Simon Read
@simonread.bsky.social
Writer/broadcaster: an anagram of 'randomise'. Tweet about #cocktails #beer #blackandwhitefilms #music #puns #football #finance. Work: [email protected]
Football used to be the game of the ordinary people. Now it's the game of the too-much-money elitist class
December 4, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Football used to be the game of the ordinary people. Now it's the game of the too-much-money elitist class
We saw A Christmas Carol at the Alexander Palace Theatre. It's a great high-ceilinged venue, a brilliant play, and a joyous production with Matthew Cottle a convincing Scrooge and Neil Morrissey a fitting Marley and other characters. Worth the trip. God bless us, everyone!
December 4, 2025 at 5:14 PM
We saw A Christmas Carol at the Alexander Palace Theatre. It's a great high-ceilinged venue, a brilliant play, and a joyous production with Matthew Cottle a convincing Scrooge and Neil Morrissey a fitting Marley and other characters. Worth the trip. God bless us, everyone!
Is it too soon for a Christmas show? Not for me. Today's matinee #theatre treat is A Christmas Carol, adapted by Mark Gariss at the Alexander Palace Theatre. It's a new venue for me, so I'm excited by that as well as seeing this version of Dickens' classic.
December 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Is it too soon for a Christmas show? Not for me. Today's matinee #theatre treat is A Christmas Carol, adapted by Mark Gariss at the Alexander Palace Theatre. It's a new venue for me, so I'm excited by that as well as seeing this version of Dickens' classic.
I saw End at the National Theatre. It was an emotionally Involving story with great performances from Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves.
December 3, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I saw End at the National Theatre. It was an emotionally Involving story with great performances from Clive Owen and Saskia Reeves.
Retro trivia: which London street is this pictured at the end of the 19th century?
December 3, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Retro trivia: which London street is this pictured at the end of the 19th century?
#blackandwhitefilm of the day: In A Lonely Place, 1950. Humphrey Bogart is a cynical, hard-drinking screenwriter. Gloria Grahame is his neighbour. They fall for each other, but she suspects him of murder. Absorbing #FilmNoir on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 10.50pm youtu.be/68C2IFX60CU?...
In a Lonely Place (1950) Original Trailer [HD]
YouTube video by HD Retro Trailers
youtu.be
December 3, 2025 at 10:25 AM
#blackandwhitefilm of the day: In A Lonely Place, 1950. Humphrey Bogart is a cynical, hard-drinking screenwriter. Gloria Grahame is his neighbour. They fall for each other, but she suspects him of murder. Absorbing #FilmNoir on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 10.50pm youtu.be/68C2IFX60CU?...
Early morning tennis - love it!
December 3, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Early morning tennis - love it!
Postcard from the London Underground (this was taken at Edgware Road, and slightly filtered for effect)
December 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Postcard from the London Underground (this was taken at Edgware Road, and slightly filtered for effect)
A generous Ginger Old Fashioned is my #cocktail of choice before venturing out in the cold this evening. It's 60ml of whiskey, 20ml of ginger wine, caramel sugar syrup, angostura bitters and orange bitters, to create a sweet, warming concoction, with a cherry for fun. It hits the spot. Pip pip!
December 2, 2025 at 4:49 PM
A generous Ginger Old Fashioned is my #cocktail of choice before venturing out in the cold this evening. It's 60ml of whiskey, 20ml of ginger wine, caramel sugar syrup, angostura bitters and orange bitters, to create a sweet, warming concoction, with a cherry for fun. It hits the spot. Pip pip!
The job search continues.
I gave up competing at weightlifting when I lost badly after dropping the weights on my toes.
Crushing defeat.
I gave up competing at weightlifting when I lost badly after dropping the weights on my toes.
Crushing defeat.
December 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The job search continues.
I gave up competing at weightlifting when I lost badly after dropping the weights on my toes.
Crushing defeat.
I gave up competing at weightlifting when I lost badly after dropping the weights on my toes.
Crushing defeat.
If you missed this brilliant film the other day, you have another chance to catch it tonight. Breathless is being shown on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 9.10pm.
