Clarkson and the case of the cowardly comedian
‘Outspoken comic Frankie Boyle has called on the BBC to sack “cultural tumour” Jeremy Clarkson.’ Can anyone tell me what’s…
Eye-gouging within the first half-hour: the edgy new rules of TV drama
Where is Jessica Hyde? If those words mean nothing to you then I have some excellent news. If not, then…
You’re never too old, they say. But I am
For my 49th birthday treat, I went to see Shakespeare in Love at the Noël Coward theatre in London. Expensive…
You’re never too old, they say. But I am
For my 49th birthday treat, I went to see Shakespeare in Love at the Noël Coward theatre in London. Expensive…
Gomorrah is gangsters without glamour – but it's still not as scary as Dance Moms
Gomorrah (Sky Atlantic, Monday), the new, must-see Mafioso series, started promisingly. We met two hoods — one young, shaven-headed, good-looking;…
You owe it to yourself to visit John Clare country
This has been a terrible year for horseflies. It’s bad enough if you’re human: often by the time you swat…
The eternal beauty of John Clare
This has been a terrible year for horseflies. It’s bad enough if you’re human: often by the time you swat…
In which James Delingpole gets down with the kids, finds they’re sex-obsessed…
If there’s one thing everyone knows about BBC comedy it’s that it’s going downhill. According to Danny Cohen, now Director…
Fear and libertarianism in Las Vegas
Great God, Vegas is an awful place. I realised this the moment I arrived. My cab driver — who’d been…
Fear and libertarianism in Las Vegas
Great God, Vegas is an awful place. I realised this the moment I arrived. My cab driver — who’d been…
Your starter for ten: why do we Brits so love University Challenge?
‘Fingers on buzzers!’ says Jeremy Paxman on University Challenge. But technically this is inaccurate. Only one of the teams actually…
Imperialism is back – and this time it’s politically correct
‘Why did you leave us?’ said the old Sudanese man in Omdurman market. ‘Things were so much better when you…
A Glastonbury adventure with Led Zeppelin, Lana del Rey, drug dealers – and my son
‘Charlie. E. Powder,’ said the friendly, helpful man working his way through the crowd during the mindblowing Friday-night headline set…
Glorious Glastonbury
‘Charlie. E. Powder,’ said the friendly, helpful man working his way through the crowd during the mindblowing Friday-night headline set…
Glorious Glastonbury
‘Charlie. E. Powder,’ said the friendly, helpful man working his way through the crowd during the mindblowing Friday-night headline set…
Our shameful empire of aid
‘Why did you leave us?’ said the old Sudanese man in Omdurman market. ‘Things were so much better when you…
Looking for a Game of Thrones substitute? Vikings is the closest you’ll get – but it ain't close
Did you know that the 8th-century Kingdom of Northumbria was the epicentre of an international exotic reptile trade? I only…
The big fat lie about cholesterol
Though I’m not generally big on banning stuff, there’s one substance I would prohibit without a moment’s hesitation — probably on…
The big fat lie about cholesterol
Though I’m not generally big on banning stuff, there’s one substance I would prohibit without a moment’s hesitation — probably on…
We need something less evil than Britain's Got Talent. How about public executions?
You know what the world needs most right now? What it needs is five good-looking-ish, talented-ish blokes dressed in a…
Does Ukip believe in anything any more?
I’m worried about Ukip. It’s possible that my concerns are entirely misplaced but let me give you some examples of…
Ukip needs an ‘-ism’ – and I know just the one
Listen http://traffic.libsyn.com/spectator/TheViewFrom22_5_June_2014_v4.mp3 I’m worried about Ukip. It’s possible that my concerns are entirely misplaced but let me give you some…
Harry and Paul’s Story of the Twos is just too funny for its own good
On Harry and Paul’s Story of the Twos (BBC 2, Sunday), there was a particularly cruel sketch in which Paul…
The Farage touch
If only Tony Abbott were more like the Ukip leader
In praise of cyberchondria
There’s something perversely satisfying in discovering that your children have inherited your vices. That’s why I was so quietly pleased…
