Primers

guides Aug. 17, 2022

The Drill Songs to KnowA mini genre primer.

By Trey Alston

primers June 21, 2022

Rock and Roll Starts With Sister Rosetta TharpeA new Elvis biopic attempts to show her legacy. Here’s just a fraction of it.

By Craig Jenkins

primers Mar. 29, 2021

Creation Records, the Label History Loves to OverlookYou won’t hear any of these songs in The Crown, yet Creation’s musical and cultural impact in the U.K. and beyond is vast and undeniable.

By Brady Gerber

q&a Oct. 21, 2020

beabadoobee Is a Rock Star“[This album] is what 15-year-old Bea needed to hear.”

By Justin Curto

tv imports July 31, 2020

What to Know About Taskmaster Before Its U.S. DebutThe British sorta-game-show sensation hasn’t made much of a footprint in the U.S., but that stands to change when it premieres on the CW this weekend.

By Lauren Coates

primers July 3, 2020

Everything to Know About August Alsina, Jada Pinkett Smith’s Alleged ExFor everyone wondering more about the singer and supposed “other man,” here’s who he is beyond the headlines.

By Trey Alston

musicians on their own music Mar. 11, 2020

Brandy Clark, Country’s Secret Weapon, Saved Her Best Songwriting for HerselfThe Grammy-nominated country star on the highs and lows of her career, bouncing back from country radio, and running into Prince in the elevator.

By Brady Gerber

vulture lists Feb. 10, 2020

15 Great Movies to Get You Started With South Korean HorrorFrom Whispering Corridors to The Wailing.

By Jordan Crucchiola

reality tv July 8, 2019

What to Know About Love Island Before Its U.S. DebutThe UK reality-TV sensation is coming to America, airing five — yes, five — nights a week. Here’s what to expect, and why you should watch.

By Brian Moylan

horror Oct. 29, 2018

Mothra, Jigoku, Godzilla: a Postwar Japanese Horror PrimerTales of the supernatural reflected the anxieties of a society that had suffered the unthinkable terrors of war, and was still processing.

By Bilge Ebiri

primers Oct. 23, 2018

Cardsharps, False Identities, and Pratfalls: A Preston Sturges PrimerRounding up the eight best films by one of Hollywood’s first writer-directors.

By Erica Lies

primers July 24, 2018

Love Triangles, Screwballs, and WWII: An Ernst Lubitsch PrimerLooking at the pre- and post-Code films of the early Hollywood director.

By Erica Lies

guides June 28, 2018

A Guide to Hannah Gadsby’s Pre-Nanette WorkHere’s a guide to the comedian everyone in the U.S. is finally talking about.

By Corinna Burford

May 2, 2018

From Face/Off to A Better Tomorrow: A John Woo PrimerIn anticipation of Manhunt’s release, we review some of the Hong Kong filmmaker’s iconic work.

By Simon Abrams

Mar. 2, 2018

An Introduction to Japan’s Most Idiosyncratic and Exciting Animation DirectorWe break down Masaaki Yuasa’s best work, including Mind Game and The Tatami Galaxy.

By Emily Yoshida

Feb. 7, 2018

A Beginner’s Guide to Ingmar BergmanAnyone who has ever cast their gaze to the sky and impotently wondered why the world is such absolute crap will be able to tap into Bergman’s ethos.

By Charles Bramesco

primers Jan. 26, 2018

Why You Should Care About A Futile and Stupid Gesture: A National Lampoon PrimerIt’s time for a primer for Netflix’s A Futile and Stupid Gesture, a biopic about National Lampoon co-founder Doug Kenney, based on Josh Karp’s book.

By Christopher Bonanos

justice league Nov. 17, 2017

What You Need to Know Before Seeing Justice LeagueA few key points from previous DC movies.

By Abraham Riesman

July 17, 2017

Get to Know Jodie Whittaker, Your First Female Doctor on Doctor WhoYou’ve probably seen her on Broadchurch or Black Mirror.

By Devon Ivie

primers Apr. 25, 2017

The Handmaid’s Tale: A Beginner’s Guide to the UniverseEverything you need to know going into Hulu’s dystopian drama.

By Laura Hudson

primers Apr. 24, 2017

Will There Be Another Hollywood Writers’ Strike? Everything We Know So FarThe union has sent a letter to its members calling for a strike-authorization vote.

