Richard Osman and Marina Hyde welcome you to the first episode of The Rest Is Entertainment. Each week they'll explore the world of television, film, books and celebrity gossip. First up for discussion, is Nigel Farage a good booking for I'm a Celebrity? And will a stint in the jungle help his PR? Why did Jeff Bezos agree to an excruciating interview and photoshoot along with fiance Lauren Sánchez in American Vogue? And Richard explains why he loves the new Netflix game show version of Squid Game, while Marina takes a rather different view.
This week on The Rest Is Entertainment, Richard Osman and Marina Hyde ask if the Marvel franchise has finally met its match in audience superhero fatigue? Which of the Robbie Williams, David Beckham and Ronnie O'Sullivan documentaries come out on top, and the power the late Henry Kissinger wielded in Hollywood... plus how Richard broke Spice Girl Mel C's leg.
Calling all Swifties! Richard and Marina discuss the powerhouse that is Taylor Swift being bestowed TIME Magazine's 'Person of The Year'; Richard breaks down the battle for Christmas number 1 - and provides plenty of musical facts you can claim as your own; plus we reflect on the I'm A Celebrity finale and offer a whole host of book recommendations.
Marina gives a first hand account of phone hacking and the culture on Fleet Street in the noughties. We delve into Netflix's data dump and explain the rationale of why they're releasing figures now, and with the festive season in full swing Richard and Marina examine the Hallmark Christmas movie production line.
We asked, you answered... and then we answered. Its a first Q&A episode. Richard and Marina work through some of your burning questions on the world of entertainment from why do people go on property shows and not buy anything? Has Marina come face to face with anyone she's taken to task in an article? And Richard fills us in on how much of shows such as Have I Got News For You are scripted plus other more Boxing Day tasty entertainment secrets.
Welcome to the first episode of The Rest Is Entertainment of 2024. Richard and Marina give their rundown of what their excited by in the year ahead across TV, movies, books and theatre. Richard also explains why longstanding titles such as A Question of Sport get cancelled, plus he lets us in on how the writing of his new book is coming along.
It may have been 25 years since branch managers were convicted of theft and fraud, but the four-part ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office has renewed public interest in the scandal. Richard and Marina explain the slowburn of the story and why entertainment can play a key role in keeping stories in the public eye. Luke Littler was a tale that kept people glued to the darts over Christmas, but what can darts tell us about sport in general, plus Maria and Richarsd's favourite show The Traitor's returns and Richard has a plan on how he'd win plus The Golden Globes kicks off awards season.
Who pays for the prize pot and how much can contestants really win on quiz shows? Food - are the judges on MasterChef eating reheated dishes? And what is behind the success of Mrs Brown's Boys? Those and more of your questions answered by Richard and Marina in this episode.
Has Gladiators won the Saturday night ratings war with a splash of nostalgia? Talking of nostalgia, do we need more holographic tours of dead musicians in light of the news that George Michael may well be heading to a stage near you soon? Talking of ghosts, is there an issue in the world of literature with celebrities taking credit for ghost written books? Richard and Marina dig into it all on this episode of The Rest Is Entertainment.
Which muppets are Richard and Marina's favourites? In a world of streaming could we ever have another Top Of The Pops? Plus, newspaper columnists. Why do some get the column inches they do? Those questions and many more answered in this episode of The Rest Is Entertainment, get your question in via [email protected]
Bonus episode! The Traitors comes to its conclusion this week. Richard and Marina give their rundown on the series so far, and who could be walking away victorious...
With the demise of Pitchfork where next for music criticism? Will you be sampling Brooklyn Beckham's cooking on Uber Eats? And with women dominating the book charts, the box office and music - when will the world wake up and recognise their true worth? Join Richard and Marina as they navigate these topics on this episode of The Rest Is Entertainment.
The art of filming managers on the touchline, why are antique shows addictive viewing, does cheating in quiz shows ever happen regularly, and what are the chances of Bullseye returning to prime time? Marina Hyde and Richard Osman work through those burning entertainment questions and more.
Netflix sign up WWE in a multi-billion dollar deal, but why? Should people be as upset as they are about Margot Robbie's Barbie Oscars nomination snub and finally, inside Jeff Bezozs 60th birthday party. All that and a little bit more on The Traintors with Marina and Richard on this episode of The Rest Is Entertainment.
How genuine are the reactions we see? How do you go about pitching a show? And how are the winners of The Traitors, Bake Off, MasterChef and others kept secret? Richard and Marina pull back the curtain on entertainment and answer your questions.
Channel 4 has announced big job cuts, where will it find it's next hit? Could Mr Beast be about to move from YouTube to the mainstream? And why are so many films and TV shows being shelved despite being finished?
What is the fallout when a guest goes wild on TV or radio? How genuine are recommendation quotes on books? And bizarre green room behaviour plus a much-needed correction around Bob The Builder. Richard and Marina are back answering more of your questions on The Rest Is Entertainment.
Will the Magic Kingdom soon have a new owner in Elon Musk? What if anything is wrong Gregg Wallace's much maligned Saturday routine? These two questions answered, plus who will win the battle between Universal Music Group and TikTok? Richard and Marina getting into these topics on this edition of The Rest Is Entertainment.
Is their anything Richard doesn't enjoy on TV? Are the personal prizes on Taskmaster really given away and just what has happened to the art of sketch shows? Another question and answer edition of The Rest Is Entertainment shining a light on those topics and more.
Richard reveals some juicy details about his forthcoming new book but before then he and Marina delve into the world of 'romantasy', the genre which is taking up space on bookshelves at great pace. Plus a dissection of Dakota Johnson's Madame Web press tour, the return of Formula 1's Drive To Survive and which Gladiator Richard would have on House of Games.
Could you be judged by Lorraine Kelly or Richard Madeley? Is fame a reason to avoid jury service? Does Richard now have enough knowledge to commit the perfect murder, and why is so much left on the cutting room floor of Hollywood?
With their latest video release, OpenAI has made Hollywood sit up and take notice, but "what" is coming and how soon? Both have signed multi-million pound creative deals but who is benefiting most from their new media empires, the Sussexs' or the Obamas'?
Ever wondered if you called a phone number on screen what would happen, or have you searched for an on-screen car registration plate? Plus, do authors earn anything from Amazon discount deals? A bounty-full question... and answer edition of The Rest Is Entertainment with Richard Osman and Marina Hyde.
There is a new revenue stream in tinsel town... Saudi money is on offer to finance films and many are beginning to ask; is this a form of PR via entertainment? Are we at the mercy of the 'dopamine cartels' aka big tech? Plus, GBNews - TV ratings or social media stats - where does their power lie?
Are productions legally bound to fish out props that get chucked into the sea? Just what is the third act? And, how is Gladiators filmed? A wonderful glut of questions (and answers) on this episode of The Rest Is Entertainment.
With the Oscars last night we bring you an earlier than billed episode as Richard and Marina reflect on Al Pacino's 'best picture' announcement fluff, the real cost of "what are you wearing?" and the Hollywood epidemic of Ozempic. It's not all about the Oscars though, as Richard celebrates Channel 5's fast turnaround documentaries in light of a forthcoming Glasgow Willy Wonka tell-all. Plus, is boxing now a reality show after the announcement of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson coming to Netflix.
What are the biggest waste of time meetings Richard and Marina have sat through? Just what is the paparazzi industry like? And we get to the bottom of empty cup acting.
What can we expect of Meghan Markle's latest venture? The Telegraph is up for sale... but who is the front runner to be the new owner, and will its many titles survive in tact? Finally - can you name the best paid actor in the world? Richard reveals who sits at the top of the list.
What constitutes a true story? Was You've Been Framed the gateway to TikTok? And, essential followups about retrieving props plus how Countdown works.
What are the press back channels that made the Princess of Wales release the video of her health update, and are we all complicit? Will Aaron Taylor-Johnson be taking over the role of James Bond from Daniel Craig? Finally, Donald Trump... how he is leveraging 'Truth Social' to bolster his bank balance?
How does Call The Midwife source their newborns, and on-set, what do actors really put up their nose when filming scenes with drugs? And we've be taken in by Hulk Hogan, a correction is needed. Your questions (and answers) on this episode of The Rest Is Entertainment.
Will the BBC exist in ten years time, and is Tim Davie the man to lead it? How did Reece Witherspoon become a billionaire from a book club? And is Death In Paradise more culturally significant than James Bond?
How easy is it to shut down busy public locations for films? How did Ridley Scott now harm any horses in Napoleon? How are quiz questions researched, written and checked?
There is a battle happening at the heart of Disney, who are the major players and when will it end? Do the top 3 shows currently on Netflix in the UK signpost a new direction for the streaming giant? And why terrible political adverts are actually extremely effective.
Who sits where in the hierarchy of a newsroom? How does scoring on panel shows actually work? What are the secrets of acting like a corpse? More of your questions answered on this episode of The Rest Is Entertainment with Richard Osman and Marina Hyde.
The UK will go to the polls this year, but what do our viewing habits tell us about who will form our next government? Margot Robbie is rolling the dice on Monopoly being the next box-office success, and reflect on Ant & Dec with the final Saturday Night Takeaway having just hit our screens.
Race Across The World is back on our screens but what production secrets make the show work so well? Alan Carr’s Interior Design Masters, if all goes wrong who puts it right? Plus intimacy in films, what is the role of an intimacy co-ordinator?
With Celebrity Traitors on the way, Richard takes us through a quick history of celebrity versions of TV shows. Marina gives us the details of Hugh Grant vs. Rupert Murdoch in The Sun's privacy case AND some exclusive news on the casting of The Thursday Murder Club film for the podcast.
Richard Osman and Marina Hyde lift the lid on the power of agents in Hollywood and TV, offer advice for those want to write a screen play and answer a very important question "why are green screens, green?"
Netflix "true story" hit Baby Reindeer has led to real world fallout, but what compliance protections are in place around shows such as this? Liz Truss's book hasn't set the publishing world alight, however the PR would lead us to believe it has been a success... what is the real story? And celebrity chatbots, another indication we can't trust what we read, see or hear?
How do you make sure each contestant is treated equally on Mastermind? Marina and Richard take us through the boredom and realities of being on a film set, and what examples if any, are there of people appearing on shows before gaining fame and then being on the celebrity version?
The hugely successful Clarkson's Farm returns to Amazon Prime, have we now seen the full reinvention of Jeremy Clarkson? For fashion there is no bigger party than that of the Met Gala, but what is the history and how do you go about securing a ticket? Lastly on this episode, can Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson really backup his claims of being the hardest working man in Hollywood?
Are sub-editors the unsung heroes of the news room and what are the secrets of creating a brilliant headline? On shows such as World's Most Dangerous Roads, how much danger are the celebrities really in? Plus, why is to so hard to recreate sport in films?
It was Eurovision at the weekend so Richard & Marina reflect on all that happened plus Richard provides some excellent trivia. The Fall Guy had an average box office opening weekend, does it reflect the current health of Hollywood and the star power of Ryan Gosling & Emily Blunt? Lastly Doctor Who returned with Ncuti Gatwa as the new Doctor and the first taste of the BBC & Disney co-production.... how will this impact the franchise in the future?
Who has the hardest job in TV? Can stars tell when they're in a flop? What happens on quiz shows when contestants object to getting a wrong answer?
The Sunday Times rich list has been revealed but which are the names from the world of entertainment, and how have they made their money? Cannes Film Festival is underway, and the world has seen for the first time Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis. A film long talked about and self-financed by the man himself, why has he had to put his hand in his own pocket, like Kevin Coster with Horizon: An American Saga, is it all vanity? Plus, Have I Got News For You is soon to be on US screens. Does the history of UK formats trying to make it in American show it will be a success?
Do all actors have to audition and what is the modern audition process? How do you translate a book to a film or even a theatre production? Can it be a simple copy and paste? Plus how do shows such as Mr Bates vs. The Post Office avoid law suits from those that are shown in what could be described as, an unfavourable light?
Why does the This Morning sofa strike fear into every hopeful PM? Richard and Marina take a look at politicians vs daytime TV, tech bros misunderstanding cinema and if Netflix's new show 'Buying London' is any good, and what are the secrets of some of our favourite property programmes?
What are the secrets behind filming PMQs? How does phoning a friend on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire actually work? Is there a show bible to track character traits when shows have many different writers? Those questions plus tips on if you're thinking of becoming a background artist from Richard and Marina.
The American Department of Justice are seeking to break up Ticketmaster and Live Nation to try and make gigs cheaper. How did Ticketmaster gain such a grip on the music industry, and if the DOJ are successful what could it mean for live music in the UK? Loaded magazine is back... Richard and Marina trace it's history and that of 'lad mags'. Is there a bloodline to today's toxic masculinity? Finally, we have our hands on the second viewing data dump from Netflix and it has sparked a possible billion-dollar idea from Richard!
If Marina and Richard had to come up with a movie designed to flop what would it be? How much say do radio presenters have in their playlists? And, do actors really spit on one another? Plus Richard provides the truth about whether he was once on Drop The Dead Donkey.
The boycotting by authors and attendees at literary festivals across the UK has taken hold due to sponsorship by investment fund Baillie Gifford. Will the boycotts do more harm than good to the overall literary world? Bad Boys 4 has been a surprise box office success. Is this the final piece of Will Smith's redemption puzzle? Lastly, what are the secrets of political TV debates and how can our leaders make themselves look their best?
Richard & Marina give us their top 3 TV theme tunes, answer who owns the Taskmaster house, what the timeline is between being cast & shooting and much much more.
Football will dominate our TV screens for the next few weeks, but how are the games chosen between the BBC and ITV, and how important is England's success for ITV's profits? What is the history behind some of your favourite TV theme tunes (which you can enjoy in a handy playlist here)? And Dad TV. Richard and Marina breakdown a much watched, but perhaps little written about genre, which has more familiar shows than you might guess.
How does Michael McIntyre's The Wheel really work? Richard took part in the show and tells us all the secrets. Agony Aunts, are the letters real and what do they say about the wider public? Plus what are Marina and Richard's top 3 film sequels? These questions and a few more on music tour logistics and 'Who Do You Think You Are?' answered on this episode of The Rest Is Entertainment.
The 500th edition of Ofcom’s 'Broadcast Bulletin' - the place to find out about their work to uphold standards on TV and radio has been released, and we discovered the most complained about UK TV show. Taylor Swift's 'Eras' tour has completed this stage of it's UK dates and Marina was there at Wembley. She gives us the lowdown on the gig and the fandom of Swifites. 'Inside Out 2' has been a huge box office success but it wasn't predicted to be. What is tracking, and why is it failing Hollywood?
What are the top 3 credit sequences Richard and Marina cannot skip? Why do comedians welcome themselves on-stage? And how to be in an audience for a TV show. Your questions answered by Marina and Richard on The Rest Is Entertainment.
The double bounce of an election and the Euros has led to some very successful podcasts achieving even bigger numbers. Many of these podcast hosts are also part of the TV coverage, so how does one format bleed into the other, what can TV learn from podcasts, and should podcasts really be on TV? 'The Apprentice' (a biographical drama of Donald Trump in the 70s & 80s and 'The Last Screenwriter' (a film written by AI) are struggling to find distributors. What are the reasons for this, and what does it say about the wider movie industry? Lastly, House of Games filmed its Christmas episodes but what how do you create that festive atmosphere in the Summer?
Will Wimbledon always be on the BBC, and what are the UK crown jewels of sport? How important is crew catering and can you tell when a scene has been shot before or after lunch? Marina gives us her top 3 (and more) favourite remakes plus some any other business dropping into Richard's texts. Your questions answered on The Rest Is Entertainment.
In an act of disastrous political timing, Jill Biden has appeared on the front cover of US Vogue. Does this tin-eared response to her husband’s catastrophic debate performance spell the end to Hollywood’s elite support for the Democrats. Who the hell is Glen Powell and why is he always on my screen? Richard and Marina give us a bluffers guide to the biggest celebrities in the world right now - and explain why you probably don’t know who Sabrina Carpenter is. And finally, as Thursday’s General Election brought forth a Tory Wipeout - Richard tells us which former MPs would be best at a Bushtucker Trial.
Which of Steven Spielberg's legendary catalogue of work makes Marina and Richard's top 3s? On films, what will come of the trend of de-aging and what are good / bad examples? How are child actors protected when in a horror film? And, how do you film "film"?
