Counter Culture UK

About Counter Culture UK

Counter Culture UK is an independent arts and culture magazine covering theatre, film, television, music, books, comedy and live events. We champion thoughtful criticism, in-depth features, interviews and opinion from passionate writers who believe culture matters. From major productions to hidden gems, we explore the stories, ideas and performances shaping the cultural landscape, providing honest reviews and intelligent commentary without chasing hype or following the crowd. Independent, curious and unapologetically engaged.

Publisher

Patrick Harrington (Editor)

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 May 2021

Latest episode

31 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

136 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   31 Oct 2026

   Culture Vulture Haloween Special 2026

   A celebration of horror, suspense and the films that still haunt us. Halloween is here, and Culture Vulture is getting into the spirit with a special edition devoted to the darker side of film and television. From John Carpenter's atmospheric classic The Fog and the disturbing television phenomenon Ghostwatch to the chilling Wicker Man, Stephen King's Carrie and the modern supernatural horror Talk to Me, we're exploring some unforgettable encounters with the macabre. We also celebrate Christopher Lee and the golden age of Hammer Horror, revisit Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands, and explore darker offerings including Body Double, Dexter: Resurrection and the troubled history of Exorcist II. Expect cult classics, psychological terror, gothic atmosphere and a few surprises, all delivered in Patrick Harrington's distinctive Culture Vulture style. For the complete Halloween viewing guide, visit www.countercultureuk.com (http://www.countercultureuk.com/). Copyright and source acknowledgements The following credits relate to film, television and documentary material referenced in this special and promotional visuals used where applicable. The Fog (1980), directed by John Carpenter. © Respective film rights holders. Ghostwatch (1992), directed by Lesley Manning. © BBC. Talk to Me (2022), directed by Danny and Michael Philippou. © Respective film rights holders. A24 promotional material. Carrie (1976), directed by Brian De Palma. © MGM and respective rights holders. The Wicker Man (1973), directed by Robin Hardy. © Respective film rights holders. Edward Scissorhands (1990), directed by Tim Burton. © 20th Century Studios and respective rights holders. Body Double (1984), directed by Brian De Palma. © Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee. © Respective documentary rights holders. Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters. © Respective documentary rights holders. Dexter: Resurrection. © Paramount and respective rights holders. Boorman and the Devil and Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977). © Respective film and documentary rights holders. All film and television titles, artwork and promotional materials remain the property of their respective copyright owners. Where excerpts or stills are used, they are presented in the context of criticism, review and cultural commentary. Culture Vulture is produced for Counter Culture. www.countercultureuk.com (http://www.countercultureuk.com/)

2. 

   23 Oct 2026

   CULTURE VULTURE | 24–30 OCTOBER 2026

   Great films, unforgettable music, powerful drama and a little Halloween horror! This week's Culture Vulture takes us from the philosophical brilliance of Ingmar Bergman to the extraordinary voice of Amy Winehouse, with some classic cinema, contemporary drama and thought-provoking documentaries along the way. 🎥 Among our ten highlights: ♟️ The Seventh Seal – Bergman's extraordinary meditation on life, death and the search for meaning. 🎵 Amy Winehouse – Remembering a remarkable talent and the enduring power of Back to Black. 🎭 Carmen Jones – Dorothy Dandridge shines in Otto Preminger's magnificent musical. ⚖️ An Inspector Calls – Alastair Sim stars in a timeless warning about social responsibility. ❤️ All of Us Strangers – A moving exploration of love, loneliness and memory. 📚 Gulliver's Travels – Three hundred years of Jonathan Swift's savage political satire. 🤖 The Future with Hannah Fry – Who really benefits from artificial intelligence? 📺 Dead-End Job – A South Korean supernatural thriller with a distinctly modern edge. 🎬 The One About Matthew Perry – Looking beyond the fame to the man behind the laughter. 🎃 Halloween Horrors – Including Carrie, Last Night in Soho and The First Omen. These are just a few of the programmes worth your attention this week. For a much fuller version of our Culture Vulture guide, featuring more films, television, streaming and radio recommendations, visit our website. Watch our six-minute podcast and discover something worth seeing, hearing or thinking about. #CultureVulture #CounterCulture #FilmReviews #TVGuide #Streaming #ClassicCinema #HalloweenFilms #AmyWinehouse #TheSeventhSeal #FilmAndTelevision --- IMAGE AND FOOTAGE ATTRIBUTIONS The Seventh Seal (1957), directed by Ingmar Bergman. Original film © AB Svensk Filmindustri. Visuals in this edition are AI-generated editorial recreations, not original film stills. Carmen Jones (1954), directed by Otto Preminger. © Respective copyright holders. Source: previously supplied film stills. An Inspector Calls (1954), directed by Guy Hamilton. © Respective copyright holders. Source: previously supplied film still associated with STUDIOCANAL. The Future with Hannah Fry. © Respective copyright holders. Source: Bloomberg Originals official trailer. Dead-End Job (2026). © Respective copyright holders. Source: Netflix official trailer. The One About Matthew Perry (2026). © Respective copyright holders. Source: Netflix official trailer. Last Night in Soho (2021), directed by Edgar Wright. © Focus Features LLC and Perfect Universe Investment Inc. Source: official teaser trailer. The First Omen (2024), directed by Arkasha Stevenson. © 20th Century Studios. Source: official trailer. Additional visuals include original Counter Culture artwork and AI-generated editorial illustrations for All of Us Strangers, Gulliver's Travels and other features. Film stills and excerpts are included for the purposes of criticism and review. All underlying rights remain with their respective copyright holders.

3. 

   17 Oct 2026

   Culture Vulture: Best TV, Films and Streaming for 17–23 October 2026

   Culture Vulture | 17–23 October 2026 This week, Culture Vulture marks the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, remembering the 144 lives lost and examining the fight for justice that followed. We look at the powerful BBC documentary Aberfan: The Village That Fought Back and the lessons that still resonate today. There's also a return to one of science fiction's greatest classics, The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), alongside a lively selection of films, television drama, documentaries and music. From cult cinema and Hot Fuzz to Stacey Dooley, compelling new streaming choices and fascinating radio programmes, Pat Harrington guides you through the best of the week's entertainment with reviews, recommendations and a few opinions along the way. Culture Vulture – celebrating the arts that challenge, entertain and inspire. Read our full guide here (https://countercultureuk.com/2026/10/16/culture-vulture-best-tv-films-and-streaming-for-17-23-october-2026/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

1,466

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

73

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

30

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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