I admit the announcement that Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are dead didn't really hit me that hard, but the news that Tom Stoppard has passed is sad indeed. Rest In Peace.

My friend and colleague @jasonzinoman.bsky.social told me he’d seen Louis CK, so I was eager to see his take on what it’s like now (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/a...

“Beauty is not just a means of escape”

THE BURNING CAULDRON OF FIERY FIRE sticks with you. Anne Washburn has the most original apocalyptical visions. Pluribus should hire her.

David Cale is one of our great solo artists. Read EV's rave.

NYT critic @jasonzinoman.bsky.social on the contradictions of the Riyadh Comedy Festival: “It’s hard to see [Dave] Chappelle signing a contract to perform at a university only if he agreed to state his pronouns at the start of the set.” www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/a...

Terrific, complex piece by @jasonzinoman.bsky.social about the Riyadh Comedy Festival: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/a...

Update to this piece which came out this AM: Human Rights Watch said it will not take a donation from Aziz Ansari, emphasized it did not call for a boycott, but did urge comics to call for release of imprisoned activists. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/a...

I explore why clowns are everywhere. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/a...

And here is my latest. open.substack.com/pub/karenatt...

10/1/62: Johnny's 1st tonight show Sure, you can say he was post-rat pack, middle of the road, medium cool - I know I did But he was a rock, and a master of his craft Nice take via @jasonzinoman.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/2020/07/26/a...

Second night too

Shane Gillis turned down the Saudi comedy festival. www.pajiba.com/news/shane-g...

Yep. And the way the writer discusses Star Wars is how I feel about Alien (and the TV show)

Wow, this is a fiercely eloquent @manohladargis.bsky.social review that will get you to the theater. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/m...

"Critics who have been incessantly saying that late night no longer matters are going to need to catch up. The government doesn’t go after entertainers because they are irrelevant." Great piece by @jasonzinoman.bsky.social:

In Austin TX celebrating the 20th anniversary of MASTERS OF HORROR at the 20th anniversary of Fantastic Fest! With Joe Dante, Don Coscarelli, Ernest Dickerson and Fangoria editor Phil Nobile, Jr.!

I'm sure this has been mentioned but, back in 2003, ABC's first choice for the late-night job was Jon Stewart. But ABC felt Stewart was too "topical"/political, especially for the network of Roseanne and Home Improvement. So they went with Kimmel. And here we are. www.nytimes.com/2002/11/03/m...

I thought Ross Douthat's recent explanation of how late night became more political was off. So I dug into the history. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/a...

Familiar? www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrhQ...

ABC has posted the first 28 minutes of @jimmykimmellive.bsky.social WATCH: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1tj...

If the goal was to "avoid further inflaming a tense situation," well, really nice job.

Kimmel is back tomorrow.

The numbers in this story stun me. And i have seen a lot of theater is dying moments. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/22/t...

Wow @jasonzinoman.bsky.social some brutal truth www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/a...

Disney has lost nearly $4 Billion in three days from combined stock price collapse and cancelled subscriptions.

Masterly analysis by @jasonzinoman.bsky.social — stick around for the subtle but savage filleting of “Kremlin star” Jimmy Fallon [giftie] www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/a...

it’s always a gift to read thoughts by brilliant @jasonzinoman.bsky.social. here’s another great piece, especially his insights on the Russian parallel

I'm in good company with @jasonzinoman.bsky.social

Thurs Sept 25 2220 Arts + Archives 2220 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles The Whirled (w Jack Smith) --Ken Jacobs, 1961 Senseless --Ron Rice, 1962 New York Eye and Ear Control --Michael Snow, 1964 DMT (based on Jackie Cassen’s light show) --Jud Yalkut, 1966 www.acropoliscinema.com/films/everyt...

Weekend relief. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/a...

Love the gah gah.

"Any personal details we do get are titrated just so." @jenszalai.bsky.social on Amy Coney Barrett. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/b...

Remembering Bob Newhart on his birthday 🎂 📷 Gerald Smith, a shot from the first Bob Newhart Show, August 1961 "There is as much music in his reticence as there is in Richard Pryor’s volubility." - Jason Zinoman

BOTD Bob Newhart!!! Monumental stand-up figure From us on the Newhart Show: midcenturycinema.org/2022/09/04/5... More: Great Judd Apatow short: www.newyorker.com/culture/cult... @mattzollerseitz.bsky.social: www.vulture.com/article/bob-... @jasonzinoman.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/a...

Heartbreaking and lovely reminiscence of newspapering, in the guise of a reflection on The Paper

Brilliantly funny *rare* Alan Partridge – unused bits from On The Hour (1991/92), featuring Steve Coogan, Rebecca Front and Doon Mackichan corpsing away as Alan gets more weird and pervy

Seems low.

Will be missed.

New SNL cast latenighter.com/news/ben-mar...

the heel, the troll, the bad-guy wrestler, kauffman-esque i am all for it

This is really good.

On comedy: The art of the Troll www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/a...

New Update host? www.avclub.com/saturday-nig...

Beyond bizarre to watch this absurdity as someone from DC. I have spent so much time in Union Station.

Maron saying "Who am I to judge? I'm me!" to Howie Mandel needs to be a meme