TV: ‘A Thousand Blows’
Although it flew somewhat under the radar, this period drama was yet another showcase for the talent of British actor Stephen Graham, who won three Emmys for his Netflix hit “Adolescence.” In this series from Steven Knight of “Peaky Blinders” fame, which just debuted its second season on Disney Plus, Graham plays brutal bare-knuckle boxer Sugar Goodson while his “Adolescence” cast mate Erin Doherty portrays Mary Carr, queen of the all-female criminal gang the Forty Elephants. — Debra Yeo
Book: ‘The Golden Hour’
It’s been out for a few months, but thanks to Santa I’ve just gotten around to reading “The Golden Hour” (Ecco), Matthew Specktor’s luminous memoir about growing up the son of a striving Hollywood talent-agent father and an alcoholic screenwriter mother. Specktor doesn’t just tell the story of his family’s dysfunction but also offers a history and critique of the moment when Hollywood’s base of power shifted after superagent Michael Ovitz brokered the sale of MCA/Universal to Matsushita. With a poet’s eye and ear — and cameos by the Sheen family, Joan Didion and David Lynch, among many others — the author brings a gauzy, romantic allure to an oft-told showbiz tale. — Doug Brod
TV: ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’
Another year, another instalment of the granddaddy of all 974 “Drag Race” franchises. Season 18 (on Crave) is off to a very promising start, with an intriguing, spirited cast of queens that skews both older and very Florida — including the first in-season pairing of a drag grandmother, Athena Dion, with their own progeny, Juicy Love Dion. Make sure to catch up with the premiere for a wonderful turn from Cardi B as guest judge; other folks dropping by this season include Teyana Taylor, Brooke Shields, Iman and beloved comedian Atsuko. — Briony Smith
Exhibition: ‘Collective Visions’
This new exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St. W.), celebrating the 25th anniversary of the museum’s photography department, offers a glimpse at the staggering breadth and quality of the AGO’s collection. The show is set up in a way that provokes reflection: the 94 works were each chosen by different individuals (including artists, curators, scholars and collectors), who picked a photograph in response to the previous selection. The result is an exhibit in which each piece is connected in some way to one that follows — in mood, theme, subject or style. Follow along with the exhibition guide to read each participant’s explanation behind their selection. Or, like me, you can just peruse the gallery and try to find the connections on your own. — Joshua Chong
