Antagonism for your Inbox
Stop Being a Jackass to Your Mom Friends
I came across an article on The Cut called Adorable Little Detonators: Our friendship survived bad dates, illness, marriage, fights. Why can’t it survive your baby? Maybe it was the stupid title that caught my attention (well played) but I immediately hated it. And then I actually read it. And you know what, I hated it even more. This was…
Hollywood Strikers Risk Losing Healthcare and Celebs Are Auctioning Off the Most Random Crap to Save It
It makes sense that medical dramas have become such a staple of American television. It’s likely the only way most folks are going to be able to see a doctor. Yes, that’s right, we’re talking about healthcare, the ongoing Hollywood strikes, and the odd lengths to which actors are going to support their crews. So let’s scrub in and diagnose…
Why Are Men Doing This to Me: Newsboy Cap Edition
Hey, guys? Specifically men guys? Dudes? Fellas? Why are you doing this to me? I don’t mean why Cillian Murphy. I get why Cillian Murphy. He’s here to be angelically beautiful while also menacing. He’s got a face where if your lesbian cousin started dating him, you’d be like, “Yeah, actually I get it.” He’s also here to be…
Twisty Spy Show of the Week: Treason
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist. It’s time to watch another spy show! This week’s selection is Treason on Netflix, which I carefully chose by letting Netflix autoplay it for me after I watched last…
Picket Fences: The Most Bonkers Plotlines from an Overlooked Classic
Months ago when scenes from The Good Doctor went viral online, I thought, “I can’t wait until the internet finds out about Picket Fences.” From the mind of landmark television creator David E. Kelly, Picket Fences premiered in 1992 and served to broaden the blend of small-town surrealism that Twin Peaks had popularized. Currently available for streaming on…
Are White Men OK?
As someone who’s never liked Jimmy Fallon, this article about how horrible it was to work for him is not surprising to me. (Rolling Stone) Danny Masterson was just sentenced to 30 years in prison for rape. Pro-tip: Don’t rape. (Variety) I still have not processed the Britney Spears divorce and now we have the Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner…
Twisty Spy Show of the Week: The Night Agent
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist. Let’s watch a spy thriller in series format! Everybody loves a good spy story, they’re as perennial as romances and vampire stories. We’ll start with The Night…
The Story of the Greatest Spoiler in Film History
Little did they know, but in the summer of 1978, the San Francisco Examiner revealed one of the greatest surprises in film history. And they did it years before the movie even came out. In the modern era of the internet and film discourse, the concept of a “spoiler” has become a serious issue for many. The act of ruining…
Goshdarnit, Ahsoka Feels Tonally Off
I’m pretty sure I was among the top 1% of Ahsoka Tano fans on the planet before the launch of the new Dave Filoni series. This is me. But here’s the thing: after watching the first two episodes…I’m pretty bummed out. I know that this isn’t meant to be your grandpa’s Ahsoka; characters grow and change and have their own…
The Integrity of Joseph Chambers: A Perfect Dissection of Modern Masculinity
Much like the movie that surrounds it, at the core of The Integrity of Joseph Chambers lies one question: What does it mean to be a good man? Written and directed by Robert Machoian, the film tells the story of an insurance salesman looking to prove to himself that he could provide for his family in the face of societal…
Happy Ahsoka Day!
At long last, today is the day the new series from Dave Filoni launches: Ahsoka, the coolest Jedi ever. (Don’t come at me with the technicality that she’s not a jedi proper. She’s the most Jedi Jedi ever.) I know that may be an overstatement. People do love Obi-Wan. Or, they did before he had his own show, anyway. But…
Internet Sleuths Solve A Breaking Bad Conspiracy on Cameo
Cameo is a bit of an oddity in the celebrity landscape. I mean, where else can you pay Brian Cox $689 to call your cousin an asshole on their birthday? So of course folks took notice recently when Twitter user @DaveMcNamee3000 (yep, still calling it Twitter) pointed out that Daniel and Luis Moncada — best known as the Salamanca hitmen…
CM Punk Promotes SAG-AFTRA Strike on Live Warner Bros. Discovery Broadcast
Love him or hate him, CM Punk isn’t afraid to stand up for a cause. This was made apparent during this past live broadcast of AEW Collision on TNT when the man also known as Phil Brooks appeared sporting a “SAG-AFTRA on Strike” shirt. Cameras were noticeably careful not to show any close-up shots of Punk’s shirt, but his message…
TMNT: Mutant Mayhem is Everything. Including One Perfect Mid-Credits Gag
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist. *Spoilers for TMNT: Mutant Mayhem* As suggested by its title, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has always been a shameless hodge podge of influences and intentions. What began as an indie…
The Afterparty Gives Us What We Want
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist. The Afterparty on Apple TV+ has been delightfully spinning its way through season two, treating us to a Wes Anderson-esque episode, a heist, a noir episode, and my personal favorite,…
Celebrate Return of the Jedi’s 40th Anniversary with This New Comic Anthology
I will be the first to admit that much of the allure of Star Wars has left me. There’s just been too much to it over recent years. Too much debate. Too much studio intrigue. Too much… well, too much Star Wars. For the most part, my admiration of Star Wars was never based on its epic scale. Rather, it…
Are Super Hero Studios Recreating the Same Mistakes that Led to the Comics Crash of the 90s?
In The Adventures of Superman #583, Superman happens upon the corpse of Batman nailed to the walls of the Gotham City Police Department. He solemnly buries his fellow crime fighter and flies away only to soon return when he hears a newly resurrected Batman claw his way out of the fresh grave. Superman learns that the Joker, newly imbued with…
My Favorite Things From The Opening Two Weeks of the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Get ready, this is epic. Kristie Mewis’ sentimental cleats This is the cleat of USA player Kristie Mewis, #22. Her sister Sam Mewis, #3, also a USA player, was forced to miss the World Cup due to a degenerative lower leg injury. Kristie honored her by putting Sam’s number on her cleats. “SM3KM22” I’m a sucker for adorable sister…
14 Years, Cash, Tamils, and Casual Murder
I was listening to M.I.A.’s ultra-catchy Paper Planes today when I realized that it’s 14 years old and still a banger. It was originally released in 2007 but really hit the public consciousness when it was included on the soundtrack of Slumdog Millionaire the following year. The song is super catchy, but the part of it that always haunts me…
Why Men Should Run, Not Walk, To See Barbie
I took my 13-year-old son and his two best friends to see Barbie on opening weekend. It was easy. They got caught up in the whole gestalt of the event and wanted to go. My experience was similar to Laura’s. Sold out house. People dressed in pink everywhere. It was exhilarating, and brought me back to a time when movies…
2023 Women’s World Cup Day 2 Recap
Three matches today. I was coming off of a huge high from that stunning New Zealand victory on day one. How did day two stack up? Costa Rica goaltender Daniela Solera, who faced FORTY FIVE shots from La Roja, letting only three get past her and saving ten. She was all over the place keeping her match from becoming a…
Barbie Really is Everything
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist. After what seems like a year-long onslaught of PR–the most perfect, spot-on movie marketing campaign in memory–Barbie is finally in theaters. It’s the first film of…
2023 Women’s World Cup Day 1
I’m going to need some oxygen. I knew I was excited about the opening of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but I had no idea that the play would be so ferocious right out of the gate. On opening day not one, but BOTH host nations won their openers 1-0. One, New Zealand, was a considerable underdog and played the…
Behold The Greatest Women’s Soccer Commercial Ever
The women’s game isn’t as fast. The women’s game isn’t that strong. It’s not real “football”. It’s just not that exciting to watch. All of these misogynist, uninformed, and frankly, flat out incorrect sentiments come into sharp focus in this jaw-dropping advertisement for Orange, a French telecom company. The ad plays…
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Deserves the Big Screen
This article was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist. Listen up, slackers! If you really liked the first animated Spider-Man movie, I’m here to tell you that the second one is even better. And it’s been out for a while…
Does Jury Duty Have a Strategy Problem?
“WATCH JURY DUTY.” Said two friends of mine. “It’s on FreeVee.” I complained. “FreeVee is stupid, and I am a platform snob.” “Yes, we know.” They said. “It’s owned by Amazon.” I said. “Can you imagine the dildo that actually came up with that terrible name? Can you imagine someone saying…
Solidarity
The Screen Actors Guild, SAG-AFTRA, went on strike yesterday, joining the WGA on the picket lines. The writers have been striking for more than two months now, fighting the AMPTP for fair wages, better working conditions, and a solid roadmap for workers through the future of AI technology. The last time these two unions, who together represent the creative backbone…
So, What IS In #USWNT Superstar Rose Lavelle’s Bag?
I know what you’re thinking: I CANNOT even consider continuing to exist on this planet without knowing what kind of shit All-World goddess Rose Lavelle stuffs into her duffle bag. I know. I know. Me too. Well, wonder no longer. The thing about ridiculous promotional spots like this one from Chipotle, is that they’re GREAT for the players of the…
Actors Strike, Barbie Airbnb, Drake the Poet
For the first time in 60 years, both screenwriters and actors are on strike. Disney CEO Bob Iger is very inconvenienced by the “disruption.” (Variety) On that note, here’s a list of this year’s Emmy nominations. Writers and actors are the reason all of these shows are so good. (Entertainment Weekly) Here’s Juvenile just being Juvenile.…
If You Loved ‘Ted Lasso’ You Should Watch ‘The Bear’
The real thing about Chicago winters is that they’re quiet. They’re cold and gray and miserable, but what you notice most is how quiet they are. Windows shut, birds are all gone, people don’t stay outside unless they have to. You might have late December shoppers out, but by February, you don’t. You know that feeling of being at elementary…
Barbra Banda Scores Twice As Zambia Stuns Mighty Germany 3-2 In A Pre-World Cup Friendly
Just when you think you’ve seen it all in women’s soccer, something new always manages to knock your socks off. For example, when the #1 ranked USA team lost to both Germany and Spain back in November of 2022, it sent ripples of excitement through the world. The US women lost 3 straight matches for the first time in almost…
Grab Your Caboose, New Northern Boys Just Dropped
Fans of a good (but also kinda bad) time have been blessed once again with a new track from UK’s most unlikely party rappers, The Northern Boys. And damn have they been through the wringer since last we saw them. The video for the new single “Sexy Train” opens with a shot of our favorite raunchy lads chatting with strangers…
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Is an Old-Fashioned Good Time
You should go see Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. It’s fun! I’ve read all the complaints and honestly, people need to stop complaining about movies. Back in the day, you went to movies because they were fun, and the most fun movie of all time was Raiders of the Lost Ark. None of the sequels ever quite lived…
The Grimace Invaded Roku City and Everything That Felt Good Is Bad
For a time, Roku City was a seemingly pure escape. The infinitely scrolling screensaver filling millions of televisions with a purple cityscape populated with familiar characters was a place where you could leave the rest of the world behind. And then the Grimace arrived. Everyone who streams using a Roku device knows the familiar skyline of Roku City. The…
Madonna Lives, Grave Recipes and Vampire Ballads
RIP to Alan Arkin, who I forgot (or didn’t even know) was in Edward Scissorhands. (The Guardian) At least we still have Madonna, who was in the ICU after she was found unresponsive due to a bacterial infection. Can you imagine losing her during Pride month of all times? No, thanks. (Healthline) The last thing I want to think about…
The Hollow Satire of ‘The Other Two’
Spoilers, but come on, we did say “finale.” I should start by saying I really love The Other Two, and therefore the announcement this week that the show would be ending with the season three finale under accusations of a toxic work environment was disappointing, to say the least. You’d think a show that skewers the entertainment industry’s…
Here is Your Feel-Good Professional Wrestling Moment for Pride Month
As I have often said in the past, professional wrestling is about men enjoying each others’ strength. Of course, not just men. But you know what I mean. Well, in honor of Pride Month, please let’s all celebrate with a special installment of wrestling news. This past Friday on All Elite Wrestling Rampage, we saw former tag team champions The…
You Should Listen To: Corrections: The Podcast
One of the less important, but still pretty important, aspects of the ongoing WGA strike is that I know very little about the news. I’m not super thrilled about that fact, but it’s true. We need to start paying writers for what they’re worth immediately because I desperately need to know what John Oliver would have to say about the…
Sunk Submarines, Cream Cheese Elixirs and Barbie Bitch
I’m irrationally obsessed with the fate of the submersible (because why the fuck would anyone do this?) The final verdict is it imploded not too long after it lost contact. (CNN) There’s a lot to unpack about ridiculously rich people making dumb decisions (and putting others in danger, like a 19-year-old kid in this case) and then there’s this guy…
Marvel Has Been Screwing Over Artists Long Before Secret Invasion’s AI Intro
While most shows manage to wait until after the opening titles to piss off viewers, Marvel’s new mini series Secret Invasion struck with immediacy. The premiere of the new Disney+ series irked many viewers who were met with an opening title sequence that closely resembled the now recognizable style of artificially generated art. Those behind the series…
Taylor Swift Leads An All-Star Revue To Announce The USWNT World Cup Roster
For fans of women’s soccer, the moment is finally here. The final rosters for the FIFA Women’s World Cup are being dropped across the globe, but nowhere is there more pomp and circumstance than here in America where the #1 ranked team in the world and defending Women’s World Cup Champions are announcing which players will make the trip down…
Black Mirror Cements a Bold Departure with an Homage to The Twilight Zone’s Worst Episode
Longtime fans of Black Mirror were likely taken aback by the recent release of the show’s sixth season. More humor. More horror. And even elements of the supernatural have been introduced to the series that has thus far stood out for its bleak examination of technology’s influence on everyday life. Creator and writer Charlie Brooker has been up front…
Never Have I Ever … Found a Way to Take a Healthy Break
We’ve all been there. Sometimes you just want to check out and not deal with whatever is coming your way. When this happens to me, I tend to cram salted peanuts into my mouth until I can barely chew or breathe. It takes awhile to soften and chomp the mass into a homogenous slurry, but when I finally do, I…
Is The Idol Bad on Purpose?
The Idol finally premiered on HBO and people definitely had some thoughts but in Abel Tesfaye’s defense, the sex scenes were not supposed to be sexy. (GQ) But if you still need a palette cleanser from all the cringe, here it is. This woman was declared dead only to regain consciousness and bang on the coffin while her family was…
Shrinking Has a Bad Parenting Problem
I’ve finally made my way to the season finale of Shrinking, the excellent show Bill Lawrence was making instead of showrunning Ted Lasso for its final, not-so-great season. (Apple TV+ could’ve waited another year to make Shrinking, is what I’m saying.) Here’s the thing: like my other favorite Lawrence show, Cougar Town, the greatness of…
World-Class Geoguesser Tracks Down Infamous Bagel Out of Spite, Wows Internet
Something special is bound to happen when supernatural skill meets elite pettiness. This was pretty much the entire appeal of Michael Jordan documentary The Last Dance. Well, please allow me to offer up a recent example of this compelling occurrence. For those unfamiliar, Trevor Rainbolt is a premier player in the world of “geoguessing.” This online sport involves…
‘The Other Two’ Scores Shocking Marvel Cameo
Still hitting consistent highmarks in its third season, sleeper-standout The Other Two managed to score a shocking cameo from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. At this point in the series, protagonists Brooke and Cary Dubek have betrayed their closest personal relationships for fame. Their mother, Pat Dubek played by Molly Shannon, has also lost out on maintaining a…
You Should Watch: Beforeigners
I’m going to say five words at you, and if they don’t immediately stir your interest, you should move on from this post. No judgment or hard feelings, but if it’s not for you, it’s not for you. So: Time-traveling Viking solves murders. Yeah? Fantastic. I need to tell you about a little show called Beforeigners. Why is it called…
Goodbye Ted Lasso, Hello Psycho Tom Holland
Ted Lasso may have (allegedly) come to an end, but not our obsession with it here where we ask the difficult questions: Has Ted Lasso Given Us Nothing but Reasons to Distrust the Lasso Way? (The Antagonist) And if you’re in your car 99% of your day like everyone in LA is, you can listen to the Ted Lasso Deep…
Save Det. Crashmore: Fans Rally to Help Support I Think You Should Leave Favorite
Known best for his standout parts on I Think You Should Leave, longtime actor Biff Wiff has received an outpouring of support from fans as he faces an ongoing health scare. With television acting credits stretching back to 1986, Wiff is most recognizable for his turns as Santa Claus playing the hardboiled Detective Crashmore. In Claus’s own words, the project…
Platonic and Proper Drug Etiquette
*Spoilers* If you’re not watching Platonic, the new Seth Rogen – Rose Byrne comedy on Apple TV+, you really should be. It’s great. Sylvia (Byrne) and Will (Rogen) are former best friends trying to reconnect after Will gets divorced and Sylvia falls into a middle-life-not-crisis because mothers aren’t really allowed to have full-on crises.…
Yes, You Can Play the Eggman Game from I Think You Should Leave. No, It Isn’t Porn.
Congrats, big boy. You can now play the Eggman Game from season three of Netflix’s I Think You Should Leave. The Eggman Game was originally developed for the show by visual artist Alec Robbins. Here he is promising that he did his very best job on both the butthole and the bush. Alec was kind enough to spread the word…
Ted Lasso: An Ode to Barbara, the Only New Character Who Lasted
*MILD SPOILERS FOR TED LASSO SEASON 3, EPISODE 12* After the very odd decision of Apple TV+ to drop the series finale of Ted Lasso at midnight on Tuesday night after a full season of 9pm drops, we’re faced with half the country sitting at work today trying not to be spoiled while checking social media. The pain is real,…
Has Ted Lasso Given Us Nothing but Reasons to Distrust the Lasso Way?
I would like to start by clarifying that this is not a hit piece. Ted Lasso the show has garnered a certain amount of criticism in its (presumably) final season for introducing characters and plots it doesn’t intend to follow up on while also failing to properly deal with the larger ongoing plot points. We’re not really sure exactly how…
How Succession’s Finale Subverts and Weaponizes Physical Affection
Succession has completed its run, and if anything, the show explored the contradictory nature of modern life like no other. I’ve previously detailed this in a number of ways this past season. On Succession, jokes are hard truths or perverse harassment, weddings are funerals, family games are demeaning competitions, and eulogies are as much about the living as…
Succession Season 4 Episode 10 Recap: It’s All Nothing
Well, Successionistas, it’s been a good ride, but here we are at the series finale of Succession. In the season’s hour-and-a-half-long final episode, we finally learned who “won” and “lost” a game where no one truly ever wins or loses, because every player is still disgustingly rich and has sold half their soul to reach the finish line. But we…
Spider-Man 2 PlayStation Showcase: The Details that Spell Bad News for Our Favorite Wall Crawler
When new gameplay footage from Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 dropped during this week’s PlayStation Showcase, fans were filled with a mix of excitement and dread upon seeing Peter Parker sporting the black symbiote suit. And a closer look at this new footage offers up clues that things are about to get really bad for Spidey. First off we have the cool…
Worst Possible Endings: Ted Lasso Edition
It feels like all our favorite shows are wrapping up this season. There’s just one final episode of Ted Lasso left to go, so everyone is asking: Will they stick the landing and manage to salvage a satisfactory conclusion? Or are we in for a legacy-destroying finale a la Game of Thrones (more like Thing of Groans). Well, in the…
Succession Season 4 Episode 9 Recap: The Winner of the Funeral Takes It All
We’ve had three Roy family weddings, now it’s time for a funeral. In the wake of last week’s controversial election call, the streets of Manhattan have erupted into protests against the newly elected (at least in ATN’s eyes), fascist-leaning Jeryd Mencken. But for the Roys, this is just background noise — in the penultimate episode of Succession they are…
Ted Lasso: Jamie Tartt Gets Incest-spired to Believe
Wowsers. Titled “Mom City,” the penultimate episode of Ted Lasso offered up a bevy of maternal friction — in more ways than one. A bulk of the episode revolves around the mystery of why Ted hates his mom so damn much. Is it because she isn’t really nailing that accent? Is it because Becky Ann Baker previously mommed for Freaks…
Succession: Here’s What the Times Reported About the Fraudulent ATN Presidential Call?
Coming in with a hot scoop! Succession’s penultimate episode picks up right after the Roy family news behemoth ATN has prematurely called the presidential election in favor of their No. 1 boy, Jeryd Mencken. The ploy was immediately condemned by other news outlets, but just how much does the public know about what went down? Well, we know it’s enough…
AFC Richmond Record Update – “International Break” Edition
We’re very nearly at the end of Ted Lasso Season 3. Which means we’re quite possibly very nearly at the end of Ted Lasso itself. (Jason Sudeikis remains mum on whether this really is the show’s final season, but both he and the rest of the cast have maintained that they set out to tell a three-season story, so take…
Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 10 Recap: No Funerals and an Amsterdam
We’ve reached the last three! That’s right: we’re down to the final trio of episodes that Ted Lasso will ever bestow upon our jaded heads. (Allegedly.) One way you can tell? The length of Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 10 is jacked all the way back up to 11, Spinal Tap-style, though in this case “11” actually times out to…
Succession’s Eulogizers Always Tell You Exactly Who They Are
It’s difficult to speak of the dead without leaving a bit of yourself on the table. No matter how much you attempt to focus on the deceased, you’re going to reveal some deep personal truths. And this was on full display in the penultimate episode of Succession, titled “Church and State.” We’ve previously seen Succession’s odd take on eulogies in…
Here’s How I Pieced Together My Gatsby Look For Prom
Hi everyone! Thanks for all the encouragement, it truly means the world to me. I wanted to quickly put together a list for anyone who might want to wear the same outfit for their prom or just wear pieces of it. My dad and I put everything together over about a four month period and we spent all day today…
Ted Lasso is Going to Break Up Roy and Keeley Again, Isn’t it?
Look, nobody really knows why Roy Fucking Kent and Keeley Fucking Jones broke up. At this point, I’m not convinced even the writers of Ted Lasso are entirely sure why–and if they do know, they haven’t spelled it out very clearly for the rest of us. Something about Roy thinking he didn’t deserve her? Or something about him being stuck?…
Eurovision 2023, Chocolate Beer Truffles and Lipstick Lovers
I don’t think as a nation we obsess about Eurovision enough. (The Antagonist) Remember a few weeks ago when The New York Times tried to make Elizabeth Holmes seem like your typical PTA mom whose crime was to bring the wrong snacks to the school field trip, not cheat, steal and fuck over a bunch of people? It didn’t work.…
Succession Season 4 Episode 8 Recap: Wasabigate
This week on Succession, we got a glimpse into ATN’s biggest night: the presidential election. On the ballot are Jeryd Mencken, a literal fascist, and Daniel Jimenez, the Democratic candidate whose most defining feature so far is not being a fascist. Oh, and also Connor Roy. While we’ve gotten glimpses into the Roys’ power and its effects on what their…
Ted Lasso: Why Would You Call That a Chicago Dog?
Hey, Ted Lasso, the fuck is this? Because in episode ten “International Break,” returning vulgarian Edwin Akufo says they’re Chicago hotdogs as enjoyed by the likes of Scottie Pippen, Obama, and Ferris Bueller (and that last one isn’t even verifiable. We never see Ferris eat a hotdog. He eats nachos at the Cubs game and later claims to be…
Sweden Won Eurovision 2023, but Here’s Who Should Have Won
Eurovision streamed live on Peacock this year, which let Americans get a peek at a sacred international tradition that the United States hasn’t managed to directly purchase, co-opt and/or ultimately ruin. It’s a good thing. The inspired weirdness and uber cheese of Eurovision may not align with your typical red-blooded Capitol-storming American, but is…
The Bear Season 2 Trailer: What We Know and What the What?
The trailer for the second season of FX’s The Bear just dropped, meaning it’s time for anyone who hasn’t caught last year’s critical darling to catch up. Jeremy Allen White won a Critic’s Choice, Golden Globe, and SAG award for Best Actor (and will most likely win the Emmy once those happen later this year). It’s stressful,…
Ted Lasso Gets Some Tragic News
“Coach Lasso, thank you for joining me on such short notice. Please take a seat.” “Well, I’d take it, but then where would the next fella sit.” “Uh, Coach, my apologies, but what I have to tell you is a matter of grave urgency.” “Then let’s make like an influential Canadian prog rock trio and rush. Give me the dirt,…
What Even is Eurovision?
I’m done pretending to know what Eurovision is. When I hear Eurovision, I imagine Europeans, who are a different species than us, doing strange musicals on stage wearing ridiculous costumes. Maybe I’m conjuring up Will Ferrell in the Eurovision movie that I never saw, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. I don’t know if I’m right…
Roy Kent: Pondering the Ponderous Thing
The scene: With Rebecca’s blessing, Ted begs off the post-game presser to attend Henry’s parent/teacher conference. Rebecca volunteers Roy to fill Ted’s seat, but Beard is the one who actually shows up. We drop in just as he is verging on alienating the entire press corps with a rather maniacal dragging of Led Zeppelin lead guitarist Jimmy Page. (Joe Walsh?…
Ren Is Having His Moment
It’s no secret that we here at The Antagonist are fans of Welsh rapper and instrumentalist Ren. Suffice to say, he is really having a moment. “Hi Ren” — Ren’s breakthrough viral hit — just surpassed 12 million views on YouTube. This track’s success is surprising on multiple levels. A nearly 10-minute track of a man rapping about his self…
Ted Lasso: They’ve Got Bad Guys, but Who’s the Antagonist?
Spoilers for season 3, episode 9. Quick: who’s the bad guy on season 3 of Ted Lasso? Not “a” bad guy, but “the” bad guy? Not to name-drop ourselves too much, but who exactly is the antagonist? Who is the, or even a, central figure who is actively working to prevent Ted Lasso from achieving his goals? Who’s creating the…
Succession Season 4 Episode 7 Recap: Bedtime for Bonzo
There ain’t no party like a Succession party, because, in the words of Shiv, “it’s basically just money and gossip.” And that is what I live for! So when the season’s seventh episode was set to take place at Shiv and Tom’s election eve party, I was ready for the drama. It may actually be the Monday before the election,…
The Guardians of the Galaxy Grow Up
*MILD SPOILERS FOR GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3* Guardians of the Galaxy is probably my favorite MCU property. Something about the combination of the humor, the pathos, and the incredible soundtrack speaks to my Gen X soul. The entire MCU could be described as a found family story, but Guardians has always been explicit about it–they are a motley…
Ted Lasso: Rupert Tries to Corrupt Nate ‘Devil’s Advocate’ Style
Fans of mid-to-late ’90s Keanu Reeves may have recognized a scene from the season three episode of Ted Lasso, “La Locker Room Aux Folles.” And it takes things a bit further by characterizing the villainous Rupert as the actual devil. Nate has been no saint himself, but it’s clear that Rupert takes pleasure in corrupting everything around…
Watch Bad Bunny’s Godlike Entrance at WWE Backlash in Puerto Rico
Bad Bunny may be the greatest professional wrestling fan of all time. I don’t say that to mean that the love in his heart for the one true sport surpasses that of any other devoted fan. I just mean that he is perhaps better at being a fan than anyone else. Bad Bunny’s success as a recording artist cannot be…
The New York Times Tries Its Best to Make You Fall for Theranos Founder Elizabeth Holmes
The worst person you know has a favorite cereal. They are someone’s child. They sometimes sing. They sometimes feel embarrassed. That doesn’t absolve them of anything. They are still the worst person you know. This weekend the New York Times ran a profile on Elizabeth Holmes, a blatant attempt to launder the reputation of the disgraced Theranos entrepreneur found…
Hi Ren, The Antagonist Loves You!
The Antagonist Podcast starts our pop culture challenge with the viral hit Hi Ren. The YouTube sensation and its reaction videos are Dustin’s choice for the team to watch this week. Join The Antagonist Managing Editor Laura J. Burns with writers Orly Minazad, Dustin Waters, and John Brown Spiers as they dazzle you with pop culture topics. Click to listen…
Writers Strike, Hi Ren, and Public Orgasms
We’re rooting for all the WGA members striking right now for fair wages, because they deserve it and because we’ve seen what happens in season 3 of Ted Lasso when stars take over the writing. (GQ) On that note, here’s an analysis of the women of Ted Lasso and Succession scheduling their sadness because they’re so busy. (The Antagonist)…
Ted Lasso and Succession: Did You Catch This Incredible Connection?
To borrow some language from the Book of Psalms in my article on television shows, the shows Succession and Ted Lasso seem to differ as far as east is from west. But in their final seasons, these acclaimed series have met at a north pole. And I’m hoping to figure out the why and the how of it all. Starting…
This May the 4th, Let’s Savor Star Wars’ Smaller Moments. And Phil Tippett’s Rancor Ass Story.
Happy May the 4th to all who celebrate, but especially to special effects master Phil Tippett, who recently shared a very special bit of Star Wars lore. Fresh off the release of Mad God, a film 30 years in the making, Tippett is best known for his work on Jurassic Park, Robocop, and yes, Star Wars. Tippett recently took to…
Ted Lasso and I Might Be Breaking Up
I complain about Ted Lasso a lot, but I have still always loved it. While season two spent too long allowing Ted to become so self-centered in his misery that he didn’t even notice Nate’s descent into pure villainy (which was out of character for both), and season three has been uneven in terms of its plotting and humor, the…
Succession Season 4 Episode 6 Recap: Send in the Clouds
Nothing fills me with as unique a combination of excitement and dread as the image of Kendall Roy on a stage. And no one knows quite how to capture that image as perfectly as Lorene Scafaria. Sunday night brought us on one last ride with this perfect pairing, in Succession’s sixth episode, “Living+.” An episode that started with a real…
It’s The Met Gala, Kitty-Cats!
I’m not a fashion blogger, I just like pretty clothes. I also have a degree in Art History. This makes it obligatory for me to point out that the annual Met Gala is not just an excuse for famous people to dress up and get their pictures taken, but rather a benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.…
Succession’s Most Wicked Games Ranked
In between all the family turmoil and corporate betrayal, the gang on Succession likes to have a good time. Because what’s the point of wealth if you can’t use it to pressure those around you into a demeaning competition where you make up all the rules? That’s what capitalism is all about. So here are the best games from Succession…
Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 7 Recap: Hearts and Minds and Dicks
Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 7, “The Strings That Bind Us,” is a lot! It’s really lovely and heartwarming, for starters. It’s got plenty of delicious comedy, comedic set pieces, and throwaway lines. It’s got whozits and whatzits galore. It’s also Ted Lasso’s second-consecutive hour-long episode (it’s 57 minutes if you want to get technical on me but I’m rounding…
Met Gala 2023, Corden’s Goodbye, and Jury Duty
The Met Gala 2023 is just around the corner, Monday May 1st. Always good to be reminded about how poor and unglamorous we are. (Vogue) I ask you all, for the first and last time, who the fuck are Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell? (Vox) I can’t stress enough how going on cruises is a bad idea. This woman’s husband’s…
Ghosted by a Better Script?
This week the Antagonist Podcast discusses Ghosted, starring Chris Evans and Ana de Armas. Join The Antagonist Managing Editor Laura J. Burns with writers Orly Minazad, Dustin Waters, and John Brown Spiers as they dazzle you with pop culture topics. Click to listen below or wherever you get your Podcasts. 0:11 — Introduction to this week’s show.…
Hootan Yaghoobzadeh’s War with Fox
Yaghoobzadeh’s mother stood behind him on the steps of a Delaware courthouse, as he expressed his pride in “exposing the truth and holding those who knowingly spread lies accountable.” You know what they say, behind every successful Jewish Persian man is his mother. Literally. Just standing there. Maybe slowly, meticulously peeling a cucumber because her son could…
Succession Season 4 Episode 5 Recap: Scooby Dooby Doo, Where In Norway Are You?
You’d better start your sequel, Joachim Trier, because there’s a new Worst Person in the World in Norway — and his name is Lukas Matsson. Succession’s fifth episode of the season, “Kill List,” takes the Roy siblings — and pretty much every other major character — to the icy Scandinavian hills of the GoJo company retreat to try to finally…
A Show about Bad Dads Introduces a Great One
Jamie’s dad. Nate’s dad. Ted’s dad. Rebecca’s dad. Rupert. Higgins’ dad. (Okay, but he’s funny.) Ted Lasso loves stories of bad dads and the resultant fallout of those experiences. Over the better part of three seasons, we’ve been conditioned to expect characters foibles to have a direct line back to their fathers.…
Succession: Is Mailing Someone a Frozen Blood Brick a Good Joke?
Humor, especially across cultures, is subjective. That’s why on this most recent globetrotting episode of Succession — titled “Kill List” — the show posed an interesting question: Is it a good joke to mail someone a half-liter frozen brick of your own blood? Let’s figure this out. “Kill List” sees the Roy family traveling to Norway to sort out the…
The Mandalorian’s Best Season 3 Scene Turned Baby Yoda into a Toddler
Pretty much the entire internet agreed that the third season of Star Wars’ flagship show The Mandalorian wasn’t its best. Whether because the show decided to focus more on internecine squabbles between various factions of Mandalorians, because it sold out by having too-famous guest stars, or just because there wasn’t enough of Pedro Pascal’s…
Beef Haters, Hader’s Beef, and HBO’s Max Defeat
This week the Antagonist Podcast is talking about MAX (minus the HBO) and Netflix’s Beef. Join The Antagonist Managing Editor Laura J. Burns with writers Orly Minazad, Dustin Waters, and John Brown Spiers as they dazzle you with pop culture topics. Click to listen below or wherever you get your Podcasts. 0:11 — What’s better than being hung over alone?…
Laughstatting SNL | Season 48 Episode 18 | Ana de Armas
People love Ana de Armas. I was excited to see if she had any comedy chops because Ghosted is dropping on Apple TV+. Ultimately, this was a decent, if sort of middling, episode of SNL. De Armas is beautiful, but I think the topic of her comedy chops is still very much an open question. While the staff didn’t hide…
Coachella 2023, Judy Blume and the 4-20 Munchies
It’s the end of an era. Netflix is shutting down its DVD rentals that I had no idea still existed. (AP) I present to you, Jon Hamm reacting at a Bad Bunny concert. With all the back-to-back shootings of innocent kids in America today, I’m relieved this toddler made it out alive after accidentally getting through the White House fence.…
