Hollywood screenwriters went on strike in May 2023. Two months later, actors joined them on the picket line. Those strikes ended later that year with historic deals that included, for the first…
Bob Newhart was more than an actor or comedian – he was a literary master
If you knew Bob Newhart only as an actor – most notably as the star of the legendary “Bob Newhart Show” but also in a minor though memorable role in the movie…
Why I turned the ‘Red Dead Redemption II’ video game into a history class on America’s violent past
Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching. Title of course: Red Dead’s History: Exploring America’s Violent Past Through the Hit Video Game What prompted…
A short history of the rise, fall and return of Detroit’s Michigan Central Station
Detroit celebrated the reopening of its iconic railway station Michigan Central in June 2024 with a grand outdoor gala featuring an extravaganza of Detroit musical royalty – Diana Ross, Big Sean, Patti…
As nativist politics surge across Europe, soccer’s ‘Euros’ showcase a more benign form of nationalism
When nationalism combines with soccer in the stadiums and streets of Europe, it tends to not end well. For decades, images of drunken fans adorned with nationalist symbols and flags fighting one…
The science behind Ariana Grande’s vocal metamorphosis
While promoting her role in the upcoming film adaptation of the Broadway hit “Wicked,” singer Ariana Grande made a podcast appearance that left many of her fans befuddled and concerned. In the…
4 books by Black Philadelphia women that depict struggle and joy in the City of Sisterly Love
The four works described below, all written by Black Philadelphia women, appear in my new anthology, “A Black Philadelphia Reader: African American Writings about the City of Brotherly Love.” I’m a professor…
By revealing their mental health struggles, pro athletes are scoring with fans
On June 5, 2024, the Boston Red Sox placed relief pitcher Chris Martin on the 15-day injured list. It wasn’t for a sore shoulder, a tight elbow or a tweaked groin. It…
Fandom usually means tracking your favorite team for years − so why are the Olympics so good at making us root for sports and athletes we tune out most of the time?
Every four years, millions of Americans join billions of their fellow humans across the globe to celebrate the astonishing athletic feats at the Summer Olympics. Warm-weather sports such as swimming and track…
Colorado is home to the longest-running gay rodeo in the world
The Colorado Gay Rodeo Association has held a gay rodeo every year since 1983, making it the longest-running event of its kind in history. Their flagship event, the Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo…