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Stephen Fry opened his appearance on ITV’s The Assembly with a startling question: “You tried to kill yourself a couple of times. Are you happy to be alive now?” The boldness set the tone for a conversation that veered far from the usual celebrity‑friendly script.The programme distinguishes itself by placing a well‑known guest in front of a panel of young adults with neurodivergence or learning disabilities. Free from the conventional safeguards of mainstream talk shows, the panel asks questions that are simultaneously unconventional and deeply human, prompting guests to respond without the usual rehearsed veneer.For Fry, the format proved liberating. Known for translating complex ideas into accessible language, he used the platform to discuss suicidal ideation, likening the experience to the lingering memory of a broken limb—painful yet now distant. This candidness allowed him to reaffirm why he remains a cultural touchstone.One of the most memorable moments came when a participant asked, “I read that you are bipolar. One of my family has that. How can I help them?” Fry responded with a vivid analogy, describing bipolar disorder as a “rainstorm raging inside you—eventually the sun returns, and it’s the weather, not the person, that changes.” This explanation resonated as both compassionate and educational.The interview oscillated between gravitas and levity. Fry fielded whimsical queries such as “Can you help me meet Céline Dion?” and “How much have you spent on cocaine?” alongside the probing “Are you a top or a bottom?” The juxtaposition amplified the emotional weight of the serious topics.At one point, a young panelist named Luca chose not to ask a question, instead performing William Wordsworth’s poem “The World Is Too Much With Us” with theatrical flair—a rare blend of poetry and performance that underscored the show’s experimental spirit.Another highlight involved Jacob, a panel member who brandished a list of Fry’s past advertising gigs—Heineken, Twinings, Honda, and more—before delivering the punchline, “Is there anything you wouldn’t do for money?” The extended joke built a collective laugh that softened the subsequent, more probing inquiries.Critics have likened the show’s tone to a hybrid of Radio 4’s In the Psychiatrist’s Chair and the cheeky, irreverent style of classic British comedy interviews such as those with Dame Edna Everage or Mrs Merton, creating a unique space where vulnerability and humor coexist.The episode concluded with Nina Simone’s “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” playing as Fry reflected on his experiences with antisemitism and bipolar disorder. Moved by the music, he rose and danced, offering a visual testament to the therapeutic power of the format.The Assembly aired on ITV1 and is now available for streaming on ITVX.

Several Premier League clubs are struggling to find new shirt sponsors ahead of next season, with nine clubs yet to secure front-of-shirt commercial deals and 12 having not signed contracts. The imminent ban on shirt advertising from gambling companies is having a significant impact on clubs' commercial returns, with the collective loss of income from shirt deals potentially as high as £80m next season.Gambling operators, particularly those serving Asian markets, have been willing to pay more than other companies to sponsor Premier League clubs. However, the removal of gambling firms from the market has led to intense competition among clubs at lower prices. Of the 10 top-flight clubs with gambling sponsors this season, only Bournemouth have announced a replacement, with the club's stadium sponsor Vitality moving on to the shirt in a cut-price deal.Brentford are close to announcing that their existing training kit sponsor, the job search website Indeed, will be on their shirt next season, while Everton and Fulham appear set to buck the trend as they are in advanced negotiations with the foreign exchange trader CMC markets. However, seven clubs with gambling companies' backing remain in the market, including Chelsea and Newcastle, who are still seeking new sponsors.The ban on gambling sponsorships has exacerbated the divide between the big six clubs and the rest of the Premier League in terms of the sponsors they can attract. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United are locked into long-term deals worth between £50m and £60m a year, while Leeds and Brighton have long-term contracts with Red Bull and American Express respectively.

Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner Don Garber has expressed his approval of FIFA's dynamic pricing strategy for the upcoming World Cup, which has significantly raised ticket prices across all games. The tournament is set to take place in the US, Mexico, and Canada this summer. Garber made these comments in Miami, where he attended the inaugural fixture at Inter Miami's Nu Stadium. He suggested that the high prices resulting from FIFA's dynamic pricing model are justified by the event's exclusivity, stating that Americans are accustomed to such pricing for major events. “FIFA has been smart. They have variable ticket pricing and I'm hoping they'll be providing access to anybody that wants to buy a ticket,” Garber said. “It's not really for me to comment on pricing. [MLS] has nothing to do with that, it's FIFA's decision. But I think it's going to be a premier event and premier pricing Americans are used to.” FIFA's dynamic pricing model has been met with criticism, with some labeling it as “price gouging”. US politicians have also weighed in, writing to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Supporters' groups have expressed outrage over the rising costs. Recently, FIFA raised the top price of a World Cup final ticket to $10,900, up from $8,600 after the finals draw in December. This represents a significant increase from the $1,600 top price for a World Cup final ticket in Qatar four years ago. Despite the controversy, Garber emphasized that MLS is working to capitalize on the tournament to showcase its growth. Many of MLS' top players, including Lionel Messi and Rodrigo de Paul, are expected to represent their nations during the World Cup. “We're going to be present during the games,” Garber added. “We've just finalized the last shoot for major advertising campaigns. It's the first time we've ever produced anything like that. We'll be advertising in the final and semi-finals with some of our biggest stars that we think will resonate around the world.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has voiced his concern over Kanye West's upcoming performance at Wireless festival, citing the rapper's history of antisemitic remarks and admiration for Adolf Hitler.West, also known as Ye, has drawn widespread condemnation for his comments, including voicing admiration for Hitler and releasing a song called 'Heil Hitler'. He has also faced criticism for advertising a swastika T-shirt on his website.Starmer emphasized that antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted clearly and firmly. He added that everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe and secure.The Jewish Leadership Council has condemned Wireless festival for booking West, calling the organisers' conduct 'deeply irresponsible'. Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, has called on the government to ban West from entering the UK, saying 'We need to get tougher on antisemitism.'West apologised in January for his antisemitic remarks in a letter published as a full-page advert in the Wall Street Journal, citing his bipolar disorder as a factor in his behaviour.

The US government has taken legal action against Illinois for attempting to regulate the rapidly growing online prediction market industry. The lawsuit, filed in Chicago federal court, claims that Illinois' efforts to shut down so-called designated contract markets regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) are unlawful.Online prediction markets allow users to bet on a wide range of events, from Oscar winners to military conflicts. These platforms classify their offerings as 'event derivatives,' which fall under federal commodities law and are overseen by the CFTC. This classification allows them to operate in all 50 states for users 18 and older.Illinois introduced legislation earlier this year that would impose strict regulations on prediction markets, including an effective ban on sports-related trades, advertising restrictions, and age verification measures. The CFTC argues that this legislation intrudes on its exclusive authority to regulate national swaps markets.The lawsuit is the first by the CFTC to block state gaming regulators from policing operators of prediction markets. It cites cease-and-desist letters sent by the Illinois gaming board to companies like Kalshi, Polymarket, and Crypto.com, alleging violations of Illinois gambling laws.The federal lawsuit names Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul as defendants. The case highlights the ongoing debate over the regulation of prediction markets, with some arguing they are essentially gambling operations and others seeing them as federally regulated financial exchanges.Congress is also considering federal measures to regulate prediction markets, including a bipartisan bill introduced by US senators that would ban federally regulated platforms from allowing wagers on sporting events.

