Lessons from This Week's "Holiday Carol Wars" by Mark Blankenship

This week, two tiny tempests have been created by two holiday carols, and both dustups teach the same lesson. On Monday, news broke that a music teacher at a Michigan elementary school had s…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 12:07pm on December 8, 2011☆⚑

The Year In Movies: My Contribution to the NY Times' Round-Up by Mark Blankenship

This weekend, the New York Times Magazine will publish its Hollywood Issue, and the content went online early this morning. I’m pleased to say that I’m part of a fun “year …

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 12:02pm on December 7, 2011☆⚑

Why The Mariah Carey-Justin Bieber Christmas Duet Makes Me Mad (A Holiday Hymn) by Mark Blankenship

I took deep breaths, counted to ten, and even slept on it… and  Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey’s remake of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” still makes me angry. …

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 4:01pm on December 5, 2011☆⚑

When I was 9, I Wrote a Short Story That Predicted My Future by Mark Blankenship

Recently, my mom mailed me some odds and ends from my childhood—old photos, favorite books, bits of writing, etc. Imagine my amazement when I uncovered “Cinderella in ’88,&…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 3:41pm on December 2, 2011☆⚑

Saucy Reactions to the Grammy Nominations by Mark Blankenship

Hello everyone! Forgive my lengthy absence. Life has gotten wild recently. But I’m back today with Roommate Joe to discuss last night’s announcement of the Grammy nominees. Take …

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 11:19am on December 1, 2011☆⚑

Is Beyonce Losing Her Chart Mojo? by Mark Blankenship

You all know that I love Beyonce’s music and that “Countdown” is a particularly beloved jam. That’s why I’ve been concerned by the lackluster sales of her recen…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 3:55pm on November 4, 2011☆⚑

Ricky Gervais may host the Globes again. That's just exhausting. by Mark Blankenship

In today’s NPR/Monkey See post, I’m arguing why it’s exhausting to learn that Ricky Gervais may host the Golden Globes again… and why it may permanently damage his va…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 4:02pm on November 3, 2011☆⚑

7 Minutes in Heaven (Which Is Sort Of But Not Quite What You Think) by Mark Blankenship

My NPR week continues with this analysis of 7 Minutes in Heaven, the ridiculously funny web series hosted by SNL writer Mike O’Brien. If you haven’t watched these delicious clips…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 6:26pm on November 2, 2011☆⚑

My Secret Wish for "American Horror Story's" Second Season by Mark Blankenship

My week at NPR’s Monkey See blog continues with my secret wish for American Horror Story‘s second season. It doesn’t directly involve a scene where Dylan McDermott makes ou…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 12:26pm on November 1, 2011☆⚑

On Being Manipulated By the Trailer for "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Mark Blankenship

Hey all! While the head writer’s on vacation, I’ll be posting at NPR’s Monkey See blog every day this week. Woo! Today’s post is about the trailer for Extremely Loud …

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 12:29pm on October 31, 2011☆⚑

Listen to a Great New Novel (One Chapter Per Week) by Mark Blankenship

The folks at Frontier Psychiatrist have launched a fascinating experiment: They are “audio-serializing” Jim Knable’s new novel Sons of Dionysus, meaning that every Friday, …

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 9:33am on October 28, 2011☆⚑

Songs You Need to Hear: Hot Hits for Chilly Days Edition by Mark Blankenship

I am in the lucky minority of Americans who walk to work everyday, and the commute is one of my favorite parts of the day. The exercise is nice, as is using my weathergear. (Back when I drov…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 3:52pm on October 26, 2011☆⚑

Can An App Turn Breast Cancer Awareness Into a Flirty Game? by Mark Blankenship

Over at NPR’s Monkey See blog, I’m thinking about Your Man Reminder, a new app that uses sexy men to raise awareness about breast cancer I’m pretty ambivalent about the who…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 1:15pm on October 25, 2011☆⚑

An Ode To The Title of Mary J. Blige's New Album by Mark Blankenship

Mary J. Blige doesn’t make mere albums. She makes testaments. That’s why I love her: As much as any pop star in history, Mary J. Blige turns her own life into an epic narrative. …

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 4:46pm on October 24, 2011☆⚑

The Shrewd Intelligence of Justin Bieber's Christmas Album by Mark Blankenship

Perhaps by accident or perhaps by shrewd design, Justin Bieber’s forthcoming Christmas album Under the Mistletoe perfectly encapsulates the current pop marketplace. It simultaneously c…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 2:24pm on October 17, 2011☆⚑

Why I'm Digging Theophilus London's Music by Mark Blankenship

Remember how cool it was when Kanye West featured alt-rock’s Bon Iver on his last album? And remember in the 90s when P.M. Dawn made amazing hip-hop records by referencing everything f…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 10:47am on October 13, 2011☆⚑

"Take Shelter:" The Trouble With Either/Or Plot Devices by Mark Blankenship

After two weeks away, I am back from China, and this is the most revolting thing I ate while I was there. Now that I’ve returned to the U.S., jetlag is pretty much dominating my daily …

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 5:37pm on October 11, 2011☆⚑

See you in October! by Mark Blankenship

Hello everyone! I’m going to China for the next two weeks. Wooo! I’ll see you on October 10.

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 11:37am on September 26, 2011☆⚑

Why I am Glad I Kept An Open Mind About the 'Prime Suspect' Redux by Doug Strassler

By Doug Strassler I really didn't think there was any reason to remake the Prime Suspect series, that near-perfect septet of episodes in which Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison (Helen …

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 12:46pm on September 23, 2011☆⚑

Why ABC's "Revenge" is My Favorite New Drama by Mark Blankenship

We need to talk about Revenge, the ABC drama that has quickly joined NBC’s Up All Night as my favorite new show of the season. The pilot is delicious: It’s got the soapy intrigue…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 4:24pm on September 22, 2011☆⚑

Sweet Linkage by Mark Blankenship

Looking for excellent film writing? I  recommend Roommate Joe’s and Nick “Pop Songs Tournament” Davis‘ reflections on the movies they’ve seen this year. They…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 4:14pm on September 21, 2011☆⚑

If You Buy This Record Your Life Will Be Better by Mark Blankenship

The title of this post is not a spiritual claim… it’s the name of a 1999 song by The Tamperer featuring Maya (not to be confused with Mya.) However, the song is so awesome that t…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 5:20pm on September 20, 2011☆⚑

Snap Judgments on the Emmys (Including a Warning to Kate Winslet Haters) by Mark Blankenship

* Overall, I enjoyed the show. I love upset winners, and these awards provided plenty. It was especially great to see Melissa McCarthy step out from the beauty-pageant line of Best Comedy Ac…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 12:35am on September 19, 2011☆⚑

The One that Emmy Let Get Away This Year by Doug Strassler

By Doug Strassler This past July, I fully anticipated writing a laundry list of personally beloved " and meritorious " shows and performers that went without Emmy recognition. But when this …

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 8:37am on September 16, 2011☆⚑

"Ringer" and "Up All Night:" Early Pick-Ups for My New TV Season by Mark Blankenship

If you’re wondering why I’ve spent the week vacillating between terror and joy, then I should remind you that the new TV season has begun. Every night brings a new companion to m…

SOURCE: The Critical Condition at 1:03am on September 15, 2011☆⚑