Loose Women

...the fabulous lunchtime television show; Loose Women! From that moment, I was hooked…!


*****
Loose Women was first broadcast on iTV in 1999, with its original panellists including Kaye Adams, Jane Moore, Ruth Langsford and several others. Since then, the show has seen many great presenters and 'loose ladies', interviewing a massive selection of superb guests, five days a week, Monday to Friday.


...
...the role of host in Loose Women during 2007. Andrea has two children; Finlay and Amy.

_Jackie Brambles_ Jackie was born on the 1st March 1967 (a day before my birthday!), in England. Her career on radio started in Scotland, where she is currently living with her husband and two children. She joined BBC Radio 1 in 1988, but left in 1993 to move to the States. There she became part of the GMTV team. Now back in Britain, she has returned ... more

About six months ago, I was sitting at home flicking through the channels on television, trying to find something to watch whilst eating my lunch. Nothing seemed to grab me, until I stumbled over iTV (STV for me in Scotland), and saw a programme which seemed worthwhile watching. Four women were sitting behind a long desk, giggling away over something. What was this strange programme? Well, it turned out to be none other that the fabulous lunchtime television show; Loose Women! From that moment, I was hooked…!

*****
Loose Women was first broadcast on iTV in 1999, with its original panellists including Kaye Adams, Jane Moore, Ruth Langsford and several others. Since then, the show has seen many great presenters and 'loose ladies', interviewing a massive selection of superb guests, five days a week, Monday to Friday.

The Panel

On the panel of Loose Ladies, there is always a main host/presenter who takes that days' show under their wing. Following her, there are three panellists raring to take part in discussions and banter, which also vary from show to show.

Current Hosts
Andrea McLean: Born in 1969 in Glasgow, Scotland, Andrea is a trained journalist, and has also worked as a travel writer and staff writer. In 1999, she became the lead weather presenter for GMTV, and landed the role of host in Loose Women during 2007. Andrea has two children; Finlay and Amy.

Jackie Brambles Jackie was born on the 1st March 1967 (a day before my birthday!), in England. Her career on radio started in Scotland, where she is currently living with her husband and two children. She joined BBC Radio 1 in 1988, but left in 1993 to move to the States. There she became part of the GMTV team. Now back in Britain, she has returned for Loose Women as one of the current hosts several days a week!

Current Panellists
Coleen Nolan Now a television presenter born in 1965, Coleen started out her career as a singer; she was the youngest sister in The Nolans. Coleen married Shayne Richie, but they later divorced, and now she lives with her two children and husband Ray. She first arrived to the panel for ayear in 2000, but soon left. She then returned in 2004 and has stayed until present. Coleen has just recently released her own fitness DVD, which helped her to slim down and drop several dress sizes.

Carol McGiffin Carol was born in 1960, and started her broadcasting career in 1988. She married Chris Evans in the early 90s, but was divorced by 1998. She has also appeared on many radio shows, and has been an active Loose Lady since 2003, but was on the panel briefly in 2000. Carol is definitely one of the most forward members, not afraid to speak her mind!

Sheree Hewson Born in 1950, Sheree is an actress, known for her roles in productions such as Carry On. She also starred in Crossroads, but when the soap finished in 2003, Sherrie became a panellist for Loose Women, and has been there ever since!

Jane McDonald Loved and known for her fabulous singing voice, Jane was born in 1963 and has released a variety of music albums and DVDs, after starting her career singing in pubs. She too has been an active panellist for a number of years, first starting out in 2004.

Denise Welch Denise was born in May of 1958, and is well known for her acting. One of her most successful roles in Coronation Street has also landed her with various other acting jobs. She married in 1988 and now has two children. She has been part of the Loose Women team on a regular basis since 2005.

Lynda Bellingham The newest panellist was born in 1948, and first started her acting career when she landed a role in 1970s soap; General Hospital. She has starred as many fantastic roles since then, and has also married twice. It is said that she is also moving to Broadway later in 2008.

Filming

Loose Women is currently filmed in London. Airing five times a week, only three of those hour-long shows are filmed live; Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30pm - 1:30 pm. Wednesday and Friday shows are filmed later in the afternoon from 5:30pm - 6:30pm in the London Television Studios.
Tickets for the audience are free, and can be booked at http://www.clappers-tickets.co.uk/.

Each Episode

The structure for each show is the same daily; starting off with a cheesy introduction; saying hello to the days' panellists, followed by a short debate. After the first break, we meet our first guest, followed by an interview. Following the half-way break at 1pm, there are further discussions, until the break at ten past one, after which we meet our second and final guest! The debates and discussions can be about absolutely anything, but more often than not it focuses on the daily headlines. The guests can range from British to American, from actors to authors. Each interview last about five minutes, and is a great way to find out about them and the field they perfect.

