https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/theguide Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017 Mon, 11 Dec 2017 02:29:46 GMT 2017-12-11T02:29:46Z en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2017 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/culture/picture/2017/dec/09/modern-toss-cartoon <p>It’s National Christmas Jumper Day on 15 December! Perfect attire for a big night out – so check out our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/clubs">clubbing page</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/picture/2017/dec/09/modern-toss-cartoon">Continue reading...</a> Culture Christmas Life and style Men's fashion Fashion Sat, 09 Dec 2017 13:00:07 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/culture/picture/2017/dec/09/modern-toss-cartoon Illustration: Modern Toss Illustration: Modern Toss Modern Toss 2017-12-09T13:00:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/09/best-radio-this-week-laura-ingalls-wilder-little-house-on-the-prairie-samira-ahmed <p>Samira Ahmed celebrates the 150th anniversary of the pioneer-girl author’s birth, while Matthew Parris looks back at his favourite shows</p><p>In <strong>Sunday Feature: Laura Ingalls Wilder</strong> (<em>10 December, 6.45pm, Radio 3</em>) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/samira-ahmed">Samira Ahmed</a> travels to the Missouri home of the pioneer-girl author who gave us the books from which sprang Little House on the Prairie. Back in the 80s, this was Ronald Reagan’s favourite TV show. On the 150th anniversary of Ingalls Wilder’s birth, Ahmed finds her work is still central to the self-reliance that remains vital to the United States’s self-image. Her legacy is still squabbled over by both sides of the present cultural divide.</p><p>Since hearing <strong>Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine </strong>(<em>Weekdays, 10.45pm, Radio 4</em>) I’ve learned the Gail Honeyman<strong> </strong>book this quirky story comes from is a bestseller. After one hearing I wasn’t in the least surprised. In this version, Tracy Wiles relates the routine of the young woman who works in Accounts Payable, wears the same clothes to work every day, plots a fuddled path through her lonely weekends with the help of two bottles of vodka, living out a life of quiet desperation until exposure to a local singer brings her into unexpected contact with the world of intimate waxing and thrusts her towards the madness that is normal life for her workmates. Brilliant in its way.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/09/best-radio-this-week-laura-ingalls-wilder-little-house-on-the-prairie-samira-ahmed">Continue reading...</a> Radio Television & radio Culture Sat, 09 Dec 2017 12:00:06 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/09/best-radio-this-week-laura-ingalls-wilder-little-house-on-the-prairie-samira-ahmed Photograph: NBCUPHOTOBANK / Rex Features Photograph: NBCUPHOTOBANK / Rex Features David Hepworth 2017-12-09T12:00:06Z https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/09/detectorists-rich-portrait-unremarkable-lives-gone-slightly-awry-mackenzie-crook <p>Testament to the mood-altering powers of television, Mackenzie Crook’s Bafta-winning comedy-drama allows us to tune out our grimly fractious world</p><p>‘Metal detecting is the closest you’ll get to time travel,” reflects Lance in<strong> </strong>the final episode of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/dec/04/detectorists-toby-jones-mackenzie-crook-box-set-review"><strong>Detectorists</strong></a> (<em>13 December, 10pm, BBC4</em>). “See, archaeologists, they gather up the facts, piece the jigsaw together, work out how we lived and find the buildings we lived in. But what we do … that’s different. We unearth the scattered memories. Mine for stories. Fill in the personality … We’re time travellers.”</p><p>It’s hard to think of a more exquisite TV creation than Mackenzie Crook’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/apr/08/bafta-tv-award-nominations-2015-utopia-detectorists-prey">Bafta-winning comedy-drama</a> following the fortunes of Lance (Toby Jones) and Andy (Crook), dedicated treasure hunters, crumpled nearly men and members of the Danebury Metal Detecting Club. If their gentle exploits haven’t made your heart sing and your stomach go fuzzy then, well, we can never be friends.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/09/detectorists-rich-portrait-unremarkable-lives-gone-slightly-awry-mackenzie-crook">Continue reading...