On a reality check
The News Review:
- On a reality check
- It’s not just the diplomats, many home grown foodies are picking up…
- Cameron backs organic farmers as he tries to paint Tories green
- Tasty treat was too tempting for backyard burglar
- Er, pls leave bouquet at the door
- Party on from one year to the next
On a reality check
Hindu – Dec 30, 2005
All channels seem to be celebrating the victory of the anonymous common man this year. The next step of reality TV is the birth of home-grown ideas. The channels will not shop abroad for reality formats. NIRET ALVA
PHOTO: Shashi ashiwal… With the experience of reality shows including “Indian Idol”, “Fame Gurukul”, “Dance Dance” and “POGO Amazing Kids Show”, Miditech is all set to launch “Sesame Street” on Cartoon Network and “Extreme Makeover” for Sony TV early next year. “Also, there are a few more ideas we are talking about for the next year,” he says. Though Segal too is not ready to come out with the names or time frame for any future shows, he also promises reality shows not just on Star One but on Star Plus soon. And these movers and shakers of Indian television seem to state that if 2005 has seen the takeover of Indian television by a reality sweep complete, year 2006 will see it graduate to having shows with home-grown ideas. “I certainly feel the next step of reality TV here is the birth of home-grown ideas. The channels will go less and less to shop abroad for reality formats,” says Niret. Segal too is lining up yet another home-grown idea for Star Plus after the rousing success of the just-concluded “Nach Balliye” on Star One.
It’s not just the diplomats, many home grown foodies are picking up…
Ahmedabad Newsline – Dec 30, 2005
Sitting at the fortnight-old restaurant It’s Greek to me, in Defence Colony, we wonder if some Greek cuisine would have made his job a tad easier. This branch of the eatery builds on the success of its first outlet in Safdurjung. So while regulars can still order its signature dish-the traditional eggplant and lamb Moussaka-there’s some new stuff to sample too. We started off with the traditional pita bread and a dip platter, which is avoidable.
Cameron backs organic farmers as he tries to paint Tories green
The Independent – Independent – Dec 30, 2005
The Conservative leader will use a keynote speech at the 60th anniversary conference of the Soil Association next week to support further measures to encourage organic farming. The Tories have tradiitonally backed the free market and big business, but Mr Cameron will embrace measures championed by Zac Goldsmith, his adviser on green issues, to support small organic farmers, encourage supermarkets to offer more home-grown organic produce and avoid high mileage in transporting food to the shops. As part of his drive to attract new supporters, Mr Cameron also sought to shed his party’s anti-immigration image by calling for the scrapping of the Worker Registration Scheme, which controls workers from eastern Europe. The scheme was introduced after attacks on the Government by his predecessor, Michael Howard but Damian Green, the Tory immigration spokesman, said it was “worse than useless”. Mr Cameron announced 24 hours earlier he had recruited Bob Geldof to his party’s commission reviewing action to tackle global poverty to reach out to the “white wristband generation”. Last week, Oliver Letwin, Mr Cameron’s head of policy, upset die-hard Tories by saying the party should try to close the gap between rich and poor by redistributing wealth.
Tasty treat was too tempting for backyard burglar
St. Petersburg Times – Dec 30, 2005
Harvest time grew near. There’s something I’ve always wondered about what happened next. Was the culprit watching that last day as I fussed around my pineapple, which had grown so lush and heavy it sagged on the plant? Did he sense that this was his last chance, since I planned to make a little ceremony of tasting my first home-grown pineapple for breakfast the very next morning? How is it he acted just when he did?
I should explain that my back yard is in a very urban Tampa neighborhood. By day, the sounds of traffic and helicopters and sirens are routine. But at night, the oak-shaded yard becomes another world, alive with small scamperings and scratchings and, I swear, occasional howlings. Interesting animal tracks mark the ground in the mornings. And we had coexisted just fine.
Er, pls leave bouquet at the door
Times of India – Dec 30, 2005
“Actually, we are confused. We don’t
know which threat is serious and which
not. ”
The series of alerts from
US agencies and high-voltage soundbites from home-grown naxalites have triggered
paranoia in most of the companies. “We have done all that we can to secure our
premises. Something can still go wrong,” said a centre
head. “In the current scenario,
it is difficult to say with confidence that a facility is secured. We have to
take things as they come,” said another.
Party on from one year to the next
Cape Argus – Cape Argus (subscription) – Dec 30, 2005
Our staff reporters have compiled this list of events
Kirstenbosch
If you want to enjoy home-grown talent under the open skies you can see pop band Watershed and R&B sensation Loyiso at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden on New Year’s Eve. Watershed is one of South Africa’s most successful international pop bands and they have sold over 140 000 albums and enjoyed more than a dozen South African radio hits as well as No 1 singles in Germany, while Loyiso has won South African Music Awards for Best Newcomer and Best R&B Album. Booking for this concert is essential. Tickets cost R170 and are available from the Kirstenbosch Ticket Office, 021 761 2866. Seating, on the lawn, is unreserved.