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Spectator
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
How to holiday White Lotus-style: Billionaire Playground reviewed
Today's television is notably fond of presenting us with very rich people to both despise and wish we lived like. As well as high-end dramas like Succession and The White Lotus (a programme that's caused a huge rise in bookings for the resorts where its characters' dreadfulness is filmed), there are any number of documentaries in which the bling's the thing. Netflix, for example, has a genre called 'Lavish Reality Lifestyles' that consists of 38 different shows. In a mildly cunning twist, Billion Dollar Playground makes some of the staff who wait on the wealthy a kind of audience surrogate: mixing enthusiastic wonder at all that money can bring with beady-eyed disdain for the sense of entitlement displayed by those it brings it to. The staff in question work for an Australian company that specialises in providing large houses and servants for people wanting a break from their everyday lives of large houses and servants. In this week's two episodes, the setting was an undeniably luxurious villa in Sydney, where the fawning over the guests began before the guests arrived. First, head concierge Salvatore oversaw the preparation of the house, taking a particularly stern line on slightly misaligned dining chairs. The staff then took advance delivery of the luggage, which the guests, naturally, had neither packed nor were going to unpack themselves. In their defence, mind you, there was a lot of it. The seven women who'd hired the villa (aka 'the ladies') each had ten dresses and 12 pairs of shoes for their two-day stay. Meanwhile, another thing being got ready was the suspiciously neat soap-opera subplot: an inter-concierge power struggle between Salvatore and his two assistants – the sassy Heaven, who didn't like it when her boss was bossy, and goody-goody Jasmin whose distaste for Heaven's 'lack of respect' led to much mutual glaring. Eventually the ladies showed up and soon got down to what was required of them, objecting to caviar being served with salmon and complaining that a towel was 'too smooth'. Now all we needed was a spot of jeopardy, which the programme did its breathless best to inject. Would Heaven get the ladies on time to Sydney's Luna theme park which had been laid aside for their exclusive use as a dessert venue? Would she be able to meet their sudden demand for a fire-dancer and seven belly-dancing skirts? (For the record, the answers were 'yes' and 'yes'.) So what precisely is the point of Billion Dollar Playground? As ever, Heaven came to the rescue by supplying the answer. For all the contrived plotting, the programme's main job is clearly to have the same effect on us as her job has on Heaven. 'I love being able to live vicariously through the guests!' she declared, representing the audience once again. The Trouble with Mr Doodle was a curious tale, efficiently, if somewhat incuriously, told. As a boy, Sam Cox would spend 15 hours a day drawing. As a young man, he adopted the persona of Mr Doodle for Instagram videos of himself in increasingly spectacular doodling action. He also created an entire mythology of Mr Doodle's struggle to create 'Doodleworld' on earth. His admittedly pretty nifty scribbles were then spotted by a Hong Kong art dealer and his large-scale works began selling for up to a million dollars. The money allowed him to realise his life-long dream of buying a mansion and having it stripped out and painted white so that he could cover every square inch inside and out with, as you might imagine, doodles. Understandably, this already seemed to his parents and unexpected girlfriend Alena (all of whom appeared here, along with the man himself) a touch monomaniacal. But it turned into full-blown psychosis in 2022 when Sam Cox disappeared and a hallucinating Mr D. took over completely. Sectioned under the Mental Health Act, he was put in a cell where, deprived of drawing equipment, he doodled on the walls with tomato soup. At this stage, a happy ending didn't seem likely. Yet that's what the programme now brought us. Having slowly got better, Sam toyed with killing off Mr Doodle but, realising he couldn't live without him, returned to finish decorating the house and to marry the preternaturally patient Alena. After explaining his 'psychotic episode' online, he also received much restorative sympathy from his Instagram followers. Of course, you could see why the programme chose to take everybody's word that Sam/Mr Doodle is fully recovered, if only out of good manners. Nonetheless, the decision to do so meant that several questions were left unanswered – and indeed unasked. Doesn't Alena find their (let's just say) odd-looking home a little oppressive? Has Sam Cox genuinely made his peace with Mr Doodle – and, if so, how? Above all, are the programme-makers really so sure that everything's now fine?
The Herald Scotland
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Billion Dollar Playground: Will you be coming out to play?
