Criticism Is Dead

A weekly podcast about the film, TV, and culture we're consuming and what it all means (if it means anything at all). Hosted by producer and writer Pelin Keskin-Liu and culture writer and critic Jenny G. Zhang.

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Top 10 Criticism Is Dead Episodes

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Gossip Girl, The Pursuit of Love, and ScarJo vs. Disney

Criticism Is Dead

08/03/21 • 48 min

We discuss Gossip Girl, the loose sequel to the 2007 series, and The Pursuit of Love, the TV adaptation of the 1945 novel.

05:32 Gossip Girl, streaming on HBO Max, was maybe always going to be a doomed attempt to cash in on nostalgia.

23:56 The Pursuit of Love, streaming on Amazon Video, is a period drama with modern sensibilities.

37:47 Plus, culture notes about the lawsuit that sent shockwaves throughout the industry and made us begrudgingly say, “Good for you, ScarJo.”

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Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected].

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

08/03/21 • 48 min

Never Have I Ever, Thoroughbreds, and the Olympics

Criticism Is Dead

07/27/21 • -1 min

We discuss Never Have I Ever, a teen romcom drama about an Indian American girl, and Thoroughbreds, a dark comedy thriller about two white teen girls up to no good.

05:05 Never Have I Ever, streaming on Netflix, is strongest when it goes beyond the silly high school tropes to touch on issues of grief, family, and mental health.

22:48 Thoroughbreds, available on Hulu + Live TV or on VOD, is an unexpectedly clever portrait of privilege and sociopathy.

37:49 Plus, culture notes about the Olympics that we're not watching except through Olympic Village TikTok. (We'll link some examples in our newsletter!)

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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

07/27/21 • -1 min

Starstruck, Enlightened, and Emmy noms

Criticism Is Dead

07/20/21 • 45 min

We discuss Starstruck, a romcom for the modern age, and Enlightened, a short-lived series about trying to do good in a world that's not necessarily made for that.

03:39 Starstruck, streaming on HBO Max, is a perfectly short, simple, and sweet take on a romcom.

19:45 Enlightened, also on HBO Max, holds up remarkably well as an exploration of the human condition, empathy, and whether people can change.

35:53 Plus, culture notes about this year's Emmy nominations and some snubs.

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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

07/20/21 • 45 min

Zola, No Sudden Move, and Succession trailer bitch!!!!

Criticism Is Dead

07/13/21 • 49 min

We discuss Zola and No Sudden Move, two films about getting sucked into very criminal goings-on.

03:08 Zola, now out in theaters(!), has a hard job of hitting the right balance between dark and larger-than-life wild, and it veers a little more toward dark.

23:24 Crime caper No Sudden Move, streaming on HBO Max, is akin to a fast car: you don't know all the parts and how they work together, but it's definitely moving!

38:56 Plus, culture notes at length about the Succession trailer. ...

Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

07/13/21 • 49 min

Physical, Evil, and Britney

Criticism Is Dead

06/29/21 • 51 min

We're back from a quick break with a nice, long episode! We discuss Physical and Evil, two shows about battling demons (both inner and outer).

03:29 Physical, a polarizing dark comedy on Apple TV+, is an incredibly thorny, often exhausting show, but one that so far is worth the watch.

21:22 Evil, streaming on Netflix (season 1) and Paramount+ (season 2), is a supernatural procedural that questions the gray area between skepticism and faith.

37:58 Plus, culture notes about Britney Spears and the cruelty of a system designed to entrap and abuse.

NOTE: We are off again next week for the holiday. Stay cool and see you the week after!

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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

06/29/21 • 51 min

We Are Lady Parts, Bo Burnham: Inside, and 15 minutes or less

Criticism Is Dead

06/08/21 • 48 min

We discuss We Are Lady Parts, about an all-girl Muslim punk rock band, and Bo Burnham: Inside, the comedian's quarantine musical solo endeavor.

02:41 The new UK series We Are Lady Parts, available on Peacock stateside, is a bright, bombastic, witty effort to subvert Muslim stereotypes.

24:13 Bo Burnham's new special Inside, streaming on Netflix, is a visual and sonic feast made all the more impressive by the labors of creation.

44:02 Plus, culture notes about characters who had 15 minutes or fewer in a film.

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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

06/08/21 • 48 min

The Underground Railroad, Couples Therapy, and Taika/Rita/Tessa

Criticism Is Dead

06/01/21 • -1 min

It's a long — but good, if we may say so ourselves — one this week! We discuss The Underground Railroad, an alt-history epic about the rotten foundation of this country, and Couples Therapy, a docuseries about excavating the past to address troubles of the present.

02:50 The Underground Railroad, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, is one of the best works of television/cinema in recent memory.

28:55 Couples Therapy, available on Showtime (and with some episodes on YouTube), is so voyeuristically fascinating and revealing, it's hard to stop watching.

52:32 Plus, culture notes about that threesome — celeb culture isn't dead!

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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

06/01/21 • -1 min

Girls5eva, Hacks, and Olivia Rodrigo nostalgia

Criticism Is Dead

05/25/21 • 45 min

We discuss Girls5eva and Hacks, two comedy series about grasping for new life in an industry that's all about the young and the fresh.

07:04 Girls5eva — _the latest in the Tina Fey/Robert Carlock universe, streaming on Peacock — is the closest to _30 Rock we're going to get (although it doesn't quite go all the way).

22:333 Hacks, airing weekly on HBO Max, is a Jean Smart vehicle about generational differences and conflict.

37:34 Plus, culture notes about why people our age are going gaga over a teen pop star's teen angst oeuvre.

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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

05/25/21 • 45 min

Mare of Easttown, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, and crumbs of excitement

Criticism Is Dead

05/11/21 • 43 min

We discuss the limited series Mare of Easttown and the film The Mitchells vs. the Machines, two works that are basically as far apart as you can get in color palette, among other things!!!

03:53 On Mare of Easttown — streaming weekly on HBO Max — the drama of community entanglements is as compelling as its murder mystery.

23:12 The Mitchells vs. the Machines, new to Netflix, is a family film with enough action, jokes, and texture to hold adults’ attention, too.

35:41 Plus, culture notes about a couple previews we’re hyped about: the currently in-production seasons of Succession _and _Selling Sunset.

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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

Find out more at https://criticism-is-dead.pinecast.co

05/11/21 • 43 min

The Green Knight, The White Lotus, and Aubrey Grande

Criticism Is Dead

08/10/21 • 48 min

We discuss The Green Knight and The White Lotus, two quality works about how things go awry far from home.

04:50 The Green Knight, playing in theaters now, is an out-of-this-world adaptation of the chivalric tale that asks one ultimate question: Are you going to step up or pussy out?

27:13 The White Lotus, a miniseries on HBO Max, is an intriguing character/relationship study that is both satirical yet sincere, cynical yet sympathetic.

45:19 Plus, culture notes about Drake's sweater.

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Music: REEKAH

Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

08/10/21 • 48 min

FAQ

How many episodes does Criticism Is Dead have?

Criticism Is Dead currently has 117 episodes available.

What topics does Criticism Is Dead cover?

The podcast is about Podcasts, Tv Reviews, Tv & Film and Film Reviews.

What is the most popular episode on Criticism Is Dead?

The episode title 'Gossip Girl, The Pursuit of Love, and ScarJo vs. Disney' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Criticism Is Dead?

The average episode length on Criticism Is Dead is 43 minutes.

How often are episodes of Criticism Is Dead released?

Episodes of Criticism Is Dead are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Criticism Is Dead?

The first episode of Criticism Is Dead was released on Oct 20, 2020.

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