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Culture

Film, TV, music, books, museums and the arts: the decisions and controversies people argue about. Read the background and the case on each side, vote, and see where other readers stand.

A judge has paused Trump's 250-foot arch near Arlington Cemetery for 14 days, just after planners approved it. Should a monument like this need Congress's approval?
culture

A judge has paused Trump's 250-foot arch near Arlington Cemetery for 14 days, just after planners approved it. Should a monument like this need Congress's approval?

Hello Kitty maker Sanrio has apologised and dropped its merchandise tie-up with Japanese spy drama Vivant after a backlash in China. Sensible call, or caving to pressure?
culture

Hello Kitty maker Sanrio has apologised and dropped its merchandise tie-up with Japanese spy drama Vivant after a backlash in China. Sensible call, or caving to pressure?

Apu is back on The Simpsons, now voiced by Indian American actor Sunil Malhotra after Hank Azaria stepped away in 2020. Right to bring him back, or should he have stayed retired?
culture

Apu is back on The Simpsons, now voiced by Indian American actor Sunil Malhotra after Hank Azaria stepped away in 2020. Right to bring him back, or should he have stayed retired?

1 vote
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says she may intervene in Sky's £1.6bn deal to buy ITV's channels and ITVX, citing news plurality. Should the takeover go ahead?
culture

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says she may intervene in Sky's £1.6bn deal to buy ITV's channels and ITVX, citing news plurality. Should the takeover go ahead?

1 vote
A descendant of the painter whose Paris Opera ceiling Chagall covered in the 1960s is planning legal action to uncover it. Keep Chagall's work, or bring back the original?
culture

A descendant of the painter whose Paris Opera ceiling Chagall covered in the 1960s is planning legal action to uncover it. Keep Chagall's work, or bring back the original?

1 vote
ABC has ordered a pilot of Rabbit, an American remake of the BBC's David Mitchell hit Ludwig. Should US TV remake British shows, or just air the originals?
culture

ABC has ordered a pilot of Rabbit, an American remake of the BBC's David Mitchell hit Ludwig. Should US TV remake British shows, or just air the originals?

1 vote
A union-backed report says US studios now spend 42% of their film budgets at home, down from 74% in 25 years. Should America pay a tax credit to win filming back?
culture

A union-backed report says US studios now spend 42% of their film budgets at home, down from 74% in 25 years. Should America pay a tax credit to win filming back?

1 vote
Stray Kids have joined BTS in not submitting music for the 2027 Grammys, which add a Best Asian Pop category. Overdue recognition for Asian pop, or a way to sideline it?
culture

Stray Kids have joined BTS in not submitting music for the 2027 Grammys, which add a Best Asian Pop category. Overdue recognition for Asian pop, or a way to sideline it?

1 vote
Jeremy Clarkson says the BBC, ITV, Sky, Channel 4 and Channel 5 should merge into one "Britflix" to survive. The future of British TV, or a loss of choice?
culture

Jeremy Clarkson says the BBC, ITV, Sky, Channel 4 and Channel 5 should merge into one "Britflix" to survive. The future of British TV, or a loss of choice?

1 vote
The UK government says entry to England's national museums will stay free for everyone, tourists included. The right call, or should overseas visitors have to pay?
culture

The UK government says entry to England's national museums will stay free for everyone, tourists included. The right call, or should overseas visitors have to pay?

Greece's prime minister has rejected borrowing parts of its own monument from the British Museum. Should the Parthenon Marbles return to Athens for good?
culture

Greece's prime minister has rejected borrowing parts of its own monument from the British Museum. Should the Parthenon Marbles return to Athens for good?

Taylor Swift's new Encore edition adds four songs to an album already sold in dozens of versions. Savvy business for superfans, or unfair pressure to buy again?
culture

Taylor Swift's new Encore edition adds four songs to an album already sold in dozens of versions. Savvy business for superfans, or unfair pressure to buy again?

Meryl Streep will voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig's Narnia film for Netflix. Inspired reinterpretation, or changing a character that was never meant to change?
culture

Meryl Streep will voice Aslan in Greta Gerwig's Narnia film for Netflix. Inspired reinterpretation, or changing a character that was never meant to change?

1 vote
Converse pulled an Instagram ad featuring K-pop star Karina after critics said it evoked KKK and lynching imagery. Honest mistake, or proof brands still aren't vetting ads closely enough?
culture

Converse pulled an Instagram ad featuring K-pop star Karina after critics said it evoked KKK and lynching imagery. Honest mistake, or proof brands still aren't vetting ads closely enough?

1 vote
Netflix has raised its UK ad-supported plan from £5.99 to £7.99 a month, its second rise this year. Is this what better shows cost now, or streamers cashing in?
culture

Netflix has raised its UK ad-supported plan from £5.99 to £7.99 a month, its second rise this year. Is this what better shows cost now, or streamers cashing in?

1 vote
South Park rebranded itself "South America" for its season premiere, mocking Trump's renaming of Lake Ontario. Sharp political satire, or more shock value than substance?
culture

South Park rebranded itself "South America" for its season premiere, mocking Trump's renaming of Lake Ontario. Sharp political satire, or more shock value than substance?

4 votes1 comment
Alex Gibney's documentary "Musk" premiered at Venice to strong reviews, and Elon Musk calls it a "boring hit piece". Serious accountability journalism, or a one-sided takedown?
culture

Alex Gibney's documentary "Musk" premiered at Venice to strong reviews, and Elon Musk calls it a "boring hit piece". Serious accountability journalism, or a one-sided takedown?

2 votes
The 2026 VMA nominations are led by Madonna, Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter, with Black artists mostly in genre categories. Real bias, or how the year's hits shook out?
culture

The 2026 VMA nominations are led by Madonna, Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter, with Black artists mostly in genre categories. Real bias, or how the year's hits shook out?

2 votes
Adidas faces boycott calls over an ad featuring a former Israeli soldier who lost his leg in Gaza. Fair criticism of tone-deaf marketing, or politicising an amputee's story?
culture

Adidas faces boycott calls over an ad featuring a former Israeli soldier who lost his leg in Gaza. Fair criticism of tone-deaf marketing, or politicising an amputee's story?

1 vote
Trump wants a 30-foot George Washington statue at the Smithsonian's history museum, attacking its "focus on oppression". Restoring patriotic history, or dictating to a museum?
culture

Trump wants a 30-foot George Washington statue at the Smithsonian's history museum, attacking its "focus on oppression". Restoring patriotic history, or dictating to a museum?

The Emmys cut 5 award categories from the live broadcast, including writing and supporting-actor awards. Smart TV, or disrespecting the work?
culture

The Emmys cut 5 award categories from the live broadcast, including writing and supporting-actor awards. Smart TV, or disrespecting the work?

1 vote
A US Open spectator went viral for disrupting play to get content for social media. Fair game, or ban phones at courtside?
culture

A US Open spectator went viral for disrupting play to get content for social media. Fair game, or ban phones at courtside?

1 vote