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Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
8 books to read if you love Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a masterpiece of absurdist sci-fi, blending cosmic existentialism with sheer, unbridled silliness. Originally conceived as a radio series for BBC Radio 4, it was later published as a series of novels. The book follows the adventures and misadventures of the last surviving Earth man, Arthur Dent, following the demolition of the Earth to make way for a hyperspace bypass. The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy is the first in the series and has a huge following across the globe. Besides the original radio series and the novels, the sci-fi series has been adapted for TV, theatre cinema, and even a comic book. If you've finished the series and crave more, here are eight books that will scratch that itch: Imagine Hitchhiker's Guide meets Eurovision (an international song competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union), if losing meant the annihilation of Earth. This novel follows Decibel Jones and the Absolute Zeroes, a washed-up glam-rock band, as they compete in an intergalactic singing contest to prove humanity's sentience. Valente's prose is flamboyant, hilarious, and surprisingly poignant, packed with bizarre alien cultures and biting satire. The book's central thesis— life is beautiful and life is stupid'—could easily be Adams' own. If you love cosmic absurdity with heart, this is a must-read. Based on the cult British sci-fi series, this novel follows the last human in existence (a slob named Lister), his hologram roommate (the endlessly sarcastic Rimmer), a neurotic android, and a creature evolved from Lister's cat. Stranded on the mining ship Red Dwarf, they bumble through time paradoxes, sentient vending machines, and petty arguments about curry. The humour is quintessentially British: dry, absurd, and packed with existential dread. If you love Hitchhiker's blend of sci-fi, this is your next read. This book is Hitchhiker's meets Lovecraftian horror, if Arthur Dent stumbled into a dimension-hopping drug trip. The story follows Dave and John, two slackers who gain the ability to perceive alternate realities after taking a mysterious substance called Soy Sauce. What follows is a chaotic mix of time loops, meat monsters, and existential horror, all delivered with deadpan humour. Wong's writing is as unpredictable as Adams', blending the ridiculous with the profound. If you enjoyed the weirder, darker corners of Hitchhiker's, this is a wild ride. It isn't fiction, but Munroe's book matches Hitchhiker's energy. The creator of xkcd, a serial webcomic created in 2005, applies rigorous science to questions such as: what if you tried to hit a baseball at near-light speed or could you build a jetpack using machine guns. The answers are hilarious, hyper-literal, and often terrifying. If you loved the Guide's footnotes and pseudo-scientific tangents, this is the perfect nonfiction companion. If you haven't read Adams' other great series, you're missing out. Dirk Gently swaps space for time travel, ghosts, and a detective who believes in the 'fundamental interconnectedness of all things.' The plot involves an electric monk (a device resembling a human being and created for the purpose of believing things), a time-traveling professor, and a sofa stuck in a staircase. It is just as witty and bizarre as Hitchhiker's. Essential reading for Adams fans. This genre-bending novel is set in a post-apocalyptic world where reality itself has been warped by 'Go Away Bombs', weapons that erase things from existence. The narrator, a martial artist and former government operative, recounts his life in a world where unwritten things can suddenly manifest. Harkaway's writing is dense, philosophical, and laugh-out-loud funny, with Adams-esque tangents and a deeply weird sense of humor. If you like sci-fi that's both smart and ridiculous, this is a gem. If you've only read Hitchhiker's Guide (Book 1), stop everything and read this sequel. The novel doubles down on the absurdity, featuring a five-star eatery at the literal end of time, the worst poet in the universe, and the revelation that Earth was actually a supercomputer designed to find the Ultimate Question. Marvin the Paranoid Android gets even more hilariously depressed, and Zaphod's ego reaches new heights. It's peak Adams, irreverent, clever, and endlessly quotable. Other books you could check out include, The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut, All Systems Red by Martha Wells and Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor.
