Latest news with #autistic
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Austin season two review – this comedy is now coasting on good vibes and Michael Theo's charm
The first season of Austin was a droll, moreish treat, appealingly combining Australian and British humour to tell the story of an autistic man in his late 20s connecting for the first time with his biological father. The former is Austin (Michael Theo, from the reality TV show Love on the Spectrum); the latter is children's book author Julian (UK comedian Ben Miller), who learns about the son he never knew in the middle of a career crisis – while managing, or mismanaging, the fallout from sharing a white supremacist's social media post. Our sympathies naturally align with the titular character (charmingly played by Theo); Julian's a more slippery fish, flailing and floundering, clutching on to spurious excuses likely to make audiences think: 'dig up, dig up!' The show's modest in many ways, and probably not appointment viewing, but I was a big fan: the writing was sharp and pacey, the jokes often laugh-out-loud funny, and the supporting cast also entertaining – including Sally Phillips as Julian's exasperated wife and book illustrator Ingrid, and the ever-huggable Roy Billing as Austin's grandfather Bill. It took me a bit to properly nestle into the second season, which I was a little disappointed by; it's still pleasant viewing but lacks some zhuzh and spritz. The first season's opening plot gambit involving Julian's 'cancellation' was perhaps a slight stretch plausibility-wise, but got things off to a cracking start. The writers (Miller, co-director Darren Ashton, Kala Ellis, Joe Tucker, Lloyd Woolf and Adam Zwar) created some friction by kicking off during particularly stressful periods in the characters' lives; we cannot be sure whether their actions reflect their 'normal' selves or whether they're a result of trying circumstances. The second season, which is set in London, doesn't have that ambiguity or bolting-from-the-gates tempo. As it begins, Ingrid is tossing up whether to get a divorce; Julian contemplates news that he might not be Austin's biological father after all; and Austin prepares to launch his book: An Autistic Guide to Britain. The publisher encourages him to learn more about his heritage in the hope of configuring a good 'British origins story', which leads him to discover a bloodline connection to William the Conqueror and puts him on the doorstep of Julian's estranged parents, triggering some awkward interactions. I wouldn't say that the show – created by Tucker, Woolf, Miller and Ashton – is now resting on its laurels. But it doesn't quite build a compelling case as to why we should return to these people's lives, beyond their endearing qualities and overall likability (even Julian, with his thoroughly 'punchable' face, is an appealing presence). The new season is unlikely to win over new fans but existing ones will probably be satisfied; the show's essential elements are still in pretty good form. The writers have a knack for crafting short, funny moments, often involving terse dialogue exchanges, which might not seem pants-wetting on paper but are appealingly delivered. Before an awkward conversation with a publisher, for instance, Julian responds to an offer of tea or coffee by declaring: 'I don't want anything, thank you, just justice.' Then adds: 'Actually, do you have chamomile?' Billing is redeployed to deliver slightly risque but good-natured lines, reflecting a more Aussie attitude. In the first season, he admitted to quite liking a rectal examination; in the second he reflects on his own idea for a book: 'an erotic thriller, set in the world of civil engineering'. And of course there's Theo, who alone makes the show worthwhile. His dorky shtick often involves amusingly formal language, yet he never seems to be working hard for a laugh. A similar observation can be made about the show itself: it has pleasant, breezy vibes, and coasts along just fine. Austin season two premieres Sunday 27 July at 7.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview
Free Malaysia Today
22-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Cops forced me to admit I killed my son, Zayn Rayyan's mum tells court
Ismanira Abdul Manaf was charged last year with neglecting her son, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin, in a manner likely to cause him physical harm. PETALING JAYA : The mother of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin told the sessions court today that police forced her to confess to the murder of her autistic son during the investigation into his death last year. Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, said she was pressured into admitting guilt when she was brought before a magistrate for a remand order. Under examination-in-chief by her lawyer Haresh Mahadevan, Ismanira claimed that officers coerced her into confessing before magistrate Zhafran Rahim Hamzah. 'I told the magistrate I was not willing to be there before him. The police forced and threatened me to admit to the murder. 'The magistrate recorded a not guilty plea,' she said in court today. She also claimed that during the 13-day remand period, police were unhappy with her answers despite her giving her full cooperation. 'They created a story saying that I found my son, then killed him. I denied it, but they weren't satisfied.' Ismanira claimed she was beaten and threatened by the officers who were unhappy with her denial during the interrogation, which allegedly took place at a safe house. She also alleged that while some officers had pressured her to confess, others were sympathetic. 'Some told me they knew I was innocent, but they had to follow orders. They asked me to be patient until the remand ended,' she said. Ismanira was ordered to enter her defence yesterday while her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, was acquitted of the same charge. Ismanira and Zaim were charged last year with neglecting Zayn in a manner likely to cause him physical harm. The offence allegedly occurred at PJU Damansara Damai between noon on Dec 5, 2023 – when the boy was said to have gone missing – and 9.55pm the following day, when his body was discovered in a stream near his home at Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai. The couple was also represented by Ramzani Idris and Lavanesh Haresh. Deputy public prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz, and Nur Sabrina Zubairi conducted the prosecution. The trial before judge Syahliza Warnoh continues.
