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Archives for June 2010

Special 1 TV: Thousands of Joses

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The Special One aka José Mourinho The Special One aka José Mourinho | 16:07 UK time, Wednesday, 30 June 2010

First there was the complaining about the altitude, then the Jabulani football, then the punditry and then the Fabio. And now the ladies are doing the complaining to me too about their man. So ladies, if you need to talk, I'm here for you. Do it!

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Do it to me...add your comment.

Blog me, and . Do it!

Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:
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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Find out when to watch Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Big Meets Bigger made Anne get smaller!

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Dana Stevens | 14:43 UK time, Wednesday, 30 June 2010

Big Meets Bigger is a brand new programme that sends overweight Brits abroad to live with even more obese people in the hope that it will shock them into a healthier lifestyle. And if the aim is to do the same for the viewer, I was certainly put off my food by the massive welcome meal in the first episode which featured pigs ears and feet complete with knuckles and claws!

Have a look at the welcome meal...

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The meal was laid on by 38-stone Deloris and her 23-stone sister Diane in Mississippi as they greet British girls Bex Upton and Anne Odeke. Despite the warm Southern welcome of the American sisters, the tragic effects of obesity on all areas of the sister's lives are truly shocking. Making the programme had a profound effect on Anne and I caught up with her to find out about the impact it has had on her life.

How did you first hear about the programme? Did you know what was involved when you signed up?

I happened to read about Big Meets Bigger when flicking through a magazine one afternoon last summer. The advert asked 'Are you aged 18-28? Do you love to travel? And do you love food?' I was a 'yes' to all of them! Originally I thought I was applying for a travel programme or some sort of quirky cookery show - how wrong could I have been?! I had no idea that eventually I would be involved in a programme that would make me stop and reflect on my own (bad) dietary habits.

What was it like living so closely with a family that you'd only just met?

At first I was quite worried about the idea of staying with another family. All sorts of thoughts went through my mind; What if they're crazy? What if they're annoying? What if they find me annoying?! Luckily they turned out to be a wonderful bunch of people; friendly, fun loving, generous and caring - I could go on and on. Deloris it has to be said was my favourite.

Anne and Doloris in Mississippi (Photo: Anne and Doloris in Mississippi)

What was the most significant part of the trip for you?

The most poignant moment for me was after having attended a church session with Deloris and Diane when they took us to the parish graveyard. It was here that they introduced us to their deceased relatives, many of whom, they explained, had died of illnesses related to obesity. I don't know why, but it was during this moment that I realised I had to turn my life around; otherwise I too would end up in a box in the ground because of my weight.

By the end, the trip seemed to have inspired you to make lots of positive changes. Have you continued with your new healthy lifestyle?

Yes I have and I'm very proud of myself. For the first time in my life I am very conscious about my health as I am now very aware of the consequences of being obese. I exercise 3 times a week, my food portions are much smaller and I have not touched a bowl of cheesy pasta since returning!

A slimmer and healthier Anne (Photo: Since returning from the USA Anne is now slimmer and healthier.)

You also vowed to make changes for your whole family including your boyfriend - how successful has that been?

My trip to Mississippi seems to have had a rippled effect on my family. My brother has lost weight, my dad has lost weight, my mum exercises more and as for Jon (my boyfriend) he too has become much more conscious of his eating habits and now exercises daily.

Anne and Bex in America (Photo: Anne and Bex in America)

Have you been in touch with Bex? In the film she seemed to be struggling more with making changes when she came home...

I certainly have been in touch with Bex. It was an honour to meet her and pleasure to spend ten days with her in Mississippi - I really couldn't have asked for a better trip buddy - she was lovely. I know that she has struggled with her weight for a very long time and I know how hard she finds it to lose weight but it is very difficult and anyone that says it's easy is lying. I know that one day Bex will find happiness in herself and when she does, the weight will start to drop off.

Anne after adopting a healthier lifestyle Are you still in touch with the family? Did Doloris stick to her promise that she made to you and Bex to eat more healthily?

I haven't spoken to the family since coming back. But I really hope they kept the promises they made to Bex and I - or else we'll have to go back and this time, we won't be so nice! (Take no prisoners!) He he!

