TV Times

‘CHILDREN in Albania and Peru spend more time reading books than British nippers.

Michael Barrymore counts his audience

What is a shock to the Mail is little surprise to the rest of us who own the magic box called television.

Perhaps another survey should be conducted by the OECD and Unesco, this time asking the question: ‘Why do British children read anything at all when they’ve got a TV?’

One answer could be that the papers are full of news about TV stars. You need to read them to know what’s what on the box.

The Star leads with news that Victoria Beckham has landed a role in hit US TV show Will and Grace. She will appear in what is now known in the business as a cameo role, and used to be known as a walk-on part.

‘A small part suits me down to the ground,’ says Posh, who has yet to realise that her role as a talking toothpick will not guarantee her star billing.

Meanwhile, the Mirror says that Michael Barrymore is suing LWT, the TV company that dropped him after the inquest into the death of a man in his swimming pool.

For those who want to see Michael before his day in court, there is the chance to buy tickets for his one-man show, which begins in London in September.

The one man, who wishes to remain anonymous and is not believed to be Stuart Lubbock, will probably be the same loner who went to see Les Dennis’ own solo stage show.

News in the Sun is that Les has been forced to cancel a performance in his home town of Liverpool after ‘less than 30 tickets’ were sold. How many less is not known – perhaps it’s 30 less.

But Les is not upset and a spokesman says that the show was cancelled because the estranged Mr Amanda Holden has been offered TV work that ‘is too big to turn down’.

And we wish Les luck in his new TV job as the ‘world’s oldest ball boy’ at Wimbledon. Watch yer back, Les…

‘

Posted: 2nd, July 2003 | In: Tabloids Comment | TrackBack | Permalink