Thursday, June 13 2013
Will Netflix Kill TV?
Netflix is such a beautiful service that it’s terrifying. It’s given us everything we ever wanted, and one day we’ll look back on what a tragedy that was.
Tuesday, June 11 2013
Why ‘Game of Thrones’ Matters
George R.R. Martin's series looks and feels like a historical drama, except the audience doesn't know how the story will turn out. Martin's 'fantasy' is preoccupied with power -- its relations, differentials and dynamics -- because he's interested in the way 'history' is really made.
Friday, May 24 2013
The Women Behind ‘The Throne’
Just what is it that is drawing these new female viewers to a show and genre that has historically been the realm of a largely male audience? It probably has something to do with fact that the women of Game of Thrones are some of the most powerful and dynamic female characters on television right now.
Wednesday, April 24 2013
On the Band That’s Pelted with Frozen Fish Fingers: ‘Get Ready to Be Boyzvoiced’
Though it’s earned the tagline, “Norway’s This Is Spinal Tap”, Get Ready to Be Boyzvoiced is far more subtle than that, and much closer in tone to BBC’s The Office.
Monday, April 22 2013
In Defense of Don Draper
As Season Six of Mad Men continues, the controversial and iconic figure of Don Draper is back at it. Love him or hate him... you can't ignore him.
Monday, April 15 2013
The Postfeminist Mystique: Or, What Can We Learn from Betty Draper?
AMC’s hit series Mad Men has been called both “bad for women” and “the most feminist show on television". This dispute over the feminist value of Mad Men amplifies when you look particularly at the character of Betty Draper (now Betty Francis).
Friday, March 29 2013
‘Mad Men’, Mad World: Sex, Politics, Style, and the 1960s
Scholars across the humanities consider Mad Men from a fascinating array of perspectives, including fashion, history, civil rights, feminism, consumerism, and art, as well as through theoretical frames such as critical race theory, gender, queer theory, and psychoanalysis.
Thursday, March 7 2013
I Love This Town: Leslie Knope and the Rural Brain Drain
In presenting both extreme affection and disdain toward the fictional town of Pawnee, Parks and Recreation captures the very mixed feelings many people have regarding their nonfictional hometown.
Wednesday, February 27 2013
I Believe in Honey Boo Boo
While critics have been severely judgemental of the Thompson family’s poverty and “trashiness", this concern actually ignores that the Boo Boo Clan embodies core American values.
Monday, February 18 2013
Stranger Than Zombies: Power, Privilege & Lesbian Subtext in ‘The Walking Dead’
The premise of The Walking Dead provides many opportunities to study privilege. Who lives on the farm vs. who lives in the RV? Who sleeps in the woods vs. who drinks the Woodbury tea? Who can two women love, if not each other?
Monday, February 11 2013
Hashtag Everything: The 2013 Grammy Awards
LL Cool J constantly implored us to Tweet about everything ("hashtag Bruno Mars!"), a majority of the performances left us bored and disinterested, and the most charming person in the room turned out to be Kelly Clarkson. It was a very odd Grammy Awards broadcast this year, and was a very poor one, to boot.
Tomorrow Never Knows: Race and Anxiety in ‘Mad Men’
Like a smartly crafted advertisement, there is more to Mad Men than meets the eye. Amidst the forbidden affairs, heated pitches, and endlessly flowing libations, race relations have risen to prominence during the show's fifth season.
Friday, February 8 2013
A Peek Inside Japan’s Tightly Managed Johnny’s Entertainment
If looking into the Japanese music industry is like peering through a frosted glass shower door, attempting to crack Johnny’s Entertainment is like trying to see what’s inside a black hole. We bring a flashlight.
Friday, February 1 2013
The Best DVDs and Blu-rays of 2012
From classics to contemporary television, the typical titles and the surprising outsider choices, the year in home video was just as divisive, and delightful, as the rest of our meaningful media.
Friday, January 18 2013
The 10 Best TV Episodes of 2012
First, I chose episodes that were representative of what their series did especially well this year. Second, I chose episodes from what I deem the most successful shows of 2012.
Thursday, January 17 2013
The Best TV Shows of 2012
Thanks to imports and cable channel choices, the year in TV was very interesting indeed. Where else can classical detectives meet with their updated complements, or sullen 20-somethings smirk at their ancient societal/criminal betters? Oh, and don't forget squid.
Monday, January 14 2013
The Best Guilty Pleasure TV of 2012
Whether its animated nonsense or reality bite, broadcast bits this cheesy and fun demand indulgence -- and we gladly say 'Yes' to such small screen excess.
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.
Wednesday, December 26 2012
“It’s Not Just About Me”: An Interview with Mo McRae
Sons of Anarchy's Mo McRae talks to PopMatters about the show's villains, his love of biographies, and the shenanigans that happen on-set.
Wednesday, November 28 2012
Make ‘Em Laugh: Sitcom Humor for Millennials
Our generation of 20- and 30-somethings need the truth of a Wes Anderson film in a 30-minute TV bite, and we find it in these dark comedies.
