Summary

  • 11 April 2016

  • Sesame Street reveals first Afghan Muppet

  • Rickman's Eye in the Sky film to premiere

  • Kanye's The Life of Pablo sets chart record

  1. Suicide Squad trailer teased at MTV awardspublished at 16:35 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    It's that time of the day again, where we must bid you adieu. We'll bring you plenty more entertainment fodder tomorrow from 08:30 BST - but before we go, we'll leave you with this new trailer for Suicide Squad.

    It premiered at the MTV Movie Awards, which will be broadcast on MTV in the UK tonight at 20:00 BST.

    Starring Will Smith, Jared Leto and Margot Robbie, it also features a cameo from Ben Affleck as Batman.

    For the unitiated, the film will be based on the DC Comics team of imprisoned super-villains who carry out dangerous government missions in exchange for lenience. 

    Baddies being goodies who are still really baddies. But you'll end up liking most of them.

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    See you tomorrow!

  2. 37 upcoming movie releases worth getting excited aboutpublished at 16:12 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    The Hollywood Reporter

    Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders

    We know you're probably finding it hard to contain your excitement about the release of the upcoming Angry Birds movie, but there are plenty of other films being released this summer that could well be worth a watch - and it's good news for people whose favourite punctuation mark is the colon.

    X Men: Apocalypse, Captain America: Civil War, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (pictured), Independence Day: Resurgence, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows and Ice Age: Collision Course are all on the way over the next few months. 

    Helpfully, The Hollywood Reporter have brought together 37 of the most notable film releases of the summer in a nice handy list, external. Take a look and let us know what you're looking forward to via Twitter, external.

  3. Call The Midwife dominates TV ratingspublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    Call The Midwife

    The BBC is winning the battle for the biggest shows of 2016, despite Saturday's final of The Voice attracting only half the viewers of ITV's Britain's Got Talent. 

    Every one of the 10 most-watched programmes of the year so far has been broadcast by BBC One. In first place is Sherlock, which attracted 11.6 million viewers on New Year's Day. 

    Once you're past first place, however, a pattern emerges.

    In second place is Call The Midwife.

    Third place is taken by Call The Midwife.

    Call The Midwife jumps in and takes fourth place.

    Meanwhile, Call The Midwife is 2016's fifth most watched programme.

    Then, at sixth place is Call The (OKAY you get the idea).

    Basically, Call The Midwife takes up literally every place in the top 10 apart from one and 10 (which is the New Year's Day episode of EastEnders).

    1. Sherlock, BBC1 (1 January) 11.6 million viewers

    2. Call The Midwife, BBC1 (6 March) 10.9m 

    3. Call The Midwife, BBC1 (28 February) 10.2m

    4. Call The Midwife, BBC1 (7 February) 10.1m

    5. Call The Midwife, BBC1 (17 January) 9.9m

    6. Call The Midwife, BBC1 (24 January) 9.8m

    7. Call The Midwife, BBC1 (21 February) 9.7m

    8. Call The Midwife, BBC1 (14 February) 9.6m

    9. Call The Midwife, BBC1 (31 January) 9.5m 

    10. EastEnders, BBC1 (1 January) 9.4m

    All things considered, it's fair to say this has been a good year for Call The Midwife.

  4. Trailer released for Harry Potter spin-offpublished at 15:34 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    Eddie RedmayneImage source, Reuters

    We've had seven books, eight movies, a theme park and a West End play.

    But if you thought all possible Harry Potter-related ideas had been exhausted, think again.

    Fans of the series are eagerly anticipating a new spin-off film starring Eddie Redmayne, called Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

    It's based on a book that JK Rowling wrote for charity in 2001 as an add-on to the main Harry Potter series.

    A new trailer for the film was premiered at the MTV Movie Awards over the weekend (which are being broadcast tonight in the UK).

    Have a watch below. 

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  5. Kanye's The Life of Pablo sets chart recordpublished at 15:12 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    Kanye WestImage source, Getty Images

    In February, Kanye West released his new album The Life of Pablo exclusively on streaming service Tidal. It wasn't made available on any other streaming sites, and there were no CD copies manufactured.

    But that all changed last week when it was released on other streaming services - and the album has now leapt up the US Billboard chart as a result.

