Alison Rowat

Glasgow

Senior Politics and Features Writer at The Herald (Scotland)

Journalist with The Herald/Sunday Herald, Glasgow. Personal account.

Featured in: Favicon

heraldscotland.com Favicon

yahoo.com (+1) Favicon

thenational.scot Favicon

glasgowtimes.co.uk Favicon

asianimage.co.uk Favicon

swindonadvertiser.co.uk Favicon

thisiswiltshire.co.uk Favicon

heartsstandard.co.uk Favicon

oxfordmail.co.uk Favicon

thisisoxfordshire.co.uk

Articles

The Feud; Barristers; The Piano; The Last of Us; The Stolen Girl

5 days ago | heraldscotland.com | Alison Rowat

Emma (Jill Halfpenny) has dreams of home improvement in The Feud (Image: Channel 5) “I’ve always wanted an island,” declared a character near the start of The Feud (Channel 5, Monday-Wednesday). With those five, apparently harmless little words, all hell was unleashed on a quiet suburban street. Be afraid, be very afraid, because Emma (Jill Halfpenny) wanted a new kitchen extension.
The Apprentice: Lord Sugar chooses pizza over air conditioning

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Alison Rowat

Winner of the latest series of the BBC programme The Apprentice, Dean Franklin (right), owner of an air conditioning company, with Lord Sugar in the boardroom of Amshold House in Loughton, Essex. Yui Mok/PA Wire (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire) The Apprentice: the Final BBC1/iPlayer Alison Rowat *** AFTER 19 series there is not a lot of sorcery to be found in the finale of The Apprentice.
The Stolen Girl, Disney+, has ways of drawing you in

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Alison Rowat

Holliday Grainger is the standout turn in new drama The Stolen Girl, Disney+ (Image: Disney+) The Stolen Girl Disney+ Three stars As with DIY stores and sofa barns, streaming channels look on the Easter weekend as a prime sales opportunity. They hope viewers will look at what’s on the terrestrial channels, abandon all hope, and decide that now’s the time to take the plunge on a subscription. Christianity 0, Capitalism 1.
Katy Perry went into space, and safe to say she liked it...

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Alison Rowat

The all-woman space crew: first row, seated, from left: Lauren Sanchez and Kerianne Flynn and standing in back from left: Amanda Nguyen, Katy Perry, Gayle King and Aisha Bowe (Image: (Blue Origin via AP) In the torrent of coverage given to the Blue Origin all-women space flight, there was barely a mention of Valentina Tereshkova. Quite the omission given the Russian was the first woman to journey into space.
Barristers shows the high-stakes system of justice at the sharp end

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Alison Rowat

Lawyers Kate, Sheryl and Leon, as featured in new documentary series Barristers (Image: Channel 4) Barristers: Fighting for Justice Channel 4, Tuesday Alison Rowat *** What is it with lawyers and walking in slo-mo? It was the same with The Firm, the BBC Scotland documentary series about Aamer Anwar. At the drop of a hat, or the buttoning of a waistcoat, the Glasgow lawyer and his team could be seen striding towards their Blythswood Square offices like The Human League circa 1981.
The Feud; The Last of Us - zombies and kitchen islands rule OK

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Alison Rowat

Emma (Jill Halfpenny) wants a new kitchen in The Feud. What harm can it do? (Image: C5) The Last of Us Sky Atlantic/Now Monday, 9pm **** If you said one of the most moving TV dramas of recent years was based on a video game about zombies I’d recommend getting out more. Yet Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann’s tale of a bounty hunter escorting his charge across a post-pandemic America is as heartfelt and thrilling as one of the classic westerns it resembles.
The Piano, Channel 4, delivered showstopping performances

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Alison Rowat

Claudia Winkleman, Jon Batiste and Mika on The Piano (Channel 4) (Image: Channel 4) The Piano Channel 4 Sunday, 9pm *** “It’s built like a cathedral,” said one of the judges about London Liverpool Street, the first stop in a new series of the talent show that goes a long way in giving the format its good name back.
If White Lotus is looking for new location, we know a terrific spot

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Alison Rowat

The White Lotus – Season 3 has divided opinion (Image: Home Box Office) Reviewed: The White Lotus; Reunion; Jules and Greg's Wild Swim; Grand Designs; Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr Farewell for now to The White Lotus (Sky Atlantic/NOW, Monday). We’ll miss you. Some more than others. The third series, set in Thailand, has not been as universally adored as its predecessors (Hawaii and Sicily). Too bleak, too slow, too bonkers (the brothers storyline).
TV review: Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr (plus a Glaswegian)

2 weeks ago | heraldscotland.com | Alison Rowat

Glaswegian Victoria on Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr (Image: Hugo Healy) Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr BBC1/iPlayer *** When Alan Carr was last seen wielding a paintbrush with intent he was in the company of Amanda Holden doing another of their house transformations abroad. Holden barely lets him get a word in edgeways so it’s little wonder he goes a bit crazy in his own show. Then again, I don’t think he needs much persuasion.
Black Mirror: it’s not all good - but when it’s good, it’s genius

2 weeks ago | heraldscotland.com | Alison Rowat

Black Mirror Netflix, now avalable *** With the world as it is, you might think it impossible for any drama to beat reality for dystopian bleakness, and so it proves with this patchy seventh series from Charlie Brooker. But don’t give up on Black Mirror just yet. There are flashes of brilliance here from Brooker, and a few star turns - step forward Peter Capaldi - that will make your head spin.