What's the main thing you'll take away from making the programme?

That it is not 'ok' to be overweight. I know many people are happy being large but the bottom line is that it's not good for you. Yes, some overweight people may argue that they are fine and have nothing wrong with them medically but it will catch up with them one day and when it does, they shouldn't be surprised. I realise this sounds a very grim note to end on but sometimes honesty really is the best policy. I do not want people to end up suffering the same way as Deloris.

You can watch Anne Odeke's journey in Big Meets Bigger tomorrow, Thursday 1st July at 9pm.

Special 1 TV: Fabio Goes Gaga

Lots of talk about the Fabio and his management style. But not much talk about his karaoke style. Should he be considering new career as lounge singer? Blog me now. Do it!

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Do it to me...add your comment.

Blog me, and . Do it!

Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:
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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Find out when to watch Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Special 1 TV: Wayne's Africa

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The Special One aka José Mourinho The Special One aka José Mourinho | 12:10 UK time, Monday, 28 June 2010

Here is the boy Wayne entertaining his team mates. Boy Wayne hears the drums echoing in the night as the moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide him towards salvation, hoping to find some old forgotten words or ancient melodies.

He is fantastic! Do it!

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Do it to me...add your comment.

Blog me, and . Do it!

Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:
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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Find out when to watch Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Special 1 TV: Episode 4 Extended Online Version

While the England team celebrates its win against Slovenia, we tell you the real reason they managed to pull it together at the last minute. Also the Cowell on how he thinks World Cup elimination should be, Alex on his conversation with 'the boy' and Tom in LA celebrates the USA's success so far. Do it!

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Do it to me...add your comment.

Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:
Blog me, and . Do it!

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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Do it to The Special One...add your comment.

Special 1 TV: Least Fav TV Characters

Just as there are teams, footballers and managers we like and don't like, there are TV people also whom we like and don't like. Special 1 TV now reveals our least favourite TV characters. Do it!

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Do it to me...add your comment.

Don't forget to watch me in a brand new episode of Special 1 TV tonight at 11pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:
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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Do it to The Special One...add your comment.

Special 1 TV: Callers, Hello?

Special 1 TV gets hundreds of calls from viewers all over the world. Many unfortunately don't make it to air - here's a small selection of those unlucky callers. Do it!

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Do it to me, The Special One...add your comment.

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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

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Special 1 TV: Another Side To Fabio

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The Special One aka José Mourinho The Special One aka José Mourinho | 17:00 UK time, Wednesday, 23 June 2010

Dramatic scenes in South Africa today as England qualify to next round of . Special 1 TV has just been given this clip of Capello's pre-match team-talk. Is this unusual approach to motivating the squad part of the reason for the victory against the Slovenia? What next from Mr Capello? Do it!

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Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:
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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Do it to The Special One...add your comment.

Special 1 TV: Episode 3 extended online version

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The Special One aka José Mourinho The Special One aka José Mourinho | 22:30 UK time, Tuesday, 22 June 2010

In the aftermath of - we must ask why did it all go wrong? Exclusive footage obtained by Special 1 TV from inside the England dressing room before the game, may hold the key. And Alex and the Voyeur debate performances at the plus Special 1 TV's embedded reporter, Rafa, is on the ground inside the English camp ahead of the crucial game against .

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Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:
Blog me, and . Do it!

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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Do it to The Special One...add your comment.

Special 1 TV: Sven on England

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The Special One aka José Mourinho The Special One aka José Mourinho | 15:20 UK time, Tuesday, 22 June 2010

Ahead of against Slovenia tomorrow, Sven tells us what he expects from an English manager...like he'd know anything about football management. Do it!

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Don't miss tonight's episode of Special 1 TV at 10.30pm ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.
Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:
Blog me, and . Do it!

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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Do it to The Special One...add your comment.

Special 1 TV: Wayne's Word - Vuvuzela

With everything that's going on in the there seems to be more talk about the than anything else. But what are they? Wayne informs. Do it!

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Don't miss the next episode of Special 1 TV on Tuesday at 10.30pm ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.
Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:
Blog me, and . Do it!

