Playing Tag With Cheryl Cole And Jennifer Aniston

Do you know, I’m almost embarrassed to post this, but it’ll be interesting – promise, even if it’s just for the top 10 further down.

Years of writing news stories and articles. Flogging over a hot keyboard to gain journalism qualifications. It means absolutely sweet FA if no one reads the results of the writer’s Herculean labours.

Journalism, as my colleague Holly Thomas covered recently, is an over-subscribed business. Writing seems to be something a lot of people think they can do.

Let me tell you guys, ranting over Twitter while misspelling everything ain’t journalism. But everyone’s out there, blogging, tweeting, Facebooking (or whatever today’s adjective for being on Facebook is) and rambling on for 18 pages – FRONT AND BACK!

Must be the glamour that attracts people to writing. The joys of getting rained on, on a bitterly frozen Arctic day covering an escaped prisoner from Feltham Young Offenders, waiting for the police to acknowledge your press card while reluctant witnesses hurtle off down the street pursued by journos and TV crew.

Yeah, I’ve done that, and covered a few sporting occasions, which can be another joy. Coaxing comments out of monosyllabic players and managers after they’ve just been on the receiving end of a brutal defeat.

On the bright side, I haven’t yet been clouted. Surprisingly, neither has my friend Emma who works in local news and sometimes has the unenviable task of speaking to grieving family members in search of a story.

As well as newspapers and magazines, I also write web copy for a sports website. Ah, the fun of being called a disgrace to journalism and a London-based hack on the internet. Admittedly, I’ll concede the second point.

Trouble is, that sporting web copy? Often live and very pressured. The moment you press the button, you’re out in the ether. Doesn’t matter if you spot it immediately and correct it, umpteen people around the world have seen it and already – rightly – commented on what a twat you are.

Now you may say that this is contradictory. How can I complain about journalists not being noticed and then whine about it when they are?

Fair point.

Truth is, from a purely personal point of view, I qualified in News Writing, Media Law and Shorthand among others. So while sport has been kind to me in the respect that I’ve been able to keep most of the roof over my head and occasionally eat, I also like to think I have a wider range to offer.

And that’s what Frost does. As a writer and editor, I have a lovely medium to rattle on about pretty much anything for your enjoyment and edification.  Which brings me to the point of this article 13 paragraphs on.

While we have thousands of regular readers, getting brand new, shiny people to pop in to Frost and read us, and hopefully stay to dip in to our box of delights is all about the tags. Those little words and hooks that grab your attention – even if you didn’t want it to. Sorry, but that’s what we do. Engage.

So with that in mind, Google’s most searched terms of 2010 were apparently, in order:

1. chatroulette

2. ipad

3. justin bieber

4. nicki minaj

5. friv

6. myxer

7. katy perry

8. twitter

9. gamezer

10. facebook.

Which is worrying, because as a duffer, I haven’t heard of some of those.

And falling faster than – oh, I don’t know, something really heavy and inert, say a cartoon safe – in 2010, was:

1. swine flu

2. wamu

3. new moon

4. mininova

5. susan boyle

6. slumdog millionaire

7. circuit city

8. myspace layouts

9. michael jackson

10. national city bank.

So, theoretically, if I add all those top 10 most popular terms into an article and tag them myself, (hey, look at that! I just did!)  It should garner some attention.

And then looking into my crystal ball for 2011… Actually, why bother? If I just throw in say, X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent, Doctor Who, Cheryl Cole, Lady Gaga, Brighton Rock, Manchester United, Barcelona, Jose Mourinho, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, oh, and romcom, I think that’ll do it.

Welcome to Frost. Thank you for stopping by. We love you and please feel free to look around. And come back and tell your friends!

Or you can just wait for them to stumble on the same set of tags and blog/tweet/facebook each other about us. I’m easy either way.

Rankin takes on Lady Gaga for THT {Art & Charity}

Rankin’s take on Lady Gaga’s meat fashion raises funds for THT

New Image

‘Tuulilicious’ by Rankin

Acclaimed photographer Rankin offers his unique take on the ‘food as fashion’ craze sparked by Lady Gaga, with a quirky photograph of his wife Tuuli that will be auctioned off for HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).