Free Malaysia Today
21-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Zayn's dad upset with cops, says son's killer still out there
Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 30, was acquitted of neglecting his autistic son, but his wife, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, was ordered to enter her defence. PETALING JAYA : The father of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin has expressed disappointment with the police and their investigation into his son's murder, saying the killer is still out there more than a year later. Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin. Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 30, said he had given his full cooperation to the police throughout their investigation into Zayn's death and had trusted them to catch the killer. 'What I can say is that I'm disappointed with the police. I gave the police my trust to catch my son's murderer. But my son's killer is still out there. 'Is this the result (of their investigation)? So, I am naturally very disappointed. 'All these charges should not have been filed. It's all nonsense,' Zaim, who was acquitted of neglecting his son, told reporters outside the Petaling Jaya court complex today. While Zaim was acquitted by the sessions court, his wife, Ismanira Abdul Manaf, was ordered to enter her defence on a charge of neglecting her autistic son. Ismanira chose to testify under oath from the witness stand. The couple was charged last year with neglecting Zayn in a manner likely to cause him physical harm. The alleged offence took place between noon on Dec 5, 2023, when the boy was reported missing, and 9.55pm the following day, when his body was discovered in a stream near their home at Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai. The charge was framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Woman, teenage girl rescued after car plunges into Unimas lake
KOTA SAMARAHAN, July 21 — An autistic teenage girl and an elderly woman were rescued after their car plunged into a lake at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) earlier today. The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) dispatched a team from Kota Samarahan fire station after receiving a call at 10.40am. 'Both victims were rescued by members of the public. 'The 17-year-old girl managed to escape from the vehicle safely, while the 50-year-old woman was unconscious.,' it said in a statement. Bomba said the woman was taken to the hospital for treatment. — The Borneo Post
The Guardian
17-07-2025
- The Guardian
Autism is not an excuse for bad behaviour
Yet again, the autistic community (which includes me, diagnosed at age 49) utters a collective groan as another high-profile miscreant tries to use their autistic neurodiversity as an excuse for their unacceptable behaviour (Yes, the problem is men like Gregg Wallace – but it's also those who should stop them and don't, 10 July). Any autistic person will tell you that they're no stranger to messing up and embarrassing themselves in a social situation. But they will also tell you how mortified they were, how they apologised or retreated in shame, and then worked extra hard at finding ways to avoid making the same mistake in future. What they never do is gaslight the person making the complaint, or try to shift the blame anywhere but themselves; that is the trait of a narcissist. Autistic people can be narcissists and narcissistic people can also be autistic – there's no causal link, so let's please leave autism out of this discussion, as it's entirely irrelevant. Narcissists are naturally drawn to careers that put them in the limelight, and so it's hardly surprising that they're overrepresented in the media, entertainment and politics. Gregg Wallace must take responsibility for his own actions, but it is equally the responsibility of employers in those 'limelight industries' to spot narcissistic behaviour in the workplace and control it CrossLondon Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
