Ben Travers
@bentravers.bsky.social
IndieWire Critic & Deputy Editor, TV • TCA Member • Formerly of a Few Podcasts • He/Him • Ann Dowd calls me “honey” (and don't tell me if she calls everyone that).
What struck me is how accurately "OutKast" portrays the "twice as good for half as much" reality that Black parents drill into high-achievers like John Stewart. Props to Vanessa Baden Kelly's 🎯writing for that.
Erin Keane@erinkeane.bsky.social · 17h agoAll caught up on Lanterns now, which is so good. Here's @mctelevision.bsky.social on episode 3's origin story (w/spoilers!) www.salon.com/2026/08/31/h...
New at The Data Stream: Does IP mining really work better than just making original shows? (Not really!) Subscribe for more stuff like this, plus weekly ratings and premiere date guides and whatnot.
What working the IP mines gets you
Shows based on existing intellectual property don't have a much greater success rate than original ideas.
thedatastream.tv
I love watching “Dark Matter” for its beautiful and bonkers shots of Chicago, but the rest of Season 2 is such a mess it made me question Apple’s entire approach to sci-fi TV. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...
‘Dark Matter’ Season 2 Tests the Limits of Apple TV’s Sci-Fi Obsession
After two years away, 'Dark Matter' Season 2 is a convoluted follow-up that illustrates the risks of Apple's high-concept blockbuster TV strategy.
indiewire.com
It’s clear how much the people behind “Adults” care about making a great sitcom — and I respect that, because I love sitcoms. Season 2 is a big improvement, but it’s not there yet. Strong changes. Still has room to grow. I got in the weeds with this one: www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...
‘Adults’ Season 2 Review: FX’s Gen-Z Sitcom Hits a Much-Needed Growth Spurt
After a rough debut, co-creators Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw lean on classic sitcom tropes and elevate their strongest characters.
indiewire.com
The new season should up Quincy Tyler Bernstine to full co-lead status and some effort should be made to bring Steve Way back, however narratively complicated that might be.
‘Furious’ Renewed for Second Season at Hulu
The thriller from creator Elizabeth Meriwether and star Emmy Rossum wraps its first run on Aug. 31.
hollywoodreporter.com
On the last day of Emmy voting, I wrote a "will win / should win" with @marcusjones.bsky.social about the Best Series races. It's short, but we did not skimp on the hot takes! www.indiewire.com/awards/predi...
We Pick Which Series Will Win and/or Should Win at the 2026 Primetime Emmys
IndieWire Awards Editor Marcus Jones and TV Critic Ben Travers debate which series will win and which series should win at the 2026 Primetime Emmys.
indiewire.com
Spoke to Nick Offerman about a little show called “Death by Lightning.” www.indiewire.com/awards/consi...
lol yesssss
Emily St. James@emilystjams.bsky.social · 2w agoBig news! My second novel, Beth March Returns from the Dead, has a gobsmackingly great cover by Zevvy Smith-Danford! I am so proud of this book and also of getting a weird Nathaniel Hawthorne joke into the pages of People magazine. people.com/emily-st-jam...
As teased last night: I am publishing my first novel, HOW TO BUILD A ROBOT (BOYFRIEND) on Sept. 1st! Link to read more: www.robot-boyfriend.com Link to pre-order: www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFKPGFJ5
Every time someone says "but how will we afford it?" I want to ask them how we are affording it now, and in many cases, the answer is that we aren't.
Jen Taub@jentaub.bsky.social · 2w ago“A single-payer universal health care system could cover every American, save more than 100,000 lives a year, and still cost $1 trillion less than the system it would replace, according to a new preprint study led by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health.” ysph.yale.edu/news-article...
I am also on the weekly “Lanterns” beat. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...
‘Lanterns’ Review: Episode 1 Lights Up Small-Town America with Big Mysteries and a Massive Twist — Spoilers
HBO's gritty "Green Lantern" series premiere is a rollicking introduction despite overloading on information and ending on a big ol' downer. [RECAP]
indiewire.com
So I think I undersold my interview with Chris Carter about his #XFiles: I Want to Believe director's cut. Please enjoy the section that multiple readers have quoted back to me with exclamation points. consequence.net/2026/08/x-fi...
Marvel never understood (or cared to learn) how to make good TV.
Kath Barbadoro@kathbarbadoro.bsky.social · 3w agoWhat is the most vindicated you have be ever been for a hot take
I am really, really, really, REALLY excited to be able to share the cover of my book, as well a link so you can preorder it for when it comes out in April. Look at the ears!!!! wwnorton.com/books/978132...
No surprise "Sugar" got better once it stopped treating its premise like a twist, but Season 2 made a number of other savvy changes — including Colin Farrell, whose evolution is really, really impressive. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...
The Secret Is Out: ‘Sugar’ Season 2 Got Good
'Sugar' got off on the wrong foot in a first season that hid too much for too long. But Season 2 makes key changes — beyond keeping the right secrets.
indiewire.com
One point I probably didn’t make loudly enough: The slasher scenes are deeply, embarrassingly not scary — and they really need to be for “The Shards” two stories to cohere. Woof. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...
‘The Shards’ Review: Ryan Murphy’s Unboring Bret Easton Ellis Adaptation Never Comes Together
'The Shards' follows a quartet of rich teens whose idyllic adolescence is upended by the arrival of a mysterious "boy" — and a serial killer.
indiewire.com
“Ted Lasso” is back! Just not the Ted Lasso you love. On a confounding Season 4: www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...
‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4 Review: Jason Sudeikis’ Cheery Coach Is Still Off His Game
'Ted Lasso' Season 4 shows how Coach Lasso's belief system fares with a women's soccer club — and if the series can recover from its fall from grace.
indiewire.com
Media people! @hanhonymous.bsky.social is truly one of the best editors I have ever worked with -- she's smart, creative, respects her reports and has a deep expertise in all things Culture. She would be a terrific addition to your team. Hire her!
👩🏻💻 Hanhonymous@hanhonymous.bsky.social · last mo.Today is my last day as Executive Editor at Salon.com. It’s bittersweet, but I'm so grateful for all the opportunities & working with some of the finest people I’ve met. The media landscape is tough right now. Not sure what’s next, but you can email me at hanh.b.nguyen74@gmail.com with leads
"Positioning a trans actor as the moral voice of reason, an unwavering advocate for Zeus’s law, and a man whose ultimate betrayal symbolizes the destruction of civilized Greek society for the sake of the 'victory' at Troy, is especially pertinent to where we are currently."
Them@them.us · last mo.A spoiler-filled discussion of the film’s moral themes — far beyond the casting of Elliot Page and Lupita Nyong'o.
[walking out of the cineplex after “Hadestown”] Me: “Wow, that was incredible!” Jenna: “Really incredible.” M: “And André De Shields — I mean, talk about stage presence!” J: “Mmhmm.” [beat] M: “It really puts ‘The Sack Lunch Bunch’ in a whole new-“ J: “I knew you were going to say that.”
Validating to learn Ed Harris was even more pissed about his cut musical number than I was.
The Playlist@theplaylist.bsky.social · last mo.‘Dutton Ranch’ Actor Ed Harris Felt “Misled” By “Inconsequential” Role In ‘Yellowstone’ Spinoff: “Get Me The F*** Out Of Here”
(guy pointing at the first toaster) is this a bread witch
The Guardian@theguardian.com · last mo.Could AI be conscious?
🧐 “The Hawk” is a comedy, and it’s terrible. 🤯 “The Hawk” is an addiction drama, and it’s… still terrible, but WEIRDER. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...
‘The Hawk’ Review: Will Ferrell’s First Netflix Series Is a Lame Comedy — or a Bizarre Addiction Drama
In the Netflix series, Will Ferrell plays Lonnie 'The Hawk' Hawkins, a washed-up golfer who makes one last run at the PGA to complete his Grand Slam.
indiewire.com
