TV CHOICE: Nathan Barley Friday, 10pm CHANNEL 4
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Welcome to the age of stupidity: hail the rise of the idiots. Human folly in the media industry is the order of the day in Nathan Barley, the latest effort from contrary satirist Chris Morris.
With his previous ventures, including The Day Today and the infamous Brass Eye "special" on paedophilia, Morris has mostly focused his ire on current affairs. Nathan Barley, co-written with Charlie Brooker, is a departure in that it has a plot and characters. Chief amongst these is Nathan Barley (Nicholas Burns), head of www.trashbat.co.uk and all- round obnoxious yoof: "I'm a self-facilitating media node." (Barley first appeared on Brooker's cult website tvgohome.com.) Along for the lattes are Claire Ashcroft (Claire Keelan), wannabe documentary maker - "I've already filmed a choir of junkies" - and her brother Dan (Julian Barratt), a jaded magazine writer.
Nathan Barley isn't laugh-out-loud funny, but it's sharp, surreal and intelligent. It's unlikely to cause the same furore as Brass Eye, but that of course may be the point. In my opinion, it's worth a look. But what do I know? I work for the media - and so in Morris's eyes, I may well be an idiot.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments