I don't watch all of SNL UK, but it's hard to ignore it with a NOW subscription. It seems to be really picking up steam in its second series. I'm seeing more clips on YouTube, more discussion about it, and Weekend Update is a roaring success. But also the sketches seem to have improved and this one: An Older and Wiser Boyband is SO good. "We put the naughty in …

I think I missed the news that iconic 90s TV show Baywatch was getting a reboot, because this trailer was a complete surprise to me. Ooooh. It's way too glossy and it'll never be a patch on the original but this is exciting. Honestly, just hearing those drums, the build-up, that song! It gives me tingles. I'm not entirely sure I'm comfortable living in a world where Hobie is now …

Three weeks into this year's Strictly live shows and the dance card is filling up with speciality dances. We've already seen a couple of Charlestons, two Couple's Choices and this time, the people's favourite, an Argentine Tango. For me, this is all too soon. It's really obvious that the celebrities aren't ready for these more complex dances. They're just getting their heads around Latin and ballroom, the differences, the requirements, …

!! Spoilers for series six, episode four of Slow Horses. Nothing beyond this episode. Only read on if you've seen it! This episode opened with the most intense ten minutes of fighting in a bowling alley, neon lights and everything. It was almost a relief when the opening credits rolled. But it wasn't all action in this fourth episode of the series, as we're finally starting to get some answers. …

This weekend’s Strictly show came with a lot of firsts - the first time all 15 couples got to participate in a theme week, the first time movies week has been so early in the competition, and the first time this year that someone was going to be sent home. The dance of the week, for me, was Cach and Maddie’s Samba. Fresh from last week’s freestyle quickstep that split …

!! Spoilers for series six, episode three of Slow Horses. Nothing beyond this episode. Only read on if you've seen it! One thing that makes Slow Horses stand out in a crowded espionage market, is the old-fashioned feel of it, clinging onto the coat-tails of the Cold War. This episode leaned into this in two distinct ways. Firstly, Sid and River were on the run from the hit squad twins. …

Following on from the re-development of this site, and the improvement in reviews, the next step was to try and surface more content. Somehow, I’ve managed to collect an archive of 1700+ films, 1800+ books, 1000+ albums (and 46 games). Previously, you could try a search or browse pages of cover images, but there was no real way to investigate the reviews in any detail. Landing lights I’ve been working …

The first week of Strictly's live shows felt like it was going to be the real test - of the dancers, of their new partnerships, and of course, of the new presenting trio. Present and correct The good news is that any sign of nerves was gone, the cringing competition-winner vibes of the launch show firmly in the past. Although the presenting team have denied they would fall into defined …

!! Spoilers for series six, episode two of Slow Horses. Nothing beyond this episode. Only read on if you've seen it! The second episode picks up right where we left off: River has buried his grandfather and the team are under threat. My concern for Shirley remains, but so far she has survived unscathed. Thankfully in this episode, no major characters were harmed, although a hitherto unknown agent was killed …

Whilst scrolling through TikTok, an intro video appeared for the Fourth Wall Bookshop - a new online bookshop that has a specific focus on movies, musicals and theatre. That's my idea of heaven! I immediately started browsing and curating a shortlist of titles I'd love to have on my coffee table. (Although I actually need to get a coffee table first.) The shop has a great backstory, from the about …

A month ago, when I wrote about the multiple changes to this behemoth of a Saturday night entertainment show, I was very much on the fence about it all. So much was going to be different, it might not feel like watching the same show, and it just might not be for me anymore. Well, as always, in fact an annual tradition at this point, the launch show blew all …

!! Spoilers for series six, episode one of Slow Horses. Nothing beyond this episode. Only read on if you've seen it! I've been eagerly awaiting the return of Slow Horses - one of Apple's best original programmes - and the sixth outing of the spy drama got underway this week. The first episode of each series has two jobs to do: catch us up with where everyone is, and kick …

I didn’t really want to watch this week’s Apple announcement because Tim Cook’s handed over the keys of the empire to John Ternus and I was mildly sad about that. John did a great job, though, and even brought back the ‘one. more. thing.’ And what a product to have saved it for! The iPhone Duo - Apple’s first foldable device. Of course they are behind the curve in terms …

I've just finished watching season three of Silo, which concluded last week - spoiler alert for anyone who hasn't caught up, or worse, hasn't watched any of it yet (what are you doing? Sign up to Apple now and get straight on to season one), I'm going to give away some plot points below. At the very end of the final episode of Silo, season two, we got a glimpse …

In reworking my website over the past few weeks, I’ve had a lot of time to stare at my writing, in particular the reviews of films, books, music and games. I realised, quite quickly, there was something really lacking in that department. I never claimed to be a seasoned critic of any kind, but even I could see that the reviews had gotten vague and lazy. It’s all very well …

Drifting towards the end of the UK's summer of heatwaves, I decided it was time to head to the coast. But rather than looking for sand and donkeys, I met up with my parents at Dawlish Warren for a short stroll along the South West Coast Path. You can walk between the train stations from Dawlish Warren to Dawlish itself, and the entire way is a brilliant view of sea, …