Written for Mooch Magazine, January 2009
Reality TV Dominates Festive Charts and Programming
Sophie Maden
THE reality TV format has had a huge influence on British culture, ever since the early days of Popstars, which ‘discovered’ the likes of Suzanne Shaw, Kim Marsh, and the cringe-worthy Darius Danesh and his uncomfortably high voice. Nowadays reality TV programmes have become an integral part of the festive period, with shows like The X Factor pulling in a record 14million viewers for its 2008 live final.
As Celebrity Big Brother makes its return to our screens this month following the controversy of the Shilpa Shetty race-row, it seems that not only has the reality format begun to tire, but the reality ‘stars’ are even being recycled. Celeb BB usually prides itself on the fact that none of its celeb’s have before appeared on a reality show. This year however features contestant Michelle Heaton, who initially found fame in Popstars, and has since gone on to be the subject of a reality TV binge-drinking experiment, as well as the forgettable Michelle and Andy’s Big Day, with her now ex-husband, Andy Scott-Lee. Dancing on Ice also sees the return of X Factor loser Ray Quinn, and ex-Popstar and now cricket WAG Jessica Taylor.
Andrew Lloyd-Webber also continues in his TV cross-over, this time giving the Eurovision Song Contest the benefit of his musical expertise, hoping to gain Britain a little more than nil point this year (which has obviously had nothing to do with world politics, of course). Still, anything has got to be better than lycra-clad 90s rejects Scooch with their cheesy lyrics and sexual innuendos.
Not only does reality TV dominate Christmas viewing, but it has also taken over the festive charts, and for the past FOUR years the X Factor winner’s single has reached the coveted Christmas number 1 slot. This year really exemplified the grasp reality TV has upon the British public, as not even a nationwide campaign to get Jeff Buckley’s rendition of Hallelujah to number one could knock X Factor winner Alexandra Burke off the top spot. The final chart before Christmas also featured the other X Factor Finalists, along with previous winner Leona Lewis with ‘Run’. Simon Cowell undoubtedly spent Christmas day counting his billions.
The chart also featured the single ‘Once Upon a Christmas Song’ from the mock reality contestant Geraldine, creation of Bolton comic Peter Kay. Kay’s parody Britain's Got the Pop Factor ...and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice received a mixed reception, but its ultimate aim to parody the plethora of reality shows and their contestants, all complete with sob stories, was achieved with ease, proving that even a comedian can influence the public to buy their single with a little TV exposure.
The reality TV chart take over is, perhaps, unfair on those real artists who have built themselves up the traditional way, through a mixture of talent, hard work and determination. This domination has angered many artists, the latest being new chart-contender Lady GaGa, who, speaking in The Sun, said: “If you win a TV show and you have a false understanding of what it means to earn success. Whereas with someone like me, who writes my own songs, you have to set yourself up to win.”
Few reality winners can be said to write their own songs, have an agenda or even individual style, perhaps with the exception of Will Young, who managed to break away from his Pop Idol label. In fact, the majority of the winner’s songs from the X factor are cover-versions, glammed up with a combination of glitter and gospel choirs. Not all reality contestants are as successful as the likes of Leona Lewis and Girls Aloud, and the British public have made a few errors of judgement over the years. Take, for example flop idols Michelle McManus and Steve Brookstein, who have disappeared off the music radar.
Now that Strictly Come Dancing is in its sixth year, and the X Factor in its fifth, isn’t it time that TV stopped churning out washed up, z-list celebs à la Ziggy and Chanelle, and gave musicians and performers with real talent and a history of hard graft, a chance at the limelight they deserve?
Friday, 23 January 2009
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Hyndburn MP's webcam surgery
(Article published in the Lancashire Telegraph, and online at http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/search/2260233.Hyndburn_MP_s_webcam_surgery/)
Hyndburn MP's webcam surgery
5:31pm Friday 9th May 2008
By Sophie Maden
AN MP held his local weekly surgery by video link after being forced to stay in London on parliamentary business.
Hyndburn and Haslingden MP Greg Pope usually holds his advice surgeries on Fridays in various parts of his constituency but this week he was unable to return to the borough.
But constituents were be able to go to his office in Abbey Street, Accrington, and speak with him in his Commons office via the Skype internet calls service, with a brand new webcam also allowing them to see him.
