What's the best way to get the whole story of The Beatles?
It may be a book, film or TV series.
I'm 22, and my parents never really liked them. I do. What's the definitive way of learning about their story, other than listening to their records?

Proof, if proof be needed that Saint Bob never uttered those famous words. By sheer coincidence (and rooting through the parents' VHS cupboard for Muppet Christmas Carol) I found a recording of the full Live Aid. And this moment, featuring Word's very own David Hepworth.

What are your favourite examples of people in entertainment being caught by the giggles?
I'll start off with George Dawes aka Matt Lucas singing the 'Peanuts' song on Shooting Stars. They were meant to reshoot the song after he essentially messed it up, but it was soon concluded that the first take was funnier than anything planned could be.

Or is it just me?

This could be good, but I'll need your help.

Step 1 - Choose drink

Step 2 - Drink given quantity when you hear the following:

[A few to get the ball rolling]

"The sound of young Islington" - 2 fingers

A report of Fraser's exotic holiday - 3 fingers, plus 1 finger every extra minute

A reference to an article in the new magazine - 1 finger

The Wire is mentioned - 2 fingers

I look forward to hearing your suggestions.

Can you good people recommend what decent reading is to be had over the Christmas period?
I am interested in mainly factual books, and due to the high praise from this website I already have Leviathan and London - An Autobiography on my Christmas list.

Are there any other fascinating/entertaining reads that are worth knowing about?

Thankyou!

No discredit to the author, but I just couldn't get to grips with his argument.
As far as I understand, he suggests he is annoyed that popular things are popular. He doesn't like the way that the media is 'relentlessly positive' towards certain things because he doesn't like or understand them.
Is this frustration just particular to those working within the media industry? My parents (admittedly older, being in their late-40s) are quite the opposite. I talked to them about the article last night. They have never heard of The Gossip, Mighty Boosh, Bestival, Rihanna or Lady Gaga. They don't know what T in the Park is. The same with Bestival (although they guessed). They don't care about pop culture so live happily devoid of it.

My point is this. For those of us who do immerse ourselves in popular culture, shouldn't we expect to continuously come across things that are - well - popular? Isn't it logical that mainstream media outlets have and will continue to deliver whatever makes the most money? It's not as if we have to pay attention to it.

The programme notable from its absence in the list of examples was The Wire. From my viewpoint, it's been given more relentlessly-positive press coverage than anything else mentioned in the article. Or is that OK because it appeals to our demographic?