Iain Hepburn
@iainhepburn.me
Failed former award-winning journalist.
Pinned
I’m reviewing series two of the real-time, brilliant, absolutely not ER-with-a-new-haircut hospital drama The Pitt for @thespoilist.bsky.social ahead of HBO Max’s launch in the UK later this year.
So here’s a handy thread where you can find each review as they drop. Warning: Spoilers, obviously.
So here’s a handy thread where you can find each review as they drop. Warning: Spoilers, obviously.
Carano hasn't fought MMA in 17 years. Rousey hasn't fought MMA in a decade. Both are deeply problematic. Well done Netflix, you've backed a winner there...
MMA: Ronda Rousey to come out of retirement to fight Gina Carano
Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey will fight Gina Carano in May - a decade after she retired from MMA.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Carano hasn't fought MMA in 17 years. Rousey hasn't fought MMA in a decade. Both are deeply problematic. Well done Netflix, you've backed a winner there...
Reposted by Iain Hepburn
NEW | ‘Inspired’ by that editor castigating a journalism graduate for not wanting a job just feeding the AI…
AI;DR: Journalism's quislings for AI and why I'll never use AI to write this newsletter
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/aidr-journ...
AI;DR: Journalism's quislings for AI and why I'll never use AI to write this newsletter
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/aidr-journ...
AI;DR: Journalism's quislings for AI and why I'll never use AI to write this newsletter
The future of journalism doesn't have to be AI-generated; we can and should resist.
brokenbottleboy.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:02 PM
NEW | ‘Inspired’ by that editor castigating a journalism graduate for not wanting a job just feeding the AI…
AI;DR: Journalism's quislings for AI and why I'll never use AI to write this newsletter
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/aidr-journ...
AI;DR: Journalism's quislings for AI and why I'll never use AI to write this newsletter
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/aidr-journ...
Reposted by Iain Hepburn
Hey, my new book has a new name! It's now revelling in the title "35 Inventions That Changed Your World: How We Built Modern Life", and is about how humanity has reshaped the planet around itself by inventing the concepts of buildings, cities and infrastructure.
www.waterstones.com/book/35%20In...
www.waterstones.com/book/35%20In...
February 17, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Hey, my new book has a new name! It's now revelling in the title "35 Inventions That Changed Your World: How We Built Modern Life", and is about how humanity has reshaped the planet around itself by inventing the concepts of buildings, cities and infrastructure.
www.waterstones.com/book/35%20In...
www.waterstones.com/book/35%20In...
Reposted by Iain Hepburn
My dad Bob would have been 72 today.
When Dad died, the thing I missed most was arguing about politics – and everything else
Much has been written about the EU referendum’s damage to our political culture; little attention has been paid to the way it destroyed my ability to talk to my father.
www.newstatesman.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:11 AM
My dad Bob would have been 72 today.
I see the Herald's 'arts' 'correspondent' has again confused transcribing a press release with doing actual journalism, enabling the Herald to continue its unopposed position as Alba Pravda.
February 17, 2026 at 10:32 AM
I see the Herald's 'arts' 'correspondent' has again confused transcribing a press release with doing actual journalism, enabling the Herald to continue its unopposed position as Alba Pravda.
It's really disappointing nobody made Kilnockie replica shirts in the way Harchester got their ones sold. Get on it, Umbro.
February 17, 2026 at 8:39 AM
It's really disappointing nobody made Kilnockie replica shirts in the way Harchester got their ones sold. Get on it, Umbro.
Reposted by Iain Hepburn
x.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Griftrax3k doing Space Raiders? They’ve finally been lapped by all the shows that came up in their wake then.
February 16, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Griftrax3k doing Space Raiders? They’ve finally been lapped by all the shows that came up in their wake then.
Just rewatched Into Darkness. Ach.
February 16, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Just rewatched Into Darkness. Ach.
RIP Robert Duvall
A Shot at Glory 2000 1080p
YouTube video by Matthew Brown
youtu.be
February 16, 2026 at 6:16 PM
RIP Robert Duvall
Ooh, the Bell’s hiring a new writer. Wonder if that will go as well as the attempt to hire a new editor last year…
🔔 It's a busy Monday at The Bell 🔔
💸 A disagreement over finances of the People's Palace refurb
🥁 Meet the millionaire drummer fighting Salmond’s legal case
🫖 An end to the stooshie at the Mackintosh tea rooms
🍻 What went wrong at Overtone brewery?
www.glasgowbell.co.uk/peoples-pala...
💸 A disagreement over finances of the People's Palace refurb
🥁 Meet the millionaire drummer fighting Salmond’s legal case
🫖 An end to the stooshie at the Mackintosh tea rooms
🍻 What went wrong at Overtone brewery?
www.glasgowbell.co.uk/peoples-pala...
A £12m shortfall at the People’s Palace renovation, or just a fundraising target?
Plus, meet the millionaire drummer fighting Salmond’s legal case, and an end to the Mackintosh tea rooms stooshie
www.glasgowbell.co.uk
February 16, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Ooh, the Bell’s hiring a new writer. Wonder if that will go as well as the attempt to hire a new editor last year…
Reposted by Iain Hepburn
NEW | Oh, so *now* dirty tricks are bad…
BEFORE LABOUR TOGETHER TRIED TO SMEAR SUNDAY TIMES JOURNALISTS, IT WAS A VITAL SOURCE FOR THEM
The real problem is that the Starmtroopers turned their dirty tricks on Murdoch's men.
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/before-lab...
BEFORE LABOUR TOGETHER TRIED TO SMEAR SUNDAY TIMES JOURNALISTS, IT WAS A VITAL SOURCE FOR THEM
The real problem is that the Starmtroopers turned their dirty tricks on Murdoch's men.
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/before-lab...
Before Labour Together tried to smear Sunday Times journalists, it was a vital source for them
The real problem is that the Starmtroopers turned their dirty tricks on Murdoch's men.
brokenbottleboy.substack.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:52 PM
NEW | Oh, so *now* dirty tricks are bad…
BEFORE LABOUR TOGETHER TRIED TO SMEAR SUNDAY TIMES JOURNALISTS, IT WAS A VITAL SOURCE FOR THEM
The real problem is that the Starmtroopers turned their dirty tricks on Murdoch's men.
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/before-lab...
BEFORE LABOUR TOGETHER TRIED TO SMEAR SUNDAY TIMES JOURNALISTS, IT WAS A VITAL SOURCE FOR THEM
The real problem is that the Starmtroopers turned their dirty tricks on Murdoch's men.
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/before-lab...
You mean all the beardy, tattooed cult-member arseholes who used to complain about anyone being critical of BD's share approach on the website and forum, bodying anyone even remotely negative about the company, are about to get absolutely shafted for their loyalty? Stop, I can only get so aroused.
BrewDog sale plan leaves some ‘equity punk’ investors steaming
About 220,000 people could be left empty-handed if a deal prioritises the company’s private equity backer
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:28 AM
You mean all the beardy, tattooed cult-member arseholes who used to complain about anyone being critical of BD's share approach on the website and forum, bodying anyone even remotely negative about the company, are about to get absolutely shafted for their loyalty? Stop, I can only get so aroused.
Reposted by Iain Hepburn
I still maintain that Alba’s refusal to publish accurate ratings data means we have no idea if this is value for money, or is a desperate attempt to shore up collapsed ratings.
But fair play, this is very nicely done (and just lacks a cafe and a giant sundae…)
But fair play, this is very nicely done (and just lacks a cafe and a giant sundae…)
February 16, 2026 at 5:58 AM
I still maintain that Alba’s refusal to publish accurate ratings data means we have no idea if this is value for money, or is a desperate attempt to shore up collapsed ratings.
But fair play, this is very nicely done (and just lacks a cafe and a giant sundae…)
But fair play, this is very nicely done (and just lacks a cafe and a giant sundae…)
I still maintain that Alba’s refusal to publish accurate ratings data means we have no idea if this is value for money, or is a desperate attempt to shore up collapsed ratings.
But fair play, this is very nicely done (and just lacks a cafe and a giant sundae…)
But fair play, this is very nicely done (and just lacks a cafe and a giant sundae…)
February 16, 2026 at 5:58 AM
I still maintain that Alba’s refusal to publish accurate ratings data means we have no idea if this is value for money, or is a desperate attempt to shore up collapsed ratings.
But fair play, this is very nicely done (and just lacks a cafe and a giant sundae…)
But fair play, this is very nicely done (and just lacks a cafe and a giant sundae…)
Apparently the O’Neill tactic for this game has been, ‘if you can’t go by a player, boot the ball into their face as hard as you can and try to injure them.’
February 15, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Apparently the O’Neill tactic for this game has been, ‘if you can’t go by a player, boot the ball into their face as hard as you can and try to injure them.’
Noah Wyle directs this episode and is as annoyingly talented at that as he is an actor and writer. And it’s a remarkable episode, focused on the nurses, the work they do and the thankless shit they put up with from both patients and management.
“Always listen to the nurses. They really run the ER. We just try to get out their way.”
Read our latest recap of The Pitt from @iainhepburn.me #ThePitt
Read our latest recap of The Pitt from @iainhepburn.me #ThePitt
The Pitt – Season 2 Episode 6: 12:00am - The Spoilist
Read our recap and review of The Pitt season 2 episode six, written by Valerie Chu and directed by and starring Noah Wyle.
www.thespoilist.com
February 15, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Noah Wyle directs this episode and is as annoyingly talented at that as he is an actor and writer. And it’s a remarkable episode, focused on the nurses, the work they do and the thankless shit they put up with from both patients and management.
