He's the man who "invented world music" and who created the first ever music video using Plasticine. Yes, we're talking about '70s rock legend Brian Pern - the frontman of Thotch.
Ok, Brian Pern might not be real, but Simon Day and Rhys Thomas's surreal music doc spoof is so on the money, it feels like Pern and Thotch are very much the bona fide article. Is the Day of the Triffids album not on iTunes yet?
With incredible guest appearances from the likes of Roger Moore, Martin Freeman and Kathy Burke, Brian Pern: A Life in Rock is the funniest TV show on right now.
We caught up with Day and Thomas to chat about its success.
First things first, I was a huge fan of your last comedy show Bellamy's People.
Simon Day: "Oh, don't get us started on that."
Honestly, I loved it. That didn't get a second series.
Ok, Brian Pern might not be real, but Simon Day and Rhys Thomas's surreal music doc spoof is so on the money, it feels like Pern and Thotch are very much the bona fide article. Is the Day of the Triffids album not on iTunes yet?
With incredible guest appearances from the likes of Roger Moore, Martin Freeman and Kathy Burke, Brian Pern: A Life in Rock is the funniest TV show on right now.
We caught up with Day and Thomas to chat about its success.
First things first, I was a huge fan of your last comedy show Bellamy's People.
Simon Day: "Oh, don't get us started on that."
Honestly, I loved it. That didn't get a second series.
- 12/16/2014
- Digital Spy
Bob Blakeley has had a crazy couple of months. He auditioned for The Voice, but there was public outrage when none of the coaches turned for him. Not to worry, though, because Mike Batt offered him a record deal live on BBC Breakfast and his debut album Performance is out tomorrow. You see? Crazy! Bob chatted to Digital Spy about his surprising journey...
"I was working in a chilled warehouse before The Voice. You'd start at six in the morning, and you'd get an order that you'd have to go and complete by walking through the different aisles and picking up different things. I'd do that for ten hours a day - it was a long day."
"My daughter Joanne applied for The Voice for me online. I started doing pubs and clubs in 2007 and I used to practise songs in the bedroom, and Joanne used to come up and use the PC,...
"I was working in a chilled warehouse before The Voice. You'd start at six in the morning, and you'd get an order that you'd have to go and complete by walking through the different aisles and picking up different things. I'd do that for ten hours a day - it was a long day."
"My daughter Joanne applied for The Voice for me online. I started doing pubs and clubs in 2007 and I used to practise songs in the bedroom, and Joanne used to come up and use the PC,...
- 5/18/2014
- Digital Spy
The Voice auditionee Bob Blakeley has recorded a studio version of 'Cry Me A River' for his new album.
The 56-year-old grandfather left viewers in a spin after he failed to get any of the Voice coaches to turn for him, but Mike Batt later offered him a record deal live on BBC Breakfast.
Get an exclusive look at Bob Blakeley recording 'Cry Me A River' with a full orchestra for his album below:
Blakeley told Digital Spy that going on The Voice was "absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt" the best thing that happened to him.
"If I hadn't gone on the show, I wouldn't have met Mike Batt and had a chance of being in the studio discovering the genius that Mike is," he said. "[After the audition], even though it was a difficult couple of days after the chairs didn't turn around, the surprise came when Mike appeared on...
The 56-year-old grandfather left viewers in a spin after he failed to get any of the Voice coaches to turn for him, but Mike Batt later offered him a record deal live on BBC Breakfast.
Get an exclusive look at Bob Blakeley recording 'Cry Me A River' with a full orchestra for his album below:
Blakeley told Digital Spy that going on The Voice was "absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt" the best thing that happened to him.
"If I hadn't gone on the show, I wouldn't have met Mike Batt and had a chance of being in the studio discovering the genius that Mike is," he said. "[After the audition], even though it was a difficult couple of days after the chairs didn't turn around, the surprise came when Mike appeared on...
- 4/11/2014
- Digital Spy
It's game show heaven on television right now. Not only do we have all sorts of new formats making their way to screen, but some old favourites are getting a second lease of life, too - from Fifteen to One (airing daily on Channel 4) to the second series of the revived Catchphrase (Sundays on ITV.) But it got us thinking - what other game shows would we like to see return to our living rooms?
