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
I have a bad feeling about these university “partnerships” with AI companies who are, at this very moment, developing study-tutoring-chatbots just as schools move more classes online in the face of the demographic cliff.
academic layoffs are not gonna be for culture war reasons alone…
academic layoffs are not gonna be for culture war reasons alone…
December 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I have a bad feeling about these university “partnerships” with AI companies who are, at this very moment, developing study-tutoring-chatbots just as schools move more classes online in the face of the demographic cliff.
academic layoffs are not gonna be for culture war reasons alone…
academic layoffs are not gonna be for culture war reasons alone…
Wes Streeting again, an ailment in itself to raise, I know, I know. But, how does any Health minister choosing to use language like "moaning minnies" get to identify himself as a socialist in any way?
It's ultra conservative rhetoric whoever uses it.
It's ultra conservative rhetoric whoever uses it.
December 5, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Wes Streeting again, an ailment in itself to raise, I know, I know. But, how does any Health minister choosing to use language like "moaning minnies" get to identify himself as a socialist in any way?
It's ultra conservative rhetoric whoever uses it.
It's ultra conservative rhetoric whoever uses it.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Rather than apologising for his antisemitism, Farage demands the BBC apologise for the antisemitism of Alf Garnett, a fictional character created to satirise antisemitism, who was portrayed by a Jewish man.
December 4, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Rather than apologising for his antisemitism, Farage demands the BBC apologise for the antisemitism of Alf Garnett, a fictional character created to satirise antisemitism, who was portrayed by a Jewish man.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
The Daily Mail is getting Farage so, so wrong. Shameful. He didn't "turn the tables" on anyone. They should be condemning antisemitism and racism, not giving it a free pass.
December 5, 2025 at 10:23 AM
The Daily Mail is getting Farage so, so wrong. Shameful. He didn't "turn the tables" on anyone. They should be condemning antisemitism and racism, not giving it a free pass.
Episode 5 of HIT THE NORTH, a fascinating chat with actor and stand-up comedian Rachel Jackson, who is from much further North than I am!
Here is Episode 5 of HIT THE NORTH! This week I interview actor and stand-up comedian Rachel Jackson who worked with Karen Gillan on THE PARTY'S JUST BEGINNING and who I initially knew from the excellent rave culture film, BEATS.
open.spotify.com/episode/7KMR... (1)
open.spotify.com/episode/7KMR... (1)
#005: Rachel Jackson
open.spotify.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Episode 5 of HIT THE NORTH, a fascinating chat with actor and stand-up comedian Rachel Jackson, who is from much further North than I am!
Reposted by Dr Tom May
And Rachel is the first Scottish guest on HIT THE NORTH, not before time! This was a warm and candid discussion. (And it contains some strong language and the difficult subject of mental health struggles). (2)
December 5, 2025 at 9:50 AM
And Rachel is the first Scottish guest on HIT THE NORTH, not before time! This was a warm and candid discussion. (And it contains some strong language and the difficult subject of mental health struggles). (2)
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Here is Episode 5 of HIT THE NORTH! This week I interview actor and stand-up comedian Rachel Jackson who worked with Karen Gillan on THE PARTY'S JUST BEGINNING and who I initially knew from the excellent rave culture film, BEATS.
open.spotify.com/episode/7KMR... (1)
open.spotify.com/episode/7KMR... (1)
#005: Rachel Jackson
open.spotify.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Here is Episode 5 of HIT THE NORTH! This week I interview actor and stand-up comedian Rachel Jackson who worked with Karen Gillan on THE PARTY'S JUST BEGINNING and who I initially knew from the excellent rave culture film, BEATS.
open.spotify.com/episode/7KMR... (1)
open.spotify.com/episode/7KMR... (1)
Reposted by Dr Tom May
A HUGE part of how he got where he is, is that the BBC repeatedly gave him a platform.
If they stop, his profile will deflate and he'll be crawling back to them. And he should be resolutely kicked to the side, as he should have been right from the beginning.
If they stop, his profile will deflate and he'll be crawling back to them. And he should be resolutely kicked to the side, as he should have been right from the beginning.
December 5, 2025 at 9:44 AM
A HUGE part of how he got where he is, is that the BBC repeatedly gave him a platform.
If they stop, his profile will deflate and he'll be crawling back to them. And he should be resolutely kicked to the side, as he should have been right from the beginning.
If they stop, his profile will deflate and he'll be crawling back to them. And he should be resolutely kicked to the side, as he should have been right from the beginning.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Alan Davies had it right
November 30, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Alan Davies had it right
Reposted by Dr Tom May
My write-up of tonight's Play for Today on 5 #PlayForToday
December 4, 2025 at 2:39 PM
My write-up of tonight's Play for Today on 5 #PlayForToday
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Alf Garnett was a figure of fun. Nigel thinks he was aspirational.
December 4, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Alf Garnett was a figure of fun. Nigel thinks he was aspirational.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Bernard Manning was pretty much an ITV kind of comedian, so while asked to apologise for "everything", this request of the BBC now extends to them being responsible for other stations???
Manning also admitted he was racist. Farage might learn from that.
Manning also admitted he was racist. Farage might learn from that.
