Category Archives: POPULAR CULTURE

Was it one series too many for After Life? A review

Posted on July 16, 2025 by SCARFMAN

A blog that argues that the black comedy After Life, should have ended in its prime after series 2. Disappointing third series Having just finished watching the third series of After Life by Ricky Gervais, I am left feeling somewhat … Continue reading →

Posted in COMEDY, EMOTION, ENTERTAINMENT, grief, POPULAR CULTURE, THE ARTS, TV, TV REVIEW, UK TV, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Super Starsailor, meant an OCD triumph

Posted on February 17, 2025 by SCARFMAN

Just over a decade ago, I no longer wanted to be here due to my severe contamination OCD. Fast-forward to Saturday, 15 February 2025, where I saw Starsailor at The Tung Auditorium in Liverpool. It’s proof at how far I … Continue reading →

Posted in ANXIETY, EMOTION, MENTAL HEALTH, OCD, POPULAR CULTURE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can Bob Mortimer, be as funny at writing novels as he is on TV? You bet

Posted on January 17, 2025 by SCARFMAN

By releasing his recent bestselling novels, The Satsuma Complex and The Hotel Avocado, Bob Mortimer, has become a complete British national treasure. Those of you wondering if TV comic royalty Bob Mortimer, might not be able to master writing comedy … Continue reading →

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BBC One gives event TV a new lifeline on Christmas Day 2024

Posted on January 16, 2025 by SCARFMAN

We need to celebrate the resuscitation of event TV because it unites us as a nation. Event TV is where you watch a much publicised TV show on the date it is broadcast, so you are then part of the … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, BBC COMEDY, BBC1, ENTERTAINMENT, POPULAR CULTURE, THE ARTS, TV, TV REVIEW, UK TV, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

INTERMEZZO by Sally Rooney – A review – 4/5

Posted on December 31, 2024 by SCARFMAN

Intense grief, brotherhood, and sex Intermezzo, the fourth novel by critically acclaimed Irish author Sally Rooney, is an absolute triumph that explores the impact of grief, family conflict, and unconventional relationships. Having never read a novel by Sally Rooney before, … Continue reading →

Posted in BOOK REVIEWS, grief, MENTAL HEALTH, POPULAR CULTURE, THE ARTS, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt – A review – 4/5.

Posted on August 17, 2024 by SCARFMAN

DeWitt, at his most poignant, brilliant best! If you want a novel full of murders, laughter, or sex, then take a look elsewhere. However, if you want a read that is full of poignancy and gripping emotion, then The Librarianist … Continue reading →

Posted in BOOKS, EMOTION, ENTERTAINMENT, LITERATURE, POPULAR CULTURE, THE ARTS, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Because We Are Bad by Lily Bailey – A review – The book I have always been longing to read

Posted on April 22, 2022 by SCARFMAN

“Wanker is someone who drives a car badly.” (p40, Because We Are Bad, Lily Bailey). Look Mr Irrational, I do not care what you say, I am starting this blog with that swear word. You sure though? What if Lily … Continue reading →

Posted in BOOK REVIEWS, BOOKS, MENTAL HEALTH, OCD, POPULAR CULTURE, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Peaky Blinders Series 6 finale review: the perfect ending

Posted on April 6, 2022 by SCARFMAN

One of the greatest things to have EVER appeared on our television screens. This is not hyperbole regarding the final episode of Peaky Blinders.  You see, I am simply recounting here my first tweet, indeed my first expressed mesmerized emotion, … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, BBC DRAMA, BBC ORIGINAL DRAMA, ENTERTAINMENT, POPULAR CULTURE, TELEVISION, THE ARTS, TV, TV REVIEW, UK TV, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Robbo: The Bryan Robson Story {2021} – A review

Posted on December 1, 2021 by SCARFMAN

‘Captain Marvel’ supreme, this is a must watch for all sports fans. Bryan Robson, arguably the greatest ever captain of Manchester United Football Club. A hero with no ego, this documentary about his life is both a joyous and emotive … Continue reading →

Posted in documentary, EMOTION, ENTERTAINMENT, POPULAR CULTURE, SPORT, THE ARTS, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are you brave enough to scale the heights? ‘The Heights’ by Louise Candlish – a review

Posted on August 23, 2021 by SCARFMAN

Louise Candlish has done it yet again with The Heights.  The only way is up for this storyteller supreme! Having been mightily impressed by Louise Candlish’s last three novels (The Other Passenger, Those People and Our House), it was always … Continue reading →

Posted in BOOK REVIEWS, BOOKS, death, grief, LITERATURE, POPULAR CULTURE, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment