stars, sex and nudity buzz : 06/05/2012

This Is Why Game of Thrones Has So Much Nudity

Game of Thrones has a whole lot to offer — including dramatic battle scenes, a cast of dozens, and plenty of character names that use the letter Y — but it may be best known for its heaping helpings of nudity. Empire.com recently welcomed Neil Marshall, who directed this season's penultimate episode, and he had a revealing explanation for who's to blame (or credit) for all that sexposition. Said Marshall, "The weirdest part [of directing Game of Thrones] was when you have one of the exec producers leaning over your shoulder, going, 'You can go full frontal, you know. This is television, you can do whatever you want! And do it! I urge you to do it!' So I was like, 'Okay, well, you’re the boss.'"

So there's never been any pressure to tone down all the unclothed moments? "Not in the slightest!" exclaimed Marshall. "This particular exec took me to one side and said, 'Look, I represent the pervert side of the audience, okay? Everybody else is the serious drama side, [but] I represent the perv side of the audience, and I’m saying I want full frontal nudity in this scene.' So you go ahead and do it." Two questions: Who might this horndog executive producer be? And has anyone introduced him to Lars Von Trier?

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Lara Pulver in Starz’s ‘Da Vinci’s Demons’

British actress Lara Pulver (MI-5) has been added as a series regular to another new drama series, Starz’s Da Vinci’s Demons. Written by David S. Goyer, Da Vinci’s Demons is a historical fantasy, following the “untold” story of the world’s greatest genius Leonardo da Vinci (Tom Riley) during his turbulent youth in Renaissance Florence. Pulver will play famed enchantress and political machinator Clarice Orsini, aristocratic wife of Florentine ruler Lorenzo Medici. The actress, known to U.S. audiences for her arc on True Blood, playing fairy Godmother Claudine Crane, is riding high on her talked-about guest stint as femme fatale Irene Adler in the opening episode from Season 2 of the BBC/PBS limited series Sherlock. Pulver, repped by Management 360, Paradigm and Independent Talent Group, was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance in Parade on the West End.

* The bulk of nudity will come from 27-years old English actress Laura Haddock in her first and extensive topless scenes. It appears 32-years old Lara Pulver teasing nudity in Sherlock was just a test run. Her role requires nudity so there will be no worming out of it. After all she is at the right age before everything goes south physically. According to  show creator David S. Goyer: "This will be a show about secret histories, genius, madness and all things profane"


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Tattoo-Obsessed Adrianne Palicki Bares Her Ink

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Lara Bingle Topless Ambassador For H2 Coconut Water! 

... Because nothing says refreshing beverage like a topless model right?

Lara Bingle has taken to her Twitter page today to promote her new ad campaign with H2 Coco. Not interesting, until you find out she is completely topless in the photo!

The Sydney based model has been flown across to an amazing beach location for the campaign, and took posted a steamy photo from the shoot online, accompanied with:

'Behind the scenes of my @H2coconutwater in Bali.'

In the photo, an overly tanned Bingle sits topless on the sand in nothing more than a flesh coloured G-string. Oh, and if you squint really hard you might notice a small carton of coconut water at her feet as well.

There is also a very eager 'I can't believe this is my job' male lighting assistant in the corner of the frame.

We're not sure what nude models have to do with coconut water, but we're sure a few more people are going to be taking notice of the H20 Coco brand after this campaign goes live!

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First Teaser Trailer for Melissa George’s Cinemax Action TV Show Hunted

Despite their past (and well-deserved) reputation of being the purveyors of less-than respectable midnight fare, Cinemax has started to put together a most excellent action-oriented line-up. Their first real big pick-up was “Strike Back”, which is a really great, Internationally-flavored action show. They’ll soon be adding a TV version of “The Transporter” to their line-up, and later in 2012, Melissa George will be channeling her “Alias” days on “Hunted”, a new spy-action series. Get your first look at the show by way of a slick promo teaser trailer below.

Meet Sam. A spy. A hunter. And herself hunted by an enemy more ruthless and determined than any she’s ever known. Sam has been running from her past her entire life but when she returns to Byzantium, the organisation that employs her, and begins to pursue her pursuer, she will discover the only way to escape that past… is to confront it. This is the story of a spy with a bull’s eye on her back, a human target unable to trust anyone at any time, even the man she loves. She is, quite literally, running for her life. Hunted is a smart, complex and contemporary spy series.

