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Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Doctor Who has 'changed lives' of LGBT people
For Scott Handcock, Doctor Who was his childhood "safe haven" as he struggled with his sexuality and felt like he didn't "fit in". The sci-fi series changed his life, he said, from binging early episodes on VHS tape in the 1990s to ending up working behind the scenes many years later. Describing the Doctor Who fandom as like a family "full of hope", he said the show has had a huge, lasting impact, both on him and many other LGBT fans. In Saturday's season two finale episode, The Reality War, Ncuti Gatwa left his role as the Doctor, regenerating into Billie Piper. As Pride month begins, many within the LGBT community have shared their life-changing experiences with the show. Doctor Who boss hits back at 'wokeness' criticisms Why has Doctor Who always been so LGBT-friendly? Russell T Davies thinks he knows The Welsh locations setting the scene for Doctor Who Doctor Who's resurgence in 2005 saw production move to Wales, and granted it a whole new generation of fans. Nearly a decade later, in June 2024, it had a "landmark moment" with a romantic same-sex kiss involving the Doctor, coinciding with Pride month. As a new graduate in 2006, Scott started out as a runner on Doctor Who on a four-week contract, and has since progressed to script editor. He has also written, directed and produced stories across the Who-niverse, particularly in audio format. Scott came out as gay at the age of 15, and said the show played a huge role in his formative years. "Doctor Who literally changed my life," he told Dr Emily Garside on BBC Radio Wales' programme Doctor Who - Time and Space for Everyone. "People talk about the Doctor Who family and it's absolutely true. People I met back in the early 2000s are still massive parts of my life." Scott recalled growing up in a working-class family in Birmingham, "in a world of soap operas and things" where TV characters were mostly in heterosexual relationships or "settled down" in a nuclear family. "You could actually take most characters from an episode of classic Doctor Who and their sexual orientation, their gender, how they define, is completely irrelevant... [it] was almost a breath of fresh air." He continued: "Sometimes when you're feeling a bit isolated, feel like there's no one else like you around, seeing someone like that who's championing you to the ends of the earth, reminds you that those people are out there in real life. "That was important to me and I think that's important to a whole generation of fans." Scott's experience is not unlike that of the Doctor Who boss himself, Russell T Davies, who has previously spoken about his own love of the show growing up as he hid his sexuality and often felt he was different to his peers. "Doctor Who was kind of sexless... he's with a beautiful woman all the time and never looks at her sexually. And that's an interesting little chime with a young, gay boy," he said. Swansea-born comedian Steffan Alun, who coincidentally grew up on the same street as Davies, also found himself represented within the show, despite feeling "stressed" initially . "When you see someone like you on telly... you're worried that they're going to do something that makes people see you in a different light," he said. "As a queer man myself, for me Russell T Davies was Queer As Folk, and it's wild and sexy. And the Doctor isn't really like that, Doctor Who is cosy. "He did make it wilder, but it was brilliant and I shouldn't have doubted him because he understands television, he's one of our great writers." The June 2024 kiss in a regency-era episode - between Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor and Rogue, played by Jonathan Groff - saw a stream of complaints received by the BBC, from viewers "unhappy with a storyline featuring a same-sex romance and kiss". In response, the BBC said: "As regular viewers of Doctor Who will be aware, the show has, and will always continue to proudly celebrate diversity and reflect the world we live in." Rylan Clark, who appeared in a recent episode as host of the Interstellar Song Contest, said he was proud to be part of a show that was so unapologetically inclusive. "It's an iconic show that's entertaining, but it's also proud... it's diverse and it's inclusive," said presenter. "There aren't many family dramas that have been doing that for, genuinely, decades and it's that sort of visibility... that's so important." Meeting like-minded friends has been a huge part of Doctor Who for bisexual fan Paul Robinson from Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf. "I've got various Dr Who chums who aren't local, but who I've met because we've gone and stood outside a freezing cold building at 03:00, praying for a glimpse of Peter Capaldi's hair. We stand there in the rain, under umbrellas, and we laugh and we laugh," he said. "I was in my twenties coming out, so when Doctor Who first came back I wasn't out publicly, or even a little bit to