December 4, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Bernard Manning was pretty much an ITV kind of comedian, so while asked to apologise for "everything", this request of the BBC now extends to them being responsible for other stations???
Manning also admitted he was racist. Farage might learn from that.
Manning also admitted he was racist. Farage might learn from that.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Britain over-prescribed Wes Streeting
Streeting orders review into mental health and ADHD diagnoses
The health secretary says the aim is to tackle a rising demand for services and pressure on the NHS.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Britain over-prescribed Wes Streeting
Reposted by Dr Tom May
Because Britain's right wing press hates young people - and it is the master Wes Streeting serves.
Why is Wes Streeting coming for my ADHD medication?
Why is Wes Streeting coming for my ADHD medication?
Why is Wes Streeting coming for my ADHD medication?
www.independent.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Because Britain's right wing press hates young people - and it is the master Wes Streeting serves.
As Play for Today returns to Channel 5 tonight after last week's interval due to a sporting event, here are my personal reviews of the first two on YouTube, also reflecting on the reception: (1) Lydia Marchant & Simon Warne's NEVER TOO OLD: youtu.be/GdL6tbWv4qE?... (1)
PLAY FOR TODAY 01.01 - Never Too Late (C5, 13 October 2025) Review
YouTube video by Tom May
youtu.be
December 4, 2025 at 10:35 AM
As Play for Today returns to Channel 5 tonight after last week's interval due to a sporting event, here are my personal reviews of the first two on YouTube, also reflecting on the reception: (1) Lydia Marchant & Simon Warne's NEVER TOO OLD: youtu.be/GdL6tbWv4qE?... (1)
Reposted by Dr Tom May
There are 37.4m UK taxpayers.
Mansion tax will affect just 165,000 of them. Several of them, it would seem, own and edit newspapers and other media outlets. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Mansion tax will affect just 165,000 of them. Several of them, it would seem, own and edit newspapers and other media outlets. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Won’t somebody please think of Britain’s poor £2m homeowners? Oh, wait – everyone already is | Jonathan Liew
Contrast the furious reaction to Rachel Reeves’s ‘mansion tax’ to the response offered to those living with real housing injustice: indifference, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:26 AM
There are 37.4m UK taxpayers.
Mansion tax will affect just 165,000 of them. Several of them, it would seem, own and edit newspapers and other media outlets. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Mansion tax will affect just 165,000 of them. Several of them, it would seem, own and edit newspapers and other media outlets. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Dr Tom May
It's almost like every single reputable expert who has been saying this exact thing for years was right.
Home Office recognised this fact 15 years ago. Successive governments, globally, continue to ignore it, and continue to push harmful "tougher" policies. 1/
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Home Office recognised this fact 15 years ago. Successive governments, globally, continue to ignore it, and continue to push harmful "tougher" policies. 1/
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Hardline migration policies are fuelling people smuggling, report finds
As leaders try to break smugglers’ business model, research suggests strategy so far has had opposite effect
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:16 AM
It's almost like every single reputable expert who has been saying this exact thing for years was right.
Home Office recognised this fact 15 years ago. Successive governments, globally, continue to ignore it, and continue to push harmful "tougher" policies. 1/
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Home Office recognised this fact 15 years ago. Successive governments, globally, continue to ignore it, and continue to push harmful "tougher" policies. 1/
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
"It's being able to listen to the siren call of your better nature". Excellent discussion between host Sergio Angelini and guest James Leggott about Alan Plater's Beiderbecke trilogy, partially through the lens of Sergio's podcast's theme, film noir
open.spotify.com/episode/0tU8... (1)
open.spotify.com/episode/0tU8... (1)
36. THE BEIDERBECKE TRILOGY (1985 to 1988), with James Leggott
open.spotify.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:50 AM
"It's being able to listen to the siren call of your better nature". Excellent discussion between host Sergio Angelini and guest James Leggott about Alan Plater's Beiderbecke trilogy, partially through the lens of Sergio's podcast's theme, film noir
open.spotify.com/episode/0tU8... (1)
open.spotify.com/episode/0tU8... (1)
Reposted by Dr Tom May
#Streeting trying to win over someone with incorrect ideas on ADHD being over diagnosised. Next will autism despite both independent reviews from the NHS itself come out THIS MONTH with over 100 leading specialists saying neither are overdiagnosed...
www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
NHS England » Report of the independent ADHD Taskforce
NHS England » Report of the independent ADHD Taskforce
www.england.nhs.uk
December 4, 2025 at 8:59 AM
#Streeting trying to win over someone with incorrect ideas on ADHD being over diagnosised. Next will autism despite both independent reviews from the NHS itself come out THIS MONTH with over 100 leading specialists saying neither are overdiagnosed...
www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
www.england.nhs.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Dr Tom May
71 million views. Another brilliant PR move by the outstanding WH comms team. They owned the libs again by attacking and demeaning Sabrina just because she asked them not to steal her music for one of their sick deportation videos. Thanks for the new voters.
December 3, 2025 at 12:45 PM
71 million views. Another brilliant PR move by the outstanding WH comms team. They owned the libs again by attacking and demeaning Sabrina just because she asked them not to steal her music for one of their sick deportation videos. Thanks for the new voters.
Reposted by Dr Tom May
December 3, 2025 at 10:36 AM
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...