Colm O'Regan: I've dreamt up the ultimate TV mash-up, an apocalyptic muppet show
I was in the award-winning show 'Silo' and being chased by armed guards up a back stairs. (The basic premise of Silo is that there has been some sort of chemical/nuclear apocalypse and what's left of humanity has to live in a giant vertical underground city and there are LOTS of stairs.)
But between the levels, in the basement of every floor, as I was being chased, I spotted …DOOZERS. Yes! The tiny little muppets from Fraggle Rock. They built delicate structures made out of radishes. The Fraggles would then eat them. In one episode, Mokey Fraggle persuades the Fraggles to stop eating the Doozers' buildings as it is unfair on them. But then the Doozers keep building until there is no room left to build any more. It turns out they need the Fraggles. There's a pHD to be written about the symbiotic relationship between the Doozers and the Fraggles. But I don't have time for that because I need to work on getting Apple TV to pay for my new show post-apocalyptic muppet show called Silo Rock.
I'm not the first to dream up a stone-cold classic. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Paul McCartney's Yesterday are well documented. But also, James Cameron said he came up with the character of the Terminator during a fever dream he had on the set of 'Piranah 2: The Spawning. Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote Kubla Khan after a dream while out of his bin on opium. And he would have finished it earlier, only someone visited him and interrupted him while he was trying to remember his dream. Which is a lesson to all of you. Don't interrupt me when I'm describing my dream. It could end up on the Leaving Cert Course.
I think I'm most impressed by Giuseppi Tartini, who composed a Violin Sonata in G minor – nearly 17 minutes long – because he dreamt the devil played it to him in a dream.
And what's more, he felt he could never get it as good as what the devil played him, and it threatened to drive him insane if he continued to search for it.
I'm not saying he made that up, but that's the kind of origin story for a piece of music that sets it apart from other violin sonatas that might have been on the go at that time.
Dreams inspire many other diverse works. 'Tintin in Tibet' is often said to be the finest of the Tintin books and was the result of nightmares Herge was having that he was having about trying to stay married and also have a mistress. Do not try this at home.
The guitar riff in the Rolling Stones satisfaction, the Periodic Table, benzene, the sewing machine -which together all sound like elements in a particularly mad dream- all are said to owe their existence to dreams.
The one that resonates with me the most is Mark Benioff of Salesforce dreaming up a software interface. He has possibly the most matter-of-fact description of a dream ever. 'I could see this app that looked like Amazon and it said 'Contacts', 'Accounts', 'Opportunities', 'Forecast Reports', as tabs.'
A younger me would have rolled their eyes at this. But as most of my non-Silo Rock dreams are purely about admin, I can identify.
I once had a dream where I put on a wash that was only half full, and just after I pressed start, found a whole other bag of laundry. Dr Frankenstein never did anything as nightmarish.
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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Jim's Gems 1965: The best albums marking their 60th anniversary
Everything was turned on its head in the music world in 1965. The quickest musical change in the history of popular culture provided a backdrop to the civil rights movement, growing opposition to the Vietnam war and the birth of the counterculture. Ireland was plugging into it all, not least when the Rolling Stones toured the country, including a gig at the Savoy in Cork. 1. Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited The album that kickstarted the 60s counterculture kicks off with six minutes of anger and vitriol. Like A Rolling Stone was released 6 days after the infamous Newport appearance and it was clear that Dylan was still protesting, but on his terms. Taking the hard abrasive sound that he was introducing to his live shows Dylan emerged from the studio with a collection of songs that would change everything. While it felt like a jam session it clearly wasn't. The bar had been set with every song taking on a life of its own. His scathing and brilliantly accurate put down of the press, Ballad Of A Thin Man, which must have hurt, packs a punch to this day 2. The Byrds, Mr Tambourine Man When The Byrds added the 12 string Rickenbackers and those harmonies to Dylan's Mr Tambourine Man the course of music changed. It was as if The Beatles and Dylan had merged. The Byrds gave birth to folk rock and shifted the focus from Britain and the East coast to California — and caused the burgeoning west coast scene to explode and dominate music worldwide. The Byrds didn't just do Dylan. In Gene Clark they had their own in-house genius. Feel A Whole Lot Better, Here Without You and I Knew I'd Want You — all written in a day. Bob Dylan's Bringing It All Back Home; The Beatles' Rubber Soul 3. Bob Dylan, Bringing It All Back Home By 1965 Dylan was beginning to find the sometimes-intense folk scene claustrophobic and irritating. He was becoming increasingly frustrated by the artistic limitations imposed on him by a very conservative genre. He had much bigger visions for his music. He had watched The Beatles and Johnny Cash and he liked what he saw and realised that electric was the way to go. This is probably the transition record that appealed to both sets of fans. Side-one is a blistering electric set that opens with Subterranean Homesick Blues while he bows out acoustically on side-2 with some of the greatest songs ever committed to vinyl. 