Criticism Is Dead

A weekly podcast about the film, TV, and culture we're consuming and what it all means (if it means anything at all). Hosted by producer and writer Pelin Keskin-Liu and culture writer and critic Jenny G. Zhang.

118 Episodes

An announcement
1/30/2024
22:46
We’re sorry for the wait! The fate of Criticism Is Dead has been decided. We hope you will listen to this update. Thank you. <3 ... Where to find us: Pelin: Twitter / Letterboxd / Instagram Jenny: Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter / Letterboxd If you need to get in touch, still: [email protected] Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu
SUCCESSION SENDOFF: "With Open Eyes"
5/29/2023
29:27
This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 10 “With Open Eyes,” the board decides. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected]. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu
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Barry, Yellowjackets, and mini grab bag
5/23/2023
1:08:52
We discuss Barry and Yellowjackets, two series about human darkness. 05:17 Barry season 4, streaming on HBO Max, is reaching new, uncanny, glorious heights. 29:51 Yellowjackets season 2, streaming on Showtime, doesn’t quite live up to all its promises, instead faltering and stalling to an unfortunate degree. 45:02 Plus, mini grab bag time! A collection of TV and films we’ve been watching recently, including You Hurt My Feelings, Mrs. Davis, Somebody Somewhere, The Eight Mountains, and more. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected]. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu
SUCCESSION SENDOFF: "Church and State"
5/22/2023
27:53
This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 9 “Church and State,” a funeral becomes a battleground. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected]. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu
SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 8: "America Decides"
5/15/2023
16:22
This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 8 “America Decides,” THIS IS WHAT AMERICA LOOKS LIKE etc. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected]. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu
The Diplomat, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, and writers strike
5/9/2023
47:12
We discuss The Diplomat and How to Blow Up a Pipeline, a series and a film about political maneuvering — whether from the backroom or from on the ground. 02:59 Netflix’s The Diplomat, a soapy and snappy political and marital thriller, is tailor-made for fans of The West Wing and Keri Russell. 22:54 How to Blow Up a Pipeline, available in theaters/VOD, could use a touch more texture in its too-neat package, but is nevertheless affecting — almost radical, even. 40:37 Plus, shout out to the striking writers! ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected]. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu
SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 7: "Tailgate Party"
5/8/2023
23:49
This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 7 "Tailgate Party," a long-stewing showdown finally brings the naked truth to light. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected]. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu
SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 6: "Living+" feat. Andrew Liu
5/1/2023
19:20
Episode Notes This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. In episode 6 “Living Plus,” the kids are in LA for Investor Day. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected]. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu
SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 5: "Kill List" feat. Alison Herman
4/24/2023
36:02
Show Notes This is SUCCESSION SENDOFF, our special series following along Succession’s fourth and final season. This week we're joined by Variety's TV critic, Alison Herman. In episode five, "Kill List", the Waystar-Royco squadron meet their GoJo counterparts in Norway to try and finish the deal, but negotiations get inevitably trickier than they anticipated. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected]. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu
Beef, Showing Up, and Kylothée who???
4/18/2023
53:29
We discuss Beef and Showing Up, a series and a film about characters who orbit around each other as frenemies — or straight-up enemies. 02:14 Beef, streaming on Netflix, is a darkly funny, often surprising, genuinely invigorating thrill of a TV show. 28:55 Showing Up, playing in theaters, is a deceptively unassuming portrait of an artist that — much like its protagonist — really grows on you. 47:23 Plus, the world reacts to rumors of Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner. ... Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. For extended show notes — including links that we reference, plus more — subscribe to our Substack. Inquiries, complaints, and recs for what to watch can go to [email protected]. Music: REEKAH Artwork and design: Sara Macias and Andrew Liu

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Criticism Is Dead

Criticism Is Dead

118 Episodes

An announcement

SUCCESSION SENDOFF: "With Open Eyes"

Barry, Yellowjackets, and mini grab bag

SUCCESSION SENDOFF: "Church and State"

SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 8: "America Decides"

The Diplomat, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, and writers strike

SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 7: "Tailgate Party"

SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 6: "Living+" feat. Andrew Liu

SUCCESSION SENDOFF episode 5: "Kill List" feat. Alison Herman

Beef, Showing Up, and Kylothée who???