The Death and Rebirth of New York City The Death and Rebirth of New York City
A new documentary about the 1975 fiscal crisis, Drop Dead City, is entertaining to watch but dangerously misleading as history—or politics.
Jun 24, 2025 / Doug Henwood
The Slapstick Criminality of Hulu’s “Deli Boys” The Slapstick Criminality of Hulu’s “Deli Boys”
The show is at once a succession story, a riches-to-rags tale, and a buddy comedy about two hapless brothers trying to save their father’s convenience-store empire.
Jun 16, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Jorge Cotte
Who Does Nathan Fielder Think He Is? Who Does Nathan Fielder Think He Is?
The second season of his HBO series The Rehearsal—which tackles the crisis facing the aviation industry—is better understood as an extreme form of reality TV.
Jun 2, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Erin Schwartz
Culture Therapy Culture Therapy
Films to remember for pre-Trumpian times and inspiration.
Apr 22, 2025 / Michele Willens and Lily Corvo
The Creator of “Adolescence” Backs a Social Media Ban for Kids—but It’s the Wrong Move The Creator of “Adolescence” Backs a Social Media Ban for Kids—but It’s the Wrong Move
Although the dangers young people face online are all too clear, the solution is pragmatism, not prohibition.
Apr 17, 2025 / Katrina vanden Heuvel
We Must Save Public Media to Change It We Must Save Public Media to Change It
We need public media more than ever—it’s too precious to let Trump defund it. But to live up to its democratic promise, we must support public media to serve our needs.
Apr 15, 2025 / Victor Pickard
Trump’s Threat to Canada Won’t Be Defeated by Centrist Nostalgia Trump’s Threat to Canada Won’t Be Defeated by Centrist Nostalgia
You can’t fight fascism with cozy memories.
Mar 24, 2025 / Jeet Heer
Chuck Schumer Is the Weakest Link Chuck Schumer Is the Weakest Link
The Senate minority leader wants to make sure everyone else is fighting for democracy—so he’s not at risk.
Mar 21, 2025 / Jeet Heer
The Not-So-Golden Age of MAGA Troll Comedy The Not-So-Golden Age of MAGA Troll Comedy
In a blind rush to appease a phantom Trump demographic, media executives and billionaire owners are granting influential platforms to bigots, hacks, and panderers.
Mar 21, 2025 / Ben Schwartz
How the American Left Became Conservative How the American Left Became Conservative
Against the radical, if reactionary, experiment run from the White House, everyone from Democratic leaders in Congress to MSNBC hosts have turned to the defense of institutions.
Mar 18, 2025 / Michael Kazin