The hottest Entertainment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

China’s Gaming Rise

ChinaTalk • 385 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. China’s game industry has moved up the value chain from low-cost mobile and PC titles to globally competitive AAA games. A huge domestic middle class now means developers can succeed without relying on international sales.
  2. Genshin Impact created a live-service, gacha "cash cow" template that drove massive revenue and spawned many similar games. That surge risks saturation and a bubble, which will force studios to diversify genres and monetization.
  3. Steam’s unofficial role in China lets uncensored and imported games reach Chinese players, but nationalist backlash and preemptive self-censorship (as seen with Wuchang) show political pressures still shape storytelling. Despite that, gameplay and mechanics travel globally, making games a strong avenue for cultural influence.

Odessa A’zion Needs to Stop Listening to the Mob

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 816 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Giving in to online mob pressure can push public figures to quit jobs, and publicly thanking or praising those attackers looks weak and encourages more outrage.
  2. Odessa A’zion stepped away from a role after critics objected that she wasn’t the half-Mexican character she was cast to play, and she apologized for not checking the source material first.
  3. The episode highlights how casting and identity controversies, celebrity privilege, and snap public apologies can collide to make careers vulnerable and conversations worse rather than better.

Everyone Needs to Stop Being So Weird About the Gay Hockey Show

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 843 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. The show is basically softcore gay porn about closeted hockey players, but it has become a big cultural hit, especially among women and celebrities.
  2. Mainstream critics and magazines are over-intellectualizing the show, comparing it to classic gay literature to justify the hype.
  3. Its popularity has exposed awkward tensions about audience and representation, with some gay viewers feeling sidelined because the series was written by and for women.

A phenomenal alternate-Chinese-history noir, a gorgeous new kids' movie, and more

Read Max • 605 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. A standout alternate-history noir set in an occupied China is recommended, especially for fans of Fatherland or Disco Elysium.
  2. A gorgeous, moving kids’ movie is praised for holding a five-year-old's attention and being emotionally resonant.
  3. Four new songs are highlighted, and subscribers get weekly curated recommendations plus access to comprehensive master lists and merchandise perks.

Monthly Roundup #37: December 2026

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2195 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Ban gain-of-function experiments. Deliberately creating more dangerous viruses, especially in low-security labs, is an unacceptable global risk and should be stopped and criminally deterred.
  2. Fix bad regulations and respect prices as signals. Overly strict zoning, long copyright terms, and regulatory bottlenecks raise costs and destroy value, while prices convey important information and incentives that people need to understand.
  3. Manage information and social norms more carefully. In adversarial or noisy information environments, use strategies like ignoring deceptive signals, removing untrustworthy actors, or aligning incentives, rather than reflexive public condemnation which often backfires.
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Mainstream Is Now Fringe, and Fringe Is Mainstream

The Honest Broker • 30220 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. The gap between mainstream media and fringe content is closing. People now watch popular streamers and influencers way more than traditional news outlets.
  2. Legacy media companies are struggling and may not survive unless billionaires buy them. Many journalists might find it tough to work in this environment.
  3. The rise of alternative media is changing the game for all creative industries. In the future, small teams or solo creators might take on major companies in music, movies, and games.

Democrats may have found their media counterweight to Fox News

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 374 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
📰 News Entertainment
  1. Small, partisan video outlets on platforms like YouTube are reaching millions with tiny teams, giving Democrats a possible counterweight to Fox News.
  2. Live creators and short-form video are outperforming expensive mainstream productions, and newsrooms are using AI to quickly turn long content into lots of shareable clips.
  3. Media companies are shifting toward “experiences” and new revenue plays — from newsletter sponsorships to sports-betting tie-ins — while the music industry and legacy outlets wrestle with how to handle AI.

Friday Funnies: Bait and Switch

Who is Robert Malone • 34 implied HN points • 13 Mar 26
😂 Humor Entertainment
  1. A playful compilation of cartoons and images uses bait-and-switch jokes to deliver quick laughs.
  2. It blends pop-culture touches—songs of the sea, Vikings, and Star Trek—with short comic moments for light morning entertainment.
  3. The tone is friendly and shareable, inviting readers to subscribe and enjoy a cheerful break in their day.

Could the Next Netflix or Spotify Be an Artists-Owned Cooperative?

