#going 2 have a celebrity gogglebox scene with the 2 of them

[ess-presso]

ESSY <3

tell about the double act cause I’m a whore for celebrity au fics

(also how dare my schedule make me late to play this game)

RAY RAY <333333

OKAY SO.

the double act is a fic where reg is a singer & james & his friends are all actors and one day james gets signed onto the latest spiderman film (he is the villain which is what all the magazines are on about because he’s so SWEET irl.) and obviously remus is spiderman & james’s bff is sirius - so yk the wolfstar plot. BUT ANYWAYS. for the jegulus bit - regulus is assigned to write a song for james’s next movie because he has become a blockbuster and is now signed onto like 10 films. AND regulus is like a big deal. think like tay tay. so they meet then they fall in love n shit. i’m having reg write ‘call it what you want’ // ‘gorgeous’ // ‘king of my heart’ about james. like it’s going to get SO GOOD. and i’m so excited. (note that james’s fave singer is regulus & regulus keeps rewatching the spidey movie….)

[queerly-autistic]

Let's get OFMD on Gogglebox!

One of the biggest things we can do to try and get Our Flag Means Death picked up by another network is keep making noise about it, and so I had a wild middle-of-the-night idea about one way we could do this: try and get the show on Gogglebox!

For anyone who doesn't know, Gogglebox is an extremely popular and successful show in the UK on Channel 4, where ordinary people (and sometimes celebrities) watch and react to television shows, pop culture moments and films.

Usually, they seem to react to television shows after they finish airing, between a month and two months after from what I've seen from other shows, so we have time to push this. It would be amazing exposure for the show, and really put it in a fantastic spot in terms of visibility in the UK.

So, how do we do this? Well, firstly, I would say tweet about the show and tag Gogglebox on Twitter, letting them know that they should react to it. The 'This Woman's Work' scene, which feels tailor-made for a Gogglebox reaction, is airing on BBC2 this week (19th February 10pm), so a great opportunity to tag them going 'hey, look over here!'.

Another thing that we can do is contact Channel 4 directly. Here's a rundown of how to do that. Click here to get through to their contact page: https://www.channel4.com/4viewers/contact-us.

Step 1: At the bottom of the screen, after filling in your details (if you're outside the UK, you can generate a random UK address to use here: Random UK Address Generator - GeneratorMix), you will see a box labelled ‘My message is about’. Select ‘Channel 4/+ - streaming/on demand/apps’.

Then click 'submit'. Step 2:

Select how you normally stream Channel 4 (if in doubt, just select ‘Channel4.com’).

When asked if you're contacting them about a technical issue, select ‘No’. 

When asked what your query is about, select ‘Programmes’. 

Then click 'submit'. Step 3:

You can then leave your message. Some points to think about including:

Plainly state what you want them to do (you want Gogglebox to feature OFMD, which is currently airing on BBC 2 and available on iPlayer)

Explain what OFMD is and why it’d be a great candidate for Gogglebox (emotional and funny, with bonkers and heartfelt moments, perfect for reacting to!)

Push the diversity angle and how great it would be to see such a queer show featured on Gogglebox

Show that you are aware of Gogglebox by referring to other things they’ve reacted to (some ideas in my message below, or you can have a look on their YouTube) - the ‘Running Up That Hill’ Stranger Things reaction was incredibly popular and did very well for them on social media, so worth mentioning that there’s a similar scene in OFMD

Mention that the show is immensely popular, so featuring it would bring in an automatic audience AND get social media traction too!

