Marina Fang
@marinafang.bsky.social
Journalist, writer, editor, communications leader • Membership manager, NYCETC • formerly a senior culture reporter at HuffPost and adjunct journalism prof, CUNY • she/her • bymarinafang@gmail.com or marinafang.72 on Signal marinafang.substack.com
This week’s newsletter: on revisiting Mira Nair’s The Namesake, 20 years later, at a wonderful outdoor screening here in Brooklyn a couple of nights ago. Plus: more on books & their screen adaptations.
We all came out of Gogol’s overcoat
On Mira Nair's "The Namesake" 20 years later, plus more on books & adaptations
marinafang.substack.com
In my newsletter this week: didn't think I had anything particular to say about Dolly — until I did.
One wild and precious life
On Dolly Parton's legacy, plus the usual grab bag (“The Power Broker,” “ER,” “East of Eden,” et al.)
marinafang.substack.com
After almost 5 years with HuffPost, I'm one of the people getting laid off. I'm so grateful for @huffpostunion.bsky.social, this would be a lot scarier without them! If you're an editor looking for someone to report and write on race/culture wars, feel free to hit me up at nhbaptiste@gmail.com!
Today is my last day at HuffPost. After 11 years, I was laid off as part of the 33% cuts at BuzzFeed. My team, the National desk, was cut from 7 reporters to 3, after being cut from 14 to 7 just over a year ago
HuffPost Union@huffpostunion.bsky.social · 2mo agoA statement from the HuffPost Union @wgaeast.bsky.social on today's layoffs.
After 3 years, it's my last day at HuffPost. I was laid off as part of the larger cuts at BuzzFeed. I'm not sure what comes next but I'm proud of our union for holding it down. If you’re an editor or lit agent looking for someone to write about trans rights and politics, hmu at levikalish@proton.me
If possible, please consider donating to the talented reporters, editors and designers impacted by this decision. Solidarity forever ✊ www.gofundme.com/f/support-hu...
Donate to Support HuffPost Workers Impacted By Job Cuts, organized by HuffPost Union
This month, as part of a wider BuzzFeed reorganization under new owners… HuffPost Union needs your support for Support HuffPost Workers Impacted By Job Cuts
gofundme.com
Today is my last day at HuffPost. Like many others, I was hit by mass layoffs at BuzzFeed. I've done my best to hold power to account and tell complex stories with care, and I'm going to keep doing that. So please keep sending me tips! Contact: mattshuham@protonmail.com, 646-397-4678 (cell/Signal)
HuffPost Union@huffpostunion.bsky.social · 2mo agoA statement from the HuffPost Union @wgaeast.bsky.social on today's layoffs.
In my newsletter this week: reviews of Tony + The Whoopi Monologues, plus some thoughts on the forthcoming East of Eden adaptation
Origin stories
On "Tony" and "The Whoopi Monologues," plus revisiting "East of Eden" ahead of the Netflix adaptation
marinafang.substack.com
This week’s newsletter: wrote about The Odyssey’s press tour and how, these days, so many celebrity interviews are about having to come up with something for the celebrities to do: a game to play, a questionnaire to answer, etc.
Infinite scroll
On "The Odyssey" press tour and feeding the content machine
marinafang.substack.com
I know this is not the biggest concern going these days, but it stresses me out that basically every artist/writer/critic is now expected to create their own tiny empire instead of getting paid by any existing entity to perform a job they've worked to get good at!!!!
In my newsletter this week: on the final season of “The Bear,” plus some thoughts on the appeal and nostalgia of summer reading challenges.
Let it rip
On the final season of "The Bear" + more "Salesman" and summer reading
marinafang.substack.com
Wrote about the Hacks series finale in my newsletter this week: marinafang.substack.com/p/hacks-seri...
Completing the circle
On the "Hacks" series finale + the usual ephemera
marinafang.substack.com
Realized I had not shared this here yet: On May 4, after over 14 months of slogging through a Sisyphean job market, I started a new job managing relationships & communications (including writing two weekly newsletters) for a nonprofit with over 200 member organizations.
Marina Fang - New York City Employment and Training Coalition
Marina Fang is NYCETC's membership manager, building and coordinating relationships and communications with NYCETC's member organizations.
nycetc.org
roosevelt island has volunteer “petal protectors” who stop people from shaking the cherry blossoms 🥹🥹🥹 lovely new story from @lillysabs.bsky.social:
Meet the 'Petal Protectors' Guarding NYC’s Blossoms From Pic-Snapping Crowds
Touching or shaking the fragile flowering trees can harm them. These volunteers on Roosevelt Island make sure that doesn’t happen.
thecity.nyc
On Monday, had the honor of going home to Pittsburgh to moderate author Jade Song's book launch for her new novel I Love You Don't Die at @cityofasylum.bsky.social. Many thanks to everyone who joined us! If you're looking for a moderator for a book talk, post-screening Q&A, etc., get in touch.
I'm one of five visiting journalists at @mujschool.bsky.social for the next few days, working with students, leading a few workshops, and seeing some films at @truefalsefilmfest.bsky.social, as part of #CriticsinColumbia. More on this exciting pilot program: journalism.missouri.edu/2026/03/crit...
‘Critics in Columbia’ pilots alternative to imperfect press junket formula
By Austin Fitzgerald COLUMBIA, Mo. (March 3, 2026) — It seems like a win-win situation: A film festival showcases the latest films. Critics cover the event, writing reviews and drawing attention to a…
journalism.missouri.edu
Wanted to reiterate that in addition to my continued search for full-time jobs, I'd love to pick up more short-term contract work. Do you need a writer to turn around a few stories for an upcoming project? A researcher or fact-checker for your book? etc. etc. Get in touch: bymarinafang@gmail.com
When I wrote this story a few years ago, the main thing everyone I talked to said was that JVDB was always fully committed, whether he was playing a breakup scene with utter seriousness, or mocking the breakup scene 20 years later. Not everyone would have gone so hard! www.vox.com/culture/2236...
An oral history of the Dawson crying GIF and its outsized legacy
How Crying Dawson ascended to “the Mount Rushmore of GIFs.”
vox.com
This is always the complaint of sophists who never seem to grasp that art! is! political!
‘It’s become more about politics than music’: what will Bad Bunny bring to the Super Bowl?
Grammy-winning Puerto Rican star is in the center of US culture wars before leading this weekend’s half-time show
theguardian.com
We have launched a new fundraiser to support The Washington Post's courageous international employees and local staff who were laid off, who are not eligible for Guild protections, and who face additional logistical challenges and security risks. Please give & share widely: gofund.me/e765aab9f
Donate to Support for Washington Post international employees, organized by Michelle Lee
Among the hundreds of journalists laid off by The Washington Post on … Michelle Lee needs your support for Support for Washington Post international employees
gofund.me
After a month and a half break from print, the Reader makes its debut as a monthly. Thank you to everyone who supported the paper last year when we were scraping by week to week, and all the ups and downs before then. Thank you to everyone who picks up a new issue, it means the world.
the Washington Post effectively blew up its arts section today, dismissing its books, TV, music, and theater critics, features writers, and several editors. (I'm also guessing the vacant film critic position will stay that way.) Just an insane loss of talent and a huge self-inflicted wound.
So many people doing great work here; many of us were caught in layoffs repeatedly or squeezed out of traditional staff jobs. I value the indie media ecosystem so much but there's also a critical need for newsrooms and their resources: Some stories need a lot of support, especially investigations.
Brandy Schillace@bschillace.brandyschillace.com · 8mo agoGiven the WaPo disaster, I’m re-posting my starter pack of indie journalists—it probably needs an update so give me a shout to add folks. #wapo #journalism go.bsky.app/A2UpMn5
Sports coverage is more than scores. It’s about the people, politics and cultural factors that drive it. Sports journalism adds vivid color and context to these dynamics. Without it, every sports fan suffers. Some of the best sports journalism all-time came from WaPo. Inexcusable loss.
Ben Mullin@benmullin.bsky.social · 8mo agoA staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
Well, I was laid off at The Washington Post today. It's been an honor to work with some of the best journalists in the business. I'm hoping to continue reporting, producing videos and finding long-forgotten archival footage. If you have any openings, reach out.
My time with The Washington Post is up. I was laid off with hundreds of folks I am so honored to call my colleagues. I covered it all at The Post (really), so now I'm looking for my next adventure. ➡️ kbellware [at] gmail dot com Website update coming soon @postguild.bsky.social forever
also being edited is GOOD having colleagues is GOOD being part of a context and community makes the work BETTER we can't all just be typing in little boxes alone in the dark forever
Marina Fang@marinafang.bsky.social · 8mo agoIn the year since my layoff, many well-meaning people have said things like: "Start a newsletter/podcast/independent publication!" What about health insurance, legal support, and all the essentials — and frankly, more peace of mind — that a full-time job at an established news outlet provides?
