To wonder why Sheridan Smith has been given a doodah in the NY honours?

[ArsenicStew]

She's okay and nice and everything but she's only 33 and at least eight years of her career are accounted for by that awful crisps/lager programme.

Live and let live. I know people don't like James Corden (mainly because he self-confessedly went off the rails and agreed like a massive twat when fame and money went to his head) but he is an excellent writer who has bought pleasure to millions (Gabon and Stacey), does a lot for charity and was excellent in one man two guvnors. I think he's alright.

But then I like Sheridan Smith too (although if I saw that poxy Cilla ad "I've blown it all haven't I?" one more time, I was going to chuck the TV out of the window). Good on them I say.

Agree Olivia Colman was fab I. The 7.39 too- but perhaps no one nominated her. I believe you have to be nominated to be granted an honour so the initial step may be less what you know and more who you know ( hence the confusion over Tory donors etc.)

*Gavin dammit

Olivia Colman would have been a more obvious choice, but I think she's a bit of a leftie

I've no issue with Sheridan Smith being on the list but James corden WTF? A smug smuggerton will now become smugger.

SS hasn't just done stage musicals (though she was fabulous in Legally Blonde)

She's done Shakespeare, Rattigan (she was supposedly superb inFlare Path& Ibsens Hedda Gabler that I know of

& she was lovely to a then 9 year old dd at the Legally Blonde CD signing!!

I think Sheridan and James Corden got their gongs for charity work, that is what The Times said yesterday.

It would be interesting to see the list of those who declined NY honours this year.

Both I think have done better things than they are known for iyswim. James Corden got a Tony award which according to dh is prestigious. He's taking over a US chat show too isn't he?

If you look at the official list, it says they both got them for 'services to drama'.

I like Sheridan Smith, I think she's a very good actress but I agree with you, OP.

The whole 'honours' thing has been devalued. They're not really worth anything as any kind of measure of achievement as you don't seem to have to do that much to get one. People should be good at their jobs, should be experienced in their field... that's hardly extraordinary.

Being honoured by the Queen used to hold a prestige that I just don't think holds true now and it's a shame.

I would rather it went to these people (smith and cordon) than the local bobby that only enforced the underage drinking laws (or any laws) after his daughter was 18 and the local Councillor that has cheated on his wife and groomed girls to have sex with after they were of legal age.

But I admit to being somewhat Biased :)

I'd agree with you there, Boney but that makes me wonder if there are a certain number that MUST be given each year, so when they can't find suitable candidates, they just fling them out any old how.

There is a drive to be more 'relevant' and inclusive it seems, including finding more BAME recipients. (Have just seen a news report.)

Which might explain SS/JC too.

That's all fine, as long as selction is still careful. When mandarin types rush in over-enthusiastically it all gets a bit cringeworthy and reminiscent of No 10 trying to hijack cool britannia.

I saw her in a play at the Bush Theatre about five or six years ago and she was good in that.

The honour I cannot fathom is Dame Joan Collins, even though it is for charity work.

that awful crisps/lager programme.

What do you mean? 'Two Pints of Lager........' was great!

She's a good actress. James corden is super talented.

Again so bloody what!

They are well paid for doing a good job.

Honours should be given to unsung charity workers or foster carers, volunteers etc.

Celebrities bloody well ought to do charity work. It's good publicity for them and good for the charity. No honour in it really is there.