The gamble of bringing Alan Partridge to the big screen

The gamble of bringing Alan Partridge to the big screen

As the much-loved comedy creation Alan Partridge finally makes it onto the big screen, Steve Coogan and the team behind it tell the BBC how it only happened after "many rows", "jumping through hoops" and almost another film's worth of material ending up on the cutting room floor. "It's quite peculiar really. It's like I did a funny voice and I've woken up 20 years later living in this alternative universe." Steve Coogan is pondering how his iconic comedy creation went from a sports reporter on Radio 4's On the Hour to his current big screen incarnation. "Did I think 20 years later I'd still be doing him? No - I might have been very depressed if you'd told me that at the time," he admits laughing. As it turns out Coogan has found he gets a "thrill" going back to his most famous role over the years, as long as he has spent time doing more serious work. "I was the one banging on Armando [Iannucci's] door saying when are we going to do an Alan Partridge film," he admits. Neil and Rob Gibbons Neil and Rob Gibbons were on set every day to collaborate with Steve Coogan on rewrites Iannucci helped Coogan create Partridge along with Peter Baynham all those years ago. But with both of them busy with careers in the US, twin brother comedy writers Neil and Rob Gibbons joined the writing team. "Steve and Armando said to us 'we're bringing Alan to the big screen and we don't know if it's going to work so we'd like a couple of scapegoats' and we said we'd be delighted," explains Rob. The brothers earned Coogan's admiration working on the online Partridge show, Mid Morning Matters, and the Partridge autobiography. The writing process for the film involved the Gibbon brothers and Coogan "sat round a table all doing Partridge voices to each other". Although Neil says sometimes the lines between Partridge and Coogan did become blurred. "Steve sometimes doesn't really do the voice and he'll be improvising and coming out with stuff and then he'll say 'I saw a great episode of Air Crash Investigation last night' and you'll think 'oh that's good' and start to write it down. And he'll be like 'no I really did watch a great episode'. He very much blurs the line." Each day on set they would have a writing session in the morning where they often "just ripped stuff up" - even between takes. "There were a lot of rows, but they were healthy rows that come from a place of love," admits Neil. Steve Coogan and Declan Harvey on the Alpha Papa set Declan Lowney directs Steve Coogan on the radio station set, which was in London - they moved to Norfolk for the final two weeks of filming "There were a lot of opinions and a lot of disagreements but they're a very intelligent bunch of people who are all able to express themselves terribly well when they need to," explains director Declan Lowney. The Father Ted director was brought on board after "jumping through Armando's hoops", as he puts it. "They were just very careful about who they share the collaborative process with, to protect the purity of Partridge," he explains. He admits he found the expectations of fans daunting and the collaborative way of working "fascinating, frustrating and very time-consuming". "But the results speak for themselves and that's all that matters at the end of the day," he says. "No one cares how long that took and you did 20 other scenes before that and threw them away." In the end an hour and 20 minutes worth of material ended up on the cutting room floor for not being funny enough. The other major consideration in his big screen metamorphosis was what to do with Alan. "You have to satisfy the purists and keep it broad enough to make it accessible to a wider audience - being both myopic and parochial and making it dynamic and cinematic," says Coogan. "You go too much one way or the other and you use the plot. If you make it too big you lose the DNA of the character." So Partridge going to Hollywood was out of the question. Steve Coogan in Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa North Norfolk Digital becomes Shape after being taken over Instead the DJ remains in his home town of Norwich, where his radio station is taken over by a media conglomerate and becomes the centre of an armed siege by a disgruntled DJ. "Originally it involved al-Qaeda and BBC Television Centre, which was perhaps too risky," admits Coogan. "So we backed off from that - it was too big, too larger than life. "You can do action but not slick and polished. [It needs to be] awkward and clumsy which was consistent with Alan's world." One final step was to ditch the ageing make up. However, it helped the actor himself is growing closer in age to his comic alter-ego. "When you look at him on TV he can look a little bit caricatured in retrospect - when you put him in a film, you want the audience to at least believe that it's real," he says. With fanatical fans, taking Alan Partridge on to the big screen was a big gamble. Many TV creations don't make the leap but it seems like all the rows and attention to detail have paid off. The film has gained many four- and five-star reviews, with The Guardian calling it an "a quietly audacious triumph" and Variety saying Partridge makes an "effortless transition" to the big screen. As for the future, Coogan believes Alan could "stand another incarnation" but he needs to walk away and do other work. "What will happen is I will get an Alan itch - and I'm very far away from that at the moment."



