From the veteran Modfather to a teenage pigeon fancier: the best original photographs from the Observer commissioned in May 2024
May 2024
Weekend
Stephen Merchant on his ‘preposterous’ trajectory; the trouble with the Zoe nutrition app; and when does drinking become a problem? – podcast
‘It’s all been preposterous’: Stephen Merchant on fame, standup and the pressures of cancel culture
December 2023
Nothing captures the banality and beauty of a British Christmas like the finale of The Office
Lauren O'Neill
The quintessential crapness of the work party, a kiss surrounded by gawping colleagues – what could be more festive? says culture writer Lauren O’Neill
March 2023
Comic Relief raises over £34m as stars parody The Traitors and Eurovision
Hosts of BBC fundraiser include AJ Odudu and Paddy McGuinness but Lenny Henry is absent for first time
December 2022
2022 in TV
The 50 best TV shows of 2022
A great year for bingeable boxsets, streaming successes and your set-top box – see what you missed as the top telly shows of the year are revealed
August 2022
Kick Out the Jams: The Story of XFM review – pioneering 90s indie radio remembered
Documentary charts the station’s rise from pirate outfit to Britpop champion, featuring alumni including Ricky Gervais and Steve Lamacq
June 2022
TV review
The Outlaws series two review – everything Stephen Merchant does is hilarious
Despite Christopher Walken’s demonic sparkle, it’s the former Office star who shines in his own sweet, gentle crime comedy. And a dark twist suggests it could be Britain’s answer to Ozark
January 2022
Observer TV reviews
The week in TV: Anne; Four Lives; Mandy; Toast of Tinseltown
TV review
Four Lives review – truly damning TV about those who are meant to protect and serve
November 2021
A Boy Called Christmas review – charming quest gets its Claus in all the family
Adventure, elves and home truths mingle in this big-hearted movie based on a Matt Haig children’s book
October 2021
The week in TV: Colin in Black and White; The Outlaws; The Long Call; Universe
Netflix covers almost all bases in its hybrid series on knee-taking quarterback Colin Kaepernick; the stars collide for Stephen Merchant and Brian Cox; and move over Vera?
TV tonight
TV tonight: Christopher Walken revels in his first British TV lead role
The Hollywood legend makes an unexpected appearance in Stephen Merchant’s new comedy The Outlaws. Plus: Frankie Boyle returns to put the world in order. Here’s what to watch this evening
Stephen Merchant: ‘I see The Outlaws as a suburban, low-rent western’
The comic actor and writer on his new sitcom about community service, sharing Christopher Walken’s omelette and portraying a serial killer
March 2021
Locked Down review – Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor's pandemic stinker
Undeniable movie star charisma can’t save this torturous misfire about a couple who plan a heist during the London quarantine
May 2020
'Everyone considered it a bad idea': How The Office went from Slough to Scranton
Lockdown watch
Stephen Merchant: 'Harrison Ford would find a shop selling toilet roll'
September 2019
First look review
Jojo Rabbit review – Scarlett Johansson lifts smug Hitler comedy
A charming turn from the on-a-roll actor is the best thing about a thinly etched second world war satire
March 2019
Box office analysis: UK
Fighting With My Family wrestles top spot from Lego Movie 2 at UK box office
Mark Kermode's film of the week
Fighting With My Family review – Stephen Merchant has all the right moves