Mr Pope said: "I'm interested in using new technologies in ways that make it easier for constituents to communicate with me, and recently I came top of a poll of MPs who are good as responding to constituents' emails.
"We've been meaning to try out video link advice surgeries for quite a while now and as I had to stay in London this Friday it seemed an ideal opportunity to try it out.
"I was obviously nervous but I think it went well. We had four people who came to give it a go, and I think they would like to see it happen again. I tend to use email as it's probably the quickest and also the greenest form of communication. I also have the dreaded Blackberry, but it's actually very good for keeping in touch with people, and I can respond to emails even when I'm on the train."
The session also served as a money and time saving device for the MP, who had to go abroad on business this weekend. Instead of having to travel back from London for the surgery, only to then travel back down, the MP was able to continue his usual routine from the comfort of an office chair.
He added: "In future I would intend to do it as well as my normal advice surgeries, not instead of them."
Email popeg@parliament.uk with feedback about the system.
For more information on the advice surgeries, call 01254 382283.
Hyndburn MP's webcam surgery
5:31pm Friday 9th May 2008
By Sophie Maden
AN MP held his local weekly surgery by video link after being forced to stay in London on parliamentary business.
Hyndburn and Haslingden MP Greg Pope usually holds his advice surgeries on Fridays in various parts of his constituency but this week he was unable to return to the borough.
But constituents were be able to go to his office in Abbey Street, Accrington, and speak with him in his Commons office via the Skype internet calls service, with a brand new webcam also allowing them to see him.
Mr Pope said: "I'm interested in using new technologies in ways that make it easier for constituents to communicate with me, and recently I came top of a poll of MPs who are good as responding to constituents' emails.
"We've been meaning to try out video link advice surgeries for quite a while now and as I had to stay in London this Friday it seemed an ideal opportunity to try it out.
"I was obviously nervous but I think it went well. We had four people who came to give it a go, and I think they would like to see it happen again. I tend to use email as it's probably the quickest and also the greenest form of communication. I also have the dreaded Blackberry, but it's actually very good for keeping in touch with people, and I can respond to emails even when I'm on the train."
The session also served as a money and time saving device for the MP, who had to go abroad on business this weekend. Instead of having to travel back from London for the surgery, only to then travel back down, the MP was able to continue his usual routine from the comfort of an office chair.
He added: "In future I would intend to do it as well as my normal advice surgeries, not instead of them."
Email popeg@parliament.uk with feedback about the system.
For more information on the advice surgeries, call 01254 382283.
Friday, 26 December 2008
What day is it??
This is one of a series of educational sketches I did for an English teacher whilst I was working in France.
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Plans for Durham University to become a 'Technology-Enhanced Campus'
(News feature published in Durham University's Palatinate, 25/11/08)
Plans for Durham University to become a 'Technology-Enhanced Campus'
>>Most students feel that Durham University is lagging behind in the technology stakes. But is this accurate? Sophie Maden invesitgates.
DURHAM’S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Service has claimed that it is “miles ahead” in terms of technology, after unveiling a strategy to become a ‘Technology-Enhanced Campus’. This project is subject to governmental and research council funding, including £2.2million awarded by government initiatives for the University’s forward-thinking ideas, which could help put the University on the map as an innovator in technology to aid learning.
In the same week that a study published in the Institute for Public Policy Research claiming that UK Universities should be more advanced in their use of online technology, ITS have claimed that both their online infrastructure and future technology projects should help to place them amongst the top-ranking technologically able universities.
Improvements to DUO (Durham University Online) have this year included online student enrolment, the addition of personal blogs, personal podcast spaces, wikis, Google maps and various other new applications. ITS have also made an effort to simplify the site, to make it easier both for University staff to provide better teaching aids and for students to communicate more easily for group projects. This year will also be the first to allow Durham students to register for graduation online.
Further online learning could also be encouraged through proposals to make postgraduate student dissertations available to view online, which could be implemented as early as next term, and an institution-wide initiative to digitise thousands of academic books and make them available for online reference.
Alongside other universities such as Oxford and Loughborough, whose registration processes continue to be heavily paper-based, Durham also has plans to move registration online, with proposals due to be submitted in March 2009. It is hoped that this will speed up and simplify the long registration process, although factors such as requisites and concessions which are individual to each module would suggest that this process will not immediately be fully online based.
