Public TV explains the Crash of "08

The not-so-big picture: Public TV explains the great economic meltdown

Is a global economic meltdown about to consume the planet? Not to worry: Public TV is on the case, with cameras panning the glass canyons of Wall Street in between stints from talking heads and shots of an increasingly beleaguered-looking Henry Paulson.

Robert Zaller

Feb 21, 2009 · Essays · 5 minute read

The trouble with "Saturday Night Live'

Trying too hard to be funny: Can we talk about ‘Saturday Night Live'?

Some observers contend that Tina Fey's impression of Sarah Palin breathed new life into “Saturday Night Live.” Well, maybe for a few minutes. This show seems to have forgotten what political humor— or any humor, for that matter— is all about.

Brett S. Harrison

Feb 17, 2009 · Essays · 4 minute read

"You'll never be a writer'

'You'll never be a writer,' or: My mother's worst nightmare

Many people say they want to be writers. What's the difference between wanting to do it and doing it? Here's my story.

Reed Stevens

Jan 31, 2009 · Essays · 4 minute read

Foggy media memories

The fog of media memory, or: What do FDR and Fred Astaire have in common?

Considering all the common points between politics and show biz, there's no excuse when misinformation about music is fed by officials and regurgitated by uncritical media, as happened often during Obama's inauguration festivities.

Steve Cohen

Jan 24, 2009 · Essays · 2 minute read

Obama's inaugural: I was there

On feeling American for the first time, or: Swept away by one day of national optimism

As an immigrant with dark skin and a strange name, I bonded with Barack Obama years ago. But I never felt truly American until I marched with the throngs on the National Mall at his inauguration.

Be'eri Moalem

Jan 24, 2009 · Essays · 6 minute read

Edgar Allan Poe: Ecstasy junkie

Appreciating Edgar Allan Poe (With a little help from D.H. Lawrence)

Poe was a man who, having known the ecstasy of intimate love (not to mention drugs and alcohol), couldn't tolerate its loss. That's his real-life horror tale.

Steve Antinoff

Jan 19, 2009 · Essays · 3 minute read

Romero, baseball and the "unnatural'

Who you calling unnatural? Or: Baseball and weight-training drugs

Phillies pitcher J.C. Romero has been suspended for talking a legal over-the-counter weight-training drug. Major League Baseball explains that it wants to keep the game and its players “natural.” But is there anything more unnatural than a game of baseball?

Rick Soisson

Jan 10, 2009 · Essays · 5 minute read

Steve Poses and his "informal restaurant revolution'

Up from tuxedoes and canned peas: The forgotten father of informal dining

Steve Poses couldn't cook like Georges Perrier, but his places helped change the way we ate, ending an era of tuxedoed waiters and canned peas.

Alan Richman

Jan 06, 2009 · Essays · 2 minute read

In the bomb shelter: The brighter side of war

In the bomb shelter: The positive by-products of war

From an adult perspective, all those rockets fired into Israel seem very scary. But to a six-year old child who didn't understand anything, war was not only exciting news, it was great fun. My brother and I would cheer when sirens blew as my parents scrambled for the gas masks. We also spent more happy time with our parents and neighbors than we'd ever spent before.

Be'eri Moalem

Jan 06, 2009 · Essays · 6 minute read

Fuji: Philadelphia's best restaurant?

Is this Philadelphia's best restaurant?

What's the best restaurant in Philadelphia? How about a place with no wine list, no sign and a tiny kitchen with a fanatic inside?

Lynn Hoffman

Dec 27, 2008 · Essays · 5 minute read