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Pop Culture

TV, movies, pop music and more.

TV, movies, pop music and more.

Highlights

    2. PhotoSome of television’s best moments of 2020 came in, clockwise from left, “Sherman’s Showcase,” “What We Do in the Shadows,” “Saturday Night Live” and “The Midnight Gospel.”
      CreditClockwise from top left, Michael Moriatis/IFC; Russ Martin/FX; Will Heath/NBC; Netflix

      The Best TV Episodes of 2020

      Jackie Daytona. Dave Chappelle’s monologue. John Wilson’s risotto lesson. These are the episodes that cut through the clutter this year.

      By James Poniewozik, Mike Hale and Margaret Lyons

  1. PhotoClockwise from top left, scenes from “Martin Eden,” “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” “The Forty-Year-Old Version,” “Palm Springs” and “Beanpole.”
    CreditClockwise from center: Amazon Studios; Jeong Park/Netflix; Jessica Perez/Hulu; Liana Mukhamedzyanova/Kino Lorber; Francesca Errichiello/Kino Lorber

    Best Movies of 2020

    The screening rooms were closed. The festivals were virtual. The blockbusters were in storage. Even so, our critics found abundant and inspiring signs of cinematic life in the pandemic.

    By Manohla Dargis and A.O. Scott

  2. PhotoThe best TV of 2020 included, clockwise from top left, “Schitt’s Creek,” “BoJack Horseman,” “Vida,” “Pen15" and “I May Destroy You.”
    CreditClockwise from top left: Pop TV; Netflix; Kat Marcinowski/Starz; Lara Solanki/Hulu; Natalie Seery/HBO;

    Best TV Shows of 2020

    Television wasn’t spared by the pandemic, but there were still more great shows than any one person could watch. Here’s a look at the top series of the year, as well as some that signed off for good.

    By James Poniewozik, Mike Hale and Margaret Lyons

  3. PhotoThe best performances of 2020 include, clockwise from center, Moses Ingram and Anya Taylor-Joy in “The Queen’s Gambit,” Amanda Seyfried in “Mank,” Aunjanue Ellis in “Lovecraft Country,” Maxwell Jacob Friedman in All Elite Wrestling and Marylouise Burke in “Ozark.”
    CreditClockwise from center: Netflix ("The Queen's Gambit"); Netflix ("Mank"); Eli Joshua Ade/HBO ("Lovecraft Country"); Steve Deitl/Netflix ("Ozark")

    Best Performances of 2020

    One day, we’ll look back on this year and bawl. But we should also remember that there were professionals out there who dared to bring joy to our screens.

    By Wesley Morris

  5. PhotoChristian Serratos stars in a series that aims to reconstitute Selena, killed at 23, as a person instead of a tragic parable.
    CreditNatalia Mantini for The New York Times

    ‘Selena: The Series,’ Dreaming of Her

    A new Netflix series depicts the pop star from baby crooner to international idol, “sprinkled with a little bit of glitter,” her sister said.

    By Alexis Soloski

  1. Sundance 2021 Guide: Bundle Up and Settle in on Your Sofa

    Now that the film festival has gone virtual, you can watch like an insider. But where do you start? If you liked previous hits from Park City, try these new entries.

    By Jason Bailey

  2. Stream These 10 Great Performances by Cloris Leachman

    The Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress was still pushing comedic boundaries in her 90s. Here’s a guide to some of her most fearless and memorable performances.

    By Scott Tobias

  3. The Projectionist

    Losing Control With Riz Ahmed

    The actor’s process is so intense, his “Sound of Metal” director refused to share dailies with him. But after all that overthinking, formidable instincts kicked in.

    By Kyle Buchanan

  4. Critic’s Pick

    Arlo Parks Offers Solace Without Illusions on Her Debut Album

    The 20-year-old English songwriter faces down despair on “Collapsed in Sunbeams.”

    By Jon Pareles

  5. Sun Records, Storied Early Rock Label, Sells Its High-Wattage Catalog

    The independent company Primary Wave Music acquired recordings by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and other pioneers — but not the music of one of Sun’s biggest stars, Elvis Presley.

    By Ben Sisario

  6. ‘The Little Things’ Review: Good Old-Fashioned Police Work

    Denzel Washington and Rami Malek play detectives on the trail of a serial killer in John Lee Hancock’s vintage thriller.

    By A.O. Scott

  7. ‘Finding Ohana’ Review: Treasure Hunting and Family Healing

    The adventure narrative in this Hawaii-set Netflix film distracts from a deeper story about cultural heritage and family dynamics.

    By Kyle Turner

  8. Here’s What We Would Nominate for Best Picture

    It was a weird year for cinema, but there were plenty of great films. It would be an honor to see these get a nod.

  9. On Comedy

    On Keegan-Michael Key’s Podcast, a Provocative Case for Sketch Comedy

    The 10-part series mixes history, memoir, analysis and performance to show how classic scenes can be revived just as classic theater is.

    By Jason Zinoman

  10. These Images Tell the Stories of American Blackness

    The cut-and-paste montages of Black historical figures watching over successful Black Americans serve as folklore to a community clinging to their heroes.

    By Sandra E. Garcia