    In fact, The Life of Pablo has become the first album to top the US chart predominantly from streaming. 

    Whilst streaming has become increasingly popular in recent years, physical CDs and downloads have accounted for a greater proportion of sales.

    That makes this chart placing significant, it's likely to be the first of many more albums to come which have reached the chart summit with the majority of sales coming from streaming. 

    Read more., external

  6. Drake announces album release datepublished at 14:48 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    DrakeImage source, Getty Images

    Drake has announced that his long-awaited fourth album Views From the 6 will come out on 29 April. 

    The Canadian rapper has previously indicated that Beyonce will be among guest stars on what will be his first studio album since Nothing Was the Same in 2013. 

    He announced the release date with a video posted on Twitter:

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  7. Bryan Adams cancels Mississippi concert over new religious lawpublished at 14:24 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    Bryan AdamsImage source, AP

    Bryan Adams has cancelled a concert in Mississippi over the US state's new controversial religious liberty law.

    The law, which allows some private businesses and religious groups to refuse service to gay people, was passed last week.

    The singer issued a statement, external saying he could not "in good conscience" perform in the state.

    He added he found it "incomprehensible that LGBT citizens are being discriminated against".

    He was due to play the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi on Thursday.

    Read more.

  8. Sam Mendes and Maxine Peake on Hay Festival line-uppublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    Sam Mendes, Maxine Peake and Sir Salman RushdieImage source, Getty Images

    A spot of culture for you. 

    Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, actress Maxine Peake and author Sir Salman Rushdie are among the line-up for this year's Hay Festival.

    Former Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies will also talk about his reworking of A Midsummer Night's Dream starring Peake.

    As well as marking 400 years of Shakespeare, Sir Salman will lead a celebration marking the 400th anniversary of the death of Don Quixote author Miguel de Cervantes.

    The festival takes place in Hay-on-Wye in Wales from 26 May to 5 June.

    There will also be a bicentenary celebration of the birth of Charlotte Bronte, led by Tracy Chevalier, Lionel Shriver, Kirsty Gunn and Joanna Briscoe.

  9. Rickman's Eye in the Sky film to premierepublished at 13:40 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    Alan RickmanImage source, AP

    Eye in the Sky, one of the late Alan Rickman's final films, is to premiere in London on Monday evening.

    The wartime drone thriller, which stars his friend Dame Helen Mirren, sees her playing Colonel Katherine Powell alongside Rickman as Lieutenant General Frank Benson.

    She appeared on The Graham Norton Show on Saturday and said: "What I love about the film is that it's Alan as I knew Alan - a brilliant character actor, funny, urbane, intelligent and very human. It's really great to see him up there."

    Rickman, whose other roles included Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films and Hans Gruber in Die Hard, died in January from cancer aged 69.

    Eye in the Sky is produced by actor Colin Firth and is directed by Gavin Hood, who was also behind X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Ender's Game. It opens in UK cinemas on Friday. 

  10. Don Cheadle: 'Miles Davis was probably bipolar'published at 13:19 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    Mark Savage
    Music reporter

    Media caption,

    Don Cheadle's guide to Miles Davis

    Actor Don Cheadle, who plays jazz legend Miles Davis in a new movie, says the star probably had bipolar disorder.

    The Oscar nominee spent 10 years researching and studying Davis for the film, Miles Ahead, which he also co-wrote and directed.

    "If you had him on the couch today, he might be diagnosed as being bipolar, or something of that nature," Cheadle told the BBC.

    "But it also is the spring from whence all this incredible work happens."

    Bipolar disorder is characterised by periods of depression and mania, with the latter frequently linked to bouts of creativity.

    Davis was known to be erratic and habitually unpleasant (he would often perform with his back turned to the audience) but he was never diagnosed with a mental illness.

    Cheadle said the star's volatility was "not dissimilar to many artists of that ilk who are creating at a high level".

    Miles Ahead, which is released on 22 April, has won critical praise for avoiding the cliches of "cradle-to-grave" biopics - instead focusing on five lost years, where Davis stopped recording and became a recluse.

    Read more here.  

