TEFI Awards Handed Out in Moscow

Late on Friday, May 25, a ceremony for TEFI, Russia’s main television awards, was held at Moscow’s Novaya Opera theater.

Channel One’s entertainment show Prozhektorparrishilton, whose title plays on the name of the U.S. socialite and a title of a Soviet-era TV program, won in the best entertainment/information show category for the fourth time in a row.

REN-TV’s Noty Protesta (Notes of Protest), centered on the stories of several Russian musicians, collected the best special report award.

Sati. Neskuchnaya Klassika (Sati. Classics That’s Not Boring), aired on by the station Kultura, was awarded as the best show in the classical music category, and Channel One’s Dostoyaniye Respubliki (The Property of the Republic) won a statuette in the popular music show category.

Evolutsiya (Evolution), a series of shows broadcast on the channel Tsivilizatsiya, was announced the winner in the popular science program category.

Lev Nikolayev’s documentary on Polish author Stanislaw Lem, aired by Kultura, was awarded as the best program in the arts category. Sadly, the director died last year.

Reka Zhizni (River of Life) by Sergei Miroshnichenko, collected the best TV documentary award.

Alexander Akopov, Tatiana Belichenko, Vyacheslav Murugov and Natalia Shneiderova, the producers of the series Zakrytaya Shkola (Closed School), made by A-Media for the TV channel CTC, were awarded as the best producers.

Alexander Kott was awarded as the best TV film/series director for Krepost (Fortress), a four-episode television version of the theatrical movie Brestkaya Krepost (Brest Fortress).

The ceremony was marred by a controversy over the last-moment replacement of popular TV personality Kseniya Sobchak, who was supposed to announce a winner in one of the nominations. Some observers explained it by her recent activities in opposition mass rallies.

'EastEnders' exit for Ben Mitchell confirmed

EastEnders bosses have confirmed that Ben Mitchell will be bowing out from the soap later this year.

The troubled teenager makes his departure from Walford at the end of his current storyline, which has seen him attempting to cover up his guilt in the Heather Trott murder case.

Joshua Pascoe, who plays Ben, is expected to film his final scenes in the summer.

Yesterday, it emerged that Pascoe had been arrested and bailed in connection with an alleged sex assault. However, reports suggest that it was always the plan for the 16-year-old to leave EastEnders as a natural conclusion to the Heather story.

Discussing the plotline, an EastEnders spokesperson told the Daily Star Sunday: "It will come as no surprise to the viewers of EastEnders that the character of Ben will be departing Walford when the truth finally emerges."

Meanwhile, a show insider said: "Joshua was always going to leave at the end of his current contract due to his storyline. There was no way Ben could stay on the Square long-term after killing Heather. But how it all comes out is a closely guarded secret."

Cheryl Cole: 'I never tried to manipulate Simon Cowell'

Cheryl Cole has denied suggestions that she manipulated Simon Cowell while on The X Factor.

The 'Call My Name' singer was alleged in Tom Bower's biography Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell to have "played the soulful victim" in order to get her own way with the music mogul and fellow X Factor judge.

In the book, Cowell is quoted as saying about the popstar: "She would come in dressed in her tracksuit and slippers, drop her eyes and play the soulful victim to get around me. She played me. When she walked over, I felt I was the mouse with a beautiful cat."

However, in an interview with The Observer, Cole brushed off any suggestion that she attempted to seduce Cowell, joking: "That's actually really flattering, because if I can seduce him in me tracksuit and slippers, I must have something good.

"You know, he said the same thing to my face about me manipulating him. I said, 'Simon, seriously - you've become so cynical that you think people manipulate you, but I'm not one of those people. Maybe what confuses you is that I don't play with you; you can't buy me'. And he said to me, 'When I say you manipulate, I mean it in the sincerest form of a compliment. Meaning: you're highly intelligent, and I don't even think you know you're doing it'.

"Sorry, but if I was going to do it, it wouldn't be in me tracksuit bottoms."

The 28-year-old also confirmed reports that she had been approached to write her own autobiography, adding: "I'm torn. The past ten years have been incredible - the whole of my 20s. That would be amazing to put into words, and go into my 30s with a clean slate. But then I think: I can't be bothered."

