Television

Rom-Communism: ‘Ted Lasso’ and the Future of the Romantic Comedy

Rom-Communism: ‘Ted Lasso’ and the Future of the Romantic Comedy

As polarization impacts the cultural landscape, rom-coms like Ted Lasso show how we can work through our differences and disagreements to everyone’s satisfaction.

The Top 10 Episodes of ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’

The Top 10 Episodes of ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’

For this Halloween, we invite you to join us in revisiting ten classic, creepy Are You Afraid of the Dark? episodes. First, turn off the lights.

Deadwood’s Moral Optimism

Deadwood’s Moral Optimism

Individualism was not the dominant force on the American frontier, as most Westerns would have you believe. Deadwood explores the era’s cooperation and moral optimism.

‘The Underground Railroad’ and Cinema’s Origins in White Supremacy

‘The Underground Railroad’ and Cinema’s Origins in White Supremacy

In adapting the alternative history The Underground Railroad, Barry Jenkins and his crew made cinema – a medium with origins in white supremacy – work for them.

‘The Boys’ Season 4 Is a Bloody Descent into Hell

‘The Boys’ Season 4 Is a Bloody Descent into Hell

Erik Kripke’s gory superhero satire The Boys takes a visceral plunge into political and personal tragedy, showing there’s more to fear than just corrupt superheroes.

Crime Sells in TV: ‘The Responder’, ‘Shardlake’, and ‘Eric’

Crime Sells in TV: ‘The Responder’, ‘Shardlake’, and ‘Eric’

For compelling and worrisome reasons, crime sells in our TV entertainment. The Responder, Shardlake, and Eric feed our brutal compulsion in varying ways.

‘World of Giants’ Is Cold War Sci-Fi Espionage with a Small Difference

‘World of Giants’ Is Cold War Sci-Fi Espionage with a Small Difference

World of Giants is catnip and dog-nip and gopher-nip for connoisseurs of classic sci-fi TV ’50s style, aka, the art of really short half-hour storytelling.

They Tenderly Scream “Camp” and We Lovingly Scream Back

They Tenderly Scream “Camp” and We Lovingly Scream Back

The Traitors head-band wearing Parvati Shallow and Barbie‘s head-shaking Ryan Gosling tenderly scream “camp” and enthralled, we lovingly scream back.

21 Beacon Street’s Impossible Missions

21 Beacon Street’s Impossible Missions

In 13 episodes, lost TV wonder 21 Beacon Street is an uncanny and legally actionable precursor to the Mission Impossible franchise.

‘The Sympathizer’ Fractures Identity into a Knockout Kaleidoscopic Tale

‘The Sympathizer’ Fractures Identity into a Knockout Kaleidoscopic Tale

The mini-series adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen’s kaleidoscopic tale The Sympathizer is a knockout account of colonialism, war, and (the loss of) identity.

‘Sugar’ Is an Intoxicating Celebration of Classic Hollywood

‘Sugar’ Is an Intoxicating Celebration of Classic Hollywood

Crime thriller Sugar, starring Colin Farrell, is an intoxicating celebration of Classic Hollywood that will keep you guessing about what’s really going on.

Who Will Be the Next Harry Hole? The 5 Best Norwegian Actors for the Role

Who Will Be the Next Harry Hole? The 5 Best Norwegian Actors for the Role

The complex detective in Norwegian noir writer Jo Nesbø’s novels needs the perfect actor for the upcoming series. Who will be – who can be – the next Harry Hole?