The Honest Broker • 8843 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Artists might start owning their own platforms like Netflix and Spotify. This could give them more power and opportunities in their careers.
  2. Young people today are drinking less alcohol compared to older generations. This shift might reflect changing social norms and preferences for activities like coffee over alcohol.
  3. There are new and surprising developments in music, like the creation of a super thin violin. It's amazing how technology continues to change the music world!

"You Have to Get People's Attention in the First Two Seconds"

The Honest Broker • 7746 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Musicians are feeling pressure to create shorter songs because of social media algorithms pushing for quick attention. This trend is changing how music is made and what is popular.
  2. Some artists are starting to fight back against these trends, showing that longer songs can still gain popularity even after years of shorter hits dominating the charts.
  3. Many staff members at the New York Times are concerned about cuts to culture coverage and a shift towards video content, indicating a broader worry about the future of music and art criticism.

Can We Stop Trying to Cancel the ‘00s?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 204 implied HN points • 20 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. There’s a growing wave of documentaries re-examining early-2000s pop culture that focuses on how those shows and brands were abusive or problematic.
  2. These pieces follow a predictable formula: highlight practices that were already criticized, make viewers feel complicit, and then offer only mild behind-the-scenes revelations.
  3. That cycle is getting tiresome because it often feels like performative canceling instead of real accountability or deeper insight, and it overlooks the historical context of how people saw things at the time.

An eerie, unforgettable new-age conspiracy drama; a sweeping, gripping true-crime book; and more

Read Max • 579 implied HN points • 26 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. This is a weekly roundup that curates overlooked books, articles, movies, and music for readers to check out.
  2. Current highlights include a sweeping true‑crime book about frauds, gangsters, oligarchs, and blood money, plus a fourth‑wall‑breaking New Age conspiracy drama that explores healing, grief, and memory, along with four recommended tracks.
  3. Full access to the weekly emails and comprehensive 'good movies' and 'good books' master lists is for paying subscribers who also get perks, and readers are invited to recommend things or reach out, with purchases possibly earning a small commission.

Why Is the Washington Post Talking to Substack?

The Honest Broker • 10273 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. The Washington Post is considering working with Substack to feature some of its writers. This shows a change in how traditional media views newer platforms.
  2. There is a trend where gamblers are now betting on music hits, similar to how sports betting works. People analyze song trends mathematically to make predictions.
  3. Beauty in art is a controversial topic, and the author challenges common views. There’s a suggestion that we should appreciate beauty beyond just its monetary value.

Back to the beginning

Austin Kleon • 5735 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Reading children's books can help adults reconnect with their imagination and sense of wonder. It's like taking a break and remembering how big the world feels when you're a kid.
  2. Making and sharing mixtapes is a fun way to bond with others. It's all about connecting through music and sending songs you love to each other.
  3. Talking about books and stories you love is important. Sharing what resonates with you can inspire others and create a great discussion.

In 2025, Your Boss Will Launch a Podcast

The Honest Broker • 21776 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. In 2025, many companies will start their own podcasts, using them to promote themselves like infomercials. So get ready for your boss to ask you to help with that.
  2. The way businesses connect with clients is changing; some are now using podcasts as a sneaky way to hold meetings. It seems to work because people are curious when asked to join a podcast.
  3. Media companies that once tried to compete with independent platforms like Substack are now copying their model. This shows a huge shift in how content is being delivered and consumed.

How Much Money Does Silicon Valley Make from Stolen Video?

The Honest Broker • 8810 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Entertainment
  1. Silicon Valley companies like TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook are making a lot of money from videos, often using content that isn't theirs. This raises questions about the legality of these practices.
  2. While a parent faced copyright issues putting a video of their child online, these platforms allow users to share stolen content without trouble. It seems unfair that big companies overlook larger violations but enforce rules strictly on individuals.
  3. The endless scrolling of videos on these platforms relies on old clips and copyrighted material, creating a cycle of content that profits Silicon Valley, even if it comes from illegal sources. They benefit without directly paying the original creators.

AI-Generated Cryptids Are More Real Than Real

Default Wisdom • 351 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Generative AI produces vivid images and videos of monsters and cryptids, and those visuals make imaginary creatures feel more real to many people.
  2. Social media and constant information overload have pushed cryptid and conspiracy beliefs from the fringes into everyday conversation, because these stories help people make sense of chaotic feeds.
  3. AI changes what counts as evidence: even when people know an image is generated, it can act like a plausible rendering that convinces people a thing could exist rather than proving it does.

