Well Played
Episodes
BBLs Are Dangerous. Why Are They So Popular?
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Having a big butt hasn’t always been popular. But now, it seems like everyone wants to be a member of the big booty club. Kim Kardashian, Nicki Mina...
Our Ultimate Summer 2022 TV and Movie Guide
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve finally settled into the summer season — meaning warmer days, more three-day weekends, and sneaking in some beach time before Labor Day. But...
Why is Brittney Griner Still in Russia?
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, the trial for WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner began in Russia. Griner was taken into custody on drug charges back in February, and her detent...
Beyoncé, Drake, and the Evolution of House Music
28 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
From the trailer for “Hocus Pocus 2” giving us major nostalgia to the backlash surrounding the chart topping “Elvis” biopic, there’s a lot g...
‘Fire Island’ and a New Era of Queer Representation
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you remember when the only queer characters on TV seemed to be sassy, gay best friends? Queer representation in pop culture is changing. With sho...
Why Lizzo, the Beyhive, and Lil Nas X Are All Upset
14 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
First up, we’ve got questions: Who’s the new addition to the list of EGOT legends? Which ex-husband tried to crash Brittney’s wedding? Who thoug...
Heard vs. Depp and a Conversation with Angelica Ross
07 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
First up, we break down the latest in pop culture news from the weekend’s most-talked about breakup — ahem, Lori Harvey and Michael B. Jordan — ...
Another Look at Rap Lyrics on Trial
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A few weeks ago, rappers Young Thug, Gunna, and 26 of their YSL crew members were charged in a Georgia RICO case. And prosecutors are arguing that YSL...
Is Diet Culture Making Us Sick?
24 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When model Lori Harvey took to TikTok earlier this month to detail her weight-loss diet, the backlash was swift. That’s because, as plenty of dietit...
‘Percy Jackson’ and ‘Doctor Who’ Fans Are Mad — But Why?
17 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a huge week for music and TV. We have questions — and answers. First up: Kendrick Lamar’s new album dropped, but does it live up to the ...
Is Netflix Losing the Streaming Wars?
10 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
So much is trending in pop culture news. We have questions — and answers. First up: Rapper Young Thug was indicted with 27 other members of his c...
A Brief History of AAPI Characters on Screen
03 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
From “Everything Everywhere All At Once” to “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and “Crazy Rich Asians,” more Asian American stori...
Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Cardi B and Celeb Defamation Suits
26 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It seems like celebs can’t stay out of court these days. Former Real Housewives of Atlanta star Nene Leakes is suing Bravo for what she says was a r...
Bad Jokes, Classic Sitcoms, and Convos We’re Still Thinking About
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Each week, we have incredible conversations with smart culture critics and experts about the biggest pop culture stories, but we don’t get to includ...
Shein, Zara, and the Fast Fashion Trap
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It seems like everyone is obsessed with fast fashion, and social media has been huge in helping brands like SHEIN, Zara and other online retailers sh...
Comedy, Cancel Culture, and the Joke Behind the Slap
05 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When one of the most successful Black actors in Hollywood slaps one of the most famous Black comedians on international television, it's bound to spar...
Will Smith's Oscars Slap and What to Expect at the Grammys
29 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Everything that happened at the Academy Awards still has us reeling — especially the moment that stole the show, when Will Smith walked onstage and...
What You Need to Know About the 2022 Oscars
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This Sunday, the 2022 Academy Awards air on ABC. But before you can gaze at the Oscars red carpet and settle in front of the TV with hosts Regina Hall...
Why was Brittney Griner Playing in Russia? Better Pay
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Last month, WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner was detained in Russia on alleged drug charges. And if you’re wondering what she was doing over there — ...
Memeing Through the War in Ukraine
08 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
People all over the world have watched in horror as Russia continues to invade Ukraine. But the war isn’t just being fought on the ground. It’s al...
What ‘Euphoria’ Gets Right and Wrong About Addiction
01 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On Sunday, “Euphoria” finally lowered the curtain on its drama-filled sophomore season, and fans and critics have a lot to say — and not just a...