'Made in Korea: The K-Pop Experience' is coming to the BBC. It will show five boys from across the UK as they are put through the K-pop training process, the end goal being to launch a new boy band on the global stage. Why has South Korean become the cultural beacon for some many young people with K-Pop at it's heart? In Mumbai with Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant married over a months long ceremony that has seen musician, politicians and many many others in attendance. How do these private gigs come about and what are they worth? Lastly, Marina take us through the reasons why we are having such huge delays between TV seasons and what could be done to tighten production schedules to stop audiences floating away.
How much negotiating goes into the order of names on TV and film credits? How do presenters concentrate when a producer is speaking in their ear from the gallery? How does Marina decided on her top 3 John Williams soundtracks?
In what should be a celebratory 20th year for Strictly Come Dancing, the show instead is marred in controversy with allegations of misconduct in rehearsal spaces and around training methods. How has one of the BBC's crown jewels ended up here, and what does it's future hold? Elsewhere, BBC radio is facing criticism with a proposed spin-off of a Radio 2 oldies station plus Marina & Richard go through a recent list from the New York Times on the top 100 books of the 21st century.
The Simpsons has a long and varied history of celebrity cameos, but what are Marina's Top 3? Media Training - how are celebs, sports people and even business leaders coached in not slipping up? Why do we have encores, and what do bands do whilst we await their return? Plus the secrets behind Antiques Roadshow.
Thanks to Charli XCX's latest album 'Brat', this is brat summer. What thought is brat summer, and what is it with the slime green colour we're seeing across the internet and in the real world? Richard and Marina takes us inside the Olympic opening ceremony, revealing how it came together and what it takes to produce such a spectacle. And it seems it Hollywood is in a cycle of reboots. Marina & Richard look at the possible causes, effects, and what it says about audiences.
Is there ever a celebrity booking that is TOO big? Well Richard and Marina imagine a scenario where Taylor Swift is on House of Games and what impact it might have on the usual production processes. "In a world..." where trailer's don't have that deep American voice Marina explains why they fell out of fashion. And, do football commentators get paid more if a match goes to extra time and then penalties.
Marvel superfans were shocked at the reveal that the next villain to star in the Avengers series would be played by none other than Robert Downey Jr. Will this gamble resurrect the MCU, or is this just another confusing addition to their multiverse of madness? Richard and Marina also chat about the impact of TikTok on stand up at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and how it has helped cause the death of comedy on television.
Every prize on British telly is tax free, but this isn’t the case in the United States. Marina explains why the price isn’t always right when it comes to winning big. Can Lisa Nandy save Channel 4? Richard explains what the new culture secretary must do to keep the creative industries alive. And why are pop songs getting shorter and shorter?
Elon Musk is suing advertisers over an X / Twitter 'boycott' which in addition to content and his own posts, is for many a bridge too far. Will courts find in his favour and will a drop off in users hurt the company overall? Katy Perry's comeback appears to have fallen flat, so what can be learned and how do you make a successful comeback? Lastly, Mr Beast. Shooting of the world's biggest gameshow which he's producing for Amazon is underway but it hasn't gone smoothly so far.
Banksy has been more active than ever this past week, but how has he kept his identity hidden for so long? Do Richard and Marina use their own signatures when giving autographs? Why has the UK regained its status as a premier movie shooting location and what promoted it to change? Just a few of the questions answered on this episode of The Rest Is Entertainment with Richard Osman and Marina Hyde.
Hollywood is a dream for many but a nightmare for others. Once you experience the highs of fame and fortune what comes next? How do you avoid being surrounded by those that don't have your best interests at heart? Matthew Perry's story can tell us a lot about how Hollywood corrupts. Gen-Z royalty, Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury, announced their separation this week. Their relationship, use of social media, and the way they're written about tells us a lot about modern celebrity. Richard has noticed some rather odd headlines from The Daily Telegraph. He asks why they're framing stories in the way they are, who might benefit and he and Marina discuss who might be in pole position to how the Telegraph titles.
Richard & Marina answer your questions on the world of tribute bands, what happens to film and TVs sets when shooting finishes, and who really is the main character in Frozen?
Cameo was a runaway business success during the world's lockdown but it has cut staff and is struggling to even pay small fines. What has happened to the celebrity video service? Have you heard of Fast TV? Richard and Marina take us through the new channels competing with some of the biggest names in streaming. Finally on this episode we turn to video gaming, Black Myth: Wukong has flown in at the top of the charts. It is a first AAA game from a Chinese developer but it has come with some controversy and also tells us a bigger story of entertainment within China and how Hollywood is courting Chinese audiences.
