Steph Elmore - TV & Video Presenter and Voiceover Artist » Investigative

Steph Elmore Investigates the Commercial TV Industry

Steph Elmore — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:24:40 +0000

The commercial TV industry is in financial meltdown, so it’s no wonder low-budget reality shows are reaping the benefit – but at what cost to the viewer? Channel M’s Steph Elmore investigates.

When the wedding of Jade Goody to Jack Tweed is screened by Living TV next month it will likely serve as a watershed in reality television. For reasons as tragic as they are remarkable, the former Big Brother contestant is the most famous cast member in the story of television, which, over the past decade, has been all about the reality genre.

While the stakes for those in the spotlight are high, budgets are low. Low budget TV is enjoying its day in the sun at a time when cashstrapped commercial broadcasters can’t really afford to show anything else.

ITV, once a televisual powerhouse, is desperate to cut costs and it is widely accepted that the business models of both Channel 4 and five are in need of a radical overhaul. Meanwhile the BBC is under increasing pressure to curb spending despite the fact that it can rely on us, the licence fee payers.

Robin Ashbrook worked in entertainment programming for both the BBC and Granada before accepting an offer to be creative director of Elisabeth Murdoch’s Shine Limited.

Shine North in Whitworth Street, Manchester, produced more than 30 hours of television for the five terrestrial channels last year, the vast majority produced and filmed in our area. Key shows include two series of Battle of the Brains for BBC2 and Banged Up for five, which is nominated for an RTS award for best constructed documentary.

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Steph Elmore Discovers The Gambia

Steph Elmore — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:23:31 +0000

The Gambia is not the place for an African safari, but its stunning beaches, luxury hotels and friendly people make it the perfect place to unwind, as Steph Elmore discovered . . .

Be around the pool in six hours? ….Check.

Glorious uncrowded beaches like those of the Caribbean? ….Check.
Exactly the same time zone as the UK so no jet lag? ….Check.
Interesting culture, non commercialised, unspoilt land yet with luxury hotels and hot, hot sunshine that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? ….Check mate!

Now, you would think the next thing I needed was a reality check on my list but this is exactly what is on the agenda when I reach the blaze of green, tropical flowering trees away from the crowded resorts of European destinations in the Gambia.

It is no wonder they call it the smiling coast of Africa as not only will you spend your time beaming from ear to ear here but the Gambians are the friendliest, most hospitable people I have ever come across. Even at passport control they greet you with a smile rather than with that unnerving stare that makes you seriously wonder whether someone could have actually smuggled something into your bag while you weren’t looking and you are about to be hauled off to a cell instead of your hotel (or is that just me who does that?).

No, not even could the heightened tones of Jade Goody’s mum on the plane and bumbling around at Banjul airport distract me from the fact that I knew this was going to be one fantastic trip!

Situated on the unspoilt coast of West Africa on approximately the same latitude as Barbados, Gambia is dominated by the majestic River Gambia from which it bears its name and is the smallest country on mainland Africa.

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Steve Frost discusses dropping Coronation Street cast with Steph Elmore

Steph Elmore — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:22:32 +0000

Coronation Street producer Steve Frost was labelled the Iceman when several cast members were axed on his arrival 18 months ago, but he has helped the show secure a clutch of prizes at this year’s British Soap Awards.

Corrie won best soap and six other awards, including best storyline for the explosive plot which saw Tracy take revenge on cheating Charlie.

Steve was also the producer at Emmerdale, where he transformed the once sleepy Yorkshire village by introducing the likes of Patsy Kensit to the show, but he admits he is no soap fan.

“Some people are diehard fans, but I’m not,” he says.

“Having a dispassionate view allows me to stand back and be objective about storylines. Plus, I’ll leave the room if it’s on, because I’ll end up seeing something that I’d wished I’d have done differently.”

We meet at the Lowry Hotel’s River Restaurant, one of Steve’s favourites, where Steve opts for seabass and I for the fish and chips – though I did toy with the idea of ‘hot pot’ in deference to the Rover’s famous dish.

Steve is from the East Midlands, is in his mid-thirties, and studied English Literature at Cambridge University. I ask him how he ended up as one of soap’s top producers.

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Steph Elmore corresponds from Belgrade

Steph Elmore — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:21:56 +0000

Steph Elmore puts Eurovision disappointment behind her to sing the praises of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, which is quickly reinventing itself as the city that likes to party.

Shocked as I was to learn that Scooch didn’t come last in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, I was even more surprised when I visited the homeland of this year’s winners, Serbia.

The break-up of the former Yugoslavia led to one of the most bloody and horrific episodes in recent European history and Serbia endured civil war, UN sanctions, economic collapse and a NATO bombing campaign. No wonder it is one of the last undiscovered tourism destinations in Europe.

But tourism is on the up here and Serbia is known for its beautiful countryside, national parks and an abundance of spas respected for their medicinal and vitality programmes. It really is an undiscovered treasure for many Brits.

The capital, Belgrade, nestled between the Danube and the Sava rivers, is where it’s really happening. If New York is the city that never sleeps, Belgrade is the city that never goes to bed! Techno and dance music is big in Belgrade. The clubs, bars, restaurants are as swanky as you’d expect in any European city, yet nowhere near the cost.

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Channel M presenter Steph Elmore reviews Mother’s Day Spa Pampering

Steph Elmore — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:20:27 +0000

Show your mum how much she means to you on Mother’s Day by offering to whisk her away from it all with a pampering spa break. We’ve tried out a wide range of options – both at home and abroad – to give you inspiration.

Where will we stay?

In a hotel on a 750-acre estate in the heart of the Cheshire countryside that took us 40 minutes to get to from Manchester.

What’s it like?

Very relaxing. You really feel like you’re getting away from it all as you drive up the mile-long drive surrounded by greenery with wonderful views of the Welsh hills until the hotel appears from across a lake on the golf course. Ask for a room overlooking the golf course.

And if I have just one treatment?

Mum had a two-hour long hot stones massage, which involved a preliminary body scrub followed by laying on of hot stones which are gently massaged into the body.

Mum found it relaxing but could have done with a bit more “oomph” to soothe her weary bones. Meanwhile I had an Omnilux facial using an antioxidant skincare range called Vitage. The quirky bit about this treatment is a red light being shined on your face in order to penetrate deeper into the skin.

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