4. The Beatles, Rubber Soul It had been evident for a while that The Beatles were changing musically. They'd been to America and soaked it up. They'd listened to Dylan and other artists and they realised that the mop top era had clearly run its course. To quote John Lennon ' Rubber Soul was when it really started to happen' . And it certainly was a game changer. They were focusing on albums rather than singles now and inspired by what they'd heard (and smoked) in The States they rose to a new level of creativity and everyone followed. Norwegian Wood introduced the sitar to pop music for the first time while Nowhere Man tipped its hat musically to the west coast. Otis Redding's Otis Blue; The Who's My Generation 5. Otis Redding, Otis Blue Otis first visited Hitsville USA as a driver and roadie for another band. After a long day in the studio, he managed to persuade a reluctant Booker T to let him try one of his songs. When Booker T heard him sing These Arms Of Mine, he nearly fell off his stool. In that minute his life, Otis's life and indeed the life of the Stax label changed. One of the greatest voices in soul music, this is his third studio album and while it only contains two original songs one of those is Respect which was immortalised by Aretha. Sadly, he never got to fulfil his potential. He died in a plane crash two years after this album was released. 6. The Who, My Generation The Who were a little bit different to the other bands around at the time. They were louder, harder and angrier. In effect, they were the first punk band. Pete Townshend would often smash his guitar on stage while Keith Moon had been known to blow up his drums. They were closely associated with the mod scene, which saw itself as a separate and sometimes higher entity than the rest of the mere mortals. They channeled all this aggression, energy and talent into a loud, abrasive, badly recorded, yet absolutely blistering, debut that even to this day is still loudest record in my collection. The single My Generation, complete with bass solo, became a rallying cry for disaffected teenagers throughout the UK. Unsurprisingly the album bombed in America... the Home Of The Brave clearly not ready for them yet. The Beatles' Help!; Them's The Angry Young Them 7. The Beatles, Help Dylan famously said to The Beatles 'your music is great but you're not saying anything'. That must have seriously stung because they took it on board with bells on for their fifth studio album and soundtrack to their second movie. On Help the songwriting and arranging went to a different dimension and everything became more introspective and topical while still retaining that Beatle factor. Help dealt with John's depression while You've Got To Hide Your Love Away was probably the first song to tackle homophobia — an absolute taboo subject in 1965. Paul's Yesterday also has the distinction of being the most recorded song of all time. 8. Them, The Angry Young Them From the streets of Belfast, having learnt their craft in the much-maligned showband circuit, come five guys simply known as Them. What set them apart from other bands was their incredible frontman. Grumpy, shy, paranoid and socially awkward Van Morrison spent his lonely childhood cooped up at home listening to his dad's jazz and blues records. 'Heard Leadbelly and Blind Lemon on the street where I was born' he would later sing in Cleaning Windows. And that was so true. He had an understanding of blues which shaped his songwriting and his often stunning delivery. The debut contains Gloria, the template for every band on the planet that ever got together in an attic or garage. Shangri-Las' Leader of the Pack; The Rolling Stones' Out of Our Heads 9. Shangri-Las, Leader Of The Pack I absolutely love the sound of the girl groups of the early to mid-60s so this is an essential choice for me. Most of the acts came from either the Phil Spector stable or Lieber & Stollers Red Bird label. The Shangri-Las were the leaders of the pack, excuse the pun. Two sets of sisters with a limited but unique vocal style, their songs were like mini dramas focusing on teenage angst, melodrama and unrequited love for tough and aloof boys. Familiar material to a dad to an often-melodramatic teenager. While they released only two albums of note (both in 1965), they're as important to that unique New York street sound as The Velvets or The Ramones. Amy Winehouse's Back To Black wouldn't exist without them. 10. Rolling Stones, Out Of Our Heads The Rolling Stones' third album is a bit confusing as the UK and US versions have different tracks. The UK version being the better one as it flows better and it contains Heart Of Stone — one of only three Jagger Richards compositions that would appear on the record. They were still finding their way as songwriters and still playing catch up with The Beatles. The album does, however, contain Satisfaction, which would give them their first US number 1. It's a very good album that reflected the swinging London of the time... better was to come. The tour for this album would bring them to The Savoy in Cork for their only gig in the real capital. Could've been contenders Ennio Morricone, For A Few Dollars More: The second of the Dollars Trilogy and the best soundtrack, it's all about the chimes. The second of the and the best soundtrack, it's all about the chimes. Astrud Gilberto, The Astrud Gilberto Album: I keep imagining myself driving along the cliffs of St Tropez every time I listen to this. I keep imagining myself driving along the cliffs of St Tropez every time I listen to this. Sound Of Music soundtrack: I'm not a fan of musicals but this is something special.
