All Posts in #pop culture
Why ‘Old Town Road’ Strikes a Chord with Listeners
Rapper Lil Nas X’s song “Old Town Road” is now the longest-running No. 1 single in Billboard Hot 100 history. “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, has been No. 1 for 17 consecutive weeks, bumping Luis Fonsi and Daddy…
Shark Week – Enough Science?
Bob Thompson, Trustee Professor and director of the Bleier Center for Television and Pop Culture in the Newhouse School, was quoted in the NBC News story “Some experts worry Shark Week focuses too much on the sensational, not enough on…
With Guilty Verdict, Thompson Talks Cosby Legacy
Bill Cosby was officially found guilty after many alleged sexual assault cases were brought against the former comedian and television star. Robert Thompson, Trustee Professor and director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture in the Newhouse School, weighed…
Has Digital Age Altered Perception of Reality?
In this ever-updating digital age, some are wondering whether we’re losing our grip on what’s real and what isn’t. Radio Australia wrote a piece on this line of thinking, quoting pop culture expert, Trustee Professor and director of the Newhouse Bleier…
The Apprentice and The Presidency: What Carried Over
Before he sat in the White House, President Trump occupied another desk- the one of judge, jury and executioner in his TV show ‘The Apprentice.’ Now, nearly a decade and a half after the show premiered, people are comparing Trump’s…
Bochco’s Legacy Lives on in Hit Shows
Television writer and legend Steven Bochco passed away Sunday at the age of 74. Known for his cop dramas like ‘Hill Street Blues’ and ‘L.A. Law,’ the writer was memorialized in a Washington Post article, which quoted Newhouse Professor and…
Expert Thompson Explains Goop’s 10 Year Rise
From ‘conscious uncoupling’ to wearable healing stickers, Gwyneth Paltrow’s brand Goop has always been unconventional. However, after 10 years the wellness brand is turning large profits, with that expected to continue next year, with a projection of earning 200% more…
Why Celeb Documentaries are in Fashion
With documentaries like HBO’s ‘Andre the Giant’ and ‘Being Serena,’ we are seeing a new wave of ventures premiering more and more documentaries based on the lives of celebrities. Why is this? For Moneyish, Newhouse professor and director of the…
Yaffe Details Social Commentary in New HBO Show
David Yaffe, assistant professor at the College of Arts and Sciences, recently wrote a piece for The Nation about HBO’s new show, ‘Here and Now.’ “How much are we supposed to take seriously?” Asked Yaffe asked in the piece. “Here and…
The TV Show Reboot Movement
With new episodes from TV shows like “Will and Grace” and “Roseanne,” there is a new resurgence of reboots of classic shows from the 80s and 90s. For WXXI News, Professor Bob Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television…