  11. Loved by fans, less loved by critics: Is Melissa McCarthy the new Adam Sandler?published at 12:57 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    The Wrap

    Melissa McCarthyImage source, Getty Images

    Earlier, we brought you the story that Melissa McCarthy's latest movie The Boss has been a huge success at the US box office, going straight in at number one despite facing stiff competition from Batman v Superman and Zootropolis.

    A few American media outlets have picked up on the fact that this is McCarthy's sixth successful film in a row. Have a look at how her previous movies have done:

    You may well be thinking "Hollywood star has successful movies" isn't the most exciting news story you've ever heard, but there is something interesting about McCarthy's string of hits: Many of them have been panned by critics.

    Whilst Bridesmaids and Spy enjoyed broadly positive reviews, many of her other films haven't been quite as well received. And yet despite that, she remains a huge box office draw, with audiences flocking to the cinema whenever she releases something new.

    This has caused The Hollywood Reporter to today describe her as the new Adam Sandler, external - a reference to the Big Daddy actor's ability to open a film successfully despite critical unpopularity.

    Read more., external

  12. She Drew The Gun win Glastonbury talent competitionpublished at 12:30

    She Drew The Gun

    Adele, Coldplay, Muse, She Drew The Gun... you may not have heard of the fourth band in the list, but if you're at Glastonbury this summer, you'll have the chance to see them along with the other three on one of the festival's main stages as the winners of this year's Emerging Talent competition.

    The contest, which gives a new band a leg-up by providing that stage slot and a £5,000 development prize, has previously been won by the likes of Stornoway, The Subways and Scouting For Girls.

    Thousands of acts entered the competition back in January and were slowly whittled down to a shortlist of eight, who were then judged by a panel that included the festival's linchpins Michael and Emily Eavis.

    The psych-pop band, who have previously been supported by BBC Merseyside Introducing and 6 Music, said they were "absolutely buzzing".

    Runners up in the contest were Glasgow R&B act Bossy Love and London folk singer Hattie Whitehead.

    Here's a taste of She Drew The Gun from a session they did at Maida Vale for 6 Music's Steve Lamacq last year:

  13. Are we ageist? Emmerdale star goes undercover as 90-year-oldpublished at 12:08 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    Roxanne Pallet before and after her makeover

    Is our society ageist? A Comres survey for BBC Radio 5 live has found 27% of 55-64 year olds have experienced ageism.

    So the station sent former Emmerdale actress Roxanne Pallett out into a shopping area disguised as 90-year-old "Doris".

    In just over three hours, the 33-year-old was transformed using prosthetics and was shocked by her new look. But what did she learn about what the elderly experience?

    Watch the video.

  14. M.I.A. releases new video Rewear It for World Recycle Weekpublished at 11:50

    M.I.A.Image source, Getty Images

    As anyone who has ever worked in, set foot in, or lived near a charity shop will tell you - people throw out a lot of clothes. Like, a lot.

    One person who has clearly noticed this is M.I.A.

    The singer, who has previously had hits with Paper Planes, Bad Girls and XXXO has joined forces with a high street clothes store to encourage people to think twice before throwing clothes out.

    M.I.A. has recorded a new song, Rewear It, and the video to it has just been released to coincide with the start of World Recycle Week.

    Watch the video below.

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  15. Sir Tom Jones's wife dies after 'short but fierce battle with cancer'published at 11:50 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    Lady Melinda Rose Woodward and Sir Tom Jones, pictured in 1970Image source, PA

    The wife of singer Sir Tom Jones has died after a "short but fierce battle with cancer", his publicist has announced.

    Lady Melinda Rose Woodward, who was married to the star for 59 years, died on Sunday morning at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.

    "Surrounded by her husband and loved ones, she passed away peacefully," a statement on Sir Tom's website, external said.

    He recently cancelled concerts due to a "serious illness" in his family.

    Read more here. 

  16. Sesame Street's first Afghan Muppet to help empower girlspublished at 11:30 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    Meet Zari, a "a curious and eager six-year-old girl" who has joined the Afghan version of Sesame Street, Baghch-e-Simsim (Sesame Garden).

    Zari - the show's first Afghan Muppet - will feature in its live action films about the traditions, culture and aspects of Afghanistan's urban and rural life.

    She will fly the flag for girls and women, featuring in locally produced segments focusing on girls' empowerment, national identity, physical health and social and emotional well-being. 