Well, we asked that very question to Fifteen to One's Sandi Toksvig and Catchphrase's Stephen Mulhern - and then had a bit of office debate about our own favourites...
You Bet! - Stephen Mulhern (Host, Catchphrase)
"This is an easy question: You Bet! It was one of my favourite TV shows and Matthew Kelly was one of my favourite presenters. I love it.
"I can give you some great examples that still amaze me to this day.
Well, we asked that very question to Fifteen to One's Sandi Toksvig and Catchphrase's Stephen Mulhern - and then had a bit of office debate about our own favourites...
You Bet! - Stephen Mulhern (Host, Catchphrase)
"This is an easy question: You Bet! It was one of my favourite TV shows and Matthew Kelly was one of my favourite presenters. I love it.
"I can give you some great examples that still amaze me to this day.
- 4/8/2014
- Digital Spy
Failed The Voice UK contestant Bob Blakeley has been reduced to tears after being offered a six-month deal with music industry expert Mike Batt on live TV.
Viewers were left outraged after the coaches failed to turn for Blakeley's barnstorming performance of 'Cry Me a River' on Saturday's (January 18) episode.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast this morning (January 23), the 55-year-old was stunned to receive a surprise message from Batt - who wrote 'Bright Eyes' and discovered Katie Melua - offering his services as a mentor to try to land him a record deal, potentially with his own label, Dramatico.
"Usually when the chairs don't turn around you think, fair enough, but he was just so phenomenal," Batt said. "I just felt such a sense of injustice that I thought I ought to do something.
"I would like to be the fifth person that did turn round... I would love to mentor you,...
Viewers were left outraged after the coaches failed to turn for Blakeley's barnstorming performance of 'Cry Me a River' on Saturday's (January 18) episode.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast this morning (January 23), the 55-year-old was stunned to receive a surprise message from Batt - who wrote 'Bright Eyes' and discovered Katie Melua - offering his services as a mentor to try to land him a record deal, potentially with his own label, Dramatico.
"Usually when the chairs don't turn around you think, fair enough, but he was just so phenomenal," Batt said. "I just felt such a sense of injustice that I thought I ought to do something.
"I would like to be the fifth person that did turn round... I would love to mentor you,...
- 1/23/2014
- Digital Spy
The Wombles will make a TV comeback in 2015 on Channel 5, it has been confirmed.
Channel 5's pre-school strand Milkshake has snapped up the rights to the classic children's characters, who first became popular on TV in the 1970s.
"This show was so loved by generations of children and the time is right for it to gain a whole new following," said Channel 5's head of children's TV Jessica Symons.
"The stories and characters are as compelling as ever and we're excited to welcome The Wombles to Milkshake."
Dramatico Animation Ltd will be creating 52 episodes of The Wombles, which will now be animated in CGI.
Mike Batt, who now owns the rights to The Wombles and wrote the programme's original theme tune, said: "It will look more like stop motion but with great fur.
"We believe that there are audiences of new children who missed The Wombles the first time around...
Channel 5's pre-school strand Milkshake has snapped up the rights to the classic children's characters, who first became popular on TV in the 1970s.
"This show was so loved by generations of children and the time is right for it to gain a whole new following," said Channel 5's head of children's TV Jessica Symons.
"The stories and characters are as compelling as ever and we're excited to welcome The Wombles to Milkshake."
Dramatico Animation Ltd will be creating 52 episodes of The Wombles, which will now be animated in CGI.
Mike Batt, who now owns the rights to The Wombles and wrote the programme's original theme tune, said: "It will look more like stop motion but with great fur.
"We believe that there are audiences of new children who missed The Wombles the first time around...
- 8/28/2013
- Digital Spy
Mike Batt reveals big plans for the furry orange eco-creatures from Wimbledon Common, including a movie, new series and 'interactive experience'
Missing believed lost on Wimbledon common, the Wombles could be set for a big-screen return under the auspices of co-creator Mike Batt. The gentle, point-nosed eco-activists were a mainstay of British television in the 1970s, going on to enjoy film and chart success. And now, it seems, they could be back.