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MLB done talking with Alex Rodriguez, who faces 214-game ban on Monday after latest outburst Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/i-team/mlb-talking-ready-ban-a-rod-latest-outburst-article-1.1416810#ixzz2azQfCgTn

MLB done talking with Alex Rodriguez, who faces 214-game ban on Monday after latest outburst

Alex Rodriguez just talked himself out of a possible settlement with Major League Baseball and faces a 214-game suspension to be handed down on Monday, the Daily News has learned. Following Rodriguez’s explosive comments after Friday night’s minor league rehab game in Trenton in which Rodriguez basically said Major League Baseball and the Yankees were conspiring to keep him off the field in order to void his contract, MLB officials have rejected Rodriguez’s request to negotiate a suspension settlement, a baseball source familiar with the situation said. RELATED: LUPICA: AGAIN, HE'S POOR LI'L A-ROD According to the source, Players Association chief Michael Weiner reached out to MLB on behalf of Rodriguez Saturday morning in an attempt to talk settlement but was told that baseball is no longer interested in negotiating with the disgraced third baseman. “They asked for a meeting this morning and were told ‘no,’ ” said the source. “Baseball is more than comfortable with what they have.” RELATED: A-ROD DRAWS FOUR WALKS IN TRENTON, STILL PLANS TO REJOIN YANKS MLB commissioner Bud Selig is saving his harshest drug-related suspension for Alex Rodriguez. PAUL SANCYA/AP MLB commissioner Bud Selig is saving his harshest drug-related suspension for Alex Rodriguez. Another source told The News that despite accusing the Yankees Friday of trying to get out from under his contract, Rodriguez also reached out to the club Saturday in an attempt to discuss negotiating a settlement on the remaining $100 million the Yankees owe him. The Yankees also declined to talk with Rodriguez about his contract, according to the source, telling him this is a drug issue under the purview of MLB. MLB investigators have gathered what they believe is voluminous evidence proving that Rodriguez violated the game’s collectively bargained drug agreement in 2010, 2011 and 2012 by obtaining performance-enhancing drugs from Anthony Bosch and his Biogenesis anti-aging clinic, and that he also violated the “just cause” provision (rule 7 G.2) of the collective bargaining agreement by obstructing commissioner Bud Selig’s investigation and lying to MLB officials about performance-enhancing drug use. Rodriguez will be suspended under both provisions, according to the source. RELATED: MCCARRON: A-ROD’S ACTING AS IF HAMMER WON’T FALL MLB will also suspend at least eight other major leaguers, and possibly some minor leaguers, for their involvement with Bosch, on Monday. The Yankees, meanwhile, were prepared to activate Rodriguez for Monday’s game against the White Sox in Chicago but were uncertain if he would be available, depending on whether he appeals to an arbitrator. If he is healthy enough to play, Rodriguez can remain on the field with pay should he decide to appeal the ban, which his representatives have said he will do. The only way he would not be activated is if he is injured or if somehow his representatives convince MLB that Rodriguez would not appeal a suspension in exchange for perhaps fewer games, a scenario that would probably have to be brokered through Weiner. Rodriguez played again Saturday night in Trenton, walking all four times he batted. RELATED: YANKS DISMISS A-ROD'S CONSPIRACY THEORY Is this the last we'll see of Alex Rodriguez on the baseball field? MLB officials want to make sure this is indeed the case. TOM MIHALEK/AP Is this the last we'll see of Alex Rodriguez on the baseball field? MLB officials want to make sure this is indeed the case. MLB officials were clearly angered by Rodriguez’s comments Friday, in which he not only said he was being singled out as a serial user of PEDs by Major League Baseball and by his own team in order, he said, to find “creative ways to cancel your contract,” but claimed to want to “get rid of PEDs.” “I think that’s the pink elephant in the room,” Rodriguez said, referring to the remaining $100 million the Yankees owe him on his $275 million deal. “I think we all agree that we want to get rid of PEDs; that’s a must. All the players, we feel that way. But when all this stuff is going on in the background, and people are finding creative ways to cancel your contract, that’s concerning for present (players) and I think it should be concerning for future players, as well.” RELATED: GOING DOWN SWINGING: A-ROD HOMERS THEN TAKES SHOT AT YANKEES BRASS “This is typical Alex,” one Yankee official told The News. “Instead of taking responsibility for his actions, he blames everybody else. It wasn’t the Yankees who introduced (Rodriguez) to Anthony Bosch. It wasn’t the Yankees who introduced him to Dr. (Anthony) Galea, or anybody else.” (The official was referring to Rodriguez’s association with Bosch, who is believed to have distributed performance-enhancing drugs to scores of athletes, and to Galea, a human growth hormone proponent who treated Rodriguez in 2009.) MLB is basing its suspension on evidence gathered by baseball investigators that shows Rodriguez violated the drug program on three separate occasions, warranting 50-game suspensions for each violation, and that he interfered with Selig’s investigation. MLB has shown its evidence — believed to include hundreds of emails, text messages and phone records detailing his dealings with Bosch, as well as a witness who is said to have seen Bosch injecting Rodriguez with PEDs — to Rodriguez and the Players’ Association. RELATED: A-ROD'S OPTIONS: A LIFETIME BAN OR A 200-GAME SUSPENSION Rodriguez’s treatment by Galea, a Toronto doctor who pleaded guilty to bringing unapproved drugs, including HGH, into the United States to treat pro athletes, might also be used against him. Evidence in that case remains sealed in U.S. District Court in Buffalo but if baseball is dragged into a federal lawsuit, it would move to unseal those records as a part of its defense. The U.S. Attorney in Miami is also investigating Biogenesis, meaning Rodriguez could be called as a witness and questioned under oath. The most substantive offer Rodriguez’s camp has come up with in previous discussions with MLB and the Players’ Association, according to sources, was for an 80- to 100-game suspension and Rodriguez’s promise to then retire. “The only problem with that,” said one source, “is that they wanted him to retire and get paid his remaining contract — a paid vacation, in other words.”




