Reposted by Ben TraversButlerian Jihadist of House Dornick @shimminykricket.blacksky.app · 10hHarvard just dropped a study AI productivity in software engineering and it found the average increase in productivity from using Claude code is.....zero and for exactly the reasons you'd think fion.ac/jellyfish.pdf 5639181544
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Plenty of action in the finale if you know where to look. 001
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 05/10/2026“Lanterns” good. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...indiewire.com‘Lanterns’ Finale Review: Episode 8 Makes the Hard Choices — and Leaves a Light on For Season 2The 'Lanterns' finale packs in a ton of information, but keeps the focus on characters over spectacle — and love in all its messy glory. [SPOILERS] 1204
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Absolutely loved "East of Eden." Zoe Kazan nailed it. A rich, aching limited series filled with true, dreadful beauty — and killer performances. (Florence Pugh and Hoon Lee 100%, but don't sleep on Ciarán Hinds.) www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...indiewire.com‘East of Eden’ Review: Zoe Kazan’s Magnificent Netflix Epic Will Knock You OverA smart, gorgeous, and richly provocative adaptation of John Steinbeck's classic novel follows an American family across generations. 2141
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Featuring Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector reciting "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" — in character. www.indiewire.com/news/breakin...indiewire.com‘The Gilded Age’ Musical Is Finally Happening — as a Christmas AlbumCarrie Coon and Morgan Spector join Audra McDonald, Christine Baranski, and more actors from 'The Gilded Age' for a Christmas album out this year. 042
Reposted by Ben TraversJudy Berman @judyberman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026This is going to change lives. People forget that democratizing access to the arts does that, but it really really does. 0358
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 23/09/2026“Brothers” is mainly vexing because it’s a bad star vehicle, which is ~insane~ since it only exists because the two stars decided to make a show about themselves. But just because actors play good characters doesn’t mean actors *are* good characters. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...indiewire.com‘Brothers’ Review: Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson Can’t Detect Any Truth in Apple’s Limp Meta Comedy'Brothers,' the new Apple series based on 'a true rumor,' asks if Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson are actually brothers. 451
Reposted by Ben TraversAlison Herman @aherman2006.bsky.social · 23/09/2026netflix turned charlie and the chocolate factory into a squid game-style reality competition show hosted by an AI gene wilder voice and featuring tall oompa loompas. the results are as nightmarish as you would expect: variety.com/2026/tv/revi...variety.comNetflix Competition ‘Wonka’s The Golden Ticket’ Is a Ghoulish Misuse of AI Gene Wilder: TV ReviewA Netflix competition show based on Roald Dahl's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' uses an AI-generated Gene Wilder in a disastrous gimmick. 095
Reposted by Ben TraversEmily St. James @emilystjams.bsky.social · 21/09/2026In case you needed another reason to dislike Gavin Newsom, a truly loathsome man, and/or back anybody else in the 2028 Dem primaries......... 13455126
Reposted by Ben TraversSoraya Nadia McDonald @soraya.press · 20/09/2026Holy smokes I fuckin' did it. As promised, I hard launched before Yom Kippur, with hours to spare! I am going to take a nap.soraya.pressAllow Me To Reintroduce MyselfLook at me. I’m the publisher now. 521206174
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 18/09/2026The more I think about it, the more I like Sharon Horgan's "Youth" — which means this review that I wrote four days ago is probably underselling it. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...indiewire.com‘Youth’ Review: Sharon Horgan’s Sharp HBO Comedy Asks What We Really Have to Sacrifice with AgeSharon Horgan returns to HBO (post-'Divorce') with 'Youth,' a mid-life crisis comedy that's as familiar as it is refreshing, insightful, and funny. 060
Reposted by Ben TraversJoe Adalian @tvmojoe.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Read this from Rick: It's the best, most accurate analysis I've read of what this week's 60 MINUTES ratings really mean. And yes, while you're there, sign up -- free or paid. It's a reliably good digest of Nielsen goodness. 175
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 15/09/2026*MY* Criterion edition would include Julia Louis-Dreyfus giving feature-length commentary as Elaine, but she’s just muttering under her breath for two-and-a-half hours, until right before the credits when she screams “I HATE IT!” But I guess this is fine. www.criterion.com/films/33811-... 1163
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 15/09/2026My old pals Philip Jennings, Jimmy James, and Kim Wexler had a big night last night, and I just wanted to enjoy it. 0110
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Emmys bad, winners good. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...indiewire.comThe Emmys Gave TV Fans Winners Worth Cherishing — and a Ceremony for Somebody ElseRhea Seehorn and Matthew Rhys are Emmy winners tailor-made to thrill TV fans, but the Emmys ceremony meant to honor them had other priorities. 1140
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 15/09/2026And stuck with it to the end! Credit for committing, I guess. 060
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 15/09/2026(It's good, actually, that Jon Hamm and Amanda Peet made a joke about no one watching "Your Friends and Neighbors" — the show that got one (1) Emmy nomination ***for Best Drama Series***.) 091
Reposted by Ben TraversKathryn VanArendonk @kvanaren.bsky.social · 15/09/2026one person in dentists office: rhys rhys rhys everyone in dentists office: RHYS RHYS RHYS 19211
Reposted by Ben TraversDaniel Fienberg @thefienprint.bsky.social · 15/09/2026HA. Jean Smart held the #Emmys record with eight acting wins solo for... 10 minutes. 2479
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Emmy producers in "let's get this over with" mode from the jump, I see. 060
Reposted by Ben TraversKate Erbland @katerbland.bsky.social · 15/09/2026OMG OMG OMG SUNSET COCKTAILS FOR ALLLLLLLLLL 0214
Reposted by Ben Travers@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Credit to PBS News. This is by far one of the most accurate descriptions of what trump did. None of the sanewashing we saw with so much of the news coverage. 222159703
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 10/09/2026The final season of “Colin From Accounts” is really well made, starting from the very informative, very funny, very first sequence. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...indiewire.com‘Colin from Accounts’ Final Season Is for the F*ck-UpsThe Australian rom com series returns with a third & final season that sees its central couple summoning the courage to decide what's right for them. 030
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Great, moving writing by David here. Eager to see this one. www.indiewire.com/criticism/mo...indiewire.com‘Everytime’ Review: Sandra Wollner’s Infinitely Beguiling Portrait of Grief in the Digital Age Is One of the Most Haunting Films of the DecadeSandra Wollner's unforgettable third feature explores the modern world's changing relationship to death. 010
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 07/09/2026"Jazz. That can’t be good." lol good “Lanterns” tonight www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...indiewire.com‘Lanterns’ Review: Episode 4 Is All About ‘The Weenie'(s) — SpoilersEach weenie tells a story, and each story tells us a lot about "Lanterns." 240
Reposted by Ben TraversKate Erbland @katerbland.bsky.social · 07/09/2026The Telluride secret screening is even more wild than we imagined: www.indiewire.com/news/festiva...indiewire.comA24 Reveals Telluride Secret Screening: It’s Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s Documentary About Elizabeth HolmesThe filmmaker visited the convicted fraudster in prison. 0142
Reposted by Ben TraversEllie Mae O'Hagan @elliemaeohagan.bsky.social · 03/09/2026I love the dedication in My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinhem 10385241964
Reposted by Ben TraversMelanie McFarland @mctelevision.bsky.social · 01/09/2026What struck me is how accurately "OutKast" portrays the "twice as good for half as much" reality that Black parents drill into high-achievers like John Stewart. Props to Vanessa Baden Kelly's 🎯writing for that. 13310
Reposted by Ben TraversRick Porter @rickporter.bsky.social · 30/08/2026New at The Data Stream: Does IP mining really work better than just making original shows? (Not really!) Subscribe for more stuff like this, plus weekly ratings and premiere date guides and whatnot.thedatastream.tvWhat working the IP mines gets youShows based on existing intellectual property don't have a much greater success rate than original ideas. 071