The British songwriter Batt recently gained a controlling interest in Wombling Copyright Holdings, the company that owns the creatures and is now angling for a major relaunch. Batt previously enjoyed a 50-50 share of the company with the estate of the author Elizabeth Beresford, who wrote the original Wombles story back in 1968.
"We have plans for two new 26-part TV series, a feature-length movie and an interactive Womble World experience," announced Batt.
He added: "We think there are...
Missing believed lost on Wimbledon common, the Wombles could be set for a big-screen return under the auspices of co-creator Mike Batt. The gentle, point-nosed eco-activists were a mainstay of British television in the 1970s, going on to enjoy film and chart success. And now, it seems, they could be back.
The British songwriter Batt recently gained a controlling interest in Wombling Copyright Holdings, the company that owns the creatures and is now angling for a major relaunch. Batt previously enjoyed a 50-50 share of the company with the estate of the author Elizabeth Beresford, who wrote the original Wombles story back in 1968.
"We have plans for two new 26-part TV series, a feature-length movie and an interactive Womble World experience," announced Batt.
He added: "We think there are...
- 8/12/2013
- by Xan Brooks
- The Guardian - Film News
News Louisa Mellor 9 Aug 2013 - 15:35
The Wombles co-creator Mike Batt has announced plans for a Wombles revival, including a TV series, movie, and a Womble World Experience...
Hugo Myatt is playing Tregard again, Peter Lord wants to take Morph out of the mothballs, and now Mike Batt, Wombles and Katie Melua song-writer extraordinaire, has announced plans to bring the Wombles back in force. Make Fruit Salads 1p again, reintroduce Baker Days, and let us gorge on school dinners made entirely from trans fats, and the time tunnel to our childhoods will be complete.
The Guardian reports that following his gaining a controlling interest in Wombling Copyright Holdings (now there's a company name), co-creator Mike Batt wishes to bring the eco-conscious characters back with "two new 26-part TV series, a feature-length movie and an interactive Womble World experience". Batt continued, "We think there are audiences of new children and international...
The Wombles co-creator Mike Batt has announced plans for a Wombles revival, including a TV series, movie, and a Womble World Experience...
Hugo Myatt is playing Tregard again, Peter Lord wants to take Morph out of the mothballs, and now Mike Batt, Wombles and Katie Melua song-writer extraordinaire, has announced plans to bring the Wombles back in force. Make Fruit Salads 1p again, reintroduce Baker Days, and let us gorge on school dinners made entirely from trans fats, and the time tunnel to our childhoods will be complete.
The Guardian reports that following his gaining a controlling interest in Wombling Copyright Holdings (now there's a company name), co-creator Mike Batt wishes to bring the eco-conscious characters back with "two new 26-part TV series, a feature-length movie and an interactive Womble World experience". Batt continued, "We think there are audiences of new children and international...
- 8/9/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
The Wombles may return in a new TV series and feature film.
Mike Batt - who helped turn the children's TV characters into popstars in the 1970s - has outlined plans to bring back the Wombles after acquiring the rights to the brand.
The songwriter announced to his fans that his firm now has the major shareholding in Wombles Copyright Holdings, after having a 50-50 share for many years with the estate of author Elisabeth Beresford.
He wrote: "Suffice to say we have plans for two new 26-part TV series, a feature-length movie and an interactive online Wombles World experience.
"We think the Wombles characters are timeless, funny and lovable, and we can assure the Beresford estate that we shall protect and look after the quality and integrity of the characters as we always have done.
"We think there are audiences of new children and international audiences who missed the...
Mike Batt - who helped turn the children's TV characters into popstars in the 1970s - has outlined plans to bring back the Wombles after acquiring the rights to the brand.
The songwriter announced to his fans that his firm now has the major shareholding in Wombles Copyright Holdings, after having a 50-50 share for many years with the estate of author Elisabeth Beresford.