myself. "I think the biggest thing Doctor Who gives anyone in any kind of situation where they're feeling lost, they're feeling alone, they're feeling they can't, it gives you hope." Jayne Lutwyche, from Cardiff, has been a long-time Doctor Who fan and even got to appear on the show alongside David Tennant and Catherine Tate. She said, as a bisexual woman, the show "makes you feel like you can be you and you can be open about who you are". "I think the many different relationships the Doctor has with their companions, but also the companions with each other, kind of really gives that scope that love is love. We need more of that," she said. "It wasn't always easy to be a teen, it certainly wasn't easy to be a neurodivergent, LGBT teen, back at the turn of the century. Let's make it better. Things like Doctor Who are so valuable for that." Bill Potts, the first openly-gay companion played by bisexual actor Pearl Mackie, has been regularly cited as a key moment in the diversity of the show. Erica Moore, a Doctor Who fan who spent many years in Cardiff but now lives in Boston, USA, said there were other characters and relationships which stood out as encapsulating the show's widespread appeal. "The Madame Vastra and Jenny relationship, it's inter-species and queer, so that was really nice to see. They're set in Victorian England together, again that's kind of [showing] queer people have always existed," they said. Erica added they were "really interested in the episode Gridlock", where the Doctor goes from vehicle to vehicle speaking to people to try and figure out why they are all stuck. "There's a lesbian couple, an older lesbian couple... I thought that was really cool because it's just, 'here's all these different couples and all these different families'. "A lot of the time [when] you have queer characters, [it's] focusing on the struggle and how hard it is to be queer, but I liked that this was just another couple to exist." And it's not just Doctor Who but the entire Who-niverse which has made an impression on the LGBT community. Spin-off show Torchwood left a lasting legacy when it concluded in 2011, with a shrine at Cardiff Bay commemorating the late character Ianto Jones who was in a relationship with John Barrowman's pansexual character Captain Jack Harkness. "I think at that time, still, queer representation in sci-fi in particular was there but maybe a little bit shallow sometimes," said Steffan Alun. "This was a slightly messier story. Ianto didn't consider himself gay, it was just Jack, and yet that relationship was so loving and so true." Gareth David-Lloyd, who played Ianto Jones, said at the time of filming he had no idea what the impact of the character would be. "I just felt incredibly lucky to be there, to be on a sci-fi show written by Russell and to be playing a character who falls in love with his boss, which meant as an actor I got more to do," he said. "When we finished filming and I started to realise the cultural impact Ianto and his relationship with Jack was having, it was a big surprise, a very moving surprise. "I certainly wasn't expecting a shrine to be erected, and maintained for 20 years after. On one hand, it's a bit bonkers, but on the other it's a monument to the impact Ianto, and his relationship with Jack, had on the queer community, and one that I'm really proud of." He added: "I remember being moved to tears quite a number of times by fans saying how Ianto's relationship with Jack has helped them. "Sci-fi, certainly for me when I was younger, was always about escaping to a better place, a better world where technology is evolved, politics is evolved, people are evolved. "I think if accepting people's identities, who they are, is part of that better world, then that could be quite powerful." How a gay TV drama changed people's lives Russell T Davies: I want to do darker LGBTQ+ drama How Doctor Who made millions for Wales
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Jerry Lewis Holocaust Comedy Movie Believed Lost Discovered After 45 Years
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Jerry Lewis' infamous Holocaust clown comedy movie that was believed to have been lost for over four decades has been discovered in the bank vault of a Swedish actor. The Day the Clown Cried, Lewis's never-released film, shot in Stockholm in 1972, was believed to exist only in incomplete fragments. Now, Swedish producer and actor, Hans Crispin, best known for his role in the 1988 Swedish comedy TV series Angne & Svullo, has revealed he has a copy. "I have the only copy," he told Swedish broadcaster SVT, The National reported. "I stole it from Europafilm in 1980 and copied it to VHS in the attic, where we used to duplicate films at night." "I've kept the copy in my bank vault," Crispin added. This is a developing story and will be updated
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
This Popular Ice Cream Chain is Closing 500 Locations—Here's What to Know
