Category: Television Page 2 of 4

Kate will be one of the subjects of a major 2-part arts documentary that celebrates Britain’s most admired female singers from the Sixties to present day, currently scheduled to transmit on primetime BBC1 in Spring ’09. Also featured will be Dusty Springfield, Annie Lennox and others. Del Palmer is to be interviewed for the documentary in the coming week and apparently David Gilmour, Tori Amos, Alison Goldfrapp, Mark Radcliffe, Andrew Powell and John Carder Bush have all been approached to talk about Kate. On his Myspace Del reveals that the BBC will ask him about her unique songwriting style, her creativity in the studio and the songs which have inspired so many musicians. With thanks to Del for this news, read more at his Myspace page here. UPDATE: The documentary is expected to air in March 2009.

The BBC television programme The Culture Show is running a vote for people’s favourite British Cultural Icon. They have shortlisted the TOP 10 icons nominated by their viewers. Kate is joined in the Top 10 by David Attenborough, Alan Bennett, David Bowie, Michael Caine, Stephen Fry, Paul McCartney, Morrissey, Kate Moss and Vivienne Westwood. You can read more (and more importantly vote for Kate!) at their page here. The National Portrait Gallery will be exhibiting portraits of the winning icons from early December. Watch Antony Hegarty (of Antony & The Johnstons) explain why Kate deserves the allocade here on YouTube. Apart from voting online, in the UK you can vote by SMS – text ICON BUSH to 83199. (Texts charged at your standard rate.) OR you can phone your vote to 09015 22 33 44 (You will hear an automated message which will guide you through a list of the ten icons. To vote you will need to press the corresponding number on your keypad.) Calls cost 15p

In the Glasgow Evening Times on Thursday 29th it is revealed that Kate has sent a message of support to the 16-year-old Scot, Jaclyn Bell, who will be impersonating her in the grand final of Stars in their Eyes Kids: “Kate was so impressed by Barrhead High School pupil Jaclyn Bell’s version of her hit, Wuthering Heights, that she took time out from recording her latest album to reveal she will be watching the show on Saturday. Kate said: “I am flattered Jaclyn chose to perform one of my songs. She was wonderful and I really hope she wins. “I will be watching and voting for her and send her all my support.” Jaclyn, who has been singing since she was two, decided to be Kate Bush after being inspired by her mum’s record collection. The teenager said: “Kate’s message has made me even more determined to win. I hope I impress her.” In another article in The Express it is reported that: “Singer Kate Bush has given her backing to a schoolgirl who will be imitating her in the final of Stars in their Eyes Kids. The singer predicted: “I’m sure she’ll reach her own Wuthering Heights.” The diva was so impressed by Jaclyn Bell’s amazing version of her famous hit that she took time out from recording to send her a message of support for the big night. Kate also said she will be glued to her TV on Saturday as Jaclyn, 16, takes to the stage alongside classmate Ashley McCullagh, who has made the final as Shania Twain. Incredibly the two finalists live close to each other, are the same age and in the same classes at Barrhead High School, Renfrewshire.” They also mention that Kate is busy recording her album. A previous contestant on the show who sang Kate’s Babooshka, Louise Halliday, was given the original Babooshka video cloak as a gift from Kate. (thanks to bigstripeybrian and also to Michael Leitz) The live final of Stars In Their Eyes is at 6.30pm ITV in the UK today, 31st May.

Update: From the Glasgow Evening Times, UK – 2 June 2003:  “New Scots TV stars get heroes’ welcome. Jaclyn Bell and Ashley McCullagh might have missed out on the top prize when they appeared in the Stars in Their Eyes Kids live final on TV. The 16-year-olds came in third and fifth out of nine contestants in the live final on Saturday night. Jaclyn stunned the audience with her rendition of Kate Bush’s hit single Wuthering Heights. And after her performance she was in tears when presenter Cat Deeley handed her a 1978 platinum disc and hand-written note from Kate Bush. Jaclyn, who came in third place with 77,745 votes, said: “It was just amazing and I enjoyed every minute of it. “I was so shocked when they gave me the platinum disc, I hadn’t expected anything and it was the best compliment to have her backing.” See also April 19th news on Jaclyn.

On Saturday 5th April on ITV in the UK schoolgirl Jaclyn Bell (16) is going to impersonate Kate (most likely Wuthering Heights) on Stars In Their Eyes, 7pm. Read more here: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5014308.html

We’re having a bit of fun here with an Alan Partridge mystery. Quite a few people noticed a certain caller called “Mary” featuring on the hit BBC sitcom in two of Alan’s recent radio phone-ins. Due to comedian Steve Coogan’s constant Kate referencing (he famously performed a very funny Kate Bush Medley), and due to the uncanny familarity of the voice of Mary, fans are wondering – was that Kate cameoing vocally on the comedy series? Well, I have no official answer but perhaps this is another mystery like the Depeche Mode album cover (A Broken Frame) which is supposed to feature Kate…we may never know! Have a look-listen to the two clips on the BBC site and see what you think…here and here.

BBC2 are screening a television documentary about a young brain injured girl who is taken from Scotland to London to try to stimulate a flicker of response in a specialist unit. Her love of Kate’s music is spoken of and used to try to acheive a response, and Kate’s music is also used as a part of the film. The film is entitled “Locked In” and part one will be screened on BBC2 at 11.20pm on Tuesday 17th December 2003. From the BBC site: “This two part series explores the devastating affect that a coma can have on a person and their family. Diagnosed as vegetative seven years ago following a seizure, Joanne Douglas is about to embark on the most important journey of her life. Her parents are convinced that Joanne is showing increased signs of awareness. They believe that she is locked in, hearing and understanding everything but unable to communicate. The only way to find out is to send her to be tested by experts in London.” (thanks to Alan on RMG and Cynthia Conrad for letting us know)

US TV News: The Eric Idle/Kate Bush episode of Saturday Night Live (1978), Kate’s first appearance in the US, aired in it’s entirety at 1:30am MST on most NBC stations.

The BBC are giving Kate fans the opportunity to have their favourite appearence by Kate on Top Of The Pops aired. Choose between Wuthering Heights, Wow, Hounds Of Love, Running Up That Hill or And So Is Love at the TOTP2 website here. The show will be aired on November 12th, BBC2. UPDATE: After initially listing And So Is Love as the winner, the BBC now say Running Up That Hill was the popular choice in the end.