Something for the weekend
The Lynx effect
As a man of some social standing, sophistication and devilishly winning good looks, one of Insider's reporters is rather used to catching the eye of the ladies. So it came as no surprise when, during a coffee with Paul Heaven of Bluesky, a rather attractive young lady came bouncing over declaring in a voice most of Starbucks must have heard: "Oh. My. God! It really IS you! Hope you don’t mind but I just had to come over and say hello"
Naturally the reporter took this in his stride until he realised it was actually Paul the lady was talking about: "This man is just SO brilliant! I just don’t know how he manages to do it all. See you later." Paul says the lady in question was part of an early stage business that he once helped, but Insider reckons he’s been delving into his Christmas presents a few days early and sprayed himself with a festive can of Lynx.
Full of air?
Seems that the West Midlands is bouncing back, literally. According to a survey, Wolverhampton is the national hotspot for start-ups in bouncy castle hirers, with Walsall, Telford and Coventry also making it into the Top Ten.
The report, by insurance broker Simply Business – apparently an expert in all things inflatable – says the dramatic increase is due to - wait for it – Pippa Middleton. Apparently Pippa, who makes her living out of party planning when not being the sister of the future Queen, is responsible for "the Middleton-effect sweeping the nation and sparking a craze in party-prenuers!"
Nothing like a Dame
If the kids are moaning that there’s nothing new on the telly over Christmas, they may be right. According to research from the University of Birmingham reality shows like Strictly Come Dancing and the X Factor are just pantomimes for the Xbox generation.
Professor Kate Newey has been delving into the history of panto – oh yes she has! She says we get the same mixture of melodrama, villains, risqué costumes and fairytale happy endings that kept Victorians entertained over Christmas on television.
"Not a lot’s changed since pantomimes began," she adds. "They still offer the chance for the audience to be silly, always needed at Christmas. In a similar way, Strictly Come Dancing and the X Factor have been allowing their audiences to indulge in over the top behaviour."
