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Barbara Ellen

Barbara Ellen

The Guardian

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Babooshkas rejoice! Kate Bush is every woman’s teenage soul – which is why men don’t get her

Rejoice, for Kate Bush has risen again. Heart-popping excitement (my own, and maybe yours too) greeted the musician’s surprise appearance last week...

27.10.2024 90

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Amanda Abbington was brave enough to complain. She shouldn’t shrink from admitting it

How instructive to see the actor Amanda Abbington give an interview to Newsnight . It followed the BBC report in which it apologised to her, upholding...

06.10.2024 50

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Kate’s ‘Eat, Pray, Picnic’ video vibe was corny but the subtext was clear: I’ve changed

Give the Princess of Wales her due, she got our full attention with that video. Posted on Instagram to mark the completion of chemotherapy to treat...

14.09.2024 10

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Setting limits for your child’s teenage kicks doesn’t make you a terrible killjoy

There are many parenting styles for teenagers, but sometimes it feels like there are just two: cool and uncool. Often, cool, liberal parents are...

25.08.2024 20

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Behold the new sexy Pirelli calendar, a perfect example of Post#MeToo creep

I know what you’re thinking: “Whatever happened to sexy tyre calendars? I really miss those.” You’re in luck. The 2025 Pirelli calendar has...

18.08.2024 10

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Women – don’t get larger, don’t get older, don’t have fun, don’t dare to wear a bikini

Body shaming – it wouldn’t be a British summer without it. It’s that time of year when you can’t move for media images of famous people,...

11.08.2024 20

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

If sportswomen were paid more, they might not feel obliged to get their kit off

Are female empowerment initiatives in danger of becoming a tad pat and lazy? I ask, because of the mammoth backlash against the lingerie company...

06.07.2024 6

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Paul Mescal can pull off short-shorts, but can ordinary men?

Something strange is happening to men’s shorts. They’re no longer shorts, rather they’re short-shorts. Last week, Normal People actor Paul...

22.06.2024 10

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Observer comment cartoon Chris Riddell on Rishi Sunak calling the general election – cartoon

25.05.2024 10

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

‘Bum-boosting pants’ aside, I’m emotionally invested in M&S’s fortunes, but can’t think why

Last week sometimes felt like standing in the midst of a triumphant hosiery and condiment-themed ticker-tape parade. I’m referring to the deluge of...

25.05.2024 50

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Demanding a haircut without talking is just rude – how important do you think you are?

How important are you? So ­important that only other important ­people are permitted to speak to you? So eminent your hair must be snipped in...

19.05.2024 50

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

So Sydney Sweeney’s not pretty and can’t act? Such insults by a woman play into men’s hands

Hollywood producer Carol Baum has publicly derided Euphoria ’s Sydney Sweeney. Interviewed onstage following a screening of her 1988 film, Dead...

20.04.2024 10

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Observer comment cartoon Chris Riddell on the spectre of famine haunting Gaza – cartoon

06.04.2024 4

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

I don’t need a note-perfect portrayal of Amy Winehouse, the quality of acting is the key

The reviews are in for the trailer for the imminent Amy Winehouse biopic, Back to Black . Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, it stars Marisa Abela as...

06.04.2024 9

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Creative arts Creatives are leaving London, and for the first time I understand why

Are young people, especially creatives, as excited about London, as driven to live in it, as people like me once were? The answer appears to be a very...

16.03.2024 7

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

I never want to go to a festival again, but UK music would be lost without them

I’m talking about music festivals. I can’t abide them and never could, even when I was a fresh-faced goth, with crimped hair, a tummy full of...

25.02.2024 20

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Observer comment cartoon Rearranging the deckchairs on the Tory Titanic – cartoon

03.02.2024 20

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

What hope do we have when even female breadwinners like Paloma Faith have to put their men first?

Paloma Faith does her best to keep it real. The singer-songwriter’s new album, The Glorification Of Sadness, is about break-up struggles. Her 2021...

03.02.2024 8

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Observer comment cartoon The Tory right is coming for Rishi Sunak – cartoon

28.01.2024 60

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Why are our children obsessed with anti-ageing treatments? Take a look in the mirror

Has childhood been cancelled? Or rebranded as first-stage “old”; a last-chance saloon for preventive skincare? Inspired by social media,...

27.01.2024 20

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Let’s not pity ‘poor’ Oscar Pistorius. Reeva Steenkamp suffered far worse a fate

Who’s in the mood to throw a pity party for Oscar Pistorius? Anyone? Or, like me, do you find his crime so disturbing it rather sticks in the craw...

06.01.2024 10

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Observer comment cartoon So much for a happy new year – cartoon

31.12.2023 10

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Step away from the crisps: why Generation Snack should ditch the habit in 2024

As 2024 looms into view, let’s do a mental exercise. What happened the last time you were hungry? In the mental picture you’re conjuring, are you...

30.12.2023 20

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

The Observer view on Prince Harry’s court victory over Mirror Group Newspapers

In its defence of the civil court action brought by Prince Harry, Mirror Group Newspapers argued to the death that there was not a shred of evidence...

17.12.2023 10

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Tatty, naff and cheesy: why can’t Britain have a decent Christmas No 1?

Before we fully enter the festive season, succumbing to the sweet rustling embrace of mistletoe and Quality Street, please could we consider the good...

17.12.2023 10

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

Harry wanted respect. Now, with this court victory, he’s earned it

Whatever else might be said about Prince Harry, he got to pull the sword from the stone. He got his day in court, his longed-for legal vindication,...

17.12.2023 10

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

She’s a megastar, but Taylor Swift just won’t shake off old feuds. Good for her

Is Taylor Swift pop music’s last great troublemaker? Or has it always been the done thing for the Time magazine person of the year to use their...

10.12.2023 30

The Guardian

Barbara Ellen

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