Archive for December 9th, 2008
Oliver Postgate, Creator of UK’s ‘Bagpuss’, Dies at 83
Oliver Postgate, creator of the acclaimed UK children’s television series Bagpuss, Pingwings, Ivor the Engine, The Clangers, and Noggin the Nog, has died at 83.
[Oliver] Postgate, who lived in Kent, created some of the best-loved children’s TV series including Ivor the Engine, the Clangers and Noggin the Nog.
His work, screened on the BBC and ITV from the 1950s to the present day, was often in collaboration with the artist and puppeteer Peter Firmin.
In a poll earlier this year, Bagpuss, a saggy pink cloth cat, was voted the best TV animal of all-time.
Postgate’s partner, Naomi Linnell, confirmed he died at a nursing home near his home in Broadstairs in Kent on Monday.
Tags: Culture | TV | Entertainment | television | UK | england | animation | Series | childrens tv | Bagpuss | Ivor the Engine | oliver postgate dies | bagpuss creator dies | the clangers | noggin the nog | oliver postgate
iTunes Rumoured to Begin Selling DRM-Free Music on Tuesday
Although you could go to Amazon and buy any song completely free of DRM, Apple and its iTunes music service have been slow to come around on the prospect of releasing control of “digital rights management” for tunes purchased through iTunes Store.
Until today, that is.
Tech rumours were flying on Monday that, as of December 9th, Apple will remove DRM on songs published by the remaining major record labels: Sony, Universal and Warner.
Has it happened? What do you think?
Apple is believed to be on the verge of an end-of-year push that would start by finally offering unprotected iTunes Store music from all major labels and would switch a special post-holiday campaign giving away music and videos to Europeans.
A report from last week brought to AppleInsider’s attention by French technology site ElectronLibre asserts that it’s now “clear” Apple will spark new interest in its music store by removing DRM from tracks published by Sony, Universal and Warner on December 9th.
Tags: Music | Technology | itunes | sony | MP3 | drm | WARNER | universal | digital rights management | Drm-free | apple itunes | Tech & Biz
Scott Ruffalo, Brother of Actor Mark Ruffalo, Dies at 39
Actor Mark Ruffalo’s brother Scott Ruffalo has died in Los Angeles at the age of 39, after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.
Police tell ET that the brother of actor Mark Ruffalo has passed away.
According to the report, 39-year-old Scott Ruffalo died late Monday night at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in L.A. one week after he was shot in the head.
As ET reported yesterday, two people described by police as “persons of interest” have turned themselves in.
Other reports have named the persons of interest as follows:
One suspect, Shaha Mishaal Adham, is in custody. She and a friend, Brian Scofield, turned themselves in Monday to Beverly Hills police.
Tags: Culture | Entertainment | hollywood | Los Angeles | Celebrity | actor | Mark ruffalo brother dies | scott ruffalo dies
Blur Announce Reunion Concert for July 2009
Not only are Blur reuniting and not only are they rumoured to be working on a new album, but the band has also confirmed its first conert — in fully reunited form — since 2000.
Blur will perform in Hyde Park on July 3, 2009.
How’s that for some good news for a change!
After much dilly-dallying, Blur have FINALLY confirmed that they are indeed reuniting, for real this time. Damon Albarn, Alex James, Dave Rowntree, and, yes, Graham Coxon will take the stage for a concert at London’s Hyde Park on July 3, 2009. This will be their first full-lineup performance since 2000.
Tags: Culture | Music | Entertainment | Concert | London | UK | blur | Hyde Park | blur new album | blur reunion | blur reunite
Rae Drops Out of Canadian Liberal Leadership Race, Leaving Ignatieff
The perilous journey of Canadian politics in recent weeks has taken another fascinating turn: Bob Rae is stepping
On Monday, current Liberal leader Stephane Dion announced his intention to resign as party leader once his successor was “duly chosen”, just hours after Dominic LeBlanc withdrew from the leadership race.
That left only Mr. Rae and Michael Ignatieff in contention to lead the party, however, Tuesday morning Bob Rae announced that he “will withdraw from the Liberal leadership race” — leaving Ignatieff as the sole contender.
Toronto MP Bob Rae will withdraw from the Liberal leadership race on Tuesday, paving the way for Michael Ignatieff to serve as the party’s next leader, CBC News has confirmed.
Rae is scheduled to hold a news conference in Ottawa early Tuesday afternoon, when he is expected to announce his decision.
His departure leaves Ignatieff as the sole contender.
New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc announced Monday he was ending his leadership campaign and throwing his support behind Ignatieff.
Tags: World | Liberal Leadership | Bob Rae | Michael Ignatieff | bob rae drops out | canada politics
