‘Genius: MLK/X’ stars ‘terrified’ to play Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X

Aaron Pierre rests his chin on his hands.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre had the same reaction after learning that they had been hired to play the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, respectively, in National Geographic‘s “Genius: MLK/X.” Terror. […]

SZA, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and more flex girl genius in 2024 Grammy noms

SZA, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and more flex girl genius in 2024 Grammy noms

Barbie isn’t the only one taking on the patriarchy in 2023 — so is Grammy. In fact, when the nominees for the 66th annual Grammy Awards were announced on Friday morning, women ruled — make […]

Ernie Kovacs was TV’s madcap genius. A book shows his legacy

Edie Adams holds the string of a tiny guillotine as Ernie Kovacs inserts a cigar to cut.

As we bumble toward the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, it is safe to assume that a dwindling, if not already severely dwindled, number of Americans know the name Ernie Kovacs, […]

Hand Habits and Perfume Genius on Making Music Under Capitalism

Hand Habits

Photo courtesy of Meg Duffy of Hand Habits. Perfume Genius might be one of the only things left over from indie sleaze that isn’t totally cringe (or a complete hot mess). The artist, whose real […]

25 Times Mindy Kaling’s Comedic Genius Could Not Be Denied

25 Times Mindy Kaling’s Comedic Genius Could Not Be Denied

In the words of the character that made her famous, Dunder Mifflin’s ditzy customer service representative Kelly Kapoor, Mindy Kaling is first and foremost a “business bitch.” The actress/writer/director/producer/obvious multi-hyphenate has created five TV shows […]

Josh Hartnett Calls Christopher Nolan ‘Genius Filmmaker’, Reveals “I Hoped At One Point That We’d Work Together”

Josh Hartnett hails 'genius filmmaker' Christopher Nolan

Josh Hartnett hails ‘genius filmmaker’ Christopher Nolan ( Photo Credit – Bang Showbiz ; IMDb ) Josh Hartnett thinks Christopher Nolan is a “genius” filmmaker. The 44-year-old actor has relished the experience of working with […]

Andy Rourke was the other melodic genius in the Smiths: spry, funky and masterful | The Smiths

‘Sophistication’ … (L-R) Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce (drums), Morrissey, Johnny Marr performing on The Tube.

The creation myth of the Smiths is well-known: inspired by a South Bank Show documentary about the songwriting partnership Leiber and Stoller, Johnny Marr turns up unannounced on Morrissey’s doorstep, meets with the singer’s approval […]

‘A true genius’: Denniz Pop, the late Scandi-pop architect behind Max Martin, Robyn and NSync | Pop and rock

Dag Volle, before he became Denniz Pop, DJing at the Ritz in Stockholm.

In producer Denniz Pop’s old studio in Stockholm, above the mugs of coffee and overflowing ashtrays, sat a cherry red light that he would trigger when he knew he had made a hit. In the […]

Metallica’s Lars Ulrich Reacts to Being Called a “Genius” by Gojira’s Mario Duplantier

Metallica's Lars Ulrich Reacts to Being Called a "Genius" by Gojira's Mario Duplantier

Back in 2021, Gojira drummer Mario Duplantier came to the defense of the oft-criticized Lars Ulrich, praising the Metallica drummer as a “genius” for his showmanship and rock-solid presence behind the kit. Duplantier doubled down […]

David Crosby: a mercurial musical genius who thrived through the chaos | David Crosby

Stephen Stills, David Crosby and Graham Nash AKA Crosby Stills & Nash.

By all accounts, including his own, David Crosby could be a tricky and difficult character. His career was regularly punctuated by angry arguments, bitter fallings-out, sackings, general discord. Joni Mitchell once waspishly suggested he was […]