TV: A Very Murray Christmas
Not content with taking over the rest of the year’s TV, Netflix has its eyes trained on the holidays. Its ambitions go higher than festive fistfights in Albert Square: instead, we get a variety show starring Bill Murray, directed by his Lost In Translation collaborator Sofia Coppola, with contributions from George Clooney, Amy Poehler and Chris Rock helping foster the holiday spirit. No previews are available, so it’s hard to know whether this is a playful reimagining of the Christmas special or a takedown; either way Murray’s presence makes it worth watching. It goes live from Friday.
Netflix
Video: Skepta: Top Boy
As you’ll no doubt have heard from a deluge of thinkpieces, 2015 was the year that the grime revival properly went overground, with Tottenham rapper and actual mate of Drake, Skepta, leading the charge. This Noisey doc follows him and his Boy Better Know crew as they embark on a sold-out tour of North America, culminating in a performance alongside Drake in Toronto. Remarkably, considering the sudden increased profile he’s been given, Skepta never seems overawed by the situation, instead giving the impression of a man acutely aware that this is his time.
Audio: Women Of The Hour
An accompaniment of sorts to her Lenny newsletter, this new podcast sees Girls star Lena Dunham discuss a host of female-focused subjects with writers, activists and general newsmaker types. Women Of The Hour’s opening trio of episodes have featured guests such as author Zadie Smith and Dunham’s Girl’s co-star Jemima Kirke talking about everything from sex and relationships to body image.
TV: Detectorists
Now in its second series, Mackenzie Crook’s slow-burn sitcom remains as ambling and amiable as its central characters, metal detectors Andy (Crook) and Lance (Toby Jones). The stakes are still strikingly small here, and moments of huge hilarity remain relatively rare, but the whole thing is warm and welcoming enough to compensate for those slight shortcomings. In short, it’s the perfect fare for a Sunday afternoon. Ahead of this week’s finale (Thursday, 10pm, BBC4), catch up with the series so far over on the iPlayer.
Video: Roller Derby: Skate Fast, Hit Hard
Roller derby is Europe’s fastest-growing female sport. This iPlayer doc about the UK scene makes it look slightly terrifying but thoroughly exhilarating. Enter a world of blockers and jammers, in which mild-mannered teaching assistants become knee-padded, crash-helmeted superheroes.