However, she dashed any ideas that she would provide any revelations about her relationship with Cowell in the book.

"I don't know if I've got 300 words to say on Simon. He might get a footnote if he's lucky," she said.

Cole was blasted by Bower earlier this month as being "not very intelligent".

Big Brother UK: Brian Dowling wants fun housemates

Big Brother host Brian Dowling has said he wants to see fun housemates this year.

Speaking at the show’s press launch last week, the former Big Brother champ revealed he hopes that this year’s inmates won’t just be after quick fame and money.

“My ideal housemate is someone who is fun, someone who is open minded, and someone who is here because they’ve chosen to be, rather than they want something after the show,” he said.

While we don’t know anything about the Big Brother housemates yet, we do know about three potential wannabes.

This year we’ll see a Big Brother wild card twist, with the viewers invited to select one of three hopeful housemates to join the house.

They include an “Indian Brian Dowling”, a Dr Who fan and a girl nicknamed The Hurricane.

Viewers will be invited to vote for their favourite during launch week, with only one entering the house to become a housemate.

Bit On The Side star Jamie East was given the power to pick the wild card finalists from the hundreds of rejected auditionees.

He said: “I went in with a plan to pick housemates that Big Brother would never put in the house.

“I think I’ve succeeded.”

We wonder if Brian will approve!

Cheryl Cole 'didn't mime on The Voice UK'

Cheryl Cole's representatives have dismissed claims that she mimed during last night's Voice UK performance.

The singer appeared on BBC One's live semi-final to perform her new single 'Call My Name', prompting some viewers to complain that she appeared to be miming, reports The Sun.

However, her publicist denied the claims, saying: "She sang live with a backing track."

Cole had reportedly insisted beforehand that she aimed to sing live on the show, with producers fearing that she would need an auto-tuned microphone.

A source added: "It would have been hard for Cheryl to have sung through the whole performance - it was such an energetic dance routine. But I'm sure people will be disappointed if they expected her to sing throughout."

The live performance saw Cole launch into a 10ft swan dive into the arms of her male dancers.

Cole has also dismissed claims made by Tom Bower that she had tried to manipulate Simon Cowell while on The X Factor.

TV Tonight 28th of May 2012

The daily list in alphabetical order, of all the new episodes airing.

