Anna Williamson's Showbiz Peek at the Week: The X Factor brightens up the bank holiday
The raincoat is getting it's umpteenth airing, the BBQ/brolly combo is a 'given', and traffic chaos swamps the length and breadth of the country - yes my friends, the August bank holiday is here!
It's a good job the world of celebrity has been brightening up the dismal Blighty weather. With the welcome return of Strictly Come Dancing, The X Factor andCelebrity Big Brother, our weekends have been somewhat saved thanks to a good dose of celeb showbiz nonsense.
But before we get to all that, you'd have to have been living in a barn the past couple of weeks not to know that super-group One Direction are to "take a break" next year, leaving millions of youngsters reaching for their Kleenex and 'break up' song compilation - made up entirely of 1D songs, of course.
Now I for one remember Take That breaking up all those (ahem) decades ago, and feeling like the world was a cruel, dark and twisted place. It was like being dumped by the boyfriend, and ooh it smarted. It will be no less devastating for the millions of youngsters who have followed, aspired and adored these boys from the very beginning.
So before we scoff and roll our eyes at these traumatised teens, remember that for those who idolise the 1D lads, it really is a huge a loss - a bereavement, even - and one they're unlikely to have experienced to date.
Appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain last week, I urged parents to support and listen to their miffed kiddies, and not rubbish their mixed up feelings - after all, Robbie Williams WAS my boyfriend back in 1996... well, he was in my head, at least.
But fear not Directioners, they're only on a break (we hope). Just embrace the songs and remember how the lads and their music make you feel – no one can ever take that away.
In brighter news, Strictly Come Dancing has finalised and released its lineup for the upcoming series, which makes its debut on September 5. TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, chef Ainsley Harriott, Call the Midwife actress Helen George, and pop star Peter Andre have all signed up for sequins and salsa dancing, and I for one can't wait for the famous glitterball trophy to be back in play once again.
Some have asked whether I'd ever do Strictly, and the answer would be a resounding hell yeah! Unfortunately, however, I'm cursed with flat feet and a sticky out bum, so I fear this particular casting call may never make it to my inbox.
The new series of Celebrity Big Brother came walloping back to our screens this week, and what an interestingly vocal bunch of prima donnas they are! UK vs USA is the theme, although the series seems to have adopted a mini-theme of the 'bigger the bust the better' - certainly when it comes to the American lot.
A few days in and we've already lost one controversial character in the form of glamour model Tila Tequila, and with the likes of reality 'star' Farrah Abraham and model Janice Dickinson wreaking havoc on the rest of the housemates, it's already shaping up to be one heck of a series.
I have to give a special mention to two of my buddies who are doing it for the Brits, and who may not be the most exciting housemates to watch (let's be honest, against the aforementioned they have no chance) but are the truest and loveliest of the bunch - big up to actor Chris Ellison and presenter Gail Porter.
I've known my fellow thespian Chris for years, and contrary to how you may perceive him from his past 'gangster' roles, he's the gentlest, most humble man you could meet. Don't push him too far though, as he can blow! We'll have to wait and see what happens, but mark my words, he could be a true CBB slow burner.
I look forward to being back on Bit On the Side over the course of the series to air my 'psych' views… I've definitely got my work cut out with this lot!
And finally, the 'all-new' X Factor hit our screens this weekend, which marks the official countdown to Christmas.
Was it new? Hmm... kind of. We had new judges in Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora, and presenters Caroline Flack and Olly Murs, at least. The format is very Britain's Got Talent (especially when a solo singer was permitted to have a full-on troupe of backing dancers!) and is only missing the big red buzzers for it to really to be a twin version of the aforementioned talent show.
However, having watched the opening shows at launch this week, I have to admit, I'm a fan! The series does feel slightly more fun, and certainly benefits from the judging shake up, although dare I say it, it perhaps makes Simon Cowell seem rather dated with his 'big fat yes' and 'you don't know how good you really are' comments, and I'm totally bemused with the Queen Cheryl editing and butt kissing.
But hey, as a new series of an old format goes - I'm in.
Filipino girl-group 4th Power are insanely good, 49 year old soul sister Jennifer Phillips brought the house down with her version of Mary Mary, and cutey 'Lauren from North West London' (she won't have far to walk to the Wembley Studio finals) walloped out 'Somebody Else's Guy' with more gusto and confidence than a bull terrier on heat!