Did Richard pitch 'Buckaroo The Movie' to Steven Spielberg? How important are the timings of ad-breaks and features on radio to the routine of our lives? What is the history of 'cold opens' in TV and what purpose do they serve? Has James Bond always loved a brand endorsement? Just a few of the questions posed by you and answered by Marina Hyde and Richard Osman on this, The Rest Is Entertainment.
If you missed it, Oasis are back. Noel and Liam Gallagher appear to have buried the hatchet and reformed one the UK's seminal bands for a tour in 2025. Tickets for said tour sold-out but note without controversy. Richard and Marina discuss the ticketing situation and the possible reasons for the Gallagher brothers to get the band back together. 'Wolfs' starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt seems to be another flop from Apple. Why are one of the world's biggest companies still making movies? Finally this week we get into toxic fandom. Singer / songwriter Chappell Roan released a statement expressing her discomfort at the level of attention some fans believe they are entitled to. This has caused a bigger conversation within not only her own fans, but in the wider entertainment world about the access fans have, or expect.
The Acolyte, the latest big money Star Wars show from Disney, has been cancelled after one series. Richard & Marina answer the question as to why, and what has happened to the Star Wars franchise. Also in this episode the secrets behind Total Wipeout, the success of CBeebies Bedtime Stories (and what books Marina & Richard would read if asked to appear), plus when do bands get paid from touring?
What happens in the week of a major book being published? Richard gives the inside track as this week his new book 'We Solve Murders' is released worldwide. Marina and Richard are also talking, in the wake of the fake Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce relationship contract, fake romances aka 'showmances'. What is a 'showmance' and when did they begin? Richard also takes us inside his favourite TV show... Nothing To Declare.
In Race Across The World they font used gets a credit... why? This question was sent in by a big name in TV so we hunted down an answer. Is it beneficial when actors are typecast? What are Marina and Richard's top 3 Britpop bands (that aren't Oasis)? Just a few of the questions answered in this episode of The Rest Is Entertainment with Richard Osman and Marina Hyde.
If you've ever watched The Bear then you'll have seen anxiety inducing moments of real restaurant culture, tense family shouting matches and a ton more drama... however at the likes of the Emmys awards and the Golden Globes it is considered a comedy. Why? The West End is in rude financial health with musicals and plays proving as popular as they ever were, returning to pre-Covid success. A lot of the big West End successes are based on films or existing stories. Is there a lack of creativity in theatre, and will it hurt the art in the long term? Richard & Marina wrap this episode by talking The White Stripes vs. Donald Trump. Jack White is suing the former American President for unauthorised use of a song, but he's not the first to take issue with their music being coopted by politicians
If a celebrity confesses to a crime in a book what is the legal fallout? How "real" is one of Richard's favourite shows, The Parisian Agency? And, what are the motivations for The Chasers and other quizzers? Isn't it a bit mean to potentially deprive people or charities of money?
Potentially the biggest flop of all time isn't from Hollywood, in publishing, or on the small screen. Richard & Marina discuss the failing of Sony's Concord, an online shooter game taken offline just two weeks after release. From huge flop to huge success, The Chosen is perhaps the most popular TV show in the world you've never heard of. How has this American Christian drama telling the story of Jesus of Nazareth, risen to achieve a Rotten Tomatoes rating on parity with Breaking Bad, The Wire and others? On Rotten Tomatoes people are making (and losing) money betting on film popularity ratings. Is review bombing gaming this system
Does any money change hands for those taking part in Grand Designs? Kevin Mcleod answers directly! The Grand Tour has come to it's conclusion and as ever featured some amazing stunts but what is the process for shows cleaning up after themselves? Why are book shelves featuring so many Japanese cat books? Plus, is AI gaming music streamers?
After his sacking from This Morning and public fall from grace, Phillip Schofield has returned to our screens on Channel 5's Cast Away. Marina gives her take on his on grasp at redemption. Bridgerton, Netflix's biggest show, has spawn many official immersive experiences but an unofficial experience hit the headlines this week after failing to fulfil it's promise of an evening of "sophistication, grace, and historical charm". What is the history and future of the immersive experience market including the soon to launch Taskmaster? And Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens. How are the stars booked and how do you identify those who are going to become audience favourites?
