iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Eric Dirnbach @ericdirnbach.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Can't wait until this comes out, 2+ years in the making! I have a chapter with an in-depth analysis of the organizing on the show "Superstore," and yeah, I'm annoying in my critique. sunypress.edu/Books/S/So-L...!

sunypress.edu

1124

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 01/10/2026

If you're on Goodreads, you can now "Want To Read" our April 2027 @sunypress.bsky.social book "So Long, Dental Plan!: Unions, Labor Relations, and Class Struggle... as Seen on TV." www.goodreads.com/book/show/25...

goodreads.com

So Long, Dental Plan!: Unions, Labor Relations, and Cla…

Essays exploring how labor unions, union organizing, an…

055

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 01/10/2026

We know we hate them, but it always helps make a book-in-production feel real when it shows up on Amazon. www.amazon.com/So-Long-Dent...

amazon.com

Amazon.com

020

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Leftist Teen Drama Podcast @leftistteendrama.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

It is also the subject of a chapter I wrote for the book @solongdentalplan.com, forthcoming April 2027 from SUNY Press.

White text on a black background: “"Your [Organizing] Matters. It's What Got Me Here." One Tree Hill's Brooke Davis as a Role Model for Millennial Union Workers
By Maria DiPasquale”

113

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Leftist Teen Drama Podcast @leftistteendrama.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

It’s One Tree Hill’s golden birthday — 23 years old on September 23! As loyal listeners of #LeftistTeenDrama know, the workplace organizing plotline in Season 2, Episode 12 inspired this podcast!

122

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Eric Dirnbach @ericdirnbach.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

YES, great cover, can't wait for this to come out!

0166

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 11/09/2026

We have a cover! “So Long, Dental Plan!” Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV, coming April 2027 from @sunypress.bsky.social.

0176

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 08/09/2026

Fran Fine and Homer Simpson featured prominently in our forthcoming book on "Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV."

043

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Jenny Hunter @jennyhunter.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Next year the labor-in-TV-shows book “So Long, Dental Plan!” will come out, including my chapter about the teachers strike in House of Cards! Great 🧵 below, all the chapters will be awesome

0134

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Leftist Teen Drama Podcast @leftistteendrama.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Friend of the pod slash recurring guest on #LeftistTeenDrama Kelly Diaz is also featured in @solongdentalplan.com, digging into a plotline we cover on the pod: the food workers strike on THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS! Keep an eye out for the book coming Spring 2027 ✊

021

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Leftist Teen Drama Podcast @leftistteendrama.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

!!! I'm so excited that we have an April 2027 release date for @solongdentalplan.com, the book i was so honored to contribute a chapter to about the organizing plotline on ONE TREE HILL that inspired the pod! Make sure you're following for updates about preorder info when it becomes available! ✊

031

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

David A. Banks @davidabanks.online · 06/08/2026

This is gonna be a banger!

151

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Eric Dirnbach @ericdirnbach.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Great book coming out next year on depictions of unions and labor in TV shows!

042

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Andy Hodder @hodderandy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Really pleased to be part of this amazing book project! Out next year…

022

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Patrick Andelic @pkandelic.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

I would buy this for the title alone but the chapters also look great.

042

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

Finally, we bookend with @hodderandy.bsky.social & Benjamin Hopkins' much more exhaustive examination of "The Portrayal of Labor Unions and Strikes in The Simpsons."