Single Episode

To give you a better idea of the show, I shall go into a bit of detail about a single episode. (6/2/2008).

Introduced in a royal manner by leading host Jackie, our days' panel included Sheree, Carol and Jane. The first little topic was based on last weeks' 'hobbies' conversation, with Jackie announcing that she can now play two chords to Wild Thing on the guitar she received as a present from the panel.

After this, we went straight into the first discussion; Is Cilla Black's son Richard right to be embarrassed by his partying mum? All four panellists believed he was wrong, and that there was nothing bad about Cilla now enjoying her social life! I was in much agreement!

After the break and competition chance to win £3000, we are thrown into the second discussion; Future Fanatics - do you dream of a better day? When each panellist was asked if they do dream of a brighter future, the opinions were quite mixed. With Jane (like myself) admitting straight away to doing a fair bit of dreaming and hoping, Carol on the other hand was totally against the idea. Both Jackie and Sheree were in the same boat, sort of in the middle, suggesting it's a sensible idea to plan ahead and put some money away, but not to get caught up, missing the present day excitement! I suppose they do have a fair point there!

The first guest is introduced in this second quarter of the show; 'Poirot' star David Suchet. I had not heard of him before, and knew nothing of him except that he was known for acting. He seemed quite a dull person to begin with, talked a lot too, but soon his humour began to shine through as he went on to discuss his new film, 'The Bank Job'.

Heading into the third part of the show after a quick break, it was time for the daily 'soap' discussion. Today the Ladies were focusing on Emmerdale and Debbie Dingle; is it Sensible or Selfish for teen mums to give up their babies? Again, the views amongst the panel were varied. This is an issue much like that of abortion; there is no right or wrong answer and you cant possibly understand it until you are faced with the situation! Personally, I feel that it's a sensible thing to do if the teen cannot provide that child with a life of happiness. My views and Carol's are pretty similar on this one.

A few weeks back, Carol embarrassed herself in front of Welsh actress Eve Myles with her shockingly low knowledge of Wales. Just before the break, Welsh weather girl is brought to the panel, and stayed right until the end of the show. She tested Carol on her knowledge of Wales now, after she had been sent away to study the country. Dressed up, she was quizzed on Welsh rugby stars, and the Geography of the place, not forgetting being made to sing part of the National Anthem (which she did 'beautifully', I must add!). Well done to Carol!

It was, as expected, a fantastic show today, and brought great enjoyment to me whilst eating my lunch!

Basic Facts

• Loose Women began back 1999, first airing on the 6th September.
• We are currently into the 13th series.
• The show won a TV Quick award in 2007 for 'Best Daytime Show'.
• Each show consists of one host and three main panellists, which change from time to time.
• Each show lasts for a total of one hour, airing from 12:30pm - 1:30pm.
• It is filmed in London Television Studios.
• Tickets for the audience are free and can be ordered from Clappers.
• Loose Women is sponsored by Maltesers!

Who Is The Show For?

I think it is safe to say that this show is clearly not everybody's cup of tea! It's really aimed at women, though there is no reason why men can't enjoy it; my Dad enjoys watching it now too (as does my dog!). As it is on during lunch time, there are many people who would not be able to watch it because of work/school. I manage to come home at lunch time to watch this show; I cannot miss it now as I am completely hooked! I think anybody who likes a good laugh would enjoy watching the Ladies on their banter, it's got such a natural comedy to it! It's family friendly, though some of the topics are slightly more 'crude' than others, such as yesterday's thong discussion. Aside from that, it's fantastic for all!

My Opinions

Having watched the show for such a short period of time compared to its commencing date, I have become completely attached; it feels like I have been viewing for many a year now! All the panellists are superb, but I think my ideal line-up would be Jackie as Host, with Coleen, Carol and Jane aside her. I've learned a lot about each Lady too, a great look into their lives!

The guests on the show are usually quite entertaining. Some of the most memorable ones recently include actresses Susie Amy and Vicky Binns and TV Presenters Holly Willoughby and Konnie Huq. Some of the guests, like today, I have not heard of before, but more often than not they turn out to be quite fascinating all the same!

There's something special about the Loose Ladies on the panel too; they are real women! Unlike many 'celebs' this day in age, the panel is always made up of healthy, lively women. They promote a nice healthy body image, and show that it's good to be happy with yourself. They are a real inspiration to me, as I aim for a career in TV Broadcasting/Presenting, much like Jackie and Andrea. I would give anything to find myself Hosting the show one day! Ladies (and gentlemen), watch this space…!

*****
Loose Women is one of the greatest shows on ITV Television; a lively and entertaining daytime chat show to keep your spirits up and amused right throughout the lunch hour!

© Amy 2008

*You can find out more about Loose Women at www.itv.com/loosewomen. 

...less