Television

Kanye West the Millennial

Who cares if he’s technically Gen X? Age is different from personality.

• Spencer Kornhaber
• September 1, 2015

Nicki Minaj, Miley Cyrus, and the VMAs: A Tone-Policing Palooza

Though it wasn’t pretty, Minaj was really teaching a lesson in civility.

• Spencer Kornhaber
• August 31, 2015

Show Me a Hero: Home at Last

The HBO miniseries’ tragic final act concludes with residents moving into their new homes.

• Brentin Mock, Lenika Cruz, and David Sims
• August 30, 2015

Narcos: Pablo Escobar by Way of Ken Burns

The new drama series, which follows the Colombian kingpin’s rise to power, feels more like a well-researched documentary than the gripping saga it wants to be.

• David Sims
• August 28, 2015

Tag Team: The Graffiti Artists of Show Me a Hero

The graphic designer Chris Capuozzo used photographs of Yonkers taken by his wife during the 1980s in order to achieve verisimilitude for the HBO show’s sets.

• Steven Heller
• August 26, 2015

Show Me a Hero Breaks Ground

Yonkers finally complies with an order to build public housing, causing a mixed response of triumph, outrage, and acceptance from residents.

• Lenika Cruz, Brentin Mock, and David Sims
• August 23, 2015

Patrick Stewart Behaves Badly in Blunt Talk

The new comedy on Starz presents itself as a satire of cable news, but mostly wrings laughs from watching the Shakespearean actor subvert his dignified reputation.

• David Sims
• August 22, 2015

Show Me a Hero: Welcome to Yonkers

The HBO miniseries from The Wire creator David Simon follows an embattled city resisting efforts to build public housing.

• David Sims, Brentin Mock, and Lenika Cruz
• August 16, 2015

What Seth Meyers Is Doing Differently

The Late Night host stirred attention this week by delivering his monologue from behind a desk—but his show is staying true to the genre’s best traditions while inventing some new ones.

• David Sims
• August 13, 2015

True Detective Season Two: No More Heroes

In a climactic season finale, the show attempted to wrap up (almost) all of its loose ends.

• David Sims, Christopher Orr, and Sophie Gilbert
• August 10, 2015

Jon Stewart’s Humble, Remarkable Farewell

A speech from Stephen Colbert highlighted the Daily Show host’s willingness to share the spotlight, as well as his immense contribution to broadcast comedy.

• David Sims
• August 7, 2015

Whose Side Is Mr. Robot On, Anyway?

The greatest unanswered question of USA’s sensational hacker drama isn’t about reality. It’s about morality.   

• Spencer Kornhaber
• August 6, 2015

America’s Next Top Instagram Celebrity

Over 21 seasons, Tyra Banks’ Top Model became increasingly driven by branding and social media, diluting the fantasy world fans came to love.  

• Adrienne Raphel
• August 5, 2015

True Detective Season Two: Everyone’s Fired

Paul faced danger, Ani and Ray faced each other, and Frank faced some career decisions.

• Spencer Kornhaber, Christopher Orr, and David Sims
• August 3, 2015

Cruise Controlled

During the multi-country press tour for Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, not even Jon Stewart has dared ask Tom Cruise about Scientology.

• Sophie Gilbert
• July 29, 2015

True Detective Season Two: The End of an Orgy

Ani went undercover, Frank embraced his sensitive side, Paul tested his powers of observation, and Ray went insane.

• Christopher Orr, Sophie Gilbert, and Spencer Kornhaber
• July 27, 2015

The Unbelievable I Am Cait

Caitlyn Jenner’s new miniseries is moving, conscientious, and distractingly manipulative.

• Spencer Kornhaber
• July 26, 2015

The Insecure World of Freelancing

Millions of workers now go it alone—who will provide them with basic labor protections?

• Nancy Cook
• July 25, 2015

Mr. Robot, Ms. Robot

USA’s new hacker drama is a surprise hit that deserves attention for its subtle critiques of gender norms and masculinity.

• Lenika Cruz
• July 25, 2015