Culture & Criticism

John Waters Is Everything You Hoped He’d Be
He turned 76, released his first work of literary fiction, Liarmouth, and continues to tour the country with his one-man show. What will we ever do without him?

“My Money Don’t Jiggle Jiggle” Is The New “Bed Intruder Song”
Plus, in this edition of Cleanse the Timeline, a coming-of-age novel set in living in 1960s Rhodesia and everything you missed from us this week.

Six TV Shows We Can’t Stop Watching
From a dark Andrew Garfield miniseries on Hulu to a new Vanessa Bayer Showtime comedy.

When The Supply Chain Failed Parents, “Formula Influencers” Stepped Up
"I've just been trying to work around the clock as much as I can with two kids of my own to try to provide people with strategies for what to do.”

Straight Women Are On Grindr Now. Some People Don’t Want Them There.
Originally designed for gay men, the dating app has become more inclusive over the years. But while some Grindr users welcome women, others resent their presence.

Jack Harlow's Pitchfork Review Wasn't Wrong
The rapper’s latest album, Come Home the Kids Miss You, is generic and self-serious.

This Is What An NFT Consultant Does All Day
For our new Crypto Diaries series, a New Yorker who's in 97 Discords walks us through his “degen headspace.”

I Can’t Stop Thinking About Chrishell And G Flip
Selling Sunset's reunion special was full of surprises.

What Happens When Your Family History Becomes True Crime Fodder?
More prestige adaptations of real-life stories are coming to screens every month. Do the people involved get a say? (Contains spoilers for Candy.)

She Was Single. She Wanted A Baby. So She Did It Herself.
Hundreds of thousands of people follow these influencers to find out how to have a baby as a single person.

Are You A Teacher Who's Part Of The LGBTQ Community? We Want To Hear From You.
We're looking to speak with queer and trans teachers for an upcoming BuzzFeed News story.

Some of the Most Viral “Pro-Choice” Instagram Content is Coming From Mormon Bloggers
Mormon influencers are some of the most followed, analyzed, and discussed creators in the social media space. Some have been speaking out all week about the Supreme Court news, and many are standing up for a pregnant person’s right to choose.

His Wife Was Found Dead At The Foot Of A Staircase. The World Has Debated His Guilt Ever Since.
HBO Max’s The Staircase takes a predictable trip down the rabbit hole of the Michael Peterson trial. (Contains spoilers.)

54 Times Women Wowed With Outfits That Weren't Dresses
Sometimes, you just wanna see what else the designers have got up their sleeves...

Male Fashion Influencers Are Saving Basic Men Everywhere
In this edition of Cleanse the Timeline, we talk about basic bro fashion influencers, Chlöe Bailey, what we're reading, and more.

He Was 5'7". After Surgery, He’ll Be 5'10".
Originally designed to correct mismatched length in legs, limb-lengthening surgery has become more popular for men looking to permanently increase their height.

This Gay Netflix Teen Drama Is Just What We Need
This sweet and even slightly formulaic love story feels almost radical given the current political climate. (Spoilers ahead.)

I Made My Mom See “Everything Everywhere All At Once” And We Both Cried
Does she even understand that everything that has ever happened to me is all her fault??? (Contains spoilers.)

He Was Abducted As A Child. Then His Brother Became A Serial Killer.
A new Hulu miniseries thoughtfully explores a family’s surreal life in the true crime spotlight.

The Troubled Legacy Of “Fifty Shades Of Grey”
Ten years ago, E.L. James’ explosively successful series ignited countrywide debates about kink, sexuality, and feminism in the bedroom — a legacy still playing out today.

Sexual Innuendo Is Everywhere, Including…Baby Clothes?
So many clothes for infants have blatant and cringe sexual messages. It's kind of wild.

I Thought BTS Was Just Fine Until I Saw Them Live
There was my life before the show started, and then my life as soon as BTS took the stage at Allegiant Stadium.

Have You Found Love On An International Dating Site?
BuzzFeed News would like to hear from you.

How Teachers Feel About “Abbott Elementary”
“I've always said that I wish there was a show like The Office that reflected my life as a teacher.”

“The Ultimatum” Promotes A Scarcity Mindset In Dating
(Spoilers): The latest Netflix dating show had a bleak ending.

The Legacy Of “America's Next Top Model” Is Anything But Fierce
Recent stories about models’ experiences on the series are causing people to reconsider the reality show’s legacy.

Inside The Internet Communities Dedicated To Bringing Down Hilaria Baldwin
Some internet sleuths are turning bread crumbs into full-blown conspiracies. Here’s why.

Everyone Loves Lady Gaga Right Now
The boundary-pushing artist's public enthusiasm for her peers is so endearing.

Pamela Anderson Is Taking Control Of Her Own Story
In Chicago, Pamela Anderson plays a woman who turns scandal into stardom. In real life, she’s reclaiming her legacy too.

"The Real Housewives Of Orange County" Has A Great New Villain
Heather Dubrow's ego and pretension are setting her up for some delicious schadenfreude.