Miss yesterday's Bob Barth's One Night Stand? This week we explored the surprise return of Ted Lasso for Season 4 and what it means for one of television's most beloved series. The full show is now streaming on demand at WFMU.org and in the free WFMU app. @wfmu.bsky.social

Why do Kermit, Yoda, and Grogu often feel more emotionally real than far more sophisticated digital characters? I don't think it's nostalgia. I think it has everything to do with performance. My latest Substack explores why "acting is reacting" still matters in the age of CGI.

The Performance Is the Special Effect

What makes something feel real?

open.substack.com

⚽️ Today on Bob Barth's One Night Stand: Ted Lasso is back. We're taking a look at the surprise fourth season, why the series has returned, and what fans can expect from Richmond's favorite coach. 📻 Live today: 2–6 PM PT / 5–9 PM ET 🌐 wfmu.org @wfmu.bsky.social

What makes something feel real? We often debate practical effects versus CGI, but I think that's the wrong conversation. The real magic happens when performers can genuinely react to one another—and I think audiences know the difference. My latest essay: open.substack.com/pub/bobbarth...

Missed this week's #BobBarthsOneNightStand? It's now in the @wfmu.org archives! I recommend Hulu's Furious, recap Bob Moses & Cannons at the Hollywood Bowl, and chat with Jimmy Vallance & Tom Howie. Listen anytime! @wfmu.bsky.social

A recording preserves a performance. A live performance creates one. "We're Going Live" is about why music is at its best when artists and audiences share the same room. Best concert you've ever seen? #Music #Substack bobbarthwrites.substack.com/p/were-going...

We’re Going Live!

Some of my earliest memories have a soundtrack.

bobbarthwrites.substack.com

LIVE today, 2–6 PM PT! 🎙️ Bob Moses' Jimmy Vallance & Tom Howie join me. 🎶 Hollywood Bowl recap with Cannons & Bob Moses. 📺 Plus, why Hulu's Furious is worth your time. Listen live on @wfmu.bsky.social

I've come to believe a recording isn't the destination—it's the invitation. This week's essay traces my lifelong love of music, from LPs at my local library to discovering that I truly become a fan the first time I see an artist live. What concert changed the way you heard a musician?

A wonderful insight from Imogen Sara Smith during this week's ONS Film Club on David Lean's The Passionate Friends. @wfmu.bsky.social

Missed Saturday's show? It's now in the archive! 🎭 Dinosaur Improv at Largo 📺 MGM+'s The Westies 🎬 ONS Film Club with Imogen Sara Smith on David Lean's The Passionate Friends Listen anytime at WFMU.org or on the free WFMU app for iPhone & Android—just like a podcast. @wfmu.bsky.social

What is the job of a film critic? Is it to judge, to curate, to persuade, or to help audiences discover something they'll love? I've come to realize my answer has changed over the years—& it's changed the way I cover film, television, and theatre. Here: bobbarthwrites.substack.com/p/before-you...

Before You Critique a Film, Let It Happen

Every so often, someone from a publicity team asks me a question that always catches me slightly off guard.

bobbarthwrites.substack.com

Live today on Bob Barth's One Night Stand: 📺 The Westies on MGM+ 🎭 Paul Scheer's Dinosaur Improv at Largo 🎬 ONS Film Club: David Lean's The Passionate Friends with film historian Imogen Sara Smith 2–6 PM PT / 5–9 PM ET on Sheena's Jungle Room. @wfmu.bsky.social

Before we critique a film, shouldn't we let it happen to us first? This week's essay is about why I stopped doing negative reviews, why I think experience should come before analysis, and why the first responsibility of a critic may simply be to surrender to the story. What do you think?

Before tomorrow's ONS Film Club, watch David Lean's The Passionate Friends (1949)—free on YouTube. Then join me and film historian Imogen Sarah Smith for our discussion. 🎬 youtu.be/c5N72mFa2CU?... 📻 Sat. 2–6 PM PT | WFMU @wfmu.bsky.social

Now in the @wfmu.bsky.social archive! 🎶 Reggae Night 24 at the Hollywood Bowl with Burning Spear & Ziggy Marley 🎸 Kurt Vile live at The Novo Plus, I announce the next ONS Film Club selection. Listen anytime: www.wfmu.org/playlists/N1

A conversation in my screenwriting class about Disclosure Day turned into a bigger question: When did we decide that wonder, sincerity, and big emotions were "movies of their time"? I think we've become a little too suspicious of earnest storytelling. bobbarthwrites.substack.com/p/is-wonder-...

