Dr Tom May
@dreamcargoes.bsky.social
Television historian, writing a book about Play for Today (BBC1, 1970-84). Associate Lecturer, Northumbria University. Book Reviews Admin for Critical Studies in Television journal.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Ive been listening to Hyperdawn for a while now and thought they would be great in The Minster on Saturday night.
It was a personal highlight for me, one of many throughout the 2 days. Its genuinely inspiring stuff. So happy to see them reach new fans too. Their style and sound is so unique...
It was a personal highlight for me, one of many throughout the 2 days. Its genuinely inspiring stuff. So happy to see them reach new fans too. Their style and sound is so unique...
November 23, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Ive been listening to Hyperdawn for a while now and thought they would be great in The Minster on Saturday night.
It was a personal highlight for me, one of many throughout the 2 days. Its genuinely inspiring stuff. So happy to see them reach new fans too. Their style and sound is so unique...
It was a personal highlight for me, one of many throughout the 2 days. Its genuinely inspiring stuff. So happy to see them reach new fans too. Their style and sound is so unique...
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Just caught up on the final episode of 'Empire with David Olusoga'. The first two were good but felt a little old hat. This one was a great conclusion, bringing the (his)story up to date with the (mainly) 20th century origins of the current insane political football of immigration.
December 2, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Just caught up on the final episode of 'Empire with David Olusoga'. The first two were good but felt a little old hat. This one was a great conclusion, bringing the (his)story up to date with the (mainly) 20th century origins of the current insane political football of immigration.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
A very happy publication day to @hamrahrama.bsky.social! His ALGORITHM OF THE NIGHT is out today from @nplusonemag.com. An incredible collection of film writing that makes sense of the dystopian present without ever giving in. Essential! shop.nplusonemag.com/products/alg...
Algorithm of the Night, by A. S. Hamrah
“A. S. Hamrah’s criticism is hilarious, irreverent, full of passionate and ingeniously defended judgments.” —Dana Spiotta
shop.nplusonemag.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:03 PM
A very happy publication day to @hamrahrama.bsky.social! His ALGORITHM OF THE NIGHT is out today from @nplusonemag.com. An incredible collection of film writing that makes sense of the dystopian present without ever giving in. Essential! shop.nplusonemag.com/products/alg...
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Successive governments have been so fucking bad at regulating our water companies that now people are having to take action through the courts to get them to fucking sort out these private water barons tipping shit in our rivers
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
People living along polluted Thames file legal complaint to force water firm to act
Residents claim raw sewage and poorly treated effluent as result of Thames Water’s failings are threat to health
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Successive governments have been so fucking bad at regulating our water companies that now people are having to take action through the courts to get them to fucking sort out these private water barons tipping shit in our rivers
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
I'm loving this especially from Nightmares on Wax & Liam Bailey from the former's new album ECHO 45 SOUNDSYSTEM: youtu.be/EqraUOj5qw0?...
Hop-to-Mystic
YouTube video by Nightmares On Wax - Topic
youtu.be
December 2, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I'm loving this especially from Nightmares on Wax & Liam Bailey from the former's new album ECHO 45 SOUNDSYSTEM: youtu.be/EqraUOj5qw0?...
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Been v busy and wanted to post about the 10th anniversary of #DoctorWho - Heaven Sent when I read this article that Rachel shared. This episode screened a year after I lost Becky and I found it incredibly insightful about the nature of grief. So much so, I wrote to Steven Moffat about it (1/n)
December 2, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Been v busy and wanted to post about the 10th anniversary of #DoctorWho - Heaven Sent when I read this article that Rachel shared. This episode screened a year after I lost Becky and I found it incredibly insightful about the nature of grief. So much so, I wrote to Steven Moffat about it (1/n)
Reposted by Dr Tom May
I'd never have had Tom Stoppard down as a Zardoz fan.
December 1, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I'd never have had Tom Stoppard down as a Zardoz fan.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
I'd like to thank Graham for posting this as I'd somehow missed the fact that Juggernaut - one of my favourite films - has been released on blu-ray. I've ordered it pronto, plus it has added @britfilmmelanie.bsky.social commentary goodness, and the chunky knitwear is indeed excellent.
i'd very much like to thank @britfilmmelanie.bsky.social for this particular line in the commentary for JUGGERNAUT.
Juggernaut is pure chunky knitwear goodness and I , for one, am 100% on board for that sort of thing :-D
Juggernaut is pure chunky knitwear goodness and I , for one, am 100% on board for that sort of thing :-D
The best part of the (very very dry & solemniously academic) audio commentary for 1974's JUGGERNAUT comes at roughly 46m in, from Melanie Williams, Professor of Film 7 Television Studies at University of East Anglia;
"There's a lot of excellent sweaters in this film."