This is the message that I left. I tried to include everything as an example of what we could say, but of course if you want to make it shorter and snappier, please do! I'm getting in touch with a recommendation for the current series of Gogglebox. I think it would be fantastic to watch the Goggleboxers react to Our Flag Means Death - Series 2 of which is currently airing on BBC2 (and is all available on BBC iPlayer). It's an amazing queer romantic comedy about pirates, that can have you laughing out loud and bursting into tears in a single episode, which I think would make for some fantastic reactions from the Goggleboxers. After being deeply affected by the tear-jerking reactions to It's A Sin a few years ago, I think it's really important to see the Goggleboxers react to a very different queer story (twice GLAAD-nominated) which, despite having dark moments, ultimately celebrates queer love and queer joy. I remember how brilliant (and popular!) the Celebrity Gogglebox reactions to the iconic 'Running Up That Hill' Stranger Things scene were, and Our Flag Means Death has a similar (but different) scene, in which Ed (Blackbeard) imagines the man he loves as a mermaid helping him fight back to life following a suicide attempt. It's one of the best scenes I've seen in a television show in years, bonkers AND emotional, made me laugh AND sob, and it feels absolutely tailor made for the Goggleboxers to react to (you can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSi1M8iQh_s). Not only is the show brilliant, but it also comes with a hugely passionate fanbase (over 86,000 people have signed a petition calling for its renewal, it was one of HBO Max's most popular shows last year in terms of engagement, and it consistently trends on social media with tens of thousands of tweets) who would flock to watch and talk about Gogglebox if it were featured. I really hope you'll consider letting the Goggleboxers watch this utterly brilliant show!   Then make sure you tick the ‘I agree to having my details passed to the production company if necessary’ (we want our messages to get to the people making Gogglebox!)

Then hit submit, and you’re done!

I think it's worth a shot! Who knows, if we make enough noise, and show how much of a following the show has, the producers might just consider featuring our pirates on the show, and what amazing exposure that will be!

[constantlyirksome]

