A weekly roundup of talking points, sans effort

Worth the paper it’s printed on?
Last week there were…
… 79 articles published about Madonna previewing her critically panned directorial debut, whereas Alistair Darling previewed his memoirs and just 72 stories ran …
… Simon Cowell came back to British screens in the new gameshow, Red Or Black, and 59 pieces were printed, yet the controversial and expensive u-turn on Edinburgh’s already costly tram network proposals only claimed 56 headlines…
… and finally, Cheryl Cole’s tweets concerning her possibly making up with Simon Cowell and starring in a new film alongside Cameron Diaz resulted in 41 stories, but charges were dropped against nurse Rebecca Leighton regarding the Stepping Hill Hospital poisonings and just 40 articles appeared.
(Source: Journalisted)
Weekly high
Opening on September 13th, Westfield Stratford City is the latest addition to London’s ever-burgeoning list of shopping malls. In the run up to the big day The Viral Factory has released this online video, charting 100 years of fashion in the UK, set to a soundtrack that cleverly melds defining musical genres from the past century. Good work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JxfgId3XTs
Weekly low
More phone hacking issues, though this time from a completely different angle. Guardian journalist Amelia Hall, who played a central role in the revelations surrounding News International, is detained, and questioned under caution by police, raising concerns over press freedom, specifically ongoing attempts to criminalise contact between journalists and anonymous sources.

Battle of the tweets: Manchester vs London vs Glasgow

Top Manchester #tags (seven days to 8/9/2011)

#redorblack #xfactor

#mufc #mcfc

#fourlions #england

#youshouldbeashamed #cbb

#ireallyhatewhen

In contrast to last week’s heavily football-focused trends the last seven days have seen the sport drop off the key topic radar somewhat. Replacing it, of course, are the new Simon Cowell gameshow, Red Or Black, X Factor, Celebrity Big Brother, and the recent airing of Chris Morris’ controversial and hilarious terrorist satire, Four Lions. So then, it’s pretty clear what people in Manchester have been up to now the autumn rain has begun.
One to watch: hybridlava (Hybrid Lava- The blog for bloggers; 13,484 followers / 18,305 updates)
Top London #tags (seven days to 8/9/2011)

#xfactor #redorblack

#ireallyhatewhen #youshouldbeashamed

#thingsthatdontmakesense #london

#arsenal #cbb

#talkaboutawkward

Much like those a few hundred miles (or two hours on a Virgin Train) north of the capital, Londoners have been indulging in plenty of TV recently. Again we see Channel 5’s surprise ratings success Celebrity Big Brother on the list, plus there’s that omnipresent talent show, and the new home for its ex-star judge. Elsewhere people seem to be sharing tales of uncomfortable situations, and stuff that confuses them
One to watch: bengoldacre (Ben Goldacre- Bad Science person; 141,637 followers / 15,514 updates)
Top Glasgow #tags (seven days to 8/9/2011)

#xfactor #redorblack

#scotland #celtic

#pennyblockade #greatscottishrun

#fourlions #mercuryprize

#garagelive

As one of Britain’s most prominent creative cities, boasting revered galleries and many an artistic space, there are few finer towns than Glasgow in which to soak up high culture. As such it’s no surprise X Factor and Red Or Black rate highly… On more serious notes, PJ Harvey won the Mercury Prize this week, which seems to have gone down well in Scotland’s biggest urban sprawl, while monies in Rangers FC’s bank account is ring fenced by HMRC in the #pennyblockade
One to watch: davidshrigley (David Shrigley- 197cm tall artist; 13,387 followers / 351 updates)
That was The Blagger’s Blog, a selection of statements, statistics and noteworthy newsies from across the media and social world, amalgamated, allowing the time-starved professional to start a conversation from thin air.
If there is a success story, blunder, or tweeting town you’d like to see included email [email protected] or tweet using #blaggersblog. Happy Friday!