Do celebrities get an easier time on SAS: Who Dares Wins? Why are box office returns measured commercially, rather than the number of tickets sold? How is filming in cars done? What time do you start drinking as a guest on Saturday Kitchen?
'Unleashed' is the forthcoming memoir of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. There is much anticipation about tales from his childhood through to his time as PM and facing death during Covid. But how much of the real Boris do we get or is this book just a chance to line his pockets as many expect? Hollywood has another big flop on it's hands as Joker: Folie a Deux limped to an underwhelming box office return. The first film was an unexpected success, why has it's follow up bombed? Naomi Campbell has been in the news not due to the catwalk, but due to admitting failures at her fashion charity. What are the pros and cons of celebrities using their clout for charitable causes?
Richard and Marina reveal how Catchphrase make their famous Mr Chips graphics, Colin Murray host of Countdown answers if the clock can go past 30 seconds, however is there a flaw in his answer? And if a script calls from an adult actor to swear at a child, how is this done? Watch the infamous NSFW Catchphrase puzzle. And Richard winning (filth-free)
They said it might never be done. Rivals, the Jilly Cooper novel has finally been adapted for TV and it is all that could be hoped for. Marina & Richard break down the show and why Cooper is a powerhouse of literature. There is a beef brewing on YouTube as some of the platforms biggest stars, KSI, Logan Paul and DanTDM take aim at one another over... kids snacks? Paparazzi are still hounding celebrities with Sydney Sweeney giving an insight into the lengths some are going to in order to photograph her. After a brief period of moral correction, have we gone back to some of the darker days of celebrity reporting?
Do celebrities have preemptive hair transplants? What TV tricks are there to give a fuller head of hair? Bake Off is a British institution but who really makes the professional cakes? And, prop secrets of fake pregnancy test
As Director General Tim Davie tackles the term 'talent' at the BBC, what does it really mean and how important are the 'talent'? Marina's new show, The Franchise is out now. What goes on in the writing room, how does a show evolve from idea, to pilot, to series, and to release? Marina takes us through all the stages. There is another release around the corner, a new John le Carré novel. Written by his son Nick Harkaway Richard has had an early read and it is the very essence of all that we loved from le Carré's writing. What goes into managing the legacy of a creative catalogue, and why are some legacies successful and others less so?
Who are the actors that are fed lines in their ears? Do those on Below Deck pay for their super yacht holiday? Are authors and screenwriters compelled by publishers or producers to use American English to appeal to the largest audience? What is the best advice ever given to Jedward? Just a few of the questions answered in this episode of The Rest Is Entertainment.
It's Halloween so Richard and Marina explore horror and why it is the most bankable genre at the box office and is continuing to thrive. Reach is a huge media company you might not be familiar with, but you will see their content as they own over 240 local media titles. With that comes the need for a lot of content. Does their reach mean even worse news for local journalism? Finally we need to mention the C-word... Christmas. Hallmark has announced a raft of new Christmas movies including a tie in with The Kansas City Chiefs.... aka the NFL team Taylor Swift's boyfriend plays for. Richard and Marina explain why this is another example of companies being clever with their content, and why Hallmark are so good at Christmas.
How do you go about getting permission to film in grave yards? Are we seeing less sex on TV? Why don't people say "goodbye" when ending on-screen phone calls? Marina and Richard answer your questions on the Q&A edition of The Rest Is Entertainment.
National treasure Michael Parkinson has a new podcast, but how will a man who died in 2023, be brought to life for it? Richard has the inside track on the AI used, the ethical considerations, and the sensitivities that have gone into the project. If it has escaped your attention, there will be a new leader of the free world this week as America takes to the polls. Marina gives us the history of how entertainment has shaped the US election coverage. Lastly as linear TV continues to decline, some new data has emerged as to what we are consuming in its place and how it's changing what we expect from our entertainment. Recommendations:
Are those people working, or eating their lunch, in the background of newsrooms live, or is it all faked? What is the thought process behind adaptations and who decides if it is best to adapt for film or TV? When reporters are in a war zone, do they have access to water, food, power? And how safe are they? Richard Osman and Marina Hyde answer your questions.
