What’s so funny about philosophers?

Unthinkable: The original ‘sage-wannabes’ of Athens were considered slightly weird, a new book reveals

Steve Coogan: ‘Come Out, Ye Black and Tans is two fingers to the British’

‘The whole history between the British and the Irish runs through me’, says Coogan

Blinded by the Light: One of summer’s most irresistibly entertaining films

Review: Actors play delightfully off one another as every beat hits with resounding force

Paul McKenna: My life was very much a pleasure driven life

The hypnotist and author says he taught others to become thin, confident, smart, rich, but only recently sorted his own life

Rob Brydon: ‘I don’t mind being the butt of the joke’

‘Swimming with Men’ gave Brydon a chance to learn the art of synchronised swimming

Six of the best TV shows to watch this week

Businessman Denis O’Brien is the focus of a special documentary, while Donegal teenager Amybeth McNulty returns in ‘Anne with an E’

The weekend's best TV: Poldark and Aidan Turner return

A new documentary on Germaine Greer is among the TV highlights

Fast-moving and cosy charm from the Wallace and Gromit crew

Road Warrior: BA lands celebrities for safety video

Gillian Anderson among figures in video supporting charities via Comic Relief

From Bram to Brooklyn: 10 great films adapted from Irish literature

Lenny Abrahamson’s Room and John Crowley’s Brooklyn vie for the best picture Oscar this weekend. They are part of a grand tradition

Video

The Unbeatables review: foosball comes to life in this lively family film

Television: Can we put this pantomime of cliches behind us? Oh yes we can!

‘The Centre’ has a few good one-liners, but RTÉ’s paper-thin sitcom is another one for the bad books

Doll and Em: you’ll laugh, you’ll projectile cry

Lifelong friends Dolly Wells and Emily Mortimer make their relationship awkward in a new sitcom, the latest comedy to feature people portraying distorted versions of themselves