The Guardian Culture

A fascinating history of the World Cup: best podcasts of the week

Former US soccer player Merritt Mathias looks at times when the beautiful game has been a political football. Plus, a deep dive into who is funding Reform UKFormer US soccer player Merritt Mathias (pictured above) and journalists Musa Okwonga and Julio Ricardo Varela are a fascinating team of “football/soccer time-travellers”. They trace the history of how global power has tried to influence the game and make it political. After setting the scene with musings on this year’s World Cup, they first

entertainment  2d ago

The Guardian Culture

My Memory Is Full of Ghosts review – deeply moving visual hymn for the bombed-out Syrian city of Homs

Anas Zawahri’s documentary lays heart-wrenching testimony over languorous shots of bullet-ridden ruins and deserted streetsThe western Syrian city of Homs is only a husk of its former self. Previously a major industrial centre, the region became a key battleground between 2011 and 2014, for Bashar al-Assad’s army and rebel forces. Amid the immense bloodshed, hundreds of thousands of civilians were either displaced or trapped inside their own homes. Filmed in the summer of 2023, this deeply movin

entertainment  2d ago

The Guardian Culture

A British Childhood by Frank Cottrell-Boyce review – are we raising a bookless generation?

This clarion call about the loss of delight and safety in children’s lives is also a reminder of the sheer magic of readingEvery day, on my walk to work, I pass a primary school. A group of little people are being dropped off by parents. They are met at the gates by a teacher who greets them all by name before leading them up the steps to breakfast club. In the cold and dark of winter, with the school’s windows glowing invitingly, I sometimes envy these children their warm, welcoming cocoon.I th

entertainment  2d ago

Hollywood Reporter

Tonys Snubs: ‘Lost Boys’ Actor Ali Louis Bourzgui Scores Surprise Win Over André De Shields as ‘Rocky Horror,’ ‘Two Strangers,’ ‘Titaníque’ Shut Out

While 'Death of a Salesman' won the most Tony Awards Sunday night, actors Christopher Abbott and, to a lesser extent, Nathan Lane were among those snubbed as 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' and 'Ragtime' battled it out with some unexpected outcomes.

entertainment  2d ago

The Guardian Culture

TV tonight: revisiting the febrile frenzy of the Brexit vote, a decade on

All the big hitters – on the leave side, anyway – are rolled out for Brexit: A Very British Civil War. Plus: the return of scouse comedy G’Wed. Here’s what to watch this evening9pm, BBC Two What a decade it’s been. As the nation prepares to link hands and joyfully celebrate the 10th anniversary of the decision to leave the EU, this two-part documentary recaps the febrile weeks and months around that choice. History, it is said, is written by the winners. And so it proves here: disappointingly,

entertainment  2d ago

The Guardian Culture

Alice and Steve review – Jemaine Clement and Nicola Walker’s icky comedy is dated and wrong

This tale of a midlife man dating his best friend’s 26-year-old daughter is interminable, and so unconvincing that Clement looks embarrassed throughoutI’ll be honest with you – committed pessimist that I am, pseudo-incest was still not a square on my 2026 bingo card. But then along comes Alice and Steve to prove me wrong! It’s nice to find that life still has ways to surprise you.The titular characters are best friends and have been since they met at university, 30-plus years ago. Alice (Nicola

entertainment  2d ago

The Guardian Culture

‘The Epstein files are about more than men and money’: All the Rage, the ‘guerrilla’ play fuelled by 80 furious women

Enraged at how the victims of Jeffrey Epstein are being forgotten, more than 80 female and non-binary writers united – to create an epic drama fusing art, activism and anger. How will it work?As the Jeffrey Epstein juggernaut rolled across the media landscape earlier this year, transfixing the world with its grim stories of corruption and sexual abuse by powerful and well-connected men, a small group of female playwrights decided enough was enough: there was a glaring need for the story to be tu

entertainment  2d ago

The Guardian Culture

‘My life is about beauty’: Julie Newmar at 92 on shocking the world as Catwoman – and caring for her son

She starred in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, had to stoop when she danced with Fred Astaire, then became world-famous – and a gay icon – in the original Batman series. But her life behind the scenes has been just as interesting ...Julie Newmar is showing me her secret garden: an oasis of greenery around her house in Brentwood, Los Angeles, that is crammed with trees, flowers, sculptures and labyrinthine paths. It feels like a little piece of old-school Hollywood, untouched by the world outsid

entertainment  2d ago

Hollywood Reporter

Hugh Laurie Roasts Viral Social Media Critic of ‘House’: “I Look Forward to Your First Novel!”

