“Leo, you’re queer in 2026. You’re a political act”. So says Melba, portrayed by Paul Rhys with fire and pathos in Russell T Davies’ new drama, set around the LGBTQ+ bars in Manchester’s famous Canal Street. He’s addressing friend Leo (Alan Cumming) a proprietor of Spit and Polish club, who can’t understand why he’s justContinue reading “TV Review: Tip Toe”
Category Archives: Pop culture
Big Bogan Energy!
There’s something really heartening about the term bogan being used as a positive, finally. For too long, Australian and Kiwi working-class people, as with “chavs” in England and “neds” in Scotland, have been characterised as uncouth, stupid and a menace to society at large. Stereotypes persisted, of drinking, vandalism, prison tattoos and mullets, and notContinue reading “Big Bogan Energy!”
Half Man Is Half-Baked…
In his trailblazing novel ‘1984’, George Orwell wrote, “Imagine a boot stamping on a human face-forever”. Well, now we don’t have to imagine, we’ve got ‘Half Man’. Yay. Hot on the heels of the success of his drama series ‘Baby Reindeer’, writer and actor Richard Gadd announced the release of a follow-up drama series, whichContinue reading “Half Man Is Half-Baked…”
Howay,Daft Genius: Smoggie Queens Rules!
Series 1 of Smoggie Queens was brilliant: surreal, hilarious and touching. Focusing on a queer family in Middlesbrough, creator Phil Dunning, who also plays main character Dickie, crafted a loveable, silly bunch of misfits with recognisable quirks and – most importantly -a strong working -class sensibility. Series 1 set up the rivalry between Dickie andContinue reading “Howay,Daft Genius: Smoggie Queens Rules!”
The Tony Ferrino Musical: Silence Of The Lambs
Steve Coogan’s lesser-known character Tony Ferrino has been on my radar a lot lately, because of the Eurovision (Bulgaria won, incidentally.) Who could resist this stylish, moustachioed lothario; part Julio Iglesias, part Tom Jones, but all love stallion? This swingin’ number about a certain serial killer is possibly even better than Spinal Tap’s spirited paeanContinue reading “The Tony Ferrino Musical: Silence Of The Lambs”
Should’ve Been A Hit: Pop Will Eat Itself-Can U Dig It?
P…WE…I! Back in the day, West Midlands scamps Pop Will Eat Itself were a scrappy grebo band. Grebo was a term for scruffy, rough around the edges indie bands and was ubiquitous for about ten minutes in the mid -eighties. It obviously didn’t take off like grunge or Britpop, though. Then, after zero success, butContinue reading “Should’ve Been A Hit: Pop Will Eat Itself-Can U Dig It?”
Overlooked Classic: Fantomas- The Director’s Cut
Imagine your favourite film scores, chopped up and put into a blender. That’s basically the ethos of the brilliant second Fantomas album The Director’s Cut from 2001. It’s a millennium mashup like no other. Essentially a bonkers supergroup, comprising Faith No More’s Mike Patton, Buzz Osbourne from The Melvins, Slayer’s Dave Lombardo and Trevor DunnContinue reading “Overlooked Classic: Fantomas- The Director’s Cut”
Five Of The Best… Michael Jackson
With the recent TV documentary, Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy and the apparent hagiography Michael dividing people, I’ve been thinking a lot about the late singer, dancer and all-round eccentric and somewhat broken man. We’ll never know the truth, will we? And while that’s undoubtedly tainted Michael in many ways forever, he still left behindContinue reading “Five Of The Best… Michael Jackson”
Film Review: Liza Minnelli-The Last Heiress of Hollywood
Lucie Caries’ film about Hollywood icon Liza Minnelli is candid and moving, precisely because her subject isn’t afraid to speak openly and honestly about her tragedies as well as triumphant moments.So there’s battles with drugs and drink; unsuitable romances, Bob Fosse, Studio 54, Andy Warhol , Michael Jackson, AIDS activism, and a Pet Shop BoysContinue reading “Film Review: Liza Minnelli-The Last Heiress of Hollywood”
Is Nothing Sacred?! The Karate Kid Musical
And so, the 1980s/ nostalgia bandwagon trundles wheezily onwards into oblivion. We’ve had Heathers, Annie, Hairspray, now it’s the musical that absolutely nobody asked for, The Karate Kid. Bizarrely, Phoenix Nights predicted this would happen years ago, with their own amateur version. Original film posters. Join Daniel and Mr Miyagi as he battles to tackleContinue reading “Is Nothing Sacred?! The Karate Kid Musical”
Hit The North 