Ben Schwartz

@benschwartz_

Ben Schwartz is an Emmy-nominated writer whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The New Republic, The New York Times, and many other publications. His Bluesky address is @benschwartz.bluesky.social.

Israeli director Nadav Lapid at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.

The Curious Case of the Nadav Lapid Boycott Campaign The Curious Case of the Nadav Lapid Boycott Campaign

In seeking to punish artists for ties to Israeli organizations, are boycotters choosing the right targets?

Jun 15, 2026 / Ben Schwartz

What’s Behind the Corporate Pillaging of “60 Minutes”

What’s Behind the Corporate Pillaging of “60 Minutes” What’s Behind the Corporate Pillaging of “60 Minutes”

By firing veteran correspondent Scott Pelley, the leaders of CBS News have elevated toadying over truth-telling.

Jun 5, 2026 / Ben Schwartz

Stephen Colbert on the set of “The Late Show” on CBS on the last night of the show.

Why Losing Colbert Hurts So Much Why Losing Colbert Hurts So Much

Trump would have all his comedian critics fired if he could. But Colbert represents a particular loss.

May 22, 2026 / Ben Schwartz

Right-wing culture-war mascot Shane Gillis at the Netflix comedy roast for Kevin Hart.

How Netflix Cashes In on the Comedy Culture Wars How Netflix Cashes In on the Comedy Culture Wars

The streamer managed to make a celebrity roast for the innocuous comedian Kevin Hart into an ideological free-fire zone—another sign of the Trumpification of pop culture.

May 15, 2026 / Ben Schwartz

Barbara Kopple on January 23, 2026 in Park City, Utah.

Why Barbara Kopple’s Labor Films Remain As Urgent as Ever Why Barbara Kopple’s Labor Films Remain As Urgent as Ever

As her Oscar-winning labor documentaries return to theaters, Kopple reflects on union-busting, gig work, and her latest film on unions.

May 1, 2026 / Q&A / Ben Schwartz

Byron Allen speaks at an upfront presentation for his eponymous media company at a 2023 conference in New York.

Waging a Culture War by Promoting Comedic Mediocrity Waging a Culture War by Promoting Comedic Mediocrity

The Ellison family, poised to continue dominating the media landscape with its Warner deal, signs on an infomercial-grade comic to replace Stephen Colbert.

Apr 8, 2026 / Ben Schwartz

An Iranian bomb site rendered as a Wii target by the Trump White House.

The Trump White House’s Vision of War as Nihilist Entertainment The Trump White House’s Vision of War as Nihilist Entertainment

In a new X post building on an earlier Hollywood action-clip montage, the White House tries to render the horrors of war as a Wii game.

Mar 13, 2026 / Ben Schwartz

How Jane Fonda Is Rethinking the Hollywood Resistance

How Jane Fonda Is Rethinking the Hollywood Resistance How Jane Fonda Is Rethinking the Hollywood Resistance

The actress’s revived Committee for the First Amendment is taking aim at industry mergers as well as threats to the freedom of expression.

Mar 11, 2026 / Ben Schwartz

Rob Reiner backstage at the Late Night With Seth Meyers show this September.

Rob Reiner’s Legacy Can't Be Sullied by Trump’s Shameful Attacks Rob Reiner’s Legacy Can't Be Sullied by Trump’s Shameful Attacks

The late actor and director leaves behind a roster of classic films—and a much safer and juster California.

Dec 16, 2025 / Ben Schwartz

The Warner Bros. Discovery flag alongside the American one, outside Warsaw’s TVN broadcasting studio

One Buyout After Another One Buyout After Another

The multibillion-dollar takeover bids targeting Warner Bros. Discovery show how Trump’s corrupt model of governance-by-payback could destroy Hollywood.

Dec 10, 2025 / Ben Schwartz

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