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Katie wonders if anyone in Britain was surprised by revelations of TV dishonesty

‘A crisis of confidence’ may be what the papers are calling it, but what the British public are really feeling about the revelation that television is less truthful than it appeared to be, is closer to a combination of amusement, ambivalence and apathy.

The case against telly has been mounting for some time, stacking up in black and white on the news-stands.

It started somewhere with the row over Celebrity Big Brother – and the charge that Endemol’s editing and Channel 4’s attitude underestimated the severity of the race row situation that was breaking. But once the tide had turned on telly and the trickle of doubt had started, it was only a matter of time before the floodwaters broke.

After CBB it all just went from bad to worse. The next tirades on trust were the phone-in scandals. When we discovered that not just Blue Peter but even Richard And Judy – our own adopted TV parents – had been lying to scam money out of us.

After that came the revelations that Gordon Ramsay didn’t really catch his own effing fish, that Bear Grylls had been staying in five star hotel rooms while pretending to camp in the wilderness and that even the Queen had been stung by a bit of bad editing that made her look less than majestic.

But, while it was natural for the papers to get over-excited about all the gaffs that Auntie et al were making – especially in silly season – was it really all that important? Frankly, did we give a damn?

“Whatever next? The revelation that Nigella doesn’t really want to shag us for dessert?”

I made up my mind where I stood on the debate when the pneumatic Nigella was finally dragged into it, with the accusation that her recipes were hard to cook and her new cookery series hadn’t really been filmed at her home at all – as the set suggested – but in a studio mock up.

My God! Now the (oven) gloves really were off! Whatever next? The revelation that Nigella doesn’t really want to shag us for dessert?

As the accusations poured off the newsprint one-by-one, I started to wonder what decade we were living in. Surely not since the 1950s – the golden age of the box – have we fallen for the fallacy that what we’re watching on television is real.

I use my own insight to ascertain that not everyone who lives on a farm is as hot as Caine Dingle, that Gillian McKeith doesn’t actually give a damn about my health, that Blue Peter presenters are not really angels and that the blondes that read the weather may not be meteorologists.

The discovery that TV is conning me has not shattered my confidence in it, actually it’s only confirmed the suspicions l enjoyed about it all along.

In fact, the shocking thing about all this is not the ‘unmasking’ of TV as the evil uncle of our times, but just how gullible the newspapers assumed we all were in the first place.

Sandra Omo gets duped at a casting call

Other than a very hectic week at my normal job, my week was spent looking forward to a casting at the end of the week. I had missed a casting call the previous day owing to the fact that I had no time to check my emails, as I had to work the whole day. Therefore attending this casting was the only remedy to curing my guilt, and the fact that it was for a fashion show just made it even more exciting because I am confident of my ability to walk any runway, and I love it.

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Jo and Clare complete their trip to LA with a visit to the strip and Justin Timberlake’s apartment

I know my place when it comes to the red carpet – right behind the press pack, waiting for the flashes to pop. And that’s exactly where I was at the VIP private view of the Antony Micallef LA show, Impure Idols, last week. It all took place on an unusually chilly LA evening in a disused bank off Hollywood Boulevard.

With a guest list that included the Beckhams and Brangelina it was no surprise security was tight and if your name was not on the list, there was absolutely no way in. In fact, ‘Angie’ had already viewed the art earlier that day and made some purchases, as had Christina Aguilera, who bought a great piece called ’Appearance is Everything’ depicting Barbie as the Virgin Mary.

The first red carpet arrival was Golden Globe winner James Franco – gorgeous star of the Spiderman trilogy – followed swiftly by Sex Pistol Steve Jones, who is now resident in tinsel town with his own LA radio show. Next to set the paparazzi alight was the lovely (and very polite) Sharon Osbourne, accompanied by svelte son Jack, who refused to have his picture taken. The X Factor judge adored Antony’s work, buying a bronze sculpture and a selection of original paintings. Mena Suvari had to get the award for most bizarre entrance, as she rushed straight past the assembled paps with her head in her hands, before emerging ten minutes later and walking the red carpet like her last entrance had never happened. She then proceeded to pose for every camera in turn with a big smile on her face and an even bigger Fendi bag on her arm. The evening ended with a sighting of the size zero Olsen twins (pictured), who turned up looking really miserable (probably hungry) and refused to have their pictures taken together. So much for sisterly love! We followed Mary-Kate around the show and have to say that although miniscule, that girl certainly knows how to dress.

Meanwhile inside the gallery, Antony’s collection looked amazing hung in the marble surroundings of the banking hall and the underground vault. Guests queued to join the waiting list for the limited edition prints and the show was a massive success with critics and buyers alike.

With only a day left until we had to head to LAX to board the return flight, we decided to hit Robertson Boulevard, location of Kitson, LA’s hottest boutique, and the stars’ favourite restaurant, The Ivy. The street was teeming with paparazzi on the hunt for celebs – and we saw the feeding frenzy first-hand when we got caught in the middle of the pack as (big sister of Paris) Nicky Hilton left the Ivy and was chased down the street to her Range Rover. We followed suit, and hopped in a cab headed for the coast and a table at the Ivy’s sister restaurant, The Ivy at The Shore in Santa Monica. There we toasted Antony with a glass of Pinot Noir and feasted on the best meatloaf in town.

Next morning, back at the hotel, we heard a rumour Justin Timberlake had just vacated the Penthouse where he had been staying all week, so we took our opportunity and asked for a show-round. Wow. Situated across two floors, this two bedroom, two bathroom suite was out of this world. As the maid mopped up the last traces of Timberlake we lounged on the beds and sunned ourselves on the vast sun terrace overlooking the Hollywood Hills. At $7,000 a night, I don’t think I’ll be booking in anytime soon! After a last quick drink at the poolside bar (complete with Hockney mural) we hailed a cab and left town.

Jo Brooks is director of Brighton-based PR company JBPR Ltd,
01273 622555, www.jb-pr.com

Top Brighton fashion designer Sarah Arnett unveils her autumn/winter collection

Award-winning Brighton designer Sarah Arnett has unveiled her new autumn/winter collection at her Brighton store, Simultane. Entitled Dancing Dresses, the collection evokes the true passion and seduction of the tango.

Luxurious silk dresses and separates are embellished with dramatic and intricate prints, creating a sensual and silky silhouette. Rich purples, reds and blues splashed with gold sit alongside blacks overlaid with swirling whites and gilt. The lustrous patterns, laid on silk jerseys, satins and chiffons are intricately cut to flatter at every angle.

Sarah’s collection now sells in over 70 stores worldwide including Harvey Nichols and Fenwick. The label recently won the UK Fashion Export Award for womenswear. Vogue recently commented that ‘dresses are in and Sarah Arnett’s are it’. And Christina Aguilera recently chose to exclusively wear one of Sarah’s dresses for her latest In Style cover shoot.

Exclusive reader offer

To celebrate the new collection, Simultane are offering a complimentary pair of Sarah Arnett silk-printed knickers with the purchase of a dress from the new autumn/winter collection. Simply mention Latest when you buy your dress.

Simultane to change name

Due to the success of Sarah’s collection the name of Sarah’s store – Simultane – will change to Sarah Arnett in October. Managing director, Simon Beales commented: “Now that we are selling in so many stores under Sarah’s name, we thought it was a good time for us to change our Brighton store name. We now only sell our own clothes and so we want people to know that this is our flagship store and home to the complete collection. A label that Brighton can be proud of.”