Big Big Cuts

The BBC is getting ready to axe 12% of its staff, according to reports.

The Financial Times claims that over 2,000 BBC staff are to go, with factual programming to be the hardest hit be the cuts.

Such a move still has to be approved by the BBC Trust, but it is believed director general Mark Thompson is looking for annual savings of around 6% of the corporation's £3 billion yearly budget over next five years.

Thompson's plans are likely to be outlined at a BBC Trust meeting scheduled for next Wednesday.

Spears Dad - She's a loon

Britney Spears' estranged dad is so worried by her erratic behaviour he wants to have her committed.

Jamie Spears has consulted lawyers about staging an “intervention” to get Britney into therapy.

He has told pals he is worried the troubled 25-year-old star could harm herself or her boys if her bizarre antics continue.

A source close to Jamie - who Britney refuses to speak to after accusing him of cashing in on her fame - said: “He is consulting lawyers about the best way to help Britney.

"He feels they need to stage an intervention to get her into rehab or some kind of therapy.
“He is worried she is going to harm herself or the boys.

Darling, its a Gansta Musical

Jay Z plans to make a gangster film based on the music from his upcoming album, American Gangster.

The rapper wants to make a musical production to accompany the songs to be released at the same time.

He said: "What I really plan to do is shoot (American Gangster) as a movie. Like a better Streets Is Watching. Doing it like a musical. "Real stories and get somebody in there that's (going to do) real writing. Someone to shoot it like The Godfather. I know that's a little ungracious, but that's how you gotta place it."

The album is due to be released in 2008.


In other news

* Kanye West is to create a jewellery line, alongside the artist who designed the artwork for his latest album.

* Kelly Jones has credited Noel Gallagher for making him realise early on in his career the importance of working hard on his songwriting skills.

* The man who was left critically injured after he was involved in a car crash with Hulk Hogan's son Nick will probably need to be given lifelong care, according to a report.

* Sky has been hit by a technical fault in the voting for Sky One show Cirque de Celebrite. The fault occurred on Sunday night with some votes not being included in the final count. Sky has apologised to viewers and said it took immediate action the moment the problem was discovered. Subsequently Cirque contestant ex-footballer Dean Holdsworth - who was voted off on Sunday night - has been invited back on to the programme.

* The Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson has become involved in a new awareness campaign for digital switchover.The campaign launches ahead of the switchover which begins in Whitehaven, Cumbria on October 17.

* Jamelia has announced her engagement to her footballer boyfriend and father to her daughter, Darren Byfield.

* Kiefer Sutherland pleaded no contest Tuesday in his drunken driving case and will begin serving a 48-day jail sentence while his Fox TV drama "24" begins its winter production break in December.

* The independent investigation by Deloitte into ITV's phone-ins and participation services is complete, with the broadcaster believed to be ready to suffer "casualties" among its staff. The report, which ITV commissioned earlier this year, is believed to highlight misconduct in shows like I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Saturday Night Takeaway and Vernon Kay's Gameshow Marathon.

Link

Jamie Hewlett’s new project

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/09_september/18/phoo.shtml


Clips of the day

Kerlon – The next Ronaldinho - Even if you don't like football, samba is the shizzle (good)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=y6Yj7GoXPZw

Laughing German Midget

http://www.break.com/index/luaghing-german-midget.html

Cinnamon Challenge – I quite like a bit on a pastry

http://www.break.com/index/another-hot-chick-tries-cinamon-challenge.html