Critic Roger Ebert wrote that: "No debut film since Citizen Kane in 1942 has been as influential."
Critic Roger Ebert wrote that: "No debut film since Citizen Kane in 1942 has been as influential."
#blackandwhitefilm of the day: Breathless, 1960. Jean-Luc Godard's cool-as-f crime drama about Jean-Paul Belmondo as an on-the-run Bogart-loving crook and Jean Seberg as his US girlfriend. It's the ultimate French New wave classic On @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 9pm
youtu.be/fOlDsR4DUfE?...
youtu.be/fOlDsR4DUfE?...
BREATHLESS (À bout de souffle) | Official Trailer | STUDIOCANAL
YouTube video by STUDIOCANAL
youtu.be
December 2, 2025 at 11:35 AM
If you missed this brilliant film the other day, you have another chance to catch it tonight. Breathless is being shown on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 9.10pm.
Critic Roger Ebert wrote that: "No debut film since Citizen Kane in 1942 has been as influential."
Critic Roger Ebert wrote that: "No debut film since Citizen Kane in 1942 has been as influential."
Reposted by Simon Read
Just remembered the bootleg Peanuts advent calendar from last year and a chill went down my spine. This thread is not for the faint of heart.
I got a Peanuts advent calendar with a little figurine for each day and so far the paint jobs have been… alarming. I think this is supposed to be Rerun but it looks like the ghost of Alfalfa from Little Rascals.
December 1, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Just remembered the bootleg Peanuts advent calendar from last year and a chill went down my spine. This thread is not for the faint of heart.
Reposted by Simon Read
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
AI pic of the week: Dora The Explorer inflatable is chased by ICE inflatables at Macy's annual Thanksgiving Parade in New York
December 1, 2025 at 10:44 PM
AI pic of the week: Dora The Explorer inflatable is chased by ICE inflatables at Macy's annual Thanksgiving Parade in New York
We saw Wet Leg at Circuit in Kingston. They delivered a pleasing but short set of their classics, with a wave of guitar sounds and thumping drums and passionate performance from singer Rhian Teasdale. Memorably good.
December 1, 2025 at 8:44 PM
We saw Wet Leg at Circuit in Kingston. They delivered a pleasing but short set of their classics, with a wave of guitar sounds and thumping drums and passionate performance from singer Rhian Teasdale. Memorably good.
The job search continues.
My acting training stalled after I lost a front tooth and the dentist said a replacement wouldn’t be ready for 12 months. I had to have a gap year.
My acting training stalled after I lost a front tooth and the dentist said a replacement wouldn’t be ready for 12 months. I had to have a gap year.
December 1, 2025 at 3:48 PM
The job search continues.
My acting training stalled after I lost a front tooth and the dentist said a replacement wouldn’t be ready for 12 months. I had to have a gap year.
My acting training stalled after I lost a front tooth and the dentist said a replacement wouldn’t be ready for 12 months. I had to have a gap year.
Dangerous #VirginMedia: Ofcom has fined Virgin Media £23.8m after it put thousands of vulnerable customers at direct risk of harm by disconnecting their alarms. The serious incidents took place while Virgin was upgrading customers’ phone services in November and December 2023.
December 1, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Dangerous #VirginMedia: Ofcom has fined Virgin Media £23.8m after it put thousands of vulnerable customers at direct risk of harm by disconnecting their alarms. The serious incidents took place while Virgin was upgrading customers’ phone services in November and December 2023.
#blackandwhitefilm of the day: The Hitch-Hiker, 1953. Director Ida Lupino's brilliant claustrophobic #FilmNoir sees two pals' fishing trip turn into a nightmare when they pick up a serial killer. The tension builds beautifully on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 10.05pm
youtu.be/9yfeQA-njRQ?...
youtu.be/9yfeQA-njRQ?...
Bill Hader on The Hitch-Hiker
YouTube video by James Whale Bake Sale
youtu.be
December 1, 2025 at 10:19 AM
#blackandwhitefilm of the day: The Hitch-Hiker, 1953. Director Ida Lupino's brilliant claustrophobic #FilmNoir sees two pals' fishing trip turn into a nightmare when they pick up a serial killer. The tension builds beautifully on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 10.05pm
youtu.be/9yfeQA-njRQ?...
youtu.be/9yfeQA-njRQ?...
