Culture

Joel and Ethan Coen don’t just challenge their characters—they punish them, humiliate them, are even accused of hating them. But just because they put their creations through the wringer, doesn’t mean they delight in their despair.

Bryan Cranston’s portrayal of Walter White in Breaking Bad may have been masterful, but his character's fate was always in the hands of writer-showrunner Vince Gilligan. Then again, the show's audience probably had something to say about it, too.

Bad news: the San Diego anchorman probably didn’t actually write the new book attributed to him. He is, however, in good company—there’s a long literary tradition of notable works by phony writers.

Heidecker & Wood’s new album, Some Things Never Stay the Same, manages to be both a novelty album written by a comedian and a genuine ’70s throwback. It’s hard to know how seriously to take it, but it might be better that way.