</a> Television Culture Television & radio Drama Sat, 09 Dec 2017 11:00:05 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/09/detectorists-rich-portrait-unremarkable-lives-gone-slightly-awry-mackenzie-crook Photograph: Chris Harris Photograph: Chris Harris Fiona Sturges 2017-12-09T11:00:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/09/girls-insecure-stranger-things-how-bathrooms-became-tv-safe-space <p>Kitchens and living rooms were once the heart of drama and comedy, but in an era of messy protagonists the bathroom has taken over</p><p>Bullshit! Bull! Shit! No you! You’re … BULLSHIT.” Episode two of Stranger Things 2, and Nancy has found herself a new story arc: drunk at a party, she has spilled blood-red punch down her top, and she’s trying in vain to sponge out the spot. The previous episode ended with Nancy eyeballing the mirror, paralysed with guilt at having kept quiet about her friend Barb’s disappearance into a reality-fracturing netherworld. Now she’s ditching her boyfriend Steve and resolving to avenge her pal’s sticky, cobwebbed demise.</p><p>Both of these scenes in Netflix’s creature feature share a noticeable trope in modern TV storytelling; mostly practised by a new wave of American shows that unsparingly portray their characters’ inner lives. As emotional turning points happen, they happen in bathrooms.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/oct/26/stranger-things-2-review-1980s-retro-show-netflix">Stranger Things 2: retro teen sci-fi show's return is as delightful as ever</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jul/08/judd-apatow-freaks-and-geeks-big-sick-lena-dunham">‘Life is messy’: Judd Apatow on Freaks and Geeks, Lena Dunham and his return to standup</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/09/girls-insecure-stranger-things-how-bathrooms-became-tv-safe-space">Continue reading...</a> Television Television & radio Culture Girls Drama Stranger Things Sat, 09 Dec 2017 10:00:04 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/09/girls-insecure-stranger-things-how-bathrooms-became-tv-safe-space Illustration: Tim McDonagh Illustration: Tim McDonagh Jack Seale 2017-12-09T10:00:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/dec/09/culture-highlights-what-to-see-this-week-uk <p>From festive horror-comedy Better Watch Out to Mariah Carey’s Christmas tour, here is our pick of the best films, concerts, exhibitions, theatre and dance in the next seven days</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/dec/09/culture-highlights-what-to-see-this-week-uk">Continue reading...</a> Culture Film Exhibitions Art and design Pop and rock Music Classical music Dance Stage Theatre Sat, 09 Dec 2017 09:00:03 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/dec/09/culture-highlights-what-to-see-this-week-uk Composite: Various Composite: Various Steve Rose, Hannah J Davies, Andrew Clements, Jonathan Jones, Lyn Gardner and Judith Mackrell 2017-12-09T09:00:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/09/pharrell-williams-it-rains-they-shoot-black-people-nerd-kendrick-lamar-rihanna-ed-sheeran <p>N.E.R.D are back with a politically charged new album featuring Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Ed Sheeran and cosmic synths</p><p>Pharrell Williams is in a conference room at the London HQ of his record label, Sony. He’s here to play music from the new album by his alt-rap band <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/nerd">N.E.R.D</a>, the group he fronts alongside schoolfriends Chad Hugo and Shay Haley, who subverted the face of hip-hop with their punk-infused riffs in the early-00s. “I don’t know if you’ve seen the news or who’s running my country but it’s a real fucking shit show,” Pharrell says while introducing the record. “I’ve never seen such desperation in my life.”</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/sep/25/pharrell-williams-take-a-knee-charlottesville-protest-nfl-donald-trump">Pharrell Williams 'takes a knee' in Charlottesville protest</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/mar/27/pharrell-williams-movie-musical-atlantis">Pharrell Williams' early life to be made into movie musical</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global/2017/feb/12/pharrells-ever-expanding-universe">Pharrell’s ever-expandıng unıverse</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/08/pharrell-williams-interview-daft-punk">Pharrell Williams: 'My music is so much bigger than me, and what I am'</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/09/pharrell-williams-it-rains-they-shoot-black-people-nerd-kendrick-lamar-rihanna-ed-sheeran">Continue reading...</a> NERD Pharrell Williams Music Culture Pop and rock Sat, 09 Dec 2017 07:00:00 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/09/pharrell-williams-it-rains-they-shoot-black-people-nerd-kendrick-lamar-rihanna-ed-sheeran Photograph: Driely S Photograph: Driely S Hattie Collins 2017-12-09T07:00:00Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/08/jadu-heart-u-never-call-me-deluxe-tiramisu-accusatory-whisperpop-pitbull-noah-cyrus <p>Also this week: Pitbull eyes a slice of the Despacito pie, while Noah Cyrus goes for 2017’s mega-banger title<br></p><p><strong>TRACK OF THE WEEK</strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/08/jadu-heart-u-never-call-me-deluxe-tiramisu-accusatory-whisperpop-pitbull-noah-cyrus">Continue reading...</a> Pop and rock Music Culture Fri, 08 Dec 2017 15:00:05 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/08/jadu-heart-u-never-call-me-deluxe-tiramisu-accusatory-whisperpop-pitbull-noah-cyrus Photograph: Publicity image Photograph: Publicity image Graeme Virtue 2017-12-08T15:00:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/dec/08/spencer-jones-waynes-world-had-big-influence-on-me <p>The prop comic and Upstart Crow actor on the things that make him laugh the most, from Danny Dyer’s book to Mr Bean</p><p>Fin Taylor is my favourite recent watch. He pokes and prods at the parts of the liberal left and staunch right that need poking. He’s a man in the middle, masquerading as someone who is extreme in his views. He says things I think but don’t have the guts to say.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/dec/08/spencer-jones-waynes-world-had-big-influence-on-me">Continue reading...</a> Comedy Stage Culture Fri, 08 Dec 2017 14:00:04 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/dec/08/spencer-jones-waynes-world-had-big-influence-on-me Photograph: Jill Wooster Photograph: Jill Wooster Harriet Gibsone 2017-12-08T14:00:04Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/08/house-producer-yaeji-pretty-shy-about-using-my-voice <p>The BBC Sound of 2018 nominee, who was raised in Atlanta and Seoul, not only melds elements of dance and house – she also sings in English and Korean</p><p>Listening to <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kraejiyaeji">Yaeji’s music</a> is like having someone whisper in your ear in the middle of a crowded club. Combining deep, rumbling subs with the softest of vocals, it’s exhilarating and soothing at the same time. The combination wasn’t intentional. “I was pretty shy about using my voice, because I don’t think of myself as an amazing singer,” the 24-year-old explains, speaking (softly) on the phone from Brooklyn. “So me singing quietly came from that.” But what began as a by-product of her own self-doubt ended up perfectly suiting the duality of her music, which takes elements of house and techno and drapes gentle melodies over the top; the kind of songs, she says, that make you want to “dance your soul out until sunrise”. She has got two EPs out – Yaeji and <a href="https://soundcloud.com/godmodemusic/sets/yaeji-ep2-godmode">EP2</a>, both released this year – and has already landed a spot on the BBC Sound of 2018 longlist.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/nov/27/bbc-sound-of-2018-longlist-sigrid-not3s">BBC reveals its Sound of 2018 longlist</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/06/from-bush-doof-to-clowncore-your-favourite-underground-music-scenes">From bush doof to clowncore: your favourite underground music scenes</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/08/house-producer-yaeji-pretty-shy-about-using-my-voice">Continue reading...</a> Clubbing Culture Music Fri, 08 Dec 2017 13:00:03 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/08/house-producer-yaeji-pretty-shy-about-using-my-voice Photograph: Rachael Wright Photograph: Rachael Wright Alexandra Pollard 2017-12-08T13:00:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/08/best-tv-this-week-brexit-refugees-terrorism-the-tunnel-returns <p>Sky Atlantic’s cross-channel crime drama is back with a vengeance, while Seth MacFarlane’s Star Trek spoof, The Orville, launches on Fox</p><p>For one last time – and now with added Brexit – ill-matched, cross-Channel detective couple Karl (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jan/18/stephen-dillane-q-and-a">Stephen Dillane</a>) and Elise (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2013/oct/06/clemence-poesy-scandi-crime-the-tunnel">Clémence Poésy</a>) return. This time, they’re investigating a burning fishing boat. Has it been set on fire by rabid leave voters after straying too close to the White Cliffs of Dover? Time will tell …<br><em>14 December, 9pm, Sky Atlantic</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/08/best-tv-this-week-brexit-refugees-terrorism-the-tunnel-returns">Continue reading...</a> Television Culture Television & radio Fri, 08 Dec 2017 11:59:34 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/08/best-tv-this-week-brexit-refugees-terrorism-the-tunnel-returns Photograph: Guardian Design Team Photograph: Guardian Design Team The Guide 2017-12-08T11:59:34Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/08/benjamin-damage-pester-hmv-employees-records-john-peel-played-techno <p>The UK techno innovator empties the contents of his psychic record bag</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/08/benjamin-damage-pester-hmv-employees-records-john-peel-played-techno">Continue reading...