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Lara G's avatar

Gomorrah is fantastic, as is Suburra on Netflix. I recently listened to this podcast about children and the Calabrian mafia that you might like...

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5HMRxBxu4rAlaOINJnhNyo?si=l9ARbTLMSR6BBGDbTf_p5Q

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Lotte's avatar

Loved this, your recommendations never fail. Next on my list: Fat Camps podcast.

Thanks for starting a substack!

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Leandra Medine Cohen's avatar

Loved this. And loved the Pam doc too — I was struck by the way her tragedy (the stolen sex tape) became a sort of fast lane approach to earning fame in America in the aftermath of its leak. Also, her most basic pursuit is and has always been deep, intense romantic love and I found that so pure and tender

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

She LOVES LOVE <3

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Jennie Agg's avatar

The French Women Don't Get Fat take down is SO good. (Also, if you're into debunking and deconstructing diet and wellness culture stuff, Laura Thomas has a fabulous substack, Can I Have Another Snack).

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

Great tip, thanks! I interviewed Laura for my essay on wellness in How Do We Know We're Doing It Right? so will def check this out

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Jennie Agg's avatar

I should have probably led with: thank you for the newsletter. I’m really enjoying it and glad you’ve joined substack!

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

Not at all! You reading and commenting is thanks enough :)

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Eleanor Sykes's avatar

God, I remember Pamela A so well; total 90's icon. It's rather shaming how differently we view her, and the media's (and our) treatment of her and other similar women (e.g., Britney as in your podcast) in 2023. Great newsletter, thank you!

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

I know, it's galvanizing (but also quite head-fucky) to see the positive comments under the trailer for her doc compared to what it would have been (was) 25 years ago

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Eleanor Sykes's avatar

At least better an upward trajectory of comments than the often downwards ones.

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Emma Gannon's avatar

Yessss to maintenance phase pod. Michael Hobbes also does If Books Could Kill ripping apart well-known airport bestsellers and it is absolutely lolz.

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

yes i saw that - it's a great usp for a books pod!

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Georgina O’Hara's avatar

Absolutely ADORED the Pam doc, she is such a feminine icon and her view on womanhood, respect of women Vs sensuality/sexuality as a woman so important.

I was equally gripped by Triangle of Sadness! There was something so gripping about the characters (despite none of them really being likeable!)

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Anna-Maria's avatar

Thank you for this!! I haven't read the memoir but I did watch the documentary. I love Pamela! It really made me think about how I consume content for entertainment and who that affects... She was also a guest on Armchair Expert recently, and I look forward to listening.

Jessica Simpson's memoir "Open Book" was also one I enjoyed and still think about.

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Cathryn Kronhamn's avatar

I love this! Feels so good to have your recommendations back.

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Sapphire Bates's avatar

Just starting the Pam book, I loved the doc but I admittedly do find her voice very annoying but love her despite that for being so truly herself. Gonna give Triangle of sadness a go tonight. I watched Four Good Days on Netflix during the "it's 4am and I've already had a bath and not sure how else to fill the time" and really recommend it. Beautiful and raw.

Also on the subject of memoirs, albeit not a celeb one, I just finished a proof of The Tidal Year by Freya Bromley and it was gorgeous and funny - really recommend to yourself and anyone in the comments

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

I saw a thingy for Four Good Days on Netflix yesterday - I will check it out. I think it's a memoir first, isn't it, which I also want to read (thank you too for your recc!)

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Jo Bozarth's avatar

Ordering Everything Under The Sun for my almost five year old son right now. Thanks for the recommendation!

I love Pamela more every time I hear her speak these days. Have you read her new newsletter? It’s very sweet.

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Sian Clifford's avatar

Sweet Substack, what a joy it has been to find you and read this. I suddenly feel like I know all the things!! Hadn't heard that about Fawlty Towers, the modern obsession with reboots is truly getting out of hand although I am really enjoying the Reunions side of things - the Friends one in particular I cannot get enough of. Anyway, mesmerised by you and your writing and cannot wait for more. x

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

I am starstruck in the comments section! Thank you, Sian, for reading and for your kind words.

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Sian Clifford's avatar

Haha! Ditto ❤️ Would you believe I missed my tube stop in one direction this morning and then AGAIN on the way back, lost in your latest?? So so good.

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Sinéad Connolly✨'s avatar

This!! I have been in a Pamela Vortex and can’t get her out of my head after loving the memoir and the doc/ interviews. Can’t stop thinking about how she has handled everything and how she was such a victim of the media. To see you articulate perfectly exactly what I’ve been thinking was amazing. Also, reading it after Harry’s was exactly the same experience. A woman far more enlightened and at peace than Haz. Thank you 🙌

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Chloe Rose's avatar

Thank you Pandora for introducing me to SubStack, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole and I don’t think I’ll be coming back! Loved hearing your thoughts on the Pamela doc, I have always had a soft spot for her

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Hannah MacDonald's avatar

Firstly, the baby bison is everything <3 Also thank you for the caveat with Triangle of Sadness as have been meaning to watch and my boyfriend & I always tend to watch stuff during teatime and that would not have been pleasant!

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Natalie Williams's avatar

I loved what Pamela said in the doc where it really distinguished that she did not make a “sex tape.” They filmed their entire 2 week honeymoon (the archival footage used in the doc demonstrates they filmed pretty much everything in their lives) and in 2 weeks worth of home movies it happened to include 10 mins of sex/ nudity etc. that was stolen and then edited together… and yet she’s forever included in the same category as Paris, Kim etc.

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Pandora Sykes's avatar

yes that's a really good point - I should have noted that when describing it as a 'sex tape'. Thanks for reminding me!

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