Irish Times Off Topic

It's the sixth week of Off Topic. This week the team discuss the effectiveness of cultural boycotts with Elaine Bradley who is a founding member of Academics for Palestine - a group of Irish academics promoting boycott of Israell. Hugh Linehan interviews Sarah Webb about the changing world of children's literature, Fionn Davenport analyses the implications of the Marvin Gaye judgement and Laurence celebrates his love of Ryan Reynolds. Off Topic is a weekly culture and ideas podcast. It is researched by Declan Conlon and produced by Sinead O'Shea

This week Fionn and Hugh discuss the history of restaurants with Mairtin Mac Con Iomaire and Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon with Maria Pramaggiore.

In this week's show Fionn, Hugh and Laurence discuss Annie Atkin's work with her on the The Grand Budapest Hotel. Fionn hears about the growth of emoji with Adam Sternbergh. They also discuss the Spacebomb music collective, the Monument Valley app from The House of Cards and the creative use of stock photos to promote films.

This week Fionn Davenport, Hugh Linehan and Laurence Mackin assess the legacy of Laurel and Hardy with UCD lecturer Barry Brophy, music streaming with Boiler Room editor Joe Muggs, the return of House of Cards and the performance of Andrew Scott in Sea Wall.

Are there too many awards going? Has the next Wire been found? Plus ideology and fantasy in the contemporary war movie. With Fionn Davenport, Hugh Linehan, Laurence Mackin and Ruth Barton.

It's the first week of Off Topic. Fionn Davenport and Hugh Linehan discuss love, pubs and inspiring culture with guests Stephanie Coontz, Conor Goodman and Ciara Kenny.