Latest news with #FawltyTowers
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Predicting Universal Studios Bedford zones: what IPs could the theme park adopt?
What distinctly British franchises could end up being constructed at Universal Studios Bedford? Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... What British franchises could comprise the various zones at Universal Studios Bedford? With a promise of the park showcasing some of the biggest IPs created in the United Kingdom, there would be a directive to adopt some of the country's biggest pop culture offerings. But one huge UK IP will not be featuring at the park - so what do we think will take its place when the park opens in 2031? The speculation continues to mount about what fans of Universal Studios properties can expect to see once Universal Studios Bedford opens, projected for 2031. While we've taken a look at some of the more popular rides and attractions available at the numerous theme parks across the rest of the world, Bedford's site appears to have an unusual caveat before it opens: an interest in keeping things distinctly British. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There has been consistent reporting from the media that the theme park operators are looking to pick up several British franchises to develop for zones at the Bedford site, with even politicians citing the park showcasing some of the best that Britain has to offer to the global fabric of popular culture. But what of those British franchises could we see? A Fawlty Towers log flume? A Question Time Stunt Spectacular? Perhaps not. But we've taken a look across social media, the World Wide Web, and even tried to put two and two together when it comes to franchises Universal has previously been involved in to give our best guesses (or wishes) what zones/areas could feature when Universal Studios Bedford opens. But we do know at least one British franchise that won't be making an appearance when the theme park opens. Why won't there be any Harry Potter-themed areas at Universal Studios Bedford? Despite the immense global popularity of the Wizarding World and its foundational British origins, Universal Studios Bedford is currently not planning to feature Harry Potter-themed areas due to "watertight exclusivity contracts" held by Warner Bros, according to the BBC. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This means that while Universal operates highly successful Wizarding World lands in its parks worldwide under license from Warner Bros., the specific rights for theme park experiences within the United Kingdom are retained by Warner Bros.. The existence of the immensely popular Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, located less than an hour's drive from the Bedford site, further solidifies this exclusion, as Warner Bros. would likely seek to avoid direct competition with its own established and successful attraction. While future expansion could theoretically reconsider other brands, initial plans for Universal Studios Great Britain will focus on other major British IPs. What zones could appear at Universal Studios Bedford? Could these distinctively British franchises be incorporated into dedicated zones or areas at Universal Studios Bedford when it opens? | Getty Images/Universal Project UK MI6 Headquarters (James Bond) One of three IPs that have been strongly reported as being developed for the theme park, including from the BBC, James Bond looks to be a key property that Universal Studios Bedford would like to embrace. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rumours suggest that the area could include a major stunt show inspired by the exploits of 007, akin to The Bourne Stuntacular at Universal Studios Florida, and could be the centrepiece of a James Bond-themed area. The MI6 setting provides a perfect backdrop for a land focused on spy missions, gadgetry, and thrilling escapes. The sleek, international, and often glamorous world of James Bond can inspire sophisticated dining, exclusive retail, and stylish architectural designs. Bond is a quintessential British icon, making him a perfect fit for Universal's first European park and for showcasing "great British creations', and it's not too far removed from the realms of possibility. Universal previously held international distribution rights for Bond films, so negotiations could help owing a pre-existing relationship with the rights holders (Eon Productions, now under Amazon/MGM). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Middle-earth (The Lord of the Rings) Another strong rumour that veers towards near confirmation – multiple news outlets, including the BBC, have cited that sources close to the new theme park have asserted that a Lord of the Rings area will appear and that 'contracts have been signed,' though there remains no official word from the park itself. For their part, when quizzed about specific areas, Universal suggests it is 'too early to know' the featured attractions. But there is no smoke without fire: J.R.R. Tolkien was British, and his works are a cornerstone of British literature, which fits Universal Studios Bedford's operating model. It also makes for an ideal choice for a Universal park in the UK, owing to the complex issues surrounding Harry Potter and the theme park. Universal's prior success with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter demonstrates their expertise in bringing complex, beloved fantasy sagas to life, an act they could dedicate to the rich lore and diverse environments of Middle-earth. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Paddington's London Another strongly suggested rumour verging on 'confirmation' – when Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy mentioned the park showcasing 'British icons like James Bond, Paddington Bear, and Harry Potter,' concept art on show for the new park further supports the idea. Those with a keen eye might have seen the concept art 'hinting' at a giant jar in a play area; what kind of jar was it? A marmalade jar… Unlike some other IPs, the issue with who owns the rights to Paddington is quite favourable for Universal. StudioCanal (a subsidiary of Vivendi, which also owns Universal Music Group) acquired full ownership of the Paddington Bear brand worldwide in 2016, including television, merchandising, live entertainment, video games, and theme park rights. This existing corporate connection, with StudioCanal part of Vivendi and Universal Music Group also under the Vivendi/Comcast umbrella, could very much simplify licensing negotiations for Universal. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Doctor Who zone A property so British that when parodied by US television shows, they're still rolling out the caricature of Tom Baker. If Universal Studios Bedford aims to remain "quintessentially British," is there anything more quintessential than the Time Lord? Universal did have a co-production role with the BBC and Fox for the 1996 Doctor Who television film. This shows a historical, albeit brief and indirect, connection to the IP. While there's fan speculation and past internal interest from Universal creative personnel in Doctor Who for theme park attractions, nothing concrete has come of it directly from Universal. The primary hurdle, however, lies with the complex partnership and licensing agreement for the franchise. Though the BBC owns the IP for Doctor Who, the broadcaster signed a multi-year, global distribution deal with Disney+ for new Doctor Who content (outside the UK and Ireland). While Disney+ is primarily a distributor, such a large financial and strategic partnership often comes with implicit or explicit understandings regarding how the IP can be leveraged in other entertainment forms, including theme parks. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is a strong deterrent for Disney to allow a direct competitor like Universal to feature the IP in a major way, and some fan discussions even raise the possibility of Doctor Who potentially appearing in Disney parks themselves. However, it is worth noting that Doctor Who was previously slated to be part of the now-stalled "London Resort" project in Kent (a completely separate initiative from Universal), which does show that the BBC has, in the past, been willing to license the IP for large-scale theme park development in the UK. Super Nintendo World So perhaps it might be more of a formality than speculation, given the success of the Super Nintendo World's at international resorts – but if there is a sense of keeping things British, perhaps the speculation should be 'how' Super Nintendo World keeps things uniquely Anglophilic. Perhaps a Mario Kart London circuit, reskinned from the popular Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, could be that distinctly British feel, driving up and down the M1 or racing through Nintendo's vision of Trafalgar Square. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What about adapting an attraction involving Donkey Kong scaling Big Ben, the Tower of London, or The O2? Even the Yoshi's Adventure ride, known for its scenic views, could incorporate elements reminiscent of famous British gardens or stately home grounds, with Yoshi characters searching for royal golden eggs hidden amongst digital topiary or rose bushes. By adding these British flourishes into the universally beloved Super Nintendo World, Universal could create an experience that feels both familiar to fans globally and uniquely special to its UK location, driving repeat visits and local pride.
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Never mention the war': Albanese takes ‘Fawlty Towers' approach to foreign affairs
On tonight's episode of Paul Murray Live, Sky News host Paul Murray discusses Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's China trip, Labor MPs obsession with social media, Sussan Ley's push to reconnect with corporate Australia and the net zero fight. '(Anthony Albanese) in his natural environment, communist China,' Mr Murray said. 'Six days of building an important relationship, which begins with the traditional backside kissing of the Chinese leader. 'Never mention the war, this is the Fawlty Towers approach to foreign affairs.'
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend shares shocking picture of plane crash after miracle escape
Jeremy Clarkson's partner, Lisa Hogan, was travelling to London from Spain in the 90s when she had a near-death experience on a plane Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend, Lisa Hogan, 'amazingly' survived a plane crash and took to social media to share a terrifying picture of the wreckage from 1996. The 51-year-old model had the horrifying experience 29 years ago when the plane came off the runway at RAF Northolt in London and hit a van on the A40. At the time, she was heading into London for a film role when the accident happened. This week, she took to her social media page to share a picture from the wreckage as she recalled the shocking moment that saw no casualties. The picture showed the Spanish Learjet 25 plane split in half after colliding into the van. She was living in Palma, Spain and working on the comedy Fierce Creatures from Monty Python and Fawlty Towers actor John Cleese. "Amazingly, the pilots, van drivers, and I survived. I took another flight the same day. And landed safely," she captioned the post on Instagram. It comes after former Top Gear star Jeremy discussed the couple's record on airplanes. The duo 'walked away from three crashes over the years'. He said to the Sunday Times: "Whenever Lisa and I board an aeroplane, we are usually pretty confident that it will land safely because between us, we've walked away from three crashes over the years. "Both mine involved broken landing gear and were fairly minor, but hers was a proper shunt. She was the only passenger in a Learjet that careered off the end of the runway at Northolt and on to the A40, where it was hit so hard by a van that it split in two. "It's amazing no one was killed, and if you Google the images, you'll see what I mean." He went on to say that the 'law of averages' suggests they wouldn't be involved in any more crashes. Lisa previously told the Irish Independent she thought "everything was fine for a while" when the plane took off from Palma. Lisa said the captain tried to get her to change seats, but she refused to do so. "I insisted on sitting where I was, which was just as well because that was the area where the van came through when we crashed and I would have been killed instantly,' she told the publication, with her refusal to move seats possibly saving her life. A few hours later, she booked another flight and returned to Spain.
Leader Live
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Ronnie Wood urges people to look after wildlife before there is ‘nothing' left
The star joined the Tusk Turtle Trail campaign and designed one of the 16 life-sized turtle sculptures to help raise funds and awareness of endangered marine species. Launched by African wildlife conservation charity Tusk, the installations are positioned at sites across central London including Covent Garden, Carnaby Street and the top of The Shard. The street art can also be found at St James's Market, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, with the aim of encouraging passers-by to 'pause, reflect and engage with urgent marine conservation issues'. Wood, 78, is an ambassador of the charity and helped design one of the sculptures, titled The Prodigal, which is in Carnaby Street. He told the PA news agency: 'It was great fun to do the turtles. 'It's wonderful. There's a whole brigade of them. 'If we don't look after the animals now, there'll be nothing for our children to see in the future.' The guitarist added that he hopes the campaign will encourage people to 'appreciate what your surroundings hold and especially the wildlife and the flora and the fauna. You know, look after everything that goes up around us. 'I think the future of Tusk relies on if we can raise enough money with these turtles to keep the whole project going and the whole message going.' The 16 installations will remain until the end of August before going up for auction in mid-October, with the funds supporting Tusk partners' marine conservation projects. The charity led similar campaigns between 2018 and 2023 with rhino, lion and gorilla trails. Other stars who helped design a sculpture for the Tusk Turtle Trail included Irish actor Andrew Scott, Dragons' Den stars Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett, artist Hannah Shergold and Fawlty Towers star John Cleese and his wife Jennifer Wade. Cleese told the PA news agency: 'These people like Tusk are doing a great job. 'We got involved because of my wife. 'She is passionate about photography and all sorts of conservation projects, and we got sucked in. The first thing we did was a lion, and then we did a wonderful gorilla.' The comedian added that they named their turtle sculpture Teddy after their cat, who died earlier this year. He said: 'We've christened this little tortoise Teddy to remind us of those happy days.' Wade said: 'Teddy was a really amazing cat, Maine coon, and he was, like, one in a million. And he's really unique. But with turtles and the conservation we don't want one turtle to be one in a million. We want people to realise that all these turtles need to be saved, and there's species, and there's so many things that people can do to help save them. 'In other words, Teddy's unique to us, but we want all the turtles to be Teddies in the world. That's what we feel.' Wade said she and Cleese have been supporting the charity for about five years. She said: 'Tusk is amazing. Also, because it's a smaller conservation, and the people, you feel like it's part of a family, and you feel like you're actually doing some good. We've loved it.' Nick Bubb, chief executive of Tusk, said: 'Marine turtles have navigated our oceans for over 100 million years, yet six out of seven species are now threatened with extinction. From entanglement in fishing gear to plastic pollution and rising sea levels, human activity has decimated turtle populations across the globe. 'The aim of the Tusk Turtle Trail is to inspire collective action to celebrate and protect one of the most ancient and endangered marine species.' Bidding for the sculptures will begin on Monday.
