David Attenborough centenary celebrations start with closer look at 'Life on Earth'

By Sarah Young and Francesca Halliwell

FILE PHOTO: Mural of David Attenborough, in Dublin

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - Celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of renowned British naturalist David Attenborough start next week with a show delving deeper ‌into his milestone 1979 TV series "Life on Earth".

That programme - with its famous face-to-face encounters with ‌mountain gorillas in Rwanda - set the pattern for natural history documentaries in the decades that followed and helped establish him as ​one of the world's most authoritative voices on conservation.

The new show, "Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure", goes into the stories behind the series and includes more footage of a baby gorilla climbing on the presenter and of a lioness hunting.

Reading from the diary he kept during filming, Attenborough recalls how he and the ‌crew were detained by the Rwandan army ⁠and threatened in Saddam Hussein's Iraq.

His team talk about the challenge of setting up shoots abroad when letters took weeks to arrive, and worrying about getting precious ⁠film rolls back to Britain in metal cans.

There are also more details on their hunt for an Indian Ocean fish often called a "living fossil".

They finally got footage of the coelacanth after a fisherman caught it by accident ​and ​then tipped off the crew after releasing it. "It was ​the first time it was filmed alive, but ‌only just," Attenborough jokes in the new programme.

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The series was game-changing, said Mike Gunton, creative director of the Natural History Unit at the BBC, who worked with Attenborough on later shows.

"All we really have done is remake 'Life on Earth'," Gunton told Reuters.

Attenborough was born on May 8, 1926, in London. His BBC career started in 1952 and two years later he got his big break with "Zoo Quest", which he ‌ended up presenting after the original candidate fell ill on ​their first shoot.

He moved into BBC management. Then, in his ​late 40s, he decided he wanted to ​return to making nature programmes and pitched the idea for "Life on Earth", a series ‌which would track the story of evolution.

Before ​three years of filming started ​he wrote all the scripts for the 13 hours of the show.

"He has, without doubt, defined natural history and how we see the world," the new show's producer/director, Victoria Bobin, said.

"Making ​Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure" ‌premieres on the BBC on Sunday.

There will also be a new series "Secret Garden", a concert ​in London and events at museums across Britain to celebrate the naturalist's birthday.

(Reporting by ​Sarah Young and Francesca Halliwell; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

bySator Tenet

in

April 30, 2026

David Attenborough centenary celebrations start with closer look at 'Life on Earth'

By Sarah Young and Francesca Halliwell FILE PHOTO: Mural of David Attenborough, in Dublin LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - Celebra...

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14 Times the Kardashian-Jenners Gave Kendall a Run for Her Money on the Runway

While Kendall Jenner is a professional model, her sisters Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian and Kylie Jenner have also sashayed down the runway

NEED TO KNOW

• Kim made her Paris Fashion Week debut for Balenciaga in 2022, then walked for the designer again in 2025

• Kylie's first runway show was for Avril Lavigne's Abbey Dawn line in 2011

TheKardashian-Jenner crewis a family of multi-hyphenates, but it'sKendall Jennerwho has supermodel at the top of her résumé.

The older daughter ofKris JennerandCaitlyn Jenner, Kendall has appeared on several magazine covers, secured multimillion-dollar beauty and fashion campaigns and walked runways for elite brands like Chanel, Balmain and Versace.

However, Kendall isn't the only one in her family who has taken a turn at modeling over the years. While none of her sisters have followed in her high-heeled footsteps professionally,Kim Kardashian,Khloé KardashianandKylie Jennerhave all strutted their stuff down the catwalk.

Kim got her start in fashion, walking much smaller runways forEd HardydesignerChristian Audigier. Then, theSKIMS founderlater modeled for Balenciaga and Dolce & Gabbana, designing collections in collaboration with the latter Italian fashion label. Kylie, meanwhile, kicked off her fashion show modeling career withAvril Lavigne's Abbey Dawn line.

Here's a look back at all the times Kim, Khloé and Kylie walked the runway.

Kim Kardashian for Balenciaga Couture Fall 2025

Kimmade her second appearance on a Balenciaga runwayin July 2025. For the luxury brand's fall 2025 couture show, themom of four's very old Hollywood ivory lace-trimmed slip dress and matching faux fur coat was topped with dazzling diamonds fromLorraine Schwartz, including two necklaces featuring 250 carats of diamonds.