    56 Up S01E03: "Episode 3"
    A Question of Sport S43E23: "May 28, 2012"
    Adventure Time with Finn and Jake S04E09: "Princess Monster Wife"
    America's Got Talent S07E05: "Tampa Auditions (Part 1)"
    American Ninja Warrior S04E06: "Finals: Region 2"
    Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations S08E07: "Baja"
    Basketball Wives S04E15: "Season 4, Episode 15"
    Bethenny Ever After S03E15: "Fair Thee Well Heeled"
    Big Brother Sverige S08E86: "Del 86"
    Blockbusters (2012) S01E11: "Series 1, Show 11"
    Bondi Vet S04E16: "Season 4, Episode 16"
    Border Security S12E15: "Season 12, Episode 15"
    Cake Boss S05E02: "Trash, Twirls & Tough Love"
    Cake Boss S05E01: "Fitting In, Fed Up & A First Birthday"
    Chelsea Lately S06E88
    Coronation Street S53E108: "Mon May 28, 2012 [Episode 2]"
    Coronation Street S53E107: "Mon May 28, 2012 [Episode 1]"
    Dara O'Briain: School of Hard Sums S01E07: "Simon Evans"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E248: "Episode 1928"
    Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives S14E07: "BBQ Road Show"
    Dispatches S26E05: "The Real Mr and Mrs Assad"
    Doctors S14E38: "The Player"
    EastEnders S28E86: "May 28, 2012"
    Emmerdale S41E126: "May 28, 2012"
    Extreme Couponing S03E02: "Cole & Angelique"
    Extreme Couponing S03E01: "Erin & Dominique"
    Fake Britain S03E06: "Series 3, Episode 6"
    Gene Simmons Family Jewels S07E02: "The Honeymoon is Over, Part 2"
    Gene Simmons Family Jewels S07E01: "The Honeymoon is Over, Part 1"
    Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden S22E191: "Season 22, Episode 191"
    Great British Menu S07E36: "The Olympic Feast - 36"
    Halv åtta hos mig S08E61: "Norrköping - Gustav"
    Hatfields & McCoys S01E01: "Part 1 of 3"
    Hollyoaks S18E106: "May 28, 2012"
    Home and Away (AU) S25E91: "Episode 5526"
    Hotel cæsar S29E21: "Season 29, Episode 21"
    House Hunters S48E105
    House Hunters International S25E108
    Hyouka S01E06: "Commit A Serious Crime"
    Independent Lens S13E21: "Hell and Back Again"
    Invention Hunters S01E04: "Creating a Buzz"
    Jeopardy! S28E181: "Show #6386"
    Keeping Up with the Kardashians S07E03: "Everybody's Wigging Out"
    Kimi to Boku S02E09: "Naked king"
    Kurt Sutter's Outlaw Empires S01E03: "South Boston Irish Mob"
    Leyla ile Mecnun S02E40: "Season 2, Episode 40"
    Live with Regis and Kelly S29E194
    Made in Chelsea S03E09: "Series 3, Episode 9"
    Masterchef Australia S04E20: "Pressure Test 2"
    Metalocalypse S04E05: "Bookklok"
    Money From Strangers S01E06: "Bouncy Boy!"
    Money From Strangers S01E05: "The Kiss"
    Monster In-Laws S02E02
    Monster In-Laws S02E01: "Grandma's Dying Wish"
    Morgan Spurlock's New Britannia S01E09: "Episode 9"
    Mrs. Eastwood & Company S01E03: "Material Things"
    Neighbours S28E101: "Episode 6411"
    Panorama S60E20: "Euro 2012: Stadiums of Hate"
    Park Secrets S01E06: "Hidden Hawaii"
    Park Secrets S01E05: "Hidden Beaches"
    Pawn Star$ S04E92: "Family Feud"
    Pawn Star$ S04E91: "Three Hour Tour"
    Pointless S06E54: "Series 6, Episode 54"
    Red vs. Blue S15E01: "TBA"
    Regular Show S03E28: "Dead at Eight"
    Ridiculousness S02E05: "Duff Goldman"
    River Monsters S04E19: "Lair of Giants"
    Robson's Extreme Fishing Challenge S01E08: "Alaska"
    Salatut elämät S14E171: "Jirin marinointi kypsyttää Heidiä"
    Single Ladies S02E01: "Slave to Love"
    Snog, Marry, Avoid? S05E03: "Series 5, Episode 3"
    SpongeBob SquarePants S08E27: "TBA"
    Springwatch S09E01: "Series 9, Episode 1"
    The Amazing Race Norway S01E12: "Season 1, Episode 12"
    The Annoying Orange S05E01: "Marshmalia: Pages"
    The Bachelorette S08E03: "Week 3 (S8)"
    The Big Break S17E03: "Big Break Atlantis - Castles Made of Sand"
    The Block S05E38: "Shelley Craft Challenge"
    The Chase (2009) S05E80: "Series 5, Episode 80"
    The Dr. Phil Show S10E168: "Behind the Headlines"
    The Ellen DeGeneres Show S09E169: "Ellie Kemper, Rufus Wainwright"
    The Eric Andre Show S01E02: "Russell Brand"
    The Force: Behind the Line S09E03: "Season 9, Episode 3"
    The Gadget Show: World Tour S01E06: "United Kingdom"
    The Jeremy Kyle Show S07E179: "May 28, 2012"
    The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson S08E89
    The Project S04E126: "Season 4, Episode 126"
    The Secret Life of the American Teenager S04E23: "4snp"
    The Secret Millionaire S10E03: "Arfan Razak"
    The View S15E169: "Bill Evans"
    The Voice (AU) S01E12: "Live Show 3"
    Top Chef Canada S02E12: "Food Meets Fashion"
    Tricky Business (AU) S01E03: "Episode 3"
    Undercover Stings S01E05: "The Takedown Clown"
    WWE Raw S20E22: "Episode #992"
    Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal S01E57
    Zetman S01E09: "Whereabouts of the Pendant"

Sweden wins Eurovision Song Contest

Sweden has emerged victorious in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 final.

The country's entrant Loreen triumphed with dance track 'Euphoria', which claimed 372 points to top the board during tonight's event in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Buranovskiye Babushki came second with 'Party For Everybody', which earned the Russian grandmothers 259 points, while Serbian Željko Joksimović was third with his track 'Nije Ljubav Stvar', ending up with 214 points.

Irish entry Jedward failed to replicate 2011's top ten placing for their song 'Lipstick', with this year's 'Waterline' ending up in 19th place with 46 points.

The UK's Engelbert Humperdinck, however, had to settle for only 12 points for his performance of 'Love Will Set You Free', leaving him in second to last place, in front of Norway.

Humperdinck's position saw him fall short of Blue's 11th place success at last year's Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf, Germany.

However, the crooner managed to top 'That Sounds Good To Me' by Josh Dubovie, which finished in last place at the 2010 competition in Oslo, Norway.

BAFTA Television Awards 2012: The winners in full

Presenting a list of winners at the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards 2012, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London on May 27, 2012.

Leading Actor
Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock)
Dominic West (Appropriate Adult) - WINNER
John Simm (Exile)
Joseph Gilgun (This Is England '88)

Leading Actress
Emily Watson (Appropriate Adult) - WINNER
Nadine Marshall (Random)
Romola Garai (The Crimson Petal and the White)
Vicky McClure (This Is England '88)

Supporting Actor
Andrew Scott (Sherlock) - WINNER
Joseph Mawle (Birdsong)
Martin Freeman (Sherlock)
Stephen Rea (The Shadow Line)

Supporting Actress
Anna Chancellor (The Hour)
Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)
Miranda Hart (Call the Midwife)
Monica Dolan (Appropriate Adult) - WINNER

Entertainment Performance
Alan Carr (Alan Carr: Chatty Man)
Dara O'Briain (Mock The Week)
Graham Norton (The Graham Norton Show) - WINNER
Harry Hill (Harry Hill's TV Burp)

Female Performance In A Comedy Programme
Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous) - WINNER
Olivia Colman (Twenty Twelve)
Ruth Jones (Stella)
Tamsin Greig (Friday Night Dinner)

Male Performance In A Comedy Programme
Brendan O'Carroll (Mrs Brown's Boys)
Darren Boyd (Spy) - WINNER
Hugh Bonneville (Twenty Twelve)
Tom Hollander (Rev.)

Single Drama
Holy Flying Circus
Page Eight
Random - WINNER
Stolen

Mini-Series
Appropriate Adult
The Crimson Petal and the White
This is England '88 - WINNER
Top Boy

Drama Series
The Fades - WINNER
Misfits
Scott and Bailey
Spooks

Soap and Continuing Drama
Coronation Street - WINNER
EastEnders
Holby City
Shameless

International Programme
Borgen - WINNER
Forbrydelsen (The Killing)
Modern Family
The Slap

Factual Series
The Choir: Military Wives
Educating Essex
Our War - WINNER
Protecting Our Children: Damned If We Do Damned If We Don't

Specialist Factual
British Masters
Frozen Planet
Mummifying Alan: Egypt's Last Secret - WINNER
Wonders of the Universe

Single Documentary
9/11: The Day That Changed the World
The Fight of Their Lives
Terry Pratchett: Choosing to Die - WINNER
We Need To Talk About Dad (Cutting Edge)

Features
DIY SOS: The Big Build
Hairy Bikers' Meals on Wheels
The Great British Bake-Off - WINNER
Timothy Spall: Somewhere at Sea

Reality And Constructed Factual
An Idiot Abroad
Don't Tell The Bride
Made in Chelsea
The Young Apprentice - WINNER

Current Affairs
Bahrain: Shouting in the Dark
Sri Lanka's Killing Fields
'The Truth About Adoption' (Panorama)
'Undercover Care: The Abuse Exposed' (Panorama) - WINNER

News Coverage
BBC News at Ten: Siege of Homs
Channel 4 News: Japanese earthquake - WINNER
ITV News at Ten: Battle of Misrata
Sky News: Libya rebel convoy – live

Sport And Live Event
Frankenstein's Wedding: Live in Leeds
The Royal Wedding (BBC) - WINNER
Rugby World Cup Final
Tour De France 2011

New Media
Autumnwatch
The Bank Job
Misfits
Psychoville - WINNER

Entertainment Programme
Celebrity Juice
Derren Brown: The Experiments - WINNER
Harry Hill's TV Burp
Michael McIntyre's Christmas Comedy Roadshow

Comedy Programme
Charlie Brooker's 2011 Wipe
Comic Strip: The Hunt for Tony Blair
The Cricklewood Greats
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle - WINNER

Situation Comedy
Fresh Meat
Mrs Brown's Boys - WINNER
Friday Night Dinner
Rev.

YouTube Audience Award
Celebrity Juice - WINNER
Educating Essex
Fresh Meat
The Great British Bake-Off
Frozen Planet
Sherlock

Special Award
Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Sherlock) - WINNER

BAFTA Fellowship
Rolf Harris - WINNER

VIDEO: Big Brother 2012 house tour!

Big Brother 2012 kicks off on June 5 on Channel 5, and the housemates can expect a brand new glam house to enjoy when they enter!

The US retro themed refurbishment of the house has seen a Las Vegas inspired garden, a casino based Diary Room and murals of scantily clad can can girls painted the walls of the bedroom.

16 brand new housemates will be entering when BB launches next month, although there are only 13 beds for them to share between them.

Steven Tyler: 'JLo still doesn't know if she's returning to Idol'

Steven Tyler has revealed that American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez is still unsure about returning to the show.

Lopez judges alongside Tyler and Randy Jackson on the long-running Fox reality show, and rumours emerged earlier this month that she would be leaving.

The 42-year-old actress and singer recently revealed that she is not sure of her future on the show, and now fellow judge Steven Tyler has confirmed that Lopez is still yet to make a decision.

He told TMZ reporters: "I asked her the other night on stage, I said, 'Are you coming back?' She said 'I don't know!'"

When asked who he thought should replace Lopez if she should finally decide to leave, Tyler said the new judge would have to be "someone that's into music".

Simon Cowell denies Britney 'X Factor' walk-off

Simon Cowell has released an official video statement on reports of Britney Spears walking off the X Factor set.

Rumours emerged earlier this week that the singer left her judge's seat after a hopeful contestant butchered her hit song 'Hold it Against Me'.

However, the 30-year-old later denied the incident and claimed that she is having "the best time" as a judge alongside Cowell, Demi Lovato and LA Reid.

Cowell has now released a video via TMZ insisting that reports of a walkout are untrue.

In the video, which also features Lovato, he says: "I'm Simon Cowell, I'm on the panel. There have been no walk-offs on the show."

Spears signed on as host after judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul were fired last season.

She signed a $15 million (£9.3m) deal to judge on The X Factor earlier this month, after several weeks of negotiations.

Rita Ora confirmed as 'X Factor' guest judge

Rita Ora will guest judge The X Factor, it has been confirmed.

The 'R.I.P.' singer will join the panel for tomorrow's (May 28) auditions in London, as had previously been rumoured.

"Or-some news! We can officially reveal that Brit babe and RIP singer Rita Ora will be guest Judging tomorrow in London. #GuestJudgesRule," the X Factor Twitter account confirmed.

Ora follows Geri Halliwell and former winner Leona Lewis, who guest judged in Liverpool and London respectively.

X Factor bosses are still searching for a permanent replacement for Kelly Rowland, who confirmed her exit in April.

Simon Cowell reportedly wants Ora to join the panel full-time, while current judges Louis Walsh, Tulisa ­Contostavlos and Gary Barlow have called for Sharon Osbourne to return.