Other integral projects to the ‘Technology-Enhanced Campus’ initiative include an SMS based system which is being experimented with, which would enable University staff to contact students registered on the system via text message, with details of seminar cancellations or last minute room changes, for example. Once implemented, Durham would be the first UK University to use this system university-wide.
The ITS department have also written software which will allow a student’s PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) to access wireless hotspots and to receive individually structured information such as if new books relating to your modules have become available at the library, although this remains for the moment an experimental project.
Dr Liz Burd, Deputy Dean of Computer Sciences, said that Durham is “one of the world leaders in terms of research and learning spaces” with the addition of the Calman Learning Centre, completed last year. This suite incorporates a techno café and group facilities such as large plasma screens connected to laptops so that students can share images and documents with each other. Further improvements to the University Library have also taken place over the last three years, improving work spaces and installing more computers for quick email access, as well as a self-service borrowing system.
Although the vast majority of these technology features are situated on the Science Site, plans to relocate various departments onto the site over the next four years as part of the Gateway Project will ensure that more departments can take advantage of these learning spaces, which have earned the University recognition as a Centre of Excellence.
Despite the national focus upon online learning and technological teaching aids, some students feel that a depersonalisation of learning could have its drawbacks. Mike Lehan, JCR IT Officer at St Aidan’s College, said “I am primarily of the opinion that the most important tool in learning is the teacher. If everything we needed was on DUO coming to lectures or even university would be pointless. That is why despite how much I’d like to use a laptop in lectures I still end up with a pad of paper and a pen!”
Dr Liz Burd added that rather than seeking to remove the personal element of university learning, the ITS group are “looking at ways of improving learning inside and outside of the classroom in order to keep learning active”.
Plans for Durham University to become a 'Technology-Enhanced Campus'
>>Most students feel that Durham University is lagging behind in the technology stakes. But is this accurate? Sophie Maden invesitgates.
DURHAM’S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Service has claimed that it is “miles ahead” in terms of technology, after unveiling a strategy to become a ‘Technology-Enhanced Campus’. This project is subject to governmental and research council funding, including £2.2million awarded by government initiatives for the University’s forward-thinking ideas, which could help put the University on the map as an innovator in technology to aid learning.
In the same week that a study published in the Institute for Public Policy Research claiming that UK Universities should be more advanced in their use of online technology, ITS have claimed that both their online infrastructure and future technology projects should help to place them amongst the top-ranking technologically able universities.
Improvements to DUO (Durham University Online) have this year included online student enrolment, the addition of personal blogs, personal podcast spaces, wikis, Google maps and various other new applications. ITS have also made an effort to simplify the site, to make it easier both for University staff to provide better teaching aids and for students to communicate more easily for group projects. This year will also be the first to allow Durham students to register for graduation online.
Further online learning could also be encouraged through proposals to make postgraduate student dissertations available to view online, which could be implemented as early as next term, and an institution-wide initiative to digitise thousands of academic books and make them available for online reference.
Alongside other universities such as Oxford and Loughborough, whose registration processes continue to be heavily paper-based, Durham also has plans to move registration online, with proposals due to be submitted in March 2009. It is hoped that this will speed up and simplify the long registration process, although factors such as requisites and concessions which are individual to each module would suggest that this process will not immediately be fully online based.
Other integral projects to the ‘Technology-Enhanced Campus’ initiative include an SMS based system which is being experimented with, which would enable University staff to contact students registered on the system via text message, with details of seminar cancellations or last minute room changes, for example. Once implemented, Durham would be the first UK University to use this system university-wide.
The ITS department have also written software which will allow a student’s PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) to access wireless hotspots and to receive individually structured information such as if new books relating to your modules have become available at the library, although this remains for the moment an experimental project.
Dr Liz Burd, Deputy Dean of Computer Sciences, said that Durham is “one of the world leaders in terms of research and learning spaces” with the addition of the Calman Learning Centre, completed last year. This suite incorporates a techno café and group facilities such as large plasma screens connected to laptops so that students can share images and documents with each other. Further improvements to the University Library have also taken place over the last three years, improving work spaces and installing more computers for quick email access, as well as a self-service borrowing system.
Although the vast majority of these technology features are situated on the Science Site, plans to relocate various departments onto the site over the next four years as part of the Gateway Project will ensure that more departments can take advantage of these learning spaces, which have earned the University recognition as a Centre of Excellence.
