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Abrams developing Alcatraz series

J.J. Abrams is currently developing a new drama series based around the infamous prison island Alcatraz. Abrams will team up with a former Lost producer on the project who will also write the pilot episode.

Strictly not to clash with X Factor

The Strictly Come Dancing launch show will not clash with ITV’s The X Factor like it did last year, with the BBC scheduling it for 6.25pm on BBC One. A smart move considering Strictly lost out in the ratings to The X Factor last year when they screened at the same time.

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The BBC has lost its fight to keep the identity of The Stig a secret after heading to court against HarperCollins.

Lawyers from the broadcaster lost out in keeping Top Gear driver Ben Collins’ autobiography under wraps with a judge ruling the publication can go ahead.

The BBC wanted to keep the identity of the infamous Top Gear test driver confidential in order to not disturb the viewers; enjoyment of the show.

They claimed Collins’ book was a breach of contract and subsequently took the 35-year-old driver to court.

Collins is known to the second Stig on the show, taking up the gig in 2003 after original black Stig Perry McCarthy was axed following his identity being revealed.

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Gervais not heading back to The Office

Ricky Gervais has confirmed that he will definitely not be taking over from Steve Carell in the American remake of The Office. The comedian confirmed at the recent Emmy Awards that he will not take any acting part in the show and would prefer to simply keep his post as producer.

BBC Three commissions Touch

BBC Three has announced that it has given the go-ahead to a new six-part supernatural drama series entitled Touch. The series is written by ex-Skins scribe Jack Thorne and follows a character called Paul as he interacts with ghosts and uncovers a war between the living and the dead.

BBC taking legal action over The Stig book

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This is the man rumoured to be the world famous Top Gear test driver known as The Stig.

British racing driver Ben Collins has reportedly been exposed as the mysterious man in white after his company records were uncovered showing a pick up in business the same year as the BBC recruited a new Stig after the original was exposed.

Collins Autosport Ltd, which provides the driving services of Collins, describes 2003 as a “cornerstone year” when they were hired by the BBC to work mainly on the Top Gear programme.

Collins has also featured as a stunt driver on the likes of Quantum of Solace, the latest James Bond film.

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F3 racing driver Ben Collins has been linked to being Top Gear's mysterious driver, The Stig.

Documents from his own company have surfaced to show that he signed up with the BBC show just as the white suited Stig appeared on our screens back in 2003.

The accounts filed at the end of that year revealed that the company had achieved a "cornerstone year" and "in addition, driving services were also provided for the BBC, mainly in the Top Gear Programme."

 Bristol-based Collins, 35, is currently locked in a legal battle with the show over his proposed tell all book which will blow his cover.  His predecessor; the black suited Stig, former Formula One star Perry McCarthy, was released from his contract at the BBC after his identity was revealed.  Could we be watching a new colour clad Stig soon?

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The BBC is facing a tough legal battle with the Stig over his plans to reveal his identity in a new tell all book.  The Stig also faces losing his £5000-£10000 pay per show as part of this.

Stig's dentity is a closely-guarded secret with only bosses and show hosts, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond knowing who he is.

A source said, "Bosses are really angry. Part of the charm of the show is people don't know who The Stig is - if he revealed his identity that would be lost."

The source also compared the situation to that of the Stig's predecessor, Perry McCarthy, who is rumoured to have been fired from the show after he publicly revealed his identity.

The BBC is arguing that the book "breaches agreed contractual and confidentiality obligations" but has been countereacted with the Stig's claims from his legal team.

Clarkson offends on Top Gear

Jeremy Clarkson has angered another group of people after the latest episode of Top Gear by calling a Ferrari a “simpleton” and dubbing another a “430 Speciale...needs”. Clarkson has received criticism from the National Autistic Society to add to that he received earlier in the series from Muslim groups and cay campaigners.

 

BBC comedy Rev closes to 1.7m

The first season of new BBC comedy Rev closed to 1.7 million viewers on Monday night. The comedy, which stars Tom Hollander and Olivia Colman pulled an 8% audience share between 10pm and 10:30pm.

 

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Clarkson comment offends...again

Another Jeremy Clarkson comment has sparked public criticism after last Sunday’s episode of Top Gear. The BBC has received complaints over a comment from Clarkson regarding Muslim women wearing burkas distracting him when he drives.

 

BBC Three renews How Not To Live Your Life

BBC Three has renewed sitcom How Not To Live Your Life for another season this autumn. The Dan Clark comedy series will return for a third season later this year after rating highly for its second run last year.

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Celebrity MasterChef premiere draws 4.6m

The new season of Celebrity MasterChef premiered to an audience of 4.6m on Wednesday night. The BBC One show, which saw actor Neil Stuke and soap actress Alex Fletcher progress, drew a 22.3% audience share in the 8pm hour slot.

ITV doco for X Factor runner-up

Sony has reportedly signed off on a documentary featuring The X Factor runner-up Olly Murs for ITV2. As Murs’ record label, Sony is looking to publicise the rising talent in order for the singer to gain a stronger fan base.

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Knight and Day co-stars Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz will appear on BBC2's Top Gear this Sunday as part of the 'Star in a Reasonably Priced Car' segment where celebrities bid to get the fastest lap time.

Cruise and Diaz are sure to be used to better rides than a Kia cee'd but they'll be hoping to topple Harry Potter's Rupert Grint from the top spot who has the fastest lap so far.

Top Gear released a statement via their official website where they revealed their excitement for their A-Lister guests, "We've have never, ever had two bigger guests.  For the past week, the air in the office has been alive with a sort of sweaty-palmed excitement."

Both Cruise and Diaz will be in town for Knight and Day's premiere later today in London's Leicester Square.

Top Gear is this Sunday on BBC2 at 8pm

 

Doctor Who DVD details

The DVD box-set of Doctor Who’s fifth season will feature specially filmed scenes which reveal what happened in the Tardis between episodes. Other features will be a video diary by Matt Smith and special editions of behind-the-scenes show Doctor Who Confidential.

More stars attached to Strictly

The lattest celebrities to be linked to the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing are soap Nathalie Emmanuel and model Sophie Anderton. The pair have reportedly been approached by producers to appear.

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The BBC has been forced to cut a remark by presenter Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear due to the offensive nature of it.

Clarkson was interviewing Alastair Campbell on the latest season of the motoring show when he dropped one of his trademark borderline calls.

"I cannot remember how the subject of homosexuality came up, but I said at one point that [Clarkson] wasn't very sound on gay rights," Campbell later explained.

"Oh yes I am”, Clarkson said, “I demand the right not to be bummed."

The remark has angered gay rights groups who say this shouldn’t be tolerated.

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8.00pm Sunday 27 June on BBC TWO

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May and The Stig rev up for a new series of the top-rated show and introduce a new Reasonably Priced Car

James May has said that the upcoming season of Top Gear will be toned down slightly in terms of “tomfoolery”.

The co-presenter of the BBC car show alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond revealed the show will have subtle changes which the audience should be able to pick up on.

"It's easy to get carried away," May said. "It's like drinking - you start to believe you're funny and other people might not. Everybody wants their programme to be the biggest in the world. But it opens you to accusations of dumbing down.

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Top Gear is heading to America for an all-new US version.

History and BBC Worldwide will launch the car show later this year with at least 10 episodes on the cards.

The American Top Gear will he hosted by Rescue Me comedian Adam Ferrara as well as stunt driver Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood.

The Top Gear brand is no stranger to US shores, with several attempts made in the past to get an American version created. NBC were the last to try unsuccessfully back in 2008.

The US version has the potential to surpass the UK original for popularity according to BBC Worldwide executive VP programming and production Jane Tranter.

"It will have a completely different landscape," she said. "There's a different relationship with cars in the U.S. and a fascination with customization that's much greater than in the U.K. There's the potential for the U.S. 'Top Gear' to have even greater traction with an audience."

Source: THR