Star World lines up a host of special events

Star World lines up a host of special events

MUMBAI: English general entertainment channel Star World has announced that it will air a slew of special events over the next two months. These range from a music awards show to a pageant.

Kicking things off is an over two week long initiative Miss World 2005 Vote For Me. This is aimed at building hype around Miss World by familiarising viewers with participants. This year, over a hundred beauties from every continent will vie for the honour of serving with a combination of grace and external beauty. Last year, viewers were allowed to have a say in who wins by SMS voting.

It's no different this year, but viewers will get the chance to vote almost one month before the main pageant itself. The top two vote-winners from each continent will automatically enter the final round in the main pageant itself. This month, get introduced to each continent's bevy of beauties in separate half-hour programmes starting 21 November 2005.

Miss World will then air live on 10 December 2005 at 6:30 pm with a repeat at 10 pm. The event takes place in Sanya..

There will also be an host of music related specials. The 33rd edition of the American Music Awards airs live on 23 November 2005 at 6:30 am with a repeat at 8 pm. This is one of the big four events in the annual American music calendar.

Last year, Outkast, Alicia Keys, Usher, Sheryl Crow, Reba McEntire, JayZ, Marc Anthony, Linkin Park and Toby Keith were but a few of those who appeared and were honoured. This time around viewers can expect lots of music royalty, live performances, funny speech moments and fashion.

Fans of The Beatles can check out Tribute To John Lennon: John And Yoko: Give Peace A Song on 8 December at 9 pm. 25 years to the day after his death, John Lennon is still considered the godfather of modern pop music. But more than that, he was also a visionary, a lover, an artist and a humanist. On this 25th anniversary of his death, two new specials pay tribute to his life, his legend and his legacy.

The show follows the creative process behind Lennon's keystone album Imagine, featuring footage John and Yoko Ono shot themselves. it documents the recording of seminal peace anthem Give Peace A Chance during John and Yoko Ono's infamous 1969 'Bed-In For Peace' in Montreal's Queen Elizabeth Hotel. How the recording was made and who sang on it is a fascinating tale of 60's culture, politics and music. In this special, the directors track down 27 of the 40 to 50 people that had been in the room that day, and got them to talk about the experience.

Give Peace A Song also features the longest interview given by Yoko Ono in the last 25 years, as well as a wealth of pictures that have never been seen before. Un-aired archival footage, out-takes from John & Yoko's own movie of the event, home movies taken by visitors, and the photographs of the only photographer given unlimited access to the Bed-In - Gerry Deiter. 8 December 1980 was the day when John Lennon was killed.

On the reality front the channel will air World's Most Shocking Moments on 13 December 2005 at 9 pm and on 14 December 2005 at 11 am. Before the Twentieth Century, when disasters struck, whether they were man-made or natural, people relied on newspaper reports and word of mouth to hear about the incredible events. Today,cameras roll all over the world 24 hours a day, and we can witness the world's most fantastic events, be it wonderful or shocking.

Star World then goes on to celebrate Christmas in the company of Kenny Loggins on 25 December 2005 at 9 am. The special will feature over 10 songs, and is peppered with stories of Loggins, his wife, his children and his celebrity friends. There will be solo and group performances of the songs by Loggins himself and his wife, Clint Black and his wife Lisa, as well as Olivia Newton John.

Then on Boxing Day 26 December 2005 at 11 am the channel will air Justin Timberlake Down Home In Memphis. In this one-hour special, the pop heartthrob and long-time boyfriend of Cameron Diaz heads south to his hometown to hold a concert. Along the way, he gives viewers a personal tour of Memphis, highlighting the town's musical legacy. Don't expect a documentary-style exploration of the city, but do be prepared for lots of interesting personal tidbits about the city. A highlight of the show is Timberlake's special rendition of Let's Stay Together with soul legend, Reverend Al Green.

Towards the end of the year the channel celebrates the career of the king of pop Michael Jackson. The show airs on 30 December 2005 at 10 pm and on 31 December at 4 pm. This takes viewers on a journey through the unparalleled career of perhaps the world's most gifted entertainer. Combining digitally-restored original music videos with live performances filmed over the years from Jackson's Off The Wall and Thriller eras,
 
This is a document of the man's genius, as well as a reminder of how far he has fallen. One can listen to classics like Billie Jean, Thriller and Black Or White. Experts from the music industry will talk about how those songs have transformed the music industry . Viewers will hear from Beyonce, Missy Elliot, Mary J.Blige, Jennifer Lopez, Quincy Jones and Wyclef Jean talking about Jackson.

On 31 December 2005 at 9 pm the channel will air Warovski Fashion Rocks For The Prince's Trust . This yearly benefit hosted by Prince Albert II of Monaco for the Prince's Trust has become something of a society event.Held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, this groundbreaking fundraiser pairs top designers with top music artists to put up a one-of-a-kind show and all for a good cause.

Hosted by ex-supermodel and actress Jerry Hall, the lineup this year includes hit acts like Kasabian, Blondie, Craig David, Mariah Carey, Bon Jovi, Jamie Cullum, as well as edgier fare such as Roisin Murphy of Moloko, new R&B sensation Amerie, art rockers.