Review: Terrace House

Picture a reality TV show, any reality TV show, and immediately words like “drama” “fights��� and “Romance” come to mind. Take what would usually be considered a tired premise, dropping a group of beautiful young people into a lavish house or setting and the outcomes are usually predictable. Loud arguments over romantic affairs, inappropriate public brawls, and stars stripping off to nearly nothing. Anything to cause drama.Picture a reality TV show, any reality TV show, and immediately words like “drama” “fights” and “Romance” come to mind. Take what would usually be considered a tired premise, dropping a group of beautiful young people into a lavish house or setting and the outcomes are usually predictable. Loud arguments over romantic affairs, inappropriate public brawls, and stars stripping off to nearly nothing. Anything to cause drama. Picture the same premise, but in a country and culture where the values are different to the west, where emotions are kept in check and holding hands is considered scandalous. ‘Terrace House’, a show made in collaboration with Fuji television and Netflix, is Japan’s answer to Big Brother or Jersey shore. Six people, three women and three men (between the ages of 20-30) are dropped into a beautiful house, and the world watches as they co-habituate. But viewers aren’t the only people examining and dissecting the lives of these characters. At certain points throughout the show, the camera will cut to a living room setting where a group of Japanese celebrities (comedians, singers, actors,) watch and listen to the same scenes, and give their opinions on what’s happening. This offsetting of the bombast panel of celebs and the six average people inside the house is not only necessary, but it’s a genius story telling tool, despite how strange they’re voyeurism may seems at first, it keeps the show in balance. The houses residents are workaday Japanese people; baristas, architects, models, student doctors, and tap dancers, and they are allowed to come and go from the house as they please to work, go to school, go to wonderful restaurants, or romantic midnight walks. However the camera is always on them. There are memorable housemates, like Yuto Handa, an architect who aspires to build structures with access for the disabled who the female hosts call “Mr Perfect,” a young hat designer named Arisa who uses her time at Terrace house to work on a new store, and a young medical student named Yuriko, who has a hang up for her ex boyfriend. Then there are those, like in any reality show that you love to hate, and can’t wait until they leave; Natsumi, a model who says inappropriate things to stir the pot, Yuki, a tap dancer who’s just a little bit too intense, and Arman, an international Hawaiian housemate who does very little but stays there the longest. The residents move through their lives at an agonisingly slow pace, romances blossom after months of courting, they make slow but sure strides in their careers, and come to some profound conclusions about their lives or how they should live. Very little happens most of the time, but as you watch it and get used to the rhythm, you find it doesn’t matter. There’s a hypnotic pacing, where you have to follow along with the subtitles, watch the cast’s earnest facial expressions and take in the beautiful shots of food, the house and the sights around Tokyo, and before you know it, you’ve watched four episodes. You fall into pattern with the lives of these genuine, polite people and once you’re in your hooked. You cheer as two young lovers finally get together after 2 months. You cry real tears as you watch a young woman being rejected on a date. You feel angry when slight infractions in politeness or civility occur, but like the housemates have to realise, everything can be talked out, negotiated, and made up. Either that or the offending housemate would move out. The show churns through 17 different members in the forty-six episodes I’ve seen. Japanese people, even on camera, manage to stay civil even if they get into an altercation. Take for example, “The Meat Incident”, a quarrel that occurred over the course of a couple of episodes in the season Terrace House, Boys x Girls in the City, the first season to be aired on Netflix. Young Uchie, an accomplished Tokyo hair stylist brings home a gift from ones of his clients at work, a box full of high quality, thick cuts of meat. While he is out of the house his new girlfriend Minori (who had finally agreed to date him after 3 months,) takes the meat from the fridge for her and the other housemates to cook. They do so without Uchie’s permission, and go on to call the meat “fatty.” Upon arriving home from a long day at work, Uchie finds the empty box of meat and becomes upset, but he doesn’t lash out or yell. He carefully chooses his words, telling them that he worked hard, and the meat was a special gift from a very important client, and that they had given him a good recipe, and he was looking forward to sharing it with the house. He then retreats to his room. Overdramatic? Possibly, the couch of panellists certainly think so. But it is discovered after multiple deep conversations, that Uchie had a lot going on in his life right now, and this was just the tipping point. The issue is succinctly dealt with, without festering for an entire season. While this is the kind of thing people might consider boring, it’s actually what make’s the show really special. Dialling back the emotional reactions makes for more sympathetic, relatable stars who you can see just want to find friends, love, or a new experience. When those special moments do occur, the drama, the love and the humour, are much more fulfilling because they come from a much more earnest place. The shows hosts, a cast of six Japanese entertainers, keep the show upbeat and stop it becoming stagnant. If you think some of the housemates are dull, these overly enthusiastic spectators make up for it. It takes a while to understand why they are there, how weird is it these people are watching these young adults live day to day. When you think about it, reality TV had been doing this in the west for years. It’s rare that a reality competition won’t have a judge or host. From Gretel Killeen on big brother to the judges on Australia’s got talent. The hosts of Terrace House and their connection to the show are far more intimate and friendly, entirely non invasive. The closest thing we have in Australia is Gogglebox. These hosts on Terrace house all have a unique personality they bring to how the show runs and how it is perceived. There is Reina Triendl, a model, sweet and reserved she giggles and sighs when a couple get’s together, who brings a sweetness to the show, as she recaps previous episodes. Yoshimi Tokui, a theatrical actor who delights in the intricacies of the housemates lives. Ryoto Yamasoto adds the laughs and edginess, like all mean judges on the show he delights in the housemate’s misfortune with a mischievous chuckle. Finally, there is You, the groups leader who loves love, and covers her mouth every time she says something really raunchy, which is often. The diametrical tone and behaviour on Terrace house and a comparable western show like Jersey Shore can be shocking, like you’re looking into a different world, observing and dissecting these young peoples live. But you fall in step with the hosts very