I couldn't agree more!
"There's a lot of excellent sweaters in this film."
I couldn't agree more!
December 1, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I'd like to thank Graham for posting this as I'd somehow missed the fact that Juggernaut - one of my favourite films - has been released on blu-ray. I've ordered it pronto, plus it has added @britfilmmelanie.bsky.social commentary goodness, and the chunky knitwear is indeed excellent.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
All caught up on PLURIBUS, wasn’t expecting that 5 episodes in it would be even more of a one woman show than ever *and* so watchable
Watched the first 2 episodes of PLURIBUS - hoping to catch up over the next few days (watching a show while it’s on, a revolutionary idea!), obviously a great central performance but the most striking parts for me are often the choreography of the people affected by the virus
December 1, 2025 at 10:44 AM
All caught up on PLURIBUS, wasn’t expecting that 5 episodes in it would be even more of a one woman show than ever *and* so watchable
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Thou shalt not pretend that you’re at war with drug traffickers while pardoning drug traffickers.
Thou Shalt Not Murder Fishermen While Pardoning Drug Lords
This is evil.
www.thegodpodcast.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Thou shalt not pretend that you’re at war with drug traffickers while pardoning drug traffickers.
#OTD 60 years ago, Dawn Pavitt and Terry Wale's Wednesday Play THE BOND was screened. Featuring the great actor Hannah Gordon, this archetypal domestic play contains much of interest in terms of gender and class. maysbritain.home.blog/2025/12/01/e...
Exploring The Wednesday Play’s Legacy At 60 – 03:08: ‘The Bond’ (BBC1, 1 December 1965)
The Wednesday Play (1964-70, or 1965-70) was a landmark BBC drama series, following ITV’s lead with Armchair Theatre (ABC & Thames, 1956-74) in amplifying working-class voices. Canadian m…
maysbritain.home.blog
December 1, 2025 at 9:51 AM
#OTD 60 years ago, Dawn Pavitt and Terry Wale's Wednesday Play THE BOND was screened. Featuring the great actor Hannah Gordon, this archetypal domestic play contains much of interest in terms of gender and class. maysbritain.home.blog/2025/12/01/e...
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Are they not seeing the backlash and demise of the Trump cozies here in the US? It is all crumbling. Who will take the long view — and it is turning out to be not that long,.
November 30, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Are they not seeing the backlash and demise of the Trump cozies here in the US? It is all crumbling. Who will take the long view — and it is turning out to be not that long,.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
We seem to be getting stupider when we could really use our wits. The antidote? Reading more. Also a good antidote against the evils of social media, from distraction to misinformation. And did I mention the pleasure of it? Don't miss out on the pleasure... #books
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
Is the decline of reading making politics dumber?
As people read less they think less clearly, scholars fear
www.economist.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
We seem to be getting stupider when we could really use our wits. The antidote? Reading more. Also a good antidote against the evils of social media, from distraction to misinformation. And did I mention the pleasure of it? Don't miss out on the pleasure... #books
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
www.economist.com/culture/2025...
Reposted by Dr Tom May
This is a direct consequence of Jenrick's attacks. He needs to be held responsible.
Immigration judges targeted by far right after Tory MP’s campaign | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 9:05 AM
This is a direct consequence of Jenrick's attacks. He needs to be held responsible.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
The last time these right wingers took control of any part of Venezuela they funneled $30 billion out of the Treasury and immiserated the country.
prospect.org/2025/11/26/3...
prospect.org/2025/11/26/3...
The $30 Billion Identity Theft of Venezuela - The American Prospect
How Juan Guaidó sucked a weary nation dry, and primed it for the current U.S.-led assault
prospect.org
November 29, 2025 at 4:52 PM
The last time these right wingers took control of any part of Venezuela they funneled $30 billion out of the Treasury and immiserated the country.
prospect.org/2025/11/26/3...
prospect.org/2025/11/26/3...
Reposted by Dr Tom May
so my journal article on Mike Leigh's Mr Turner has been published
(although annoyingly there is a formatting problem in the title that I have asked to be rectified):
journals.openedition.org/ebc/16973
(although annoyingly there is a formatting problem in the title that I have asked to be rectified):
journals.openedition.org/ebc/16973
Spitting Image: Authenticity, Embodiment and Self-reflexivity in Mi...
The turn of the century has seen a boom in cultural production looking back to the 19th century and particularly the Victorian era. Yet, many scholars have been keen to distinguish between those no...
journals.openedition.org
November 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
so my journal article on Mike Leigh's Mr Turner has been published
(although annoyingly there is a formatting problem in the title that I have asked to be rectified):
journals.openedition.org/ebc/16973
(although annoyingly there is a formatting problem in the title that I have asked to be rectified):
journals.openedition.org/ebc/16973
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Reposted by Dr Tom May
I am glad to see this, but I really wish that Republicans would not need for it to become personal for them to begin to care about larger issues. It's still the party of me, me, me, me.
November 29, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I am glad to see this, but I really wish that Republicans would not need for it to become personal for them to begin to care about larger issues. It's still the party of me, me, me, me.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Reposted by Dr Tom May
”Reform UK's barrister tried to scare us. Our advice to other news sites: don't play the bullies game." Martin Shipton from @nation.cymru on being bullied by Reform's lawyers: www.thenerve.news/p/reform-nat...
Reform UK’s barrister tried to scare us. Our advice to other news sites: don’t play the bully’s game
My news organisation, Nation.Cymru, was threatened with legal action over a story involving Nigel Farage’s party in the Senedd. Instead of hiring our own lawyer, we simply told them to go away, writes...
www.thenerve.news
November 28, 2025 at 11:51 AM
”Reform UK's barrister tried to scare us. Our advice to other news sites: don't play the bullies game." Martin Shipton from @nation.cymru on being bullied by Reform's lawyers: www.thenerve.news/p/reform-nat...
🚨Our BBC is under attack 🚨 We can't let those that want to see it torn up & replaced by the likes of GBNews or Fox win. Sign the open letter now to demand the new BBC boss is someone that will protect the BBC, not let its enemies tear it down: act.38degrees.org.uk/act/bbc-dg-o...
Sign the petition: save our BBC: don't let the likes of Trump and his UK cronies meddle with our public broadcaster
🚨Our BBC is under attack 🚨 We can't let those that want to see it torn up & replaced by the likes of GBNews or Fox win. Sign the open letter now to demand the new BBC boss is someone that will protect...
act.38degrees.org.uk
November 28, 2025 at 11:50 PM
🚨Our BBC is under attack 🚨 We can't let those that want to see it torn up & replaced by the likes of GBNews or Fox win. Sign the open letter now to demand the new BBC boss is someone that will protect the BBC, not let its enemies tear it down: act.38degrees.org.uk/act/bbc-dg-o...
Much to like in the two #TotP 1998 episodes tonight. Tremendous to see Culture Club again, great bridge in the M People song, Kele Le Roc distinctive RnB, Billie with an excellent groove, U2's delight of a song (& a smug if totally forgivable video).
& Cher's Believe, perhaps the ultimate pop song.
& Cher's Believe, perhaps the ultimate pop song.
November 28, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Much to like in the two #TotP 1998 episodes tonight. Tremendous to see Culture Club again, great bridge in the M People song, Kele Le Roc distinctive RnB, Billie with an excellent groove, U2's delight of a song (& a smug if totally forgivable video).
& Cher's Believe, perhaps the ultimate pop song.
& Cher's Believe, perhaps the ultimate pop song.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Franco Nanni - Aria [Italy / Ambient, Minimal, Modern Classical] (1993)
https://redd.it/kel256
https://youtu.be/wRN4-HrKh00
https://redd.it/kel256
https://youtu.be/wRN4-HrKh00
Franco Nanni - Aria [Italy / Ambient, Minimal, Modern Classical] (1993)
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Franco Nanni - Aria [Italy / Ambient, Minimal, Modern Classical] (1993)
https://redd.it/kel256
https://youtu.be/wRN4-HrKh00
https://redd.it/kel256
https://youtu.be/wRN4-HrKh00
Reposted by Dr Tom May
There was no state. Who does she think crucified him, an anarchist collective?
November 28, 2025 at 11:22 AM
There was no state. Who does she think crucified him, an anarchist collective?
Reposted by Dr Tom May
A brief introduction to HIT THE NORTH podcast with Tom May. This contains embedded YouTube videos of the Introduction & all four main episodes so far! Fearuring special guests Matthew Kelly, Ruth-Ann Boyle, Justin Lewis @whenisbirths.bsky.social & John Howard.
maysbritain.home.blog/2025/11/24/h...
maysbritain.home.blog/2025/11/24/h...
Hit the North podcast
I can announce that my podcast, HIT THE NORTH, has reached the landmark of being broadcast into the internet’s ether for a whole month! This podcast is simply based around my talking to a ran…
maysbritain.home.blog
November 28, 2025 at 10:39 AM
A brief introduction to HIT THE NORTH podcast with Tom May. This contains embedded YouTube videos of the Introduction & all four main episodes so far! Fearuring special guests Matthew Kelly, Ruth-Ann Boyle, Justin Lewis @whenisbirths.bsky.social & John Howard.
maysbritain.home.blog/2025/11/24/h...
maysbritain.home.blog/2025/11/24/h...