ABC News
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
The Swedish Radio Choir Sings Brahms
Justin Doyle conducts the Swedish Radio Choir in Johannes Brahms's love songs Liebeslieder-Walzer for mixed choir and piano four hands. It is not known whether Brahms's wrote the piece in frustration with his unrequited love for composer colleague Clara Schumann or not, but it can be seen as journey through the emotional turmoil of love. In this concert Brahms's work is combined with traditional songs and pieces from Antonín Dvořák's Slavonic Dances. Recorded live in concert at Musikaliska Kvarteret, Stockholm 28/9/24. Recording courtesy of the European Broadcasting Union. Program Johannes Brahms: Two songs from 'Liebeslieder-Walzer, op. 52' Traditional (Germany): Es waren zwei Königskinder, from 'Acht Ausgewählte Volkslieder' arr. Reger Johannes Brahms: Four songs from 'Liebeslieder-Walzer, op. 52' Traditional (Germany): Liebchens Bote, from 'Fünf Ausgewählte Volkslieder' arr. Reger Antonín Dvořák: Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E minor, op. 72 Johannes Brahms: Three songs from 'Liebeslieder-Walzer, op. 52' Traditional (England): I love my love arr. Holst Antonín Dvořák: Slavonic Dance No. 2 in E minor, op. 46 Johannes Brahms: Six songs from 'Liebeslieder-Walzer, op. 52' Traditional (England): The Turtle Dove arr. Vaughan Williams Johannes Brahms: Three songs from 'Liebeslieder-Walzer, op. 52' Antonín Dvořák: Slavonic Dance No. 3 in A flat, op. 46 Traditional (Sweden) - Uti vår hage arr. Alfvén and Doyle Traditional (Wales) - The Ash Grove arr. Doyle Johannes Brahms: Zum Schluss: Nun, ihr Musen, genug, from 'Neue Liebeslieder, op. 65' Artists Michael Engström (piano) Stefan Lindgren (piano) Swedish Radio Choir Justin Doyle (conductor)
Wales Online
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Will Ferrell ‘excited' to bring Eurovision musical to Broadway
Will Ferrell 'excited' to bring Eurovision musical to Broadway The American actor, 57, is basing the project on his Netflix movie, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga, which he starred in opposite Canadian actress Rachel McAdams and British actor Dan Stevens (Image: Netflix ) Will Ferrell has said he is "excited" to bring a musical version of the Eurovision Song Contest to Broadway. The American actor, 57, is basing the project on his Netflix movie, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga, which he starred in opposite Canadian actress Rachel McAdams and British actor Dan Stevens. "We are more than excited to bring Eurovision to Broadway," said Ferrell. "The stage musical is a perfect place to continue our celebration of all the things we love about this amazing and unifying song competition." The production will feature a book by Ferrell, Harper Steele, who both co-wrote the original film and were in the documentary Will & Harper together, and Anthony King, a TV and Broadway writer. Music will come from Savan Kotecha, who was behind the songs for the Netflix movie, and will be directed by Alex Timbers. Article continues below "Will Ferrell and Harper Steele are my comedy heroes," Timbers, a Tony award-winning director, said. "And when I first saw their joyful movie Eurovision during the pandemic, it buoyed spirits during a very dark time. "With this stage adaptation, I can't wait to bring that same mix of heart, spectacle, irreverence, and awe to audiences across the world." In the 2020 movie, The Notebook actress McAdams, an Oscar nominee, and Elf star Ferrell play Icelandic musicians Lars Erickssong and Sigrit Ericksdottir who are competing at Eurovision. It was nominated for a best original song Academy Award for Husavik (My Hometown) written by Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus, and Rickard Goransson. Eurovision director Martin Green, from the organising group, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said: "This is a stellar team for what I am sure will be an equally stellar adaption of a film the world loved. "Our aim always is to bring the joy of the Eurovision Song Contest to more people globally – especially as we approach our 70th edition in 2026." Last month, the 2025 winner of Eurovision was crowned as 24-year-old opera singer JJ from Austria, who entered with the dramatic Wasted Love. The UK came 19th in May after Remember Monday earned 88 points from the national juries for their song What The Hell Just Happened? and no points from the audience. Article continues below Netflix has previously turned its popular science fiction show Stranger Things into a play in the West End called Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which serves as a prequel to the series.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Will Ferrell Developing ‘Eurovision' Stage Musical Based On His 2020 Netflix Film