quickly. It’s like spending a relaxing, joyful time with a group of friends talking through the tawdry details of everyday living. You can still love or hate different housemates in the tradition of reality TV but at the end of the day, you realise they’re all human. Watching them resolve issues instead of letting them drag on is just as entertaining. Whether the house is in Tokyo, Hawaii or Negano, you’ll want to move in right away. Picture the same premise, but in a country and culture where the values are different to the west, where emotions are kept in check and holding hands is considered scandalous. ‘Terrace House’, a show made in collaboration with Fuji television and Netflix, is Japan’s answer to Big Brother or Jersey shore. Six people, three women and three men (between the ages of 20-30) are dropped into a beautiful house, and the world watches as they co-habituate. But viewers aren’t the only people examining and dissecting the lives of these characters. At certain points throughout the show, the camera will cut to a living room setting where a group of Japanese celebrities (comedians, singers, actors,) watch and listen to the same scenes, and give their opinions on what’s happening. This offsetting of the bombast panel of celebs and the six average people inside the house is not only necessary, but it’s a genius story telling tool, despite how strange they’re voyeurism may seems at first, it keeps the show in balance. The houses residents are workaday Japanese people; baristas, architects, models, student doctors, and tap dancers, and they are allowed to come and go from the house as they please to work, go to school, go to wonderful restaurants, or romantic midnight walks. However the camera is always on them. There are memorable housemates, like Yuto Handa, an architect who aspires to build structures with access for the disabled who the female hosts call “Mr Perfect,” a young hat designer named Arisa who uses her time at Terrace house to work on a new store, and a young medical student named Yuriko, who has a hang up for her ex boyfriend. Then there are those, like in any reality show that you love to hate, and can’t wait until they leave; Natsumi, a model who says inappropriate things to stir the pot, Yuki, a tap dancer who’s just a little bit too intense, and Arman, an international Hawaiian housemate who does very little but stays there the longest. The residents move through their lives at an agonisingly slow pace, romances blossom after months of courting, they make slow but sure strides in their careers, and come to some profound conclusions about their lives or how they should live. Very little happens most of the time, but as you watch it and get used to the rhythm, you find it doesn’t matter. There’s a hypnotic pacing, where you have to follow along with the subtitles, watch the cast’s earnest facial expressions and take in the beautiful shots of food, the house and the sights around Tokyo, and before you know it, you’ve watched four episodes. You fall into pattern with the lives of these genuine, polite people and once you’re in your hooked. You cheer as two young lovers finally get together after 2 months. You cry real tears as you watch a young woman being rejected on a date. You feel angry when slight infractions in politeness or civility occur, but like the housemates have to realise, everything can be talked out, negotiated, and made up. Either that or the offending housemate would move out. The show churns through 17 different members in the forty-six episodes I’ve seen. Japanese people, even on camera, manage to stay civil even if they get into an altercation. Take for example, “The Meat Incident”, a quarrel that occurred over the course of a couple of episodes in the season Terrace House, Boys x Girls in the City, the first season to be aired on Netflix. Young Uchie, an accomplished Tokyo hair stylist brings home a gift from ones of his clients at work, a box full of high quality, thick cuts of meat. While he is out of the house his new girlfriend Minori (who had finally agreed to date him after 3 months,) takes the meat from the fridge for her and the other housemates to cook. They do so without Uchie’s permission, and go on to call the meat “fatty.” Upon arriving home from a long day at work, Uchie finds the empty box of meat and becomes upset, but he doesn’t lash out or yell. He carefully chooses his words, telling them that he worked hard, and the meat was a special gift from a very important client, and that they had given him a good recipe, and he was looking forward to sharing it with the house. He then retreats to his room. Overdramatic? Possibly, the couch of panellists certainly think so. But it is discovered after multiple deep conversations, that Uchie had a lot going on in his life right now, and this was just the tipping point. The issue is succinctly dealt with, without festering for an entire season. While this is the kind of thing people might consider boring, it’s actually what make’s the show really special. Dialling back the emotional reactions makes for more sympathetic, relatable stars who you can see just want to find friends, love, or a new experience. When those special moments do occur, the drama, the love and the humour, are much more fulfilling because they come from a much more earnest place. The shows hosts, a cast of six Japanese entertainers, keep the show upbeat and stop it becoming stagnant. If you think some of the housemates are dull, these overly enthusiastic spectators make up for it. It takes a while to understand why they are there, how weird is it these people are watching these young adults live day to day. When you think about it, reality TV had been doing this in the west for years. It’s rare that a reality competition won’t have a judge or host. From Gretel Killeen on big brother to the judges on Australia’s got talent. The hosts of Terrace House and their connection to the show are far more intimate and friendly, entirely non invasive. The closest thing we have in Australia is Gogglebox. These hosts on Terrace house all have a unique personality they bring to how the show runs and how it is perceived. There is Reina Triendl, a model, sweet and reserved she giggles and sighs when a couple get’s together, who brings a sweetness to the show, as she recaps previous episodes. Yoshimi Tokui, a theatrical actor who delights in the intricacies of the housemates lives. Ryoto Yamasoto adds the laughs and edginess, like all mean judges on the show he delights in the housemate’s misfortune with a mischievous chuckle. Finally, there is You, the groups leader who loves love, and covers her mouth every time she says something really raunchy, which is often. The diametrical tone and behaviour on Terrace house and a comparable western show like Jersey Shore can be shocking, like you’re looking into a different world, observing and dissecting these young peoples live. But you fall in step with the hosts very quickly. It’s like spending a relaxing, joyful time with a group of friends talking through the tawdry details of everyday living. You can still love or hate different housemates in the tradition of reality TV but at the end of the day, you realise they’re all human. Watching them resolve issues instead of letting them drag on is just as entertaining. Whether the house is in Tokyo, Hawaii or Negano, you’ll want to move in right away.

