My high-school papers, my college-application essays, read like Norman Mailer packed in a crunchy-peanut-butter sandwich. James Wolcott applicationbuttercollege Change image and share on social
The lies the government and media tell are amplifications of the lies we tell ourselves. To stop being conned, stop conning yourself. James Wolcott amplificationconngovernment Change image and share on social
One reason I'm such a wayward prognosticator of rightwing trends is that I'm incapable of blacking out enough neural sectors to see the world through reptilian-brained eyes, a prerequisite for any true channeling of the mean resentments and implanted fears that drive hardcore conservatives. James Wolcott blackbrainchannele share on social
What a turnaround in sentiment 'Glee' exemplifies. It was only a few years ago that pursuing the dream of a Broadway career or cabaret stardom relegated some poor yearning dope to a lavender ghetto of losers, self-deluders, and social rejects. James Wolcott agobroadwaycabaret share on social
The whole ecosystem of celebrity has broken down for writers. If you go back to the '50s, '60s, and '70s, writers were on TV a lot, and they were allowed to misbehave a lot. James Wolcott 50s60s70s Change image and share on social
Who elected Larry King America's grief counselor? We, the viewing public, did, by driving up his ratings whenever somebody famous passes. James Wolcott americacounselordrive Change image and share on social
Today a celebrity sex video isn't a stigma that requires penance and smarm removal; it's a branding device, a platform enhancer, a show reel. James Wolcott brandcelebritydevice Change image and share on social
If Broadway no longer seems behind the times or ahead of the times, it may be because there are no 'times' anymore, no prevailing Zeitgeist that sets the fashion, pace, and prevailing look. James Wolcott aheadanymorebroadway Change image and share on social
What stars do in their off-hours is a never-ending source of diddling curiosity to the tabloid sensibility. James Wolcott curiositydiddleend Change image and share on social
Since I'm a fan of collections and anthologies, believe that the best writing often shines in shards and galloping stretches, I never find myself lobbying for a writer I enjoy reading regularly to hole up in Heidegger's hut for four or five years to bring forth a mountain. James Wolcott anthologybringcollection share on social