Nick Hilton

Sky’s Lanterns recasts DC’s Green Lantern mythology as a grounded science-fiction murder mystery set in Rushville, Nebraska. Aging Green Lantern Hal Jordan and aspiring successor John Stewart investigate a mass shooting that may be linked to an alien invasion, combining the dynamic of True Detective with the rural menace of Fargo and Mindhunter. The review praises Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, the supporting cast, and the show’s restraint compared with more effects-driven superhero adaptations. It also highlights the series’ unusually direct engagement with John Stewart’s Black identity and racism in America, concluding that Lanterns aims to rise above formulaic, mass-produced superhero entertainment.

The BBC’s cancellation of Live at the Apollo, alongside cuts to other programmes and a planned £100 million reduction in content spending, is presented as evidence of institutional retreat ahead of its charter renewal. Although some long-running formats may have run their course, Live at the Apollo helped move emerging comedians from the Edinburgh Fringe into mainstream television. The piece argues that the BBC’s historic role as an incubator of innovative British comedy—and a source of cultural soft power—is being weakened by budget pressure, risk aversion and competition from lucrative private podcasts. Rather than continually shrinking, the broadcaster should make a positive case for its public value and continue investing in new talent.

Claudia Winkleman has chosen to step away from her newly launched BBC chat show after just seven episodes, citing nervousness and difficulty settling into the format. Despite strong industry standing and recent successes such as The Traitors, the show struggled with its static format, uneven guest lineup, and lukewarm reception compared to established chat shows, particularly Graham Norton’s. Her departure reflects both the challenges of the genre and wider industry pressures, including rising competition from podcasts and digital platforms and a shifting BBC landscape. Winkleman is expected to return quickly with other projects, but her exit marks a notable moment in her career trajectory.

A review of the Sky documentary Katie Price: Nothing to Hide describes the film as an intimate but limited portrait of the model’s turbulent life and evolving public persona. While the series offers extensive access to Price and key figures in her life, it avoids deeper analysis of celebrity culture, tabloid exploitation, and the social forces that shaped her rise. The documentary highlights her family relationships, troubled romantic history, long-standing media scrutiny, and the challenges of raising her disabled son, yet ultimately fails to deliver broader cultural insight beyond its personal focus.