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Television
A Look to the Past, An Insight Into the Present: The Use of Gender in 'Mad Men'
By Jennifer M. Perdomo
Looking beyond the aesthetic surface of the series, what is the true motivation behind Mad Men’s frank depictions of these troubled social times? Is sexism being used as some sort of nostalgic trope, or does Mad Men actually delve deeper and explore these issues? [8.Feb.12]
Hot YouTube Trend: People Saying Sh*t
Ah the internet. Bottomless pit of knowledge about news past and present, outlet for self-expression, facilitator of human connection, and… mecca of questionably offensive video montage parodies? [8.Feb.12]
'Doomsday Preppers': Planning for the End of Times
By Mike Ward
If you’re a statistically average person, what are your chances of following these people’s lead and successfully preparing for social collapse? Well, pretty long, unless you have quite a few acres of land lying fallow in the country and a couple hundred thousand extra dollars. [7.Feb.12]
Mitt Romney Can Reside at Today's Proverbial 'Downton Abbey'... Newt Gingrich Cannot
Downton Abbey reveals not only the play of chance that often confounds choice, but the power of social class to confine choice within established boundaries -- and we're comfortable with that. [7.Feb.12]
'The River': Secrets and Allusions
Hopefully, the found footage gimmick will give way after the first episode, since it would be a shame to shoot all of the Amazon from one camera on some guy’s shoulder. [7.Feb.12]
Mixed Media
News
Reviews
By Mike Ward
If you’re a statistically average person, what are your chances of following these people’s lead and successfully preparing for social collapse? Well, pretty long, unless you have quite a few acres of land lying fallow in the country and a couple hundred thousand extra dollars. [07.Feb.12]
Hopefully, the found footage gimmick will give way after the first episode, since it would be a shame to shoot all of the Amazon from one camera on some guy’s shoulder. [07.Feb.12]
All of the central characters are people working at jobs. They're creative, highly skilled jobs for which few people are qualified, but they are jobs nonetheless. [06.Feb.12]
By Maysa Hattab
The victim's childlike shuttling between male authority figures in times of crisis made me want to shake her, while her underdeveloped context made me want to shake the writer and director. [04.Feb.12]
By Ross Langager
At the end of every race in Luck, the viewer exhales, looks upon the faces of the horse track faithful, and thinks, “So that’s why they do it.” [29.Jan.12]
At this late hour, Peter sees that to destroy Alicia or even Will is to destroy himself. [29.Jan.12]
DVD Reviews
America in Primetime is a celebration of television but without empty platitudes and praise; rather, it achieves its goal through thoughtful analysis and intelligent conversation. [02.Feb.12]
Coast is a celebration of the British Isles, its neighbors, its peoples, their connections, and their relationships to the land and sea that shapes them. [01.Feb.12]
Features
By Jennifer M. Perdomo
Looking beyond the aesthetic surface of the series, what is the true motivation behind Mad Men’s frank depictions of these troubled social times? Is sexism being used as some sort of nostalgic trope, or does Mad Men actually delve deeper and explore these issues? [08.Feb.12]
Downton Abbey reveals not only the play of chance that often confounds choice, but the power of social class to confine choice within established boundaries -- and we're comfortable with that. [07.Feb.12]
Columns
Canon Fodder
Al Mundy (Robert Wagner) enjoys a reputation as a world-class thief, a glamorous burglar, a pickpocket's pickpocket. Too bad he landed in prison. [02.Feb.12]
Subtle Subversion
The HBO dramedy How to Make It in America, despite being one of television's best programs, could not make it because it was too hopeful and joyful to survive a culture of cyncism. [25.Jan.12]
From The Blogs
Soul Train creator/host Don Cornelius will be remembered--and should hereafter be celebrated--for giving a voice to Black America, and he should also be acknowledged—and praised—for making White America less white. [03.Feb.12]
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