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Melanie McFarland (page 14)

Melanie McFarland is Salon's award-winning senior culture critic. Follow her on Bluesky: @McTelevision

Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs perform onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California (John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

How “Fast Car,” a 1988 hit, became the vehicle that travels between cultural divides in 2024

Melanie McFarland
Kali Reis and Jodie Foster in "True Detective" (HBO)

In “True Detective: Night Country” it’s better to ask questions than pray for answers from the dead

Melanie McFarland
Jon Stewart on the set of "The Daily Show" (Photo courtesy of Comedy Central/Instagram)

Jon Stewart returns to “The Daily Show” as the voice of past generations. What about future ones?

Melanie McFarland
Genius: MLK/X (Nat Geo)

Where Nat Geo’s “Genius” meets America’s remix of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X

Melanie McFarland
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)

“Mr. & Mrs. Smith” lands its mission to be an intimacy study. As an action comedy, it may be a miss

Melanie McFarland
Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (FX)

“Feud: Capote vs. The Swans” makes us miss Ryan Murphy’s facility for writing difficult women

Melanie McFarland
The Many Lives of Martha Stewart (CNN)

From “Living” to scandal and Snoop, we’re already familiar with “The Many Lives of Martha Stewart”

Melanie McFarland
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in "Origin" (Courtesy of NEON/Atsushi Nishijima)

Ava DuVernay’s “Origin” synthesizes a massive human injustice in something personal

Melanie McFarland
America Ferrera in "Barbie" (Warner Bros.)

“Never forget the system is rigged”: Why America Ferrera’s “Barbie” nomination is the one we needed

Melanie McFarland
Roy Wood Jr. guest hosts "The Daily Show" (Comedy Central)

“The Daily Show” may be moving forward without a host. Is this a good thing or simply inevitable?

Melanie McFarland
Lionel Boyce as Marcus on "The Bear" (Chuck Hodes/FX)

A “woke” flour fit and “The Bear” explain why we need to see more bakers of color in the world

Melanie McFarland
Christopher Eccleston and Jodie Foster in "True Detective" (HBO)

Women on top: How “True Detective: Night Country” responds to the franchise’s previous takes on sex

Melanie McFarland
Reacher (Prime Video)

The violent delights of “Reacher”: Why this Jack is the action hero everyone can agree on

Melanie McFarland
Fargo (FX)

“The word politics has shifted in its meaning”: Noah Hawley breaks down the “Fargo” finale

Melanie McFarland
Ayo Edebiri wins the award for supporting actress in a comedy series at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, CA, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Those were the days: A later-than-expected 75th Emmy Awards looks back as its wins show gains

Melanie McFarland
Jodie Foster and Kali Reis in "True Detective" (HBO)

Traveling into “Night Country” sparks an overdue reinvention for “True Detective”

Melanie McFarland
Ricky Gervais and Katt Williams (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images/Netflix/Matt Crockett)

Katt Williams is right about the mediocre state of comedy – just look around

Melanie McFarland
Jimmy Kimmel and Aaron Rodgers (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images)

Jimmy Kimmel explains why Aaron Rodgers’ reflexive pedophile smear is no joke for any of us

Melanie McFarland
Jennifer Jason Leigh in "Fargo" (FX)

Power, respect and conscience: How the women of “Fargo” manage (up) in a man’s world

Melanie McFarland
Ali Wong wins for performance for an actress in a limited series for "Beef" at the Golden Globes ( Sonja Flemming/CBS )

Despite several satisfying and historic wins, the Golden Globes is still a sinking ship

Melanie McFarland
All Creatures Great and Small (Playground Entertainment/Masterpiece PBS)

“All Creatures Great and Small” reminds us that lambing and living continues even in times of war

Melanie McFarland
The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard (Courtesy of the Blanchard family/Lifetime)

Making sense of Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s celebrity status, while overlooking glaring issues

Melanie McFarland
Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner get married on “The Golden Wedding” (Disney/John & Joseph Photography)

What the “Bachelor” televised weddings offer us, despite roots in a franchise rife with fakery

Melanie McFarland
Juno Temple and Jon Hamm in "Fargo" (FX)

“Fargo” exposes why America is in love with “Toxic” men like Roy Tillman

Melanie McFarland
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