Despite the national focus upon online learning and technological teaching aids, some students feel that a depersonalisation of learning could have its drawbacks. Mike Lehan, JCR IT Officer at St Aidan’s College, said “I am primarily of the opinion that the most important tool in learning is the teacher. If everything we needed was on DUO coming to lectures or even university would be pointless. That is why despite how much I’d like to use a laptop in lectures I still end up with a pad of paper and a pen!”
Dr Liz Burd added that rather than seeking to remove the personal element of university learning, the ITS group are “looking at ways of improving learning inside and outside of the classroom in order to keep learning active”.
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Well-wishers dig deep for brave little fighter
(Article written for and published in the Accrington Observer, http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/s/1051898_wellwishers_dig_deep_for_brave_little_fighter)
Well-wishers dig deep for brave little fighter
Sophie Maden 30/ 5/2008
A CHARITY event is to take place in Oswaldtwistle to raise money for a little girl who is fighting a battle against a critical illness.
Sixteen-month-old Madison Kennedy-Finglas suffers from rare Scimitar Syndrome, which causes a malformation of the lungs, and bronchomalacia, which causes the airways of the lungs to narrow and collapse while exhaling.
Madison, who has only seen her home in Sharples Street, Accrington, once, depends on a respirator at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool.
But her parents Lee Finglas and Danielle Kennedy, along with her big brother Dylan, are hoping to have her home soon providing her condition is stable.
Their lowest point came last spring when her parents were told by doctors that she did not have long to live. But the little battler pulled through the crisis and carried on fighting.
A whole host of entertainment will be on offer at Oswaldtwistle Conservative Club next Friday to raise money for the hospital which cares for Madison.
Two Accrington DJs have offered their services and will play a variety of music, including hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s along with soul. Local band BTS will also be performing and a raffle with prizes donated by Oswaldtwistle businesses will boost funds.
Linda Morris, who works at the Hyndburn Used Furniture Store, is organising the event to raise funds for Ronald MacDonald House at Alder Hey, which provides accommodation for families of patients so that they can stay close to their children.
Linda said: "I’ve known Madison’s grandma Colleen since we went to school.
"My own daughter was in intensive care briefly and I can’t imagine Madison’s family having to live with that every day. It must be a nightmare. Every day must be a challenge for them.
"I promised them I would get on my feet and do something and I’ve kept my promise."
Linda also hopes that if Madison is allowed home, the council will help her parents to find suitable accommodation and to supply her home with vital oxygen equipment.
She said: "Local businesses are really supporting us and Barclays Bank made a very generous offer to match what we raise.
"I’m hoping if the event goes well we could schedule a monthly soul night too, as there is nowhere to go in this area any more."
Denise Byrne, fund-raising administrator at Alder Hey, will travel from Liverpool for the event, which will run from 8pm to 2am. Tickets costing £2 are available at the Hyndburn Used Furniture Store, Unit 1, Fairfield Street, or you can call the store on 393784.
Well-wishers dig deep for brave little fighter
Sophie Maden 30/ 5/2008
A CHARITY event is to take place in Oswaldtwistle to raise money for a little girl who is fighting a battle against a critical illness.
Sixteen-month-old Madison Kennedy-Finglas suffers from rare Scimitar Syndrome, which causes a malformation of the lungs, and bronchomalacia, which causes the airways of the lungs to narrow and collapse while exhaling.
Madison, who has only seen her home in Sharples Street, Accrington, once, depends on a respirator at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool.
But her parents Lee Finglas and Danielle Kennedy, along with her big brother Dylan, are hoping to have her home soon providing her condition is stable.
Their lowest point came last spring when her parents were told by doctors that she did not have long to live. But the little battler pulled through the crisis and carried on fighting.
A whole host of entertainment will be on offer at Oswaldtwistle Conservative Club next Friday to raise money for the hospital which cares for Madison.
Two Accrington DJs have offered their services and will play a variety of music, including hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s along with soul. Local band BTS will also be performing and a raffle with prizes donated by Oswaldtwistle businesses will boost funds.
Linda Morris, who works at the Hyndburn Used Furniture Store, is organising the event to raise funds for Ronald MacDonald House at Alder Hey, which provides accommodation for families of patients so that they can stay close to their children.
Linda said: "I’ve known Madison’s grandma Colleen since we went to school.