Follow me and my friends on Twitter: .

Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Do it to The Special One...add your comment.

Special 1 TV: A Crime

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The Special One aka José Mourinho The Special One aka José Mourinho | 16:16 UK time, Friday, 18 June 2010

While everyone is sitting back enjoying and complaining about the Vuvuzela, there are others like 'Robbie' for whom the World Cup is nothing but a sharp reminder of a crime they recently suffered at the hands of a man called Henry - probably not his first name.
Wayne explains. Do it Wayne.

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Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:
Blog me, and . Do it!

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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Do it to The Special One...add your comment.

Special 1 TV Episode 2: Tomorrow, Algeria

You are in for a treat champions!
I am now doing it to you for longer in this very special exclusive extended version of the second episode of Special 1 TV. The Norton, the Cowell, Mr Alex and the Voyeur are all doing it to me on the phones. And our embedded reporter is with the England team as they bed down for the night ahead of against the Algeria tomorrow.
You get a whole extra two minutes of me. Be Champions!

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Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:
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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Add your comment.

Special 1 TV: Wayne's Anger Management

Ahead of tomorrow night against Algeria, Capello puts the boy Rooney's temper to the test. Is there anything that can push Special 1 TV's Wayne over the edge?

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You can see me and the boy Rooney on Special 1 TV TONIGHT at 11pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:
Get interactive, blog me, and Do it!

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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.


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Special 1 TV: Memories

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The Special One aka José Mourinho The Special One aka José Mourinho | 15:09 UK time, Wednesday, 16 June 2010

Every World Cup brings with it cherished memories.
Here are Special 1 TV's very special World Cup moments.

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Blog me, and with your very own World Cup memories too. Do it!

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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

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Special 1 TV: Sven Sting

Look! 'It' has been caught red-handed. (Yes I'm talking about Sven.) Not only is 'It' pimping itself but 'It' is also doing the pimping of The Special One.

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Tell it to me on the blog. Do it!

Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:

Get interactive with Special 1 TV, blog me.

Follow me and my friends on Twitter: .

Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Add your comment.

Special 1 TV: Wayne v Wayne

Frustration is the word on the lips of many, many people following England game on Saturday night. If you are [aka Robert Green], you might need to sit down and have a good talk with yourself about how you deal with your frustration so that it does not affect your chances or your performance moving forward, just like the boy Wayne is doing here.
Do it!

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Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:

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Jose Mourinho aka The Special One presents the football phone-in show Special 1 TV on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

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Special 1 TV: The First Episode

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Dana Stevens | 13:23 UK time, Monday, 14 June 2010

Not only has kicked off but Special 1 TV has arrived on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

In this first episode join The Special One, Wayne Rooney, Sven Goran Eriksson and guests as they capture the excitement of the tournament in South Africa. Watch Wayne help 'Ronnie' learn how to dive convincingly at altitude, and find out more about a Hollywood celebrity's plans for David Beckham.

Don't forget to leave your comments for The Special One.

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Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV:

You can also find the Special 1 TV squad on Twitter; .

Add your comment for the Special One. Find out when Special 1 TV is on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

Do it to The Special One...

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Dana Stevens | 12:57 UK time, Thursday, 10 June 2010

Watch episode 6 Finally, the final:

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Watch more exclusive web videos from Special 1 TV on the blog now:
The Special One needs your help....

In his topical football show Special 1 TV, Jose Mourinho is tackling the highs and lows of the World Cup 2010 with co-hosts Wayne Rooney and Sven-Goran Eriksson.

And to make sure Special 1 TV is as interactive as possible he needs you to...yes you guessed it...interact!
So get involved and get in touch with The Special One.

The best way to contact him is to share your thoughts on this blog. Add your comment for The Special One here.

Or you can get involved on Twitter. The whole Special 1 TV squad will be tweeting throughout the tournament:

Very nice!

Lenora Crichlow discovers the real Nelson Mandela

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Dana Stevens | 13:58 UK time, Tuesday, 8 June 2010

As the kicks off in South Africa this week, it's not just football that's under the spotlight. The country's troubled past means that the world will be watching to see how far the country has come since the end of apartheid in 1994.