Why Streaming Subscription Prices Will Continue to Rise

The Honest Broker • 25300 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
💼 Business Entertainment
  1. Streaming subscription prices are increasing because companies are focusing on making more profit from fewer customers. They believe it's better to charge loyal users more instead of trying to attract new ones.
  2. The entertainment industry is cutting back on creating new content, which means we might see fewer movies and shows. This reduction is part of a strategy to maintain profits even as customer numbers decline.
  3. While big companies may struggle, this situation could open doors for indie creators. As larger companies shrink, new opportunities for creativity and innovation might arise for others.

How Sydney Sweeney Lost The Culture War

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2239 implied HN points • 12 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Sydney Sweeney's latest movie flopped badly, making only over $1 million, which is really disappointing for any film.
  2. She has been involved in cultural controversies, notably after a GQ interview, and is now reportedly feuding with her co-star Zendaya from Euphoria.
  3. There's a big question about whether leaning into culture war politics will hurt her career in the long run.

Rob Reiner Deserved a Happily Ever After

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1196 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. He was unexpectedly talented and genuinely kind, often deflecting credit to collaborators and staying modest about his work.
  2. He directed a rare run of wildly different, hugely influential films—like This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally—that shaped multiple generations.
  3. Because he was so decent and generous, the tragic end to his story feels especially unfair and he deserved a happier finish.

Puppies and Processes

The Fry Corner • 2278 implied HN points • 24 May 24
😂 Humor Entertainment
  1. People often make the same mistakes repeatedly, even after being conned. It's common to forget past experiences when presented with new opportunities.
  2. Instead of learning a lesson from a bad experience, many might still seek out similar situations, hoping for different outcomes.
  3. This tendency to be naive can be frustrating, as we might all fall into the trap of trusting too easily, despite knowing better.

The Rest is British Soft Power

Wrong Side of History • 1267 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. The podcast 'The Rest is History' has gained enormous popularity and has become a cultural phenomenon, appealing to a wide audience beyond just history buffs.
  2. The show presents history in a fun and engaging way, making it accessible for younger listeners who enjoy its lack of political bias and moral lessons.
  3. It represents British cultural export effectively and showcases a positive image of Britishness, combining knowledge with humor in a friendly style.

When Bad People Make Good Art

The Honest Broker • 18551 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. It's tough to enjoy art when you know the artist has done bad things. People often wonder if listening to music or watching movies means they support those bad actions.
  2. There's a lot of gray area in cancel culture. Sometimes it's hard to decide if we should stop enjoying a particular artist because of their past, and it can feel overwhelming to investigate all the claims.
  3. The impact of one artist on a larger group, like a band or a film crew, complicates the issue further. Should everyone be punished if one person does something wrong?

We are all going to regret Kalshi and Polymarket.

The Future, Now and Then • 242 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Prediction markets and sports betting are becoming ubiquitous and too easy to access. Celebrity endorsements and media tie‑ins normalize betting on everyday events.
  2. These platforms are negative‑sum: winners win what losers lose, minus platform fees, so they don’t create new value. Over time money flows to professional bettors and the house, hurting casual players.
  3. Gambling should be legal but treated like cigarettes — heavily regulated, hard to access, banned from advertising, and taxed. That would help limit social harm, reduce corruption risks, and prevent normalization of betting.

The memefication of the Olympics

The Leap • 339 implied HN points • 22 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Memes play a big role in how we experience events like the Olympics. Even if people don't watch, they can still feel connected through the memes circulating online.
  2. Social media is a main source of information and entertainment during major events. It allows people to stay updated without watching the events live.
  3. The way people engage with the Olympics has changed with technology. Memes are a fun and easy way to share moments and reactions from the games.

The Key Art Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1266 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Key art on streaming services is important because it quickly tells viewers about the show. Good key art attracts attention and invites viewers to explore.
  2. Streaming platforms like Netflix use different key art for each user based on their preferences. This can cause confusion and disagreement about what to watch since each person sees a different version.
  3. There's a worry that Netflix's approach to choosing key art through algorithms leads to less creative and interesting images. Instead of unique artwork, we might just end up with bland thumbnails.

From the pine wood to Pinewood

The Fry Corner • 2817 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Switching between acting and writing makes for an interesting career, and each role has its perks. Acting often provides a more social and relaxed environment compared to the solitary nature of writing.
  2. There’s a sense of longing for the other role while doing one, showing how each path has its own joys and challenges. It’s like wanting warm cookies when you’re eating cake.
  3. Having the option to choose between acting and writing is seen as a privilege, highlighting the flexibility in one’s career choices. It's great to have different ways to express creativity.

