DARTS is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, mostly thanks to the triumph of the teenager Luke Littler at the recent World Championships. But, long before we had ever heard of Luke “the Nuke”, there was “the Crafty Cockney” Eric Bristow, Bobby “Dazzler” George, and Phil “the Power” Taylor. Darts Kings (Sky Documentaries, Tuesday of last week) colourfully tells the story of how these ordinary men, with extraordinary skill, transformed darts in the 1970s and ’80s from a pub game to a beloved national sport.
The promoter Barry Hearn and the former miner Bobby George are among the contributors to this affectionate homage to darts and working-class culture. It is evocative viewing, particularly if, like myself, you also grew up in a place where darts was a beloved pastime. It’s possible to almost smell the smoke and lager-laden atmosphere of Jollees nightclub, in Stoke-on-Trent, the former home of the championships. A far less charming relic in the history of darts — the rank snobbery and classism which the players were subjected to — is openly addressed. We can hope that this is now relegated to the past.
Devoid of fun entirely was Marilyn Manson: Unmasked (Channel 4, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of last week), a chilling three-part series about the singer. The star was dropped by his management and record label in 2021, after a string of women accused him of sexual assault — claims that he still strenuously denies. This is unrelentingly awful viewing, including hard-to-listen-to stories from the women who say that they have been harmed by Manson. It also includes degrading comments made by the singer himself, in an interview that he recorded for the magazine Rolling Stone.
This ongoing story flags up two interconnected issues; the limits of the judiciary (the statute of limitations has been an obvious barrier for justice in some cases), and the part played by social media in giving a voice to people who would otherwise be unheard. Important viewing, but watch with caution.
The two-part Britain’s Great Cathedrals: To the glory of God (Channel 5, Thursday of last week) is presented amiably by the Revd Pat Allerton. He makes for a safe pair of hands in what is a cheerfully safe series, exploring the architecture and history of some of our best-known places of worship.
My first question was: who decides what is meant here by great? The answer appears to be: best known and celebrated. First up was St Paul’s, followed by Canterbury, Salisbury, Durham, Coventry, and Lincoln. A theological conversation about the part that cathedrals play in the spirituality of our nation is long overdue, and this touches on the issue. My main gripe was the distinct lack of north-western representation. Where was Liverpool or Carlisle — in my opinion, most definitely great cathedrals. Perhaps Mr Allerton will return for a series in which this geographical imbalance is remedied.