The hottest Television Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Broadcast TV: It Only Looks Dead

Life Since the Baby Boom • 1152 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  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.

The art of imperfection

Austin Kleon • 2717 implied HN points • 09 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Embracing imperfection in art can lead to unique and heartfelt expressions. It's okay to be a little rough around the edges.
  2. Reading can be a refreshing escape, and trying different books can bring new inspiration to your life. It's fun to explore different genres.
  3. Starting and ending your day with books can create a nice routine. It helps frame your day in a thoughtful way.

Pity the Poor Bastards Who Have to Try to Racially Balance Every Big Event

I Might Be Wrong • 19 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Entertainment often forces racial "entry points" into shows to try to make every group feel represented, which can create tokenism and awkward shoehorning of performers.
  2. Every booking gets read as a win or loss by different political and racial camps, so backlash happens no matter who is chosen and the debate becomes a zero-sum culture war.
  3. Executives are stuck trying to please everyone, an impossible task, and the better solution is to stop prioritizing race as the main factor and treat culture as different expressions of shared experiences.

Mother Russia, Father Time

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3375 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Television
  1. There is ongoing debate about Biden's age and cognitive decline, with various experts weighing in and comparisons to Trump's cognitive test.
  2. Tucker Carlson's recent visit to Moscow sparked controversy, as he praised the city and its affordability, prompting discussions on ideology and living standards.
  3. Jon Stewart's return to hosting _The Daily Show_ was well-received, especially due to his humor targeting both Biden and Trump, showing his enduring comedic prowess.

Ecuador's Gangster Insurgency

CrashOut by Ioan Grillo • 511 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Television
  1. Ecuador faced a gangster insurgency involving violent actions like seizing TV stations and kidnapping police officers.
  2. The gangsters used propaganda tactics like releasing videos to spread fear and intimidation among the public.
  3. The situation in Ecuador reflects a broader issue of crime wars in Latin America, with implications beyond its borders.
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‘Severance’ and the Trauma of the Bullshit Job

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1057 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. The show 'Severance' highlights the frustration many people feel about their jobs, especially the long hours spent in a dull office.
  2. In 'Severance', employees have a procedure that separates their work and personal memories, creating two different versions of themselves.
  3. The concept of 'severance' raises an interesting question: Would you want to forget your work life completely if you could?

The Saturday Selection, Vol. 63

Why is this interesting? • 361 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. People are rating sticks on Instagram now, creating a fun community called #StickNation. It's a quirky trend that's taken off online.
  2. TV shows today focus more on work and less on friends just hanging out. The style of storytelling has really changed over time.
  3. Odysseus is becoming popular again, with new interest sparked by Hollywood. It's cool to see old stories getting new attention.

15 things I consumed this week

Maybe Baby • 494 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Reading can help you navigate life stages and relationships, especially when considering family dynamics. It's great to explore different perspectives through essays and stories.
  2. Classic TV shows, like 'Seinfeld', still provide entertainment and humor. Revisiting familiar episodes can be a fun way to relax and reminisce.
  3. Exploring new music albums can be exciting, and sharing experiences with friends can enhance the enjoyment. Don't hesitate to ask for recommendations or thoughts on what you haven't heard yet.

A Business Upended: The Streaming Disruption of the Movie & Broadcasting Business

Musings on Markets • 759 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
💼 Business Television
  1. The rise of streaming services like Netflix has drastically changed how we consume movies and shows. Many people are moving away from cable TV and preferring the convenience of streaming platforms.
  2. The movie industry may face a fate similar to the music industry due to streaming disruptions. Just as music labels struggled to adapt, traditional movie companies might find it hard to survive without significant changes.
  3. Streaming has led to increased content production but also rising costs. While there's more choice for viewers, the quality can sometimes suffer, leaving many overwhelmed by the options available.

'The Idol' Embodied Our Sexual Culture

Many Such Cases • 979 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. The show 'The Idol' showed very real and uncomfortable aspects of our sexual culture. Instead of shying away from difficult topics, it gave viewers a mirror to reflect on these issues.
  2. Many people misunderstood the show's intention, thinking it endorsed negative actions rather than critiquing them. This highlights a lack of media literacy in understanding complex narratives.
  3. 'The Idol' aimed to explore trauma, sexuality, and shame but left audiences feeling unsettled. It reminds us that not all stories provide neat resolutions, and that's a reality we often want to ignore.

How Did Jon Stewart Get Like This?

I Might Be Wrong • 12 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Jon Stewart's recent interview revealed surprising gaps in his economic knowledge and often reduced complex issues to a caricature of extreme free-market thinking.
  2. Economists and commentators reacted with shock and criticism, saying his performance exposed real misunderstandings rather than clever skepticism.
  3. That shift appears to have been brewing for years, with a widely noticed 2009 interview with a financial TV host marking an early turning point toward his current outlook.

Introducing Storypunk...

Development Hell • 572 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Television
  1. The post introduces a newsletter called Storypunk that focuses on TV development and production.
  2. The process of TV development and production is portrayed as a challenging and lengthy one.
  3. The post offers a 7-day free trial to access more content on the newsletter, Development Hell.