Should We Be Talking About Kanye?
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Since the breakup of Kimye, it seems like we’ve been keeping up with the Kardashians more than ever. We’re watching made-for-TV type drama unfold ...
How Influencers Changed the Dating Game
15 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dating is hard. It’s even harder now that dating apps and social media have entered the chat — or rather, our relationships. And everywhere you tu...
We Need to Talk About Bravo’s “Real Housewives”
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Even if you don’t watch Bravo’s “Real Housewives,” you know about the franchise built around ridiculously rich women and over-the-top drama. R...
Why is Rap Music Still on Trial?
02 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When Carrie Underwood sings about taking a Louisville slugger to the headlights of a cheating ex’s car, does anybody assume she actually did it? Wha...
"Buffy," "Angel" and the Unraveling of Joss Whedon
25 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’re all a little obsessed with “Buffy.” The demon-hunting, vampire-slaying heroine captured our attention in the late 90s — along with the ...
“Euphoria” is Our Latest Teen TV Show Obsession
18 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Season two of “Euphoria” is here, and episode one broke HBO records with 2.4 million viewers tuning in to watch. So, yeah — we’re obsessed wit...
A Brief History of Drag with Shangela
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, a new season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” kicked off. The show has opened doors for many drag performers to sashay their way into mainstre...
Cynthia Erivo Guesses our 2022 Workout Playlist
04 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're kicking off 2022 right with a mini episode! We chatted with the one and only Cynthia Erivo. You know her as an award-winning actress and singer,...
The Pop Culture Moments that Made 2021
28 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s hard to believe that 2021 is almost over. But before we ring in the new year, let’s take a look back at all of the stories that entertained u...
How Issa Rae and "Insecure" Changed TV
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
“Insecure” made us laugh, cry, yell and argue with strangers on Twitter for five years, but now it's time to say goodbye. Issa Rae’s award-winni...
Reality Dating Shows Are Bad. Why Do We Love Them?
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
"The Bachelorette’s" Michelle Young is making "Bachelor" nation history. For the first time since the franchise premiered in 2002, the man who'll so...
Meghan Markle's Tabloid Victory and Remembering Virgil Abloh
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Meghan Markle won the latest battle in her privacy lawsuit with British tabloid The Mail on Sunday over its printing a private letter written to her f...
Sports, Racism, and the Colin Kaepernick Series
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Colin Kaepernick Netflix series "Colin in Black & White" opened with a controversial scene comparing NFL tryouts to chattel slavery. It upset some...
Shein, Zara, and the Fast Fashion Trap
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday to after-Christmas sales, more and more brands are selling fast fashion. And social media has been huge in he...
Is Travis Scott to Blame for the Astroworld Tragedy?
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What was supposed to be a celebration of music and the city of Houston turned deadly at Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival earlier this month. Ten p...
Will Britney Spears Finally Be Free?
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For years, the #FreeBritney movement has put a spotlight on the conservatorship pop princess Britney Spears has been living under for more than a deca...
What J Balvín’s "Perra" Tells Us About Racism in Reggaeton
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Reggaeton superstar J Balvín is in hot water over the video for his song "Perra." Critics say its portrayal of Afro-Latino people as dogs is racist a...
What’s Going On at Netflix
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a lot happening at Netflix. Its South Korean show “Squid Game” became a surprise hit, and then it sparked controversy with a Dave Chappe...
Why We're Still Obsessed with Space
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our obsession with space travel has always gone hand in hand with pop culture. And now that space is more accessible than ever, Hollywood has its sigh...
The Unravelling of Nicki Minaj
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nicki Minaj still has the kind of starpower that can hijack a news cycle with a few tweets. Has she been using it to silence the voice of a woman her ...
Coming soon: Pop Cultured with theSkimm
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A PSA for the pop-culture obsessed: If you’re wading into this sea of TikTok videos, internet outrage, and celebrity news, you’re gonna want to br...