Chatterbox - still talking nonsense

On the Trans Day of Visibility , and given that trans rights has lately become one of the bleeding edges of the culture wars, I thought it would also be good to highlight some stuff I've enjoyed recently that is inclusive and (largely) positive, particularly for young people who are most likely to suffer from the latest drummed up moral panic.   SAP With perfect timing, Mae Martin is now streaming on Netflix with SAP, their new stand-up show and I watched it last night.  I loved their work in Feel Good and Dope, and this new sharing of their personal snow globe (you'll need to watch it to understand) was funny, thought-provoking and life affirming.   They lay their heart out open on the stage and have a good dig through it.  Although their life journey bears little resemblance to mine, Mae managed to take me with them every step of the way.  I loved the understated-ness of the structure and delivery despite the full forest on stage and the little ...

It's been a strange year again, with not enough live performances in the mix yet.  I've already given my Awards for Film, Television and Theatre for 2022 here , so this is about other stuff that happened this year I didn't want to forget (and some things I maybe did).   The year started off with pretty low expectations and in many ways it managed to underdeliver, but there were some high spots too if you look hard enough. My fantasy children This was the year that I discovered mum-crushes.  I'm used to the usual sort, but I now follow more actors with a proud parent vibe than I do with any light lusting.  This is a worrying development and I fear it confirms that I have got old.  The main objects of my new affections this year have been the casts of Stranger Things and of course Heartstopper.  It's so exciting watching actors at the beginning of their career, when you can see all the potential starting to be realised.  For example, Joe Locke absol...