Russell Brand
The Spectator’s Notes
In 2014, Rolf Harris was convicted of sexual offences against girls. I wrote in this space that this would have…
The inequality of sex
As we all shroud ourselves in grief at being unable to watch Russell Brand any more on terrestrial television stations,…
Perfectly serviceable – at points even charming: Four Kids and It reviewed
This film contains flying children, time travel and a sand monster that lives under a beach — yet the most…
All that postwar anxiety about being vaporised by a nuclear bomb was a complete waste of emotion
When I was growing up in the 1970s, my three main fears were: being blown up by the IRA; being…
The staff of The Spectator are straight out of a painting by Norman Rockwell
Wow, what a week. London may be bad for one’s health, but it sure makes it fun on the way…
Portrait of the week
Home Tens of thousands took part in a demonstration in London against austerity, and thousands more in other cities. Russell…
Spectator letters: Why not vote like Belgians?
Bees vs Belgians Sir: To answer Rory Sutherland and Glen Weyl’s question: yes, everyone should vote and no, just because…
I’d move to Kosovo if Ed Miliband became prime minister
If any of you sees Graydon Carter, the editor of Vanity Fair, walking around with a begging bowl in his…
Portrait of the week
Home The British economy grew by 0.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2015, the slowest quarterly growth for…
Russell Brand’s heart is in the right place – but it’s not the place he talks out of
I write at a difficult time. The balls are in the air, but we know not where they will land.…
The awful rise of 'virtue signalling'
Why do the right thing when you can simply say the right thing?
The Heckler: down with the actor-commentariat!
I’ve never been terribly keen on actors. I prefer hairdressers and accountants. And teachers and builders and lawyers. I may…
Where Alcibiades once walked, amateur tax spies are trying to entrap poor pistachio-sellers
Athens I am walking on a wide pedestrian road beneath the Acropolis within 200 meters of the remaining Themistoclean wall…
A wonderful time was had by all at the Utter Arse of the Year awards
A glittering cast list, delicious food and spectacular entertainment — I just wish you could have been there. But tickets were…
Let’s appoint a Ministry of Scandalous Ideas
My children have a phrase called ‘fomo’ — which stands for ‘fear of missing out’. It is a constant, mildly…
There’s only one Alan Johnson (that's why Labour's in such trouble)
Labour voters feel hope and despair; hope, because the Tories are doing no better than we, and despair, for that…
Russell Brand and Nigel Farage remind me of myself five years ago
I’m often asked by other free school proposers what lessons I’ve learnt over the past five years. Any pearls of…
Russell Brand is duller than even the grimmest political interview
I have just spent a few moments in bed with the popular comedian Russell Brand and I have to say…
The harrowing, inspiring life of Andrew Sachs
Comedians always like to claim that they started making jokes after childhoods made harsh by poverty; that at a formative…
Hugo Rifkind: Yes, I'm apathetic about politics. But isn't Russell Brand?
Since I was a child, pretty much everybody I have ever met has asked me if I want to be…
Nancy Dell'Olio: Englishmen can't flirt (except for Russell Brand)
Why can’t British men flirt? This was one of my first thoughts when I arrived in England some years ago.…
The BBC bows to celebrity
The licence fee is both a blessing and a curse for the BBC. The clue is in that nickname —…
This terrifying book puts me off going online ever again —except maybe to Ocado — says India Knight
India Knight 21 March 2015 9:00 am
Jeremy Clarkson has been getting it in the neck from Twitter’s (I was going to say) tricoteuses — but social…