Pandora’s Box by Peter Biskind review – essential viewing
‘A recipe for blandness’: critic Peter Biskind on why quality television is in chronic decline
August 2021
Book of the day
The Magic Box by Rob Young review – a spirited history of television
From spectral dreamscapes to The Year of the Sex Olympics, a lovingly researched history of British TV recalls the brilliant, the bizarre and the unworldly
January 2020
One of Them by Michael Cashman review – from Albert Square to Parliament Square
From a famous gay kiss on EastEnders to a seat in the House of Lords – a powerful account of public life, love and loss
December 2019
Book clinic
Book clinic: can you suggest funny reads from female authors?
From witty novels to comedians in print, Viv Groskop recommends ladies who’ll make you laugh
October 2019
Who Am I Again? by Lenny Henry review – a raw, touching memoir
The comic reflects on prejudice, being a ‘political football’ and his suspicion he’s neither black enough nor manly enough
August 2019
State of the Union: A Marriage in Ten Parts by Nick Hornby – review
Welcome to the raptor pit! The truth about comedy writers' rooms
July 2019
Books interview
Nick Fraser: ‘Documentaries can change the world’
As his book on the history of factual film is published, the former Storyville editor reveals his favourite docs and books
April 2019
Airhead by Emily Maitlis review – up close with Trump and the Dalai Lama
The chief presenter of BBC Newsnight vividly chronicles the pains of perils of news television
January 2019
Last Train to Hilversum by Charlie Connelly review – the magic of radio
A heartfelt and nostalgic guide to radio takes in birdsong, The Goon Show, and pre-digital crackles and pops
June 2018
All the Pieces Matter review – the inside story of The Wire
No dialogue in the acclaimed TV series was improvised, and the intent was deeply political, as this oral history by Jonathan Abrams discloses
February 2018
Hanif Kureishi: my beautiful box-set binge
For years, the novelist resisted the lure of TV. And then he watched all 86 episodes of The Sopranos, followed by Gomorrah and Mad Men. He salutes the most vital writers of our culture
August 2017
Praise for JK Rowling from her former teacher
Letters: JK Rowling’s former English teacher defends her crime writing skills in The Cuckoo’s Calling after a review of TV adaptation
May 2017
The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer: Twin Peaks' problematic tie-in
As the dark and twisted small-town drama returns to TV, Jennifer Lynch’s tie-in novel is being reissued as an audiobook, and it is far from easy listening
December 2016
Rereading
Will the latest Agatha Christie adaptation be a Boxing Day hit?
An early short story by the queen of crime, The Witness for the Prosecution, will be broadcast on 26 and 27 December on BBC1
October 2016
Book of the week
A Life in Questions by Jeremy Paxman – a Little Englander with Orwellian decency
Book of the day
The Joy of Quiz by Alan Connor review – question: name an entertaining new book on quizzing
September 2016
Play All by Clive James review – how box sets saved us from reality TV and Hollywood
James almost invented witty, intelligent writing about TV. He used to analyse Dallas but now turns his attention to Mad Men and Game of Thrones, says Joe Moran
August 2016
Book of the day
Play All: A Bingewatcher’s Notebook by Clive James – review
The veteran critic’s exploration of the recent golden age of US TV drama is an invigorating blend of wit and insight