By Jackson McHenry

Mar. 28, 2017

Aaron Sorkin Says That He Is, in Fact, Aware of Hollywood’s Diversity ProblemHe would like you to know that he’s known about Hollywood’s lack of parity before last weekend.

By Hunter Harris

primers Mar. 28, 2017

Ghost in the Shell 101: A Beginner’s Guide to the Manga and Anime SeriesLike many anime franchises, Ghost in the Shell exists over multiple films, TV series, and manga.

By Emily Yoshida

lunchtime beauty Jan. 26, 2017

My Favorite Japanese Drugstore Product Protects You From Raccoon FaceAnd it’s less than $10.

By Kathleen Hou

primers Oct. 12, 2016

From John Woo to John Wick, Here’s Your Guide to Gun FuKeanu Reeves has a lot of experience.

By Kevin Lincoln

2016 Jan. 17, 2016

What You Need to Know About the Fourth Democratic DebateIt’s this Sunday. Yep, it’s on a Sunday.

By Jaime Fuller

primer Dec. 30, 2015

A Timeline of the Abuse Charges Against Bill Cosby [Updated]More than 50 women have accused Cosby of sexual assault.

By Matt Giles and Nate Jones

primers Dec. 22, 2014

Everything That’s Happened in the Sony Leak ScandalFrom top stars’ salaries to nasty emails to forthcoming films.

By Sean Fitz-Gerald

primers Oct. 7, 2014

Tinashe 101: Everything You Need to Know About the R&B NewcomerYou know that song “2 On?” That’s her.

By Rebecca Milzoff

primers Oct. 6, 2014

12 Things to Know About Stand-Up Comedian Jerrod CarmichaelHis first stand-up TV special aired on HBO on Saturday.

By Julie Seabaugh

primers Oct. 3, 2014

Everything You Need to Know About Gone Girl’s Rosamund PikeShe’s the best.

By Bobby Finger

books Sept. 23, 2014

Why You Should Read (or Reread) Gone Girl Before Seeing the MovieJust do it already.

By Nate Jones

fall tv 2014 Sept. 22, 2014

What You Need to Know Before Watching Season 2 of The BlacklistA catch-up guide.

By Bob Sassone

primers Sept. 22, 2014

What to Remember Before Sleepy Hollow Season 2A quick refresher on what’s up with Ichabod, Abbie, pals, and enemies as the show returns from a long hiatus.

By Rose Maura Lorre

primers Sept. 22, 2014

Everything We Know About The Good Wife’s Lemond BishopA cheat sheet to the recurring drug lord, who has resurfaced to cause trouble.

By Lauren Hoffman

primers Sept. 19, 2014

Here’s What You Need to Know About The Maze Runner Before You See ItOur guide, sort of.

By E. Alex Jung

primers Sept. 9, 2014

Who Is Meghan Trainor and What Is ‘All About That Bass’ Even About?Peep our primer.

By Lindsey Weber

primers Aug. 13, 2014

A True Detective Fan’s Guide to Thomas LigottiA primer to the Southern Gothic writer whose work inspired Nic Pizzolatto on the HBO series.

By Jeff VanderMeer

only british people can fly Aug. 5, 2014

A Primer on The Late Late Show’s Possible New Host, James CordenHe’s an actor, writer, and comedian. And he’s reportedly coming to late night.

By Margaret Lyons

glossary June 26, 2014

Your Guide to the Many Mysterious Reference Points of the Lana Del Rey UniverseA starter guide to the complete Lanaverse.

By Lindsey Weber

primers June 23, 2014

How to Watch ABC’s Rising Star the Right WayThere’s live voting and an app.

By Lindsey Weber

vulture precaps June 20, 2014

True Blood Primer: Where Things Stand Heading Into Season 7A handy reminder of what Sookie, Eric, Bill, and all your Bon Temps pals were up to when we last saw them.

By Rakesh Satyal

teen corner Apr. 30, 2014

What Is 5SOS? Your New Boy Band, ExplainedStay with us.

By Amanda Dobbins

primers Apr. 4, 2014

Where 17 Game of Thrones Characters Stand Going Into Season FourFind out what’s up with Joffrey, Arya, and the whole Westerosi gang as the new season begins.

By Jennifer Vineyard

ugly cry Mar. 28, 2014