</a> Dance music Music Culture Fri, 08 Dec 2017 11:00:00 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/08/benjamin-damage-pester-hmv-employees-records-john-peel-played-techno Photograph: Publicity image Photograph: Publicity image Harriet Gibsone 2017-12-08T11:00:00Z https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/dec/08/nina-vatolina-fascism-most-evil-enemy-women-stirring-propaganda <p>Artists were key to spreading Stalin’s ideology – and this image, created after the Nazi invasion in 1941, is a typically rousing take on the Russian everywoman</p><p>Nina Vatolina created this mighty figure as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/23/hitler-invasion-russia-second-world-war-germany-1941">the Nazis invaded Russia in 1941</a>. With her arms flung open and her wide stance, she has something of Hersilia, the woman who charges into the midst of the battle in David’s <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/The_Intervention_of_the_Sabine_Women.jpg">The Intervention of the Sabine Women</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/dec/08/nina-vatolina-fascism-most-evil-enemy-women-stirring-propaganda">Continue reading...</a> Second world war Art Art and design Culture Fri, 08 Dec 2017 09:57:12 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/dec/08/nina-vatolina-fascism-most-evil-enemy-women-stirring-propaganda Photograph: Image courtesy the David King Collection Photograph: Image courtesy the David King Collection Skye Sherwin 2017-12-08T09:57:12Z https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/dec/08/10-best-things-do-this-week-abba-exhibition-star-wars <p>The Southbank Centre pays tribute to the Super Troupers, while Rian Johnson focuses on the travails of Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi</p><p><strong>Screened/Silent Night 2</strong><br>As part of Screened/Mcr’s season of silent cinema, Texture in Manchester will screen <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/sep/07/silent-era-film-stars-risked-their-lives-doing-film-stunts">Buster Keaton</a>’s charming Sherlock Jr with a live accompaniment by pianist Darius Battiwalla. Author and lecturer Keith Withall will also provide an intro to silent cinema.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/dec/08/10-best-things-do-this-week-abba-exhibition-star-wars">Continue reading...</a> Culture Silent film Film Star Wars: The Last Jedi Art Art and design Abba Music Exhibitions NERD Mariah Carey Fri, 08 Dec 2017 09:01:38 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/dec/08/10-best-things-do-this-week-abba-exhibition-star-wars Photograph: Disney Photograph: Disney The Guide 2017-12-08T09:01:38Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/05/jake-shears-scissor-sisters-cher-dolly-parton <p>The former Scissor Sisters frontman on Cher’s lifeline, go go dancing and finally going solo</p><p>Jake Shears is hungover. The night before our interview in the bar of a fancy west London hotel, the former frontman of the multi-million-selling glam-pop practitioners Scissor Sisters, performed his first UK solo show at nightclub Heaven. He stayed up until 3am, knocking out renditions of his former band’s hits at a piano bar he can’t remember the name of with some friends he’d probably struggle to pick out of a lineup. It’s 4pm now but his eyes suggest he’s not been up long. “I’ll have a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gallery/2011/dec/09/12-cocktails-for-christmas">Negroni with vodka</a>, please,” he says to the waiter with a smile.</p><p>The previous night’s show was in support of new single Creep City, a 70s-inspired rock stomp and taster of his solo debut album next year. It marks his first proper release – beyond the occasional collaboration – since <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/may/24/scissor-sisters-magic-hour-review">Magic Hour</a>, the last Scissor Sisters record before their amicable split in 2012.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/nov/12/popandrock9">Exclusive: Jake Shears meets Elton John</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/05/jake-shears-scissor-sisters-cher-dolly-parton">Continue reading...</a> Music Culture Scissor Sisters Tue, 05 Dec 2017 09:00:12 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/05/jake-shears-scissor-sisters-cher-dolly-parton Photograph: Publicity image Photograph: Publicity image Michael Cragg 2017-12-05T09:00:12Z https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/04/when-good-tv-goes-bad-house <p>Hugh Laurie’s chronically ill sociopath paved the way for the ‘antihero savant’ genre. After season four, though, it was the viewers who suffered</p><p>When Dr Gregory House – played with sardonic relish by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/hugh-laurie">Hugh Laurie</a> – first limped on to our screens in 2004, he was the fulcrum of a fresh, inventive medical drama. The sharp-tongued sociopath lodged into brains like a tapeworm (which actually happened in the pilot). The show’s simple formula made for a thrilling watch: a patient with bizarre symptoms – hearing colours, for example – seeks help. They are insulted by a macabre doctor with wit and verve until a genius deduction occurs in the last act and they are cured. House paved the way for procedural dramas with unlikable savant main characters, including <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/sherlock">Sherlock</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jan/14/elementary-jonny-lee-miller">Elementary</a>, Psych and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jan/09/mentalist-box-set-review">The Mentalist</a>.