Hero
Colin Farrell, who has come a long way since his dissolute younger days. The 46-year-old Irishman won a best actor gong at the Golden Globes for his turn in The Banshees of Inisherin, and Oscars glory might be next. He used to be much better known for shagging and drug-taking, once declaring that his weekly intake was “20 Es, four grams of coke, six of speed, half an ounce of hash, three bottles of Jack Daniel’s, 12 bottles of red wine, 60 pints, and 40 fags a day”.
Villain
Siri, which managed to launch a police raid on an Australian gym. The digital assistant activated itself on boxing trainer Jamie Alleyne’s Apple Watch when he was sparring with a client. When he said “1, 1-2, nice shot”, it dialled 112, Australia’s emergency line, where call handlers picked up the word “shot” and dispatched 15 police officers and several ambulances to his location.
Hero
Kevin Spacey, at least in the eyes of the Italian film industry. On Monday, the actor was awarded a lifetime achievement award by the National Museum of Cinema in Turin – never mind the small matter of the 30-plus people who have accused him of sexual misconduct. In his thank you speech, Spacey paid tribute to “le palle” – the balls – of the organisers, and derided his “mobocratic” detractors.
Hero
Honeysuckle Weeks, an actress in Foyle’s War who tried to wriggle out of a drink-driving charge by claiming she had “feared being coerced into a threesome” by a friend. It’s such a versatile excuse, says Giles Coren in The Times. “Did you put the bins out, darling?” “No, I feared being coerced into a threesome.” “Can you nip up Tesco and grab some cat food?” “No, I fear being coerced into a threesome.” “Any chance of a cup of tea?” “No, I fear being…”
Villain
Canada, which is sending rather mixed messages about intoxicants. The government’s new alcohol guidelines recommend no more than two drinks per week, down from 10 for women and 15 for men. Coincidently, in a few weeks’ time parts of the country will decriminalise heroin and crack cocaine.