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James Wolcott

@jwolcott.bsky.social

"Ah, Watson, it's a wicked world." --The Speckled Band

470 Posts566 Follower223 Folgt
James Wolcott@jwolcott.bsky.social · yesterday

It was a zealous pile-on all out of proportion to the facts of the case, an opportunity for culture warriors to get their whacks in and furrow their brows over the shabby State of Academe. Bastards.

Roopika Risam@roopikarisam.bsky.social · yesterday

Think of all the mediocre white men with their plagiarism/stealing student work/sexual harassment who kept their jobs or quietly retired but are alive. Jason Arday’s situation did NOT have to play out or end this way, no matter his errors. And the media and everyone with a hot take is responsible.

James Wolcott@jwolcott.bsky.social · last wk.

Much appreciation to Mireille Enos for saving the season finale of SUGAR (AppleTV) from complete soupiness. Inspired wardrobe and makeup enhanced her character's she-boss guru star power, an Aimee Semple McPherson for our time.

James Wolcott@jwolcott.bsky.social · 3w ago

Count Binface's multipoint manifesto is impressive, inspiring, in its scope and refinement. 2: "I will cut your taxes, and raise everyone else’s." 11: "A windfall tax on cosy crime novels written (or 'written') by celebrities." 16: "A referendum on whether Pluto should regain its planet status.

James Wolcott@jwolcott.bsky.social · 4w ago

Even allowing that he's a moony extraterrestial still acclimating to our earthly ways, John Sugar (Colin Farrell) is one lousy excuse for an private investigator--zero situational awareness, slow on the uptake, walking into obvious traps and getting his head bonked (or worse).

James Wolcott@jwolcott.bsky.social · last mo.

Speaking of flaccid, Louis CK's new comedy special RIDICULOUS (Netflix) is pooped-out from the start, low vibrational and paunchy, with an opening bit about getting AIDS from effing a rat. Great way to win the crowd over, Louis! Content aside, he's lost his standup chops and stage purpose.

James Wolcott@jwolcott.bsky.social · last mo.

Bill Clinton used to be derided by his enemies as "Slick Willie" but there's never been anyone slicker in political life than JD Vance, a vacuous compilation of preening mannerisms. The way he crooks his finger and thumb to frame a point, just for example.

James Wolcott@jwolcott.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Sad news about Mark Singer, which sent me back to this excellent interview/profile of Singer done during The New Yorker's Tina Brown era, much of which I still hazily recollect. creativenonfiction.org/writing/mr-p...

Mr. Personalities: A Conversation with Mark Singer - Creative Nonfiction

The new, freshly painted offices of The New Yorker magazine are at 20 W. 43rd St., but despite the shimmering white walls, the recessed lighting and the potted plants, there are still the expected clu...

creativenonfiction.org

James Wolcott@jwolcott.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Looking at the reviews of DISCLOSURE DAY and everybody just seems to be phoning it in. Or maybe it's just that at this point there's nothing new or crackling to say about the Spielberg enterprise: the rapt techno-religious awe is bleached gray.

James Wolcott@jwolcott.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Remarkable and rather pathetic how the online right is pinning its hopes, dreams, and hunger for vindication on the rising star of the West, Spencer Pratt, a total doofus. Meghan Daum is clinging to his candidacy as if he were the last lifeboat.