The State of TV Today
As 2015 draws to a close, television is falling into a bit of a lull, between shows taking their midseason breaks or wrapping up their short seasons. In January, programming will resume with crowd...
Category: Themes
Global Comment Advent Calendar 14: “Mistletoe & Wine” by Sir Cliff Richard
I am going to come right out with this - I love this song. I think it’s one of the best Christmas songs ever. However, I’m aware that it gets a massive bashing every year and is, for some reason,...
Global Comment Advent Calendar 14: “What Christmas Means to Me” by Stevie Wonder
Behind today's advent door lies a much happier tune! Stevie Wonder's What Christmas Means To Me is practically bursting with Christmas Motown joy. Released in 1967 on the Someday At Christmas Album...
Welcome to America: The Restrictive New Visa Waiver Act Before Congress
Welcome to America, everything is terrible. Or, rather, not welcome to America, should a recent US proposal to radically modify the visa waiver programme successfully pass. All signs point to yes,...
Global Comment Advent Calendar 13: “Stop the Cavalry” by Jona Lewie
Jona Lewie's protest song Stop The Cavalry has become a Christmas staple and takes us back to a less chirpy Christmas theme, but is nonetheless a Christmas classic of its own with an important...
How Star Wars Can Avoid Becoming Dude Wars: A Feminist Wish List
Well, friends, it is December of 2015. And, in the midst of the shrieking, writhing, hyperbole-spewing horror show that is the Internet (expressed any opinions about the US election lately? No? Good...
Review: “The Secret Chord” by Geraldine Brooks
Geraldine Brooks’ latest novel, an account of the life of King David told by his prophet, Nathan (Natan), takes its title from Leonard Cohen’s beloved and much-covered song, Hallelujah. Although...
Global Comment Advent Calendar 12: “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee
Today’s song takes us all the way back to the 1950s, and it sounds very much of that era as well. Brenda Lee’s Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree was recorded in 1958 when Lee herself was -...
Global Comment Advent Calendar 11: “Little Saint Nick” by The Beach Boys
Only the Beach Boys could conjure up a Christmas tune so effervescently Christmassy as Little Saint Nick, with their trademark harmonies somehow managing to convey both snow and sunshine all at once....
Loansharking Greece: Syriza, The Troika and the End of Greek Sovereignty
It’s the 70s. A small Mediterranean country of a historic past and turbulent present is undergoing an economic miracle. Greece’s economy is thriving, industries are springing like mushrooms, and...