Ben Van der Velde
@vanderlaugh.bsky.social
Half-man, Half-beast, Half-Mop. Terrible at fractions.
Have a gander here: www.benvandervelde.com
Photo (c) Andy Hollingworth Archive
Have a gander here: www.benvandervelde.com
Photo (c) Andy Hollingworth Archive
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
oomf who is a librarian had to take down the David Walliams poster at work today and said it felt like pulling down the big Saddam Hussein statue in Baghdad in 2003
December 20, 2025 at 8:04 PM
oomf who is a librarian had to take down the David Walliams poster at work today and said it felt like pulling down the big Saddam Hussein statue in Baghdad in 2003
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
frodo: "gandalf.. could we not have tom bombadil carry the ring?"
gandalf, wincing slightly, sighing pissedly, rubbing the bridge of his nose: "tom is.. extremely high"
gandalf, wincing slightly, sighing pissedly, rubbing the bridge of his nose: "tom is.. extremely high"
December 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
frodo: "gandalf.. could we not have tom bombadil carry the ring?"
gandalf, wincing slightly, sighing pissedly, rubbing the bridge of his nose: "tom is.. extremely high"
gandalf, wincing slightly, sighing pissedly, rubbing the bridge of his nose: "tom is.. extremely high"
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
actually i prefer savory caroline
December 17, 2025 at 9:44 PM
actually i prefer savory caroline
Surely this is fine ammunition against the Tories and Reform. The BBC has such heritage and support in this country, coming for it is a mad mistake.
I trust @zackpolanski.bsky.social to know this, but surely @teamlabouruk.bsky.social aren't so daft as to miss this open goal. Are they?
I trust @zackpolanski.bsky.social to know this, but surely @teamlabouruk.bsky.social aren't so daft as to miss this open goal. Are they?
Urging Trump to destroy the BBC is unforgivable. Truss, Badenoch & Farage would rather betray this country than offer the BBC or the British government their support against a narcissistic foreign liar and a threat to democracy. It’s an appalling betrayal.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/trump-...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/trump-...
Trump Lawyers Use, Er, Liz Truss Quotes To Support His $10bn Defamation Claim Against BBC
Kemi Badenoch was also mentioned in the anti-BBC dossier.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Surely this is fine ammunition against the Tories and Reform. The BBC has such heritage and support in this country, coming for it is a mad mistake.
I trust @zackpolanski.bsky.social to know this, but surely @teamlabouruk.bsky.social aren't so daft as to miss this open goal. Are they?
I trust @zackpolanski.bsky.social to know this, but surely @teamlabouruk.bsky.social aren't so daft as to miss this open goal. Are they?
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
If handing someone their arse, was a video clip
December 12, 2025 at 8:12 AM
If handing someone their arse, was a video clip
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
This is a litmus test of British people's patriotism. Do you back your national broadcaster? Or do you back this guy?
President Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC after he accused the corporation of putting “terrible words in my mouth having to do with January 6”
Trump presses ahead with suing BBC over ‘fake news’
The broadcaster has apologised for a misleading edit of the president’s speech before the Capitol riot, which Trump said put ‘terrible words in my mouth’
www.thetimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:17 AM
This is a litmus test of British people's patriotism. Do you back your national broadcaster? Or do you back this guy?
After Robin Williams died it was so unbearably sad, because from then on whenever I watched any of his brilliant performances I'd think "but I know how you die and it's heartbreaking."
And now it's the same for Rob Reiner. A big, cosmically baffling tragic void.
And now it's the same for Rob Reiner. A big, cosmically baffling tragic void.
December 16, 2025 at 12:22 AM
After Robin Williams died it was so unbearably sad, because from then on whenever I watched any of his brilliant performances I'd think "but I know how you die and it's heartbreaking."
And now it's the same for Rob Reiner. A big, cosmically baffling tragic void.
And now it's the same for Rob Reiner. A big, cosmically baffling tragic void.
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
Nobody in The Moral Maze gets eaten by the Moral Minotaur, which is a fundamental flaw in the programme.
December 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Nobody in The Moral Maze gets eaten by the Moral Minotaur, which is a fundamental flaw in the programme.