</p><p>Left with a limp and in constant pain due to a misdiagnosis earlier in life, House only cares about two things: getting the diagnosis right, and where his next fix of pain-numbing drugs will come from. He cares not for the human beyond the mystery. At first it’s easy to forgive his cruelty because of his ability to say the things we all would like to (although he’s more than a little extreme in his narcissistic thoughts). Unfortunately, however, as the limits of plausibility are strained after the show’s season-four peak, it’s the viewer who wants to pop a handful of Vicodins to take the pain away.</p><p>House doesn’t so much jump the shark as hallucinate one that’s rainbow-coloured and speaking in tongues</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/04/when-good-tv-goes-bad-house">Continue reading...</a> House Television Television & radio Culture Drama US television Hugh Laurie Mon, 04 Dec 2017 13:00:10 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/04/when-good-tv-goes-bad-house Photograph: NBC/NBC via Getty Images Photograph: NBC/NBC via Getty Images Ben Gazur 2017-12-04T13:00:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/dec/04/last-jedi-star-wars-rey-hollywood-obsession-with-privilege <p>From Batman to Wonder Woman, the stars of superhero blockbusters are often born into power or wealth. Here’s hoping Episode VIII shakes things up</p><p>British cinema is often ridiculed for its obsession with royals and aristocrats, but here’s the thing: Hollywood is even worse. Having sold us American dream fables of little people rising to the top on their own merits for decades, cinema seems to have given up the pretence and admitted that it’s more about who you know – or who your parents are. Looking around (the Trump dynasty, the Eton chumocracy, entrenched inequality), perhaps they’re just being honest.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2017/nov/28/from-reys-dark-side-to-snokes-identity-all-the-questions-star-wars-the-last-jedi-must-answer-rian-johnson">From Rey's dark side to Snoke's identity – the questions Star Wars: The Last Jedi must answer</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/oct/11/snoke-is-anakins-father-readers-star-wars-the-last-jedi-theories">‘Snoke is Anakin's father’: readers' Star Wars: The Last Jedi theories</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/dec/04/last-jedi-star-wars-rey-hollywood-obsession-with-privilege">Continue reading...</a> Star Wars: The Last Jedi Film Culture Daisy Ridley Mon, 04 Dec 2017 09:59:07 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/dec/04/last-jedi-star-wars-rey-hollywood-obsession-with-privilege Photograph: Jonathon Olley/©2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Photograph: Jonathon Olley/©2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Steve Rose 2017-12-04T09:59:07Z https://www.theguardian.com/culture/picture/2017/dec/02/modern-toss-cartoon-loo-of-the-year-awards <p>Bog standard – it’s the Loo of the Year awards on 8 December!</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/picture/2017/dec/02/modern-toss-cartoon-loo-of-the-year-awards">Continue reading...</a> Culture Hygiene Health Society Sat, 02 Dec 2017 13:00:13 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/culture/picture/2017/dec/02/modern-toss-cartoon-loo-of-the-year-awards Illustration: Modern Toss Illustration: Modern Toss Modern Toss 2017-12-02T13:00:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/02/this-week-best-radio-this-old-heart-of-mine-giles-fraser <p>Radio 4 marks the 50th anniversary of the world’s first heart transplant with Giles Fraser, who discusses his recent heart attack</p><p>It is 50 years since the world’s first heart transplant was performed by Dr Christiaan Barnard. Radio 4 marks the anniversary with programmes that look at the scientific side of things as well as affairs of the heart. <strong>This Old Heart of Mine</strong><em> </em>(<em>Weekdays, 1.45pm, Radio 4</em>)<em> </em>has the Reverend <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/profile/gilesfraser">Giles Fraser</a> recalling his recent heart attack and the quadruple bypass that followed it. Over the week, he talks to the surgeon who operated on him, his psychoanalyst, his boss the archbishop of Canterbury (on the iconography of the sacred heart), cultural historian Dr Fay Bound Alberti and essayist Adam Phillips.</p><p>The neurologist calls it “Non-REM parasomnia”. For the sufferer it might mean rising in the middle of the night, getting your motorbike out, going for a ride and waking in the morning with no memory of the experience. In <strong>Mysteries of Sleep</strong><em> </em>(<em>5 December, 11am, Radio 4</em>) we hear from a number of people who have experienced this condition, which has had consequences both comic and tragic.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/02/this-week-best-radio-this-old-heart-of-mine-giles-fraser">Continue reading...</a> Radio Television & radio Culture Sat, 02 Dec 2017 12:00:11 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/02/this-week-best-radio-this-old-heart-of-mine-giles-fraser Photograph: AP Photograph: AP David Hepworth 2017-12-02T12:00:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/02/retiring-not-exactly-shy-real-marigold-on-tour-returns <p>Ostensibly an investigation into how pensioners live in other countries, a more accurate precis would be ‘old people baffled by foreigners being foreign’</p><p>Series two of <strong>The Real Marigold on Tour </strong>(<em>4 December, 9pm, BBC1</em>)<em>,</em> and our silver-haired celebrities pitch up in China. “Which is the way to the bus?” bellows <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jan/29/miriam-margolyes-old-age-raising-hell-osteoporosis">Miriam Margolyes</a> at Chengdu airport, shattering windows within a five-mile radius. “Do you speak English?” barks TV chef Rosemary Shrager at a startled passer-by.</p><p>The show arrives hot on the heels of ITV’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/nov/14/gone-to-pot-american-road-trip-review-weed-smoking-celebs-makes-for-the-years-funniest-tv">Gone to Pot: American Road Trip</a>, in which famous retirees including Christopher Biggins and EastEnders’ Pam St Clement pack their suitcases and sample a whole new culture. But where they get to ease themselves in by getting baked on world-class ganja, our gaggle simply shout at strangers.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/02/retiring-not-exactly-shy-real-marigold-on-tour-returns">Continue reading...</a> Television Culture Television & radio Sat, 02 Dec 2017 11:00:10 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/dec/02/retiring-not-exactly-shy-real-marigold-on-tour-returns Photograph: BBC/Tw Photograph: BBC/Tw Fiona Sturges 2017-12-02T11:00:10Z https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/02/beatles-rak-su-brief-history-of-boyband <p>After a brief hiatus, a new wave of groups are reigniting our passion for guys with chiseled jaws and peppy pop hits</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/apr/14/one-direction-boybands-jls-x-factor-stereo-kicks">No direction: have boybands hit the end of the road?</a> </p><p>“Boybands,” predicted Busted in their musical celebration of life in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu7HoGZaspo">Year 3000</a>, “and another one. And another one. And a-nother-one.” Wise words. None of us will live to verify Busted’s vision of a boyband-populated future but the recent past is more tangible: from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jun/26/michael-jackson-5-von-trap">the Jackson 5</a> to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/take-that">Take That</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/one-direction">One Direction</a>, bands of boys have delivered more than half a century’s worth of pop pandemonium, evolving with the times while staying true to the core boyband values of top harmonies and impressive cheekbones. Pop’s present, meanwhile, includes <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/the-x-factor">X Factor</a> frontrunners <a href="https://twitter.com/RakSuMusic?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Rak-Su</a> and US outfit PrettyMuch, both with their eyes on 1D’s recently vacated boyband throne – but how did we get here? And what hairstyles arrived on the way?</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2014/oct/22/osmonds-osmond-brothers-music-pop-1973">Osmond brothers land at Heathrow to chaotic scenes: from the archive, 22 October 1973</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/28/asap-rocky-american-flag-tshirt-branding-failure">Merch madness or simply clueless: when branding goes wrong big time</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/02/beatles-rak-su-brief-history-of-boyband">Continue reading...</a> Music Culture Pop and rock Sat, 02 Dec 2017 10:00:09 GMT http://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/dec/02/beatles-rak-su-brief-history-of-boyband Composite: Guardian Design Team Composite: Guardian Design Team Peter Robinson 2017-12-02T10:00:09Z