When things could only get better

Fans of the 1990s aren’t nostalgic reactionaries. They celebrate an era of optimism, peace, prosperity and great popular culture, says Jacob Phillips

WHEN I HEARD RISHI SUNAK WAS ABOUT to call the election, I went online and saw the tragic spectacle unfold in real time. I watched as the heavens opened, and then struggled to hear the Prime Minister’s voice as Steve Bray’s loudspeaker started pumping out “Things Can Only Get Better”. Later, some schoolfriends of exactly my vintage (I turned 18 in May 1997) shared their approval of Bray’s idiocy. Apparently oblivious of the Partridge-esque nature of their exclamations, one wrote “Genius!”, and another, “Back of the net!” I tried not to alienate any more schoolfriends than I already have by commenting, “Jurassic Park!”, or “Smell my cheese”. I was struck by just how abysmally different that moment was from May 1997, the time it was meant to conjure up. Even…

You're reading a preview of

The Critic (Digital) - 1 Issue, July 2024

DiscountMags is a licensed distributor (not a publisher) of the above content and Publication through Zinio LLC. Accordingly, we have no editorial control over the Publications. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including those made in Publications offered on our website, are those of the respective author(s) or publisher(s) and not of DiscountMags. DiscountMags does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or usefulness of all or any portion of any publication or any services or offers made by third parties, nor will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in any Publication, or your use of services offered, or your acceptance of any offers made through the Service or the Publications. For content removal requests, please contact Zinio.