pop culture

Comic still of woman against yellow backdrop holding up a book and pen

Author Saladin Ahmed has found mainstream success in the US — while being ‘unapologetically Arab and Muslim’

His latest series is about a black journalist in 1970s Detroit, building on his work which crosses cultures and time.

Author Saladin Ahmed has found mainstream success in the US — while being ‘unapologetically Arab and Muslim’
A drawing done by Kerrie Hillman during a Torrance Test of Creative Thinking

How creative are you?

How creative are you?
Playwright Paul Rudnick (left) and Jesse Green (right), The New York Times Co-Chief Theater Critic

Gay theater: Past, present and future

Gay theater: Past, present and future
Taylor Mac

Taylor Mac’s history of American pop music in 24 hours

Taylor Mac’s history of American pop music in 24 hours
Aparna Nancherla

Aparna Nancherla’s failed science career

Aparna Nancherla’s failed science career
Jenny Slate

Jenny Slate comes out of her shell

Jenny Slate’s character Marcel the Shell is half an inch long. But she’s getting very big these days, starring in movies and TV and writing children’s books.

Jenny Slate comes out of her shell
The Godfather Family

Guilty pleasure: 'The Godfather: Part III'

One brave critic not only defends, but praises, “The Godfather: Part III”.

Guilty pleasure: 'The Godfather: Part III'
Frank Langella

Frank Langella isn’t scared of epic problems

Frank Langella knows all about aging gracefully.

Frank Langella isn’t scared of epic problems
Lily Arbisser

Day jobs: Opera titles cue-caller

Soprano Lily Arbisser shares her secrets for the perfectly-timed subtitle.

Day jobs: Opera titles cue-caller

How to build the perfect musical

Jack Viertel gives a master class in American musical theater.

How to build the perfect musical

Tank and the Bangas Play Live

 The Tiny Desk winners share their music influences and their big New Orleans sound.

Tank and the Bangas Play Live

Howard Fridkin’s Guide to MPAA Ratings

Former MPAA rater Howard Fridkin walks Kurt through the f-bombs, thrust counts, and gun shots that determine if a movie is G, PG, PG-13, or R. 

Howard Fridkin’s Guide to MPAA Ratings

Jimmy Iovine on Selling Music for 40 years

Music industry guru Jimmy Iovine walks us through how he’s sold us music for the past 40 years, from Patti Smith to Dr. Dre to Apple Music.

Jimmy Iovine on Selling Music for 40 years

Sam Adams, Host of “Conspiracy Thrillers Movie Club”

Slate senior editor and podcast host Sam Adams shares some of his favorite conspiracy thriller movies and explains what these films say about the American psyche.

Sam Adams, Host of “Conspiracy Thrillers Movie Club”

Angie Thomas and TLC

Bestselling Young Adult author Angie Thomas on how the late TLC performer Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes spoke to her at a very troubling point in her life.

Angie Thomas and TLC