10 men Chelsea were held to a draw by table-toppers Arsenal. It was a great atmosphere at Stamford Bridge but a disappointing result for the Chelsea fans, albeit also pleasing to get a draw.
November 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
10 men Chelsea were held to a draw by table-toppers Arsenal. It was a great atmosphere at Stamford Bridge but a disappointing result for the Chelsea fans, albeit also pleasing to get a draw.
Reposted by Simon Read
He was looking for love but fate forced a....
DETOUR (1945) 10:50pm #TomNeal #AnnSavage drama #TPTVsubtitles
DETOUR (1945) 10:50pm #TomNeal #AnnSavage drama #TPTVsubtitles
November 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
He was looking for love but fate forced a....
DETOUR (1945) 10:50pm #TomNeal #AnnSavage drama #TPTVsubtitles
DETOUR (1945) 10:50pm #TomNeal #AnnSavage drama #TPTVsubtitles
Postcards from Kings Cross at Christmas (in November!)
November 29, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Postcards from Kings Cross at Christmas (in November!)
#blackandwhitefilm of the day: Breathless, 1960. Jean-Luc Godard's cool-as-f crime drama about Jean-Paul Belmondo as an on-the-run Bogart-loving crook and Jean Seberg as his US girlfriend. It's the ultimate French New wave classic On @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 9pm
youtu.be/fOlDsR4DUfE?...
youtu.be/fOlDsR4DUfE?...
BREATHLESS (À bout de souffle) | Official Trailer | STUDIOCANAL
YouTube video by STUDIOCANAL
youtu.be
November 29, 2025 at 11:13 AM
#blackandwhitefilm of the day: Breathless, 1960. Jean-Luc Godard's cool-as-f crime drama about Jean-Paul Belmondo as an on-the-run Bogart-loving crook and Jean Seberg as his US girlfriend. It's the ultimate French New wave classic On @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 9pm
youtu.be/fOlDsR4DUfE?...
youtu.be/fOlDsR4DUfE?...
"Broken windows and empty hallways
A pale dead moon in the sky streaked with grey
Human kindness is overflowing
And I think it's going to rain today"
Happy birthday Randy Newman, born today in 1943. He produced some great pop, including this from 1967.
youtu.be/k9Fn8VhkK5g?...
A pale dead moon in the sky streaked with grey
Human kindness is overflowing
And I think it's going to rain today"
Happy birthday Randy Newman, born today in 1943. He produced some great pop, including this from 1967.
youtu.be/k9Fn8VhkK5g?...
Randy Newman - I Think It's Going To Rain Today
YouTube video by XsleepboundX
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 7:06 PM
"Broken windows and empty hallways
A pale dead moon in the sky streaked with grey
Human kindness is overflowing
And I think it's going to rain today"
Happy birthday Randy Newman, born today in 1943. He produced some great pop, including this from 1967.
youtu.be/k9Fn8VhkK5g?...
A pale dead moon in the sky streaked with grey
Human kindness is overflowing
And I think it's going to rain today"
Happy birthday Randy Newman, born today in 1943. He produced some great pop, including this from 1967.
youtu.be/k9Fn8VhkK5g?...
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen;
David Bowie
Sarah Vaughan
Thin Lizzy
Stiff Little Fingers
Radiohead
David Bowie
Sarah Vaughan
Thin Lizzy
Stiff Little Fingers
Radiohead
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen;
Captain Beefheart
Roxy Music
Miles Davis
The Clash
Suicide
Captain Beefheart
Roxy Music
Miles Davis
The Clash
Suicide
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen:
Prince
Lady Gaga
David Byrne
Destiny’s Child
Kate Bush
Prince
Lady Gaga
David Byrne
Destiny’s Child
Kate Bush
November 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Introduce yourself with five concerts you've seen;
David Bowie
Sarah Vaughan
Thin Lizzy
Stiff Little Fingers
Radiohead
David Bowie
Sarah Vaughan
Thin Lizzy
Stiff Little Fingers
Radiohead