Sam Neill’s Final Interview: A Beloved Actor’s Last Words
The death of Sam Neill, the great New Zealand actor, was announced earlier this week, prompting tributes from writers including Peter Bradshaw. In his last interview, a Q&A with Guardian readers hosted by Rich Pelley, Neill discussed working with Robin Williams, changing his name, and whether he would have turned down the role of James Bond. The interview offers a poignant look at the life of a much-loved star.
The Secret Lives of Flight Attendants: Drunkenness and Misbehaviour at 30,000 Feet
Cabin crew endure a range of horrors from passengers and colleagues, including lewd propositions, drunken tirades, groping, and grumbling. In a piece by Zoe Williams, flight attendants opened up about their experiences. One noted that "British passengers always drink like they’ve never drunk before," highlighting the unique challenges of serving British travellers.
America’s Culture Wars: A History of Escalating Conflict
In an age of endless culture wars, Isaac Butler, author of a new book, traces how an ascendant religious right pivoted from the cold war in the late 1980s to wage a domestic battle over contemporary art. David Smith interviewed Butler, who noted that "people are picking the dumbest fights," reflecting on the tortured history of these conflicts.
Andy Burnham: From Manchester Mayor to Prime Minister
On Monday, Andy Burnham will become Britain’s seventh prime minister in 10 years. North of England editor Josh Halliday profiled how Burnham was reshaped and repowered by his stint as mayor of Greater Manchester. Daniel Boffey traced Burnham’s early years, from an "impostor" at Cambridge to a young star of New Labour, setting him on the road to No 10.
Life Among the Garbage Mountains of Jakarta
In Jakarta, Michael Neilson travelled to the city’s largest landfill, Bantar Gebang, to find an economy supporting thousands of waste pickers. These individuals make a living from the trash mountains but now face imminent uncertainty as the government looks to close the site. The piece captures the stark reality of life among the garbage.
The Dacre Dynasty: How Britain’s Rightwing Press Was Radicalised
At the Daily Mail, Paul Dacre broke new ground in selling readers an angry rightwing perspective. Today, most of Fleet Street is run by his disciples. Andy Beckett explored how one man’s worldview has come to dominate so many of Britain’s newspapers, illustrating the radicalisation of the press.