Jerry Springer Was Trash. But He Was Honest.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 723 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Jerry Springer was unapologetic about the shocking content he presented on his show. He focused on giving viewers what they actually wanted, even when it was controversial.
  2. His show was popular, drawing millions of viewers, but also sparked criticism for being immoral and exploitative. Some episodes were so outrageous they were even banned.
  3. Springer was seen as a disruptive figure in American media, compared to more wholesome personalities like Oprah, positioning himself as the 'black sheep' of talk shows.

Why do entertainment executives hate entertainment?

Read Max • 3108 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Entertainment executives may lack love for movies and TV, affecting the quality produced.
  2. Industry trends show a shift towards prioritizing 'prestige' over more traditional entertainment.
  3. There is a growing disconnect between what audiences enjoy and what executives believe is valuable content.

An archival detective story and other links; a great, stupid action espionage TV show; and more!

Read Max • 711 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. There are interesting links including a detective story and articles on sports gambling and hustle culture. They cover both fun and serious topics.
  2. A recommended spy show is described as 'great' and 'stupid', suggesting it's entertaining and light-hearted.
  3. An album of Armenian-influenced electronic music is highlighted, indicating a diverse taste in music.

Hollywood Will Not Fall for This “Cast Normal-Looking Actors” Stuff

I Might Be Wrong • 10 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Hollywood prioritizes attractive actors because entertainment is largely commerce. Nice-to-look-at performers boost ratings, marketing, and the chances a show will make money.
  2. Casting average-looking actors can make stories feel more authentic and grounded. Still, it's uncommon because production constraints (long seasons, casting difficulty) and audience habits push producers toward eye candy.
  3. Viewers project themselves onto on-screen characters, so creators cast people who are relatable but slightly idealized in appearance. That small boost in attractiveness helps audiences connect and keeps them tuning in.

The "MurderBot" Apple TV Adaptation Is a Win...

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 192 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. The 'MurderBot' adaptation on Apple TV is getting great reviews for capturing the essence of its original character. People are excited to see a relatable robot with real feelings and challenges.
  2. The cast, especially Alexander Skarsgård as the lead, is praised for their performances. They bring depth to the characters, making viewers feel connected to them right away.
  3. The show is noted for its humor and heart, appealing to both fans of the books and new viewers. It's a unique take on science fiction that mixes action with emotional storytelling.

This New Internet Thing, Chapter 25

Life Since the Baby Boom • 461 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Television
  1. Len is looking for ways to get hired in the tech world. He knows he has the skills, but he wonders how to get noticed by the big players in Silicon Valley.
  2. The team at Palm is excited about a new handheld product called Touchdown. They are focusing on what customers really need and ignoring unnecessary features to make it great.
  3. Len and Dan go on a TV show to talk about their work with the Internet and crime. They manage to discuss their mutual fund and share how technology helps with their investigations.

Le Bureau des Légendes edition

Why is this interesting? • 361 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Le Bureau des Légendes is a French spy drama that focuses on the emotional side of intelligence work. It shows how the personal lives of agents are affected by their dangerous missions.
  2. The show differs from typical American spy thrillers by being slow-paced and realistic. It emphasizes psychological complexity and real-world geopolitical issues instead of explosions and action.
  3. Fiction can reflect reality in unique ways. Just like the writer Gérard de Villiers, who often wrote about future events based on insights from the intelligence community, 'Le Bureau' offers deep understanding of current world issues through its storytelling.

Fox Fake News

Diane Francis • 399 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Television
  1. Television news in the U.S. is struggling because it's losing advertising money from live sports.
  2. As more sports move to streaming services, traditional networks won't have the revenue they used to rely on.
  3. Big defamation lawsuits are also speeding up the problems for TV news networks.

This Year's Best Bits: The Tipping Point?

What's Important? • 19 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  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.

Falling Asleep with the TV On

Kneeling Bus • 264 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  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.

Only the questions

Austin Kleon • 1039 implied HN points • 04 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. There's a cool online tool that shows you only the questions in a piece of writing. It's a fun way to focus on what really matters in the text.
  2. You can make music right in your browser using a tool called Roland50 Studio. It's a great way to have fun and be creative without needing special software.
  3. A new TV show called 'Somebody Somewhere' mixes comedy and heartwarming moments. It’s set in a unique location and deals with topics like grief in a relatable way.

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

Textual Variations • 231 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  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.

Back with Bette and Joan!

Disaffected Newsletter • 399 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. The watch party for the miniseries 'Feud: Bette and Joan' is a fun way to connect over classic Hollywood drama. It's happening on March 19 and everyone is welcome to join the discussion.
  2. Bette Davis and Joan Crawford had very different personalities, with Davis being a talented actress and Crawford more of a classic movie star. Their intense rivalry makes for a captivating story to explore.
  3. The series delves deeper into the personal struggles of both actresses and highlights the challenges they faced in an ageist Hollywood. It's a mix of humor, tragedy, and glamour that portrays their complex relationship.

