Like 'Twin Peaks,' '24,' 'Mad Men,' and 'The Sopranos' before it, 'Downton Abbey' enriches the iconography and collective lore of pop culture. It replenishes the stream. James Wolcott abbeycollectiveculture Change image and share on social
Even the most piddling life is of momentous consequence to its owner. James Wolcott consequencelifemomentous Change image and share on social
After a decade this glum, we deserved a shot of 'Glee,' a show that restored our faith in the power of song, the beauty of dance, and the magic of 'spirit fingers' to chase our cares and woes into somebody else's backyard. James Wolcott backyardbeautycare share on social
People want to be special. I think ambition can take in a whole package of things, power or sexual excitement. James Wolcott ambitionexcitementpackage Change image and share on social
Like Andy Warhol and unlike God Almighty, Larry King does not presume to judge; all celebrities are equal in his eyes, saints and sinners alike sharing the same 'Love Boat' voyage into the dark beyond, a former sitcom star as deserving of pious send-off as Princess Diana. James Wolcott alikealmightyandy share on social
It was with 9/11 that I came to fully appreciate and embrace NPR's irreplaceability as a sanity preserver, its unique virtues as first responder on the burning scene. James Wolcott burnembracefully Change image and share on social
Bad acting comes in many bags, various odors. It can be performed by cardboard refugees from an Ed Wood movie, reciting their dialogue off an eye chart, or by hopped-up pros looking to punch a hole through the fourth wall from pure ballistic force of personality, like Joe Pesci in a bad mood. I can respect bad acting that owns its own style. James Wolcott actbadbag share on social
Popular culture no longer craves archangels and new dawns. Pop culture traffics in vampires and deads of night. James Wolcott archangelcraveculture Change image and share on social
Being raised Catholic in a pressure-cooker household besieged by alcohol and bill collectors enforced and heightened a sense of sentry duty in me, the oldest of five children and the one most responsible for keeping everything from capsizing. Wild indulgence was for other people, the non-worriers. James Wolcott alcoholbesiegebill share on social
Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian would have left little more than lipstick stains in their passing had it not been for the sex videos that lofted them into reality-TV notoriety. Once notoriety has warmed into familiarity, celebrity itself becomes one big 'Brady Bunch' reunion, or a therapy session with Dr. Drew. James Wolcott bigbradybunch share on social