The cast also includes Dhaffer L’Abidine, Manjinder Virk, Peter Vollebregt, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Stephen Campbell Moore, and Stephen Dillane.
The hunt begins October 26th on Cinemax.



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A Brit on the side

Why American girls love the limeys

Fascinating mixed signals ... Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart

THEY have diamond bracelets and designer handbags galore but the arm candy that Hollywood’s leading ladies really want is... a British bloke.

An army of famous American beauties including Gwyneth Paltrow, Kristen Stewart, and Claire Danes have fallen for the charms of our home-grown hunks.
The latest convert is The Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence.
The 21-year-old actress from Kentucky is dating About A Boy and Skins star Nicholas Hoult, 22.
And Jennifer is clearly taken with the Berkshire boy. She said in a recent magazine interview: “British men have these wonderful manners, and everything they say is funnier just because of the accent.”

Here, we look at other trans-Atlantic celebrity couples while relationships expert Dr Pam Spurr — an American who has a British hubby — reveals what their body language says about them.
And she also explains just what makes our fellas so fanciable.

Latest recruits ... Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence and Skins actor Nicholas Hoult

Kristen Stewart and
Robert Pattinson

HIS brooding good looks made Robert an instant pin-up when he found huge fame in the Twilight films. And the actor, who grew up in Barnes, South West London, also caught the eye of his LA-born co-star Kristen four years ago.
They remain tight-lipped about their romance but Kristen, 22, has spoken of her love of all things British “especially the steak and kidney pie”.
And R-Patz, 26, has said: “Kristen is ambitious. She knows how to find good scripts. I really admire her.”
Dr Pam says: “A fascinating mix of signals, they tip their heads in towards each other and have their arms around each other, but they keep some distance at waist level.”

Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy

Body language ... Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy

THEY grew up worlds apart – Claire, 33, in New York City and Hugh, 36, in Stoke-on-Trent. But they found some common ground when making the film Evening, and got married in 2009.

It’s not just her British hubby that she adores. Claire is a big fan of The Only Way Is Essex. She said: “Damn, I love that show. It’s just so good.”

When she won an award for Homeland recently, she thanked Hugh. Normally he would have been with her, as at last year's Golden Globes, pictured. But he was at home nursing a hangover after a stag do. Ah, British blokes.

Dr Pam says: “Their body language signals a lot of passion. See how snugly he holds her into his body. You might think that means he’s in control but things are very balanced between them, shown by how relaxed and confident she looks with him.”

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield

Old-fashioned approach ... Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield

EMMA and Andrew play lovers in their latest movie, The Amazing Spider-Man – which is sort of prophetic because after meeting on set they quickly became an item off screen, too.

The couple, who have been dating for more than a year now, have set up home together in New York’s trendy Greenwich Village.

Emma, from Arizona, has kept quiet about her romance with Andrew, 28, who was born in LA but grew up in Guildford, Surrey, from the age of three. When asked recently what she thought about British men, Emma, 23, replied coyly: “They’re everywhere.”

Dr Pam says: “Andrew and Emma are so equally matched, as shown by the way they mirror each other’s body language perfectly.

“They have the same posture and way of looking down. Note how he takes the lead with her hand and she probably adores his slightly old-fashioned approach.”

Kate Hudson and Matt Bellamy

Cat that's got the cream ... Matt Bellamy and Kate Hudson

WHILE Kate was growing up in Tinseltown surrounded by famous movie stars – including her mum Goldie Hawn and her stepdad Kurt Russell – Matthew was upstairs in his bedroom in Teignmouth, Devon, teaching himself to play the guitar.

They bumped into each other at the Coachella music festival in 2010.

Actress Kate, 33, who had been married to US rocker Chris Robinson, was instantly bowled over by the Muse frontman’s gentlemanly charms.

She recalls: “I said, ‘I’ve lost my friends’. He just looked at me and said, ‘Come on, I’ll take care of you.’

“Matthew was polite and immediately protective. He shows love.”

She and Matt, 33, now have a ten-month-old son, Bingham, and share a London townhouse.

Dr Pam says: “Matt is happy to allow Kate the limelight here. His body language is supportive of her as if he’s backing her up.

