talent quest in an attempt to do for Charles Dickens' Oliver! what "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria" did for "The Sound of Music" and its new star Connie Fisher. Not sure whether hours of precocious singing kiddies, who fancy a bit of artful dodging or more food, might grate, but it's sure to be a ratings/media smash hit. Auditions start soon, and the programme is broadcast later this year.

Look East
March 2008 sees presidential elections in Russia--a momentous occasion, which will attract a lot of media coverage. In a new BBC series to coincide, "Jonathan Dimbleby's Russia", the presenter and journalist looks at Russia's past and present. "Ground-breaking" and "landmark" series, if ever there was one, and BBC Books publishes the tie-in.

Adieu to R&J
It will be a sad, sad day in August, when the credits roll on the last daily "Richard & Judy" episode. Not only will the duo's Book Club fly the nest and set up home on its own, but quirky authors and keen publicity department folk will have to peddle their ware elsewhere for those sales-boosting minutes of daily TV airtime. Then again - Amanda Ross has a few formats up her sleeve, the announcement of which might prove a 2008 highlight in itself.

The return of Indiana Jones
Woohoo--Indy is back! On a quest for the Crystal Skull, Harrison Ford reprises his classic role. Surely, there will be no better summer blockbuster this year--cheesy and OTT, perhaps, but definitely busting blocks! And the millions of books tying in, should do very nicely.

Clash of the titans of chat
TV chat show veteran Michael Parkinson's autobiography (Hodder) is due this autumn--no doubt sparking a media love-in. The question is, whether he will grace a former rival's chat show with his presence to boost book sales. Paul O'Grady has his own autobiography to peddle (Bantam Press) this autumn, so his show might be off limits.

Jingle bells
... and then it starts all over again: the quest for Christmas supremacy. TV-land will see "Doctor Who" return to rake in the ratings, lavish adaptations aplenty--perhaps a Philip Pullman and a Jane Austen, with a bit of Dickens thrown in--and a smattering of comedy specials. And in book trade-land, TV-land will dominate again, surely. Who saw the 2007 Russell Brand juggernaut coming? Don't all shout at once. The question is, who's willing to place a bet on his 2008 successor?

Here are more cultural highlights of 2008 from this week's Bookseller.



 

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