Narnia releases pushed back

The third Chronicles of Narnia movie, which was due to be released next year, has been pushed back to 2010.

Production on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader will begin next summer, instead of January, due to what Disney described as “the challenging schedules for our young actors”.

Fans will also have to wait a little longer to see the second Narnia film, Prince Caspian, which was scheduled for a December release but will now open in May so that it doesn’t clash with producers Walden Media’s Sony release The Water Horse.

Source: Yahoo!

Cowell in row over pregnant wannabe

Simon Cowell sparked fury on The X Factor when he let a contestant through to the next stage - before changing his mind because she is pregnant.

Katie Boothand, 24, from Skegness, was five and a half months into her pregnancy when she auditioned in Sheffield, leaving open the possibility that she could have her baby during a live show.

She lives with her fiance, who accompanied her to the audition, in a cramped one-bedroom flat, and said winning The X Factor would secure a future for her family. Before her audition, Cowell told Boothand: “I’m working out the dates here, not great dates are they?”.

The aspiring singer joked that she could have the first child born on the hit show and launched into a rendition of Faith Hill’s There You’ll Be. Cowell said after the performance: “You’re five-and-a-half months pregnant so you’d be having a baby right in the middle of the live shows.”

He said Boothand suffered from a bad lisp but that she has a good singing voice and is “very likeable”. Fellow judge Sharon Osbourne said Boothand “sang very, very well indeed” but asked whether she could cope with the pressure of being pregnant during the show.

With Dannii Minogue the only one to say “no”, the 24-year-old was stunned to learn she had got through to the next stage. But after she left the room, the panel had doubts.

Cowell said: “A part of me thinks we shouldn’t have just done that because she’s five-and-a-half months pregnant. That should have been a ‘no’. It doesn’t feel right, I’m almost inclined to change my mind now.” Louis Walsh agreed, and Minogue said: “I’ve got nothing against pregnant women but you can’t be singing on live TV and giving birth at the same time.”

Cowell gwent outside to tell Boothand: “I think we’ve made a mistake. I absolutely think this is the wrong decision and I know it’s horrible to be given a ‘yes’ but I want to be honest with you, I don’t feel right about this. I’m thinking about you and the kid and everything and I think this is absolutely the wrong thing to do.”

Boothand was devastated: “He knew I was carrying a baby. He knew I was five-and-a half-months pregnant. He knew the complications. At the end of the day, that’s my decision and if I want to enter this competition and go all the way to the end, I will do that,” she said. Her angry fiance threatened to smash the cameras filming their exit as the couple stormed out of the building.

Cowell later defended his U-turn, saying: “This is a girl who would have given birth to her baby in the middle of the X Factor finals. The stress she would have been under would have been unspeakable. You cannot put a competition like this or your ambition over the fact you’re about to have a baby. It is crazy.”

Source: Yahoo!

Leave Britney alone guy offered his own TV show

A teenage Internet ’superstar’ who hit the headlines with his ranting Leave Britney Alone blast on community-sharing website YouTube.com has been offered his own TV show.

Eight million people checked out Chris Crocker’s comedic talents in a week when he posted his short film, in which he posed as the Toxic singer, online earlier this month (Sep07).

Now, Daily Variety reports Crocker, 19, has been approached with a view to starring in his own reality show.

Crocker was an Internet hit long before his Leave Britney Alone skit - thanks to a series of similar performances, poking fun at modern pop culture.

Source: WENN

Hammond couldn’t remember marriage

Top Gear star Richard Hammond forgot he was married in the aftermath of his top-speed crash - and tried to chat up his own wife.

The presenter, 37, nicknamed the Hamster, said he thought his real wife was French.

He tells Friday Night With Jonathan Ross: “I didn’t forget Mindy, I fancied her - thank God - I attempted to chat her up.”

Mindy, who has co-written Hammond’s book On The Edge: My Story, which documents life before and after the crash, said: “He didn’t believe we were married. He said ‘you’re lovely, but I’ve got to stop talking to you because I’ve got to go back to my wife, she’s French’.”

Hammond says of his recovery: “It was a big event, it’s a long old journey. You get to the end of each week and realise you weren’t actually better, and it goes on and on. Whole periods have just gone. I had a 22-second memory, very confusing for weeks (but) I can daydream now, it’s all fixed.

“It was frightening, a real lesson for me. Damage can mend, it’s a big bowl of porridge that revives itself if you’re very lucky … which I was.”

Hammond was left fighting for his life after a 315mph smash in a rocket-powered car last year.

On the same show, Dame Helen Mirren, who recently picked up an Emmy for her performance in the ITV drama Prime Suspect, dismissed her Oscar for her performance in The Queen, saying: “I never thought ever that I’d win an Oscar.

“I think it’s all a bit of a crap shoot .. the whole awards thing is becoming a marketing tool so it doesn’t really mean anything.”

She said of Tony Blair’s role following the Diana’s death: “It was Tony Blair’s finest hour (in 1997). He was one of the greatest politicians we’ve ever had, brilliant in terms of his expertise.”

