Michael has been writing for PopMatters since 2000. His primary focus, aside from queer culture, is television reviews and commentary, and his article Male Bashing on TV has been reprinted in two college textbooks. He currently lives in Louisville, KY, and is a Lecturer of Communication Studies at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, IN. As a teacher, he has an interest in the study of contemporary political rhetoric and argumentation. He and his partner Jim have been living in un-wedded bliss since 1995.
Features
Monday, January 7 2013
The Best of Television Performances of 2012
PopMatters highlights some television performers who stood out in 2012, but aren't likely to find themselves among nominees for annual awards.
Thursday, January 12 2012
The Best TV Performances of 2011
For all the high points on TV in 2011, there were also things that bothered me, and not all of them were named Kardashian.
Tuesday, January 11 2011
Undead and Kicking: Zombies and Betty White Ruled TV in 2010
It was difficult to turn on your TV this past year without seeing the undead... make that the undead and Betty White.
Thursday, February 18 2010
Caregiving a Damn: Travels through Hell with Love
Were lawmakers to seek a better understanding of the work of the caregiver, health care reform would reflect an economic model that placed altruistic motivation above financial consideration.
Wednesday, January 6 2010
The Best TV Performances of 2009
It would have been easy to miss most of this year's best, with all the distractions -- Rihanna and Chris, Taylor and Kanye, Adam and his same-sex drummer, Tiger and, well, who knows, and, ugh, Jon and Kate.
Columns
Monday, June 10 2013
God Hates You, But Fred Phelps Doesn't
The Pastor of Westboro Baptist Church is one of the most hated men in the US. That's OK with him, because he thinks that God hates you more than you hate Fred Phelps.
Wednesday, May 22 2013
Would You Like a Side of Attitude with That?
The LGBT community has been a staple of the service industry for years. At some point, you will have an LGBT server or chef working on your edibles.
Monday, April 8 2013
Gay Dating Sites: Here's Your Ticket to Crazy Town
With this many local gay men on meeting sites, a quest to meet at least one new friend should be easy, I thought. What I had yet to realize was that the world of online dating is disassociated from reality -- really disassociated.
Tuesday, March 12 2013
'How to Survive a Plague': Critical Lessons for a New Era
How to Survive a Plague portrays an important era in LGBT history, a time when the gay community banded together in a way that politics or prejudice could never have fostered.
Monday, February 4 2013
'Pray the Gay Away': On Being Beaten with the Bible Belt
A mother attempting to stab her own daughter, an exorcism, a school suspending a student -- author Bernadette Barton describes growing up in the religious South.
Reviews
Monday, April 1 2013
'Bully' Is Heavy-Handed
Viewers will walk away emotionally-charged, but not fully educated.
Saturday, October 6 2012
Soaring High, and Beautifully: 'Winged Planet'
Winged Planet will undoubtedly be hailed for its revolutionary photography and innovative technologies.
Monday, September 24 2012
'Partners' Is No 'Will & Grace'
This team has produced groundbreaking and hilarious work in the past, so we might hope that they soon revive their creative spirits, not their prior works.
Wednesday, September 12 2012
'Guys with Kids' Can Be Competent, Sometimes
Guys with Kids looks to dispel stereotypes and present Chris, Gary, and Nick as more or less real-world dads.
Monday, September 3 2012
'Coma' Is Slow Going
Coma offers a frightening scenario without much context, not taking advantage of the current debate over health care in the United States.
Blogs
Friday, September 2 2011
100 Essential Directors - Sergei Eisenstein
100 Essential Directors celebrates directors of distinct vision, who have honed their respective crafts, who have brought something new and exciting to the medium, and who continue to push the boundaries of the form.
Tuesday, August 30 2011
100 Essential Directors - George Cukor
100 Essential Directors celebrates directors of distinct vision, who have honed their respective crafts, who have brought something new and exciting to the medium, and who continue to push the boundaries of the form.
Thursday, June 16 2011
The Hypocrisy of Mother Monster. Yeah, We Mean You, Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga preaches acceptance and love. However, her music videos teach that love is only for the beautiful.