T.V. Digest #23 Reveals the Paid Tier

Textual Variations • 66 implied HN points • 23 Aug 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. A new paid subscription option is available for $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year, giving access to some older articles behind a paywall.
  2. The publication schedule will be flexible and inconsistent, with posts coming out when there's time and inspiration instead of on a regular basis.
  3. Recent updates include new content and discussions around various topics, such as films and viewer sensitivity to violence.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Castalia • 179 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is more about the human cost of espionage than the spy work itself. It shows how pressure and ambition can wear people down and impact their lives.
  2. The series emphasizes the theme of waste, highlighting how many characters dedicate their lives to ideals without any reward. Their struggles often lead to feelings of emptiness and loss.
  3. While George Smiley and others navigate a morally gray world, the show suggests that maintaining one's dignity and doing your best work can be meaningful, even if the larger system feels corrupt.

Vol. 1, Issue 46 - Interview with Michael Haigney

Johto Times • 119 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Michael Haigney was the voice director for the English adaptation of the Pokémon anime and voiced many beloved characters like Charmander and Psyduck.
  2. Adapting the anime involved a lot of fast-paced script writing and scheduling challenges, especially to keep up with tight deadlines.
  3. Attending conventions and meeting fans has been a rewarding part of his journey, revealing how much the show means to many people.

Banned on Twitter

Shakos Metaheuristics • 176 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. The author was banned on Twitter for a misunderstood tweet referencing a Game of Thrones scene.
  2. The author reflects on their Twitter usage, emphasizing quality content over follower growth.
  3. The author discusses their views on homelessness, suggesting creating communities outside cities for care and work opportunities.

27 Trippy Films to Spice Up Your Holiday Break

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Explore a collection of trippy films and TV shows to watch during the holiday break, ranging from whimsical animations to mind-bending sci-fi series.
  2. Encounter unique storytelling and visually captivating experiences in movies like 'Waking Life' and 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,' each pushing boundaries in their respective genres.
  3. Dive into surreal worlds and existential conversations with TV series like 'The Midnight Gospel' and 'Russian Doll,' offering deep philosophical exploration in a visually striking manner.

Fall in the Family

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Certain violent events and the political reactions to them can act as archetypal signs that reveal shifts in the collective psyche.
  2. A mainstream cultural figure can stand for an older liberal, secular vision of America—social mobility, pluralism, and civility—that now feels like a fading, outdated ideal.
  3. These deaths combined with an extreme political response signal a broader collapse of civic discourse and the rise of authoritarian impulses, marking an unsettling threshold in public life.

Thoughts on Pluribus

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 16 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. A sci-fi premise imagines an alien-derived virus that turns almost everyone into a psychically linked hivemind, with a few unaffected outsiders anchoring the story.
  2. The show acts as a multivalent allegory tying together themes like AI, the tension between individualism and collective consciousness, spiritual awakening, and political systems such as fascism or communism.
  3. The hivemind metaphor is read as a warning about a real-world "mind-virus": authoritarianism and manipulative media/tech consolidation can spread like an infection and threaten freedom and dissent.

T.V. Digest #20 is Mostly about Film Revision. Mostly.

Textual Variations • 231 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Film revision is an important topic, and the film industry has issues that need to be addressed, especially concerning the VFX community's treatment over the years.
  2. Streaming services often misrepresent runtimes, so it's best to verify by watching the cuts yourself, which can lead to surprising discoveries.
  3. The opening of 'Kraven the Hunter' shows promise for the film, indicating that it may resonate well with fans of the genre.

The Land of Confusion

Malt Liquidity • 10 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Nostalgia and simple pattern recognition make formulaic TV and procedural stories pleasurable, and modern engagement-driven incentives are pushing shows toward easier, less nuanced writing.
  2. AI-generated text often produces plausible but flat patterns that tempt people to overinterpret and can trigger a referential, feedback-loop style of thinking.
  3. A practical defense is to treat beliefs like market positions: put stakes or predictions on them, balance conviction with measurable outcomes, and accept that many things are ultimately unknowable.

Disaffected Watch Party: Feud, Part IV

Disaffected Newsletter • 179 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. Join the watch party for 'Feud: Bette and Joan' to enjoy some entertaining drama. It's a fun event for fans of the show.
  2. The series features a rivalry between two famous actresses, adding excitement and intrigue to the story. You'll see how their competition unfolds.
  3. To participate, you need to be a paying supporter, but there’s a chance to get a free trial to check it out. It's a great way to connect with others who enjoy the series.

Why MAGA is Swiftie Boating a Pop Star

The Experiment • 58 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Television
  1. The controversy surrounding Taylor Swift and her relationship with a football player has created a lot of drama, particularly with MAGA supporters.
  2. Taylor Swift's parasocial relationship with her fans through social media has been a significant aspect of her popularity and impact.
  3. Taylor Swift's music focuses on breakup anthems rather than sexual allure, which has caused backlash from certain groups and individuals.