Paul Whitelaw
@paulwhitelaw.bsky.social
I write about pop culture. Credits include The Scotsman, Radio Times, The Big Issue, Classic Rock, Doctor Who Magazine, Afternoons on BBC Radio Scotland. Co-creator of the So Disappointed podcast. Black cat enabler.
paulbwhitelaw.blogspot.com
paulbwhitelaw.blogspot.com
Watching First Blood with @wednesdaygj.bsky.social. One of *the* greatest action films, but I'll never understand why Rambo - an innocent man victimised by a corrupt reactionary police force - decides to blow up the town at the end. There was just no need to destroy all those small businesses.
November 14, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Watching First Blood with @wednesdaygj.bsky.social. One of *the* greatest action films, but I'll never understand why Rambo - an innocent man victimised by a corrupt reactionary police force - decides to blow up the town at the end. There was just no need to destroy all those small businesses.
Happy 80th birthday, Neil Young. Here he is in 1978, Never Mind the Bollocks T-shirt and all, performing a quite extraordinary version of Hey Hey, My My with Devo.
I mean, you wouldn't catch Graham Nash doing this, would you?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-3X...
I mean, you wouldn't catch Graham Nash doing this, would you?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-3X...
Neil Young and Devo - Hey Hey, My My (1977)
YouTube video by Zoltar 88
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Happy 80th birthday, Neil Young. Here he is in 1978, Never Mind the Bollocks T-shirt and all, performing a quite extraordinary version of Hey Hey, My My with Devo.
I mean, you wouldn't catch Graham Nash doing this, would you?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-3X...
I mean, you wouldn't catch Graham Nash doing this, would you?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-3X...
I'm reading/reviewing Richard Marson's marvellous new @tenacrebooks.bsky.social opus Box of Delights: The Story of BBC Children's Television for The Big Issue. Where else are you going to read about Johnny Ball cheerfully drop-kicking Humpty through the round window between takes on Play School?
November 12, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I'm reading/reviewing Richard Marson's marvellous new @tenacrebooks.bsky.social opus Box of Delights: The Story of BBC Children's Television for The Big Issue. Where else are you going to read about Johnny Ball cheerfully drop-kicking Humpty through the round window between takes on Play School?
Reposted by Paul Whitelaw
Every morning at 6am, he’s woken up by the radio playing this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN86...
November 11, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Every morning at 6am, he’s woken up by the radio playing this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN86...
Close Encounters would be a very different film if it ended with Richard Dreyfuss going, "Y'know what, lads? I'm not that arsed really."
This is where we're coming from in our next episode. The truth is out there. Maybe. But have we lost all interest in first contact? And if so, why?
This is where we're coming from in our next episode. The truth is out there. Maybe. But have we lost all interest in first contact? And if so, why?
Since 2023, military personnel have testified, under oath, in congressional hearings that they have either had encounters with, or have extensive information about, unidentified aerial phenomena.
Essentially: Aliens exist - but no one seem to care.
Are YOU as disappointed as we are about this?
Essentially: Aliens exist - but no one seem to care.
Are YOU as disappointed as we are about this?
November 11, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Close Encounters would be a very different film if it ended with Richard Dreyfuss going, "Y'know what, lads? I'm not that arsed really."
This is where we're coming from in our next episode. The truth is out there. Maybe. But have we lost all interest in first contact? And if so, why?
This is where we're coming from in our next episode. The truth is out there. Maybe. But have we lost all interest in first contact? And if so, why?
Ah, yes. I stand corrected. I'd forgotten all about Volunteers, as does the documentary (unless I missed a clip). Hanks only talks about Splash.
Two films, to be fair: Splash and Volunteers.
November 11, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Ah, yes. I stand corrected. I'd forgotten all about Volunteers, as does the documentary (unless I missed a clip). Hanks only talks about Splash.
I'd accuse the documentary John Candy: I Like Me of hagiography were it not for the fact that he was clearly a sweet man who no one has a bad word to say about. Could've done without the overbearingly SAD MUSIC towards the end - the story is moving enough without it - but that's a minor quibble.
November 11, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I'd accuse the documentary John Candy: I Like Me of hagiography were it not for the fact that he was clearly a sweet man who no one has a bad word to say about. Could've done without the overbearingly SAD MUSIC towards the end - the story is moving enough without it - but that's a minor quibble.
This is one of mine.
An affectionate parody of hapless rockers, This Is Spinal Tap, is now part of the cultural fabric as a new book by its creators explores.
A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap review
www.bigissue.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:55 PM
This is one of mine.
Really enjoying Pluribus so far. Not only because it's the sort of Serling-inspired, post-apocalyptic, allegorical sci-fi, black comedy satire I tend to lap up, but also because I just love wallowing in Gilligan et al's directorial house style. Unsettling deep-focus wide-shots and toilet bowl POVs.
November 8, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Really enjoying Pluribus so far. Not only because it's the sort of Serling-inspired, post-apocalyptic, allegorical sci-fi, black comedy satire I tend to lap up, but also because I just love wallowing in Gilligan et al's directorial house style. Unsettling deep-focus wide-shots and toilet bowl POVs.
