Rob Reiner was joy personified – and his movies were warm hugs

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Hi everyone,

This week has been dominated by the horrific news that Rob Reiner, the beloved sitcom star turned director, and his wife, the photographer Michele Singer, were found dead on Sunday night in their Brentwood, California home. Their son, Nick, was charged with their murder. As the director behind classics including When Harry Met Sally, Stand by Me and The Princess Bride, Reiner proved himself an expert in creating astonishingly kind and humane cinema. His death is a shocking, senseless end to a remarkable life, wrote Adam White.

In other news, Nick Hilton and I counted down our favourite TV shows of the year. In the past 12 months, we've had dramas that led to questions in parliament, shows that had us all revelling in duplicity, and series that wondered about the fulfilment of desire. But was it a vintage year? I'm not entirely convinced. That said, the UK, its productions having dominated the previous year, strengthened its grip on the zeitgeist with TV that got the world talking. Where do you think Adolescence ranked? What about Jack Rooke's wonderful Big Boys finale? 

Elsewhere, the culture desk chose their favourite songs of the year, from the big-city yearning of Chappell Roan's breakup ballad "The Subway" to Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's wonderful collaboration "Rein Me In". 

In terms of our interviews, Tom Murray spoke to Archie Madekwe, the British Midsommar and Saltburn actor, who is now playing a stalked musician in the eerie thriller Lurker. He spoke about nascent celebrity, the provocations of Emerald Fennell, and his night at Paris Hilton's birthday party. 

That's me done for the year. I'll be back in January – and the newsletter will continue in a reduced format until then.

Have wonderful Christmases everyone and a happy New Year.

James Cameron's blue epic remains visually impressive, but it's frustrating how little he gives his actors to do, writes Clarisse Loughrey.

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JADE, Brandi Carlile, Perfume Genius, PinkPantheress, Turnstile, Big Thief and McKinley Dixon on their cultural highlights of 2025

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This Christmas, we're asking for your help again as we launch our new campaign with the charity Missing People – the SafeCall appeal.

Every year, more than 70,000 children in the UK are reported missing. The misery that follows – for the child, for the family, for the community – is often hidden. Too many of these young people have nowhere to turn when they need help most. SafeCall will change that. Our goal is to raise £165,000 to help Missing People launch this new, free service – designed with the input of young people themselves – offering round-the-clock support, advice and a route to safety."

I read books for a living – this novel will be everywhere in 2026

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