Just as Gaga grabbed headlines worldwide with a dress made entirely from meat, Rankin shows Tuuli brandishing a knife and fork, naked save for a French-trimmed rack of lamb worn as a crown. The image, entitled ‘Tuulilicious’, will be one of the lots on offer at THT’s annual Lighthouse Gala Auction (21 March, 2011) to raise money for people living with and affected by HIV.

Rankin said: “Terrence Higgins Trust does incredible and vital work in the prevention of HIV. It’s such an important cause, and one that my wife and I are very happy to have been able to contribute to with this photograph.”

Debbie Holmes, Director of Fundraising at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “Rankin is a long-time supporter of THT, and we’re incredibly grateful to him – and of course his wife – for donating this gorgeous image for our auction next year. Rankin’s work is always highly collectible, and this image is no exception. With such valued help from our supporters, we hope the auction will be our best event to date.”

Now in its sixteenth year, the auction at Christie’s will see a fantastic array of luxury items, bespoke packages and ‘money can’t buy’ experiences snapped up by eager bidders. Last year’s auction raised over £292,000 for THT.

2010's most popular bands, comedians and shows. {Showbiz}

2010: The Year of the ‘man band’

viagogo reveals the most popular gigs of 2010

2010 was the year of the man band with Take That topping the charts as the most popular act of the past 12 months.

According to viagogo, Europe’s largest secondary ticket marketplace, 2010 was a year of testosterone-fuelled acts as the Kings of Leon and JLS complete the top three. There was just one woman in the top ten – Lady Gaga in fourth position.

The Libertines, in their intimate comeback gig at the HMV Kentish Town Forum, was the highest priced ticket of 2010.Tickets for Libertines reunion gig sold for well over the odds with the highest price ticket going for £223, £197 above face value.

Surprisingly, Cliff Richard’s recent 70’th anniversary gigs also pulled in the pennies with fans paying £136 – £76 over face value – to get a glimpse of the golden oldie.

Top 20 most popular acts of 2010

1. Take That

2. Kings of Leon

3. JLS

4. Lady Gaga

5. Michael Bublé

6. Roger Waters

7. Bon Jovi

8. Muse

9. Black Eyed Peas

10. Westlife

11. Usher

12. Katy Perry

13. Justin Bieber

14. Rhianna

15. Leona Lewis

16. Foo Fighters

17. Eric Clapton

18. Linkin Park

19. Tinie Tempah

20. Florence and the Machine

Top 10 most expensive gigs of 2010

1. The Libertines £223

2. Sade £144

3. Cliff Richard £136

4. Van Morrison £133

5. Eric Clapton £126

6. Elton John £125

7. Roxy Music £124

8. Michael Buble £122

9. Kylie Minogue £120

10. Barry Manilow £115

Ed Parkinson, director of viagogo UK said: “This year has been all about Take That with ticket sales breaking all records but other ‘man bands’ have benefitted from a year that’s been all about the boys including Kings of Leon and The reformed Libertines. The X Factor has also played a pivotal role in driving ticket demand for certain acts, with nine acts from the top 20 appearing live on the talent show this year.”

Top 10 most popular theatre shows of 2010

1. Glee Live!

2. Britain’s Got Talent

3. Flight of the Choncords

4. Lord of the Dance

5. Doctor Who Live

6. Love Never Dies

7. BBC Electric Proms

8. Strictly Come Dancing

9. Diversity

10. Les Miserbales

As for theatre, it’s TV that is driving us from our sofas to the stalls, with two

thirds (60 per cent) of shows in the top 10 most in demand theatre productions being based on the small screen

Top 10 most popular comedians of 2010

1. Michael McIntyre

2. Frankie Boyle

3. Peter Kay

4. Lee Evans

5. Ricky Gervais

6. Billy Connelly

7. John Bishop

8. Jimmy Carr

9. Dara O’Brien

10. Tim Minchin

TV dominates the most in demand comedians list as well with newly appointed Britain’s Got Talent judge Michael McIntyre topping the funnymen league, whilst Apprentice You’re Fired host Dara O’ Brien clinches ninth place. Panel show guests Frankie Boyle and Jimmy Carr are also cashing in on their TV fame, taking 2nd and 8th place in the most in demand comedians’ list.

Who was your favourite entertainers of 2010? Let us know.