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Furore over call to boycott Nigella: Dee Dee Dunleavy's unfortunate column

Furore over call to boycott Nigella: Dee Dee Dunleavy's unfortunate column

THERE'S a brouhaha brewing this morning over a blog which calls for a ban on Nigella Lawson's books until she takes a stand against domestic violence. Dee Dee Dunleavy, who somewhat immodestly calls herself "The Queen of Melbourne radio", infuriated people when she wrote: "Nigella, like it or not, you're a beacon for women from all walks of life. If you want us to buy your books and watch your shows on how to run our kitchens, then we need you to make a stand on domestic violence." Ms Dunleavy's words came after Lawson was reportedly assaulted by her husband in a restaurant this weekend. The celebrity chef was later seen leaving her home with suitcases packed. Ms Dunleavy this afternoon issued a statement saying she is "mortified" that anyone would think she was bullying or victimising the celebrity chef and admitted she had copped a torrent of abuse over it. "First and foremost, my wish for Nigella Lawson is that she is safe and well, and as far away from her beastly husband as possible," the 3AW presenter wrote. "The fact that I have copped a torrent of abuse today for urging her to take a stand against domestic violence pales into insignificance compared to what she must be going through." Read her full statement here: But many had already taken offense with Ms Dunlevy's sentiment, arguing that Nigella should be allowed to take emotional stock of the (alleged) assault, in order to process the events and deal with the trauma. But according to Ms Dunleavy, it's pretty much time to start a Facebook group and get out there pasting anti-violence posters to telegraph poles. "Why, at about the same time the pictures went viral on the internet, did Nigella post a picture of a buttered, toasted bagel on her official Twitter page, as though nothing else was on her mind but food?" Dunlevy wrote. "That's not the response we were after, Nigella." Ms Dunleavy hasn't exactly gotten the response she was after either. The Twitter outcry is more or less mirrored by the first published response on 3AW blog. "VICTIMS need support NOT more thuggery at the hands of Radio jerks ( jocks). How dare you presume the higher moral ground. When will Australian radio clean up its act and image - it's a national disgrace that rubbish like this is allowed." And then this one: "I never comment on random internet articles unless I feel really strongly, but this article has really offended me - who are you to tell a victim of domestic violence how she should and shouldn't behave as a victim? She didn't ask for this to happen, she owes nobody anything. It is her husband's fault for hurting her - where is the blame being placed on him and telling him that we'll stop providing him with revenue until he ceases to be a violent partner? Awful." Dunleavy has since tried to defend her initial blog, tweeting: "I did not call for a boycott on Nigella's books. That's absurd. My point is that she should file a complaint with police. Make a stand." Didn't call for a boycott? Hmmm... let's just go back over Dee Dee's initial comment, shall we? "If you want us to buy your books and watch your shows on how to run our kitchens, then we need you to make a stand on domestic violence." Not to editorialise or anything, but it kind of reads like a call for a boycott to us. White Ribbon Australia CEO Libby Davies said there were steps people could take if they witnessed a violent incident. “No woman deserves to be treated as a second class citizen," Ms Davies said. "This incident is one of many that highlights the insidiousness of men’s violence against women and the need to change attitudes and behaviours that lead to and perpetuate such violence. "White Ribbon Australia says no to violence against women in all its forms."



