Until John, Paul, George, and Ringo came around, popular rock artists made for really dull interviews
Music
Adam Levine: People’s Sexiest Man, But Not Sexiest Mensch
Don’t tell me there weren’t any nice boys who could have been the first Jewish Sexiest Man Alive.
Society is Coarser—but Better
Yes, pop culture is crude, but who gives an F-word? By virtually every measure, we’re a safer, nicer, kinder country.
Viewpoint: You Can’t Be An “Accidental” Racist
Bigotry is never accidental, as the bizarre song by Brad Paisley and LL Cool J remind us.
Why Prince Triumphed With Gen X
Prince was telling us we were all the originators of our own destinies as long as we access our inner essence
When Fans Attack: The Perils of an Internet-Enabled Audience
Pop culture consumers may be devoted, but all that adulation can turn to outrage with the slightest of provocations
What Whitney Houston Meant to Professional Sports
Everyone with a goal could rally behind her voice, fans and players alike
After Whitney Houston, Musicians Say: I’m Afraid
Why the music industry is still plagued by early deaths and fearing strokes more than bullets
Is American Idol Trying to Be the Olympics?
The 10-year-old show is playing up its history, but what young person wants to watch “an institution”?
Nostalgia: Our Favorite Cultural Copout
What Adele, Woody Allen and Newt Gingrich have in common and why we can’t stop romanticizing the past
Republican in Hollywood: Not So Taboo Anymore
Are conservative celebrities less concerned about going against the political grain of the entertainment industry?
Jay-Z’s ‘Glory’ for Blue: One of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Love Songs
The rapper’s ode to his newborn heralds an era of grownup hip-hop that deals with deep emotions
Mariah Carey Fatigue: All I Want For Christmas Is Some New Holiday Music
It’s been 17 years since a new Christmas song entered the canon. How long do we have to wait for a new holiday hit?