Soul Train and the Desire for Black Power Soul Train and the Desire for Black Power
Don Cornelius’s faith that Black culture would attract a mass audience—and his devout belief that Black culture should be in the hands of Black people—make the program he created a...
Dec 22, 2021 / Mark Anthony Neal
Inside the Hell That Is “The Many Saints of Newark” Inside the Hell That Is “The Many Saints of Newark”
All of the things that worked in The Sopranos make its prequel a remarkable slog of a film.
Nov 18, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Erin Schwartz
“Succession”’s Repetition Compulsion “Succession”’s Repetition Compulsion
In Succession’s moral universe, no one can ever get what they want or what they deserve.
Nov 10, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Sam Adler-Bell
Dave Chappelle’s Comedy of Bitterness Dave Chappelle’s Comedy of Bitterness
In his recent special The Closer, and his response to critics of it, he outlines a strange version of identity politics where comedians are always the victims.
Nov 9, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Stephen Kearse
“Squid Game”’s Capitalist Parables “Squid Game”’s Capitalist Parables
Netflix’s breakout series depicts a world of violent and macabre individualism and desperation.
Oct 20, 2021 / Books & the Arts / E. Tammy Kim
“Gossip Girl” and the Demented Culture of Fame “Gossip Girl” and the Demented Culture of Fame
HBO’s reboot of the teen drama explores how the rich and famous make their lives consumable for the rest of us.
Oct 19, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Erin Schwartz
Who’s to Blame in “The White Lotus”? Who’s to Blame in “The White Lotus”?
In the weeks since the release of Mike White’s latest HBO series, debate has centered on the show’s politics. Is it liberal satire or spectacle?
Sep 15, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
The Collective Trauma in ‘Mare of Easttown’ The Collective Trauma in ‘Mare of Easttown’
Unlike a standard true crime show, the HBO series focuses less on the mystery at its center and more on the community that must bear its consequences.
Jul 14, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Erin Schwartz
The Unfinished Evolution of Aziz Ansari The Unfinished Evolution of Aziz Ansari
With the latest season of Master of None, the comedian and director’s attempt at a reboot of his creative approach reveals the limits of his perspective.
Jun 23, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
Raoul Peck’s World Raoul Peck’s World
In Exterminate All the Brutes, Peck offers a bold new history of colonialism and violence.
Jun 14, 2021 / Books & the Arts / Ed Morales