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Box office: Low-budget 'The Purge' expected to beat 'The Internship'

Box office: Low-budget 'The Purge' expected to beat 'The Internship'

This weekend, "The Internship" may become the latest star-driven movie to get beaten by a lower-wattage production. The comedy, which stars Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, appears set to follow in the footsteps of Will Smith's "After Earth," which last weekend failed to attract more moviegoers than its far less high-profile competition "Now You See Me." According to those who have seen pre-release audience surveys, "The Internship" will probably fall behind the low-budget thriller "The Purge." The $3-million flick — which does feature some name-brand cachet in star Ethan Hawke — is expected to take in a robust $25 million during its opening weekend. (The film's distributor, Universal Pictures, is predicting a softer start of around $18 million.) PHOTOS: Billion-dollar movie club Meanwhile, "The Internship" is set to launch with $15 million — meaning it will fare worse than not only "The Purge," but also "Fast & Furious 6," which is entering its third weekend in theaters. (Fox doesn’t think the movie will debut with more than $12 million.) Either opening would be embarrassing for a movie starring Vaughn and Wilson, who were no doubt expected to re-create the success of their 2005 hit "Wedding Crashers." But both Wilson and Vaughn have slowly been losing their box office clout since "Wedding Crashers," which took in over $200 million domestically. Immediately following the 2005 release, Vaughn appeared in a string of decent performers, including "The Break-Up," "Four Christmases" and "Couples Retreat." But his last two films — "The Dilemma" and "The Watch" — tanked. Wilson's luck has been equally as bad recently, appearing in flops such as "Hall Pass" and "The Big Year." "The Internship," co-financed by 20th Century Fox and New Regency Pictures for $58 million, follows the comedians as they intern with people half their age at Google. The picture has not received positive reviews: On Thursday morning, it had notched a 32% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. PHOTOS: Summer Sneaks 2013 "The Purge" hasn't fared much better with critics — it has a 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes — but has nonetheless generated strong interest from moviegoers. According to Fandango, the movie is the most highly anticipated of the weekend, ahead of "Now You See Me," the sixth "Fast" film and "The Internship." The movie, set in the near future, takes place in a world where crime is forbidden 364 days of the year; Hawke stars as a family man trying to protect his kin on the one day of lawless mayhem. Heading into the weekend, the picture is appealing most to young females. Universal spent only $3 million to make the film, which was produced by Jason Blum, who has made a name for himself by making micro-budget movies that have big payoffs at the box office, including "Paranormal Activity" and "Insidious." To keep the cost of the film so low, actors "basically work for free," Blum told The Times. If the movie is a hit, both the actors and filmmakers may see a bigger payoff.



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Is Beyonce pregnant? Probably not, but soon she’d like to be