It's never any fun when a favorite institution shuts down. When Blockbuster and Hollywood Video closed, I cried for nearly a week straight. Sure, I can't imagine life without Netflix now, but who could've ever predicted that we'd see the end of VHS tapes in our lifetime? We were just figuring out how to use a Blu-ray player. Unfortunately, it's one of those circle of life things, and sooner or later, everything reaches its end. 😋😋SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter🍳🍔 As much as it hurts to see larger chains and businesses go under (still making sense of the Forever21 debacle), seeing smaller local joints that have made their name servicing those of us who live closest shutter their doors for good can feel like the equivalent of losing a limb. In the case of regional ice cream chain Thrifty's, they're recent announcement comes at no fault of their own, but it still stings those of you not familiar, Thrifty's Ice Cream first opened in 1940 as a subsidiary brand of Rite-Aid. You could get your flu shot and meds and then head on over to Thrifty's counter to pick up one of their famous square-shaped scoops. The brand has developed a cult-like following and even made its way into the freezer section of some grocery stores, and it's had a good run for the better part of 85 years. Unfortunately, the chain will no longer be available in Rite-Aid locations due to Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings affecting over 500 Thrifty's locations. While there are a few standalone franchise locations and you can still find it in the freezer aisle of some grocers, the locations inside Rite-Aid pharmacies will all be closing as they're not able to be sold as separate assets from the Rite-Aid brand. Despite the news, it is possible that a buyer could decide to run and operate the square-ish scooped ice cream brand on its own. Only time will tell, but at least we have the memories to hold us over once it's Popular Ice Cream Chain is Closing 500 Locations—Here's What to Know first appeared on Parade on May 28, 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
Scoop
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
New Signing Soft Bait Announce Sophomore Album 'Life Advice' + Share First Single 'New Leaf'
It is our absolute pleasure to welcome Soft Bait to the Flying Nun Records roster. Soft Bait are a four-piece from Tāmaki Makaurau making pointed, off-centre post-punk that barrels forward with restless momentum. Since forming in 2020, they've built a reputation off the back of their electric live shows, sharp lyricism, and a knack for turning everyday absurdities and half-remembered pop culture into something worth shouting about. Soft Bait's sophomore offering, 'Life Advice ' is out on the 25th July, both digitally and on black or silver vinyl LP. Today, the band share the first single, ' New Leaf ' — a track that picks apart gossip, group dynamics, and the mess left behind. As vocalist Josh Hunter puts it: 'New Leaf is a song about gossiping, seeking social acceptance and connection among groups. People projecting their own sense of arrogance or insecurity onto others. The lack of self-awareness to understand — or care to understand — the effect of their actions as they move onto the next drama and hysteria. Leaving the subject to pick up the pieces.' That tension runs through the whole track. Driven by a locked-in, repetitive bass line, the new single possesses an anxious and relentless energy. Hooky and sharp like it's pacing the room, 'New Leaf' is innately loud, unfiltered and fun. It holds a mirror up to some of the messier sides of social interaction; the messiness, posturing, gossip, and the chaos we leave in our wake. The video, created by Patrick Hickley and Jolin Lee, takes those ideas and drops them into a dusty VHS wedding from the early-90s. Stitching themselves into the celebration as the unofficial wedding band — filmed lo-fi, green screen, digi-cam style. It's part nostalgia trip, part fever dream. A weird, funny snapshot of connection, disconnection, and everything in between. Soft Bait are Joshua Hunter, Patrick Hickley, Keria Paterson and Cameron Mackintosh. Their debut album, ' Plot Points' (2022), introduced a sound that blends gothic post-punk with personal, powerful vocals. The album's singles, Big' and ' True Stories ', topped SRN radio charts, and their live shows have been described as "exhilarating, raucous, lively, punky, and so much fun." Now part of the Flying Nun Records family, Soft Bait is set to release their sophomore album, 'Life Advice' on July 25th. A sharp, hook-heavy record with chugging bass lines, restless energy, and tightly wound turns. The songs dig into online weirdness, Kiwi archetypes, and the quiet rituals we fall into without realising. Lyrically, it's full of lines that land like overheard wisdom from a mate you probably shouldn't be taking advice from — half true, half twisted, and still ringing in your ears the next day. If your record shelf includes Viagra Boys, Squid, Warmduscher, or Yard Act, Soft Bait delivers a raw, unfiltered take on the post-punk genre, grounded in Kiwi culture and the peculiarities of everyday life.