The UK television landscape has undergone a significant change this Easter, as new regulations banning junk food advertising before 9pm have taken effect. For the first time, viewers will not be subjected to a barrage of advertisements for chocolate eggs and hot cross buns during their Easter celebrations.The regulations, which came into force at the beginning of the year, aim to tackle rising childhood obesity by prohibiting products high in fat, sugar, and salt from appearing in TV ads before 9pm. This move has resulted in a sugar-free viewing experience for UK audiences during Easter.The impact on the advertising industry has been notable, with TV advertising spending by confectionery and snacks brands almost halving year-on-year between October and February. Overall TV ad spend is down at least 15% year-on-year.Industry bodies and broadcasters have argued that the ban is more political PR than an effective policy, with the chief executive of ITV, Carolyn McCall, and former Channel 4 boss, Alex Mahon, pointing out that the government’s own research showed that the number of calories saved would be 1.7 a day, about a third of a Smartie.Campaigners argue that big food companies are compensating for the ban by upping marketing budgets on other media, such as outdoor media and radio. A battle is already brewing over the likely introduction of further restrictions, with the government launching a consultation on adopting a newer nutrient profiling model that would deem a far wider range of products too high in fat, salt, and sugar.

The recent video of McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski sampling the chain's new 'Big Arch burger' sparked widespread ridicule. This incident highlights a growing trend: CEOs and corporate leaders increasingly seeking to center themselves in the spotlight. This phenomenon, which can be termed 'CEOism,' raises important questions about the motivations behind it and its impact on consumers.Examples of CEOism abound. During the Super Bowl, the founder of Ring featured in the company's ad, only to face backlash for the dystopian undertones of the doorbell technology being promoted. In the sporting world, Fifa president Gianni Infantino has taken to inserting himself into high-profile events, including interrupting the start of the World Cup to give a welcoming address and unveiling the official sticker album.The reasons behind CEOism are complex and multifaceted. On one hand, companies are seeking to be seen as more relatable and approachable, which may explain why CEOs want to center themselves in advertising. On the other hand, the current cultural and political climate appears to have emboldened corporate leaders, who now seem more willing to express their opinions and insert themselves into public discourse.The article's author, Larry Ryan, expresses skepticism about the trend, suggesting that CEOs are mistaking interest in their products with interest in the people themselves. He longs for a time when CEOs focused on financial performance rather than seeking to be in the spotlight.However, some argue that audiences want to hear from the people behind brands and that 'CEOism' can be an effective marketing strategy. The success of podcasts like 'The Diary of a CEO' and social media influencers suggests that people may indeed be interested in hearing from corporate leaders.

OpenAI has announced the shutdown of its social media app Sora, which allowed users to share short-form videos generated by artificial intelligence. The decision comes amid growing concerns over the potential for deepfakes and nonconsensual content.The app, launched in September, aimed to capture the attention and advertising dollars of short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram. However, advocacy groups, academics, and experts raised alarms about the dangers of AI-generated videos, leading to proliferation of realistic deepfakes and "AI slop".OpenAI was forced to crack down on AI creations of public figures, including Michael Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr, and Mister Rogers, doing outlandish things, after an outcry from family estates and an actors' union.The shutdown affects a $1 billion deal between OpenAI and Disney, which was announced three months ago. The deal included Disney investing $1 billion in OpenAI and lending over 200 of its iconic characters for use in short, AI-generated videos. However, the transaction never closed, and no money changed hands.Disney stated that it respects OpenAI's decision to exit the video generation business and shift priorities elsewhere. The abrupt cancellation of Sora illustrates the messy process of streamlining as OpenAI prepares for a potential stock market debut later this year.

In a significant move, Meta has been ordered to pay $375m in a landmark case. This development is being seen as part of a broader big tech reckoning, with regulatory bodies taking a closer look at the practices of major technology companies. The case against Meta, formerly known as Facebook, highlights the growing scrutiny of big tech firms and their handling of user data and advertising practices. The $375m penalty is a substantial one, reflecting the seriousness with which regulators are approaching these issues. Meta's financial obligations in this case are a reminder of the regulatory risks facing big tech companies. As governments and regulatory bodies around the world continue to examine the practices of these firms, significant penalties and fines are likely to become more common. The image of Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, is a reminder of the high-profile nature of this case and the scrutiny that big tech leaders are under.