Why sports leagues are going all in on the Creator Economy

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 124 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
💼 Business Entertainment
  1. Sports leagues are using social creators as low‑risk content partners, giving VIP access so creators produce lots of promotional material without threatening broadcast rights or big ad spends.
  2. The creator economy is maturing into real business power: creators are launching companies, attracting investment, and being funneled into TV, retail, and sponsorship deals that turn audiences into revenue streams.
  3. Journalism faces a new credibility risk from AI‑generated fake experts and quotes, so newsrooms must adopt fast vetting practices and trusted expert networks to protect accuracy and trust.

Substack Reads: The double exposure effect, a mustard obsession, and the color of Neptune

read • 4894 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Nominees with great performances in multiple roles can lead to extra praise, known as the double exposure effect.
  2. Mustard packaging has a rich history dating back centuries, with brands like Grey Poupon and Maille showcasing timeless design.
  3. Neptune's true color is not actually blue as previously thought, but a milky, unmemorable interstellar cataract, challenging our perceptions.

The Weekend Press: Which Beckham Do You Believe?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 361 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. A very public family split — exemplified by Brooklyn Beckham’s post — has sparked a heated debate about when it’s acceptable to cut relatives out, with some calling it a Gen Z trend and others seeing it as a response to being raised in the spotlight.
  2. Personal stories from powerful people show how politics, influence, and performance mix in elite circles, where hunting trips and boastful tales also serve as networking and reputation-building.
  3. The cultural pieces cover a wide range of themes — provocative memoirs and the long shadow of #MeToo, young people turning fame into money, and older adults finding renewal through things like Latin dancing.

Two Drinks with. . . Bill Maher

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 853 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. His home podcast studio is very casual and cannabis-friendly — he smokes during recordings and prefers getting high over having drinks.
  2. He just got his first Golden Globe nomination but says he won’t go to the ceremony and would be annoyed by a room full of "super-woke" Hollywood people.
  3. He projects a provocative, irreverent persona, shown by keeping an anatomically correct Whitney Cummings sex doll in his studio and making blunt, playful remarks.

When Louis Armstrong Conquered Chicago

The Honest Broker • 12035 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🎶 Music Entertainment
  1. Louis Armstrong changed American music by creating new rhythms and melodies that had never been heard before. His unique trumpet playing and singing style influenced countless artists.
  2. Ricky Riccardi has been studying Louis Armstrong for years and has written a detailed biography telling Armstrong's life story in three parts. This highlights both Armstrong's early struggles and his rise to fame.
  3. Armstrong's move to Chicago was a significant turning point in his career. He felt nervous at first, but once he started playing music, his confidence grew, showing how talent can shine through even initial doubts.

Get Rich in Your Parent's Basement

The Honest Broker • 13464 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. The media and entertainment industry is changing. Indie creators are making more money now, thanks to platforms like YouTube that pay them fairly.
  2. Streaming services like Netflix are struggling because they're trying to cater to viewers with less attention. Making content for casual watching can backfire and lose loyalty from audiences.
  3. Big tech companies are starting to mimic each other. For example, Microsoft is pretending to be like Google instead of standing out on its own, showing a lack of true innovation.

Who killed Jean Pormanove?

Read Max • 3609 implied HN points • 22 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Jean Pormanove, a French livestreamer, died after participating in a brutal and humiliating marathon stream with friends. The stream involved a lot of physical challenges and humiliations that he complained about.
  2. Kick, the streaming platform where the event took place, has a reputation for allowing extreme and often toxic content. This environment encourages such harmful behavior among streamers and viewers.
  3. Graven's participation in the streams reflects a deeper cultural issue of bullying and the need for acceptance, showing how social dynamics can push individuals to tolerate harmful situations.

Selena Gomez’s 18 Hour Social Media Break

Hung Up • 5444 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Entertainment
  1. Selena Gomez announced a social media break but only lasted 18 hours, showing that celebrities can be just like us in not sticking to resolutions.
  2. Julia Roberts' recent British Vogue cover shoot captures her glamour and self-assuredness, reminiscent of '90s icons.
  3. Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) commented on Drake's music being suitable for malls, sparking thoughts on how certain artists and genres naturally align with specific environments.