Source: Associated Press

Corrie scoops top soap award

Coronation Street has beaten off rival EastEnders to bag the best soap gong at the Inside Soap Awards.

It is the first time Corrie has won the title in over a decade and the cast also scooped five more awards at the star-studded bash.

Anthony Cotton who plays barman Sean Tully on the Street and who recently had success with his own chat show, bagged best actor.

Cotton said: “I’ve won the big one this year, and I’m very very pleased that they chose me. I don’t act because of it but it’s nice that someone thinks I’m doing well.”

Rob James-Collier, who plays Liam Connor, took the awards for sexiest male and best newcomer.

Actor Jack P Shepherd won best bad boy for his part as Coronation Street’s David Platt.

But EastEnders wasn’t completely overshadowed by Corrie with the best actress award going to Lacey Turner for her feisty role as Stacey Slater.

Speaking of her triumph the starlet said: “It feels wonderful, it makes me want to go to work every day.”

Lacey also teamed up with on-screen fiancé Charlie Clements, who plays Bradley Branning, to win best couple.

Readers of the Inside Soap magazine also voted Hollyoaks actress Roxanne McKee, who plays Louise Summers, as sexiest actress.

Among the other winners on the night was the Bill, which was awarded best drama for the second year running.

We need your book reviews

What’s a book club without a discussion?

Email us at editor@teentoday.co.uk with reviews of some of the great books you’ve read!

We need your book reviews

What’s a book club without a discussion?

Email us at editor@teentoday.co.uk with reviews of some of the great books you’ve read!

TeenToday meets Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland’s back: repackaged, rebranded and ready to roll. But can the R&B superstar finally drop her Destiny’s Child past? teentoday.co.uk’s Max Carren tries to find out.

Hello Kelly!
Hi Max

How are you?
I’m fine thank you!

First of all congratulations on your single Like This, its got to No.4 in the chart here this week!
Thank You! I just got that news, I’m so ecstatic!

Your singles always do well here! You have great UK fan base.
Yeah I know, I’m so grateful for that.

I’m loving the video too! I noticed you’ve had a sexy make over in this one
Sexy!? *laughs* You know I get told all the time but I really don’t see it.

Aww! I also love the way you don’t bleach your hair, always keepin’ it real! Makes us feel you are proud to be who you are!
Thank you! I feel that way too

So tell me Kelly, where did the inspiration for the Indian beats in the song come from?
Oh! Polow Da Don produced the track, when I heard it, I was like “where did ya get that sound from!?” *laughs*

What’s Eve to work like with?
Eve is just great to work with!, she will come in the studio and we would just get along and have good time always.

We don’t see you much in the paparazzi pictures that often. Do you just not go out much or just cleverly avoid them ? *laugh*
You know the paparazzi in the UK are actually worse! *laughs* They are everywhere I go, whether its a TV studio or just out.

What’s it like being solo?
Ya know I feel very liberated! I still love DC and I wouldn’t be me with out DC and I love all the girls, Beyoncé is doing her own thing and ya know Michelle is doing very well too!

I do feel you have a lot of potential in you and can go far as Beyoncé, but I get the feeling you’ve held yourself back in a way and not done as much as you could have?
You know you’re right, I feel that way too and I’d like to give my all to my fans in whatever I do. If I’m working on DC, Id like to give my all to that and when I’m doing my own thing, I concentrate on that.

Do you miss your friends?
Yesss! I miss my friends *laughs*

What about love life, do you have a partner?
No, but I did say the last time, that the next time I do, I would keep it to myself *laughs*
*laughs* good answer!

What does this new album have in store?
I feel this album is my best and has a lot to offer and I’ve put a lot into it and I hope the fans appreciate the work.

I heard the initial album was scrapped and started again?
Yes that’s right, the initial album was too full of midtempos and ballads and I wanted to put the youthful side of me on this album, which was missing from the first one.

Ok some novelty questions now! What is your favourite colour?
Oh blue!

Favourite make up brand?
hmmm.. make up brand… MAC!

If you were stuck in a lift for a day, who would you like to be stuck with?
Oh would have to be my best friend!

Ok!, What are the worst things about being a celebrity?
Has to be your privacy!

That’s what everyone says. Is that basically the only thing?
Yeah that would be the main thing

Do you speak to Beyoncé much?
*laughs* of course, just spoke to her before actually!

I heard she’s getting married!?
Errr yeah I heard that one too! It’s always something everyday!

I saw your performance at G-A-Y btw!
Ah! really!?

Yes! I thought you were absolutely fantastic! And your vocals were spot on! I thought your Kylie remark was very smart too! Ya know, it’s not your fault the crowd didn’t know the lyrics at times. I’m a regular there and the club is actually very cheesy pop, they need to broaden their music if you ask me! *laughs*
Thank you, you know I really enjoyed it there; I was kinda nervous backstage at first and then even forgot the lyrics too! *laughs*

*laughs* OK! would you like to do a solo tour at some point?
Definitely, hopefully by the end of the year.

