The hottest Entertainment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

🎦🌌 Dystopian Hollywood vs. a tech-optimist, Up Wing future

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Popular sci-fi often portrays new technology harming humanity instead of helping, reflecting societal concerns and fears.
  2. Science fiction has shifted from optimistic visions of the future to dystopian and pessimistic outlooks, impacting our ability to strive for a better future.
  3. Movies and entertainment choices can reflect our core values and beliefs, influencing the success of different types of films in varying markets.

Based Safety vs. Cringe Propaganda #58

Safety Propaganda • 98 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Based Safety emphasizes embracing freedom and critical thinking, rather than consuming rage-inducing clickbait.
  2. Based Safety highlights artistic works that challenge norms, like the Baker Skateboards video and Jon Rafman's collaboration with Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign.
  3. Cringe Propaganda critiques failures in popular culture, such as disappointing remakes like True Detective: Night Country and issues in industries like UFC and skateboarding.

This Year's Best Bits: The Tipping Point?

What's Important? • 19 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. 2025 felt like a tipping point where mystical or “woo” ideas and new models of consciousness moved from fringe curiosity into mainstream acceptance.
  2. Popular podcasts, books, and articles this year mixed scientific research with personal accounts of nonordinary experiences, highlighting renewed interest in healing and expanded models of mind.
  3. Mainstream entertainment—TV, film, and music—increasingly explored themes like collective consciousness and disclosure, signaling these ideas are spreading into broader culture and institutions.

Bet on Love, final tickets

Above The Fold • 98 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Final tickets for 'Bet on Love' show are almost sold out, so grab yours quickly!
  2. The show involves 6 suitors competing to win Aella's heart in a mix of musical theatre, game show, and dating show.
  3. Musicians Tim Blais and Bashu are part of the show providing musical art and storytelling.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Falling Asleep with the TV On

Kneeling Bus • 264 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. TV often has small moments that stick with us but might never be found again. These moments can shape our memories even if they seem unimportant.
  2. Norm Macdonald showed how viewers might not actually be watching shows, making their success numbers look inflated. This makes it hard to trust viewer ratings.
  3. Platforms like Netflix gain more from having lots of content rather than focusing on individual shows or movies. This means many films just get lost in the shuffle and are easy to forget.

Five Links for July 2025

Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman • 105 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. MrBeast is a huge success on YouTube and knows how to grab people's attention. His strategies show how the attention economy works.
  2. Barry Diller has had a long and impactful career in entertainment, making important decisions that shaped popular culture. His memoir shares lessons from his many successes and failures.
  3. Japan changed the way ships are built and became a leader in shipbuilding by using innovative techniques. This helped them produce ships more efficiently than others.

Netflix's Witcher Controversy: When Creative Meets Committee

Litverse • 279 implied HN points • 06 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Decisions in the entertainment industry are often made in committee rooms, limiting creative freedom for actors and creators.
  2. The involvement and loyalty of creators to the source material can clash with the commercial interests and decisions made by studios and committees.
  3. The entertainment industry operates on a complex system of finances, survival instincts, and audience metrics, often prioritizing completion rates and profitability over creative vision.

Some Notes on Hate-Watching

Banana Peel Pirouette • 197 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. The practice of hate-watching involves watching shows or movies that are disliked, without enjoying them but still keeping up with the content.
  2. Hate-watching can stem from strong emotional responses like umbrage or aversion, leading viewers to engage with content they dislike on a sub-rational level.
  3. Hate-watching has evolved with modern media, offering a safe way for audiences to consume and critique content remotely, often leading to online discussions and shared sentiments.

What's in store for Oxford Street?

London in Bits • 196 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Westminster Council is planning changes to improve Oxford Street, including more green spaces and pedestrian crossings
  2. Empty stores on Oxford Street are being offered to innovative brands on a rent-free basis for six months
  3. The Met Police is implementing a two-year plan to increase trust, reduce crime, and improve policing standards, including using the Cambridge Crime Harm Index to target offenders

The Self-Important Feeling: Stephen Colbert and the Comedian's Dilemma

House of Strauss • 93 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Comedians can get caught up in the feeling that their words matter a lot, which can change how they view their role. It's important for entertainers to remember to be funny, not just political.
  2. Johnny Carson warned that when entertainers start taking themselves too seriously, it can lead to a misguided sense of importance and sway over their audience. This could be more harmful than good.
  3. Stephen Colbert once had a major cultural impact, but it raises the question of whether he has chased that feeling of importance too much, possibly losing sight of his original comedic role.

T.V. News: Pledges, Hiatus, Wong Kar Wai Revisions

Textual Variations • 231 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. The author plans to take a break from publication to catch up on other priorities, which might cause gaps in the schedule this Spring. They hope to return to a regular posting schedule by May.
  2. Wong Kar Wai's classic film 'In the Mood for Love' is being reissued in China with new footage, and there are discussions about changes that may come with this release.
  3. The new animated series 'Invincible Fight Girl' is praised for its authentic anime style and storytelling, blending action with comedic elements in a unique way.

sunday memes and roses

bad cattitude • 96 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Memes can be a fun way to express ideas and feelings. They often make us laugh and connect with others.
  2. The theme of Sunday seems to inspire relaxation and enjoyment. It's nice to take a break and just enjoy some light-hearted content.
  3. Paid subscriptions can offer extra content, making it worthwhile for those who want more in-depth discussions or entertainment. It's good to support creators if you enjoy what they do.