It's a good job the world of celebrity has been brightening up the dismal Blighty weather. With the welcome return of Strictly Come Dancing, The X Factor andCelebrity Big Brother, our weekends have been somewhat saved thanks to a good dose of celeb showbiz nonsense.
But before we get to all that, you'd have to have been living in a barn the past couple of weeks not to know that super-group One Direction are to "take a break" next year, leaving millions of youngsters reaching for their Kleenex and 'break up' song compilation - made up entirely of 1D songs, of course.
Now I for one remember Take That breaking up all those (ahem) decades ago, and feeling like the world was a cruel, dark and twisted place. It was like being dumped by the boyfriend, and ooh it smarted. It will be no less devastating for the millions of youngsters who have followed, aspired and adored these boys from the very beginning.
So before we scoff and roll our eyes at these traumatised teens, remember that for those who idolise the 1D lads, it really is a huge a loss - a bereavement, even - and one they're unlikely to have experienced to date.
Appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain last week, I urged parents to support and listen to their miffed kiddies, and not rubbish their mixed up feelings - after all, Robbie Williams WAS my boyfriend back in 1996... well, he was in my head, at least.
But fear not Directioners, they're only on a break (we hope). Just embrace the songs and remember how the lads and their music make you feel – no one can ever take that away.
In brighter news, Strictly Come Dancing has finalised and released its lineup for the upcoming series, which makes its debut on September 5. TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, chef Ainsley Harriott, Call the Midwife actress Helen George, and pop star Peter Andre have all signed up for sequins and salsa dancing, and I for one can't wait for the famous glitterball trophy to be back in play once again.
© BBC
Some have asked whether I'd ever do Strictly, and the answer would be a resounding hell yeah! Unfortunately, however, I'm cursed with flat feet and a sticky out bum, so I fear this particular casting call may never make it to my inbox.
The new series of Celebrity Big Brother came walloping back to our screens this week, and what an interestingly vocal bunch of prima donnas they are! UK vs USA is the theme, although the series seems to have adopted a mini-theme of the 'bigger the bust the better' - certainly when it comes to the American lot.
© Channel 5
A few days in and we've already lost one controversial character in the form of glamour model Tila Tequila, and with the likes of reality 'star' Farrah Abraham and model Janice Dickinson wreaking havoc on the rest of the housemates, it's already shaping up to be one heck of a series.
I have to give a special mention to two of my buddies who are doing it for the Brits, and who may not be the most exciting housemates to watch (let's be honest, against the aforementioned they have no chance) but are the truest and loveliest of the bunch - big up to actor Chris Ellison and presenter Gail Porter.
I've known my fellow thespian Chris for years, and contrary to how you may perceive him from his past 'gangster' roles, he's the gentlest, most humble man you could meet. Don't push him too far though, as he can blow! We'll have to wait and see what happens, but mark my words, he could be a true CBB slow burner.
I look forward to being back on Bit On the Side over the course of the series to air my 'psych' views… I've definitely got my work cut out with this lot!
And finally, the 'all-new' X Factor hit our screens this weekend, which marks the official countdown to Christmas.
Was it new? Hmm... kind of. We had new judges in Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora, and presenters Caroline Flack and Olly Murs, at least. The format is very Britain's Got Talent (especially when a solo singer was permitted to have a full-on troupe of backing dancers!) and is only missing the big red buzzers for it to really to be a twin version of the aforementioned talent show.
However, having watched the opening shows at launch this week, I have to admit, I'm a fan! The series does feel slightly more fun, and certainly benefits from the judging shake up, although dare I say it, it perhaps makes Simon Cowell seem rather dated with his 'big fat yes' and 'you don't know how good you really are' comments, and I'm totally bemused with the Queen Cheryl editing and butt kissing.
But hey, as a new series of an old format goes - I'm in.
© ITV / Thames/Syco
Filipino girl-group 4th Power are insanely good, 49 year old soul sister Jennifer Phillips brought the house down with her version of Mary Mary, and cutey 'Lauren from North West London' (she won't have far to walk to the Wembley Studio finals) walloped out 'Somebody Else's Guy' with more gusto and confidence than a bull terrier on heat!
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