In a year filled (by pre-pandemic standards) with obstacles, fear and trials, the entertainment industry has been there to save us. And there were quite a few things I’ve seen this year! They weren’t necessarily made this year]
In TV:
The Masked Dancer.
If you’ve read my little review of 2020 entertainment, you’ll know I love ‘The Masked Singer’ so when they announced ‘The Masked Dancer’ last spring I was all over it! And I wasn’t disappointed. I love the cute costumes and admire all the work that has gone into creating them; I love trawling the clues and the panel’s wild guesses (because Hollywood stars are just queuing up to appear on our little island’s tv 🙄) and I love that moment when I get it right. Mostly I’m wrong but I found this one easier. Craig Revel Horwood was so distinctive it couldn’t have been anyone else and how they didn’t guess it from the first kick I’ll never know. And of course, Bonnie Langford was awesome. And mistaken for a 20 year old too!!
The Great Pottery Throwdown
If this is new to you, it’s a gem of a show. Built on the Bake Off style best amateurs competition it pits non-pro potters against in each other in some crazy difficult challenges — like creating identical items on a wheel while blindfolded! Or building toilets. And Potters are all so lovely. But the star of this is judge Keith, who cries at the beauty of the potters work. It’s just a wonderful show.
In Music:
Speaking of The Masked Singer, I rediscovered my youthful love of Anastasia thanks to Australia’s version last autumn. The voice was unmistakable but the artistry is something I don’t remember hitting me so hard. It blew me away. I want an album of her just playing with her voice.
In Movies:
The Muppets
My all time favourites, The Muppets were back with a spooky Halloween Special called ‘The Muppets Haunted House’. I bought Disney+ specifically to watch this. Only to find there were two whole series (!) I hadn’t. The first, where Miss a piggy has a late night talk show was just so right. Although I don’t like quite how the bullied Fozzy, seeing the gang in new situations brought back some major nostalgia! It even brought back manamana for a cameo! The next was from 2020, so was very lockdown specific and internet focused. And, as much as it pains me to say this. I didn’t like it. I hated where they took the characters; the lack of Kermit (WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?) and the 2011 vibe.
But back to the spooktacular. I’m glad they moved away from format and back to a more normal Muppet style, it their best outing? No. Have I watched it multiple times and been quoting it at everyone? Yes. It’s still Muppetational!
Enola Holmes
I loved this. I’ve not seen ‘Stranger Things’ so the lead was new to me and, I thought, brilliant. I style is vibrant, love the breaking the fourth wall and all round, it’s fab. I’ll be rewatching.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
O-M-G! This is stunning. How have I not seen or read the plays it’s based on?! The end was beyond infuriating … in the injustice sense, not the movie – that was flawless. I went straight back to watch the first in the series and can’t wait for the next one. Come on Washington, get a move on… the rest are needed!
In Other Happy Things (because we need them):
Seeing Emma Raducanu win the U.S. Open, launching my first digital product & growing my business, all made me grin broadly.
What about you? What were you’re best entertainment moments of 2021
The Facts: Writer. Actress. Creatrix. Classic Movie Lover.
The Feels: I'm a cat person who deals in the feels. 