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Friends Reunited 'now provokes the same nostalgia we reserve for Opal Fruits or Saturday afternoon wrestling on ITV'

Cyber Culture: What happens to the long-lost social networks?

An email slipped into millions of inboxes last week carrying the news that Google Wave, an ambitiously complex social network whose intricacies baffled most of those who tried it, was finally going to be put out of its misery on 30 April, less than three years after its birth. At about the same time a voice boomed from beyond the grave. It belonged to Friends Reunited, a pioneering social network that now provokes the same nostalgia we reserve for Opal Fruits or Saturday afternoon wrestling on ITV. The plan for the old-schoolmates hangout is to lure us back by positioning the site as a memory stash; a place where we can wallow in nostalgia, upload old photos and browse through archive shots from the Press Association. Here were two different answers to the same question: what do you do with a social network when we no longer care about it? Kill it? Or try to claw us back? It's a question that dozens of services are facing.

DVD: Friends with Benefits (15)

Mila Kunis stars in this ghastly and tiresomely foul-mouthed rom-com. She plays Jamie, a New York head-hunter who is dumped for having "big eyes" by a jerk in the opening scene.

DVD: Bad Teacher (12)

Cameron Diaz's flagging career is slightly recharged in this predictable but energetically crass comedy. She's convincing as a venal, lazy, drunken teacher who is aggressively trying to snag herself a rich man.

Justin Timberlake is 'frugal'

The 30-year-old star admits he does not like to be careless with his cash and rarely shops, and doesn't think money can buy happiness.

How music video thrilled in ways that radio never could

As MTV celebrates its 30th birthday, Hardeep Phull looks back on the scandals and successes of a pioneer in pop television

Justin Timberlake's bodyguard arrested

Justin Timberlake's bodyguard has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a member of the paparazzi.

Jesse Eisenberg acts to help relieve anxiety

The Oscar-nominated actor - who is currently starring in crime drama 'Holy Rollers' about a Jewish boy who becomes an ecstasy dealer - finds his career in Hollywood is helpful to him because it allows him to have a "catharsis" every day.

Justin Timberlake buys stake in MySpace

Justin Timberlake has bought a controlling stake in MySpace.

Cameron Diaz didn't mind Justin Timberlake sex scene

Cameron Diaz would have found her 'Bad Teacher' sex scene awkward if it was with anyone other than Justin Timberlake.

Culture Club: Game of Thrones, Sky Atlantic, Monday

Readers review this week's big TV series

Diary: Unjustified fashion faux pas

He's recorded two wonderful solo albums, acted in an Oscar-winning movie, dated some of the world's most beautiful women and even founded his own clothing line, William Rast. Yes, Justin Timberlake is certainly one of my personal style icons. But even the best of us have fashion regrets, as he confessed ahead of the release of his new film, Friends with Benefits. "God, I feel I've gone to therapy just to erase some of them," Timberlake told Playboy.

Video: Vanity Fair dumps Timberlake cover for Duke and Duchess

Justin Timberlake has been dumped from the cover of Vanity Fair and replaced by William and Kate.

Lady Gaga makes threesome confession

Lady Gaga once had a threesome.

Take Me Home Tonight (15)

Starring: Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Teresa Palmer
Career Services

Day In a Page

Grotty no more: How Lanzarote upgraded its appeal

How Lanzarote upgraded its appeal

Lanzarote has been quietly changing its fly-and-flop holiday image, discovers Andrew Eames.
Traveller's Guide: Montenegro

Traveller's Guide: Montenegro

It's one of Europe's smallest countries, but it packs in spectacular landscapes and glittering beach resorts.
48 Hours In: Verona

48 Hours In: Verona

Summer opera returns to the Roman arena, says Charles Hebbert.
Ten things we’re looking out for at E3 2012

Ten things to look out for at E3 2012

From Wii U to The Last of Us we consider this year's show
Come dine (online) with me

Come dine (online) with me

Move over TV chefs, hello YouTube stars
Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

'Independent' poll finds less that half want him to take throne as ministers moan of interference
Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Andrew Buncombe reports from Kaharpara on a bloody war between rustlers and border guards
Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Media tycoon's company pays £1m to cancel his order for a £36m private jet after drop in profits
How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

The artist tells Clifford Coonan how he used Skype to escape confinement in Beijing
Nature, nurture... or neither? The new twist in an age-old argument

Nature, nurture... or neither?

The new twist in an age-old argument
Radio 4 to shed its cosy image with a 'sexy' Ulysses drama

Radio 4 to shed its cosy image with a 'sexy' Ulysses drama

New station controller wants to reflect the current period of 'turmoil and uncertainity'
Alcohol: I drink therefore I am

Alcohol: I drink therefore I am

New guidelines warn Britons to drastically reduce their boozing. But is a life without liquor worth living? Hell no, says John Walsh
The Cable News Nightmare: CNN (and Piers Morgan) in audience crisis

The Cable News Nightmare

CNN (and Piers Morgan) in audience crisis
Like a barbie, but better: The Big Green Egg can griddle, roast, and smoke food - and even make pizza

The Big Green Egg: Like a barbie, but better

It can griddle, roast, and smoke food - and even make pizza...
The 10 Best chopping boards

The 10 Best chopping boards

Whether you want to dice veg, chop meat, or just slice up a salad, there’s a surface here to suit every culinary need.