It's been 25-years since one of the most controversial TV soap plots of all time caused outrage on a national level. Now considered one of the greatest storylines ever, it sparked a national campaign and even saw Prime Minister Tony Blair step in.
26.10.2023 - 14:45 / variety.com
Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent The saga of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni splitting from her partner, Mediaset TV personality Andrea Giambruno, after leaked outtakes revealed the anchorman making sexist remarks, is gripping the country amid speculation of political conspiracy behind the incident. Meloni, who became Italy’s first female prime minister a year ago when her right-wing Brothers of Italy party scored big in the country’s national elections, officially dumped Giambruno — her partner for a decade and the father of their young daughter (pictured above with Pope Francis) — last Friday via social media.
In Facebook and X posts, Meloni alerted the country that she and her partner had been split up “for some time” after Mediaset’s primetime satirical show “Striscia La Notizia” (“The News Spreads”) aired hot mic and video clip footage of Giambruno grabbing his crotch and apparently hitting on his co-anchor and another unidentified woman. “Can I touch my package while I’m talking to you?” Giambruno was heard saying to a colleague in an outtake of the Mediaset news show “Diario del giorno” (“The Diary of the Day”).
“You already did it,” the woman retorted. The anchorman then went on to suggest that he and another media personality are having an affair and looking for another participant to have group sex: “Would you like to be part of our working group?” he can be heard saying.
It's been 25-years since one of the most controversial TV soap plots of all time caused outrage on a national level. Now considered one of the greatest storylines ever, it sparked a national campaign and even saw Prime Minister Tony Blair step in.
Former prime minister David Cameron has made a dramatic return to government as foreign secretary under Rishi Sunak.
Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Polish actress and singer Joanna Kulig (“Cold War,” “The Eddy”) and French icon Fanny Ardant are co-starring in “Island,” a psychological thriller by Italian-German writer director Nora Jaenike filmed on the Italian island of Elba. Filming on the mostly English-language atmospheric noir wrapped on Nov. 4 on the island, which is located off the coast of Tuscany.
Netflix is unveiling a first look at their upcoming new drama series My Life With the Walter Boys!
Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent A Bahrain sovereign wealth fund is in advanced talks to invest €200 million ($213 million) in Italy’s nascent Tuscany Film Studios, which are being built by producer Andrea Iervolino just outside Florence. The technologically-advanced production complex, boasting a large set with a virtual water tank, an immersive 360 studio for live-action productions, a 250-acre backlot and a luxury hotel with a movie theater, is being built in the municipality of Impruneta in the Chianti countryside about 20 miles outside of Florence.
Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival has revealed details of the Red Sea Souk, the fest’s industry market that will offer meeting and networking opportunities revolving around new Arab and African product. The Souk will take place Dec. 2-5 alongside the Nov.
James Argent, 35, is reportedly 'heartbroken' after splitting from his 19 year old girlfriend Stella Turian. The former The Only Way Is Essex star had been dating the law student since June 2022 and even hinted at marriage last month, but it seems their love story has now come to an end. Despite enjoying romantic trips to Venice, Verona and Lake Garda together, sources close to James say he's devastated as things suddenly fell apart.
abrupt passing of Matthew Perry at the age of 54. Colleagues, devoted fans, and friends alike have expressed their profound grief and bid a final farewell to the beloved star renowned for his portrayal of Chandler Bing in the iconic sitcom, Friends. Through their public social media profiles, they have shared heartfelt messages brimming with affection.
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was one of many to pay tribute to Matthew Perry shortly after the “Friends” star was found dead at age 54 on Saturday.Trudeau and Perry went to elementary school together. Perry’s other, Suzanne Morrison, was also press secretary to Trudeau’s father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.“Matthew Perry’s passing is shocking and saddening. I’ll never forget the schoolyard games we used to play, and I know people around the world are never going to forget the joy he brought them,” Trudeau wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.“Thanks for all the laughs, Matthew,” he continued.
Former prime minister Boris Johnson has announced he is joining broadcaster GB News.
Boris Johnson, the British prime minister who resigned from office last year mired in controversy, has signed as a presenter for GB News, the provocative British news channel.
Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Italy’s culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano has designated Italian journalist and writer Pietrangelo Buttafuoco as the new president of the Venice Biennale, the foundation that oversees the Venice Film Festival. Buttafuoco (pictured above, left), an openly right-wing member of Italy’s cultural establishment known to be an eclectic thinker, is now set to replace former film producer Roberto Cicutto (pictured, right) at the Biennale’s helm when Cicutto’s four-year mandate expires in March 2024.
K.J. Yossman Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is joining controversial network GB News as an anchor and producer. Johnson, who is set to start his role in the new year, will play “a key role in the channel’s coverage of both the U.K.
Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Oscar-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore’s vintage TV series “Il Camorrista,” starring Ben Gazzara as one of the fiercest bosses of the Neapolitan Camorra crime syndicate, is being unearthed from the vault 37 years after the mobster himself quashed the show before it aired. “Il Camorrista” was shot in 1985 as part of an innovative production mounted by Italy’s glorious Titanus shingle and Silvio Berlusconi’s ReteItalia. The production comprised both a Tornatore feature film by the same title and the five-episode TV show.
Emma McVey has broken her silence after her shock split from husband Gaz Beadle was announced after seven years together and two years of marriage. Whilst the 31 year old model did not directly reference her split from former Geordie Shore star Gaz, 36, she took to Instagram to share a look at her life at home with their two young children, son Chester, five, and daughter Primrose, four.
Labour has called for Rishi Sunak to call a general election as he nears a year as Prime Minister.
The B-52s will perform at the White House State Dinner on Wednesday for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon.
With Travis Kelce dating Taylor Swift, many might be wondering about his dating history.
Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is returning home on a special flight from Dubai, ending four years of self-imposed exile as he seeks to win the support of voters ahead of parliamentary elections due in January.
Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Beta Film has announced a half-dozen sales to European public broadcasters on high-end period drama “La Storia,” which is Italian pubcaster RAI’s biggest event show of the year and is world premiering at the Rome Film Fest. The sweeping eight-episode saga, set in Italy during the final years of World War II and its immediate aftermath, is based on a globally bestselling novel by the late great Elsa Morante, whom “My Brilliant Friend” author Elena Ferrante often cites as her primary literary reference.