"My own daughter was in intensive care briefly and I can’t imagine Madison’s family having to live with that every day. It must be a nightmare. Every day must be a challenge for them.
"I promised them I would get on my feet and do something and I’ve kept my promise."
Linda also hopes that if Madison is allowed home, the council will help her parents to find suitable accommodation and to supply her home with vital oxygen equipment.
She said: "Local businesses are really supporting us and Barclays Bank made a very generous offer to match what we raise.
"I’m hoping if the event goes well we could schedule a monthly soul night too, as there is nowhere to go in this area any more."
Denise Byrne, fund-raising administrator at Alder Hey, will travel from Liverpool for the event, which will run from 8pm to 2am. Tickets costing £2 are available at the Hyndburn Used Furniture Store, Unit 1, Fairfield Street, or you can call the store on 393784.
Blackburn Pupils Ready to Fly the Flag for Prince William
(Article written for and published in the Lancashire Telegraph, and online at http://www.blackburncitizen.co.uk/news/2255765.blackburn_pupils_ready_to_fly_flag_for_prince_william/)
Blackburn pupils ready to fly flag for Prince William
9:59am Thursday 8th May 2008
By Sophie Maden
PUPILS are busy making flags to give Prince William a right royal welcome.
Youngsters at St Aidan's Primary School, Mill Hill, Blackburn, have also been busy learning about the history of the Royal Family.
Acting head teacher Laura Pooles is hoping that the pupils are able to "show teamwork" which she believes to be "a very important part of the curriculum".
Staff and students are also hoping to write their own newspaper article about the visit.
The prince is coming to town to check on pupils' soccer skills in his role as president of the Football Association.
Mrs Pooles said that the visit would be "great publicity for the school, but the most important thing is that the children enjoy it and feel special for a day".
She added: "As you can imagine, there are lots of people who want to be present, so parents will have to watch from a community park close by."
Asked about her opinion of Prince William, she said "He is a very good role model.
"I have heard that he is a very pleasant young man, and we are looking forward to meeting him."
Hayley Probert, 11, is one of the children taking part in the coaching session being put on for the Prince. She said: "I am really excited about Prince William's visit. It will be a great opportunity to meet him; one I will never forget"
"I think the Prince will think that Blackburn is a great place and that St Aidan's school is a really good school to go to because we are all so friendly.
"I am really looking forward to meeting our future king," added Callum Clark, also aged 11.
FA Director of Football and former West Ham and England legend Sir Trevor Brooking, who will join Prince William at St Aidan's, said: "The Skills Programme is all about getting boys and girls enthused through positive encouragement and allowing them to express themselves with a ball.
"It's not about becoming a world-beater, it's about fun and improving your skills, whatever your level."
Blackburn pupils ready to fly flag for Prince William
9:59am Thursday 8th May 2008
By Sophie Maden
PUPILS are busy making flags to give Prince William a right royal welcome.
Youngsters at St Aidan's Primary School, Mill Hill, Blackburn, have also been busy learning about the history of the Royal Family.
Acting head teacher Laura Pooles is hoping that the pupils are able to "show teamwork" which she believes to be "a very important part of the curriculum".
Staff and students are also hoping to write their own newspaper article about the visit.
The prince is coming to town to check on pupils' soccer skills in his role as president of the Football Association.
Mrs Pooles said that the visit would be "great publicity for the school, but the most important thing is that the children enjoy it and feel special for a day".
She added: "As you can imagine, there are lots of people who want to be present, so parents will have to watch from a community park close by."
Asked about her opinion of Prince William, she said "He is a very good role model.
"I have heard that he is a very pleasant young man, and we are looking forward to meeting him."
Hayley Probert, 11, is one of the children taking part in the coaching session being put on for the Prince. She said: "I am really excited about Prince William's visit. It will be a great opportunity to meet him; one I will never forget"
"I think the Prince will think that Blackburn is a great place and that St Aidan's school is a really good school to go to because we are all so friendly.
"I am really looking forward to meeting our future king," added Callum Clark, also aged 11.
FA Director of Football and former West Ham and England legend Sir Trevor Brooking, who will join Prince William at St Aidan's, said: "The Skills Programme is all about getting boys and girls enthused through positive encouragement and allowing them to express themselves with a ball.
"It's not about becoming a world-beater, it's about fun and improving your skills, whatever your level."
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