Reads Like A Four

In the last episode of the current series, we attempt to draw some conclusions about the purpose and future of journalism with the help of this series' 18 guests - as well as looking at a few of cultural criticism's biggest issues. // Contact us: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Twitter/Insta: @readslikeafour // Get a limited edition RLA4 mug (ends Aug 15th): tinyurl.com/readslikeamug See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Picturehouse Cinemas Head of Marketing Sam Clements is this week's guest, looking at reviews from an alternative point of view and discussing the hierarchy of film poster quotes, the benefits of 'live' cinema, Paul "5 stars I loved it" Ross, Guy Ritchie's 'Revolver', cinemas' own attempts at journalism, as well as answering a few pressing questions: Does an indie film's success rest on the reviews? Why would cinema-goers trust a cinema's reviews? From Gunn to Spacey, Allen to Depp: What's the impact of a director or star's PR disaster on a cinema chain? // Buy a mug and support RLA4: https://tinyurl.com/readslikeamug // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour (Twitter/Instagram) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Masculinity, Twitter and the odd passing train all feature this week as I talk to Sam Parker, who rose through the ranks from Zoo's roving reporter via the UK launches of Buzzfeed and The Huffington Post to become Esquire's Digital Editor. We discuss everything from male suicide to longform writing to unplugging from society, as well the problem with sexcapades masquerading as journalism. // Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Instagram + Twitter: @readslikeafour See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Christopher and I discuss The Independent's shift online, representation, tokenism and crowbarred politics in film and whether people really want a peek 'behind the curtain'. Plus: I play devil's advocate on clickbait journalism and get exasperated with the MCU, Chris explains why he finds 'problematic' problematic, and we discuss the iPad impact on writing of all kinds. Apologies for the crackles on this episode. // Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Instagram + Twitter: @readslikeafour See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There was a lot to talk about with Times' TV + Film guru Ed. Covered this week: Dunkirk, how to steer clear of puff pieces, Lars Von Trier, avoiding 'critic consensus', 90's pay + conditions vs. now, ELO, Netflix, Morrissey, why journos don't write the headlines and the bannings, walkouts and general flouncing of the Cannes Film Festival. // Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Instagram + Twitter: @readslikeafour See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Heat Entertainment Director / Pilot TV Deputy Editor Boyd Hilton joins me to talk all things Film + TV, including the trouble with British male actors, why men won't buy weeklies, and what readers get from magazine 'lifers'. Plus: The evolution of Heat, keeping monthlies relevant, and the freedoms of podcasting vs. print. // Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour (Instagram See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Metal Hammer Editor Merlin and I discuss what makes metal's community unique, where the mag's limits lie, and heavy metal and horror: their shared humour, and why gatekeepers are scared to give both a shot. Plus: synthwave, Babymetal, Ed Force One, glories and risks, and what happens when magazines overstretch. // Get in touch: readslikeafour@gmail.com // @readslikeafour on Twitter + Instagram See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Journalist, programmer, researcher + Observer film writer Simran Hans joins me to discuss how The Observer picks films, the problem with scores, what's missing in film criticism, Isle of Dogs, who writes poster quotes, and the glamour of a 9am Romford Vue screening of Rough Night. // Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour (Instagram + Twitter) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Times' Arts Commissioning Editor Nancy Durrant joins me to talk about accessibility in art writing, who misses out when column inches get slashed, the upside of paywalls, how art gets bad, and whether it's too highbrow for star ratings. // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour (Instagram/Twitter) // Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Critic and music biographer Mark Beaumont talks about his days manning the NME letters desk, what happens when pop parents bite back, defending negativity, misunderstanding Jay-Z's cheese, The Libertines and his final review, whilst also imparting plenty of expertise earned during a career writing for NME, The Guardian, Shortlist, Classic Rock, The Times, The Mail On Sunday, Uncut, Melody Maker, Loaded, The Modern Review and more. // Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour (Twitter + Instagram) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

13 years ago, Stuart Stubbs founded independent music magazine Loud And Quiet. Today he talks to me about the magazine's 'gentle dictatorship', the freedom of 'Free', the curse of green covers, and his biggest mistake. We also discuss fading cultural tribalism, why the music industry needs to embrace ignorance, and attempt to predict the future of indie print journalism. // Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour (Twitter + Instagram) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How do you 'review' countries? What part do natural disasters and acts of terrorism play? What makes a good travel writer? This week I sit down with James Smart, Managing Destination Editor at Lonely Planet, to talk about balancing writer safety with good coverage, what puts a region on the map (and takes it off again), how lobbying can help, and how to decide what to feature - and what to ignore. Contact the pod: readslikeafour@gmail.com // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour on Twitter + Insta. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this extensive chat with Shortlist's Entertainment Director, we discuss what it takes to get celebrities on covers, why interviews should never run smoothly, what happens when your rivals die out and encounters with everyone from Timothée Chalamet to Jeff Goldblum, Bill Hader to Aziz Ansari. Smoky reverberations to you all! \ Twitter + Insta: @readslikeafour \ Email: readslikeafour@gmail.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Laura's written across the spectrum, from local press to national paper and from niche sites to renowned mags. We look at some of the industry's shittiest practices, heartening tales of fandom, tussles with Bon Jovi's management, Manic Street Preachers, see what happens when pop gets serious and when journos get paid in tickets, and consider whether there really is a point to reviews in 2018. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Guardian's Deputy Music Editor Laura Snapes joins me for a quickfire chat to reminisce about street teams, explain why 'music journo' does not = 'failed musician', discuss how political a review should get, and determine what responsibilities critics have, as well as talking about reviewing everything from Sufjan Stevens to Ed Sheeran during her time writing for NME, Pitchfork, The Observer, Financial Times, The Telegraph, NPR, Elle, The Quietus and many more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gold Flake Paint Managing Editor Sammy and I discuss how personal reviews should get, reviewing on the breadline/working for free, whether critics count as artists, and the rise of the longform review. // Contact us: readslikeafour@gmail.com / Twitter + Insta: @readslikeafour See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The focus is on film this week as film-maker + writer Charlie Lyne and I talk snobbery vs. teen movies, whether reviews can be art, being a 16 year old on the BAFTA red carpet, Rian Johnson, why films on planes make us cry + tackling the BBFC. Plus: A robust defence of Eurotrip. // Contact us: readslikeafour@gmail.com / Twitter + Insta: @readslikeafour See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

My chat with Peter continues, covering Santana, Lorraine Kelly, authenticity in pop, process vs. product, local media backlashes, 2nd single theories, Charli XCX, and a heartfelt apology to Eoghan Quigg. Plus: Who's to blame for a bad review? / Twitter: @readslikeafour / Email: readslikeafour@gmail.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I talk media training, authority in journalism and Rita Ora this week with Peter Robinson (Guardian, Q, too many others to mention), as well as how to stage a comeback, the end of the (print) NME, and the lure of hatchet jobs. Follow us on Twitter: @readslikeafour / Email: readslikeafour@gmail.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pitchfork's Executive Editor joins me this week to discuss the changes to reviewing across 20 years of the site, how records are picked (and why reviews get deleted), Pitchfork's infamous decimal point, reviewing the Pope, a Ryan Adams backlash, The Flaming Lips, Boards of Canada, Animal Collective and a legendary Jet review. / Get in touch: readslikeafour@gmail.com / Twitter: @readslikeafour See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ahead of episode one, here's your 90 second guide to Reads Like a Four, along with details of our first guest. // Twitter: @readslikeafour / Email: readslikeafour@gmail.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.