A source close to Ora said that the job is "hers to lose" after she impressed producers during meetings.

Mel B and Tinie Tempah are also rumoured to have signed up to guest judge The X Factor.

'American Idol' winner Phillip Phillips buys parents $25,000 car

Phillip Phillips has celebrated his win on American Idol by purchasing his father a new $25,000 (£15,900) car.

Phillips beat out contestant Jessica Sanchez earlier this week, winning a record deal and a $300,000 (£190,000) advance on completion of his first album.

Sources told TMZ that Phillips purchased the brand new 2013 Ford Fusion as a gift to his parents, but refuses to give up his own 2001 Ford Ranger truck.

Phillips suffered from health problems during his time on American Idol, and underwent a total of eight operations while competing on the show.

He is scheduled to undergo another kidney surgery later this week.

It was recently revealed that Sanchez will be the first Idol runner-up to receive no album deal after the show.

Eurovision Song Contest overpowers England, Norway match in ratings

The Eurovision Song Contest proved a popular destination for viewers on Saturday night, overnight figures suggest.

Featuring the UK's Engelbert Humperdinck and Ireland's Jedward, the 270-minute marathon commanded an average audience of 7.47m (36.2%) on BBC One between 8pm and 11.30pm.

While not able to match last year's 11-year high, Eurovision peaked with an impressive 9.6m at 11pm, despite the fact that Humperdinck was garnering only a small proportion of votes.

Some 2.01m (24.2%) stayed up for the 11.45pm repeat of documentary Bee Gees: In Our Own Time, which aired as a tribute to the late Robin Gibb.

However, The Voice UK plunged to a new low of 4.49m (28.8%) at 6.30pm, although the programme is currently 'Most Popular' on BBC iPlayer.

Over on ITV1, Roy Hodgson's first match as manager of England in a friendly against Norway attracted 4.64m (23.5%) between 7pm and 10pm, managing a peak of 6.6m at 9pm.

Channel 4's screening of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers appealed to 1.05m (5.6%) between 6.30pm and 10pm, adding a further 255k on +1.

The Chelsea Flower Show ended with 1.36m (7.5%), and was BBC Two's best-rated programme of the night, while Channel 5's CSI: NY took 1.15m (5.2%) at 10pm and 105k on +1.

Overall, BBC One beat ITV1 in primetime with 33% against 19.3% (+1: 0.3%). Channel 4 was far behind in third place with 5.2%, while BBC Two and Channel 5 followed with 4.3% and 3.9% (+1: 0.2%) respectively.

'X Factor' judges back Sharon Osbourne return

The X Factor judges have backed Sharon Osbourne to fill the vacant spot on the panel.

Louis Walsh, Tulisa ­Contostavlos and Gary Barlow endorsed the former judge to return to the show as Kelly Rowland's replacement, five years after she quit over her strained relationship with Dannii Minogue.

Barlow ruled out former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell becoming a permanent judge, claiming she wasn't popular enough during her guest stint in Liverpool, according to the Daily Star Sunday.

It had been reported that she would be offered the permanent role if she proved a success on Wednesday.

Contostavlos said: "I'd love Sharon Osbourne to come back. She's the female boss."

Walsh commented: "I'd love Sharon to come back too. I always had so much fun with her."

Barlow added: "Sharon isn't a stupid ­suggestion. She'd be amazing. Like Tulisa said, she's the ultimate female boss. I don't know if she would come back. I don't really know anything about the politics.

"I personally thought Dannii would be great too. The only thing is the show likes to move forward so that might be a problem. I don't think the audience liked [Halliwell]. She got booed.

"I like Geri, I've known her for years, she's got a good energy but I don't know if she should be on the panel, to be honest. But I'd give her a few more days."

Simon Cowell apparently wants Rita Ora as the new permanent judge to appeal to younger viewers and has enlisted her as a guest judge for Monday's auditions.

A source said that the job is "hers to lose" after she impressed bosses during meetings.

Dannii and Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry and Rihanna are all said to have turned down the job. Nicole Scherzinger, Tinie Tempah and Mel B are the latest names rumoured to be filling in as guest judges.