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Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Romesh Ranganathan reveals plans to 'step back' from career
Romesh Ranganathan is going to be 'taking a step back' from his career. Initially working as a mathematics teacher, Romesh then pursued a career in the entertainment industry. He's since become best known for appearing on shows including A League of Their Own, Taskmaster, and Have I Got News for You, as well as hosting The Weakest Link. However, after a decade on our screens, the 47-year-old has now revealed he wants to focus on spending more time with his family. This week Romesh was the guest on the latest episode of BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, where he spoke about his intense schedule. 'I know that people sort of say I'm busy and I'm always like, trying to work and stuff. There is no strategy. There's no game plan. I have no end game,' he told host Lauren Laverne. 'There's no vision board or anything like that. (I'm) just doing whatever feels good.' 'I do feel like I'm sort of settling into winding things up, like not winding things up, but I'm taking a step back,' he added. Romesh then discussed 'wanting to be at home a bit more' but that he wasn't calling time on his showbiz career. 'And by the way, this is not an announcement of retirement, but I do feel like, relatively recently, this is quite fortuitous that we're talking about this at the time that we are, because I have just hit this period of thinking I am probably going to just be a bit more measured in what I do going forward,' he explained. 'I think I might take a bigger break between bits. I've told you, I've not hit the thing yet, maybe this next thing could be it, but it's not going to be it if I don't go off and just live life.' In the interview Romesh also reflected on his past career, which he said was far more stressful than working in the entertainment industry. 'There wasn't a single day of that job that I didn't feel completely fulfilled,' he recalled. 'I felt very stressed. It's the most stressed I've ever been in my life actually. 'There's not been a single day of my comedy career that's even come close to the stress that I felt as a teacher. I cannot speak highly enough of teachers and teaching and how I loved that job.' Since appearing on Taskmaster and The Apprentice: You're Fired! In 2015, Romesh has fronted The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, Judge Romesh and Rob & Romesh Vs. He has been married to his wife Leesa since 2009. The couple first met when working at the same school in Crawley, where she was a drama teacher. They share three sons – Theo, Alex and Charlie. Earlier this year Romesh spoke about how he came 'very close to ending his life' as a teenager. More Trending 'When I was 18 or 19 years old, I feel like I came very close [to] ending my life,' he told Runners World UK. 'I just couldn't see the point in carrying on. I was super depressed. Then I started to do suicide ideation, where you start to fantasise about it. He went on to share that mental health was still 'something I am still aware of' and he had to 'stay on top of it'. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The Ballad of Wallis Island's Carey Mulligan: 'I forced my way into the inside jokes' MORE: The 18-year journey of new movie dubbed 'one of the greatest British films ever' MORE: 11 years on, I'm still mourning comedy legend Rik Mayall
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The privatization of media and the death of public interest
In February, Common Cause ran an ad in The Washington Post criticizing Elon Musk's outsized role in the Trump administration. As a 'special government employee,' Musk was empowered to illegally fire millions and fundamentally reshape the federal government. Our editorial posed an obvious question: Who is in charge of our country? The weekend before the ad was set to print, the billionaire-owned paper backtracked and pulled it from publication at the last minute, a move that raised concerns about free speech and the ability of institutional media to hold power — and billionaires — to account. A free press is critical to our democracy, and we must do everything in our power to preserve it. But what happens when billionaires and megarich corporations own and operate most channels of communication and information sharing? Americans are finding out in real time. Before pulling out of the 'Fire Elon Musk' advertisement, Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos axed the paper's planned endorsement of Kamala Harris. The Los Angeles Times followed suit. More recently, The Washington Post pulled a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist's work when it mocked media and tech titans groveling at the feet of President Donald Trump. On the nose, much? These capitulations by the traditional pillars of our free press have further enabled the new administration to attack our media. When the Associated Press refused to acknowledge the 'Gulf of America,' they were blocked from the White House briefing room for weeks. When Amber Ruffin, host of CNN's 'Have I Got News for You' and comedian MC at this year's White House Correspondents Dinner, indicated she'd poke fun at President Trump, she was fired from the event. Now, not even six months into this new administration, President Trump has signed an executive order to defund PBS and NPR, a direct attack on fact-based and free public media. Trump's pressure and intimidation of the media hasn't stopped. Most recently, Wendy McMahon, president of CBS News, resigned amidst pressure from President Trump, CBS and its parent company, Paramount. McMahon isn't the only one who was recently threatened for merely alerting the public to the administration's questionable actions. ABC News is now under fire for its coverage of the luxury jet from Qatar – another instance of Trump targeting media outlets for exposing questionable