Is Wonder Old-Fashioned?

One of my favorite moments in every class happens before I teach anything.

bobbarthwrites.substack.com

This week on Bob Barth's One Night Stand: 🎶 Reggae Night 24 at the Hollywood Bowl featuring Burning Spear & Ziggy Marley 🎸 Kurt Vile live at The Novo Plus, I'll announce the next ONS Film Club selection! Live today, 5-9pm ET / 2–6 PM PT on WFMU. wfmu.org @wfmu.bsky.social

A conversation in my screenwriting class turned into this week's essay. When did we decide that wonder, sincerity, and big emotions were "movies of their time"? On Spielberg, melodrama, and why I think we should experience a movie before we analyze it. open.substack.com/pub/bobbarth...

One of my favorite quotes from my conversation with comedian Sterling Scott. Funny, thoughtful, and a reminder that the best comedy often comes from honesty. Listen to the full interview in the WFMU archives. #StandUpComedy #SterlingScott @wfmu.bsky.social

Loved this insight from Ken Marino about balancing preparation with collaboration while making Gale Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass. 🎧 Full interview now in the @wfmu.org archives and app. @wfmu.bsky.social

One of my favorite insights from my conversation with David Wain about why Gale Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass works as both a broad comedy and a story you genuinely care about. 🎧 Full interview now in the @wfmu.org archives and app. @wfmu.bsky.social

This week's Bob Barth's One Night Stand is now in the WFMU archives! David Wain & Ken Marino (Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass) and comedian Sterling Scott (Good Days Better Nights). Listen anytime in the WFMU app. Let your discovery of WFMU begin with a One Night Stand. @wfmu.bsky.social

Sunday reminder! If you missed this week's essay, I make the case that comedy may be the hardest genre to pull off. A great comedy has to do everything a great drama does... and then make us laugh. I'd love to hear your take. open.substack.com/pub/bobbarth...

Comedy Gets No Respect

This week, I found myself thinking a lot about comedy.

open.substack.com

Today on Bob Barth’s One Night Stand: David Wain & Ken Marino on Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, plus comedian Sterling Scott on his new special Good Days, Better Nights, part of the Wonder Project on Prime Video. 2–6 PM PT / 5–9 PM ET WFMU’s Sheena’s Jungle Room @wfmu.bsky.social

Today I make the case that comedy may be the hardest genre to get right. Not because drama is easy—but because comedy has to do everything drama does... and then make us laugh. It's an opinion I'm sure some people will disagree with, which makes it a fun conversation to have. What do you think?

A wonderful perspective from Andreas Padilla of the 2026 ICCA Champion Nor'easters. Hear our full conversation anytime in the WFMU archives. The app works just like a podcast. Let your discovery of WFMU begin with a one-night stand. @wfmu.bsky.social

Music director Allie Fosnot on the identity behind the 2026 ICCA Champion Nor'easters. Hear our full conversation anytime in the WFMU archives. The app works just like a podcast. Let your discovery of WFMU begin with a one-night stand. @wfmu.bsky.social

Owen Austin of the 2026 ICCA Champion Nor'easters on what he'll remember most. Our full conversation is available now in the WFMU archives. The app works just like a podcast. Let your discovery of WFMU begin with a one-night stand. @wfmu.bsky.social

Josh Timmins of the 2026 ICCA Champion Nor'easters on what collegiate a cappella has meant to him. Hear our full conversation anytime in the WFMU archives. The app works just like a podcast. Let your discovery of WFMU begin with a one-night stand. @wfmu.bsky.social

Missed Saturday's show? The latest Bob Barth's One Night Stand is waiting for you in the WFMU app. 🎤 The Nor'easters 🎬 The Invite & Supergirl 🎸 Rush at the Forum Stream the archive, or download it like a podcast. Let your discovery of WFMU begin with a One Night Stand. @wfmu.bsky.social