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
When I interviewed Spinal Tap and Marty DiBergi this summer, none of them broke character, for the whole hour. Except Rob Reiner, once, losing it when Michael McKean's David St Hubbins talked about minimalism. I didn't use this in the feature and hadn't published any audio, but this is joyful.
December 15, 2025 at 10:24 AM
When I interviewed Spinal Tap and Marty DiBergi this summer, none of them broke character, for the whole hour. Except Rob Reiner, once, losing it when Michael McKean's David St Hubbins talked about minimalism. I didn't use this in the feature and hadn't published any audio, but this is joyful.
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
Rob Reiner was an acclaimed actor & director but he was also a vocal critic of Trump
He warned the American public that they only had a year to save their democracy
That year is almost up
Honour his legacy by fighting fascism. Fight for democracy. Fight for what’s right. Fight against tyranny.
He warned the American public that they only had a year to save their democracy
That year is almost up
Honour his legacy by fighting fascism. Fight for democracy. Fight for what’s right. Fight against tyranny.
December 15, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Rob Reiner was an acclaimed actor & director but he was also a vocal critic of Trump
He warned the American public that they only had a year to save their democracy
That year is almost up
Honour his legacy by fighting fascism. Fight for democracy. Fight for what’s right. Fight against tyranny.
He warned the American public that they only had a year to save their democracy
That year is almost up
Honour his legacy by fighting fascism. Fight for democracy. Fight for what’s right. Fight against tyranny.
Today I'm finding it really very hard to refute the idea that life is just a maelstrom of meaningless chaos lorded over by ruthless, cold bastards who value power and cruelty above all else.
December 15, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Today I'm finding it really very hard to refute the idea that life is just a maelstrom of meaningless chaos lorded over by ruthless, cold bastards who value power and cruelty above all else.
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
Stop equating muslims with terrorism. Stop equating Jews with the crimes of Israel. Stop equating trans people or black people or travellers or gay people with goodness knows what fucking else. Just fucking stop. Just fucking stop.
December 15, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Stop equating muslims with terrorism. Stop equating Jews with the crimes of Israel. Stop equating trans people or black people or travellers or gay people with goodness knows what fucking else. Just fucking stop. Just fucking stop.
Another RR thread. The world couldn't contain a heart this big.
When Rob Reiner was on his all-time epic run at the start of his career, he had an opportunity to read a script that was looking for a production partner, and he lost his mind for it. He decided Castle Rock had to have it, no matter what.
December 15, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Another RR thread. The world couldn't contain a heart this big.
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
I genuinely affirmatively think that it is now a democratic imperative to spend as much time as you can offline. Read more offline. Socialise more offline. Discuss media you consume with other people offline. Out there is a real world full of people looking for real human connection - seize it
Reading a bunch of books this year has really solidified for me how awful the internet is in comparison nowadays. Obviously in terms of general hostility but more generally in terms of lack of depth, insight, reading comprehension, base of knowledge, etc
December 15, 2025 at 7:51 AM
I genuinely affirmatively think that it is now a democratic imperative to spend as much time as you can offline. Read more offline. Socialise more offline. Discuss media you consume with other people offline. Out there is a real world full of people looking for real human connection - seize it
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
Rob Reiner was a good guy. He made a lot of movies about good guys, in worlds where not everyone was good and you didn’t have to be good. He made movies about people trying. He was angry, as many hopeful people are. He knew the world could be better and he wanted it to be. His death is devastating.
December 15, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Rob Reiner was a good guy. He made a lot of movies about good guys, in worlds where not everyone was good and you didn’t have to be good. He made movies about people trying. He was angry, as many hopeful people are. He knew the world could be better and he wanted it to be. His death is devastating.
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
Wallace Shawn felt insecure in his role as Vizzini in the Princess Bride. Rob Reiner would constantly reassure him.
What a perfect and generous director's note this is:
“I don’t really have a Sicilian accent.”
“That’s okay, Wally. This Sicilian talks just like you. He talks exactly like you.”
What a perfect and generous director's note this is:
“I don’t really have a Sicilian accent.”
“That’s okay, Wally. This Sicilian talks just like you. He talks exactly like you.”
December 15, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Wallace Shawn felt insecure in his role as Vizzini in the Princess Bride. Rob Reiner would constantly reassure him.
What a perfect and generous director's note this is:
“I don’t really have a Sicilian accent.”
“That’s okay, Wally. This Sicilian talks just like you. He talks exactly like you.”
What a perfect and generous director's note this is:
“I don’t really have a Sicilian accent.”
“That’s okay, Wally. This Sicilian talks just like you. He talks exactly like you.”
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
In memory of Rob Reiner, please enjoy my favourite Wikipedia entry of all time, which is Former Members of Spinal Tap. Any time I need a laugh, I pull it up.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_...
Spinal Tap (band) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
December 15, 2025 at 7:33 AM
In memory of Rob Reiner, please enjoy my favourite Wikipedia entry of all time, which is Former Members of Spinal Tap. Any time I need a laugh, I pull it up.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_...
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
In honour of Rob Reiner, have David Moore's thread on the best sword fight in movie history and exactly how nerdy it is.
As you may know, I have stopped using Twitter, and have decided to reproduce some of my more memorable threads here for posterity. Here’s one I hold wrote after a particularly engaging swordfighting lesson.
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
a man reading a book to a young boy
Alt: a man reading a book to a young boy
media.tenor.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:46 AM
In honour of Rob Reiner, have David Moore's thread on the best sword fight in movie history and exactly how nerdy it is.
Like all of you, I'm utterly heartbroken by the news of the death of Rob and Michele Reiner. We're all gonna die, but a bringer of such joy striking out like this is unfathomable.
Yesterday made me numb. Today made me deeply, painfully sad. There aren't enough candles to light.
Yesterday made me numb. Today made me deeply, painfully sad. There aren't enough candles to light.
December 15, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Like all of you, I'm utterly heartbroken by the news of the death of Rob and Michele Reiner. We're all gonna die, but a bringer of such joy striking out like this is unfathomable.
Yesterday made me numb. Today made me deeply, painfully sad. There aren't enough candles to light.
Yesterday made me numb. Today made me deeply, painfully sad. There aren't enough candles to light.
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
December 15, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
Hero. ❤️
'43-year-old father of two, Ahmed el Ahmed, wrestled a rifle off one of the Bondi Beach gunmen. Ahmed is from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire and owns a fruit business. He has no known experience with guns and was visiting Bondi when he saw the shooting unfolding.
archive.today/2025.12.14-1...
'43-year-old father of two, Ahmed el Ahmed, wrestled a rifle off one of the Bondi Beach gunmen. Ahmed is from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire and owns a fruit business. He has no known experience with guns and was visiting Bondi when he saw the shooting unfolding.
archive.today/2025.12.14-1...
December 14, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Hero. ❤️
'43-year-old father of two, Ahmed el Ahmed, wrestled a rifle off one of the Bondi Beach gunmen. Ahmed is from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire and owns a fruit business. He has no known experience with guns and was visiting Bondi when he saw the shooting unfolding.
archive.today/2025.12.14-1...
'43-year-old father of two, Ahmed el Ahmed, wrestled a rifle off one of the Bondi Beach gunmen. Ahmed is from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire and owns a fruit business. He has no known experience with guns and was visiting Bondi when he saw the shooting unfolding.
archive.today/2025.12.14-1...
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
Can't wait for Robin Ince to get as many column inches in the national press over his actual establishment silencing due to his stance on lgbt+ rights as phobes get over their former friends not wanting to hang out so much any more
December 13, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Can't wait for Robin Ince to get as many column inches in the national press over his actual establishment silencing due to his stance on lgbt+ rights as phobes get over their former friends not wanting to hang out so much any more
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
On the money as always @bjennings90.bsky.social 🇺🇸
December 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
On the money as always @bjennings90.bsky.social 🇺🇸
Reposted by Ben Van der Velde
The fact is no presenter has ever had to leave the BBC for expressing conservative views, or even explicitly endorsing a right-wing party.
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Robin Ince reveals to last night’s audience at a recording of Infinite Monkey Cage that the BBC has forced him to resign over his support of trans people
December 13, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The fact is no presenter has ever had to leave the BBC for expressing conservative views, or even explicitly endorsing a right-wing party.
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar