The Atlantic 's Week in Culture
Don’t Miss
Why TV Needs ‘Weak’ Female Characters—Elizabeth Alsop dissects series like Fleabag and Transparent, which show how vulnerability is as important as unlikeability and strength when it comes to portraying fictional women.
Film
Recommended: Glenn Beck’s Regrets
The Novelty and Nostalgia of La La Land—Christopher Orr praises Damien Chazelle’s magnificent new musical, which pays homage to Old Hollywood while fully embracing its present.
The Lead Contenders for This Year’s Oscars—David Sims lays out all the movies battling it out for the film industry’s most prestigious awards.
Hairspray’s Revealing Portrayal of Race in America—Matthew Delmont explains how the 1988 John Waters film, newly adapted into an NBC live musical, presents a view of racial discrimination that’s both naïve and enlightening.
Is O.J. Simpson: Made in America a TV Show or a Movie?—David Sims argues that the new documentary, now tipped for an Oscar, is an example of the increasingly blurred line between the mediums.
Who Would Want an Office Christmas Party Like This One?—Megan Garber watches the new holiday film that manages to be both funny and not terribly fun at the same time.
Miss Sloane’s Washington Is Rotten to Its Core—Sophie Gilbert weighs in on the new movie starring Jessica Chastain as a ruthless gun-control lobbyist.
The Transformers: The Last Knight Trailer: What the Hell?—David Sims puzzles over the new trailer for the fifth edition of the movie franchise, which shows Hollywood impulses at their worst.
Television
Recommended: In 'Miss Sloane,' Washington Is Rotten to Its Core
The Golden Age of the TV Bathroom—Megan Garber reveals how restrooms, as places of solitude and contemplation of self-image, are taking center stage on popular shows today.
The Feedback Loop of Saturday Night Live and Donald Trump—David Sims points out the recursive nature of the sketch-comedy show’s parody of the president-elect, and his consequent Twitter reactions.
Hairspray Live! Was Big, Bland, and Beautiful—Sophie Gilbert delves into NBC’s third televised musical, which offered goofy charm, a nebulous message of inclusivity, and a handful of spectacular moments.
Westworld and the False Promise of Storytelling—Spencer Kornhaber unpacks the dark, meta message of the hit HBO show’s season finale.
Shut Eye Wants to Be Breaking Bad, With Psychics—Sophie Gilbert reviews the stylish new Hulu show starring Jeffrey Donovan as a con man whose head injury appears to give him real visions.
Joe Biden Goes on the Late Show, Plays Everyone’s Dad—Megan Garber analyzes the vice president’s fatherly talk-show appearance, his first since the election.
Art
Recommended: How to Sleep
Adam Pendleton on Art’s Turbulent Moment—Sophie Gilbert chats with the conceptual artist about the significance of his new exhibition “Midnight in America,” in light of recent political upheaval.
Helen Marten’s Intricate Sculptures Win the Turner Prize—Sophie Gilbert weighs in on the artist’s installation work, for which she was awarded the highest honor for a artist in the U.K.
Music
The Culture Wars in the Grammy Album Nominations—Spencer Kornhaber provides a primer on all the contenders for the award: Beyoncé vs. Adele vs. Drake vs. Bieber vs. Sturgill Simpson.
The Secret to Westworld’s Success Is in Its Music—Spencer Kornhaber listens to the newly released soundtrack for the HBO drama series.
Holidays
2016 Holiday Gift Guide—Catherine Green draws up a detailed list of shopping ideas for the impossible people to buy presents for, based on submissions from Atlantic readers.
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This article was originally published on The Atlantic.