Arts & Culture

The iconic, trendsetting ‘90s sitcom is both revered, criticized today  The NBC sitcom “Friends,” which first aired in 1994 and ran for 10 seasons, was a hit from the start. The ensemble cast of six 20-somethings in New York City trying to figure out life resonated deeply with the American public. The series was nominated […]

The universal appeal of “Normal People” is captured both on paper, on screen  What is it that is so fascinating and so engrossing about the 2018 bestseller “Normal People” by Sally Rooney? Recently adapted by the BBC and Hulu as a hit limited series, the popularity of Rooney’s sophomore work has skyrocketed over the past […]

Like the characters, not emojis (＠_＠;) We are all familiar with emojis, the little pictures that communicate what words just can’t. Emoticons, on the other hand, are an often unappriecated art of communication where the icons made of keyboard characters are put together to resemble an image. Emoticons create a platform where user creativity shines. […]

A dystopian fiction: the mockingjay of reality The “Hunger Games” series gained immense popularity back in the 2010s — so much so that its dystopian fiction has clawed its way into reality. The gore and perverted essence that made the series so captivating may not be so appealing in real life. But if we observe […]

Exploring different television shows, movies that feature LGBT characters, storylines Television: “I Am Not Okay With This” Following the hype of “Stranger Things,” Netflix cast the popular Sophia Lillis to play Sydney Novak, a young teen struggling to cope with the dangers of high school, her sexuality and superpowers. Sydney, who is 17 and lives […]

Spheres discusses “Spherical” and the recording, editing process Experimental musician Nina Spheres, a fourth-year philosophy major, sat down with Arts and Culture Editor Liz Jacobson to discuss their latest project “Spherical,” released on June 30, 2019. “Spherical” fulfills Sphere’s dream of finishing a project — from recording to editing — by themselves.  “Spherical” tackles solitude […]

Former ASUCD senator shares what motivates her, future aspirations “People believe in you.”  Ko Ser Lu Htoo’s father told her this when she was elected to serve as an ASUCD senator. Most would consider this a remarkable victory in itself, but for a trans woman of color and Karen refugee, this was yet another testament […]

The Arts Desks’ weekly picks for movies, books, music and television shows Television: “Hollywood” on Netflix Hollywood is a miniseries that fantasizes about the LGBTQ experience the 1950s never gave actors. The story follows Jack Castello, a World War II veteran, who moves to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career with Ace Studios and […]

Focus your breath to focus your life “To think we are too stressed to train the mind, is like thinking that our head hurts too much to take an aspirin” (Headspace). When this was said to me during a guided meditation from the wellness app Headspace recently, it moved me for the first time in […]

Class, social networks during COVID-19 In-person classes and campus buildings have been closed for more than half of Spring Quarter. Some students stayed in Davis while others packed up and headed home. Either way, students’ lifestyles have drastically changed, and they’re trying to adjust to modified social networks and classroom experiences.  Sally Ellberg, a fourth-year […]

It must be said. Disclaimer: Before you disagree or get upset, I have, like, really incredible taste in music. Also, I took a class called “Intro To World Music” so, yeah… I know what I’m talking about. Plus my Glee playlist has 12 followers. “Forget You (Glee Cast Version)” vs. “Forget You” by CeeLo Green […]

Preservation of innocence of child actors while simultaneously hypersexualizing their every move creates vicious cycle Child actress Millie Bobby Brown sparked controversy at the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards over what she was wearing. Only 15 at the time, Brown was dressed in a low-cut Louis Vuitton coat-dress outfit. While some took to Twitter […]