John-Jules has been excellent for Kilmarnock today. Unlucky that free kick rattled the bar. Prowling that midfield like a cat.
February 15, 2026 at 3:34 PM
John-Jules has been excellent for Kilmarnock today. Unlucky that free kick rattled the bar. Prowling that midfield like a cat.
Reposted by Iain Hepburn
NEVER tell me you're a Labour supporter again, unless you're telling me that you're my enemy.
These MPs. Edinburgh Leith, North Northumberland, Birmingham Edgbaston, Gower, Pendle & Clitheroe, Mitcham and Morden.
All of them low-rent MPs, not the cabinet GCs. But the party is RIDDLED with them.
These MPs. Edinburgh Leith, North Northumberland, Birmingham Edgbaston, Gower, Pendle & Clitheroe, Mitcham and Morden.
All of them low-rent MPs, not the cabinet GCs. But the party is RIDDLED with them.
February 15, 2026 at 12:51 PM
NEVER tell me you're a Labour supporter again, unless you're telling me that you're my enemy.
These MPs. Edinburgh Leith, North Northumberland, Birmingham Edgbaston, Gower, Pendle & Clitheroe, Mitcham and Morden.
All of them low-rent MPs, not the cabinet GCs. But the party is RIDDLED with them.
These MPs. Edinburgh Leith, North Northumberland, Birmingham Edgbaston, Gower, Pendle & Clitheroe, Mitcham and Morden.
All of them low-rent MPs, not the cabinet GCs. But the party is RIDDLED with them.
Reposted by Iain Hepburn
Every single person involved in this hate campaign and everyone who has supported them - Anas Sarwar, for example - needs to be run out of public life the way they've run Dr Upton out the NHS. Being trans isn't a risk factor for people around you; this obsessive hate absolutely is.
Susan Smith of For Women Scotland is quoted in this piece saying that Dr Upton leaving the NHS will be "a relief to female patients."
The employment tribunal found that Upton had done nothing wrong! She was completely innocent of any kind of harassment!
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1592555...
The employment tribunal found that Upton had done nothing wrong! She was completely innocent of any kind of harassment!
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1592555...
Trans doc at centre of landmark Sandi Peggie court battle quits NHS
THE trans medic at the heart of a changing room war that cost taxpayers a staggering £400,000 has walked out on the NHS. NHS Fife bosses racked up the eye-watering bill in a failed bid to hush up n…
www.thescottishsun.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Every single person involved in this hate campaign and everyone who has supported them - Anas Sarwar, for example - needs to be run out of public life the way they've run Dr Upton out the NHS. Being trans isn't a risk factor for people around you; this obsessive hate absolutely is.
Reposted by Iain Hepburn
To show the tone of the coverage, this story which is apparently about her leaving the NHS is almost entirely giving Sandie Peggie's side to the case with quotes from supporters, refers to Beth Upton solely by her surname and Sandie Peggie only by her first name www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottis...
February 15, 2026 at 10:10 AM
To show the tone of the coverage, this story which is apparently about her leaving the NHS is almost entirely giving Sandie Peggie's side to the case with quotes from supporters, refers to Beth Upton solely by her surname and Sandie Peggie only by her first name www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottis...
Another weekend which makes me ashamed to have worked in Scottish newspapers.
February 15, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Another weekend which makes me ashamed to have worked in Scottish newspapers.
Reposted by Iain Hepburn
Today The Sun has a front page story about how Beth Upton has quit the NHS, which they have framed as “a relief for female patients,” misgendering her throughout. You have to go to 3/4 down page 7 to read a three-line paragraph noting that Dr. Upton was cleared of any wrongdoing in the tribunal.
February 15, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Today The Sun has a front page story about how Beth Upton has quit the NHS, which they have framed as “a relief for female patients,” misgendering her throughout. You have to go to 3/4 down page 7 to read a three-line paragraph noting that Dr. Upton was cleared of any wrongdoing in the tribunal.
Reposted by Iain Hepburn
The NHS loses a doctor but gains [checks notes] sorry, gets to keep a nurse who, as well as being transphobic, is a massively racist and homophobic liability to her employers, costing the NHS/taxpayers thousands upon thousands just to pander to her bigotry.
Anas Sarwar and JKR will be delighted.
Anas Sarwar and JKR will be delighted.
The disgustingly trans-hostile UK media are now hounding a trans doctor - who has already had the media spotlight on her as a victim of transphobia - because she’s decided to quit and flee the country to get away from the relentless transphobia! 😣😖
The UK media are BULLIES! 😤
The UK media are BULLIES! 😤
February 15, 2026 at 8:55 AM
The NHS loses a doctor but gains [checks notes] sorry, gets to keep a nurse who, as well as being transphobic, is a massively racist and homophobic liability to her employers, costing the NHS/taxpayers thousands upon thousands just to pander to her bigotry.
Anas Sarwar and JKR will be delighted.
Anas Sarwar and JKR will be delighted.