IF IT'S IN THE PRESS

The wicked review of the British press.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

JAY LENO - TONIGHT SHOW - NEWS HEADLINES

Click on Jay Leno - Tonight Show title to see the news headlines!

Posted by DAVID EADE at 19:14

Labels: Jay Leno, News Headlines

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THE KIDD TELLS IT AS IT IS...

Wiser than his years the Kidd is always ahead of the news. Click on the image to read all about it!

Last minute script changes at the Global Cafe.

About Me

DAVID EADE: “If It’s In The Press” was created, written and produced by David Eade. He is a working journalist who has also scripted numerous productions for radio including 80-episodes of “Our Kith and Ken” – an every day story of Costa folk, “Lift Up The Rock”, “Come on You Blues” plus a series of short stories broadcast on SABC in South Africa. He is also a playwright. ifitsinthepress@yahoo.co.uk

View my complete profile

READ ALL ABOUT IT...

Just click on the image for your daily paper!

IF IT'S IN THE PRESS, IT'S GOT TO BE TRUE!

The story so far...

IF IT'S IN THE PRESS - THE START - 1994

ON THE RADIO

“If It’s In The Press, It’s Got To Be True!” first took to the airwaves in 1994 when it was broadcast twice a week on the first English language radio station on the Costa del Sol in Spain – Coastline Radio.

The first series of radio programmes were recorded before a live audience in Fuengirola featuring Henry Ashenden, Anthony Grantham and Wendy Lambert. Later editions of the programme were studio recorded for broadcast on Coastline Radio and Solar Sound FM with Una Bolus and Tony Murphy.

In his review of the first programme Robin Herbert wrote in 'The Entertainer':

“David Eade’s often wicked commentary on the week’s news is gleaned from the British and Spanish press. The overriding fruitiness of the show can only be a reflection of the week’s press preoccupation with the antics of our bawdy politicians.”

That was written in 1994 and nothing has changed over the intervening years!

THE GLOBAL CAFE

THE LONDON CAST

BBC FILM SHOW

AT THE GLOBAL CAFÉ

In 1998 “If It’s In the Press, It’s Got To Be True!” started a five year run at The Global Café in Golden Square in London’s Soho after receiving a kind invitation from Nigel Foster. The programme only came to a much regretted end because of the pending and subsequent demolition of the entire block that housed the famed café - one of London’s most progressive gallery – performing venues.

The London cast for the entire run was Verona Chard and Andrew Fettes. The first show was performed before a packed audience in the rather bizarre surroundings of a tropical beach with swooping seagulls – as hours later Sir Bob Geldoff was to launch an internet travel company on the same set.

As opposed to the original radio programme which was performed as a stand-up routine reminiscent of the original “Goon” and “Round The Horn” formats – the Global shows had a news reader style desk format. This was because not only were they performed live but also broadcast simultaneously on the internet where archived shows could also be accessed. The broadcasts received much media attention and were twice filmed by the BBC.

(Verona Chard is also a very talented singer -check out her website by clicking here).

(Nigel Foster is currently alive and well on the Isle of Wight and playing bridge with the vicar - I kid you not! He tells me: "Its all rather jolly in a 1955 kind of way" - the same can be said of the show!)

MITCH SYMONS

THE END … FOR NOW

“If It’s In The Press” ended in 2004 after it lost two of its strongest supporters. Denis Atkinson, who was instrumental in bringing the show to London, suggested the Global Café cast and attended most of the performances, died suddenly at the end of 2002. Una Bolus, who selected some of the early stories featured in the broadcasts and performed some of the radio shows, including the last recording in June 2003, died in February 2004. Both passed away after short brave fights with lung cancer. With them went the era of “If It’s In The Press” shows … but who knows what lies in the future.

COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR

In due course “If It’s In The Press, It’s Got To Be True” also had its own thriving website. One of the most popular features on the website that was also incorporated in to the Global Café shows was the Columnist of the Week and eventual Columnist of the Year.

Each week the “If It’s In The Press” team selected a piece written by a news columnist in the British press that had most caught their eye. At the end of the year the columnist that had been chosen the most number of times received the accolade of Columnist of the Year.

Amongst those entering this hall of fame were Ephraim Hardcastle, Richard Littlejohn and Jane Moore. However the team’s favourite columnist was without doubt Mitch Symons who walked away with the prize in 2000 and was just pipped at the post in 2001 by Carol Sarler.

The “If It’s In The Press” team like to tell the tale of how they plucked Mitch from insignificance working as a barista at Starbucks and propelled him to stardom. However the truth - which should never get in the way of a good story - is that Mitch was born in London 1957, educated at Mill Hill School and the LSE where he studied Law then joined the BBC, where he was a researcher and director. He was also a principal writer for the early UK editions of the world-renowned board game Trivial Pursuit, and has devised many television formats.

Today he works as a writer, broadcaster and journalist, wrote an opinion column for the Daily Express that received the “If It’s In The Press” accolade and still writes a weekly column for the Sunday Express. He is also the author of numerous books such as the wonderfully entitled: How to Avoid a Wombat's Bum, Where Do Nudists Keep Their Hankies? Why Eating Bogeys Is Good For You and Don't Get Me Started: A Way-Beyond-Grumpy Rant About Modern Life.

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