Who is Nelson Mandela? (Lenora Crichlow) The man responsible for peace in South Africa is Nelson Mandela. Everyone knows the name but how much do you really know about the man behind the myth and the reality of what he was fighting for?

Being Human's Lenora Crichlow went on a personal journey to South Africa to discover just how important Mandela was and still is today. I asked her to tell us more about the experience....

Lenora, there's been quite a few documentaries about Nelson Mandela, what attracted you to take part in this particular film?

It's a very emotional, personal take on the whole Mandela and South Africa story rather than a factual Wikipedia page of his history. You should definitely get a factual sense of what happened but I'm not a journalist. I do think my attraction to it was that I'm interested in the people and the feel of South Africa rather than the facts and figures.

At the beginning of the film, we see that your own father was imprisoned for fighting for black rights in Britain and that Nelson Mandela was a significant figure in your childhood....

Absolutely and that's why it just sounded like an opportunity too good to be missed. Obviously because of my personal connection to Mandela and having had his story as part of my childhood I knew how awesome he was. it was one of those things that terrified me because the idea of doing anything as me, Lenora and not being able to hide behind a load of storylines and characters terrifies me. But it was a gut feeling that this could be something amazing. And it was.
The experience for me on a personal level was brilliant and I think one that I'll always remember. And I think it is such an honour to be asked to bring this story to different generations and to this country.
I thought I should say yes and ignore all my fears about doing it right and exposing myself. I just thought, you know what? It's not about you for once Lenora! (laughs)


Who is Nelson Mandela? (Lenora Crichlow) It definitely came across as a very moving journey for you; especially when you went to Robben Island to visit the cell that Mandela was imprisoned in. How did that feel?

Because I knew they did tours of the cell, I felt quite prepared for visiting the actual place. But what really threw me was that I didn't realise that my guide who took me round was actually a prisoner there. He doesn't take people to his own cell but he was sharing his experience with me and there's a story he told me about his father that he hasn't shared with everyone.
There were actually a few bits that I didn't realise that they were filming when we were speaking. So meeting him was a very profound experience for me and very emotional. Mandela is the name, but it really brought home how many people his story and struggle represents. It blew me away and that sort of set the tone for the rest of the documentary because he looked at me and said 'Take our story home with you'. It felt like a huge honour that he shared that with me.


Watch Lenora's visit to Robben Island...

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You didn't get a chance to speak to Mandela himself, as he doesn't give interviews these days, but you did meet his grandchildren. How important was that in getting a sense of him as a real, human person as opposed to a mythological figure?

There's nothing like meeting someone's family to get a true sense of them and a reflection of their ethics and personality. It just makes them a more rounded person. It was lovely to be able to meet them, and I think they bring a lot to the documentary in terms of compensating for not actually meeting him.

It wasn't all positive though, when you went to the site of the you were confronted by people who were obviously still very angry towards Mandela...

Yes for me it was very interesting and actually quite refreshing to hear. Because when we were filming in South Africa I was obviously witnessing huge poverty and a huge divide. You know, we didn't visit a white township. So as positive as everyone is, you do have to kind of think, OK but there's still glaring separation and lots of segregation. And there's still a long way to go and you can't ignore that.
So it was a really important side of the story to explore and represent. It's incredibly inspirational and they've come a long, long way from where they were but of course it's not that simple. South Africa is huge and the people and the history are complex. It's never going to be that simple to move on from something like apartheid.


And finally, what are you hoping that viewers will take away from this programme when they watch it?

I'd like people to take away a thirst for more, to explore this history. I was talking to a lady who's not that much older than me, who was voting for the first time in 1994. This history is not that far away from us and I think it's important for us younger generations to realise how recent this is. It's a hugely inspirational story of change. I hope that it interests people enough that they do their own digging and research and take what they will from it.

Lenora Crichlow presents Who is Nelson Mandela? which is on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three tonight at 9pm.


Add your comment.

Dana Stevens is online content producer for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three online.

