The hottest Entertainment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Selena Gomez’s 18 Hour Social Media Break

Hung Up • 5444 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Celebrity Culture Social media Entertainment Fashion Pop culture
  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.

What Are You Watching?

Culture Study • 2231 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media Community Entertainment Arts Discussion
  1. People are feeling overwhelmed by negative news and events. It's tough to stay positive when everything seems so heavy and scary.
  2. Discussing feelings and finding community can help ease the weight of these emotions. Connecting with others can bring comfort during hard times.
  3. There will be an advice session focused on culture and community. Sharing experiences can be an antidote to the negativity.

Empty Laughter

Where's Your Ed At • 16914 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy Artificial Intelligence Plagiarism Entertainment Creativity
  1. Art should be unique and come from personal experiences, not generated by AI or copied from others.
  2. Creativity is limited by the individual, and the magic of art comes from the context and experiences of the artist.
  3. Plagiarism and reliance on generative AI for art creation show a lack of curiosity, entitlement, and a desire to imitate rather than create.
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Queensbury Rules: Episode 181

Disaffected Newsletter • 559 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
🎙 Podcasts Media Culture Social Issues Entertainment Discussion
  1. The show discusses the topic of cancel culture and invites listener comments. It's important to share your thoughts on it.
  2. The host wants to know what people think about cancel culture, showing engagement with the audience’s opinions.
  3. The newsletter is reader-supported, encouraging subscriptions to help continue the discussion and content.

Are The Publicists On Strike Too

Hung Up • 7763 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Celebrity Lifestyle Media Arts
  1. The entertainment industry has been affected by strikes of writers and actors, leading to a standstill in major studios and streamers.
  2. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis faced backlash for supporting a friend accused of sexual assault, handling the situation poorly.
  3. Drew Barrymore is navigating the return of her talk show amidst industry strikes, choosing to go without a publicist and potentially risking controversy.

You should pay attention to Kai Cenat

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2687 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Live Streaming Entertainment Content creation Pop culture
  1. Live streaming is gaining popularity and becoming a larger part of how we consume media. More people are looking for communal experiences online.
  2. Kai Cenat's recent subathon has broken records and shows the strong connection between streamers and their audiences. His success highlights a shift in how we engage with entertainment.
  3. Various platforms like YouTube Gaming, Kick, and TikTok Live are growing, leading to more options and diversity in live streaming. This change shows that viewers are exploring different types of content and creators.

Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and the Art of the Smear

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2170 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media Entertainment Celebrity Justice Social Issues
  1. Blake Lively accused Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment and claimed he organized a smear campaign against her. This has sparked widespread discussion and sympathy for her situation.
  2. The case brings up questions about the complexity of such accusations, especially given how media often portrays men as villains and women as victims in Hollywood.
  3. Amid all the drama, it's important to remember that there are often multiple sides to every story, and not everything is as clear-cut as it seems.

Under the microscope: Omakase! Savers (Saturn)

Rings of Saturn • 29 implied HN points • 21 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Development Hardware Entertainment Nostalgia
  1. Omakase! Savers is a fun adventure game for the Sega Saturn released in 1996. It involves three girls who gain special powers to battle ghosts.
  2. The game allows players to use special names to unlock benefits like boosting character stats or accessing different episodes.
  3. There is also a hidden debug mode in the game that lets players change settings and access cutscenes, which can be useful for anyone interested in translating or modifying the game.

Broadcast TV: It Only Looks Dead

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1152 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Television Media Entertainment Sociology History
  1. Broadcast TV is still relevant, even with the rise of streaming services. People can watch live sports and local news without paying for subscriptions.
  2. Digital broadcasting has increased the number of channels available, including many free options that people may not know about.
  3. Older TV shows often have more depth and quality compared to many new productions. Watching them can remind us of what good storytelling looks like.

Tuesday Thread: What Games Are You Playing?

Culture Study • 1654 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Arts Entertainment Games Media Literature
  1. There's a new series where people share about their work lives and how they manage their time. It will help others learn how different professionals organize their days.
  2. The focus is on understanding how people protect their time and handle tasks like emails. This can give useful insights for managing one's own work.
  3. Participants will do their interviews using Google Docs, making it easy for everyone to share and read their experiences.

Panic Among the Streamers

The Honest Broker • 22673 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
💼 Business Technology Entertainment Finance Economy Industry
  1. Spotify's CEO sold $100 million in stock amidst the company's increasing losses, causing concern among investors.
  2. Streaming companies like Netflix and Disney are heavily investing in AI technology, potentially replacing human creativity with bots.
  3. Music streaming platforms like Spotify prioritize profit over user experience, creating a bland and generic listening environment.

The Romance Novel Edition

Why is this interesting? • 965 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Entertainment Society Gender Economics
  1. Romance novels offer escapism and predictable happy endings that many readers enjoy during tough times. They have become popular among diverse groups of women, from stay-at-home moms to college students.
  2. The romance genre focuses on female pleasure and sexuality while challenging societal views about women's desires. It mixes fun storytelling with important cultural discussions.
  3. Romance novels are a big business, outselling even the Bible. Many readers are not just fans—they are part of a community that engages with the genre through discussions, fan fiction, and events.

Dingus of the week: Carrie Underwood

Men Yell at Me • 1233 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Music Art Entertainment Media Society
  1. Carrie Underwood's career is seen as struggling and her performance at Trump's inauguration is viewed as an attempt to regain relevance.
  2. Critics suggest that artists like Underwood often blame 'woke culture' for their lack of success instead of focusing on their music's quality.
  3. There's a growing trend of celebrities embracing controversial political stances to stay in the spotlight, raising questions about their genuine beliefs.