Don’t forget the UK!
Oh the UK will be the first! *laughs*

Thank you very much Kelly!
Thank you.

Festival Guide 2007

Pack your wellies, camping gear and oversized sunnies and prepare to get muddy: it’s festival time. Take a look at our round-up of the UK’s biggest and most unique music festivals from the worlds of rock, dance, indie, pop and alternative.

Latitude When: 12th-15th JulyWhere: Henham Park, Suffolk.Price: £45 for a day ticket, £112 for the weekend.Web: www.latitudefestival.co.uk Top Three: The Magic Numbers; The Good, The Bad & The Queen; Jarvis Cocker. 2007 is only the second year for this festival. With only four stages, Latitude is run on a smaller scale than some of the other festivals; however, it is organised by Mean Fiddler Music Group, the same company who are in charge of Glastonbury and the Carling Weekend so a great time is guaranteed. Like Glastonbury, Latitude does not focus entirely on music, with a high quality comedy stage boasting the appearances of Bill Bailey, Phil Jupitus and Dylan Moran amongst others this year.

Wickerman Festival When: 20th-21st JulyWhere: Dundrenna, Dumfries & Galloway.Price: £45 for Saturday, £65 for the weekend.Web: thewickermanfestival.co.uk Top Three: Fun Lovin’ Criminals; The Proclaimers; Hayseed Dixie. The Wickerman Festival’s motto is “Fun, fire and freedom”. Whilst the ‘fun’ and ‘freedom’ might be self explanatory, the ‘fire’ part comes with a good story. On the Saturday night, with spirits high in the camp, a 30-40 foot Wickerman is sacrificed to the festival gods! Aside from the ritual burning, the Wickerman Festival will have eleven stages in 2007 to cater for the most eclectic music tastes around; including reggae, Scottish music and dance acts.

T4 On The Beach When: 22nd JulyWhere: Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.Price: £28.Web: official website Top Three: Girls Aloud; McFly; Calvin Harris. As the adverts on Channel 4 have probably already informed you, T4 On The Beach is approaching again. With 30 of the nation’s top pop acts appearing on the main stage to perform two or three of their most well known songs, the 30,000 strong crowd is set for a treat before Steve Jones starts to bury the equipment again. As well as the main stage there are two other attractions. A 4Music stage makes its debut showcasing bands on the verge of greatness and the Aygo Disco allows members of the audience to play three songs of their choice as they DJ to a packed house. For those not able to make the event in South West England, Channel 4 will be showing full coverage.

Global Gathering When: 27th-28th JulyWhere: Long Marston Airfield, near Stratford Upon Avon.Price: £57.50 for Saturday only (£97.50 for VIP), £105 for the weekend (£155 for VIP).Web: globalgathering.co.uk Top Three: Faithless; Basement Jaxx; Paul Oakenfold. !!!!!: We’ve got 4 VIP tickets for Global up for grabs: click here. This year marks the seventh occasion of Global Gathering, the world’s largest dance festival. Last year over 75,000 people were in attendance and similar figures are expected for 2007. After the success of Global Gathering in the UK, the festival has also held events in Ireland and the United States. VIP tickets allow holders into a reserved area that includes a three-storey viewing deck near the main stage. This area is large enough to allow dancing, space to chill out and room for people to eat meals.

Calvin Harris ‘I Created Disco’ Album Review

So electropop is trendy now? Never mind the fact that the likes of Girls Aloud, Rachel Stevens and Kylie have been churning out high quality electropop for ages… At the forefront of this new fashionable electronica is shelf-stacker turned producer turned singer Calvin Harris, whose hit Acceptable In The 80s has become as overexposed as the footless tights and denim skirt combo.

If you liked that very catchy but annoyingly one-dimensional smash, you’re likely to enjoy his album, the modestly-titled I Created Disco. For what you get is more, much much more, of the same and errrr… a little bit more of the same too. Tracks that have a great pulsating electro beat yet proceed to stamp it again and again over the space of four minutes with little progression. Many of these tracks cry out for a radio edit in the manner of Acceptable In The 80s, which here clocks in at an alarmingly snoozeworthy five and a half minutes. They also cry out for a proper singer – there’s only so much of Harris basically talking that one can take – and songwriter. The same mind-numbingly mundane words being repeated to death reduces certain songs (‘I get all the girls I get all the girls’ multiplied by 50 on new single, The Girls) to a tedious monotony when a proper construction could have made them minor masterpieces.

At its best, on tracks like Colours and Merrymaking At My Place, Calvin Harris’ brand of pared-down electronica thoroughly deserves to be ubiquitous. At its most self-indulgently smug and crudely underdeveloped, the only popularity it deserves is that of the dumper. As it is, I Created Disco is a catchy and tuneful, though unfulfilling, album that functions on the same one-note level as a dance album.

ON REPEAT – Colours, Merrymaking At My Place

PRESS SKIP – Vegas, The Girls, This Is The Industry, I Created Disco

Click here to buy I Created Disco at amazon.co.uk >>

Rachel Read

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