*** KNOW your Louis Vuitton from your Bric's ? Adore a temperamental chef? Enjoy watching rich people behaving badly? Then you, my friend, are likely a veteran of the reality show Below Deck, and therefore the target audience of new arrival Billion Dollar Playground. Lucky you. Below Deck, with Kenny Rogers-lookalike Captain Lee and no-nonsense chief stew Kate, was set on a luxury charter yacht. Every week it cast off with a new batch of guests, but the crew stayed the same. Wildly differing personalities thrown together by circumstance, they bickered, bonded, got bladdered, and occasionally did something else beginning with 'b'. Think Upstairs Downstairs in deck shoes. One of the earliest streaming hits, you can still watch Below Deck for free on Channel 4. Billion Dollar Playground, set in an Australian luxury lets business, updates the idea. 'Our guests are the world's elite,' said Tom, one of the owners. The first let was an apartment in Rose Bay, Sydney Harbour, where a crack team was waiting to serve. In true Apprentice style they introduced/hanged themselves. 'I've had to be a best friend, the servant, and a downright slave,' said lead concierge Salvatore, not at all dramatically. His deputy, named Heaven, said her superpower was making guests' dreams come true. Hard as the team were working to get the place spotless, there was a distinct whiff of something in the air and it wasn't bleach. The clients, a group of business women, arrived and immediately began demanding their money's worth. The team were delighted to oblige in the spare moments between gossip sessions, with the Salvatore and Heaven clash top of the bill. 'I think Salvatore has had a go at Heaven,' said trainee concierge Nicole. 'Why?' said Elsie the chambermaid. 'I don't know why.' said Nicole. Elsie tried again. 'What for?' 'I don't know what for,' said Nicole. If you can stand an hour of this verbal jousting you'll feel right at home in the Billion Dollar Playground club. In the kitchen were George and Matt, brothers and chefs. They were already looking frazzled one episode in, having been asked to whip up extra canapes before dinner. I wouldn't fancy their chances in a below-deck kitchen. Trying to play it cool was JB, the French butler. Australian standards of hospitality were a 'little more laid back', he said. JB lost his cool in the Mystery of the Missing Dom, a fraught little episode involving a guest asking for the Champagne she had brought. It was in the boot of the car, but running around like headless chickens meant no one on the staff clocked it. A quick trip to the shops to buy replacements and the panic was over. More crises followed as a matter of course. Dog-gate, Bowl-gate, Missing Dessert Spoons-Gate, Salvatore and Heaven hissing at each other, living in the lap of luxury was hardly stress-free. No prices were given in the first episode so who knows how much it all cost, apart from your precious time. Another glass of Dom, anyone?
Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Furious Lana Del Rey fans have same complaint after singer brings tour to UK
Lana Del Rey is in the UK playing shows for her highly-anticipated tour. However, as the tour kicked off last night in Cardiff, many fans shared their disappointment Fans were bursting with excitement as singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey - who rarely performs in the UK - kicked off her UK and Ireland tour last night. The Born to Die singer, who headlined at Coachella last year, is performing in Glasgow tomorrow, Liverpool on Saturday, at Wembley Stadium in London on July 3 and 4, with tickets still available. She will also be performing in Dublin on June 30. Band London Grammar and singer Banks are supporting her on much of the tour. Plus, TikTok star turned recording artist, Addison Rae, will join her for the London shows. However, many were left confused by her performance at Cardiff's Principality Stadium last night (Tuesday, June 24). Following the highly-anticipated performance, they rushed to social media to share their thoughts. Many complained about the songs and length of her set list, while others noted her lateness, and some were unimpressed by the staging and "hologram performance". 'Very disappointing' One individual shared clips from the concert and asked: "Anyone else left the Lana Del Rey concert in Cardiff high key underwhelmed? The ticket cost way too much for how short her setlist was." Sharing their experience, one commented on the post and said: "Very disappointed indeed. £290 for two tickets to have her on for an hour ish... and 15 mins of that it was a hologram type video of her! Shocking." One other wrote: "100%. My fist time seeing her and it was meant to be the pinnacle of concerts for me and my partner. I felt underwhelmed and a bit dissatisfied. She is a ledge though so still think she's amazing." Another shared: "I saw her in a O2 academy in 2013 and it was one of the best concerts I've been to. Last night was so disappointing and 100% agree with you." Another viral video showed her performing and the concert goer said: "Lana Del Rey kicked her UK&Ireland Stadium Tour. Unfortunately she was not ready for a stadium tour and it became a disappointing concert.." 'No attention to detail' In another video, one individual said: "Lana came on at 8.53pm till 10.16pm. Snogged her husband. Sang Salvatore but read the lyrics from an iPhone!". Commenting on this post, one individual sarcastically wrote: "Our favourite part was when she performed three songs as a hologram in the window…" One other shared: "We paid nearly £500 for 2 tickets on the side 12 rows from front. Unfortunately the staging is not built for visibility, it's a box where you can only really see directly from the front and half the show she is way back in this box." They also noted: "The staging although atmospheric was just not visible. When you pay that much you expect to see. Also 3 songs not live just like watching a TV. The easing platform was a highlight but again saw all the mechanisms, no attention to detail." 'It was absolutely beautiful' However, there were many who enjoyed the show. One gushed: "I went, thought it was wonderful." Another supporter who had a great time added: "I don't know what you all saw but it was amazing. She was supposed to finish at 10 but kept the show going later because she was late on stage. "Her vocals were amazing and you all saying she wasn't good or it was disappointing are just sad she didn't sing Summertime Sadness 10 times." One other insisted the show was a "cinematic masterpiece". They added: "It is so rare for concerts to have a story for the show. The stage set was absolutely beautiful. She did perform most of her hits as well as some fan favourites." Another fan said: "I thought the stage was absolutely stunning I loved the house, lighting and use of green screen. I feel like not everyone understands what to expect at a Lana show. I found it super emotional and beautiful." And another agreed: "I also went last night and it was a dream come true for me, I don't know why everyone's being a negative Nancy."
Wales Online
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Five standout moments that Lana Del Ray fans didn't see coming in Cardiff
Five standout moments that Lana Del Ray fans didn't see coming in Cardiff There were a few twists which no one seemed to have predicted Lana Del Rey performs live on stage at Principality Stadium (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) Lana Del Ray kicked off her UK and Ireland 2025 tour in style on Monday, June 23, leaving fans in awe and occasionally slightly bewildered by the Summertime Sadness singer's performance. The 40-year-old American singer famous for her whimsical pop music shared several memorable moments with fans which no one seemed to be expecting. She left her Welsh audience hanging on to her every word on Monday night - with lots of people sharing afterwards that her concert was one of the most beautiful gigs they had been to. Read our full review here These are some of the standout bits which no one saw coming. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Arriving late Ok, so this one we could have predicted. Lana has been known to arrive fashionably late to a few gigs before, and she also came on stage a bit later than expected in Cardiff. Initially scheduled to appear at 8.30pm, she came out at 8.53pm, although no one seemed to mind, with the crowd fully ready and enthusiastic when she did appear. Getting emotional She reassured her Cardiff: 'They're good tears' (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) While singing her first song Stars fell on Alabama, the singer took a few seconds to take everything in a few times, stopping to look around and looking visibly moved. She reassured fans at one point: 'It's good. It's just a long way to come.' She also added later: 'They're good tears.' Content cannot be displayed without consent Going off stage to kiss her husband Content cannot be displayed without consent At the end of the song, she was also seen walking backstage briefly to kiss her husband, with a shot of the loved up pair coming up on the big screens until she reappeared. This point of the show has been shared all around social media, with one fan noting: 'Last time she cried on stage she had nobody to run to.' Singing a capella and taking an audience request Content cannot be displayed without consent Lana also paused towards the end of the gig, noting that she wanted to do something unplanned, before walking down towards the audience. After speaking with a fan, she said that she wanted to do an acapella version of Salvatore. The person she spoke to quickly took to TikTok afterwards to share an insight with other fans. The user @ricardogroupie, who is known online for following Lana closely said: 'Ok you guys, everyone's asking me what did I tell Lana. 'So basically she came to me and asked me what song should she do next? And I told her that you guys always ask me to tell her to sing something from Honeymoon. 'So I suggested Honeymoon and Salvatore, and she went for Salvatore so you're welcome but I really didn't do anything. I just told her what you guys wanted to hear so there you have it.' Reading her own lyrics Some people have also shared their surprise that she read the lyrics of Salvatore from a phone. One person reacted on TikTok after, saying: 'The fact that she had to read her lyrics to one of her best songs. She's so real for that.' Singing Country Roads The American singer said it had been 'beautiful being here' while she performed in Cardiff (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) Right at the end of the concert, Lana also treated fans to a cover of Country Roads. She said, before announcing the song: 'It's been so beautiful being here, being in town and I know we have the London shows but thank you so much. 'How many people are actually from Cardiff, from the area?' After a large cheer from fans, she added: 'Wow. We're gonna end this time with a little bit of country flair and we're gonna sing Country Roads.' Future dates After a memorable start to her UK tour in Cardiff, Lana Del Rey is set to take the stage in several more cities across the country. Here's where you can catch her next: Article continues below
Metro
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Lana Del Rey turns up late for 'abysmal' 90 minute gig leaving fans fuming
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Lana Del Rey has finally opened her UK tour but fans were less than impressed by her late start, short set, and 'abysmal' song selection. The Video Games hitmaker, 40, has been busy away from music, living her best life in Louisiana with alligator wrangler Jeremy Dufrene, 49. Fans were thrilled when she announced a new album — originally due out in May but still to be released — as well as her mammoth tour, for which they rushed to buy tickets. Unfortunately, after Cardiff's opening night show, many are feeling buyer's remorse after forking out between £78.40 and £420 for the 90-minute gig. In true Lana fashion, she left the crowd waiting and ended up walking on stage around 20 minutes after her start time, as reported by What's On Cardiff. With the Principality Stadium's hard curfew at 10.30pm, Lana's gig had space for 15 live songs — two of which were covers to the frustration of fans. 'Lana Del Rey played just over an hour set, hid behind a wall for 20 mins, sang the same setlist as the last 3 years, overpriced tickets and is playing covers,' vented endIessways on X. 'Lana babe, i love you but sort it out.' DuchessGZB added: 'I saw Lana Del Rey~ she was late for her show. Paid £300 for like 1hr30 show whilst I saw Beyoncé paid less and performed for nearly 3 hours. 'I love Lana, I do but her lack of sense of urgency is so disappointing. Like I'm honestly heartbroken. Pls have better management.' 'Lana Del Rey's Cardiff show wasn't even 90 minutes and she was late? Abysmal,' said HausOfDylan95. Miguelswift10 shared: 'Look don't get me wrong, I love lana and I've been fan for many years but yesterday's show was underwhelming in every aspect. I know she's pretty lazy but I thought at least she would take a stadium tour (a pretty expensive one btw) seriously… but I was wrong 🫣.' On TikTok fans continued to share their experience, with user balazsbalog saying they 'don't want to be negative' but were left 'disappointed'. They blasted the 'terrible' setlist, Lana spending too much time off stage, her being 'so late', and her use of recorded vocals for some of her biggest songs. Instead of a live rendition of Norman F***ing Rockwell and Arcadia, Lana was projected onto the stage with shortened studio-recorded versions playing. Stars Fell on Alabama Henry, come on Stand by Your Man (cover) Chemtrails Over the Country Club Ultraviolence Ride Video Games Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard? Quiet in the South Young and Beautiful Summertime Sadness Born to Die 57.5 Salvatore (acapella, fan requested) Take Me Home, Country Roads (cover) Christopher Philipsz shared: 'Lana came on at 8.53pm till 10.16pm Snogged her husband Sang Salvatore but read the lyrics from an iPhone!' Salvatore, a track from her 2015 album, was an audience-requested song which was sung acapella and again shortened. One saving grace of the performance was that Lana's vocals were strong, with many praising her for being 'iconic'. 'I want to cry every time I hear her 💔 I love HER,' wrote f3lix_thun on TikTok while NandoBPOnce commented: 'She's amazing 🦋.' Others felt that lateness and a low energy performance is what fans should expect from Lana, it's part of her aesthetic. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'Fork found in kitchen unfortunately,' joked lqverbyers as Lana has long said she's often late — including for her own album release. 'You know it's not gonna come on time, right?;' she said in an Instagram Reel in April. 'Should I even tell you that the name changed again? Maybe I'll wait.' Infamously, Lana was late to her Glastonbury 2023 appearance, which was one of a handful of UK shows she has done since her last tour in 2013. More Trending The Summertime Sadness singer was 30 minutes late to her hotly-anticipated slot at the Worthy Farm festival. Organisers ended up cutting off her sound as the Other Stage gig devolved into chaos, with Lana continuing to soldier on with her planned set. At the time, she said it was because her 'hair takes so long to do' and she's not been back to the farm since. Metro has reached out to Live Nation and Lana's reps for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Callum Turner in awe of fiancée Dua Lipa during 'dream' Wembley shows MORE: Coldplay perform hit song for first time in 9 years MORE: Kylie Minogue fans rush to support singer after she postpones tour due to illness
