Latest Stories
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Backlash as TV’s most popular show turns 25
Is it wrong to watch Friends? It has been called the “greatest comedy ever broadcast on TV”. But, 25 years after the show first aired, a growing number say it is sexist, offensive and outdated.
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Jet-setting Prince launches green travel firm
Has he lost his way? Prince Harry, once the nation’s darling, is under attack from all sides. His supposed crimes: demanding celebrity treatment in public and, worse, rank eco-hypocrisy.
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Tourists hit Birmingham in Peaky Blinders mania
Why are we so fascinated by gangsters? The hit TV series about a violent mob is inspiring baby names, fashion lines, and putting the West Midlands on the global “screen tourism” map.
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The writer: ‘Rejection sets you on the path’
What does it take to work in the media? Lollie King is a writer and TV presenter. Whether she’s hosting a radio show or interviewing celebrities on the red carpet, every day is different.
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Shock findings: Junk TV undermines democracy
Is trashy television partly to blame for populism? Research shows that politicians peddling simple messages and easy answers are boosted by public exposure to “brain-numbing”, mindless TV.
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It’s the circle of life: The Lion King returns
Are there only seven basic stories? After a long wait, Disney’s all-star, live action remake of the classic film is in cinemas. For many, the story’s timeless familiarity is its greatest appeal.
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UK lays out plans to teach fake news in schools
Can you be taught to spot fake news? Yesterday, the UK set out its plans to tackle disinformation online. It means that schools across the country will be required to teach news literacy.
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Health warning over ‘inverted hallucinations’
Is there a deadly new plague sweeping through rich societies? Tomorrow, a leading psychologist will warn of the public health threat caused by lack of awareness of what is before our eyes.
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Love Island boys accused in new gaslighting row
Are Michael and Curtis guilty of “gaslighting”? The behaviour of two contestants in the controversial show has sparked a debate about toxic masculinity and emotional abuse in relationships.
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Terror for teen heroes as Stranger Things returns
Is horror the best way to explore adolescence? After a two-year wait, Stranger Things 3 is here. It is the latest of many shows to probe teenage anxiety through darkness, death and monsters.
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Stormzy rocks at the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’
Do experiences matter more than things? According to millions of posts today, this year’s Glastonbury Festival will be the memory of a lifetime for many fans. Is this part of a deeper trend?
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Imagine there’s no Beatles. It’s easy if you try.
How would the world have looked without the Fab Four? That is the question posed by Richard Curtis’s new film, Yesterday. Pop, protest and the sexual revolution might have been very different.
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Toy Story 4 explores what it means to be alive
Why are we alive? This is the surprisingly existential question posed by a new character in Toy Story 4, released today. The new film tells the story of a plastic spork that comes to life.
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The sinister rise of deepfake videos
Will deepfakes destroy democracy? In a viral video, Mark Zuckerberg lays out his scheme for world domination using stolen data. But the footage isn’t real — it was created with AI technology.
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Sun, sea and scandal over Love Island return
Should we feel guilty about watching Love Island? The show has been under fire for lack of diversity and exploiting some participants. But millions find it offers harmless fun and escapism.