Per a press release from the jewelry brand, Kim's dress was an ode to the oneElizabeth Taylorwore in 1958'sCat on a Hot Tin Roof. Appropriately, the bling Kim donned included theMike ToddDiamond Pendant Earrings, onceworn by Taylorand purchased at auction by Schwartz.

The show marked Balenciaga creative director Demna Gvasalia's last with the fashion house.

Kylie Jenner for Coperni Ready-to-Wear Spring 2025

Kylie toldVoguethat it was a "dream" to close theCoperni Ready-to-Wear Spring 2025 showat Disneyland Paris during ParisFashion Weekin October 2024. The makeup mogul looked oh-so-glam in a strapless black ballgown by the designer with contrasting fabrics on the top and skirt and embellished black evening gloves.

While appearing onVogue's "My Life in Looks" in October 2025, Kylie shared that her daughterStormi Webster, then 7, helped her get through her pre-show jitters.

"I was so nervous. I couldn't say no to walking out of the castle at Disneyland," Kylie said, adding, "I think I knew that if my daughter was there, that I wouldn't get cold feet and not do it. So I thinkshe really gave me the confidence."

Kim Kardashian for Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2023

Kim worked with the Italian fashion house toco-design her "Ciao, Kim" collection. When she got her moment to take a bow on the runway in Milan, theAll's Fairactress and producer did so in a sleeveless black sparkly gown, with her blonde hair styled in a high updo.

Kim Kardashian for Balenciaga Couture Fall 2022

The Kardashiansreality starmade her Paris runway debutat the Balenciaga Couture show in July 2022, alongsideNicole KidmanandNaomi Campbellin a body-hugging black dress. On her Instagram Stories at the time, Kim called the experience "a dream come true."

Kylie Jenner for Yeezy Season 1

Kylie modeled forKanye West's Yeezy Season 1 collection in February 2015. For her runway walk, she wore nude-colored shorts and boots paired with an oversized black jacket. At the time, Kim and the rapperwere still married. (The pairfinalized their divorcein November 2022.)

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Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner for the 2013 Heart Truth Red Dress Fashion Show

In February 2013, Kendall and Kylie joined forces to model red dresses for the Heart Truth Red Dress Fashion Show. Each wore a Badgley Mischka gown. Their mom,Kris Jenner, also walked in the runway show, as did celebrities likeKelly OsbourneandOlympicgymnastsGabby DouglasandNastia Liukin.

Kylie Jenner for Sherri Hill Spring 2013

Kylie looked ready for homecoming in a seafoam green party dress on the runway for Sherri Hill's Spring 2013 collection. She paired the bright pastel frock with nude peep-toe heels.

Kylie Jenner for Avril Lavigne's Abbey Dawn Spring 2012 Collection

Kylie made her runway debut strutting her stuff for Lavigne's Abbey Dawn Spring 2012 collection. She rocked three punk rock looks and, fitting for both the time and the show, wore dark eyeliner and had rosy-tipped hair.

According to the Kylie Cosmetics founder, the September 2011 show marked "the beginning of King Kylie."

"This feels like a lifetime ago, but I love [it] to this day," Kylie shared during aLife in Lookssession withVoguein 2025, where she was shown photos of her iconic fashion moments. "I remember I wasn't nervous at all, I was so confident. I loved my pink tips."

She continued, "This probably started, honestly, my love for colored hair, because it wasn't real hair dye. They put, like, chalk in my hair or something, and I was obsessed."

Kim Kardashian for the Heart Truth Fall 2010 Red Dress Collection Fashion Show

Kim stepped out for a good cause when she took to the runway in a crimson Marchesa dress for the Heart Truth's 2010 Red Dress Collection fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in N.Y.C.

Kim Kardashian for 2B Free Spring 2008

Who could forget the sweatsuits of yesteryear? Kim modeled not one but two varieties for the 2B Free Spring 2008 show, along with a delicate pink dress that she paired with heels.

Kim Kardashian for Heatherette Spring 2008

Kim walked in the Heatherette show for the brand's Spring 2008 collection. She wore an absolutely darling green dress lined with ruffles and bows — and an artichoke detail.

Kim Kardashian and Khloé Kardashian Open Rosemount Australian Fashion Week Spring 2008

Khloé joined Kim for Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. Both sisters wore sparkly minidresses to open the festivities, hitting the runway in true Kardashian fashion.

Kim Kardashian for Christian Audigier Fall 2007

How very Y2K! Kim had a major runway moment during Audigier's Fall 2007 show, sashaying in this floral minidress and an on-the-moment arm cuff.

