TV

Not A Stereotype: 5 TV Shows That Depict Mental Health Surprisingly Well

Several Black college students sit on a couch, including Jordan Woods as Dee.
by Rachel Charlene Lewis
August 26, 2019 at 8:41am
TV is slowly making progress and learning how to tell the stories of characters with mental health conditions.
Veronica Mars, a white woman, sits at her desk at work. She wears a flannel and has blond hair parted down the middle.

Drama, Not Trauma: Rape Culture, “Veronica Mars,” and the Spectacle of Sexual Violence

by Roslyn Talusan
August 23, 2019 at 11:17am
From the very beginning, sexual assault is simply fodder for drama in the world of Neptune, California. Read more »
Algee Smith as Christopher McKay, a Black, male teenager, in Euphoria. His hair is braided and he is looking to the left of the camera.

“Euphoria” Utilizes Black Trauma for Character Development

by Taylor Crumpton
August 19, 2019 at 11:03am
Christopher McKay is an example of Black trauma through a white lens. Read more »
A photo of Gabrielle Dennis, Quinta Brunson, Ashley Nicole Black, and Robin Thede, Black women wearing athletic clothes and standing outside, in A Black Lady Sketch Show

Yes, We Sketch Too: What “A Black Lady Sketch Show” Means for Comedy

by Kriska Desir
August 15, 2019 at 2:37pm
 Black women know how to create space for each other in a very special way. This show is a testament to that. Read more »
A photo of Jules from "Euphoria." Jules is crying, her eye makeup smeared, and wearing an angel costume.

Glitter Tears: On “Euphoria,” Fashion Is (Sometimes Painfully) Symbolic

by Rosa Boshier
August 13, 2019 at 8:14pm
Many have taken note of the glittery, bold makeup of Euphoria. Read more »
A photo of Tuca, a toucan, and Bertie, a small bird, who are animated characters on Tuca & Bertie.

A Heartbreaking Loss: “Tuca & Bertie” Gave Trauma Survivors a Road Map for Healing

by Mary Retta
August 2, 2019 at 2:02pm
While Tuca & Bertiei s light and comical, featuring meat drawers, edible grandmas, and runaway boobs, it’s ultimately an ode to female friendship, healing, and survival. Read more »
A photo of Max from The L Word, a white person with brown hair and blue eyes. Max looks into the camera.

Missing the Mark: Where Are the Trans Women on “The L Word” Reboot?

by Mey Rude
August 1, 2019 at 9:39am
We need the most mainstream lesbian show in the world to actively normalize trans lesbians. Read more »
Gina Rodriguez, a Latinx woman with dark brown hair, stares at some standing in the doorway on Jane the Virgin

Pure Heart: How “Jane the Virgin” Turned Empathy into Power

by Mallika Khanna
July 31, 2019 at 12:07pm
Resistance onscreen can be as simple as giving space to characters who aren’t normally visible. Read more »
Samira Wiley and Uzo Aduba, two Black women, in Orange is the New Black. They both wear prison uniforms and are holding hands.

From Representation to Tragedy Porn: Did “OITNB” Fail Its Marginalized Viewers?

by Rachel Charlene Lewis
July 26, 2019 at 3:10pm
Did Orange is the New Black accurately represent marginalized people, or simply expose them to pain via tragedy porn? Read more »
a photo of Ramy Youssef, an Egyptian American man with short, brown hair wearing a green hoodie, black shirt, and black hair

Airing Authenticity: Does “Ramy” Need to Be Real to Be Fun?

by Umber Bhatti
July 22, 2019 at 7:48pm
Ramy Youssef chooses not to adhere to a collective narrative, instead homing in on his personal experience.  Read more »
A photo of Luke Parker, a white man, and Hannah Brown, a white woman, on The Bachelorette

Viewers Over Decency: How “The Bachelor” Franchise Keeps Failing Its Leading Ladies

by Rachel Charlene Lewis
July 17, 2019 at 3:41pm
The Bachelor franchise is willing to toss women into the flames of abuse for bigger ratings. Has it even earned the right to tell the stories of these women if it won’t protect them? Read more »

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Best of Bitch

Tina Belcher's Sexual Revolution

​​​​​​​Tina Belcher, an animated teenaged girl. She wears glasses and has black hair with bangs.
by Gabrielle Moss
May 6, 2014 at 11:57am
Tina Belcher breaks all the rules of network sitcoms. That's why she's wonderful.  Read more »

Eat, Pray, Spend: Priv-lit and the new, enlightened American dream

by Joshunda Sanders
Summer 2010 • Action
Priv-lit and the new, enlightened American dream. Read more »

Films and TV Portray Abortion as More Dangerous Than It Is

by Erica Thomas
February 19, 2014 at 3:47pm
Films and television shows tend to present a skewed portrayal of abortion—when fictional movies and TV shows include a plotline about abortion... Read more »

What I Learned About Gender and Power from Sailor Moon

by Soleil Ho
May 31, 2013 at 1:43pm
My life began in 1995 — the year I turned eight and became a divorced kid.    Read more »