by Dee | Jan 21, 2016 | Featured, Glo Arts & Entertainment
The National Television Awards which took place at the O2 last night, was brilliantly hosted by Dermot O’Leary and paid tribute to the industry greats from the British Public votes.
The usual programmes and presenters such as Downton Abbey, Eastenders and Ant and Dec were recognised and rewarded, but the night was completely turned on its head when our legendary Billy Connolly was presented with the Special Recognition Award by International Icon Dustin Hoffman.
Now suffering from Parkinson’s disease, our iconic comedian braved the steep climb to the stage alone. He delivered sharp witty dialogue in spite of his physical disadvantage and brought tears to our eyes as he bantered true Connolly style with his fellow artists.
The standing ovation from the entire audience of superstars and supporters was evidence of his long standing successful career as a comedian, presenter and movie actor and how much he is loved.
Our very own Judy Dench stood witness to his sensitivity and gift for putting fellow performers at ease, and Dustin Hoffman also paid homage to the talent of the man.
The night was fun and entertaining, but it left me with a question and investigation into this debilitating disease. Parkinson’s is still a mystery, its causes are still unexplained and the disease has affected so many prominent figures in entertainment and the public eye.
Johnny Cash and fighter Muhammad Ali, evangelist Billy Graham who is still alive at 94, singer Linda Ronstadt and the late Bob Hoskins are all victims of Parkinson’s and many many more.
I am not here to spoil the occasion, but like anything we do not want to face, we tend to sweep it under the carpet. Seeing someone we know and love like Billy Connolly has brought it to our attention, and perhaps has helped in some way to make inroads into combatting this devastating disease.
Please go to www.parkinsons.org
by Dee | Jan 20, 2016 | Featured, Glo Arts & Entertainment
We have so much media pressure to defy the ageing process and maintain eternal youth.
Models in magazines are airbrushed to look a size zero, with the promise that if we achieve this unattainable goal, we will meet our prince and live happily after. This is of course complete fantasy and one that has been blamed for a multitude of conditions in young women, bulimia especially.
So what are we doing to prevent this insanity which in spite of the bad PR, still reigns in our glossy magazines.
On the other hand, it is also propagated that we have moved on in so many ways. Those who are of a certain smaller than average height are no longer on display as circus freaks or referred to as midgets, and others with disabilities or conditions such as epilepsy are no longer shamefully locked away by their embarrassed parents at birth (it even happened in our Royal Family).
There was an issue this week with a female who had served in the Army for a number of years, and had suffered severe stress through exposure to terrifying events abroad. The Army had ignored her pleas of help as her mental state deteriorated, and refused to help her. So have we really made that much progress?
Our very own Idris Elba in parliament this week was speaking out about racism within the film industry. Fortunately, Idris has made his mark as the unforgiving Luther in the named series. Let us hope that this penetrates the crusty walls of the walk of fame and will kick some grit in the faces of the offenders.
Turning the ‘freak show’ repulsion on its head, it would be good for you to google Actor and Presenter Adam Pearson, who suffers with the rare condition neurofibromatosis. Adam journeyed across America to explore the world of freak shows for a new BBC3 documentary. His tales of meeting people who use their medical conditions to educate, entertain and make money, and to explain how his opinion on exploitive side shows has changed after meeting these extraordinary people.
Another great book for you to read is by campaigner Rosie Moriarty-Simmonds biography Four Fingers and Thirteen Toes, whose account of growing up in the fifties having been affected by Thalidomide, is both emotional and inspiring.
I was so happy to see the Thalidomide story was covered in this week’s Call the Midwife. Producers used Rosie Moriarty-Simmonds’ biography to help with the plot after she wrote to demand the BBC drama tackled the subject.
The issue of respecting our differences is a complex issue, and one that raises the question time and time again – how do we define normal? We would like to hear from you with any experiences or opinions on this emotive subject, after all it is now in our hands.
by Dee | Jan 12, 2016 | Featured, Glo Arts & Entertainment
As we say goodbye to another icon in the World of showbiz, we look back over the past fifty years to discover that like so many famous legendary performers, David spent his formative years in the urban streets of South London before venturing into the precarious world of popular music.
I met David Bowie myself many years ago at the National Theatre through a mutual friend and felt then that I was in the presence of a major star. Perhaps it was his eyes which were varied in colour, or his very special charisma, which ultimately led him to revolutionise pop culture as it was in the sixties with his glam rock image and ground breaking lyrics.
David Bowie was a sensitive and fiercely ultruistic artist who took no prisoners at the time when rock n roll was in a state of flux.
His death has shocked the World as his influences span generations and continents. A message was received this morning from a space station who commented on his remarkable inspiration to astronauts and stargazers with his magical songs and insights into outer space.
I also remember David as an intelligent artist, whose passion swept across the world with his unchallenged vision and creativity. Such a legend, and one who will remain in our hearts forever.
David left a message for all of us to look up at the sky as he will be smiling down on us from heaven. I have no doubt that this is the case, and hope that you will join us all at GloTIME.tv to pay homage to a great man from humble beginnings, who revolutionised our society in so many ways.