He wrote: "Suffice to say we have plans for two new 26-part TV series, a feature-length movie and an interactive online Wombles World experience.
"We think the Wombles characters are timeless, funny and lovable, and we can assure the Beresford estate that we shall protect and look after the quality and integrity of the characters as we always have done.
"We think there are audiences of new children and international audiences who missed the...
- 8/9/2013
- Digital Spy
The Wombles may return in a new TV series and feature film.
Mike Batt - who helped turn the children's TV characters into popstars in the 1970s - has outlined plans to bring back the Wombles after acquiring the rights to the brand.
The songwriter announced to his fans that his firm now has the major shareholding in Wombles Copyright Holdings, after having a 50-50 share for many years with the estate of author Elisabeth Beresford.
He wrote: "Suffice to say we have plans for two new 26-part TV series, a feature-length movie and an interactive online Wombles World experience.
"We think the Wombles characters are timeless, funny and lovable, and we can assure the Beresford estate that we shall protect and look after the quality and integrity of the characters as we always have done.
"We think there are audiences of new children and international audiences who missed the...
Mike Batt - who helped turn the children's TV characters into popstars in the 1970s - has outlined plans to bring back the Wombles after acquiring the rights to the brand.
The songwriter announced to his fans that his firm now has the major shareholding in Wombles Copyright Holdings, after having a 50-50 share for many years with the estate of author Elisabeth Beresford.
He wrote: "Suffice to say we have plans for two new 26-part TV series, a feature-length movie and an interactive online Wombles World experience.
"We think the Wombles characters are timeless, funny and lovable, and we can assure the Beresford estate that we shall protect and look after the quality and integrity of the characters as we always have done.
"We think there are audiences of new children and international audiences who missed the...
- 8/9/2013
- Digital Spy
Katie Melua got married on Saturday (01.09.12). The 27-year-old singer tied the knot with former World Superbike champion James Toseland in a lavish ceremony at the Nash Conservatory at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London. Among the 200 wedding guests were music producer William Orbit and composer Mike Batt as well as Prince Pieter-Christiaan Michiel of the Netherlands. The 'Nine Million Bicycles' singer wore an off-white beaded dress by bridal designer Claire Pettibone, her spokeswoman has confirmed. Katie and James have been together since April 2011 after meeting at one of her concerts in Sheffield, North England. The pair got engaged in January...
- 9/3/2012
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Katie Melua got married on Saturday (01.09.12). The 27-year-old singer tied the knot with former World Superbike champion James Toseland in a lavish ceremony at the Nash Conservatory at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London. Among the 200 wedding guests were music producer William Orbit and composer Mike Batt as well as Prince Pieter-Christiaan Michiel of the Netherlands. The 'Nine Million Bicycles' singer wore an off-white beaded dress by bridal designer Claire Pettibone, her spokeswoman has confirmed. Katie and James have been together since April 2011 after meeting at one of her concerts in Sheffield, North England. The pair got engaged in January after the former MotoGP star - who quit the sport in September 2011 after breaking both...
- 9/3/2012
- Monsters and Critics
Katie Melua has announced plans to unveil a new album later this year. The singer will release Secret Symphony, which will see her backed by the Secret Symphony Orchestra, on November 14 in the UK. The album was recorded at Air Studios in London in collaboration with orchestrator and conductor Mike Batt. Melua said in a statement: "This album was going to be my 'singer's album'. I had always wanted to do this one day; singing other people's songs brings something out of you and your voice that isn't perhaps where you would have gone vocally with your own material." She added: "It stretches you. As it happened Mike and I did write a couple (more)...
- 9/8/2011
- by By Lewis Corner
- Digital Spy
Michael Eavis has said that it was "a bit of a mistake" that The Wombles have been booked for Glastonbury. The festival founder expressed his dismay that the band, which is based on the characters created by Elisabeth Beresford, will play the Avalon stage on June 26, BBC News reports. Eavis said: "I've got about 25 stages and managers and bookers for each of the stages. I can't control every single one of them but I do get cross about that kind of thing." Wombles band creator Mike Batt countered: "He probably doesn't realise what a fantastic live act The Wombles are. "Uncle Bulgaria told me he thinks Mr Eavis is probably perfectly (more)...