Merry Jewish Christmas!

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 13 implied HN points • 25 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Jewish Christmas is a casual tradition of eating Chinese food, watching a movie, and doing some good-natured kvetching with friends or family. The typical menu includes spring rolls, wonton soup, fried rice or lo mein, General Tso’s (or tofu), and fortune cookies.
  2. The page is kept live all day with amusements to distract from family drama—games, an Ask Me Anything, and a reader-contributed Festivus where people can add their own bits of fun. The intent is lighthearted diversion rather than sharing bad news.
  3. There are strong language pet peeves: don’t use “gifted” as the past tense of “give,” and journalists shouldn’t start claims with “it feels like.” Instead, make clear, specific claims or admit you have none.

"The Triumph of Intellect and Reason Over Brute Force and Cynicism"

Think Future • 119 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. The TV show Doctor Who is a long-lasting British classic that embodies the triumph of intellect and reason over brute force and cynicism, offering a mix of genres and themes.
  2. The Doctor, a key character in Doctor Who, is portrayed as an alien who embodies endless wisdom, kindness, and the resilience to never give up, with the show's unpredictability keeping viewers engaged.
  3. Doctor Who's longevity and impact serve as a model for facing challenges with bravery, kindness, and a commitment to helping others, inspiring viewers to act with courage and empathy in the real world.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 29

Why is this interesting? • 301 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Starbucks has become a popular hangout for teens, offering sweet drinks and a cozy space. This shift has changed its image but raises questions about health and habits.
  2. Running can be addictive for some people, leading to a mindset where they feel they can keep going without limits. It’s important to reflect on the motivations behind such activities.
  3. A video from The Verge explores why cassette and CD players are still bulky despite advancements in technology, revealing some interesting insights about design trends.

Vol. 2, Issue 8 - Pokémon Legends Celebi: A Concept

Johto Times • 79 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. A new Pokémon game idea called 'Pokémon Legends: Celebi' blends elements from previous successful games, set in ancient Johto. Players explore the rich backstory while engaging with new and classic Pokémon.
  2. The game features exciting gameplay where players calm rampaging Pokémon and face off against a villainous group, drawing on the history and legends of the Johto region.
  3. Puzzles and quests sprinkled throughout the game encourage exploration and problem-solving, enhancing player experience and connecting players to Pokémon lore.

Somehow They Filmed a Movie From Inside My Internet-Addled Brain

Michael Tracey • 88 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. The movie 'Eddington' effectively captures the chaotic nature of our online lives and how it spills into real life. It portrays how people get lost in social media and feel detached from reality.
  2. Joaquin Phoenix's character is complex and reflects contemporary political themes without endorsing any particular viewpoint. The film shows the absurdity of online behaviors and their real-world consequences.
  3. The film's representation of events like protests and conspiracy theories mirrors the strange and wild experience of recent years. It connects the dots between internet culture and current social issues in a unique way.

The Explicit Baseball Card Edition

Why is this interesting? • 301 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Entertainment
  1. Billy Ripken's baseball card from 1989 is famous for its hilarious and playful mistake. It features something unexpected that caught fans' attention.
  2. Baseball cards were a big deal for many kids, with the thrill of finding rare ones like the Michael Jordan card.
  3. Different brands of baseball cards had their own unique styles, with Fleer being seen as less premium compared to brands like Upper Deck.

#Digest4 // Bangkok's Weekend Guide

Digest // Storefronts of Bangkok • 179 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Entertainment
  1. Get ready for an exciting weekend in Bangkok with a variety of events like bartender nights, jazz performances, Muay Thai tournaments, and F1 race watching parties.
  2. Don't miss out on new places like Flareout, ordering pizza on Line, getting discounts on Klook tours, and the collaboration between Jay Fai and Shin Ramyun.
  3. Take advantage of travel promotions like AirAsia's 20% off campaign, membership benefits, and free points for bookings, to plan your next adventure.

Ten Little Things

Nice Try • 319 implied HN points • 29 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Writing can be done anywhere, even in a small notebook. It helps with creativity and can be more enjoyable than using a phone.
  2. It's important to take care of health issues, like allergies. Visiting a doctor can lead to better solutions for feeling good.
  3. Life can be busy with chores and personal projects, but spending time with loved ones, like going to a movie premiere, makes it all worthwhile.

Aaron Problems

Outlandish Claims • 39 implied HN points • 06 May 24
😂 Humor Entertainment
  1. Names can have unexpected consequences or associations, like Aaron's experiences with his name.
  2. Historical figures like Aaron Burr can have complex legacies with acts of betrayal and deception.
  3. Being first in alphabetical order can have both advantages and disadvantages, such as being chosen randomly or facing bureaucratic challenges.

