ALL SOLD OUT...
Tickets have already sold out for three nights of the six-night season of the 2003 Montana Wearable Arts Awards in Nelson in September. Chief executive Gabrielle Hervey says the decision to extend the show season over two weekends and six nights was obviously right. Demand for seats continues to grow each year. Entries are flowing in for the event from all over the world and judging starts in July. So if you're thinking of going to see this extraordinary show don't leave it too long. I'm looking forward to seeing it.
CONSERVATIVELY DRESSED GRANDPARENTS...
The American toy manufacturer Mattel has just announced a pending arrival to the KEN and BARBIE family. They're going to launch Barbie's grandparents. The plastic pensioners will be dressed very conservatively in comfy cardies and sensible clothes and shoes. There'll be no sign of silicon enhancement on these senior citizen dolls - and their figures will have a case of middle age spread. The grandparents will arrive in US stores for the Christmas market.
CONFUSED MISS WORLD...
In the NZ Herald on March 29 they said of the current Miss World AZRA AKIN: 'The 21-year-old will become the first crowned Miss World to visit New Zealand when she touches down in May.' Someone hasn't done their homework. I know of Four reigning Miss Worlds who have visited us. First Miss World 1964 was the UK's Ann Sydney, then Miss World 1979 - Bermuda's Gina Swainson - who the late Joe Brown brought out for Miss NZ and to promote his cosmetic face cream called Summer Magic. Miss World 1972, Australia's Belinda Greeb paid us a visit and Miss World 1981 - Venezuela's Pilin Leon - was here for Miss NZ in Dunedin.
MARRIAGE ON THE ROCKS...
A very tearful Tracy Shaw - who played Maxine Peacock on Coronation Street - is fighting to save her marriage to TV producer Robert Ashworth. Tracy, 29, looked upset as she took a mobile phonecall and then told friends recently: 'I am devastated. He thinks we've gone too far and it's over but I want us to stay married.' The actress revealed her concerns to the cast of The Blue Room, in which she is starring in Sussex in England. Her husband Robert wants to divorce her and Tracy is desperately battling to save their rocky 21-month marriage. Robert, 30, is feeling the strain of being at their Manchester home while she's away bearing all in the sexy theatre production.
NZ REALITY TV...
Touchdown is also auditioning groups to take part in the reality series to screen on TV2 next month. Sources say the set will be hi-tech and the show will be live. It will be a similar format to The Amazing Race, where teams being sent on a scavenger hunt-style race around the globe.
CHARLIES ANGELS IN SYDNEY...
I've Heard Drew Barrymore, Lucy Lui and Cameron Diaz will be in Sydney in June to promote the second Charlie's Angels film. And I hear a whisper that
the three angels will jump the ditch for a day's promotion in Auckland on the way back to Los Angeles.
REGULAR VIEWERS LOSS OF MEMORY?
Have regular Shortland Street viewers noticed that Dr Chris Warner's mother of the aristocratic Lady Warner - magically changed bodies? Once upon a time Lady Warner was played by elegant Auckland actress Gylnis McNicol. But now - in fact, leading up to Lady Warner's untimely death - she magically changed into actress Dinah Priestly. Oh well, that's the illusion of TV - and highlights the rule that viewers shouldn't be encouraged to have good memories!
DANIEL AND EMBARRASING NIGHTMARES...
It's been reported in the English tabloids that Kiwi singer Daniel Bedingfield said - and I quote: 'On a flight home to New Zealand, I was sitting next to a posh English lawyer and fell asleep. I woke up on the floor, clutching his leg. 'He kept saying, 'It's OK, you're having a nightmare.' But I felt so embarrassed.' There's an old show business saying - any publicity is good publicity, it's only bad when they spell your name wrong or ask the question: What ever happened to...?
UP FOR ANOTHER AUSSIE OSCAR...
Kiwi actress Lisa Chappell is up for a Logie - the Aussie TV Oscar - again. Last year she won it for most popular new female talent. This year she's up
for a gold Logie for playing Claire McLeod in the Aussie series McLeod's Daughters under the banner of most popular actress. The awards show is on
May 11 in Melbourne, so good luck Lisa.
ALL SOLD OUT...