John Cho, the Bridgerton effect and The Crane Wife

The Independent’s entertainment newsletter [View in browser]( [The Independent]( July 16, 2022 [The Independent]( Written by Jessie Thompson   The IndyArts Newsletter   Should historical romance novels be historically accurate? Or should they just... be sexy? Amanda Whiting went on an intrepid journey through some pulpy paperbacks to find out. I loved her piece about [how the genre has exploded]( since Bridgerton gave everyone heaving bosoms. Amanda is basically our Regency correspondent this week: she’s also written [about how Netflix got Persuasion so very wrong](. (I’ve still not watched it. Can’t bear to.) I’ve been banging on at everyone to read The Crane Wife, which is released this week. It’s a collection of essays from CJ Hauser, who went viral a couple of years ago for her essay about cancelling her wedding. You know, the one we all read and then sent to 10 of our friends and exclaimed about how she had seen into our souls? I[talked to Hauser about her book](, and she was as funny and thoughtful as she is on the page. Bridgerton has shaken up the world of historical romance novels (Netflix)   Inexplicably enjoyable: the drama around who will play Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl. Meredith Clark has[taken us through every wild step on the journey](, from Beanie Feldstein's panned performance to Lea Michele's decade long thirst for the role.   [The Saturday Interview – John Cho]( [Oscars image]( John Cho stars in Prime Video's 'Don't Make Me Go' (Getty for Netflix) [Annabel Nugent had a chat with John Cho](: from ‘American Pie’ to ‘Cowboy Bebop’ and Amazon’s new film ‘Don’t Make Me Go’, he's an actor on the rise. He talked about growing up with a sense of shame, protecting his privacy, and his desire to do a film about a killing spree. [Oscars image]( John Cho in 'Don't Make Me Go' (Prime Video) Read an extract from our Saturday Interview below… Anyone paying attention will know it’s high time that Cho ascended to top billing. The actor himself is less fussed. “Every part of my career has felt very gradual. I was never discovered on a street corner, leaning against a mailbox wearing a jeans jacket.” He pauses for a moment and then lets out a deep cackle. “That was oddly specific.” The mailbox detail, he explains, is how Matt Dillon was found. “Meanwhile, I’ve just been plugging away,” he shrugs, speaking of his newfound fame. That said, it is seldom just perseverance that makes a star. Good hair helps, too. Despite having half a century under his belt, Cho has more hair than ever. In addition to a well-groomed handlebar moustache, he is sporting a bedhead bouffant: the sort of style that evokes endless metaphors about clouds and cotton candy. I’ll spare you. What I will say is that it’s easy to see why, when Cowboy Bebop debuted last year, “JOHN CHO’S HAIR” trended on Twitter. And no, it’s not a wig. [Read the full interview here]( [What to binge this week]( One of the greatest TV villains ever? Tony Dalton as Lalo Salamanca (Netflix) [Better Call Saul]( After a nail-biting seven-week hiatus, Better Call Saul is back with an absolute zinger. The show is back to complete its final season, and Louis Chilton has the highest of praise[in his five-star review](: Lalo Salamanca might be one of the greatest TV villains ever. 'Better Call Saul' is available to stream on Netflix Out and about Jack Absolute Flies Again - National Theatre A decade on from One Man Two Guvnors, the National Theatre is trying to replicate the formula with a madcap spin on Sheridan's The Rivals. I liked it a lot; clipped posh accents happen to be my comedy weakness. You can read my review in tomorrow's Week on Stage column. [Buy tickets here]( Hungry - Soho Theatre Chris Bush's hot streak continues with this love story between a chef and a waiter. Isobel Lewis was a fan - she went to check it out before it goes to Edinburgh next month. Find out her full verdict in tomorrow's column. [Buy tickets here]( [Patriots - Almeida Theatre]( Peter Morgan's new play about oligarchs in post-Soviet Russia might not be as enjoyable as The Crown, but it does have a ridiculously good performance from Tom Hollander. Occasionally it all gets a bit Wikipedia, but it's worth it to see Hollander glowering and grumping around the stage. [Read the review](   INDYBEST / [BEST BUYS](   Stranger Things and Quiksilver launch an Eighties-inspired collection that’s worn by the cast in season 4 As the second half of series four unfolds, inject some retro style into your wardrobe [Read more](   Essential reading [9 movie recommendations for the perfect date night]( [9 movie recommendations for the perfect date night]( [Martin Lawrence says Will Smith slap won’t kill Bad Boys 4]( [Martin Lawrence says Will Smith slap won’t kill Bad Boys 4]( [Opinion: Forget the streaming wars – nothing compares to the experience of cinema]( [Opinion: Forget the streaming wars – nothing compares to the experience of cinema](         If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's entertainment newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's entertainment newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Culture_Newsletter_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.