FanFare

This week, again from the White Void: Mike Pence gave a speech that seems to indicate that we had done enough to slow the Coronavirus epidemic, an amazingly stupid take, and the very states that have been most aggressive about reopening have been the ones to suffer from the highest spikes in new cases. Main story: evictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, threatening to turn the health crisis into a homelessness crisis. On YouTube (19m) And Now: The Citizens of Palm Beach County, Florida, Have Some Thoughts On Mandatory Face Masks (Warning: extreme entitlement). Finally, John "Papa John" Schnatter, rich white man and founder of the pizza chain, has become a highly undeserving Instagram star in an attempt to rehabilitate his image, and is as potent an argument against obscene wealth as anything on this Earth. [more inside]
posted by JHarris on Jun 30, 2020 - 6 comments

How in the world did an Instagram baking star with a flair for the grotesque land a homemaking show on the biggest streaming service? Curious Creations is a weird combination of puppets (via Henson Alternative), gory-gothic humor, and cooking how-to (with a few craft projects as well), all stemming from the creepy vibe of the title character. [more inside]
posted by Etrigan on Oct 21, 2018 - 21 comments

In the pursuit of makin' money, in various forms; the problems with fans, and problems of authenticity. You know how it is at holiday time. [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief on Mar 9, 2018 - 6 comments

This week, the story of a man who made the extremely dubious decision to order a watch that he found in an Instagram ad. We explore the strange world that watch came from. [more inside]
posted by radioamy on Mar 3, 2018 - 8 comments

Ingrid Thorburn (Aubrey Plaza) is an unhinged social media stalker with a history of confusing "likes" for meaningful relationships. Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen) is an Instagram-famous "influencer" whose perfectly curated, boho-chic lifestyle becomes Ingrid's latest obsession. When Ingrid moves to LA and manages to insinuate herself into the social media star's life, their relationship quickly goes from #BFF to #WTF. Built around a brilliantly disarming performance from Aubrey Plaza, Ingrid Goes West (winner of the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance) is a savagely hilarious dark comedy that satirizes the modern world of social media and proves that being #perfect isn't all it's cracked up to be. - Rotten Tomatoes
posted by Krazor on Aug 25, 2017 - 13 comments

A group of elite scientists prepare for the last conversation humans might ever have. Plus, we meet a corporate attorney who mediates family Thanksgivings. [more inside]
posted by radioamy on Apr 27, 2017 - 7 comments