Is Beyonce pregnant? Probably not, but soon she’d like to be

B eyonce may be regretting her candor when she chatted about her hopes of having another baby to join daughter Blue Ivy, 16 months. It was the superstar’s comments on “Good Morning America” last week that unleashed a torrent of stories hinting that Beyonce may already be expecting. “I would like more children. I think my daughter needs company. I definitely love being a big sister [to Solange Knowles], ” Beyonce told “GMA.” Ads by Google BeyoncéFull service flats in Antwerp with private bathroom & kitchen www.be-housing.be That plus her appearance at the big Metropolitan Museum Costume Ball in New York in a high-waisted Givenchy gown fueled various “Beyonce baby” tales. While the entertainer’s camp is not speaking officially, two sources close to Beyonce told me Monday they sincerely doubt she’s pregnant — yet. “She’s made it pretty clear she needs to get through her big world tour, which ends in August,” said one friend. A second Beyonce insider added, “There’s no way she would want to risk having morning sickness — or risk losing a baby — while she’s doing her shows. … Just think of all the dancing she has to do!” † However, another R&B star has confirmed she is pregnant. Monica is now expecting her third child, her first with husband Shannon Brown of the Phoenix Suns. Monica tweeted to BFF Niecy Nash that she’s “five months & counting.” LACKING TWEET SMARTS: In the wake of Miley Cyrus tweeting complaints Sunday — dissing fans of Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift for constantly attacking her on Twitter, Facebook and other social media — the singer is being laughed at by Gomez and Taylor. Sources close to both singers used the word “silly” to describe how Gomez and Taylor reacted to Cyrus’ tweets. “Miley’s been around long enough to know you just ignore that kind of negativity,” said a Taylor insider Monday. † Speaking of Gomez, the 20-year-old star turned to Twitter to celebrate the fact her mom, Mandy Cornett, is pregnant and expecting a baby girl. Less happy was Gomez’s confirmation Friday that she and on-again-off-again boyfriend Justin Bieber are indeed splitsville — yet again. JUDGE THIS: According to those close to Simon Cowell, the TV mogul has zeroed in on a somewhat eclectic “wish list” group of potential new judges for “The X Factor” this fall. Apparently Faith Hill tops the list, which also reportedly includes Hilary Duff, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kelly Rowland and Latin singer and actress Paulina Rubio — joining already re-signed judge Demi Lovato and host Mario Lopez. LOOKING FOR LAUGHS: Fans of Carol Leifer — certainly a trailblazer in the world of female comics — will want to know a few tickets remain for the comedian’s “Judaism Is in My DNA” show at North Shore Congregation Israel, scheduled for Sunday night. Leifer’s resume includes writing and producing stints on “Saturday Night Live,” “Seinfeld,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” and “Modern Family” — plus being head writer for the 2012 Oscars show, hosted by Billy Crystal. Ads by Google Beyoncé Full service flats in Antwerp with private bathroom & kitchen www.be-housing.be De Luz Luxury Homes Land, avocado orchards & ranches Area specialists in country estates www.bigavocado.com Dating indian girl online Free register. Start chatting, dating and being a couple lovetime.com For ticket information go to www.nsci.org or call (847) 835-0724. PRESIDENT IN PERIL: Samuel L. Jackson will soon add U.S. president to the veteran actor’s long list of roles. Jackson will star in “Big Game,” which deadline.com describes as a film about a teenager sent into the wilderness to test his survival skills — just as terrorists shoot down Air Force One. The president’s escape pod lands near the youth, and together they form an unlikely team in order to survive. ASIAN ACTION: Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is sponsoring a reception at noon Tuesday on the concourse level of the James R. Thompson Center — celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and recognizing the contributions of community activists, leaders and humanitarians. Hosted by WGN-TV’s Nancy Loo, the event will feature keynote speaker Zhao Weiping, the Chinese consul-general, plus performances by the St. Therese Chinese Catholic School, and the Flying Fairies and Transfiguration dance troupes. MOMS’ MOMENT: There was a lovely surprise for the Tenors at the singing stars’ Sunday concert at the Auditorium Theatre. Unbeknownst to Remigo Pereira, Fraser Walters, Clifton Murray and Victor Micallef — their moms Joana Pereira, Lynn Walters, Deborah Murray and Margaret Micallef showed up to surprise them! It was a very nice Mother’s Day gift for both the moms and their boys, who have performed around the globe with such superstars as Celine Dion, Paul McCartney and Sting. TAKE A BOW: Noted artist Thomas Blackshear, a 1977 graduate of Our Town’s American Academy of Art, was honored by his alma mater with the school’s 2013 Distinguished Alumnus Award. Blackshear, whose artwork has included paintings, collectible plates and U.S. postage designs, is perhaps most recognized for developing the first best-selling line of figurines for the African-American market — Ebony Visions. SEEN ON THE SCENE: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the keynote speaker at the special dinner held at Spiaggia Private Events marking DePaul University’s centennial celebration for its law, business and music schools. … WGN-AM’s “Mr. Fix-It” — Lou Manfredini — broadcast his show live Saturday from the Weber Grill in Schaumburg, shortly after Dave Coulier (“Full House”) lunched at the eatery while in town for his gig at Chicago Improv at Woodfield Mall. … Here promoting her new “Read My Lips” memoir, Oscar nominee Sally Kellerman dined at La Scarola with Chicago pals Carol Yonover and Marty Gepsman. … Hub 51 was the eatery of choice for the Hawks’ Viktor Stalburg and (separately) L.A. Angels pitcher Michael Kohn. ... Miami Heat team president Pat Riley was spied lunching at Bar Toma with his wife.


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