explainer

The Treason Case Against the Last U.S. Taliban Hostage, Explained

Adam Weinstein · 06/02/14 11:45AM

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the only prisoner of war held by the enemy in Afghanistan, was freed last week after a deal by the U.S. to exchange him for five Taliban fighters at Guantanamo. But is he a turncoat? And did the White House sell out America to secure him? Here's what we know.

How Venezuela Became a "Warzone"

Adam Weinstein · 02/20/14 01:45PM

Not all those photos you're seeing of burning cities and pitched urban battles are from Kiev. Even as the near-apocalyptic imagery of Ukraine's violent protests have captured the top of the news, Venezuelan cities have gone from dangerous to "warzone" overnight. Here's what you need to know.

What You Should Know About the Abuse Allegations Against Woody Allen

Sarah Hedgecock · 01/13/14 07:45PM

Last night at the Golden Globes, the legendary director and writer Woody Allen was presented with the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award. Everyone applauded–except for Allen's former family. "[D]id they put the part where a woman publicly confirmed he molested her at age 7 before or after Annie Hall?" Allen's son Ronan Farrow wondered sarcastically.

What Is Duck Dynasty and What Does It Have to Do With a Man's Anus?

Taylor Berman · 12/19/13 01:18PM

You, my fellow godless, sarcastic, coastal elites, may recently have heard something about a reality TV show called Duck Dynasty. Specifically, one of its main cast members said some homophobic and racist shit that earned him an indefinite suspension from the show. The controversy, of course, has generated stupid reactions the usual idiots. But let's go back a step, because you're probably thinking to yourself, "What the fuck is a Duck Dynasty?" Let me explain.

This Week in 'Million-Dollar' Biblical Archaeology Lawsuits: A Breakdown

Mallory Ortberg · 02/03/13 02:35PM

Simcha Jacobovici, the Canadian documentary director who claimed in 2011 to have found two of the nails used to crucify Jesus, is suing archaeologist Joe Zias for libel. There are few things more enjoyable than fights between academics, particularly when one of the academics is being accused of pandering and sensationalism. The blog posts fly thick and fast, the Change.org petitions sing with wounded intellectual pride ("we the undersigned simply and collegially request that Mr. Jacobovici abandon his lawsuit"), and everyone gets a chance to play.

Why Are Dogs Racist? Canine Experts Speak

Hamilton Nolan · 01/03/13 12:15PM

Dogs: why are they so racist? You know the type: prancing along as merry as can be until a human of a certain skin tone walks by, and then—bang!—all the barking and snarling and biting. It's been a source of uncomfortable comedy for years. Some dogs are just racist. But why? We turned to the real live dog psychology experts to find out.

A Ferry, a Three-Wheel ATV, Suge Knight and Slap Fights: Recapping Katt Williams' Terrorization of the West Coast

Jordan Sargent · 12/13/12 11:08PM

Comedian Katt Williams was once one of the funniest people on the planet. Now, he's in a very bad place. Yesterday, a judge in Seattle issued two warrants after Williams failed to show up to court there. This was just the latest event in a protracted timeline of highly ridiculous incidents, many of which have ended in Williams' arrest. Let's look at all that Williams has done to terrorize the West Coast this holiday season.

Popped a Molly and Confused About Sweating? Trinidad James, Explained

MTanzer · 12/09/12 03:27PM

In 2012, it's very possible for a rapper to get signed to a major label after the success of just one viral hit song — for evidence of that, one needs only to look at artists like Azealia Banks or Kreayshawn. But a new rapper, Trinidad James, has burst on to the scene in the last few weeks armed with a single that has some catchy lines about "molly" and "sweating."

What in the Internet World Is Cyber Monday Anyways? A Guide

MTanzer · 11/25/12 12:54PM

Tomorrow is Monday, but not just any regular old Monday, it's Cyber Monday. No that's not a Monday to spend all day at work cyber sexing with strangers on the Internet. Did you really think that's what it was? Ugh, explaining the Internet is so hard.

Your Guide to RapGenius.com, the Controversial Rap Lyrics Site That Just Landed a $15 Million Investment

Jordan Sargent · 10/18/12 08:53PM

This month's world-changing tech innovation: a rap lyrics website. Lyric-annotation site RapGenius.com just landed a $15 million investment, leading to a press blitz this week as tech and entertainment sites rushed to profile the three kids who are going to change the game. But why'd they land so much money? And why are so many rap fans and critics shaking their heads? Here's our guide.

Just Because You Don't Like a Study Doesn't Mean It Is Wrong

Hamilton Nolan · 07/16/12 01:54PM

Last week, the blog world picked up an LA Times news story about a scientific study that had just been published in an academic journal, Communication, Culture and Critique. The title of the study: "Women (Not) Watching Women: Leisure Time, Television, and Implications for Televised Coverage of Women's Sports."

The Chris Brown-Rihanna Saga: A Definitive Timeline

Jessica Benjestorf · 06/20/12 04:49PM

After seven years of catastrophe in the making, we have compiled a timeline of Chris Brown and Rihanna's relationship. Take a stroll down memory lane with the Millennial generation's most volatile couple.