The Courier
4 days ago
- The Courier
Tuesday court round-up — Window cleaning dispute and torched Ring
A 50-year-old man wound up in custody after a three-year-old dispute over a £2,000 window cleaning round. was hauled into the dock at Dundee Sheriff Court after previously failing to appear. He had admitted threatening a rival with violence in a phone message on July 13 2021. Prosecutor Ewan Chalmers said there was previous agreement for the man to take over the round but the remaining balance had not been paid. Brown, of Helmsdale Avenue, said in the message: 'If I see you out cleaning windows you and your car are getting smashed.' Sheriff Gregor Murray fined him £100 following the custody appearance. A pair of Leuchars-based soldiers admitted their roles in a concerted attack on a St Andrews Open Championship worker during a night out. and appeared in the dock together at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to admit the attack in the early hours of July 13 2022. A convicted Fife paedophile who is on the sex offenders register for life has been ordered to be of good behaviour after admitting failing to meet his notification requirements. , of Katrine Crescent in Kirkcaldy was jailed for three years and made subject to the indefinite notification requirements in March 2022 after a jury convicted him of taking or making indecent images of children. If all the twisted video files on Soutar's devices – including footage recorded in the 1970s and converted from VHS – were played back-to-back, the run-time would be three days. The 58-year-old, formerly of Methil, returned to the dock at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to be sentenced having failed to comply with notification requirements between July and August in 2024. Solicitor Alistair Burleigh said his client had attended at a police station on a Saturday during the 12-day period to try to fulfil his duty but the station had been closed. Sheriff Mark Allan deferred sentencing until November 24. A crook was caught red-handed during a Dundee break-in when the householders' cats began acting strangely. fled after being confronted by a woman who screamed when she found him in her living room but was caught nearby. A Perth woman who torched her neighbour's doorbell camera with a lighter has been released from prison. was remanded at Perth Justice of the Peace Court after appearing on Easter Saturday to answer a warrant. She admitted vandalising the £60 camera on her Bute Drive neighbour's home by holding a lighter to it on June 10 2023, while on bail. The camera's owner received notifications just after midnight when Reid, 33, held a lighter to it. Solicitor Linda Clark explained Reid had complained about the camera pointing at her home. She said: 'She's been in custody all this time. 'Her neighbour wasn't prepared to budge. He has moved elsewhere.' JP Andrew Kirkpatrick admonished Reid and said: 'At the end of the day, you'll appreciate what you did was wrong. 'Having spend the best part of six weeks in prison, that is I think, quite a significant punishment.' A Fife man found guilty of 'alarming' his village neighbours by twice exposing himself at his front door claims he was urinating because he could not get upstairs to his toilet. The story told by, 68, was backed by his carers but he was convicted. A staff nurse at Perth's Murray Royal hospital was left with a bloodied nose and swollen lip when a patient from Arbroath delivered an uppercut to her face. appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court to be sentenced, having admitted attacking the employee at the Moredun Ward on March 10 in 2022. Depute fiscal Jill Drummond told the court 'agitated' Palmer, 67, was being led out of the ward as staff dealt with medication. 'All of a sudden, he's moved towards the complainer and punched her towards the face with an uppercut, causing her nose to bleed.' The nurse activated her personal alarm and police were contacted. Palmer told them: 'I was trying to defend myself.' Palmer, of Cliffview Court, admitted assault to injury. His case began on petition but was reduced to a summary complaint. Solicitor Billy Rennie said: 'He accepts it's not a legal self-defence. To some extent he felt provoked. 'He does recognise that he needs to manage his temper better.' Sheriff Paul Ralph fined Palmer £210 and ordered him to pay the nurse £600, saying: 'We can't have behaviour like that when people are trying to help you.' A roofing firm was fined a four-figure sum after an apprentice plummeted five metres while scraping moss from a Perth home, suffering a fractured left ankle, a shattered right heel and a dislocated shoulder. The court heard it was the first breach by Methven-based . A 64-year-old Dunfermline man caught with 20g of heroin and 3g of cocaine has been fined £1,000. , 64, of Broomhead Drive, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court to plead guilty to possession of the class A drugs at his home on July 14 2023. Prosecutor Brogan Moffat told the court a search warrant was executed at the property and the drugs, worth around £1200 in total, were recovered. Defence lawyer Liam Kildare referred to a police report in stating the range of values for the heroin was between £540 and £970. Sheriff Paul Ralph told Donnelly: 'You don't need me to tell you that someone of your age should really know better'. The sheriff noted the offences were nearly two years old and fined Donnelly a total of £1000.
