Grammy bags a Fox

Entertainment moguls Zubin Gandevia, chief operating officer of Fox International Channels (FIC) Asia Pacific and Middle East, and Paiboon Damrongchaitham, chief executive officer and chairman of GMM Media Public, recently shook hands on a partnership deal that will see Thailand’s biggest entertainment content provider bring Fox’s content, including its 27 new channels, to broadcast on the GMM Z platform. 

This month alone, viewers will be able to watch “Star World” on GMM Movie 400 for 12 hours a day, as well as reality shows “Got to Dance” and “America Next Top Model” and the Miss USA 2013 pageant live from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on June 16.

Fox International Channels (FIC) is a subsidiary of the Fox Entertainment Group that produces and distributes entertainment, factual, sports, and movie channels through television channels in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The recent press conference saw some GMM artists take to the stage to talk about the programmes.

Napassorn “New” Phoothornjai and Piyanuch “Jew” Suerjongpru said they felt “American Idol” was an inspiration for everyone, themselves included. The reality singing competition, which seeks out new solo recording artists, has become one of the most successful shows in the history of American television.

“We were particularly impressed by the battle between Jennifer Hudson and the winner, Candice Glover. It was great,” says New.

Preeti “Bank” Barameeanant, former front man of rock band Clash, mentioned the Grammy Awards and their influence over the music industry. “LL Cool J is now as famous as Justin Bieber,” he said. 

He also admires the real kitchen in “Ace of Cakes”, a show that highlights the frantic activity in producing a substantial number of custom cakes in a short period of time. The series, which has aired since 2001, shows Duff Goldman and his team working long hours to build and decorate the cakes, and constantly cracking jokes to offset the alleged stress of hitting each deadline.

Supol “Bell” Phuasirirak is a serious movie fan but says he loves watching “Grey’s Anatomy”, an American television medical drama focusing on the fictional lives of surgical interns and residents as they gradually evolve into seasoned doctors, while trying to maintain personal lives.

Kanyarat Tiyapornchai, known as Lula, says she’s not really a fan of the sitcom “New Girl” but loves its star, Zooey Deschanel. The female singer also enjoys “Glee, the musical comedy-drama series that focuses on the William McKinley High School glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues.

“’Glee’ is an inspiration to anyone who wants to be a singer,” said Lula. “There’s plenty to learn about what it takes to make a show. It’s also very emotional.”