Michael Jackson biopic shows how far fans will go to protect an idol
A critical bomb but a commercial success, the new Michael Jackson biopic proves fans will do anything to preserve a dream of their idols. There is an absence at the heart of Michael, the new biopic charting the rise of Michael Jackson. And it doesn’t take a forensic specialist...
Current in Media
Jeremy Kyle and the politics of poverty
Television in the 2000’s and early 2010’s had ‘iconic’ shows like The Jermey Kyle Show and Fat Families, but were these truly a reflection of social transformation by Third Way politics? Older Gen Z or ‘Zillennials’ may remember watching daytime television on their old boxy TV’s, enjoying classics like...
Why is Andrew Tate #1 on Substack?
Manosphere figurehead and notorious misogynist Andrew Tate has the #1 bestseller spot on Substack this week. Is the platform at risk of becoming as toxic as every other social media platform? Andrew Tate has found his way onto Substack. The long-form essay sharing platform (where we publish The Common Thred...
What Love Is Blind US reveals about the politics of fitness
Countless studies cite a correlation between gym-going and conservative ideology. So when did exercise get so political? On the most recent US season of Love is Blind, a gym-obsessed contestant named Chris told his new fiancée Jess that he wasn’t physically attracted to her. This revelation would be abhorrently hurtful...
Does Ye deserve forgiveness?
A new album and three-night headline show suggest the rapper formerly known as Kanye West has emerged from his wrongdoings unscathed. When Ye announced his twelfth studio album, ‘Bully’, over a year ago, few fans held their breath. The artist has become one of the most contentious figures in modern pop...
Daryl Hannah, Ryan Murphy, and the ethics of the biopic
Where do we draw the line when it comes to on-screen depictions of real people? Ryan Murphy could never be labelled a people pleaser. Most of his projects flagrantly piss off at least one demographic, and if not outright offensive to some fraction of society they’re usually critiqued on the...
Turns out a lot of us care about ballet and opera
Timothée Chalamet’s dismissal of ballet and opera raises a lot of questions around the survival of the arts. Has Hollywood’s golden boy tarnished his crown? Timothée Chalemet was a shoo-in to win the coveted Best Actor trophy at this year’s Oscars. It’s his third nomination in the category, and despite having just turned thirty, a win for Chalamet feels like it’s been a long time coming. Few leading men have established...
The Jim Carrey conspiracies prove AI has already won
The actor’s recent appearance caused an internet spiral that suggests reality is slipping from our grasp. Are we entering a new age of authenticity? Back in the 90s, Jim Carrey was a household name. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who hadn’t heard of the actor or his bevy of successful movies – Ace Ventura, The Truman Show, Liar Liar, the list goes on. Carrey had built a career with his...
Broadcasters failed everyone at the BAFTAs
The BBC’s handling of a racial slur was damaging for all involved. It’s proof that inclusivity amounts to more than just a seat at the table. Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo endured a living nightmare when they took to the BAFTAs stage last week. It should have been a night of glorious celebration. Their film, Sinners, was up for a bevy of awards (it’s also bagged a record-breaking 16 Oscars nominations) and co-star...
Opinion – Biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid’s speech was a hot mess
The Olympian’s admission of infidelity came at the wrong time in the wrong place. By framing it as a romantic gesture, Laegreid embodies everything wrong with patriarchal, ego-driven ideas of love. Sturla Holm Laegreid’s speech was not the grand romantic gesture he thought it was. Before the 20km individual biathlon took place at the Winter Olympics in Italy last week, you’d probably never heard of Laegreid. He’s a successful Norwegian...