EXCLUSIVE: A stage musical based on the 2020 Netflix movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is under development with Will Ferrell, Harper Steele and Anthony King writing the book and Savan Kotecha composing the music. Alex Timbers is on board to direct. 'We are more than excited to bring Eurovision to Broadway,' said Ferrell in a statement. 'The stage musical is a perfect place to continue our celebration of all the things we love about this amazing and unifying song competition.' More from Deadline 'Good Night, And Good Luck' Could Tour And "Might" Go To London, George Clooney Tells Seth Meyers Countdown To Broadway's Tony Night: How Are The Nominees Doing At The Box Office? Tony Awards Announce Presenter Line-Up: Keanu Reeves & Alex Winter Part Of Excellent Adventure The adaptation was announced today by producer Lia Vollack. A production timeline was not disclosed. 'Will Ferrell and Harper Steele are my comedy heroes,' said Timbers (Just In Time). 'And when I first saw their joyful movie Eurovision during the pandemic, it buoyed spirits during a very dark time. With this stage adaptation, I can't wait to bring that same mix of heart, spectacle, irreverence, and awe to audiences across the world.' The 2020 film starred Ferrell alongside Rachel McAdams and tells the story of aspiring Icelandic musicians Lars Erickssong and Sigrit Ericksdottir as they are given the chance to represent their country at the world's most famous song competition. The film's original song 'Husavik (My Hometown),' written by Savan Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus, and Rickard Göransson, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2020. 'This is a stellar team for what I am sure will be an equally stellar adaption of a film the world loved,' said Martin Green CBE Director, Eurovision Song Contest. 'Our aim always is to bring the joy of the Eurovision Song Contest to more people globally – especially as we approach our 70th edition in 2026.' The Eurovision Song Contest is the world's largest live music event and a global superbrand, reaching 166 million viewers around the world on TV and with 19.9 million views on YouTube. It is organized annually by the European Broadcasting Union. The competition has taken place every year since 1956 with notable winners including ABBA and Celine Dion. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More Everything We Know About 'Nobody Wants This' Season 2 So Far
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Eurovision 2025 watched by 166 million
The Eurovision Song Contest confirmed its place as the world's biggest live televised music event with 166 million viewers in 37 countries watching the 2025 competition, organisers have said. This year's 69th edition in Basel, Switzerland, attracted three million more viewers than last year's contest in Malmö, Sweden, said the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The EBU said Eurovision had seen significant increases in youth engagement with a record 60% of viewers aged 15-24 tuning into the competition. The 17 May final was won by 24-year-old Austrian JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, singing Wasted Love, which blended techno beats with operatic vocals. "This year's Eurovision Song Contest has once again demonstrated its extraordinary power to unite millions across continents through the joy of music and shared celebration," said Eurovision director Martin Green. After the drama as the votes from national juries and the public were revealed, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel - whose participation drew protests - on 357, and Estonia on 356. Votes were cast from 146 states, with viewers in the United States and Canada voting the most outside Europe, ahead of Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa. The final commanded viewing shares were above 50% in 19 of the 37 European markets, led by Iceland (98%), Finland (91%), Sweden (90%), Norway (85%), and Denmark (75%). The viewing shares in Finland and in France (40%) were the highest ever for Eurovision in those countries. The highest average audience was in Germany, with 9.1 million viewers - the best figures since 2016, said the EBU. Meanwhile, there were 969 million views on Instagram and 748.5 million on TikTok. Following JJ's win, next year's event will be hosted in Austria. Last week, Eurovision director Martin Green released an open letter following voting concerns surrounding this year's competition. The statement came amid ongoing debates regarding Israel's promotion of its entry, as well as discussions among several national broadcasters about the current voting system. In his letter, Martin Green said Eurovision employs specially developed systems designed to prevent fraudulent voting. "Every year the Reference Group for the Contest, which contains representatives from and acts on behalf of our Members, studies the data provided by our voting partner Once to make recommendations of any actions available to us to ensure our rules and systems remain fail safe and take into account contemporary external factors such as advances in technology and external influences," he wrote. "This process will happen as it always does in June this year."
