Broadcaster Jon Snow has confirmed he will be leaving Channel 4 News after 32 years. He isn't going away for good, though; rather than presenting the news, he will now "front longer-form projects", he said in a statement. He added: “I am excited by the many things I want to accomplish but I have to say I have enjoyed every minute of my time with the programme.”
Snow became the lead presenter on Channel 4 News in 1989, after stints with LBC and ITN from 1973. From here onwards, he said he would "focus on his charities and some of his many passions in life, people's stories, inequality, Africa, Iran and the arts." The 73-year old and his wife had a son in 2020 via surrogate.
The Flintstones gears up for ‘adult’ reboot
Classic cartoon The Flintstones is coming back to television screens with a new reboot – but with a twist. Sixty years after its original debut, a sequel is on the way, set 20 years after the first series. Titled Bedrock, the new sitcom revival will follow Pebbles, Fred and Wilma’s daughter, who is now in her twenties and living in the Bronze Age.
Elizabeth Banks, known for her roles in The Hunger Games trilogy and the Pitch Perfect films, is the star behind the new show and will be the voice actor for Pebbles. US network Fox will air the series. Fox Entertainment's president Michael Thorn said he was "very much looking forward to taking on [the series] with Warner Bros, Elizabeth and Lindsay [Kerns]."
British Soap Awards cancelled for second year in a row
The British Soap Awards have been cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic for the second year in a row. ITV reported they were cancelling again because of the filming restrictions still in place. Philip Schofield was set to present this year's event in Manchester, as he did in 2019. The event is expected to be back in 2022, although no details have been confirmed so far.
An ITV insider said: “Following careful consideration of the ongoing safety measures in place for both drama productions and live events, ITV can confirm that the British Soap Awards will not take place this year.”
Angry locals object to Mission: Impossible 7 train crash filming
A Derbyshire couple reportedly nearly derailed the filming of Mission: Impossible 7 because of a dramatic train crash scene planned to be filmed near their home. Tom Cruise is starring in the new sequel and was spotted this week filming an action scene on top of a moving train.
The couple has been fighting with producers, claiming the film shoot would "shatter" the area's "beauty and tranquillity.” The production team have planned a train track, which a train will hurtle across then fall 160 feet into a 70-metre water tank in a quarry. The stunt is expected to take three weeks to rehearse before filming. The film is set to be released in May 2022, with Mission: Impossible 8 to follow in 2023.
John Mayer poised to host US version of Later… with Jools Holland
Your Body is a Wonderland singer John Mayer is reportedly nearing a deal with CBS All Access to host a new show based on the BBC’s Later…with Jools Holland. The new show would include interviews with celebrities, performances and conversations in a set made to look like a jazz club.
The show is tipped to be airing once a week, with periodic specials that will tie in with the Grammy Awards, which are also hosted on the network, and other events. On top of his successful music career, Mayer has also dabbled in broadcasting, guest-hosting The Late Late Show and Late Night with Conan O’Brien. He has yet to comment publicly on the new role.
Image Credit: Chatham House, CC BY-SA 2.0
