Colson Whitehead’s ascent in the literary world has seemed, like much of what he does, impressively effortless. Though he’s best known for “The Underground Railroad” and “The Nickel Boys”—both of which were awarded Pulitzer Prizes—his œuvre also includes a mystery set amid rival schools of elevator inspectors, a zombie novel, and an autobiographical coming-o ... Show More
Yesterday
The Cozy Conservatism of “The Gilded Age”
The HBO series “The Gilded Age,” created by the period-drama maestro Julian Fellowes, took a moment to find its audience. But several seasons in, the lush sets, immaculate costuming, and soapy plotlines have attracted a robust viewership, making it must-watch television. On this ... Show More
45m 48s
Oct 29
Critics at Large Live: “I Need a Critic!”
On this episode of Critics at Large, recorded live at the twenty-seventh annual New Yorker Festival, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz bring their advice series to the stage for the first time. They advise on a range of topics, including films to introduce chil ... Show More
48m 21s
Oct 22
“You Can See Everything” and the Nathan Fielder Effect
Nathan Fielder’s onscreen persona—flat, literal-minded, and seemingly baffled by ordinary social behavior—has made him one of our most distinctive cultural figures. On his Comedy Central series “Nathan for You,” his approach collided with the eagerness of ordinary people to be ag ... Show More
53m 35s