The search is on to find Britain’s best young speaker. Comedienne Jo Brand, performance expert and Rada tutor Jeremy Stockwell and ex-NBA basketball star and motivational speaker John Amaechi travel the UK in search of the nation’s most eloquent and inspiring teenagers, in The Speaker.

Featuring 14 to 18-year-olds, the eight-part series sees tough-talking teens, class jokers and shy, sensitive types go head to head as they learn to talk publicly and passionately about things that matter to them.

Jo, Jeremy and John start by putting youngsters through their paces in four regional auditions. Only 20 will make it through to the next stage, where they face a series of communication challenges. The contestants that don’t make the grade will be eliminated. At the end of the series, the three best candidates will face a final showdown where they must make the speech of their lives.

Helping the finalists learn and rise to the challenges from week two of the series are a group of guest mentors who offer expert tutelage and inspiration. They are: queen of the Dragons’ Den, Deborah Meaden; Earl Spencer; journalist and broadcaster Kate Silverton; and Tony Blair’s former Director of Communications and speech writer Alastair Campbell.

In episode one, the search starts at regional auditions in Glasgow and London and the judges are expecting to see every type of speech and speaker. In each venue, only five of the talented youngsters will go through to the next stage and the competition is tough. Some 160 teenagers were invited to take up the challenge to prove they can talk confidently on any subject – but only one will possess the passion, personality and conviction to become The Speaker.

Tuesday 7 April
8.00-9.00pm BBC TWO

View the original post The Speaker With Jo Brand – BBC Two on Unreality TV

It is almost inconceivable that Jo Brand won’t get through tonight’s round of Let’s Dance For Comic Relief and into the grand final of the show.

Jo performed to Britney Spears ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ and in fairness to the other contestants, she couldn’t actually dance. In fact she sort of wandered around the stage looking hilarious and trailing unwitting boys behind her.

Jo has obviously kept Trinny and Susannah’s fashion advice with her since she appeared on their show a few years ago. Tonight she was wearing a decent bra that pushed the puppies up to her chin and the school girl get up took years off her age.

I love Jo’s caustic wit and ability to make an absolute eejit out of herself. As Jamelia said, she did Britney Spears proud tonight. Ok, so she can’t dance but she has more personality than Britney could ever hope to buy.

View the original post Let’s Dance For Comic Relief: Jo Brand on Unreality TV

To raise money ten celebrities battle to build businesses that call for discipline, teamwork, creativity and hard work. Succeed and the team survives.

Fail and their celebrity status won’t save them, because the following day Sir Alan’s infamous boardroom beckons… and someone will get fired.

The Celebrities taking part in the show are:

* Danny Baker
* Karren Brady
* Jo Brand
* Alistair Campbell
* Cheryl Cole
* Rupert Everett
* Ross Kemp
* Maureen Lipman
* Piers Morgan
* Trinny Woodall

View the original post Comic Relief Does The Apprentice: The Celebrities Are… on Unreality TV