Page 29 - Michael Grade News Today

Now that John Humphrys has called it a day, I’ll never get the chance to be quizzed by him on Mastermind. Pity. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve wondered what my specialist subject would be. Motown B-sides of the 1960s, maybe. The lyrics of Warren Zevon. Minder, 1979-1994. The inside story of the great Transport and General Workers’ Union ballot rigging scandal, 1985. As chairman of the Useless Information Society, a distinguished position I inherited from the late Keith Wate...

TV Editor Tonights top TV tips include the Tom Hanks-starring News of the World, the return of Stephen King-inspired Castle Rock, documentaries about Kenneth Egan, WB Yeats and Donald Trump, as well as Extraordinary Escapes with Sandi Toksvig . . . Pick of the Day News of the World, Netflix First off, this has nothing to do with the recently-expired UK tabloid of the same name. Co-written and directed by Paul Greengrass, this western film’s based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Paulette...

When the intelligent but vulnerable Oliver Reed ruined After Dark The inebriated actor made TV history during a fiery late-night debate on masculinity. But what happened behind the scenes? Oliver Reed showing his affection for feminist Kate Millett on After Dark It’s 30 years since Oliver Reed’s notorious appearance on the Channel 4 discussion show, After Dark, which became fodder for the next three decades’ worth of clips shows (it was recently included on Channel 4’s Back to the 80s)...

Thanks for welcoming me into the Gout Club – at least I know I’m not alone I asked you, dear readers, for advice on my ailment and you came through for me in droves with all kinds of suggestions to fix it 20 January 2021 • 10:27am Who knew? Last week, I asked casually if you had any remedies for the preposterously painful, music-hall malady that shall remain nameless. Several hundred emails later, I am now a fully enrolled citizen and staggeringly (well, hoppingly) well-informed member o...

BBC News By Sanchia Berg image captionJohn Major was prime minister between 1990 and 1997 Impressionist Rory Bremner "saved John Majors bacon" when he inadvertently thwarted a Tory revolt against him, newly released files show. Documents from the National Archives tell how Bremner impersonated the then-PM when he phoned Eurosceptic Tory MPs in 1993, asking for their support. They had planned to challenge Sir Johns leadership at the time of the Conservative conference in Blackpool. But the lead ...

Dont show me this message again✕ Impersonating Sir John ‘a mix of trainspotter and Julian Clary’, says Bremner (PA) Secret documents reveal how the head of the civil service leant on Channel 4 to curtail a comedians mischief-making impressions of John Major, after a Conservative MP was so completely taken in during a phone call that he refused to believe he had not been speaking to the  then-prime minister. Files released by the National Archives under the 30-year-rule show civil servan...

Rory Bremners impersonation inadvertently persuaded Eurosceptic MPs to fall in line at the height of the Maastricht crisis in 1993.

Impressionist Rory Bremner has revealed how a telephone offer to dance with key Tory rebel Sir Richard Body, while pretending to be John Major, was crucial in keeping the prime minister in number 10. The comedian granted the PM a stay of execution after inadvertently persuading Eurosceptic backbenchers to fall in line at the height of the Maastricht crisis in 1993, it emerged in official papers released last night.  Files declassified at the National Archives at Kew in London explain how Sir ...

How Rory Bremners spoof calls as frantic John Major staved off Tory Eurosceptic rebellion Impressionists portrayal of then Prime Minister in hoax calls to rebellious MPs was so realistic potential rebellion was quashed 30 December 2020 • 12:56pm Comedian Rory Bremner as politician John Major in a sketch from the BBC television impression show Rory Bremner broadcast in 1991 Credit: Don Smith/Radio Times/Getty Images When Rory Bremner telephoned the Conservative Party’s “awkward squad” to...

Impressionist Rory Bremner may have inadvertently helped to defuse a Tory revolt against John Major, according to newly released official files. Papers released by the National Archives show Bremner telephoned rebel MPs as an “experiment” to see if his impersonation of the prime minister could convince people who knew him. But his appeal for support sounded so genuine the rebels agreed to “lay off” and help to carry the government through. Bremner made the calls in October 1993 ahead of...