Weep for the new couples whose awards-show death montages could be just around the corner
Pop Culture
The Beatles Changed Rock ‘n’ Roll—But Not In the Way You Think
Until John, Paul, George, and Ringo came around, popular rock artists made for really dull interviews
Duck! It’s Open Season on Celebrities
Regular fans—and citizens—have always had their own opinions. Now they’ve got the platforms to speak their minds.
Flawless: 5 Lessons in Modern Feminism From Beyoncé
The pop icon’s surprise album has already become a powerful anthem for young women. Here’s why.
A Parental Plea: Don’t Make Me See “Smaug”!
Is Peter Jackson trying to ruin Christmas for the rest of our lives?
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.
Word of the Year 2013: Twerk Was Robbed!
Selfie may be the official winner, but twerk is just better. It doesn’t hide its problems behind a diminutive suffix
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.
Grand Theft Auto Is Today’s Great Expectations
If there were any lingering questions as to whether video games are the defining popular art form of the 21st century, this week’s release of Grand Theft Auto V should put them all to rest. The massive sales, growing popularity …
Breaking Bad Normalizes Meth, Argues Prosecutor
I work as a felony prosecutor in a town where methamphetamine is our biggest narcotics problem. I’m also a big fan of Breaking Bad, but whenever I ask colleagues (particularly law-enforcement officers) whether they’ve been …
A Portrait of the Artist as a Predator
How can anyone see the work of J.D. Salinger, Woody Allen and Roman Polanski the same way once you know of their predilection for young girls?
Camille Paglia: Miley, Go Back to School
Cyrus’ derivative stunt reveals an artistically bankrupt music culture
Does Anyone Really Still Want Their MTV?
Save us from the tyranny of blandly uplifting celebrities