This year, the most viral moment from the Oscars, the world’s most star-studded event, came from England’s very own Hugh Grant.
In an interview that’s simultaneously been labelled ‘painful’ and ‘brilliant’, 62-year-old Hugh made it very clear – through a series of eye-rolls, desperate looks off-camera, and one-word answers – that he’d quite like to be anywhere else in the world.
He was being interviewed by model and presenter Ashley Graham, who to her credit, manages to keep up a professional pretence of having a nice time in the face of sheer grumpiness.
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The pair discussed everything from his role in Glass Onion (‘I’m in it for about three seconds’) to who he expected to see win an award (‘No one in particular’).
Some think the interview was doomed from the moment Ashley, 35, referred to Hugh as a ‘veteran’, others say it fell off a cliff when she mistook his reference to Vanity Fair for a mention of the magazine, rather than the novel (at which point you see Hugh’s jaw literally drop).
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And it really reached new levels of bum-clenchingly-awkward when Ashley asked him about his outfit (‘Just my suit’, he responded. Aaaggghhhh).
The car crash, perfect TV moment has completely divided opinion, with most Brits thinking it’s hilarious and most Americans thinking Hugh was just plain rude.
Ashley Graham at the Oscars. Credit: ABCHugh Grant on the Oscars red carpet. Credit: ABC
One person tweeted: “Interesting divide on Hugh Grant’s behaviour at the Oscars last night. I’ve carefully collated the discourse and offer the following analysis. Americans: he was impolite, ungrateful, dismissive, rude, belligerent, cantankerous, unhelpful. British people: lol lmao.”
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Another said: “Hugh Grant doesn’t mean to be rude here, but this is how it feels like to be British and confronted by absurdly enthusiastic American extroverts.”
Someone else wrote: “Alexa show me British understatement vs American enthusiasm and make it Hugh Grant.”
The Hugh Grant vs Ashley Graham showdown has drawn comparisons to a similar interview with The Cure’s Robert Smith after he was confronted by an extremely energetic interviewer back in 2019.
Almost as good as Robert Smith of The Cure being interviewed at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/T578ew0A1r
Comedian Dom Joly simply said: “God I love Hugh Grant.”
Rolling Stone magazine tweeted: “And the Oscar for Best Actress goes to Ashley Graham telling Hugh Grant ‘it was nice to talk to you’.”
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One person said: “Hugh Grant’s utter contempt for the Oscars circus is a thing of beauty (esp ‘What are you wearing’).”
And then there’s this fun take: “This is just Hugh playing his Notting Hill role, Mr. Thacker, a couple of decades down the track. After marrying Hollywood star Anna Scott all those years ago, it’s become clear he never took to celebrity life.”
Ashley has since addressed the interview to TMZ, saying: “You know what, my mama told me to kill people with kindness, so there you go.”
Coronation Street and Emmerdale cancel filming after news of cutbacks and reduced schedule
Danny Jones
Coronation Street and Emmerdale production crews are said to have cancelled at least one day of filming this week following news of more cutbacks and a reduced schedule of programming.
The beloved British soaps have been up against it for some time now, with viewing figures and costs struggling at both ends of the spectrum, and the latest development doesn’t spell great news for the cast and crew, not to mention audiences.
According to Digital Spy, regularly scheduled filming was due to take place in Manchester and Leeds on Tuesday, 5 February, with each show shooting roughly six to eight weeks in advance of storylines.
However, following reports of more hits to the industry and the latest steps ITV, specifically, which will see fewer episodes of both Corrie and Emmerdale air each week, film crews are said to have been stood down as they await further updates.
Part of the Coronation Street set over in Salford Quays. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Announcing steps at the start of February, ITV confirmed that Coronation Street and Emmerdale are to see their content cut by an hour a week between them from next year.
While Corrie currently broadcasts three hour-long episodes per week and Emmerdale four half-hour episodes plus one full-hour instalment, the new slate will see both soaps dial back to only air 30-minute episodes, with a so-called ‘soaps power hour’ every both shows at 8pm and 8:30pm.
Put in simplest terms, viewers will have half an hour less of their regular soaps to watch overall each week but with episodes airing at more regular intervals, which the network claims is “viewer-led” and will allow fans to enjoy the shows “in the most digestible way.”
Metro writer Duncan Lindsay has labelled the decision as a tough one to make but something that could ultimately “save” the two long-standing soap operas in the long run.
On the other hand, this obviously means a big chunk of work being lost for those working on sets across the board, with ITV having already taken steps to cut costs ever since the pandemic, and the UK’s viewing public has given mixed reactions, to say the least.
The hour of scripted content saved from the overdue cut to Corrie and Emmerdale should be pumped into a new continuing drama. It’s the only way to justify the loss to the industry.
With an increased focus on streaming and making both shows more accessible, episodes will continue to be released from 7am on ITVX before airing on live telly later that evening.
Responding to the changes, the performing arts union Equity admitted that the steps do cause “further cause for concern”, especially following the cancellation of other soaps like Doctors and Hollyoaks also having recently seen its schedule adjusted.
Meanwhile, there still remains a loyal and passionate viewership for both iconic UK shows and Corrie, in particular, notched yet another award for best soap/continuing drama at the 2025 Broadcast Awards.
Cast and crews are understood to have paused filming just for the day to address the situation and inform everyone working on the Coronation Street and Weatherfield sets, and we sincerely hope they’re back up and running as per usual.
What do you make of the cutbacks – is it a bittersweet step that could help freshen up the format and sustain it for years to come, or are you just gutted that the end result is simply less telly each week?
An incredible performance of Marvel’s ‘Infinity Saga’ by a live orchestra is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
If you’re a massive Marvel fan or just love the full body, sweeping sound of a live orchestra, then this one is for you, as an audio-visual concert experience of the ‘Infinity Saga’ is coming to Manchester.
‘AVENGERS!… Assemble…’
Whatever you make of superhero films and TV, one thing that never comes into question in these titles is the music: it’s always powerful, uplifting, moving, sometimes chilling and the absolute epitome of what it is to sound cinematic.
That being said, there is no bigger movie franchise on the planet than the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and now you can witness the awe-inspiring soundtracks behind their 23-film collection of films played in person by the Novello Orchestra right here in our hometown.
After first debuting back in August 2024 at a sell-out Hollywood Bowl – which saw the Los Angeles Philharmonic Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel bring the iconic scores to life on stage in front of thousands of movie and music fans – the comic book characters are superhero-landing in Europe.
Better yet, 2025 also marks the debut UK tour of Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert Experience, with just six lucky cities being selected to enjoy the show; two London shows have been announced along with two in Scotland, but you can bank on Manchester being the best. It always is.
Set to take place at the veritable entertainment institution that is the beautiful Bridgewater Hall for just one night only, audiences will be treated to movie scores from The Avengers, Iron Man, Black Panther, Black Widow, Thor, Captain America, Captain Marvel, The Incredible Hulk, Ant-Man and MANY more.
Showcasing original compositions by the likes of Alan Silvestri, Danny Elfman, Ludwig Göransson, Michael Giacchino, Ramin Djawadi and several other classical experts who have created unforgettable cinematic soundscapes, it promises to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
Here’s just a glimpse of what you can expect:
The best audio-visual moments in Marvel history performed by a live orchestra in Manchester – it’s a sci-fi/fantasy fan’s dream.
Officially licensed Disney Concerts and in full collaboration with Marvel Studios’ live experiences team, the Hall will get to enjoy a unique way of not just rewatching but truly reliving some of the most legendary sequences and sounds from all 23 films in the MCU’s unparalleled Infinity Saga.
Without giving too much away, we think it’s fair to say you can expect the performance to culminate in one of the best movie moments and all-time greatest live cinema experiences: Marvel’s magnum opus and conclusion to the saga, Endgame — it feels strange to think that was 2019 by the way.
The Infinity Saga Concert Experience comes to Manchester on 8 June and tickets will be available from 10am this Friday, 7 February. You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Videogame fans can expect a similar live score experience coming to another magical venue later this year too.