Portrait

• Recent celebrity documentaries Beckham and Robbie Williams, and the final season of TV drama The Crown, have painted a portrait of the UK tabloids as cruel, sadistic and predatory of its homegrown celebrities.
• While criticism of the British tabloids – particularly the ethics and methods of the News of the World – is often justified, the specifics offered by all three shows fall flat.
• While these shows all try to claim part of the noughties nostalgia trend, they feel politically and contextually vacant.

The millennium press

• By 1998, only 8% of editorial in The Sun and The Mirror could be classed as “public affairs” – the rest focused on gossip, sports, or both.
• Inevitably, as celebrity culture became news, news also became gossip and both categories disintegrated into what we now call “clickbait”.
• As The Crown dolefully shows, one picture of Princess Diana could sell for millions to print newspapers in 1997.

The Crown

• The final season of The Crown covers the last eight months of Princess Diana’s life.
• Through fictionalised monologues from actors playing real photographers and journalists, the press compare themselves to “hunters” and “killers”.

Beckham and Robbie Williams

• Unlike The Crown, the main characters in the documentaries Beckham and Robbie Williams are not only living subjects but also active participants in the programmes.
• Beckham consults a litany of talking heads – former managers, teammates, Spice Girls and two suitably shame-filled paparazzi – to build a portrait of the footballer and his union with wife Victoria.
• As Williams notes, “[When you become famous] you want to give away the privacy you want to give away.

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Rachel Sykes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• CHICAGO, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Author Saul Bellow was honored today with a new stamp, the 34th in the Postal Service's Literary Arts series.
• Bellow considered himself a historian of American identity, populating his books with dreamers and intellectuals searching for meaning in a materialistic, sometimes disorienting world.
• The title "Saul Bellow" is in dark purple letters in the upper-right corner, with "Three Ounce" and "USA" appearing vertically along the left side.
• Bellow began an unfinished novel in 1939, then in 1941, published his first short story, "Two Morning Monologues," in Partisan Review.

• This lack of representation, especially in significant life moments, underlines the urgency for authentic portrayals that resonate with the diverse realities of the disability community.
• "Stereotypes surrounding the physical beauty and capabilities of the disability community impact the way they are perceived at every level," said Dr. Rebecca Swift, Senior VP of Creative at Getty Images.
• "Verizon proudly collaborates with Getty Images on the Disability Collection, celebrating positive depictions of disability in everyday life.
• Shimoda believes in the power of art to raise awareness about critical issues and create a sense of community.

• In a resounding triumph within the franchising arena, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream has not only sustained but elevated its success, sealing over 40 new franchise location agreements in 2023.
• It not only solidifies the brand's dominance in the frozen desserts category but also stands as a testament to Bruster’s unwavering commitment to excellence.
• “Bruster’s is a staple in communities across the nation, and we continue to deliver real value to our franchise owners and customers, despite the unprecedented economic times we are facing,” said Jim Sahene, CEO of Bruster's Real Ice Cream.
• Bruster’s franchise expansion is a testament to the strength of our brand and the demand for our high-quality sweet treats.”