actions by his administration. At the community level, local news has been dying over the last decade, leaving behind news deserts nationwide. From traditional, smaller print outlets unable to keep up in the digital age to hedge funds systemically buying out and gutting local papers, communities are being robbed of their access to timely updates and honest reporting on their local governments. Public broadcasting organizations like PBS and NPR have been filling the void for millions of Americans who keep up with the news from their local public broadcasting stations. Our social media platforms aren't safe either, with billionaires — often big political donors — owning and controlling the ways our information spreads online. When oligarchs with vested interests in certain agendas control the channels of communication, they have power over what we say, what we see and, by extension, what constitutes truth. On January 6, Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, announced that it was ending fact-checking on its platforms – a program that was proven to be 'effective at reducing belief in falsehoods and reducing how often such content is shared.' Facebook also recently paid Trump $25 million to settle an old lawsuit stemming from its decision to ban Trump's accounts after the January 6 insurrection. A few weeks later, Google said it wouldn't integrate fact-checking into its search engine or YouTube. As these new rules went into effect, the leaders of these very tech companies had front row seats to President Trump's inauguration. Major tech companies, including their CEOs, each donated $1 million to the Trump inauguration fund. How can public interest prevail on platforms and in outlets that are privately owned? Much like the hedge funds that have gutted local news, special interests and unelected CEOs want to dismantle pillars of our democracy and sell its parts to the highest bidder at the expense of the people. Since 2010, Americans have seen big money exponentially poison our politics with the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling that opened the floodgates to unlimited political spending by corporations and special interests. It's clear that money doesn't just buy a seat at the table anymore — it buys every seat, the table and the entire White House, too. The 2024 elections were a testament to this, standing as the costliest election in American history, with nearly $16 billion spent nationwide and an additional $5 billion coming from outside sources. The top five mega-donors each donated more than $100 million to influence the elections. It's true that democracy dies in darkness. It also withers behind a paywall, is manipulated by social media algorithms and hollowed out by covert corporate consolidation. The shadow cast by self-interested billionaires grows larger by the day, muzzling any truth that conflicts with their bottom line. But that isn't the end of the story. Organizations like Common Cause and the Southern Poverty Law Center are committed to cutting a different path by shining a light through the darkness. From helping everyday people make their voices heard and offering local solutions that empower small-dollar donors, to removing the financial barriers stopping regular people from running for office, increasing government transparency and preserving the local media ecosystem, we can and will continue to hold power to account.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former BBC Executive, Producer Alan Yentob Dies at 78: ‘We Have Lost One of the Great Creative Spirits of Our Time'
The family of broadcaster, producer and long-time BBC executive Alan Yentob has announced he died on Saturday. He was 78. Yentob joined the BBC as a trainee in 1968 and went on to have a distinguished career, holding a number of senior and influential positions, including controller of BBC One and BBC Two; director of television; head of music and arts; director of BBC Drama, Entertainment and Children's; and creative director. His commissions include 'Absolutely Fabulous,' 'Have I Got News for You' and the classic adaptation of 'Pride and Prejudice.' He also launched kids' channels CBBC and CBeebies. More from Variety Gary Lineker Will Depart Sooner Than Planned After Antisemitism Controversy, BBC Confirms BBC Chief Tim Davie Commits to CIISA Standards in Anti-Bullying Push Susan Sarandon, Mike Leigh Among 600+ Signatories of Open Letter Demanding That BBC Air Delayed Gaza Medics Documentary He made his name on the arts series 'Arena' and also edited and presented the arts documentary series 'Imagine' from 2003. Yentob was presented in 2024 with a U.K. honor, a CBE, for services to the arts and media. His wife Philippa Walker said: 'For Jacob, Bella and I every day with Alan held the promise of something unexpected. Our life was exciting, he was exciting. 'He was curious, funny, annoying, late and creative in every cell of his body. But more than that, he was the kindest of men and a profoundly moral man. He leaves in his wake a trail of love a mile wide.' BBC director-general Tim Davie said: 'Alan Yentob was a towering figure in British broadcasting and the arts. A creative force and a cultural visionary, he shaped decades of programming at the BBC and beyond, with a passion for storytelling and public service that leave a lasting legacy. 'For nearly 60 years Alan championed originality, risk-taking and artistic ambition. From 'Arena' to 'Imagine,' from commissioning groundbreaking drama to giving emerging voices a platform, his influence is woven into the fabric of British cultural life. 'He believed profoundly in the BBC's role as a home for creativity, curiosity and the arts – accessible to all. 'But Alan was more than a pioneering creative – he was an unforgettable presence. Engaging, witty and endlessly curious, he brought energy and warmth to every conversation. He was generous with his time, fierce in his convictions, and full of joy in the work of others. 'To work with Alan was to be inspired and encouraged to think bigger. He had a rare gift for identifying talent and lifting others up – a mentor and champion to so many across the worlds of television, film and theatre. 'Above all, Alan was a true original. His passion wasn't performative – it was personal. He believed in the power of culture to enrich, challenge and connect us. 'We have lost one of the great creative spirits of our time. But his programs, his voice, and the generations he inspired, will live on. 'Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Alan will be hugely missed as a friend, a colleague, and one of the defining figures in the story of British culture.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC presenter and executive dies after 40 year career at broadcaster