Got a question about money worries? Ask Robert Peston

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Dana Stevens | 14:26 UK time, Monday, 7 June 2010

Got a question for Robert Peston? Add yours now.

"Painful, unavoidably tough, difficult decisions"...these are just some of the ways the Prime Minister has described the governments cuts that will affect "our whole way of life".

But what does this really mean? How worried are you?

Does this mean it will be harder than ever for school-leavers to get a job? Will the cuts affect who can go to university? Are you feeling the pinch? Or have you not been directly affected?

The man with the answers is the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s financial guru and Business Editor Robert Peston. In On The Money, Robert Peston will be explaining the events that have got us into the recession, examining how they affect you and what the future is likely to bring.

He's made a series of online videos exploring financial issues like borrowing. In this one, he meets 18 year old Connor Buxton and asks whether it' too easy to get a loan.

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Should it be harder to get a loan now or do you need access to cash? Are you a saver or a borrower?

Robert Peston wants to know your thoughts on your money issues and any questions you have about your financial future. Post your queries on this blog and Robert will try to answer as many of them as possible once the new budget has been announced. Add your comment.

The government will announce details of their on 22nd June.

On The Money with Robert Peston is on tonight at 7pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three.

You can watch more videos from On The Money with Robert Peston covering issues like debt, pay and banks.

Dappers and Stanley Park: Your exclusive first look

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Dana Stevens | 12:47 UK time, Thursday, 3 June 2010

**Stanley Park and Dappers have been removed as they are no longer available to watch online.**

Today it's all about you on the blog. We want to know what you think of our two brand new dramas Dappers and Stanley Park.

You can watch them right here, right now. You'll be one of the very first to see them before they are shown on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three next Thursday. You lucky thing.

DRAMA PILOT 2: STANLEY PARK
First up is Stanley Park, from budding young writer Leo Richardson. Set in Croydon, the story focuses on a group of young friends living on the same street and struggling to find out who they are. Watch out for great new actress Holliday Grainger who plays Dirty Debbie, the Carrie Bradshaw of Croydon. She's hotly tipped as a talent to watch in the future. Just remember you saw her here first!

So here it goes and don't forget to let us know what you think afterwards.

**Stanley Park has been removed as it is no longer available to watch online.**

So are you hooked? Want to see more? Add your comment.

DRAMA PILOT 3: DAPPERS
Next up and representing the West Country is Dappers. You'll probably already recognise Lenora Crichlow who plays Annie in Being Human. She stars alongside Ty Glaser as best friends and single mums trying to get rich and off benefits in Bristol. They don't take life too seriously and are determined to have a laugh while setting up their latest venture. The writer Catherine Johnson created the musical Mamma Mia! and went on to write the screenplay for the movie, which became the highest grossing British film of all time.

But enough of the name dropping, just press play and you'll soon find out what it's all about.

**Dappers has been removed as it is no longer available to watch online.**

Well then, what do you reckon? Lush or what? Want to see some more Bristolicious action? Add your comment.

You can watch both dramas on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three on Thursday 10th June; Stanley Park will be at 9pm and Dappers at 9.30pm.

If you missed our first drama pilot Pulse you can watch it online now or on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three tonight at 9pm.

All of the writers have told us about their dramas on the blog so you can read more about their inspiration and the making of the programmes:



Dana Stevens is content producer for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three online.

Special 1 TV is coming to ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three

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Dana Stevens | 16:25 UK time, Wednesday, 2 June 2010

Jose Mourinho, aka The Special One, has signed to ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three....

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Oh yes footie fans you're in for a treat this summer. Jose Mourinho will be joined by co-hosts Wayne Rooney and Sven-Goran Eriksson on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three throughout the World Cup 2010. The boys will be bringing you the latest insights into all the action in South Africa on their topical phone-in show Special 1 TV.

The Special One is convinced that signing to ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three is the right move:
'But of course. Why not? They are fantastic. They are broadcasting champion. I am champion and I am also maker of champions and so I will make them even more champion channel.'

Modest as ever.

And if that isn't enough enough for you then wait until you hear who else will be joining them. Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham will all be offering their own unique perspectives on the beautiful game. Wait there's more - Barack Obama, yes the USA football team's number one fan, will also be joining in on the debate.

