Tucker Carlson’s Manufactured America
The Fox host has a new daytime show, and he’s using it to poison the meaning of patriotism.
Frontiers of Sports
Where Did ‘Synchronized Swimming’ Go?
More than 30 years after its Olympic debut, the sport was rebranded as “artistic swimming”—a controversial move that athletes fear could backfire.
LuLaRich Reveals a Hole in the American Economy
The controversial cult brand LuLaRoe sold a powerful idea: that mothers could succeed as entrepreneurs while spending meaningful time with their kids.
The Best Indie Movies to Watch This Fall
A group of films that will prompt you to ask: “What did I just watch?”
The Redemption of a Televangelist
For decades, the mascara-laden Tammy Faye was relentlessly mocked. Maybe America got her wrong.
The Unorthodox Art of an Ultra-Orthodox Community
For a particular group of Jews, art is typically a form of decor, not commentary. But a new generation of artists is trying to make nonconformist pieces while remaining observant.
It May Soon Be Time to Leave Britney Spears Alone Again
“I hope she does whatever she wants to do—even if that is going to the gas station without shoes on.”
When a Hit Musical Becomes a Bad Movie
Dear Evan Hansen was lauded on Broadway, but the film adaptation only emphasizes its flaws.
When a Happy Marriage Is Just an Act
HBO’s remake of a famous relationship drama seems to forget why viewers like to watch stories of romantic turmoil.
The Quietest Emmys Speech Was the Loudest
After winning her award, Michaela Coel delivered the rare message meant for those outside the glitzy room in which she stood.
Lil Nas X Isn’t a Fad. He’s the Future of Pop.
He understands better than almost anyone how to turn angst into a hit.
The Morning Show Has Become a Camp Masterpiece
Just embrace the chaos.
What Makes a Black Woman Real?
The problem with fixating on botched-plastic-surgery stories
The Dark Reality Behind ‘Cozy Mysteries’
The genre’s popularity can feel like a relic of a bygone era—but these books share DNA with today’s bloodier thrillers.
Gold Teeth Are Beautiful on Their Own Terms
Grills are more than adornment. They’re about Black agency.
Always the Gold Sandal
I’m a fashion designer. My muses are working-class Black women, like my mom and grandma.
Another Unpretentious, Melancholy Farewell From Clint Eastwood
In his new film, the 91-year-old actor-director gets back in the saddle.
Norm Macdonald Wanted Laughter, Not Applause
The late comic’s best work exemplified his resistance to cheap, easy material, but also his utter unpretentiousness.
The Real Game Changer at the Met Gala
It’s not Bennifer or AOC.
Peter Thiel Hates a Copycat
The billionaire’s extreme contrarianism is the secret to his success.
The Movie That’s Reminding Studios What Audiences Want
Shang-Chi is a massive success—and a sign that viewers still want fresh storytelling, not just recognizable faces, even from Hollywood’s biggest franchise.
Not Enough Has Changed Since Sanford and Son
The unwritten rules of Black TV