Well, I think it's just reflective of being a cultured, educated person. I never "memorized" the countries of South America, or the countries of Europe, but I know where they are because I have traveled to them, or at least read history and news about them. I have never been in the "stans," or heard much about them,…

Well, you've got things backwards - the protesters are complaining that Bernie is JUST worried about economic issues, i.e. white issues (although really an issue for everybody). He's not worried about police brutality, i.e. a black issue. They're certainly not saying "poverty affects mostly nonwhites," but rather…

I've never watched those channels, but some AVClub article reliably informed me that they have hit new lows, losing any weirdness and charm, and becoming just well-oiled machines promoting status anxiety and conformity to hypnotized children.

Wait, his first album is just about to come out? Now it makes sense why they paid to have the AvClub promote some old-ass song.

Jamon iberico, please.

Waltz, polka, foxtrot, big band, swing, rock and roll, soul, R&B, disco, hip hop,

Well, Varys, Littlefinger and the High Sparrow are all examples of commoners rising from humble origins to wield great power that transcends the aristocratic system.. And Varys is certainly one of the more sympathetic characters. Cromwell was the son of a blacksmith. Wolsey was the son of a butcher, More was the son…

I tried to watch it once, but got bored during the first season. But people kept raving, and said the second season was even better. So I dutifully slogged through the first season and started the second… and quickly gave up again. I am easily influenced in my tastes (I even eventually got to like Broken Social…

Also Spanish Civil War - a centuries old landowning aristocracy rebelling against the idealistic new Republic as soon it is created and installing Franco for 40 more years.

Sounds pretty directly analogous to the uptight guy and the manic pixie dream girl. Why are portrayals of men still stuck in the 70s?!

Two things:
1) Having a few connections does not explain her success, or there would be tens of thousands of Lena Dunhams, not one (well, Josh from Please Like Me is similar, with the writing, directing and starring in his own TV in his early 20s).
2) Her one advantage of an affluent family was amply counterbalanced by…

You're actually right - nothing seems more solidly middle class than artist parents and going to Oberlin College, but it seems she grew up in fairly fancy apartment. Still, my point stands - overall, her situation is hardly a promising one to achieve what she did, and if it were so easy, millions of other people…

Wait, so an unattractive, middle class 25 year old woman has a free ticket to success? In a business dominated by old men and models? I don't even get the argument. Maybe you don't like her work, but that's not an argument for why her success is not deserved. You do realize how many unattractive middle-class (not to…

I'm at exactly 4 hours right now, including watching some fairly mediocre shows that I continue out of inertia. Better Call Saul (1), Last Week Tonight (0.5), Girls (0.5), Looking (0.5), Jane the Virgin (1), Broad City (0.5). And definitely no productive life.

And there was just someone complaining about the AV Club's snobby, high-falutin' tastes.

(Reposted Fox News comments)

SF is 6% black, the Bay Area as a whole is similar. People tend to have friends of their own race. One of the major characters is black. Nothing strikes me as remotely improbable about the diversity of the show except that they have so few straight friends.

A free CD is approximately as exciting to me as free bottled water.

For you Oscars experts, what time should I tune in to see the important parts, big awards? Would 10 PM ET (missing the first 1.5 hours) be too late, too early?

Whew, I was worried I was getting old, if Arcade Fire has been doing something for 15 years, but I realize you were exaggerating for effect. Still, I ain't young- it will be 8 years this week since their first appearance