Don’t cancel Damon Albarn for attacking Taylor Swift
He was wrong and the Swifties swarmed him, but there’s value yet in his critique
Alexander Larman
Alexander Larman is an author and the US books editor of The Spectator.
Wednesday
Monday
Reading gaol
Sentence: Ten Years and a Thousand Books in Prison by Daniel Genis reviewed
Friday
Hollywood awards shows have become boring
Let’s just hope Spider-Man doesn’t sweep all the Oscars and Golden Globes — then we’ll know we’re in real trouble.
A fond remembrance of Meat Loaf
The singer once christened ‘the uncoolest man in the universe’ delivered Big Rock Drama in spades
Wednesday
Where does Joss Whedon go now?
The talented writer-director is disgraced but Hollywood loves a penitent comeback
Tuesday
Will Jeremy Hunt be the next prime minister?
From our UK edition
Since he was defeated by Boris Johnson in the 2019 Conservative leadership contest, Jeremy Hunt has had a quieter life as a backbench MP. He has campaigned for the release of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe from custody in Iran and has been an effective and interventionist chairman of the Health Select Committee, often calling out his own
Sunday
Is Britain really too dangerous for Harry and Meghan?
From our UK edition
Shortly after his abdication in 1936, the now-Duke of Windsor wrote a series of letters while in European exile, in which he complained vociferously about numerous perceived privations that he faced. Chief amongst these was the provision for their security. The British government saw this as now being the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s responsibility,
Friday
How could No.10 staff party on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral?
From our UK edition
If any single image epitomised the sacrifices that millions made during the pandemic, it was that of the Queen, masked, black-clad and entirely alone, in a pew at Windsor Castle on 17 April 2021, at Prince Philip’s socially distanced funeral. For those who regard Her Majesty as the exemplar of the public servant, who has
Thursday
The decline and fall of Prince Andrew
From our UK edition
The final judgement, when it came, was phrased with admirable economy. This evening’s statement from Buckingham Palace said simply that: With The Queen’s approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen. The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is
Sunday
Sidney Poitier refused to be defined by race
The Old Hollywood great once declared, ‘I am artist, man, American, contemporary’
Tuesday
‘Don’t Look Up’ and Hollywood virtue-signaling
If the filmmakers are correct, debating the legacy of a 2021 comedy will be the last thing on anyone’s mind
Monday
Stacking up
Substack gives authors an opportunity to take back control of their own careers and destinies
Friday
How Covid killed grown-up movies at the theater
Audiences may never leave their couches again — unless it’s for Spider-Man 7
Wednesday
The undying Christopher Hitchens
Ten years after his death, he remains an inspiration to those who applaud wit and freedom
Friday
The problem with Christmas movies
Our writer gets grinchy about Love Actually and Elf
Wednesday
The return of the brilliant Nicolas Cage
He’s one of our most talented actors, elevating even the most awful of scripts
Friday
Is Prince Charles the royal racist?
Meghan Markle alleges a bigoted remark about her child, but from who?
Wednesday
Donald Trump: monarchist?
From our UK edition
As the Harry and Meghan carnival rumbles on, the Queen has found an unexpected source of support: Donald Trump. During an interview with Nigel Farage, Trump said of Meghan: ‘I’m not a fan of hers. I wasn’t from day one…she is trying do things that I think are very inappropriate.’ Meanwhile, he painted the Duke of Sussex
Monday
Remembering the brilliant Stephen Sondheim
Our greatest dramatist has died
Monday
The unstoppable Meghan Markle
A sit-down with Ellen shows she isn’t going anywhere, for better or for worse