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 30/08/2026I love watching “Dark Matter” for its beautiful and bonkers shots of Chicago, but the rest of Season 2 is such a mess it made me question Apple’s entire approach to sci-fi TV. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...indiewire.com‘Dark Matter’ Season 2 Tests the Limits of Apple TV’s Sci-Fi ObsessionAfter two years away, 'Dark Matter' Season 2 is a convoluted follow-up that illustrates the risks of Apple's high-concept blockbuster TV strategy. 150
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 28/08/2026It’s clear how much the people behind “Adults” care about making a great sitcom — and I respect that, because I love sitcoms. Season 2 is a big improvement, but it’s not there yet. Strong changes. Still has room to grow. I got in the weeds with this one: www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...indiewire.com‘Adults’ Season 2 Review: FX’s Gen-Z Sitcom Hits a Much-Needed Growth SpurtAfter a rough debut, co-creators Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw lean on classic sitcom tropes and elevate their strongest characters. 000
Reposted by Ben TraversDaniel Fienberg @thefienprint.bsky.social · 27/08/2026The new season should up Quincy Tyler Bernstine to full co-lead status and some effort should be made to bring Steve Way back, however narratively complicated that might be.hollywoodreporter.com‘Furious’ Renewed for Second Season at HuluThe thriller from creator Elizabeth Meriwether and star Emmy Rossum wraps its first run on Aug. 31. 5336
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 26/08/2026On the last day of Emmy voting, I wrote a "will win / should win" with @marcusjones.bsky.social about the Best Series races. It's short, but we did not skimp on the hot takes! www.indiewire.com/awards/predi...indiewire.comWe Pick Which Series Will Win and/or Should Win at the 2026 Primetime EmmysIndieWire Awards Editor Marcus Jones and TV Critic Ben Travers debate which series will win and which series should win at the 2026 Primetime Emmys. 020
Reposted by Ben TraversLisa Hanawalt @handle.invalid · 25/08/2026New signed, limited edition prints in my shop : ) lisahanawalt.bigcartel.com/category/pri... 1244
Reposted by Ben TraversEric Vilas-Boas @ericvb.bsky.social · 21/08/2026just in from the happiest workplace on earth (h/t @puck.news) 33625242
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 21/08/2026Spoke to Nick Offerman about a little show called “Death by Lightning.” www.indiewire.com/awards/consi... 0232
Reposted by Ben TraversLiz Shannon Miller @lizshannonmiller.com · 18/08/2026As teased last night: I am publishing my first novel, HOW TO BUILD A ROBOT (BOYFRIEND) on Sept. 1st! Link to read more: www.robot-boyfriend.com Link to pre-order: www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFKPGFJ5 54112
Reposted by Ben TraversCourtney Milan @courtneymilan.com · 17/08/2026Every time someone says "but how will we afford it?" I want to ask them how we are affording it now, and in many cases, the answer is that we aren't. 191831502
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Nah, you’ll be fine. They draw on plenty from the comics, but what you need to know is all onscreen. 010
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Fun fact (that may surprise those of you who remember my reviews of past superhero series): I love Green Lantern. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh... 132
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 17/08/2026I am also on the weekly “Lanterns” beat. www.indiewire.com/criticism/sh...indiewire.com‘Lanterns’ Review: Episode 1 Lights Up Small-Town America with Big Mysteries and a Massive Twist — SpoilersHBO's gritty "Green Lantern" series premiere is a rollicking introduction despite overloading on information and ending on a big ol' downer. [RECAP] 191
Reposted by Ben TraversLiz Shannon Miller @lizshannonmiller.com · 15/08/2026So I think I undersold my interview with Chris Carter about his #XFiles: I Want to Believe director's cut. Please enjoy the section that multiple readers have quoted back to me with exclamation points. consequence.net/2026/08/x-fi... 3299
Ben Travers @bentravers.bsky.social · 16/08/2026Honestly you kept it together better than anyone should. (And now I wade into the *new* interview… 🫠) 020