Saturday is the new Sunday, according to The Times, which has souped up its Saturday edition with a new look and four new sections. These include Saturday Review, focusing on the arts, a sport section, Weekend (lifestyle) and a "what's on" guide called Playlist. The paper's sections are now separate instead of tucking into each other, which adds a little luxury to the title. While we were a bit underwhelmed by the sports section, the rest of the changes make for a stronger offer for readers and advertisers, and meant we didn't have to bother with a Sunday paper.
Harper's Bazaar special issue
Some glossy magazines seem to be getting skinnier with the recessionary chill in the air, but the National Magazine Company's Harper's Bazaar has bulked up for a one-off special-format March issue. It measures 330 x 245mm, substantially larger than its usual 290 x 215 format, and the issue's size is a good showcase for its focus on the new spring collections. The luxury magazine, which has the British actress Emily Blunt gracing the cover, does acknowledge a change in spending habits, however, with a fashion feature for all pockets on best picks of the high street.
The Damned United promo
We can't wait for the Sony Pictures adaptation of the David Peace novel The Damned Utd, which charts Brian Clough's 44 days in charge at Leeds United. Our appetite was whetted last week by a great piece of media buying from Manning Gottlieb OMD that saw a two-minute promo for the film, which stars Michael Sheen as Clough, run during an ad break on Setanta during the Derby versus Nottingham Forest FA Cup clash, the two clubs that Clough managed to 70s glory.
Generation Kill
The new series from David Simon, the creator of The Wire, launched on FX this week and the first episode didn't disappoint. Set in Iraq, it follows the fortunes of a Rolling Stone journalist who joins some Marines on duty in Iraq. Produced through HBO, Generation Kill looks set to deliver on the guarantee of quality that the cable network usually provides. The first of seven episodes delivered strong characters, some cliff-hanging moments and sharp comedy.
AND ONE THING WE DON'T ...
ITV flogging a dead Harry Hill-shaped horse
We love Harry Hill's TV Burp and we're not averse to "Best Of" compilations that are used to pad out gaps in schedules, but ITV is stretching our patience to the limit with its January compilations of Harry's best moments. The broadcaster has run not one, but four, consecutive Harry Hill's TV Burp compilation shows in primetime Saturday-night slots. It's all looking a bit tired.