[dottodotfestival]

DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ARTISTS FOR FIRST EVER AUTUMN EDITION OF THE MULTI-VENUE FESTIVAL

Tickets for Dot To Dot are priced from £25 and available now through alt. tickets!*

Dot To Dot Festival have announced the first artists to join the bill for their 2021 event, this year taking place in September; the first autumn event in the 16 year history of the award-winning festival with a reputation for bringing the hottest new talent to city-centre stages.

This year’s event continues Dot To Dot’s rich tradition of championing emerging talent, with the announcement that SPORTS TEAM will headline the festival in Bristol and Nottingham on the 25th and 26th of September respectively. Since last playing mid-way down the D2D bill in 2018, followed by a breakout 2019 for the 6-piece band, Sports Team have garnered an unparalleled reputation for excellent live shows that are guaranteed to be injected with raw energy. Their consistency in both performances and releases, have also earnt them a high standing as one of the best British bands right now, championed by the likes of DIY, 6 Music, NME and many more. 2020 saw the band release their debut album, Deep Down Happy, to much critical acclaim and a Mercury Prize nomination.

Frontman Alex Rice said: “Can’t wait to be back, this’ll be the first time we’ve played our debut album since it was released in 2020. A two night inter-city headline feels the right way to dip our toes back in.”

Joining Sports Team for D2D’s 2021 edition, are British alternative rock band, PALACE. With two albums under their belt and sold out tours at home & abroad, the London trio will be bringing their revered, shimmering indie rock to D2D. Their anticipated latest EP Someday, Somewhere was released in October and builds on the beautiful sound and image they have curated over the previous 6 years, lending promise to atmospheric live performances ahead.

Dublin 4-piece GIRL BAND will also be showcasing their tremendous live reputation in Bristol and Nottingham this September. Highly regarded and renowned for their genre-defying cataclysmic noise and infamously ferocious shows, a taste of which can be heard on their 2020 Live at Vicar Street release, but will really need to be seen first-hand to be believed.

DO NOTHING return to Dot To Dot Festival for 2021. Since emerging through 2018 & 2019, and with debut EP Zero Dollar Bill released in 2020, the Nottingham band have fast become one of the UK music scene’s most exciting prospects; with frontman Chris Bailey’s acerbic & quick-witted lyricism, their driven post-punk-meets-Talking-Heads sound, and a formidable reputation for exquisite live shows. 2021 has already seen the 4-piece release 2 singles in anticipation of their second EP, Glueland, expected March 12th.

Elsewhere on the D2D 2021 line up is genre-bending rap artist, SAM WISE. A member of cult London rap crew, House of Pharaohs, who name Frank Ocean among their fans. The Kennington native has also notably featured on tracks by the likes of Octavian, winner of BBC Sound of 2019, as well as building a solid reputation that is entirely his own through the release of his mixtape, Sorry You Were Saying, showcasing his witty storytelling, impeccable flows and fluid approach to genre and tone.

South-East London collective STEAM DOWN will bring their energetic live show to Bristol and Nottingham. Since forming back in 2007, Steam Down have received two Jazz FM awards, which include ‘Live Experience of the Year Award’ and ‘The Innovation Award’; accolades that clearly emphasise the impact and importance they’ve had on the UK’s flourishing jazz scene throughout the decade.

OSCAR LANG will bring his ever-growing, genre-crossing back catalogue to Bristol and Nottingham this autumn, showing no sign of slowing down following the release of two EPs and one album in 2020. Also fresh from a new release; their debut album, Speed Kills, London’s loudest breakout band CHUBBY AND THE GANG are certain to make an impression at Dot To Dot this year, if the 28 minutes of the album itself are anything to go by. The unruly punk energy and hardcore kid sensibilities displayed throughout the record are guaranteed mosh pit starters that will have crowds spilling pints and screaming gang vocals back at them.

Also on board are minimalist rock band YARD ACT who have been gradually dropping proto-punk/post-punk infused singles since mid-2020, with just a handful of singles and a handful of gigs, they have already earned themselves a tip as “one to watch” from The Guardian back in August. Likewise, self-described ‘dream pop trip hop’ three-piece, DRUG STORE ROMEOS’ appearance at Dot To Dot will certainly be one to catch, after being named for Annie Mac’s AMP London emerging artist series in 2020 and generating further buzz with the release of three singles during the year.

Singer-songwriter AARON SMITH has amassed 8 million+ Spotify streams of his sincere and communicative songs since growing up in the small Scottish town of Polmont, and joins the Dot To Dot bill, as does Birmingham-based rapper KOFI STONE, whose debut album, released in 2019, included features from Loyle Carner, Maverick Sabre and Ady Suleiman, and saw him truly arrive as one of the most exciting rappers on the UK hip-hop scene, thanks to his soulful and introspective flow. New Zealander MOLLY PAYTON will bring her powerful voice and the melancholic vulnerability of her songs to the festival; a relative newcomer, Payton released several attention-grabbing singles throughout 2020, culminating in two EPs. 

British R&B and trap artist S-X is set to perform, having released an impressive three LPs since 2018, as well as gaining notoriety through working with numerous artists as a record producer, including YouTube star KSI, who he occasionally joins on Celebrity Gogglebox, and with a debut album on the way LOW ISLAND will be at Dot To Dot this September, bringing both uplifting electronica and intimate ballads to crowds at the multi-venue metropolitan festival.

Dot To Dot Festival prides itself on seeking out the freshest emerging musical talent and 2021 is no exception, particularly with the appointment of Sports Team as headliners, a mere 3 years since they first played the festival. Dot To Dot organiser and Director of Live at DHP Family, Anton Lockwood, said: “After having to postpone our 2020 event, we couldn’t be happier to be announcing D2D 2021. We simply can’t wait to celebrate live music with some of the most exciting emerging acts this year – Dot To Dot has always been about seeing your new favourite band in the middle of the day and your favourite band as headliners. We’re sure Sports Team became a lot of people’s new favourite band when they played in a late afternoon, smaller stage slot 3 years ago, and having them as headliners now really demonstrates this approach and ethos.”

Completing the bill so far, and filling some of those smaller stage slots that this year’s headliners have graced in the past, are: Bristol-based, queer punk-trio, GRANDMAS HOUSE who combine a love of post-punk with surfy melodies; the unconventional songwriting and pop-leaning sensibilities of MOA MOA; Manchester-based post-punk trio LIINES; WALT DISCO, who draw influence from ‘80s post-punk legends and modern-day art-pop chic; The sweet bedroom pop of 18 year old TINYUMBRELLAS; Crouch End quintet, SAD BOYS CLUB, with their emotive and ambitious indie-pop sound; JOEY MAXWELL, whose bedroom pop is R&B infused and layered with blunt lyricism; Space-rock five-piece, finding romance and humour in everyday life, JUNODREAM; LIZZIE REID and her songs of love, loss and heartbreak from Glasgow; the atmospheric soundscapes of epic proportions created by ELLYSSE MASON; the amorphous creative entity that is FOLLY GROUP, encompassing a group of friends whose practice spans various disciplines; Full-time busker turned indie tastemaker favourite, TAYO SOUND; the macabre stories, told over ear shredding guitar and rattling drums of WYCH ELM; Plus many more still to be announced.

Tickets for Dot To Dot are priced from £25 and available now through alt. tickets: https://bit.ly/3syZyKX

*Subject to Site Permissions and Licensing

With the announcement of the government’s roadmap detailing plans to lift social distancing restrictions by 21 June, we are so excited to be able to bring D2D back to the streets of Bristol and Nottingham in September this year. We’ll be working really hard to ensure we can deliver the Dot To Dot that we all know and love in the most safe and enjoyable way possible. Should there be any changes to government guidelines which cause us to reschedule or postpone the festival, rest assured your tickets will be valid for the new date or refunds will be available.

Subscribe to Dot To Dot’s social media pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as online at www.dottodotfestival.co.uk to stay up to date on the latest line up announcements and to keep yourself in the loop for all things Dot To Dot.