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“Spartacus: House of Ashur” shows why America isn’t Rome

Death is an elastic concept in all forms of fiction, but TV and film have mightily tested the limits to which our belief can be stretched. Even by those standards, the resurrection of the namesake heel of “Spartacus: House of…

December 7, 2025 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

“Pretend I’m a fishing boat and fire away”: Jost plays Hegseth in “SNL” cold open

Colin Jost doesn’t get the opportunity to step out from behind the “Weekend Update” desk too often. The “Saturday Night Live” head writer made the most of his time on two legs, playing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as a…

December 7, 2025 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

“I love jeans”: Sydney Sweeney stands by her jeans ad

Sydney Sweeney is addressing the backlash over her appearance in American Eagle’s latest jeans campaign, following criticism that some viewed the ad as tone-deaf. In an exclusive interview with People magazine, Sweeney framed her participation as simple enthusiasm for the…

December 6, 2025 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

Sorry, the “Heated Rivalry” gay Marvel fanfic origin story isn’t true

By now you’ve probably heard of “Heated Rivalry,” Jacob Tienery’s tender, affecting adaptation of Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” books — better known online as “the gay hockey show.” Produced by Canadian streamer Crave and airing concurrently on HBO Max, the…

December 6, 2025 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

Olivia Nuzzi leaves Vanity Fair amid controversy

Olivia Nuzzi is leaving Vanity Fair, ending her year-long tenure at the magazine amid lingering controversy. The departure comes after months of scrutiny over alleged personal relationships with political figures she covered, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.…

December 6, 2025 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

A “Gingerbread Prince” and a Trump joke walk into Colbert’s monologue…

Prince Harry popped up on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” Thursday night, stepping into Colbert’s monologue to audition for the lead of a Hallmark-style holiday movie — improbable sincerity, snow and all. The fake film he was “auditioning” for?…

December 6, 2025 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

9 films that helped decode 2025’s absurd reality

In the heated climax of a confrontation between Alma Imhoff — Julia Roberts’ harried Yale professor in this year’s “After the Hunt” — and her one-time protégée, Maggie Resnick (Ayo Edebiri), Alma leans forward to cut through the bullsh*t. Despite…

December 5, 2025 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

Chefs do that”: The underappreciated holiday joy of “The Long Kiss Goodnight

At some point within the next 72 hours my annual ritual of cookie baking will commence. Everything is made from scratch, and the creation and baking of each confection must be scheduled. The oven will be preheated to 350 degrees…

December 5, 2025 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

“The Fall of Diddy” chronicles decades’ worth of failures to hold a powerful monster accountable

We’re only beginning to feel the vast consequences of American voters returning a twice-impeached, 34-count felon to the most influential leadership position on the planet. Academics and analysts are still sorting through the how and why of Donald Trump‘s election…

December 5, 2025 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

Pantone’s color of the year is…white?

For many publications, tastemakers and overly serious Letterboxd loggers, December is a time to reflect and choose the absolute and objective best pieces of art they encountered in the preceding calendar year. The color namers at Pantone veer from the…

December 4, 2025 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0