culture porn 12/1
our weekly playlist
screenshot me:
love has won: the cult of mother god (max)
i thought i had reached my saturation point with cult docuseries (NETFLIX even went so far as to have a show called HOW TO BECOME A CULT LEADER). but as soon as i watched five minutes, i was in. there's a key reason this doc, from hannah olson (the safdie brothers are among the producers), felt different. it features members of LOVE HAS WON (a spiritual group) who are still avid believers. most docuseries focus on ex-members who are reflecting back on indoctrination. this feels even more mind-blowing to watch and sheds rare psychological insight into the extremes of spiritual exploration. i will spare you details about amy carlson, aka "mother god," but i was found myself experiencing empathy amidst the insanity - the mark of a good docuseries!
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rap sh!t (max)
i'm thrilled that miami rappers shawna (aida osman) and mia (kamillion) are back and taking their act – and their emotional baggage – on the road. this season, the grim reality of being a unpaid backup act for a culturally-appropriating white rapper leaves the ladies questioning their ambitions, their relationships, and most of all, their sisterhood. it's rare to see such a realistic portrayal of the drama between best friends rendered so lovingly, and i'm along for the ride.
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reality (max)
we watched this to see sydney sweeney in a starring film role about an FBI interrogation. while i'm still a fan of hers, i fell asleep during the film. blame it on the post-turkey food coma, or the slow-moving pace or knowing the outcome in advance. either way, i needed more action to keep me awake!
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colin from accounts (paramount+)
BEST SHOW YOU'RE NOT WATCHING: this fresh aussie comedy plays like an anti-rom-com. co-stars harriet dyer and patrick brammall are also the creators behind the razor-sharp writing, impeccable timing, and the shrewdly-cast supporting characters who don't let them get away with anything. plus, the titular star is an adorable dog in a wheelchair – awww.
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everyday i write the book (elvis costello)
this 80s hit caught my ear the other day (i have a sixth sense for 80s music) and i learned it was...elvis costello! how delightful. the song reminds me of steve winwood (one of my faves) and puts me in a great mood. who doesn't need that in these times?
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pandora’s box: how guts, guile and greed upended tv (william morrow)
the latest peter biskind book ends a perfect trilogy following his EASY RIDERS, RAGING BULLS and DOWN & DIRTY PICTURES. now he turns his attention to the history of peak TV, chronicling the rise of difficult men, HBO, and the streaming era ushered in by NETFLIX. i love the juicy gossip and behind-the-scenes drama, as the "golden age of TV" rose and fell. makes a great holiday gift for anyone in the entertainment biz!
insights & inspo
tiktok is the career coach of choice for gen z. is that really a good idea?
gen z is pushing the boundaries of how social media is used. TIKTOK has proven to be a disruptor to the GOOGLE search engine among the age group and now they’re seeking professional guidance on the platform. the outcome (unsurprisingly) seems to lean toward misinformation and a false perception of what it’s really like out there in the job market.
more insights here
why is everyone so unhappy at work right now?
despite wage increases and remote work flexibility, a 2023 workplace report revealed growing discontent among american workers. a resounding sentiment of being ‘stuck,’ on top of the already high pile of uncertainties like inflation and an ever-changing job market, has people feeling disconnected and stressed. so, do you hate your job?
more insights here
make sure to check out MIDWEEK with CULTIQUE every wednesday
#LOokforward🌅 with linda ong
2 rockstars of impressionism - éduoard manet and edgar degas – are in a first-ever residency at the METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART. it's mind-blowing to see such transgressive-for-their-time works from manet, like OLYMPIA and THE DEAD TOREADOR, toe-to-toe with his frenemy's finest.
anna louie sussman's much-shared op-ed lands just as we're digging deep into the dating world, and it's not pretty. along with headlines of "men in crisis," women are finding that men are “limited in their ability and willingness to be fully emotionally present and available.” no wonder singles of all genders are confused.
good thing you can always indulge in retail therapy. in case "what's trending" serves as inspiration, the GOOGLE HOLIDAY 100 has a data-driven approach to playing santa – or populating your wish list. happy hunting!
more insights here