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The entertainment and cultural moments that define our society.

Say Nothing’s Gerry Adams disclaimer, explained
Culture

The former Sinn Fein president’s IRA denial is an inadvertent gift to the show.

By Meredith Haggerty
Say Nothing’s Gerry Adams disclaimer, explained
Culture

The former Sinn Fein president’s IRA denial is an inadvertent gift to the show.

By Meredith Haggerty
Gladiator II has baboons, Coliseum sharks, Paul Mescal’s thighs, and so much historical inaccuracyGladiator II has baboons, Coliseum sharks, Paul Mescal’s thighs, and so much historical inaccuracy
Culture

Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel, explained by a man who thinks about the Roman Empire a lot.

By Alex Abad-Santos and Christian Paz
America’s literacy crisis isn’t what you thinkAmerica’s literacy crisis isn’t what you think
Culture

This is what happens when kids don’t read for pleasure anymore.

By Anna North
Gen Z superstar Billie Eilish doesn't separate climate activism from animal welfareGen Z superstar Billie Eilish doesn't separate climate activism from animal welfare
Future Perfect

That’s what makes her so refreshing.

By Izzie Ramirez

The latest in Culture

All the Wicked lore you need to understand the new movieAll the Wicked lore you need to understand the new movie
CultureMember Exclusive

A Wizard of Oz know-it-all explains the many, many layers of the new movie musical.

By Constance Grady and Alex Abad-Santos
It’s probably time you learned about the Costco GuysIt’s probably time you learned about the Costco Guys
CultureMember Exclusive

How the Rizzler, Big Justice, and A.J. became the year’s biggest internet stars.

By Kyndall Cunningham
Are you a bad gift-giver? Here’s how to tell, according to a pro.
How to get through the holidays without going broke

What normies can learn from a concierge gifting service for celebrities.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Could Dune: Prophecy really be the next Game of Thrones? Could Dune: Prophecy really be the next Game of Thrones? 
Culture

HBO’s shockingly fun Dune prequel has a secret weapon: gossiping space divas.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Screw it, it’s Christmas nowScrew it, it’s Christmas now
Culture

Christmas came early this year — and not just for Trump supporters.

By Rebecca Jennings
Want to understand why Trump won the election? Look at pop culture.Want to understand why Trump won the election? Look at pop culture.
Culture

How entertainment, from Morgan Wallen to Twisters, predicted the MAGA pivot.

By Kyndall Cunningham
Bluesky brings the fun, weird vibes of old Twitter back to lifeBluesky brings the fun, weird vibes of old Twitter back to life
Technology

As more users flee X, a clearer, sunnier social media age is dawning.

By Adam Clark Estes and Aja Romano
The real reason Mike Tyson is fighting Jake PaulThe real reason Mike Tyson is fighting Jake Paul
Culture

It turns out influencers make great boxers — and even better TV.

By Rebecca Jennings
The confusing recent history of People’s Sexiest Man AliveThe confusing recent history of People’s Sexiest Man Alive
Culture

The magazine giving the honor to John Krasinski in 2024 raises some questions.

By Kyndall Cunningham
Why libraries need librariansWhy libraries need librarians
Explain It to Me

Public librarians have to be coders, social workers, and book rec machines. They’re irreplaceable.

By Constance Grady
The Delphi murders were a local tragedy. Then they became “true crime.”
Culture

The investigation into the murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams sums up the messy state of true crime.

By Aja Romano
Why Conclave and Juror #2 are the movies we need right nowWhy Conclave and Juror #2 are the movies we need right now
Culture

“Middlebrow” doesn’t mean bad.

By Kyndall Cunningham
Following Trump’s victory, some women consider swearing off menFollowing Trump’s victory, some women consider swearing off men
Trump 2.0, explained

4B, the protest movement that boycotts men, explained.

By Constance Grady
Is the Gen Z bro media diet to blame?Is the Gen Z bro media diet to blame?
CultureMember Exclusive

You can’t understand Trump’s win without understanding what young men are doing online.

By Rebecca Jennings
The new Jeffrey Epstein tapes and his friendship with Trump, explainedThe new Jeffrey Epstein tapes and his friendship with Trump, explained
Culture

Was Jeffrey Epstein really Donald Trump’s “closest friend”?

By Aja Romano and Anna North
Why are foods banned in other places still on US grocery shelves?Why are foods banned in other places still on US grocery shelves?
Explain It to Me

Who decides what can and can’t be in food in the US?

By Jonquilyn Hill
How Peanut the Squirrel became an unlikely right-wing celebrityHow Peanut the Squirrel became an unlikely right-wing celebrity
Culture

Everything you wanted to know about the now-euthanized Instagram-famous pet but were too embarrassed to ask.

By Alex Abad-Santos
So what if Martha Stewart is a perfectionist control freak?So what if Martha Stewart is a perfectionist control freak?
Culture

In the new Netflix documentary “Martha,” her relentless drive becomes her most endearing characteristic.

By Constance Grady
“I’m looking for a fever dream of a book.”
The HighlightMember Exclusive

In November’s edition of Ask a Book Critic, novels to scratch the surrealist itch, lesbian necromancers in space, and more.

By Constance Grady
What in the world is pink cocaine?
The HighlightMember Exclusive

It’s not cocaine, but it can be just about anything else — except a good idea.

By Celia Ford
Were Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin really shadow banned by Instagram and X? Were Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin really shadow banned by Instagram and X? 
Culture

What social media shadow ban rumors tell us about election anxiety.

By Aja Romano
Who came out looking the worst on Love Is Blind season 7Who came out looking the worst on Love Is Blind season 7
CultureMember Exclusive

The latest attempt to find love in the pods was good for Netflix, but bad for everyone else involved.

By Alex Abad-Santos
Diddy was hiding in plain sight
CultureMember Exclusive

How hip-hop’s Dionysus rose to power, decade after decade.

By Kyndall Cunningham
Gen Z is shocked by Trump’s Access Hollywood video. We should be, too.Gen Z is shocked by Trump’s Access Hollywood video. We should be, too.
CultureMember Exclusive

Let’s not forget Trump’s decades of documented sexual misconduct.

By Constance Grady
Why Red 3 is still in your candyWhy Red 3 is still in your candy
Play
Video

Red 3 has been banned for use in cosmetics and topical drugs since 1990. Why is it still in our food?

By Kim Mas
The cruel truth behind Trump’s new attacks on trans peopleThe cruel truth behind Trump’s new attacks on trans people
2024 Elections

The Trump campaign’s anti-trans advertising is pure scapegoating — with a bigger, sinister purpose.

By Aja Romano
How feminism fell from favorHow feminism fell from favor
Culture

Policies boosting gender equality are popular. The word “feminist” is not.

By Constance Grady
What Beyoncé’s “Freedom” can tell you about Kamala HarrisWhat Beyoncé’s “Freedom” can tell you about Kamala Harris
Culture

Why do we care so much about campaign songs?

By Kyndall Cunningham
Reality dating shows need to reckon with their toxic men problemReality dating shows need to reckon with their toxic men problem
CultureMember Exclusive

Lying, cheating, and dark pasts are a feature — not a bug — on TV’s biggest shows.

By Li Zhou
How dudes with podcasts became the kings of the electionHow dudes with podcasts became the kings of the election
CultureMember Exclusive

A field guide to the podcasts that dominated the 2024 campaign trail, from Theo Von to Call Her Daddy’s Alex Cooper.

By Aja Romano
Why weeping online is internet goldWhy weeping online is internet gold
Culture

The new incentives of turning your pain into content.

By Rebecca Jennings
Clowns are back for Halloween, but this time, they’re … cute?Clowns are back for Halloween, but this time, they’re … cute?
CultureMember Exclusive

Something’s funny about Halloween costumes this year.

By Rebecca Jennings and Alex Abad-Santos
Is this really Venom’s last dance?Is this really Venom’s last dance?
Culture

Is the alien symbiote — and his best buddy Tom Hardy — really saying goodbye?

By Alex Abad-Santos
From the ex-Abercrombie CEO to Diddy, what’s behind the rise in sex trafficking cases?From the ex-Abercrombie CEO to Diddy, what’s behind the rise in sex trafficking cases?
Culture

More high-profile figures are being accused of sex trafficking. It’s not a coincidence.

By Kyndall Cunningham
There’s no such thing as healthy lunchmeatThere’s no such thing as healthy lunchmeat
Even Better

But you don’t have to go cold turkey on your cold turkey. We can help.

By Keren Landman, MD
Why food recalls are everywhere right nowWhy food recalls are everywhere right now
Food

Contaminated food from McDonald’s, Boar’s Head, and more is making Americans sick.

By Ellen Ioanes and Li Zhou
Why do the ugly fashion trends from our youth keep coming back?Why do the ugly fashion trends from our youth keep coming back?
Explain It to MeMember Exclusive

A reader is horrified by the return of mom jeans. What’s happening?

By Rebecca Jennings
There’s something off about this year’s “fall vibes”There’s something off about this year’s “fall vibes”
CultureMember Exclusive

Autumn is being eaten by a deluge of AI slop.

By Rebecca Jennings
How the wealthy are redrawing the world mapHow the wealthy are redrawing the world map
Future Perfect

A new book explores the world of tax havens and techno-utopias, and asks if they can be used for good.

By Joshua Keating
The chaos, conspiracy theories, and controversy surrounding Liam Payne’s deathThe chaos, conspiracy theories, and controversy surrounding Liam Payne’s death
Culture

Everything we (actually) know about Liam Payne’s death.

By Kyndall Cunningham and Aja Romano