Presenter and BBC executive Alan Yentob has died at the age of 78, his family have revealed. Alan joined the BBC as a trainee in 1968 and went on to become controller of BBC One and BBC Two. He commissioned beloved shows including Absolutely Fabulous, Have I Got News for You and the adaptation of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth. He also launched channels CBBC and CBeebies. Alan was presented with a CBE in the 2024 birthday honours list, for services to the arts and media. His wife Philippa Walker said: "For Jacob, Bella and I every day with Alan held the promise of something unexpected. Our life was exciting, he was exciting. 'He was curious, funny, annoying, late and creative in every cell of his body. But more than that, he was the kindest of men and a profoundly moral man. He leaves in his wake a trail of love a mile wide.' BBC Director-General Tim Davie said: "Alan Yentob was a towering figure in British broadcasting and the arts. A creative force and a cultural visionary, he shaped decades of programming at the BBC and beyond, with a passion for storytelling and public service that leave a lasting legacy. 'For nearly 60 years Alan championed originality, risk-taking and artistic ambition. From Arena to Imagine, from commissioning groundbreaking drama to giving emerging voices a platform, his influence is woven into the fabric of British cultural life. 'He believed profoundly in the BBC's role as a home for creativity, curiosity and the arts - accessible to all. 'But Alan was more than a pioneering creative - he was an unforgettable presence. Engaging, witty and endlessly curious, he brought energy and warmth to every conversation. He was generous with his time, fierce in his convictions, and full of joy in the work of others. 'To work with Alan was to be inspired and encouraged to think bigger. He had a rare gift for identifying talent and lifting others up - a mentor and champion to so many across the worlds of television, film and theatre. 'Above all, Alan was a true original. His passion wasn't performative - it was personal. He believed in the power of culture to enrich, challenge and connect us. 'We have lost one of the great creative spirits of our time. But his programmes, his voice, and the generations he inspired, will live on. 'Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Alan will be hugely missed as a friend, a colleague, and one of the defining figures in the story of British culture.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
CNN Renews ‘Have I Got News for You' for Season 3
CNN has renewed 'Have I Got News for You,' the American version of the long-running British comedy series, hosted by Roy Wood Jr. with co-stars Michael Ian Black and Amber Ruffin, TheWrap has learned. The cable channel is set to announce the show will be coming back for its third season as part of CNN's Upfront presentation in New York City on Wednesday. 'Now that we know that none of us will be Pope, we proudly announce our return for Season 3 of 'Have I Got News for You' this fall,' Wood Jr., Ruffin and Black joked in a joint statement shared with TheWrap. 'Have I Got News for You' will enter its new season with momentum, having finished its second season as CNN's second most-watched show. It averaged 722,000 viewers during the second season — up 66% compared to the ratings CNN's 9:00 p.m. ET time slot was getting before. The third season of the show will premiere on Saturday, Sep. 6, at 9 p.m. ET on CNN. 'Have I Got News for You' has been a key cog in CNN's revamped, more comedy-focused Saturday night programming since it debuted in September 2024. The show follows 'Real Time With Bill Maher,' which airs at 8 p.m. ET on Saturdays, a night after it runs on HBO. That combo appears to be working, with CNN's viewership on Saturday nights up 42% year-over-year, with the channel averaging 770,000 viewers across those time slots. If you are unfamiliar, 'Have I Got News for You' offers an edgy take on the news of the previous week, with the comic trio testing a rotating panel of guests on their news knowledge via games and quick-hit panel conversations. Some well-known guests from Season 2 included Andy Richter, Mike Lawler, Tim Ryan, George Conway, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Representatives Jasmine Crockett, Ro Khanna and Mike Lawler. Beyond coming back for its third season, CNN will also be launching a 'Have I Got News for You' podcast this summer. ''Have I Got News for You' continues to serve as a humorous reprieve for audiences on Saturday nights without ever losing its bite,' Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent for CNN Originals and creative development for CNN Worldwide, said in a statement. The show is produced by Hat Trick Productions for CNN. Jimmy Mulville, executive producer for Hat Trick, said his company is 'pleased and proud that CNN have asked us to come back and find what's funny in the news' this fall. Jim Biederman and Richard Wilson are also executive producers on the show, which can be streamed on Max if viewers miss it on CNN. The post CNN Renews 'Have I Got News for You' for Season 3 appeared first on TheWrap.