Did legacy media lose it for Harris, and new media win it for Trump? Marina and Richard take us through how both campaigns used the media as tools to put their messages across and support their campaigns. One of the TV events of the year is upon us as 12 celebrities head into the jungle for I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. With the lineup in place we go through the runners and riders of this year's camp mates. Another event in the calendar is the release of the annual Now! compilation album. Richard gives us a history of its release, its heyday, and how it fits into the future of music.
There is a storm brewing in the studio as Marina finds out how Richard arranges his bookshelves. Copyright in comedy. How often do people think of the same joke and who, if anyone, owns it? We also all enjoy a brand new quiz thanks to listener Rhys Durham.
It was the event *few* were talking about yet they were talking loudly. Jake Paul took on Mike Tyson live on Netflix. Who were the big winners and losers of the night? The Guardian and others have said they'll no longer post on Twitter / X and more are moving over to Bluesky. Is this a false dawn of a peaceful online place of hope that can no longer realistically exist? And, we need to mention the C-word again. The big retailers have rolled out their Christmas adverts. Which are good? Which are bad? Do they make any difference to where you choose to spend your all important Christmas pound?
The inbox was aflame after last week's Q&A episode where Marina declared Richard a "psychopath" for the way he arranged his books. Today we'll get into your take on the matter. Who is right and who is wrong? And, how do you arrange yours? Did Rob Beckett really buy a Blankety Blank contestant a TV from his own pocket? Rob himself gives us the story. What winds journalists up most when they see a newspaper on-screen? Are nightclubs going to die?
With Trump's election in the US, could we in the UK see a celebrity Prime Minister? And is Jeremy Clarkson that man? Who might the other contenders be if it were to happen? The iconic Jaguar car company has had a rebrand and it has been less than well received. What are the secrets to a successful rebrand? And finally on this episode we celebrate a format that is bucking the trend of declining audiences on linear TV, the quiz
What happened when Marina met Warren Beatty, and what are the secrets of press junkets? Is it important you know your conjecture verb from your adjunctive noun? Is there really an order to “in no particular order?” Those questions and more in the one hundredth episode of The Rest Is Entertainment with Richard Osman and Marina Hyde.
With the accusations surrounding MasterChef's Gregg Wallace, Richard & Marina look at the accusations and what’s behind the headlines. Moana 2 looks set to be a huge hit for Pixar, but what can fans expect from the sequel? Two very different TV documentaries are on the way. Game of Throws, explores the world of darts and the colourful characters within the sport, whilst in Meet the Rees-Moggs we go inside the home of former-Conservative MP Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg. Are they the new Kardashians?
Marina & Richard reveal those who test run the trials on I’m A Celebrity and the work that goes into each moment of TV gold. We dig into the stats as to which is the most successful chair to be sat in on House of Games. Why are dates given in Roman Numerals at the end of shows and how do you get on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame?
Many of the reports around Wicked haven’t focused on the quality of the film, but once again on the appearance of one of its stars, Ariana Grande. Is the reporting on female appearance becoming more toxic than ever before? Will a TikTok Grandma win the battle for Christmas number 1? Richard takes us through the historical runners and riders. Our friends at More In Common carried out some polling based upon some previous show topics as promised. Does the UK think Jeremy Clarkson could be PM? What is Britain’s most loved Christmas song? And, most importantly which is the nation’s favourite Quality Street… Richard and Marina disagree.
What are the unassuming every day items that foley artists, those who create sound fx, use to create iconic moments of sound? Spotify Wrapped has become a cultural moment, how does it work? Eating scenes on screen. Do actors really eat a load of food and how do they deliver their lines clearly with their mouths full?
As the government debates a new bill covering how AI has to abide by copyright laws, is it better for creative industries to keep their friends close but enemies closer? Sephora, Drunk Elephant, Sol de Janeiro are at the front of what some have called an epidemic amongst 'tweens' (pre-teens). These beauty and skincare brands are often pushed by influencers but what does it tell us about modern advertising and commercialism. Finally Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has upset the TV industry after attacking a lack of creativity and diversity. Do her points have merit or is it misplaced and is she simply looking to score some easy points?