Reposted by Paul Whitelaw
We are taking a little break from our usual schedule!
The next episode of So Disappointed will be out just before Christmas.
Guess what it’s about?
We’ve usually got all our interviews done by this point but the host is still recovering from injuries. In the meantime!
Listen to…🧵
The next episode of So Disappointed will be out just before Christmas.
Guess what it’s about?
We’ve usually got all our interviews done by this point but the host is still recovering from injuries. In the meantime!
Listen to…🧵
November 7, 2025 at 5:25 PM
We are taking a little break from our usual schedule!
The next episode of So Disappointed will be out just before Christmas.
Guess what it’s about?
We’ve usually got all our interviews done by this point but the host is still recovering from injuries. In the meantime!
Listen to…🧵
The next episode of So Disappointed will be out just before Christmas.
Guess what it’s about?
We’ve usually got all our interviews done by this point but the host is still recovering from injuries. In the meantime!
Listen to…🧵
Reposted by Paul Whitelaw
Really very pleased with this chat I had with @paulwhitelaw.bsky.social about how we both discovered The Monkees via the BBC's relentless children's schedules repeats, and the unexpected places that it led us to...
timworthington.org/2025/11/05/t...
timworthington.org/2025/11/05/t...
November 7, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Really very pleased with this chat I had with @paulwhitelaw.bsky.social about how we both discovered The Monkees via the BBC's relentless children's schedules repeats, and the unexpected places that it led us to...
timworthington.org/2025/11/05/t...
timworthington.org/2025/11/05/t...
The latest mail-out from TV Cream has reminded me of perhaps the greatest moment in television history.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHP-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHP-...
Peel in a pram
YouTube video by Rich Henderson
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:06 PM
The latest mail-out from TV Cream has reminded me of perhaps the greatest moment in television history.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHP-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHP-...
On BBC Radio Scotland's Afternoons show earlier I chatted to Michelle McManus about Vince Gilligan's new show Pluribus (no spoilers), the Sarah Snook drama All Her Fault, the latest series of Shetland, and tonight's Celebrity Traitors final.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Afternoons - With Michelle McManus - Echobelly - BBC Sounds
Britpop royalty Echobelly and Traitors finale gossip.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 6:32 PM
On BBC Radio Scotland's Afternoons show earlier I chatted to Michelle McManus about Vince Gilligan's new show Pluribus (no spoilers), the Sarah Snook drama All Her Fault, the latest series of Shetland, and tonight's Celebrity Traitors final.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Paul Whitelaw
Stunned onlookers were overheard asking “Did we die? Is this Hell?"
Jimmy Fallon, James Corden croon Sinatra, Bennett standards for gobsmacked guests in NYC
Jimmy Fallon, James Corden croon Sinatra, Bennett standards for gobsmacked guests in NYC
A source said, "The Eric Newman Jazz Band was playing, and before long, Fallon and Corden were up onstage trading Sinatra and Tony Bennett tunes!"
pagesix.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Stunned onlookers were overheard asking “Did we die? Is this Hell?"
I really enjoyed chatting to Tim about one of my favourite things, The Monkees. And you really must buy his splendid book, The Golden Age of Children's TV!
New! Ste from @scarredforlife.bsky.social on Grange Hill, @sugarraybuzzard.bsky.social on The Adventure Game, @superjules84.bsky.social on The Sooty Show, @dannykodicek.bsky.social on Big John Little John and @paulwhitelaw.bsky.social on The Monkees.
timworthington.org/2025/11/05/t...
timworthington.org/2025/11/05/t...
The Golden Age Of Children’s TV – “His Hair Represents Something Or Other”
Watch with Ste Brotherstone on Grange Hill, Martin Ruddock on The Adventure Game, Juliet Harris on The Sooty Show, Danny Kodicek on Big John Little John and Paul Whitelaw on The Monkees.
timworthington.org
November 5, 2025 at 9:18 PM
I really enjoyed chatting to Tim about one of my favourite things, The Monkees. And you really must buy his splendid book, The Golden Age of Children's TV!
Some dynamic strings-swept Northern Soul for your Wednesday evening - Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita & The Tiaras.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEI7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEI7...
Rita and the Tiaras - Gone With the Wind Is My Love (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Ace Records
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Some dynamic strings-swept Northern Soul for your Wednesday evening - Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita & The Tiaras.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEI7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEI7...
This is rather lovely. Donovan performing a Hurdy Gurdy Man/Sunshine Superman/Mellow Yellow medley on The Howard Stern Show in 1996.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zru3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zru3...
November 4, 2025 at 9:02 PM
This is rather lovely. Donovan performing a Hurdy Gurdy Man/Sunshine Superman/Mellow Yellow medley on The Howard Stern Show in 1996.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zru3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zru3...
