Finlay McLaren

Hello, editors! Finlay McLaren here. Just to say: you should follow me, commission me and, if the stars align, hire me. I write about modern British politics and pop culture with bylines in the Times, UnHerd, Lion & Unicorn, the Daily Sceptic and the Critic. Thread 🧵

'My name? H.R. Pufnstuf.'

'The Jedi Council, featuring all your favourite Star Trek Wars characters: Mace Windu, Kit Fisto, Shaak Ti, Ki-Abi-Mundi, Plo Koon, Obi-Wan- Kenobi and Yarael Poof.'

Have seen two separate Instagram hard launches today.

Have just been into town to buy new socks and vests

Have just discovered that there's pornography on here and to be honest I thought better of you lot

Here's me for Notes from Behind the Sofa celebrating the mighty Mavis Nicholson - television's greatest ever interviewer notesfromb3hindthesofa.substack.com/p/in-praise-...

Just been working on my survival kit, lads. Got a 24-pack of Fanta orange, a packet of Rothman's blue, two boxes of Linda McCartney sausage rolls and a copy Playgirl to pass the time. Should be alright, yeah?

Coming tomorrow at Notes from Behind the Sofa: In Praise of the Mighty Mavis! An appreciation of television's greatest ever interviewer

Writing a piece atm but not including every single little detail about the subject. Realise this means I'll inevitably get a slew of responses from strangers saying 'did you know...' about things I definitely know.

I made a little show as an extra for BBC Radio 4 Extra (pretty much in my own time): it’s being repeated to mark 20 years since the death of Nigel Kneale. This sort of bonus (dare I say it Reithian?) content will not be possible once the station goes in March. Enjoy: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

'Matt Lucas, the great Matt Lucas on Taskmaster, we love him. We do. But not so funny anymore. Not so funny. He used to be fat. Big fat guy. And he was funny, you know, but now he's on Ozempic or something. I don't know what he's on. And now Matt Lucas is skinny and not so funny.'

Friends fear that he has already started listening to Christmas music.

To this day, people flock from all over the world to try and get a picture at the scene.

Pointing at people who should subscribe to my Substack

'Yes, that's right. She fed the lamb to the police officers. Proper fucked up shit. Good night.'

OUT WEDNESDAY! Episode One of EPISODE NUMBER NINE in which we look at OPEN ALL HOURS! * Was Lynda Baron the sexiest woman on British television? (yes - Ed.) * See how many 'Roy Clarke-isms' we can tick off * Stammering for comic effect: the case for the defence * And... lubricated Rubiks Cubes?

The great Peter Bowles was born 90 years ago today. Here's @finlay24.bsky.social celebrating his start turn in To The Manor Born. thelionandunicorn.com/2025/11/16/l...

"At times, the book reads like an edition of Who’s Who written by Eddie & Patsy: 'the 13th Earl of Shaftesbury — who’s a total sweetie, darling, darling, sweetie'" Finlay's brilliant, unflinching review of the latest "dispatch from the carefully curated, happy-clappy, rictus world of RTD-PR"👇

HELLO FINLAY THIS IS YOUR GP Just texting to let you know one of our receptions is sick. Okay, thanks.

Peoples of Bluesky, please attend carefully. The message that follows is vital to the future of you all... I've reviewed RTD's new book 'The Queerest of Folk: a life in television' for Notes from Behind the Sofa. notesfromb3hindthesofa.substack.com/p/doctor-who...

Russell T Minge

Coming Halloween 2026. Starting October 19th. Ending October 31st. 13 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN. A terrifying podcast event. Only from Smersh Pod.

I sincerely believe Goalhanger is a malignant entity in society. It exists to tell middle-class people things they already agree with using a veneer of sophistication that masks how unimaginative and uncurious it actually is.

New Note from Behind the Sofa! Here's me on when former frontline politicians try and become television personalities. substack.com/home/post/p-...

You're too kind

Here's me for the Spectator(!) on why the death of shows like That’s Life! leaves ordinary viewers worse off. spectator.com/article/tv-h...

The time Jeffrey Archer called me a pathetic worm.

"It’s quite daunting," remembered Biddu; "suddenly here’s this little kid from India and he’s got the BBC orchestra and he’s on Top of the Pops." @alwynturner.bsky.social on Britain's king of disco. thelionandunicorn.com/2026/10/04/b...

A24 accidentally and unwillingly becoming one of the biggest entertainment conglomerates in America by being the only people who are aware that highbrow liberals spend more money than anyone else

'What am I wearing?'

*Vic Reeves voice* 'Teenage George Harrison, with your face like a constipated statue.'

Possibly the least rock ‘n’ roll picture ever taken.

I'll miss you, you beautiful bastard.

That’s Life! was just incredible. Its two most famous moments are a man being movingly celebrated by the now grown Jewish children he got out of Nazi Germany & a dog saying “sausages”. No other programme has ever had that range.

ATTENTION hacks & their editors! Spare a few moments to peruse the oeuvre of our Finlay. He's a stylish, sharp-witted pen for hire👇