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
Sharon Horgan reveals she's dating younger Bad Sisters co-star
Sharon (55) opened up about her new relationship on the most recent episode of the Dinner's on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson podcast ACTRESS Sharon Horgan has revealed she is dating an actor nearly a decade younger than she is – with speculation that it is her Bad Sisters co-star Barry Ward. Sharon (55) opened up about her new relationship on the most recent episode of the Dinner's on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson podcast. Barry (44) plays Detective Inspector Fergal Loftus in the hit Apple TV, in which Sharon stars as one of the Garvey sisters, Eva. Both Sharon and Barry live in London – he is a father-of one while she is a mother of two and was divorced in 2019 after 14 years of marriage to Jeremy Rainbird. Sharon Horgan News in 90 Seconds - Aug 8th 'I've got a younger partner as well. Well, it's actually nine years,' she revealed on the podcast although she didn't mention Barry by name. 'I said 10 years for a while, and it freaked me out too much. It is nine years,' she added, laughing. 'I think initially I was like, 'Oh, that's exotic, being 10 years older.' I sort of got off on it. And then I was like, 'Oh, no, that's not good'.' The pair are believed to have first met while filming the 2020 movie Dating Amber, starring alongside Lola Petticrew and Fionn O'Shea. Sharon later created Bad Sisters and cast Barry as the detective in the show. 'We met years ago doing a film together, and then, you know, became friendly,' she explained. 'And thena, good few years later – this wasn't on purpose, by the way – I cast him in Bad Sisters.' She confirmed the relationship developed unexpectedly. 'It's different when you're my age. Being single again at my age is kind of a whole thing,' she noted. 'It just feels like so much fun just to meet someone who you can have a laugh with and connect with. It's surprising.' Dubliner Barry has appeared in the likes of Rebellion and Taken Down. Asked earlier this year about rumours he's dating Sharon, he replied: 'Yeah, someone sent me something this week. It's not something I want to court or have much time for. But I'm kind of bubbled in a way – if there is stuff out there, I'm ignorant to it. It's not something I want to be part of.' Sharon, a brother of former Ireland rugby player Shane Horgan, grew up in Bellewstown Co Meath, has starred in, among others Catastrophe, Moone Boy and Dating Amber.
The Journal
04-08-2025
- The Journal
From the return of Stranger Things to Jason Mamoa's new epic: Ten shows to stream this autumn
THE DARKER EVENINGS aren't here yet thankfully, but they'll be on their way in the next few months. So what to do about the shorter days? There's only one solution: make the most of the autumn evenings by catching up on the slew of new and returning series due out from August onwards. Here's our guide to the series to watch out for. The Walsh Sisters RTÉ One, TBC The Walsh Sisters lands on RTÉ this autumn. James Pierce James Pierce Marion Keyes fans no doubt have this in the diary already: the arrival of The Walsh Sisters, a series based on Keyes' novels Rachel's Holiday and Anybody Out There? The novels have been adapted by Stefanie Preissner, and she also stars as sister Maggie alongside Louisa Harland (Derry Girls) as Anna Walsh, Caroline Menton (Oddity) as Rachel, Danielle Galligan (House of Guinness, Spilt Milk) as eldest sister Claire and Máiréad Tyers (Extraordinary, Belfast) as Helen. Their father Jack/Daddy is played by screen legend Aidan Quinn, while the great Carrie Crowley plays their eccentric Mammy. We know this will drop in autumn – we're still waiting on the exact date, however. Wednesday – Season 2 Netflix, Part One: 6 August, Part Two: 3 September Netflix / YouTube In the grand tradition of stretching out IP as far as it can go, Wednesday is a Netflix series based on the character Wednesday Addams, who most of us know from the Addams Family films. She has a long history that stretches back to her first appearance in cartoons created by Charles Addams, as well as a 1960s TV series and a 1977 TV film. In 2022, Netflix revived the character for Wednesday, a series starring Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams. In this incarnation, she's a student expelled from school and sent to a private school (the Nevermore Academy) for outcasts. The series was a massive hit globally, and even surpassed Stranger Things when it came to the millions of hours of the show watched in its first week. Notably, this second series was filmed in Ireland – so keep an eye out for any familiar locations when this airs. Chief of War Apple TV+, 6 August Apple TV / YouTube This Hawaiian-set, nine-part series not only stars but was co-created by Jason Momoa (his fellow co-creator is Pa'a Sibbett), who plays a warrior and noble of Kaua'i. What we know so far is that it's set at the turn of the 19th Century and focuses on the bloody lead-up to the unification of Hawai'i. Expect to learn a lot about Hawaiian culture, enjoy gorgeous sights from its islands – and experience Game of Thrones-level combat. Notably, the cast are predominantly Polynesian and this is anticipated to have a positive effect on the Hawaiian screen industry. This also comes on the heels of See, another Apple TV+ series which starred Momoa – that one was set in a post-apocalyptic future in which survivors had lost their sight. Eyes of Wakanda Disney+, 27 August Marvel Entertainment / YouTube Fans of the great Black Panther films (part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe) will be interested to hear about this animated anthology series. It focuses on the Hatut Zaraze, who are Wakandan warriors. They not only carry out dangerous missions but they also go back through history to find and retrieve vibranium (a precious metal) artifacts. This is a real one for those into Wakanda lore and history, and among the voice talent on show is model Winnie Harlow. The Girlfriend Prime Video, 10 September Advertisement Prime Video / YouTube Well, this looks like a juicy watch. An adaptation of the Michelle Frances novel, this stars Olivia Cooke (who was also in the first season of Slow Horses) as Cherry, the new, mysterious and seemingly perfect girlfriend of Daniel (Laurie Davison). Laura, Daniel's mother – played by the always amazing Robin Wright, who also directs – is very suspicious of Cherry, and is driven to some pretty wild behaviour in order to figure out what's going on. Is Laura paranoid… or is she right to be worried? The Morning Show – Season 4 Apple TV+, 17 September Apple TV / YouTube Fans of The Morning Show know that every season likes to take some of its cues from the headlines – so far we've seen it nod at #MeToo, Roe vs Wade, space travel (!) and the attempted sale of the show's network to a billionaire (played by Jon Hamm). Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon return as Alex Levy and Bradley Jackson, with new cast members set to include Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons and William Jackson Harper. Season 3 ended on a major cliffhanger that set its stars on different paths, but showrunner Charlotte Stoudt told the Hollywood Reporter that Bradley and Alex will find their way back together this season. Expect lots of drama along the way. Black Rabbit Netflix, 18 September Netflix Netflix Jude Law and Jason Bateman star in this upcoming miniseries about two brothers. Law plays a restaurant owner called Jake Friedkin who brings his brother Vince (Bateman) back into his life. But what doesn't help fraternal relations is that Vince is involved with the criminal underworld and has loan sharks on his trail. There's an Uncut Gems-meets-Goodfellas-meets-The Bear vibe here, as it's set against the backdrop of New York nightlife. The Black Rabbit in the title? That would be the restaurant that the brothers founded in Manhattan. Nice to see Bateman taking on the role of the chaos agent yet again, following on from his role in Ozark. Slow Horses – Season 5 Apple TV+, 24 Sept Rotten Tomatoes TV / YouTube Scream! One of the best series of the past few years is returning to our screens imminently. For those not in the know, Slow Horses is a British series based on the excellent books by Mick Herron. The story centres on a group of disgraced MI5 agents who have been consigned to a department known as Slough House (ie – Slow Horse) after making some terrible work decisions. Though no one believes in them, they somehow always end up getting involved in some of MI5′s biggest cases. Stars include Gary Oldman as the flatulent Jackson Lamb, Jack Lowden as the hapless yet smart River Cartwright, and Kristin Scott Thomas as the sharp MI5 boss Diana Taverner. Season five is based on Herron's book London Rules, which centres on terror attacks in Britain. Expect more screen time for the character Roddy Ho, whose new girlfriend raises suspicions. Overall, more thrilling hijinks await. Nobody Wants This – Season 2 Netflix, 23 October Netflix / YouTube People ate season one of Nobody Wants This up with a spoon, thanks to the spicy chemistry between its leads Kristen Bell and Adam Brody. A recap on what it was all about: Bell plays podcaster and single gal Joanne, and Brody plays Noah, the rabbi who she unexpectedly falls for. It was very much a clash of cultures, given Noah's religious role and Joanne's lack of interest in same. That it was loosely based on the relationship of the series co-creator Erin Foster added another layer of interest. Joining season two is Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl), who plays a mommy influencer who was Joanne's nemesis in middle school. And did we mention that Meester is married to Adam Brody in real life? A clever casting move indeed. Stranger Things – Season 5 Netflix, Part One: 26 November, Part Two: 25 December, Finale: 31 December They're back… and older than ever. Stranger Things returns (in three parts) this year, returning us to the town of Hawkins in 1987. Despite everyone looking a LOT older than last time around, the teens are still dealing 12 months on with the fallout of season four. Eleven is in hiding, the town is under military quarantine and evil Vecna is on the loose. This is the final season, broken into three parts, and marks nine years since Stranger Things appeared on our screens. It's certainly had its moments where it was astonishing telly, but also moments when it dipped in quality – fingers crossed the final season will be worth the long wait. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