I take foolish pride in my arcane knowledge of pop culture trivia, but the latest episode of @andrewhickey.500songs.com's podcast told me something I did not know. Leonard Nimoy once recorded a (dreadful) version of Proud Mary.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=evEZ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=evEZ...
Proud Mary
YouTube video by Leonard Nimoy - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:02 PM
I take foolish pride in my arcane knowledge of pop culture trivia, but the latest episode of @andrewhickey.500songs.com's podcast told me something I did not know. Leonard Nimoy once recorded a (dreadful) version of Proud Mary.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=evEZ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=evEZ...
I'm in the midst of reviewing Doctor Who concept artist Peter McKinstry's new book The Art of Time Travel for DWM. Not only is it full of McKinstry's beautiful illustrations and insight into the creative process, it also emphasises just how hands-on RTD was/is in every aspect of that process.
November 4, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I'm in the midst of reviewing Doctor Who concept artist Peter McKinstry's new book The Art of Time Travel for DWM. Not only is it full of McKinstry's beautiful illustrations and insight into the creative process, it also emphasises just how hands-on RTD was/is in every aspect of that process.
Reposted by Paul Whitelaw
I've said it before and I'll say it again now:
Live your life in such a way that millions of people do not rightfully have reason to cheer your death.
Live your life in such a way that millions of people do not rightfully have reason to cheer your death.
November 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
I've said it before and I'll say it again now:
Live your life in such a way that millions of people do not rightfully have reason to cheer your death.
Live your life in such a way that millions of people do not rightfully have reason to cheer your death.
"A fascinatingly fact-packed gift for Tapheads, it’s as much of a labour of love as the film itself."
My @bigissue.com review of A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap, by Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer.
www.bigissue.com/culture/book...
My @bigissue.com review of A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap, by Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer.
www.bigissue.com/culture/book...
A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap review
An affectionate parody of hapless rockers, This Is Spinal Tap, is now part of the cultural fabric as a new book by its creators explores.
www.bigissue.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:41 AM
"A fascinatingly fact-packed gift for Tapheads, it’s as much of a labour of love as the film itself."
My @bigissue.com review of A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap, by Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer.
www.bigissue.com/culture/book...
My @bigissue.com review of A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap, by Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer.
www.bigissue.com/culture/book...
Reposted by Paul Whitelaw
"The entire set presents such an intoxicating evocation of that whole Village milieu, you can practically taste the wine and cigarette smoke."
My Classic Rock review of Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series Volume 18 - Through The Open Window 1956-1963.
www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...
My Classic Rock review of Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series Volume 18 - Through The Open Window 1956-1963.
www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...
The latest The Bootleg Series tracks Dylan from Minnesota to New York
"A vivid chronicle of Bob Dylan's rapid ascent and growth as an artist"
www.loudersound.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
"The entire set presents such an intoxicating evocation of that whole Village milieu, you can practically taste the wine and cigarette smoke."
My Classic Rock review of Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series Volume 18 - Through The Open Window 1956-1963.
www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...
My Classic Rock review of Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series Volume 18 - Through The Open Window 1956-1963.
www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...
Reposted by Paul Whitelaw
Jim Jones! Aleister Crowley! Charles Manson! A really hangry Mike Love!
All of this and more can be found in the second and final episode of Gurus and Cults: They’ve Made A Fool
Of Everyone?, which is available now from wherever you get your podcasts.
audioboom.com/posts/879882...
All of this and more can be found in the second and final episode of Gurus and Cults: They’ve Made A Fool
Of Everyone?, which is available now from wherever you get your podcasts.
audioboom.com/posts/879882...
Gurus and Cults: You've Made a Fool of Everyone? (Part Two)
In the second and final episode of this extraordinary saga, we continue our gaze into the complex psychological make-up of gurus, cult leaders and the people who follow them. It features contributions...
audioboom.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Jim Jones! Aleister Crowley! Charles Manson! A really hangry Mike Love!
All of this and more can be found in the second and final episode of Gurus and Cults: They’ve Made A Fool
Of Everyone?, which is available now from wherever you get your podcasts.
audioboom.com/posts/879882...
All of this and more can be found in the second and final episode of Gurus and Cults: They’ve Made A Fool
Of Everyone?, which is available now from wherever you get your podcasts.
audioboom.com/posts/879882...
"The entire set presents such an intoxicating evocation of that whole Village milieu, you can practically taste the wine and cigarette smoke."
My Classic Rock review of Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series Volume 18 - Through The Open Window 1956-1963.
www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...
My Classic Rock review of Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series Volume 18 - Through The Open Window 1956-1963.
www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...
The latest The Bootleg Series tracks Dylan from Minnesota to New York
"A vivid chronicle of Bob Dylan's rapid ascent and growth as an artist"
www.loudersound.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
"The entire set presents such an intoxicating evocation of that whole Village milieu, you can practically taste the wine and cigarette smoke."
My Classic Rock review of Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series Volume 18 - Through The Open Window 1956-1963.
www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...
My Classic Rock review of Bob Dylan: The Bootleg Series Volume 18 - Through The Open Window 1956-1963.
www.loudersound.com/bands-artist...