Please Don't

Girls is returning - what do we want from it? Hear ye, hear ye! Lena Dunham is bringing back Girls! Hannah, Marnie, Shoshanna, Jessa, and Elijah will be back for a limited run, exploring life in their 40s in New York. The original run is, according to Raven and Joel, perfect television. A hard act to follow, so what will Lena give us this time? Raven wants Lena to avoid pulling an And Just Like That; Joel has real cautious optimism; and most importantly, will we get to see Charlie’s beautiful face ever again? Why is Ali G back? Somehow, Sacha Baron Cohen’s notorious character has been given another film, this time taking himself and a pregnant (Me) Julie to America. Exactly why it’s been filmed, let alone released, Raven and Joel are unsure. Does character comedy have a place still, or does it just have supremely divorced energy? Hear their reaction to the trailer, a big conversation about what it means to examine comedy of the past, and the ultimate question - did anyone seriously ask for this? Where’s the…

What’s Kelly Clarkson’s beef with a toy store? It involves a mechanical bird, a Brooklyn shop and a very public fallout. It’s all he said, she said. Kelly seems to think, staff wouldn't sell her a $15,000 mechanical bird because they thought she couldn't afford it. The shop says the bird isn't for sale. The bird, by the way, is called Molly...and now she’s the most talked about toy in the world. Joel and Raven are just as baffled as you are! Is there a modern apology that’s satisfactory for the modern people? Have we come round on Harry Styles? Harry Styles sat down with Thom Yorke of Radiohead for Rolling Stone to talk about their creative process, songwriting secrets and imposter syndrome. Joel and Raven were both shocked at how much they found them both utterly charming. Have you seen Julianne Moore’s lush penthouse? When you didn’t think Julianne Moore could get anymore perfect, wait until you see her house tour. She traded a Manhattan Town House for a rooftop duplex in Greenwich Village. The 1920 duplex…

Welcome to the kennel of the algorithm bloodhounds, bred to sniff out the hottest takes for the chronically online. Columnist Raven Smith, and author Joel Golby, are here to provide you with their cheat sheet for what to think about culture right now. They’ll tell you what they love - but, more importantly, they’ll tell you what's a Please Don’t. Got a hot take? Or even a hot take on Raven and Joel’s hot takes? Email ravenandjoel@bbc.co.uk — Has Ross Kemp jumped off the Celebrity Traitors deep end? Ross, if you’re reading this, you okay hun? Raven and Joel would just like to check in, because Britain’s favourite hard-man has become possibly the most paranoid Faithful ever on this year’s Celebrity Traitors. The castle seems to have made him frightened of *checks notes* hats put on him by Bella Ramsey, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock needing a jumper. Raven and Joel think it’s an incredible booking, are fascinated by whatever the hell Richard E. Grant is up to, and have a pitch for the big bosses - is it time for…

Are Coleen and Wayne real enough for The Real Rooneys? Coleen and Wayne Rooney are having a bit of a moment. She’s taken the world by storm, following her court case with Rebekah Vardy, and coming second on I’m A Celebrity. He’s proven himself as a darn good pundit in the men’s World Cup. But are they real enough, or even interesting enough, for their own documentary? Apparently so, according to Disney, who have given them ten episodes to let us into their world - but is it anything other than good PR? Raven thinks that everyone’s trying to keep up with the Beckhams; Joel thinks we don’t need to hear or see how rich they are; and who, ultimately, do we actually want to see a documentary about? Here’s a clue - fire up the engines to Crinkley Bottom… Can Jacob Elordi turn his aura into an Oscar? Jacob Elordi has been out and about with his little purse and very nice hair at Milan Fashion Week. In between being the tallest man alive, he’s been hi-fiving his mini-me Owen Cooper, and taking pics of his…

Why is Tom Cruise so extra? Is Big Brother here forever? Is it ever okay to ask for a selfie? Plus SNL UK, and justice for Stacey Solomon Welcome to the kennel of the algorithm bloodhounds, bred to sniff out the hottest takes for the chronically online. Columnist Raven Smith, and author Joel Golby, are here to provide you with their cheat sheet for what to think about culture right now. They’ll tell you what they love - but, more importantly, they’ll tell you what's a Please Don’t. Got a hot take? Or even a hot take on Raven and Joel’s hot takes? Email ravenandjoel@bbc.co.uk — Why is Tom Cruise so extra? Hollywood’s biggest action hero and eternal enigma, Tom Cruise, has been out and about a lot recently, ahead of his new film Digger. With one or two exceptions, it’s his first non-action film since 2000. His press tour has included his first magazine cover in 20 years, and the reception has been…interesting. Raven thinks he lost his cool-factor when he jumped on Oprah’s sofa. Joel completely disagrees and…

Welcome to the kennel of the algorithm bloodhounds, bred to sniff out the hottest takes for the chronically online. Columnist Raven Smith, and author Joel Golby are here to provide you with their cheat sheet for what to think about culture right now. They’ll tell you what they love - but, more importantly, they’ll tell you what's a Please Don’t. Got a hot take? Or even a hot take on Raven and Joel’s hot takes? Email ravenandjoel@bbc.co.uk — Is this Olivia Wilde’s renaissance? The director-actor has three films out this year. Raven asks if it’s proof we can all move on from the media storm of Don’t Worry Darling and agree that she’s a cultural powerhouse. And Joel argues that not only has she won in cultural cache, but she’s won her divorce with Jason Sudeikis. Also, what’s Amelia Dimoldenberg going to do next? After twelve years of tormenting celebrities with overhead fluorescent lighting and crispy drumsticks, Amelia Dimoldenberg has announced she’s closing the doors to Chicken Shop Date. Raven and Joel…

Kings of the hot take, Raven Smith and Joel Golby are the algorithm bloodhounds sniffing out the correct cultural opinions. From the red carpet moment flooding your feed; to the TV show you can’t get enough of; via that book your mate’s weird ex-boyfriend suggested to you. Want to share your takes in the group chat? Email ravenandjoel@bbc.co.uk