    One sketch will see her talk to her paediatrician, Dr Khadija, about her health, hear what her own heart sounds like and learn what it takes to become a doctor. 

    See her meet Elmo in this clip on BBC Newsround

    An Afghan puppeteer adjusts a scarf on ZariImage source, AP
  17. Harrington misses Thrones premiere - is it truly the end of Jon Snow?published at 11:05

    BBC Newsbeat

    Liam CunninghamImage source, Reuters

    You'd have thought his absence would have put the Jon Snow rumours to bed - but everyone still asked about Jon Snow.

    Cast members whose characters are still alive gathered for the season six premiere in LA on Sunday night.

    Once noticeable absentee was Kit Harrington, whose character Jon Snow was stabbed multiple times in the climax of season five. But his absence is easily explained - he was playing Dr Faustus on the London stage.

    Many fans of the show don't believe he's gone after sightings of him on set and vague answers in interviews.

    The cast were quick to crush the hopes of fans that he's still alive on Sunday.

    "The man's had about 25 knives in his chest. How much steel does he have to have in his body to be confirmed dead?" says Liam Cunningham [pictured], who plays Ser Davos.

    "He's dead. Dead as a doornail. David Nutter, who directed that episode, was at a party, and a certain individual you may have heard of him, called Barack Obama, came over to him.

    "He said, 'Are you David Nutter? I have a question for you Mr Nutter.'

    "David said, 'Mr President he's dead, deader than dead. Dead dead dead.'

    "So do you think I'm going to tell you something different to what the president was told? I think not."

    Read more here and see what the stars had to say below.

    Media caption,

    Game of Thrones stars attend sixth season premiere

  18. Playwright Ayckbourn: TV viewers can't 'sit still' in the theatrepublished at 10:50 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    The Daily Telegraph

    Alan Ayckbourn

    Esteemed playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn has blamed the "fast pace" of modern TV for pressuring theatre writers to shorten their works.

    "A stage play asks a live audience to sit still in excess of two hours, which nowadays is a marathon," he told the Daily Telegraph.

    Sir Alan, who has just written his 80th play and whose works include Bedroom Farce, said writing for TV is now "influenced by writing for television". 

    He said it's much harder to attract audiences to long plays.

    "Most television is short, sharp plays which flip, flip, flip, and then you've got a commercial break where you can get up and make tea. Then you're asking poeple to come in [to the theatre] and sit down," he said at Oxford Literary Festival.

    So remember - no wriggling in your theatre seat and don't even think about touching your smartphone...

  19. Caroline Flack takes Heart FM job after X Factor axepublished at 10:28 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    Caroline Flack

    Caroline Flack, who presented the last series of The X Factor alongside Olly Murs, has landed a new job.

    Not quite a hold-the-front-page story, we admit, as Caroline has taken on a lot of media jobs over the years, from TV presenter to Strictly contestant, but this one is interesting because it signals something of a change in direction for the 36-year-old.

    Rather than being in front of the camera, this time she's behind the microphone, as a presenter on Heart FM. 

    Caroline has already been in the studio for some trial shows with Welsh presenter Gethin Jones.

    Read more, external on the Daily Mirror's website.

  20. Voice winner Simm's single gets off to strong startpublished at 10:09 British Summer Time 11 April 2016

    Kevin Simm and Ricky WilsonImage source, PA

    Grand National... check.

    Final performance of Billy Elliot in London... check.

    One other thing to catch you up on from the weekend is Saturday's final of The Voice UK.

    Not only was this the final episode of the current series, but it also marks the end of the show's five-year run on BBC One. It moves to ITV from next year.

    The final of this, the show's fifth, season, saw former Liberty X singer Kevin Simm crowned the winner.

    The Voice UK has so far failed to produce a winner who has gone on to considerable chart success, but that could be about to change with Kevin, who was mentored by Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson (both pictured). 

    His single All You Good Friends has been number two on the iTunes chart since its release, being held off only by Drake's One Dance. If it continues to sell this well, it could well be the highest selling single to come out of the show since it began in 2011.

    It's not all good news for the show, however - Saturday's episode lost out to Britain's Got Talent in the ratings. An average 8.1 million people tuned in to watch the TV talent search as it was broadcast, compared with an average 4.5 million who watched The Voice.