- 6/9/2011
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Prolific writer who enjoyed her greatest success with the recycling Wombles
Elisabeth Beresford, who has died aged 84, enjoyed her greatest success with the creation of the Wombles. The family motto of the colourful underground creatures – "making good use of bad rubbish" – sprang from a concern of the writer's that chimed with the growing ecological awareness of the next four decades. Famously, the inspiration for the figures came on a Boxing Day walk on Wimbledon Common, south-west London, during which her daughter, Kate, misnamed it Wombledon Common.
As elsewhere with Beresford's work, the point of departure was real – here, the place and the characters, largely drawn from uncles, grandparents, siblings and her children: Marcus, her son, genial and interested in food, inspired Orinoco; Kate inspired Bungo, a strong character in the books, though not in the films.
Their underground and above-ground adventures begin simply; in The Wombles (1968) the characters do little...
Elisabeth Beresford, who has died aged 84, enjoyed her greatest success with the creation of the Wombles. The family motto of the colourful underground creatures – "making good use of bad rubbish" – sprang from a concern of the writer's that chimed with the growing ecological awareness of the next four decades. Famously, the inspiration for the figures came on a Boxing Day walk on Wimbledon Common, south-west London, during which her daughter, Kate, misnamed it Wombledon Common.
As elsewhere with Beresford's work, the point of departure was real – here, the place and the characters, largely drawn from uncles, grandparents, siblings and her children: Marcus, her son, genial and interested in food, inspired Orinoco; Kate inspired Bungo, a strong character in the books, though not in the films.
Their underground and above-ground adventures begin simply; in The Wombles (1968) the characters do little...
- 12/27/2010
- by Julia Eccleshare
- The Guardian - Film News
"The Flintstones" has topped a poll of the most memorable children's TV theme songs. The opening music for the U.S. cartoon, about a stone age family, was named the most recognizable of any kids' program, pushing "Top Cat" into second place.
The survey of 2,000 adults in the U.K., conducted by Prs for Music, featured "Postman Pat" in third, while "Scooby Doo" and "The Wombles" took the fourth and fifth positions respectively. But "The Wombles" composer Mike Batt insists his ditty should have charted higher in the top five.
He jokes, "Life is one big scramble for success and although I've had my ups, I am mortified to see that I made it only to number five compared to 'Postman Pat' at number three. I demand a recount!"
The Flintstones, whose theme was written by Hoyt Curtin, Joseph Barbera and William Hanna, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.
The survey of 2,000 adults in the U.K., conducted by Prs for Music, featured "Postman Pat" in third, while "Scooby Doo" and "The Wombles" took the fourth and fifth positions respectively. But "The Wombles" composer Mike Batt insists his ditty should have charted higher in the top five.
He jokes, "Life is one big scramble for success and although I've had my ups, I am mortified to see that I made it only to number five compared to 'Postman Pat' at number three. I demand a recount!"
The Flintstones, whose theme was written by Hoyt Curtin, Joseph Barbera and William Hanna, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.
- 8/11/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
If you haven't heard of folk/pop singer-songwriter Katie Melua, pull up a chair. If you have, then you know that this raven-haired 25 year-old is taking the music world by storm. As one of Britain's most successful artists of the past decade, she has come a long way, baby, and in a very short period of time. She made her musical debut in 2003 at the age of 19 with the album Call off the Search which sold 1.8 million copies in its first five months. Her sophomore album Piece by Piece, which includes the hit "Nine Million Bicycles," went platinum four times, making her the U.K.'s best selling female artist and Europe's highest selling female artist by 2006. Her first two albums became international #1 hits. Her third album titled Pictures was the last in a "trilogy of collaborations" with writer/producer Mike Blatt. During the first half of 2009, Katie came to...
- 8/4/2010
- by jmaurer@corp.popstar.com (Jennifer Maurer)
- PopStar
katie Melua has admitted that she missed working with her long-time co-writer and producer on her new album. The singer, who took full creative control on new LP The House, revealed that she initially made "appalling" music without usual collaborator Mike Batt. "I did go through a phase of reading a lot of poetry and getting heavily into philosophy and ended up writing things that weren't really in a musical format, which I put to some very electronic-based backing," she told The Daily Telegraph. "I was also screaming quite loud. It was appalling, I would not wish that on anyone. I kind of feel the most natural (more)...
- 5/7/2010
- by By Robert Copsey
- Digital Spy
Singer Katie Melua had to calm her fans down after they became worried about a minor diving accident she suffered during the weekend. She explained that the incident was "all my own fault."
Fans became concerned after the 25-year-old singer's collaborator, Mike Batt, wrote on his Twitter account last weekend that "Katie Melua went diving yesterday and had an 'I'm about to die' moment when her air supply was cut off, nearly drowning her. That girl!'"
Melua, whose debut album "Call off the Search" reached the top of the U.K. album charts in 2003, explained to her followers that she's fine after the minor incident.
She wrote on her blog, "I had a small incident with air supply last Saturday. Mike (@Mike_Batt) tweeted about me nearly drowning. the incident was all my own fault. What kind of nutter goes scuba diving in December in a lake near Heathrow airport?...
Fans became concerned after the 25-year-old singer's collaborator, Mike Batt, wrote on his Twitter account last weekend that "Katie Melua went diving yesterday and had an 'I'm about to die' moment when her air supply was cut off, nearly drowning her. That girl!'"
Melua, whose debut album "Call off the Search" reached the top of the U.K. album charts in 2003, explained to her followers that she's fine after the minor incident.
She wrote on her blog, "I had a small incident with air supply last Saturday. Mike (@Mike_Batt) tweeted about me nearly drowning. the incident was all my own fault. What kind of nutter goes scuba diving in December in a lake near Heathrow airport?...
- 12/4/2009
- icelebz.com
The composer of the theme song from Watership Down has reportedly ordered a rabbit cull on his English estate. A spokeswoman said that Mike Batt, 59, felt terrible after hiring a marksman to bring the lapine population under control at his Surrey home. His song 'Bright Eyes' was used in the 1978 animation, which tells of a group of rabbits fleeing their doomed warren and overcoming (more)...
- 4/18/2009
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
BRUSSELS -- A delegation of top music bosses in Brussels on Thursday appealed to EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson to get tough with China over its rampant Internet piracy, estimated at more than 99% of the total Chinese digital market.
The visiting music chiefs told Mandelson that piracy has escalated dramatically in China despite repeated warnings from EU and U.S. officials.
The delegation, led by IFPI chairman and CEO John Kennedy, included Sony BMG Music Entertainment CEO Tim Bowen, EMI Music International chairman and CEO J.F. Cecillon, Universal Music Group International Asian Pacific president Max Hole and Dramatico Entertainment chairman Mike Batt.
"When the recording industry tries to defend its copyrights against online piracy in China, it is blocked by a combination of heavy procedural rules, woefully low levels of damages and injunctions too narrow to prevent ongoing infringement," Kennedy said. "Chinese law has simply not kept pace with the explosion of online piracy."
As well as hosting Internet pirates, China also produces the vast majority of the pirate DVDs, CDs and software currently sold in the U.S.
The visiting music chiefs told Mandelson that piracy has escalated dramatically in China despite repeated warnings from EU and U.S. officials.
The delegation, led by IFPI chairman and CEO John Kennedy, included Sony BMG Music Entertainment CEO Tim Bowen, EMI Music International chairman and CEO J.F. Cecillon, Universal Music Group International Asian Pacific president Max Hole and Dramatico Entertainment chairman Mike Batt.
"When the recording industry tries to defend its copyrights against online piracy in China, it is blocked by a combination of heavy procedural rules, woefully low levels of damages and injunctions too narrow to prevent ongoing infringement," Kennedy said. "Chinese law has simply not kept pace with the explosion of online piracy."
As well as hosting Internet pirates, China also produces the vast majority of the pirate DVDs, CDs and software currently sold in the U.S.
- 11/16/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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