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Thomas West

Thomas J. West III earned a PhD in film and screen studies from Syracuse University in 2018. His writing on film and TV has appeared at Screen Rant, Screenology, FanFare, Primetimer, Cinemania, and in a number of scholarly journals and edited collections. He co-hosts the Queens of the B's podcast and writes a regular newsletter, Omnivorous, on Substack. He is also an active member of GALECA, the Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics.

20 TV shows that are so depressing that they are hard to finish

Though many people tune in to TV to escape the burdens and dreariness of everyday life, there’s also something to be said for those shows that lean into the depressing nature of life. These shows are often necessary viewing, but they can be difficult to finish, particularly for those who rely on TV to help them get away from it all.

20 surprisingly serious movies from comedians

Many people might enjoy comedy, but comedic actors struggle to get the critical praise and regard that’s so often heaped on those who devote their careers to drama. It’s often the case that the Academy approves of these kinds of career moves, and many of the comedy actors who make a turn to drama end up being nominated for an Oscar, and some even manage to take home the statue.

The 20 most disturbing TV shows about real events

While many of the most frightening and disturbing TV series, particularly those in the horror genre, draw their power from the fact that they are at least somewhat removed from reality, others lean into the fact that they are based in the real world. 

20 iconic film performances that were truly terrifying

There’s something uniquely pleasurable about a terrifying performance in a movie. Very often, the most terrifying performances emerge out of the horror genre — as one would expect — but they also have been known to come from a wide variety of other cinematic genres, including film noir, fantasy, and even, on occasion, a children’s film.

20 famous actors who were written off of TV shows after on-set issues

Hollywood history is filled with notorious incidents in which an actor or actress was dismissed from their lofty perch in the world of television by their own actions. As a result, stories of how actors were fired from their shows for various types of misbehavior are solemn reminders of what happens when fame goes to a person’s head.

The 20 greatest TV shows that mix-up multiple genres

Genre remains one of the primary ways people decide which shows and movies to watch. However, TV has often been a place where various genres can collide, allowing creators, showrunners, and writers to combine different generic elements to create something new, exciting, and fun. 

The 20 most intimidating TV characters

Whether male or female, whether in drama or comedy, the most intimidating characters are those who are once seen and encountered on the small screen and are never forgotten. There’s a certain charisma and potency that comes from these types of performances, and it’s thus important to recognize how much talent goes into exuding this kind of power on television.

20 iconic Hollywood directors who fell off big time

Their decreasing success at the box office and among critics shows how success in the entertainment business can be a very fleeting thing, even for directors who seem to have it all.

20 infamous Hollywood urban legends that turned out to be completely false

Hollywood history is filled with rumors like this, demonstrating the extent to which conspiracy theories and fake news have long been a part of popular discourse. It’s all the more important that one take a more objective look at the ways in which these “facts” are, in fact, urban legends designed to exploit controversy and create prurient interest. 

20 stupidly enjoyable action films you don't need your brain for

Every so often, one just wants to tune into an action film and turn off one’s brain. While they may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are still many pleasures associated with the kinds of movies that emphasize spectacle over storytelling or character development.

20 classic movies that altered how things were done IRL

Even though movies are often associated with escapism and the desire to escape from the real world, movie history is filled with examples of films that have had a real-world impact. It’s thus worth taking a look at some of the more extraordinary films that have gone on to change the culture around them, sometimes even inspiring legislation.

20 must-read books written by celebrities

Sometimes, a celebrity book is just a way of generating publicity and gaining positive coverage. In some cases, however, a celebrity book ends up being a strong piece of writing in its own right, often shedding necessary light on the lives and internal thoughts of a star or a musician.

The worst episodes from 20 iconic TV shows

It’s a sad but inevitable fact that even very good shows sometimes have bad episodes. Sometimes, these bad episodes are the result of poor writing and production choices, while at others, it’s just the fact that network seasons often require at least a few filler episodes.

What are the 20 most influential show in television history?

These shows remain beloved, sometimes decades after they left the air. As a result, they show the extent to which TV as a medium is always in flux, always finding new, exciting, and challenging ways to bring the human story to life.

The 20 best TV shows that take place in restaurants

Whether in the form of a drama, a comedy, or a documentary, shows set in restaurants aim to give viewers a deeper and richer understanding of these places' role in the fabric of society. They also demonstrate how food is not just something one eats but is also a key reflection of a culture and its values.

The 20 most memorable TV butlers

Given the prominence of the butler figure in various shows–both comedy and drama–it’s worth taking a closer look at the most notable examples in order to see the variety of ways he has been used in popular media.

20 iconic films and TV shows about dealing with middle age

Whether in the form of a sitcom or a drama (or some combination of the two), popular culture has had much to say about middle age and what it means for a life well-lived (or not).

The 20 most fascinating father & son duos from pop culture

The father/son relationship is a very important one, so it makes sense that popular culture — both film and TV — would return to this subject again and again. Whatever form they take, the best father/son pairings in popular culture reveal much about how society thinks about this pivotal relationship and the institution of masculinity.

20 iconic must-watch movies & TV shows about coming out

The last several years have seen a flowering of coming-out narratives in popular culture, with many movies and TV series taking this as their subject. These stories are powerful and sometimes haunting, showing the many different forms that coming out can take.

The 20 most heartwarming LGBTQ+ movies and TV series

As a result of their tireless work and advocacy, members of the LGBTQ+ community can now watch quite a few films and TV shows that show that everyone, no matter who they are or who they love, deserves their happy ending. 

20 classic TV shows that still hold up

These are the shows that are both popular in their own time and somehow still manage to be just as popular and beloved, if not more so, for subsequent generations. When TV magic happens, it creates something that lasts beyond a single TV-watching generation.

20 groundbreaking LGBTQ+ characters from the TV & film world

The LGBTQ+ community has had a very vexed relationship with popular culture. For a very long time, members of the community were either not represented at all or were shown to be disturbed or villainous. However, the past couple of decades have seen a sea-change in representation, and though there’s been some backsliding, there are more LGBTQ+ figures on TV than ever before. As Pride Month is around the corner, it’s worth looking back at some of the most groundbreaking figures in film and TV and appreciating just how far society has come and how far it still has to go.

The 20 greatest sibling rivalries on TV

TV thrives on exploring the fraught relationships between various siblings, demonstrating the extent to which being a part of the same family doesn’t necessarily mean everyone has to get along. Families are complicated, and over the decades, television has been quite adept at exploring the many situations that arise.

The 20 most clever TV shows of all-time

These shows often make viewers think and laugh at the same time, and, as such, they are deserving of an especially important and esteemed place in the canon of great television.

20 films that best depict Hollywood's infatuation with Wall Street

Hollywood has long had a fascination with finance and Wall Street. Given how the corporate world exerts a potent hold on American life, this is quite an understandable impulse.