“She beams at the cameras like the cat that’s got the cream, with his encouragement. He reveals a shyer British side that probably hooked her attention in the first place.”

The smug marrieds...

Quirky Britishness ... Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin

BEFORE she met Chris, LA-born Gwyneth was baffled about the British approach to dating.

She said: “British people don’t seem to ask each other out on dates. I did get asked out a couple of times on my last trip to London and I went on both. They were very charming. I only go for the toffs.”

Gwyneth, 39, was certainly charmed by Devon-born Chris, 35, when they met backstage at a Coldplay gig in 2002. They got wed a year later and now have two children, Apple, eight, and Moses, six.

We asked Dr Pam about that kiss above.

Dr Pam says: “Gwyneth was attracted to Chris’s quirky Britishness and they’ve had a great relationship. In this early picture, it could be just an awkward moment, but the kiss looks a bit strained.”

Smug marrieds ... Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale

Transatlantic ... Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany

By DR PAM SPURR, Relationships expert

I’M not surprised American women fall for British men because they have many qualities American guys don’t.

Without a doubt, British men come out on top for humour. They can laugh most women’s socks off — and more.

Then there’s their quirky side. You’re at a country pub and suddenly you’re regaled with tales of it being a site of historical significance. Some might say British men are too reserved. But once they open up there’s depth and willingness to commit. British men offer challenge, charm, plus that irresistible cheekiness. What’s not to love

* English guys the new black? Perhaps it sounds much nicer in English accent when you ask the girl to take it up the ass. Like James Spader's Boston Legal character Alan Shore once said - bring in the English guy as an expert witness. The way they talk in that posh accent makes them sound smarter and believable than they actually are. By the way...you can keep Gwyneth Paltrow.

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Sexed-up Game of Thrones is Ulster's finest export

Emilia Clarke and Jason Mamoa in a steamy clinch during Game Of Thrones

Rory McIlroy may be revered in US golfing households and some recent Robinson-McGuinness roadshows have no doubt wowed many political and business leaders across America.But arguably the biggest Northern Ireland-related buzz in the US these days has come from one source: Game of Thrones.
The smash HBO series has put Northern Ireland on the television world's radar. It posted stellar audience numbers for 2011's first season and those numbers grew during the current season.
Last night's climactic episode of Season two was slated to pull in the most eyeballs yet - an audience well in excess of 10m.
Along with the rest of the world, a sizable chunk of America's TV devotees have also fallen under Game of Thrones' spell.
And what's not to like? Game of Thrones what every show needs to succeed - action, violence, political intrigue, stunning scenery - not to mention sex, nudity, and ... more sex. And more nudity.
But the fast-and-furious frivolity seems to have rubbed some in America's chattering classes the wrong way.
For, while the likes of the Khaleesis' regular prancing about in the buff no doubt titillates legions of men and boys (and likely many women as well), some American pundits are downright aghast at Game of Thrones' cavalier use of sex.
To be clear, in spite of the raucously entertaining news footage that America's religious fundamentalists regularly provide for world audiences, by and large, the US isn't a prudish nation.
In fact, current objections to Game of Thrones' 'skin-game' pertain not to the presence of sex and nudity, but rather the way in which they're used.
For example, Washington Post columnist Anna Holmes recently accused Game of Thrones' producers of 'shoehorn[ing] sex into the narrative as a way to cover up potentially snooze-inducing exposition' in the plot.
Holmes slammed one episode, for including a salacious 'three-way peep show that seemed to serve no purpose except to show as many kinds of heterosexual sex in as short a time-span as possible.'
Likewise, Carrina Lawson, of the popular website Wired.com, has taken HBO and Game of Thrones to task to for drinking the 'sexploitation' Kool-Aid.
Lawson, a fan of the Song of Ice and Fire fantasy novels on which Game of Thrones is based, objected to the use of "nudity as a device to catch viewers when the books are so rich".
Criticisms of Game of Thrones over its alleged sexploitation are by far the exception, rather than the rule. Overall, critics continue to rave about the show's complex and multi-layered plot. And, judging from the ratings, America's TV watchers seem to agree.
The bare facts are that spending in Northern Ireland generated by Game of Thrones, to date, has been about £43m.
The stripped-down reality is that Game of Thrones, whatever its make-believe origins, has been a very real booster for Northern Ireland's future.

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