We were left with six episodes where disputes were considered part of the storyline. We then watched these episodes (and within these episodes, specific segments) repeatedly, while taking notes individually. We brought together our individual analysis and used this to structure the chapter. We then consulted the official episode guide for seasons 1-20 as well as DVD commentaries for key episodes (where available) to see if further insights about the episodes could be gleaned. Three of these six episodes placed strikes at the center of the storyline, while three further episodes featured strikes as a secondary story. In this latter group of episodes, “Simpson Safari” begins when Homer causes a strike by bag packers at the local supermarket, “Labor Pains” features the organization of a cheerleaders’ union as a significant second story in the episode, and “The Winter of Our Monetized Content” includes a brief strike by school children undertaking labor in detention. Other more minor mentions of unions are listed as follows. An episode of “Klassic Krusty” (allegedly from 1961) is briefly shown in “Bart of Darkness,” and features Krusty the Clown interviewing AFL-CIO President George Meany about the once-perennial media topic, the “crisis in labor” (Meany is referred to as the “Chairman” of the AFL-CIO and, amusingly sounds more like successor Lane Kirkland than a plumber from the Bronx). Unions were also mentioned in opening ‘chalkboard gags’ in two episodes, although the actual plots did not relate to unions or labor relations.

023

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

.@oliviawood.bsky.social might convince you to steal someone's Apple TV log-in with "Workers of Mars Unite: Shop Floor Struggle on For All Mankind."

First, the labor legal context in For All Mankind is unclear. Samantha mentions discussing their circumstances with an AFL-CIO representative, so presumably Helios, as an American company operating in territory that doesn’t belong to any sovereign nation, is subject to the jurisdiction of U.S. law. Is U.S. labor law more or less the same in their alternate universe? The moon workers were fired immediately when trying to organize, according to one character, but this could have easily been in violation of the law — which seems likely, given that the show has also established that United Mine Workers is now active on the moon.

040

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

Kelly Diaz writes about one of the more recent shows in “'We Feed You, Now Help Feed Us': Depictions of FGLI Students at Elite Institutions and the Essex College Food Workers Strike on The Sex Lives of College Girls." Here's a delightful quote/footnote combo.

140

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

In "The Class Struggle at Superstore" @ericdirnbach.bsky.social expands on his earlier @labornotes.bsky.social review of what is becoming a classic TV touchstone on union organizing.

150

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

Was Spacey's "teachers unions are stupid and evil" plot made to secure $$$ from Netflix's charter-boosting CEO? You might think that. @jennyhunter.bsky.social thinks it shows how bosses don't even think of workers as people. “'We Strike at Midnight Tomorrow': Workers as NPCs in House of Cards."

150

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

.@terrigerstein.bsky.social gives us “'Everybody Hates Minimum Wage': An All-too-realistic Depiction of What Happens When Low-Wage Workers Assert Their Rights." From the introduction (an excuse to quote one of Chris Rock's best jokes):

140

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

Is wrestling "fake?" Well, Vince McMahon's (Anti?) union storylines were real, as @pgagliardi.bsky.social explains in "Monday Night (Labor) Wars: Representation of Union Movements in Televised Professional Wrestling."

251

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

We get some @leftistteendrama.bsky.social and more crustacean-based unionism from @mariadip.bsky.social in “'Your [Organizing] Matters. It’s What Got Me Here.' One Tree Hill’s Brooke Davis as a Role Model for Millennial Union Workers."

151

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

In "Krusty Krab Unfair: Labor in Kids’ Shows Matters," Alina Sipp-Alpers argues that a 25 year old cartoon episode had an inordinate influence on the left-leaning Millennial generation, and that left-leaning creative types should take children's entertainment much more seriously.

140

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

In "Pushing Agitators Out of Airlocks: The Class Politics of Battlestar Galactica" @benburgis.bsky.social argues the ostensibly pro-union episode where mechanics go on strike squeezed the workers into a Obama-esque meritocratic framework.

130

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

In “'I’m the Business Agent.' Garden (State) Variety Union Corruption in The Sopranos" @shaunrichman.org disentangles all the Italian surnames and construction sites to lay out the union plot points, explains how corruption starts (and ends) in real life and speculates on Chase's meaning.

141

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

.@fredbjacob.bsky.social offers a delightful take on the episode where Nanny Fran Fine refused to cross a picket line for Mr. Sheffield. "The Nanny as Labor Activist: Fran Fine, Fran Drescher, and Working-Class Solidarity."