Kim Kardashian for Dash Fall 2007

One of Kim's first runway experiences was for the family's own Dash line. In another extremely aughts outing, the reality star confidently glided down the catwalk in two Dash Fall 2007 looks: a burnt orange gown and a gray suit.

Read the original article onPeople

bySator Tenet

in

April 30, 2026

14 Times the Kardashian-Jenners Gave Kendall a Run for Her Money on the Runway

While Kendall Jenner is a professional model, her sisters Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian and Kylie Jenner have also sashayed down the...

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Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1957 Interview on “The Open Mind” Was 'Up There with the Gettysburg Address,' Says Host (Exclusive)

In celebration of the 70th anniversary of The Open Mind in May, Alexander Heffner is looking back on the legacy begun by his grandfather Richard D. Heffner

NEED TO KNOW

• Alexander tells PEOPLE that his grandfather's 1957 interview with Martin Luther King Jr. "is up there with the Gettysburg Address"

• In May, Alexander will launch the special "Mayors of the World" series in honor of the milestone anniversary

Years before the world would hear Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963,Richard D. Heffnersat down with the reverend in an episode of his then-newly establishedThe Open Mindtelevision program.

The February 1957 sit-down was many viewers’ “first encounter with Dr. King,” Heffner, a New York City native who also taught at Rutgers University, says in aretrospective introductionto the video shot decades later.

“I felt constrained to brief [viewers] on who he was; on what, indeed, his growing involvement was in what remains today perhaps our most confounding national issue: race relations in America,” he adds.

And now, in celebration of the program’s 70th anniversary in May, Heffner’s grandson Alexander — who took over as host in 2014 following his grandfather’s death in 2013 at age 88, is reflecting on the interview’s impact and how he’s continuing the show’s legacy all these years later.

“He wanted to give a platform to King in civil rights when that was not just out of the mainstream, it was completely devoid in the dialogue on TV in 1957,” Alexander, 36, tells PEOPLE, adding, “To my knowledge, it is the first broadcast appearance that King made on national television.”

In the episode, titled “The New Negro,” Richard sat down with King and a White South Carolina judge named Julius Waties Waring, “who was there kind of in a protector capacity,” Alexander says. (Waring's dissent in 1952's Briggs v. Elliott, in which he opined that "segregation is per se inequality," laid some groundwork for the Supreme Court's ruling in 1954's Brown v. Board of Education that led to the desegregation of public schools in the U.S.)

“He was the ambassador to King because not only was it completely irreverent and unconventional to have a discussion about civil rights,” he says. “The presence of this judge was making it arguably credible to the audience who was vouching for King.”

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The conversation, Alexander notes, speaks to the crux of what the show has tried to do over its seven decades on air.

“To this day, to me, that interview is up there with the Gettysburg Address, and just King himself and what was illuminated through the conversation, to me, that's the America that we aspire to, the dream that became more publicized as King grew in recognition. But he really, in so many ways, gave birth to it onThe Open Mind,” Alexander says.

He adds, “And then over the years, I think that's the philosophy that he brought to the series and that I've attempted to carry forward, which is there's no topic that is too controversial if it's approached in a fair-minded way.”

Following two seasons of his seriesBreaking Bread with Alexander —where he spoke to and shared a meal with — various politicians on both sides of the aisle, Alexander is launching a new special called “Mayors of the World” in celebration ofThe Open Mind’s 70th anniversary.

“I'm just super psyched that I can introduce our viewers on PBS to, like King back in '57, some of these unknown leaders who are making a difference every day,” he says of the upcoming program, which premieres in May. “And whether Olivia Chow in Toronto becomes a Prime Minister of Canada or Mayor Dickens in Atlanta becomes President of the United States I can't say, but I can say that these are people committed to the public good.”

In addition to Dickens and Chow, “Mayors of the World” will feature Haris Doukas, the mayor of Athens; Carlos Moedas, the mayor of Lisbon; Stephan Keller, the mayor of Düsseldorf; Henriette Reker, the mayor of Cologne; Francis Suarez, the mayor of Miami; Mike Duggan, the mayor of Detroit; Mario Desbordes, the mayor of Santiago; and Michelle Bachelet, ex-president of Chile.

The Open Mindairs weekly on PBS.

Read the original article onPeople

bySator Tenet

in

April 30, 2026

Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1957 Interview on “The Open Mind” Was 'Up There with the Gettysburg Address,' Says Host (Exclusive)

In celebration of the 70th anniversary of The Open Mind in May, Alexander Heffner is looking back on the legacy begun by his grandfath...

Read More