‘Emilia Pérez’ and the Curse of Oscar Bait

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1358 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Film Awards Media Entertainment Arts
  1. The film 'Emilia Pérez' is a strong Oscar contender, despite losing money at the box office. Many viewers may feel left out because it wasn't made with them in mind.
  2. Oscar bait films are designed to catch the attention of Academy voters, who often favor serious dramas and social commentary. This leads to films that resonate more with industry insiders than with general audiences.
  3. Past Oscar winners like 'Moonlight' and 'Nomadland' show a pattern of how the awards often favor poignant stories, even if they don't perform well commercially.

Movie Review: Anora

Life Since the Baby Boom • 2766 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Film Art Humanities Social Issues Entertainment
  1. The movie 'Anora' tells a unique love story between a sex worker and a rich young man, highlighting their genuine connection amidst the chaos of their lives.
  2. The film explores themes of acceptance and the complexity of feelings related to sex and relationships, challenging the idea that sex work is simply a job without emotional weight.
  3. The characters bring humor and depth, especially with comedic elements surrounding family dynamics and cultural clashes, making it a fun yet thought-provoking watch.

Weekly Bric-a-Brac

Disaffected Newsletter • 979 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🎭️ Culture Media Society Entertainment Identity Consumerism
  1. People should be honest about their feelings, even if they don't always align. It's okay if someone doesn't agree with you; what matters is being real and understanding.
  2. Narcissism, rather than gender, is a key factor when judging hurtful behavior. Both men and women can act badly, and it's important to see that it's not just about being a man or a woman.
  3. Getting good value for your money is important. Nowadays, store brands often offer just as good quality as name brands, so it's smart to shop wisely.

VFYW: Wasted Away

The Weekly Dish • 26 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Food Travel Entertainment Arts Lifestyle
  1. There was no winner for the last contest, which is unusual. It shows how challenging the contest can be for participants.
  2. A lot of subscribers are engaging with the content, with new subscriptions stemming from interesting shared stories. This highlights the community's fascination with the entries.
  3. This week’s contest is easier than the last, making it more accessible for everyone to guess. Participants are already sharing their thoughts on the photo, creating excitement.

It’s the 349th Day of January

Hung Up • 2908 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Film Entertainment
  1. The post is about January 2024 and the author's movie watching experience.
  2. The author watched the movie "Postcards from the Edge" as the first movie of the year and loves it.
  3. Readers can access more content with a 7-day free trial subscription.

One of YouTube's biggest channels is opening a massive production studio

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2000 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Media Entertainment Social media Influencers Content creation
  1. Alan Chikin Chow is opening a large 10,000-square-foot studio in Los Angeles to create content for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. This shows how creators can compete with big Hollywood studios.
  2. His YouTube series, 'Alan's Universe', is really popular, getting millions of views with stories aimed at a young audience, especially girls. It combines K-drama themes with relatable storylines.
  3. Alan wants to expand 'Alan's Universe' into movies, TV shows, and more, showing that content creation is changing and that anyone with a good idea and the right skills can succeed.

Sometimes People Are Just Stupid

Holly’s Newsletter • 3154 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Opinion Social Issues Media Politics Entertainment
  1. There are conservative influencers targeting an artist and her relationship, sparking debates and theories about the implications of her endorsements and impact on voting demographics.
  2. The artist in question has messages of traditional love and relationships in her work, facing criticism and scrutiny from various political perspectives.
  3. The discussions around this artist's personal life and potential endorsements highlight broader cultural tensions and divisions, reflecting the complexity of celebrity influence and political narratives.

Why there's no "Joe Rogan of the left"

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 1140 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Media Entertainment Politics Society Identity
  1. There's no 'Joe Rogan of the left' because Rogan appeals to a non-political crowd. To engage more people, the left needs to communicate in spaces outside traditional politics.
  2. Rogan has created a strong connection with his audience by producing a lot of content. This helps him fight loneliness for listeners who feel like he is their friend.
  3. People are drawn to fun and relatable content. If the left wants to attract more followers, they need to focus on building positive relationships instead of criticizing others.

Poker players only!

The Leap • 719 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Sociology Gender Issues Sports culture Entertainment Gaming
  1. The World Series of Poker included a new event where players could win money by knocking out champions. It's a fun twist that adds excitement to the game.
  2. Tom McEvoy, a former poker champion from 1983, was at the table, bringing his experience and reputation to the game.
  3. Events like these help keep poker interesting and attract both new and seasoned players to participate.

The Wisdom of Brown M&M's and Leaky Fire Hydrants

The Garden of Forking Paths • 2279 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Music Politics Society Entertainment Art
  1. Van Halen's use of brown M&M's as a test exposed the importance of thorough event staff attention to safety details.
  2. Testing systems, like airport security, with red teams reveals vulnerabilities and promotes resilience.
  3. The concept of leaky fire hydrants highlights the need for addressing individual problems within systems to spark wider reform.

barbie didn't direct itself

Airplane Mode with Liz Plank • 2535 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Film Gender Awards Diversity Entertainment
  1. The lack of Oscars nominations for the Barbie movie highlights gender bias in the film industry
  2. Only eight female directors have ever been nominated in the 95-year history of the Academy Awards, showing a significant gender disparity
  3. The success of the Barbie movie, despite lack of recognition, shows the industry's need for change and the importance of celebrating female creators