130

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

Next, in "A Workers’ State Without Workers?" @davidabanks.online looks at that beloved episode of Star Trek DS9 where the boys from the Federation of Planets help the Quark's workers form a union. Come for the reminder that Worf's a strikebreaker, stay for the speculation that USSR inspired Trek.

150

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

First up, we have an article by @erikloomis.bsky.social: The Simpsons and the Working Class: Clintonian Liberalism Meets American Popular Culture.

161

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 06/08/2026

Just realized we should start talking about the chapters and authors in "So Long, Dental Plan!"

1134

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 05/08/2026

We're excited to announce that "So Long, Dental Plan" Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV is scheduled to be published in April 2027 by SUNY Press. Pre-orders will begin around X-Mass time.

187

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Will Burrows 🖖🥖🥀 @reforest-kelley.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

"The Boss Needs You..." prints are restocked in all sizes! I have t-shirts, tank tops, and stickers too. willburrows.art/shop Also - I have an 18"x24" copy with a 1/4" tear at the top edge that I'll sell for 25% off. The tear would be completely concealed if you plan to frame it.

A comic book-style digital drawing of Miles O'Brien organizing Rom and Leeta in Quark's Bar over Guinness and snail juice. It says "The boss needs you, you don't need them! Labor is entitled to all it creates."

322182

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 28/07/2026

Anecdotally, we found that the era of Peak TV (RIP) opened more opportunities for TV creatives to work in plots about unions vs. bosses.

064

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Shaun Richman @shaunrichman.org · 23/06/2026

Me, having just turned in @solongdentalplan.com to @sunypress.bsky.social.

static.klipy.com

Kermit The Frog Anxious

ALT: Kermit The Frog Anxious

141

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Bat 🦇 Borus @matthewborus.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Advertise your Bluesky account with a Simpsons image

Two images from the Simpsons power plant strike. In the first, Lisa plays the guitar as picketers stand around, with the lyrics, “So we'll march day and night,
By the big cooling tower.”

In the second, the strikers all hold hands in a circle, and they sing,
“They have the plant
But we have the power.”

0223

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 04/06/2026

Oddly, the little TV book (which will have multiple indexed references to the Mafia, mob, organized crime, etc.) will have TWO indexed references to "Godfather Part II" (but none for the original "Godfather").

021

Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV @solongdentalplan.com · 04/06/2026

This little book about TV shows somehow will have two index entries for Gary Hart. (None mention Monkey Business.)

021

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Shaun Richman @shaunrichman.org · 03/06/2026

One author notes that Larry Summers "still rants about collectivist economics on social media and unquestionably wherever he appears in his well-paid private talks." Amended to note that our boy doesn't get out much anymore.

001

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Shaun Richman @shaunrichman.org · 03/06/2026

One author referred to an elementary school picture book on Cesar Chavez as a formative influence. Changed to "Delano grape boycott."

101

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Shaun Richman @shaunrichman.org · 03/06/2026

I'm doing post-peer review edits on @solongdentalplan.com. Two edits to reflect the passing of a year; one fun, one grim. 1/3

111

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Jenny Hunter @jennyhunter.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

I also told him I thought his book would make a good TV show. This was on my mind b/c Shaun and I met working on So Long Dental Plan (@solongdentalplan.com), the upcoming book he edited about stories about unions in scripted TV. Keep an eye out for it, nerds of labor and TV! 3/3

102

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Jenny Hunter @jennyhunter.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

We talked about the Trump administration's use of deportation to chill its perceived ideological enemies, and how that would sound familiar to Michael J. Obermeier, the union president who was arrested, convicted of lying about his Communist party membership, and deported during the Cold War. 2/3

132

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Jenny Hunter @jennyhunter.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

It was great to interview @shaunrichman.org about We Always Had a Union, his page-turner history of the New York hotel workers' union! 1/3

142

Reposted by Unions, Labor Relations and Class Struggle…As Seen On TV

Fred Jacob @fredbjacob.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

I can’t wait to read the other contributions! Who doesn’t like tv and labor?

001