Why 'The Rings Of Power' Was A Flop

diabolical • 176 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Only 37% of viewers finished watching Amazon's 'The Rings Of Power'.
  2. The show had issues with unlikable characters and wild coincidences driving the plot.
  3. Many fans were disappointed by the lack of fidelity to Tolkien's source material in 'The Rings Of Power'.

sunday extra mean pool

bad cattitude • 108 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. The world can feel harsh and full of missed chances. It's important to recognize these feelings and acknowledge the challenges we face.
  2. Sometimes we need to take a step back and notice the things happening around us. This helps us stay aware of our experiences and struggles.
  3. Having a space to share these thoughts can be beneficial. Connecting with others helps us process what we feel together.

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 26

Why is this interesting? • 301 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Russia has fined Google an insane amount of money, more than all the money in the world combined. This shows how serious they are about controlling tech companies.
  2. There’s a deep connection between the anime 'Perfect Blue' and the film 'Requiem for a Dream,' offering a unique history worth exploring. Both works have intriguing themes that many people appreciate.
  3. Crows have strong memories and can hold grudges, sometimes even mistaking others for their enemies. This behavior highlights how intelligent and complex these birds are.

sunday jokepool

bad cattitude • 72 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
😂 Humor Entertainment
  1. Dad jokes are always a hit and can bring smiles. They are simple, funny, and great for any occasion.
  2. Mixing in jokes about pop culture, like 'Lord of the Rings', can make the humor more relatable and fun.
  3. It's good to have a range of jokes that include a bit of everything, even playful jabs, to keep things lively.

Can Hollywood Be Saved? One Man Is Trying, And The Industry Hates Him For It

Unmasked • 29 implied HN points • 09 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Hollywood is facing major problems as box office revenues have dropped, and studios like Disney and Marvel aren't doing well. Many people are worried about the future of the movie industry.
  2. Political messages in movies seem to be pushing away a large part of the audience. Some actors are more focused on their political views than on entertaining everyone.
  3. Paramount Pictures is trying to make movies that appeal to a broader audience. This approach is being criticized by others in Hollywood, but it could be a step toward revitalizing the industry.

Who is your nemesis?

Men Yell at Me • 204 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Everyone has an enemy or something they dislike strongly, which can be a source of motivation. It’s normal to have feelings of rivalry or frustration towards certain people or situations.
  2. Yelling or expressing frustration, like in a big stadium, can be a powerful way to release emotions and bond with others. It’s almost like a communal way of dealing with anger.
  3. Reflecting on who or what your enemy is can help you better understand your own feelings and drive. Identifying your 'nemesis' can give you a clearer perspective on challenges you face.

VR Agent

Have You Played? • 98 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Entertainment
  1. VR Agent is an attendant-free arcade VR game where players shoot enemies and dodge using a VR headset attached to a toy gun.
  2. Despite its unique hardware design, VR Agent provides a comfortable and natural VR experience with new control mechanisms.
  3. VR arcade experiences like VR Agent and Ultra Moto VR showcase the potential for immersive, convenient, and attendant-free gaming, paving the way for the future of arcade entertainment.

Remembering the New Year's Eve That I Got Big-Timed By Third Eye Blind

I Might Be Wrong • 11 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Getting full of yourself often brings a quick reality check; small successes can be cut down in an instant.
  2. Crowds are fickle and will abandon an opener the moment a bigger act appears, so attention and timing matter as much as talent.
  3. Early wins can give you the confidence to take bigger risks, and even if those risks fail, other skills and persistence can keep your career moving forward.

Vol. 2, Issue 6 - A Pokémon fan in Japan: SteC (Part 2)

Johto Times • 79 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet have sold over 24 million copies, making them one of the top three best-selling Pokémon games ever. This shows how popular Pokémon games still are today.
  2. In Japan, there are many Pokémon Centers that offer unique merchandise and special items, like trading cards and cleaning products. Fans can find all sorts of fun Pokémon goodies there.
  3. Some Pokémon items, like promo cards and themed products, are being made available in limited quantities at stores. It's important for fans to get these items before they sell out.

Sunday Strip: Advanced Fuc_ery

Who is Robert Malone • 24 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
😂 Humor Entertainment
  1. Advanced techniques in a specific field can lead to greater understanding and results. It's important to stay informed about the latest methods.
  2. Engaging with complex concepts requires ongoing learning and adaptation. It's vital to remain curious and open-minded.
  3. Discussion and sharing of ideas can enhance knowledge and stimulate critical thinking. Collaborating with others can help deepen insights.

Consumption report

Vague Blue • 159 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. The essay discusses the enduring legacy of Bruce Lee in American cinema and his charismatic mannerisms that captivate audiences.
  2. The post delves into the portrayal of unconventional and progressive relationships in classic Hollywood films, hinting at societal issues that continue to resonate today.
  3. It shares insights on the practice of 'microdosing cinema' by watching specific scenes from movies and shows, offering a unique way to appreciate media content.