Fame, Fortune and Marina's New Show - The Rest is Entertainment 100% Unofficial Database

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*** BIG NEWS – The Rest Is Entertainment Live is happening at the iconic Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday 4th December! Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club for a very special ticket pre-sale for members from 10am on Thursday 24th October before general tickets go on-sale 10am Friday 25th October. Expect Christmas treats, live questions… and answers, and a whole lot of fun *** As Director General Tim Davie tackles the term ‘talent’ at the BBC, what does it really mean and how important are the ‘talent’? Marina’s new show, The Franchise is out now. What goes on in the writing room, how does a show evolve from idea, to pilot, to series, and to release? Marina takes us through all the stages. There is another release around the corner, a new John le Carré novel. Written by his son Nick Harkaway Richard has had an early read and it is the very essence of all that we loved from le Carré’s writing. What goes into managing the legacy of a creative catalogue, and why are some legacies successful and others less so? Recommendations: Marina: Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple (ITVX) Richard: Karla’s Choice (read) / Sweetpea (Sky).

Inside This Episode

The episode starts with an update on Boris Johnson’s book sales, comparing it to other political figures such as Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher. Johnson sold 42,000 copies, which was considered a disappointment.
A brief mention is made of the success of the TV show Rivals, which premiered with a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Discussion shifts to John le Carré’s son, who writes under the pseudonym Nick Harkaway, and his new novel, Carla’s Choice, which continues his father’s legacy by writing a George Smiley novel. Richard praises the quality of the book and how it maintains the tone and style of le Carré’s original works.
The hosts explore the ongoing debate about the use of the term “talent” in the entertainment industry, citing BBC Director-General Tim Davie’s statement about banning the term to bridge the gap between on-screen and off-screen workers.
There is a broader reflection on celebrity culture, focusing on how TV presenters and other talent are often placed on a pedestal and treated differently from other production team members.
The tragic death of Liam Payne is discussed as an example of the darker side of fame, particularly for young stars thrust into the limelight too quickly, with commentary on the pressure and isolation experienced by such celebrities.
The episode touches on the future of television, including the complexities of producing TV shows and the process of greenlighting new projects, such as Marina’s own experience working on The Franchise, a comedy series currently airing on Sky Comedy.
Marina explains that a writer’s room is more about brainstorming and plotting than actual script writing. While final scripts may be drafted afterward, the room is dedicated to hashing out story beats, character arcs, and moments of humour. She notes that much of the room’s energy comes from personal anecdotes, observations, and even experiences from media consumption, such as reality TV shows. These discussions help develop deeper insights into character behaviour or plot direction. And she emphasises that the room also creates tight-knit relationships due to the intense collaboration. Writers spend hours together, sharing stories—mostly the funny or embarrassing ones—to inspire material for the show. Ultimately, she praises the collaborative nature of the room, where everyone’s contributions are valued, and how even the smallest ideas can grow into integral parts of a television show.
A brief advertisement is included for their upcoming live Christmas show at the Royal Albert Hall on December 4th.

Media Mentions

Television Shows

Rivals (Disney+)
The Franchise (Sky Comedy/Now TV)
Succession
Miss Marple series by Agatha Christie

Books

Carla’s Choice by Nick Harkaway
Silverview by John le Carré
The Thick of It
Fresh Meat

Films

Blade Trinity
Marvel/Avengers series

Live Events

Upcoming live Christmas show at the Royal Albert Hall (December 4th)

Hot Takes

“Harper Collins thought [Boris Johnson] was gonna do Prince Harry numbers… and he sold 42,000, which is so far below any of the expectations they would have had.”
“The BBC… they need to slightly stop fetishising talent and imagine they’re sort of somewhere above us.”
“You know, you have to surround yourself with talented people… that’s the way to be talent. Be brilliant. Be indispensable.”
“[Liam Payne’s death] is the utter dark side of being put on this extraordinary pedestal at such a young age.”
“TMZ published pictures of [Liam Payne’s] body… they took them down, but obviously, those pictures exist forever now.”
“TV presenters are like a singer in a band who doesn’t write the songs. I mean, you look nice… but could someone else take your place? Yes, almost certainly.”
“[Richard E. Grant] plays an actor very well.”

Notable Numbers

120,000 – The number of books sold by Margaret Thatcher, compared to Boris Johnson’s 42,000.
95% – The Rotten Tomatoes score for Rivals, a Disney+ series.
£2,000,000 – Boris Johnson’s advance for his book, compared to the underwhelming sales.
450,000 – The number of copies Prince Harry’s book sold in its first week.
42,000 – The total number of Boris Johnson’s books sold in the first week, considered far below expectations.