The Women of ‘The Expanse’ Will Be the Show's Greatest Legacy
There are a lot of shows set in space, but 'The Expanse' has distinguished itself in a classic and oft-explored genre by making sure that women are given, at minimum, equal standing with men on the show.
In Conversation: HANNAH WHITAKER with Naomi Elias
Hannah Whitaker speaks with Naomi Elias on the occasion of her new photobook Ursula, out in 2021 from Image Text Ithaca
What Does It Mean to Be Black and Alive Right Now?
In their new book, Black Futures, curator Kimberly Drew and New York Times Magazine staff writer Jenna Wortham attempt to answer one very big question: “What does it mean to be Black and alive right now?”
The American Dream Is a Fraud. What Now?
In ‘Stakes Is High,’ Mychal Denzel Smith argues that justice begins with challenging America's self-perception.
The Perfect and Perfectly Awful Movies Lindy West Is Watching in Quarantine
In conversation with the author on her new book, ‘Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema.’
Ghostly Presences in Addis Ababa: A Conversation with Maaza Mengiste
“These are not gentle stories,” Maaza Mengiste warns in the introduction to Addis Ababa Noir. Mengiste, whose second novel, The Shadow King, was recently shortlisted for the Booker Prize, assembled a diverse array of contributors to cast a blacklight over Ethiopia’s capital city and exhume its depths through fiction.
Humans are the Scariest Monsters in Genre Television
The "humans are the real monsters" trope is the secret weapon of genre television. I took a look at some shows that used it to shake up their formulas and give their viewers a good scare.
Sigrid Nunez’s “What Are You Going Through” Asks What We Owe to Other People
In What Are You Going Through?, Nunez probes the depths of our fears about death and our desires for companionship. I had the opportunity to speak with Nunez over the phone in August. We discussed the perennial nature of human suffering, how she’s inspired by eavesdropping on strangers, and why her writing will never be perfect.
When Harry Belafonte Hosted ‘The Tonight Show’ and Changed Television Forever
In television, “late night” is a time slot monopolized by white male comedians. It’s been that way since the format was invented and continues to be true today when the top late-night talk shows and their top earners all consist of straight, white, male hosts. But, in 1968, for the first time in history, a Black man was invited to be the guest host of a late-night program — in fact, the late-night program: The Tonight Show. That man was Harry Belafonte.
An Interview with Shayla Lawson
An interview with Lawson about her new book 'This Is Major: Notes on Diana Ross, Dark Girls, And Being Dope'
The First Black Man on Children’s TV Was Mister Rogers’ Policeman Friend
François Clemmons brought his musical gifts to an idyllic show — now he’s telling his own story
Exploring The Brilliance of 'The Magicians' in 6 Key Episodes
'The Magicians' spent five spellbinding seasons telling deeply human stories about deeply human characters that just so happen to live in a world that has magic.
Coming Out As A Trans Man in Trump’s America
In his new memoir, theater producer and dramaturg P. Carl grapples not just with his own transition, but transitioning against the tumultuous backdrop of a Trump presidency and #MeToo
The 50 Best TV Episodes of the Decade
I wrote about how a series-defining episode of Person of Interest — “If-Then-Else” — showcases the show and Team Machine at their very best.