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: [email protected] // Twitter/Insta: @readslikeafour // Get a limited edition RLA4 mug (ends Aug 15th): tinyurl.com/readslikeamug

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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)

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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: [email protected] // Instagram + Twitter: @readslikeafour

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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: [email protected] // Instagram + Twitter: @readslikeafour 

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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: [email protected] // Instagram + Twitter: @readslikeafour 

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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: [email protected] // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour (Instagram

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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: [email protected] // @readslikeafour on Twitter + Instagram

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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: [email protected] // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour (Instagram + Twitter)

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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: [email protected]

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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: [email protected] // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour (Twitter + Instagram)

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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: [email protected] // Follow the pod: @readslikeafour (Twitter + Instagram)

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