Special 1 TV starts on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three on Friday 11th June at 10.30pm.

Plus we'll be bringing you some exclusive online videos that you'll only be able to watch right here on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three blog.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Three will be showing some World Cup matches. Visit the to find out more.


Dana Stevens is content producer for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three online.

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Mamma Mia! writer brings some Bristolicious lushness to ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three

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Dana Stevens | 14:52 UK time, Wednesday, 2 June 2010

Only one day to go until we spoil you rotten with an exclusive first look at two of our brand new drama pilots, Stanley Park and Dappers. Yesterday the writer of Stanley Park,Leo Richardson shared his thoughts of turning his stage play into a TV show, and today it's the turn of Dappers writer Catherine Johnson.
Catherine wrote the hugely successful musical Mamma Mia! that went on to become an international blockbuster film. In fact it was the highest grossing British film ever.

Dappers

In Dappers, the action isn't set in sun soaked Greece but in the rainy reality of the West Country city of Bristol. Being Human's Lenora Crichlow and upcoming actress Ty Glaser star as Faye and Ashley, two single mums and best friends who are trying to make ends meet while living in a housing association property in the posh part of town. Catherine Johnson told us more about the drama...

The show came about because I'd always wanted to write something that was closer to home than anything I'd written before. So in a way it is like a signature series, like Shameless is for Paul Abbott. I wanted to write about living in a housing association flat and being a single parent, but I wanted to do it in a way that wasn't grim and all about poverty. The idea of doing it as a comedy drama, very much in the mould of Gavin and Stacey, really appealed to me.

When I first moved to Bristol I lived in a housing association flat, I had two small kids and I was a single parent for a while. Those elements are absolutely reflected in the show. I'm not using any direct lifts, so no-one who knows me need be worried! What I really wanted to put across was the fun we had. There were a lot of us single mums living in close proximity and we all looked out for each other. We had such a good laugh which really got us through. Everyone was so ambitious as well; people were constantly coming up with plans to make life better. It was hard being a single parent because we were demonised as everything that was wrong with society - and now all these years later, we still are!

The idea of young mums who are quite happy to sit around watching Jeremy Kyle all day and doing nothing has never been my experience at all from being in a very similar situation. Everybody wants to do something to make their kids proud of them and that's what really motivates Faye and Ashley - they want to do the best for Angel and Daisy. Week by week they find enterprising ways to fulfil their ambitions.

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Dappers is very specifically about Bristol. When you've lived somewhere for a long time, it's hard to sum up the character of a place, but with Bristol I think the specific sense of humour and way of life is underrepresented on TV. People from outside of the West Country sometimes wrongly assume that Bristolians are a bit slow on the uptake, and don't understand that it is a very dry, Bristolian sense of humour. I just want to hear the voices and see that way of life on TV a bit more. It's not as frenetic as London, but it's equally as creative and interesting; it's just that we don't make a big fat fuss about it! There seems to have been a sense that people don't want to see Bristol, but personally I really do. But I'm the sort of person that gets excited at any glimpse of a particular location that I recognise in Casualty!

It's fair to say that my experiences on Dappers were quite different to the time I had on Mamma Mia! The weather alone was massively different - it was horrible here! But the main difference was really that I spent most of the time on Mamma Mia! sitting in tavernas, eating Greek salad and dipping my feet in the sea. Whereas on this I was huddled over a monitor with as many clothes on as I could manage, with my feet getting wet and cold from the snow and rain! I couldn't think about being on a Greek island when I was filming this as I'd have burst into tears! There was the same sort of sense of something magical taking place on both projects, but maybe I appreciated the amount of work that the cast and crew put in when I was actually next to them, rather than sitting drinking beer while they were all off filming somewhere!


Catherine Johnson is the writer of Dappers.

You can watch Dappers and our other drama pilot Stanley Park on the blog from tomorrow and on TV on Thursday 10th June from 9pm.

Once you're watched the new shows we want to know what you think of them so don't forget to leave us comments with your reactions.

You can also watch our first drama pilot Pulse online now or on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three tomorrow, Thursday 3rd June at 9pm.



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Stanley Park writer introduces the Carrie Bradshaw of Croydon

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Dana Stevens | 16:48 UK time, Tuesday, 1 June 2010

We've got a special treat for you this week. We've got a double bill of our brand new drama pilots for you to watch first, right here on the blog. As part of our drama pilot season, you'll get a seven day head start with the opportunity to preview both dramas online before they're even on TV.

Dappers stars Being Human's Lenora Crichlow and Ty Glaser as a pair of sparky chancers who are best friends and single mums struggling to bring up their toddlers in Bristol.

Stanley Park (Holliday Grainger as Dirty Debbie) (Photo shows Holliday Grainger as Dirty Debbie in Stanley Park.)

The second of our pilots is Stanley Park which was originally written as a stage play. I asked the young creator Leo Richardson to tell us about writing the show and how it felt to adapt it for TV...

Welcome to Stanley Park... It's where I grew up, and before anyone from home slaps me round the face - the characters are mainly fictional. Stanley Park and the adjoining Stanley Place is based just outside of Croydon and was inspired by my play 'Sh*t-Mix', which was on stage in the West End just under two years ago. I'm so thrilled to have the chance to get this put onto the screen. When the run of the play was over, I was kinda sad. I felt like the characters were friends I wouldn't see again. Also, and I know it's odd (but I am), I'd always hear the characters voices in my head. Sometimes I'd even be out shopping, for example, and look in a window and say, Dirty Debbie would love that. So I decided, off my own back, to write a six part series, totally unaware if it would ever be made.

Stanley Park's all about young people really - and all the sh*t you go through. That was part of the double meaning to the play 'Sh*t-Mix'. I wanted to do something the total opposite of Skins. That's had its success and did immensely well, but for me, the kids were far too cool. I never knew anyone that cool. No one I ever knew at that age started a riot or smashed up a pub. We just got drunk and made fools of ourselves. I spent so many Sunday mornings, waking up aghast at what I may or may not have done. I still do sometimes. The kids in Stanley Park are far from cool. They're immensely human and vulnerable and fallible. And they live in a world full of consequence and it's so important for young people to see that.

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My aim with Stanley Park was to create something both funny, and dramatic. Just like life. When you love someone enough to laugh at them, you're there with them when they're down. Take one of the characters Dirty Debbie. She's utterly ridiculous. She's so very deluded, and the stuff she comes out with is hilarious. Thinking she's the Carrie Bradshaw of Croydon? I mean, come on. But it's where this comes from that interests me. Debbie's actually so, so vulnerable. She lost her mum three years ago; she's had three step dads and her Auntie Pat has clearly got a drink problem, as well as being in denial about her own loneliness. Like so many young people today, Debbie's had a tough time, so she's created this image. When you blow the lid off of her facade, that's when the drama is created.

I'll wrap up by saying we have such a talented director and cast and crew. When I first saw the show all the way through it blew me away. I was so proud, I actually cried. You can write a good script and it can come out dire. But when you get those extra layers of talent, as well as amazing producers - you realize how it all comes together. I'm so, so proud of everyone that's been involved in this show, and knowing how in love with the show everyone was, made it such a special experience.

Stanley Park (Joe Cole as Lee Stevens) When I sat in my bedroom in Carshalton and wrote this script every night after working all day on a building site with my dad and brother (if I didn't have an acting job that was!), I never expected it to be made. I just wanted to tell my story. All I can say is, I poured my heart and soul into this series, so I hope it sees the light of day and I hope you enjoy our pilot as much as we all enjoyed making it for you. I promise if you like pilot, we have even better stuff in store. These characters go on a real journey.

(Photo shows Joe Cole as Lee Stephens in Stanley Park.)

And please, if you like it, tell us why - it means a lot to us.


Leo Richardson is the writer of Stanley Park.

You can watch Stanley Park and Dappers here on the blog from Thursday.
Both programmes will also be screened on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three on Thursday 10th June from 9pm.

You can watch the first of our drama pilots, Pulse, on this blog now and on TV on Thursday 3rd June at 9pm.



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