Jordan Firstman’s character sketches are funny because, while absurd, they also ring true. Last April, shortly after the COVID shutdown began, the L.A.-based writer/actor/comedian started posting hilarious little vignettes on Instagram @jtfirstman (alongside the occasional extremely gay, extremely sexy thirst trap), and a follower base 690K-strong-and-growing sprang up in response. His brief, low-key “impressions” range from timely (banana bread’s publicist) to timeless (his “straight man” impression is just a supercut of him saying “whut,” while dead-eyed and slack-jawed) to existential (the coder responsible for the...

Standup comedian and Netflix queen Michelle Buteau (from The Circle and Welcome to Buteaupia) delivers a debut essay collection with Survival of the Thickest that’ll have readers cackling devilishly one minute, then ugly-crying the next. Her off-the-cuff, pop-culture-laced humor translates seamlessly from the stage onto the page. While reading, one almost feels like she’s sitting right there, sharing how she unknowingly got roped into emceeing a janky-ass amateur male stripper night in a dive bar in Rochester. Yep, that happened. And while there are...

Even the most casual observer of Miley Cyrus’ music career is aware of how eclectic her artistic evolution has been over the past few years. Her most recent studio album, Plastic Hearts, is no exception. To claim that Cyrus has been musically inconsistent from record to record would be an understatement; she’s dabbled in several subgenres, from country to what some might claim to be hip-hop. During her “Bangerz” era of 2013, Cyrus also received backlash for her cultural appropriation of twerking. So, yes, it’s...

Her third full-length, and second with Father/Daughter, I saw first light, finds Anna McClellan weightless. Recorded in her native Omaha with a slew of local collaborators, she employs dynamic instrumentals and barefaced lyrics to delve into themes like the infecundity of longing, the self and the collective, transit, and jumping off a cliff and never landing, as conceived in the day- dreamy single “Raisin.” I saw first light is a work of exploration, replete with whimsical organ and woodwinds, ambling bass, and mellifluous strings, all with...

Leaving the house is so passé—but that doesn't mean staying at home has to be boring! Here are five fiercely funny podcasts to keep you company on many a long winter's night.     I Saw What You Did  Hosts Millie De Chirico and Danielle Henderson don’t care if you’ve never seen “Fight Club.” Each week, these gal-pals/cinephiles discuss two films connected by an obscure theme, like “Esteemed Dirtbags” or “1970s apartments.” Sometimes, Henderson’s horror-movie-loving grandma pops in to offer sage advice, like: “If it’s dark in the woods,...

Rachel Bloom is a comedian, actor, writer, singer, dancer, and all-around incredible performer. She created and starred in the hit musical comedy series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend on the CW for which she earned a Golden Globe, a Critics’ Choice Award, and an Emmy. These days, she's working on the music and lyrics for The Nanny which will open on Broadway once COVID lets up and her hilarious new book of essays I Want To Be Where The Normal People Are, just came out November 17. In...

Rachel Brosnahan and Arinzé KeneI’m Your Woman takes well-worn crime tropes and turns them on their heads by centering typically supporting characters—the meek wife, the stoic henchman—and offering them a chance to redefine themselves. Jean (Rachel Brosnahan) is a glamorous ’70s housewife who’s sleepwalking through life until her husband Eddie brings home a baby. He doesn’t offer an explanation and Jean doesn’t press him—after all, being married to a criminal is full of surprises. But after one of Eddie’s murky deals goes south, she and...

Lime green hair and sweet summer vibes is usually what you get from Brooklyn artist Alex Mali. The Trinidadian-Jamaican indie R&B artist's music is as refreshing as a cold sip of Ting and perfect for listening to while cruising around during the day or while unwinding after night falls. Her new video, for the song “Fighting Words,” however, shows the singer's more somber side.  The third track from Mali's Phenom EP, "Fighting Words" is a song presented in video form with soft blue and green hues that contrast with...

We’re so excited to have actor and activism legend Jane Fonda gracing our Winter Issue cover and sharing her wisdom about how to create a brighter tomorrow.  Check out this sneak peek of our interview with Ms. Fonda below, and be sure to buy the issue on newsstands now! (Or subscribe!) On planning her fifth arrest for the Fire Drill Friday being held the day before her birthday last December: “I’d been warned by my lawyer, ‘If you do it again, then they’re gonna put you in jail again.’ And...

The magic of animated shows like Adventure Time is that they always find a way to deal with adult themes. Adventure Time: Distant Lands - Obsidian, an hour-long special based on the Cartoon Network series, definitely falls under the category of smart animated episodes that are easy for audiences of all ages to watch, enjoy, and to rewatch again. The reign of Adventure Time ended in 2018 after almost 8 years, and one of the most satisfying parts of the show was the romance between Marceline...