The British actor does not take Gregory House slander lying down.

entertainment  2d ago

Variety

Tonys Snubs and Surprises: Alden Ehrenreich Beats Tight Competition, Nathan Lane Loses for ‘Salesman’ and More

The 79th Tony Awards unfolded at Radio City Music Hall with Pink as host, opening on a Broadway-sized reinvention of her hit “Lady Marmalade” that packed the stage with dozens of performers — among them former host Neil Patrick Harris and Megan Thee Stallion — under a banner of unity. “I’m here to celebrate the […]

entertainment  2d ago

Hollywood Reporter

‘Schmigadoon!’ Wins Best Musical at 2026 Tony Awards as ‘Liberation’ Wins Best Play

The ceremony, hosted by Pink, included historic and first-time Tony wins, with 'Ragtime' and 'Cats: The Jellicle' ball battling in the musical revival category.

entertainment  2d ago

Hollywood Reporter

Tony Awards 2026: ‘Book of Mormon’ Stars Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells Reprise Their Roles

The Broadway show, celebrating its 15th anniversary, won a total of nine awards at the 2011 ceremony, including best musical.

entertainment  2d ago

Hollywood Reporter

Scott Rudin Wins Tony Award After Leaving Industry Due to Bullying Claims

The producer was not onstage, however, to accept the best revival of a play trophy for 'Death of a Salesman.'

entertainment  2d ago

Hollywood Reporter

Aubrey Plaza and Christopher Abbott Make Red Carpet Debut at 2026 Tony Awards After Announcing Pregnancy

It was revealed the couple — who previously co-starred in the film 'Black Bear' and off-Broadway revival of 'Danny and the Deep Blue Sea' — were expecting their first child in April.

entertainment  2d ago

Hollywood Reporter

Queen Latifah Sets up ‘Chicago’ 30th Anniversary Tonys Performance as Alex Newell and Pink Dazzle

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Adrienne Warren, Julianne Hough, Whitney Leavitt and Dylan Mulvaney also partook in the sparkly showing.

entertainment  2d ago

Hollywood Reporter

Ali Louis Bourzgui Speaks up for Arab Theater Artists, Palestine in Passionate Tonys Speech

"For Arab theatermakers and artists, may we continue to tell our stories and show our faces, so our humanity becomes undeniable," Bourzgui said.

entertainment  2d ago

Variety

At 80, John Lithgow Makes Tony History as Oldest Male Acting Winner and Sets a 53-Year Record

John Lithgow is only getting better with age. With his latest Tony Awards win for actor in a play for “Giant,” Lithgow, 80, became the oldest man ever to win a competitive acting Tony. Lithgow, 80, became the oldest man ever to win a competitive Tony for acting. The benchmark he surpassed previously belonged to […]

entertainment  2d ago

Hollywood Reporter

‘Liberation’ Wins Best Play, Marking First Win by American Woman in Close to 40 Years

Bess Wohl's play about a feminist group in the 1970s takes home the award after winning the Pulitzer Prize.

entertainment  2d ago

Hollywood Reporter

Pink Kicks Off 2026 Tonys With “Lady Marmalade” Parody Boasting Megan Thee Stallion, Neil Patrick Harris and Dylan Mulvaney

The opener managed to weave in nearly every nominated musical and play this season and featured cameos from Lea Michele, June Squibb and even Paddington ahead of the bear's much rumored Broadway debut next season.

entertainment  2d ago

The Guardian Culture

Tony awards 2026: red carpet looks and the best of the show – in pictures

Rose Byrne, Sarah Paulson, Daniel Radcliffe, Adrien Brody and others gather to celebrate Broadway’s biggest awards night. The 79th annual Tony awards are hosted by Pink at Radio City Music Hall in New YorkTony awards 2026: Death of a Salesman triumphs, as Lesley Manville and John Lithgow also winTony awards 2026: full list of winners Continue reading...

entertainment  3d ago