South Wales Guardian
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Ronnie Wood urges people to look after wildlife before there is ‘nothing' left
The star joined the Tusk Turtle Trail campaign and designed one of the 16 life-sized turtle sculptures to help raise funds and awareness of endangered marine species. Launched by African wildlife conservation charity Tusk, the installations are positioned at sites across central London including Covent Garden, Carnaby Street and the top of The Shard. The street art can also be found at St James's Market, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, with the aim of encouraging passers-by to 'pause, reflect and engage with urgent marine conservation issues'. Wood, 78, is an ambassador of the charity and helped design one of the sculptures, titled The Prodigal, which is in Carnaby Street. He told the PA news agency: 'It was great fun to do the turtles. 'It's wonderful. There's a whole brigade of them. 'If we don't look after the animals now, there'll be nothing for our children to see in the future.' The guitarist added that he hopes the campaign will encourage people to 'appreciate what your surroundings hold and especially the wildlife and the flora and the fauna. You know, look after everything that goes up around us. 'I think the future of Tusk relies on if we can raise enough money with these turtles to keep the whole project going and the whole message going.' The 16 installations will remain until the end of August before going up for auction in mid-October, with the funds supporting Tusk partners' marine conservation projects. The charity led similar campaigns between 2018 and 2023 with rhino, lion and gorilla trails. Other stars who helped design a sculpture for the Tusk Turtle Trail included Irish actor Andrew Scott, Dragons' Den stars Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett, artist Hannah Shergold and Fawlty Towers star John Cleese and his wife Jennifer Wade. Cleese told the PA news agency: 'These people like Tusk are doing a great job. 'We got involved because of my wife. 'She is passionate about photography and all sorts of conservation projects, and we got sucked in. The first thing we did was a lion, and then we did a wonderful gorilla.' The comedian added that they named their turtle sculpture Teddy after their cat, who died earlier this year. He said: 'We've christened this little tortoise Teddy to remind us of those happy days.' Wade said: 'Teddy was a really amazing cat, Maine coon, and he was, like, one in a million. And he's really unique. But with turtles and the conservation we don't want one turtle to be one in a million. We want people to realise that all these turtles need to be saved, and there's species, and there's so many things that people can do to help save them. 'In other words, Teddy's unique to us, but we want all the turtles to be Teddies in the world. That's what we feel.' Wade said she and Cleese have been supporting the charity for about five years. She said: 'Tusk is amazing. Also, because it's a smaller conservation, and the people, you feel like it's part of a family, and you feel like you're actually doing some good. We've loved it.' Nick Bubb, chief executive of Tusk, said: 'Marine turtles have navigated our oceans for over 100 million years, yet six out of seven species are now threatened with extinction. From entanglement in fishing gear to plastic pollution and rising sea levels, human activity has decimated turtle populations across the globe. 'The aim of the Tusk Turtle Trail is to inspire collective action to celebrate and protect one of the most ancient and endangered marine species.' Bidding for the sculptures will begin on Monday.
