Jean Henegan
@jeanhenegan.bsky.social
TV Critic for Pop Culture Maniacs
Recovering Lawyer
Chicagoan
Gay Lady
Recovering Lawyer
Chicagoan
Gay Lady
I was lukewarm at best on #WelcometoDerry, but boy was that finale a mess.
December 16, 2025 at 2:49 AM
I was lukewarm at best on #WelcometoDerry, but boy was that finale a mess.
Went to see the Greta Gerwig Little Women. Packed theatre. Sat next to a guy who was with his girlfriend. When Beth died, everyone was a sobbing mess. The guy pulled out a pack of tissues and handed one to the gf. Then handed one to me. I hope she married him.
Raising the always fun question: What are your most memorable theater-going experiences?
Mine also include The Matrix, Blair Witch, and being way too stoned in Belgium when Fellowship of the Ring was sold out so we sat in the back row for Mulholland Drive instead.
Mine also include The Matrix, Blair Witch, and being way too stoned in Belgium when Fellowship of the Ring was sold out so we sat in the back row for Mulholland Drive instead.
It was hands-down one of the most memorable theater-going experiences I can remember, a collective 30-minute butt-clench/armrest-grab for the final climb. And we knew he lived! Wild.
December 13, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Went to see the Greta Gerwig Little Women. Packed theatre. Sat next to a guy who was with his girlfriend. When Beth died, everyone was a sobbing mess. The guy pulled out a pack of tissues and handed one to the gf. Then handed one to me. I hope she married him.
I was willing to make an argument for both ND and Miami making the playoff but after that ACC Championship, I think the ACC needs to take some time and think about what it wants out of its football teams. My god, guys.
December 7, 2025 at 4:31 AM
I was willing to make an argument for both ND and Miami making the playoff but after that ACC Championship, I think the ACC needs to take some time and think about what it wants out of its football teams. My god, guys.
Mo’s coverage was the reason I gave Spartacus a chance back in the day (and wrote a bit about it on my own TV blog). I’m burning through the House of Ashur screeners today to get a review out tonight, but man, this thread and HofA is making me really want to do a full rewatch.
Here's fun: I reviewed #Spartacus House of Ashur for @sepinwall.bsky.social's What's Alan Watching! (tl;dr good!). HOWEVER if you are a TV Spartacus newbie, gather round! I'm going to share the Sparty 101 spiel I've been offering for over a decade now www.whatsalanwatching.com/review-spart... 🧵 1/?
Review: 'Spartacus' lives again with 'House of Ashur'
The Starz gladiator drama returns, still hornier — and more thoughtful — than you'd expect
www.whatsalanwatching.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Mo’s coverage was the reason I gave Spartacus a chance back in the day (and wrote a bit about it on my own TV blog). I’m burning through the House of Ashur screeners today to get a review out tonight, but man, this thread and HofA is making me really want to do a full rewatch.
When I studied abroad, I went to see Rock n Roll. I loved it so much that I wrote my senior history capstone project on the influence of rock music on the Velvet Revolution. Got an A. And that isn’t even his best play by a long shot. Just a giant.: www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
Tom Stoppard, playwright of dazzling wit and playful erudition, dies aged 88
A theatrical sensation since the 1960s, whose dramas included Arcadia, The Real Thing and Leopoldstadt, Stoppard also had huge success as a screenwriter
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:04 PM
When I studied abroad, I went to see Rock n Roll. I loved it so much that I wrote my senior history capstone project on the influence of rock music on the Velvet Revolution. Got an A. And that isn’t even his best play by a long shot. Just a giant.: www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
Carol get abandoned and starts a vlog (or something like it) in an episode that proves just how riveting Rhea Seehorn can be by herself on screen.
Pluribus - Got Milk Review
#Pluribus #AppleTV #VinceGilligan #RheaSeehorn #KarolinaWydra #CarlosManuelVesga #scifi #scifitv #dystopia #postapocalpytic #tv #tvreview
popculturemaniacs.com/pluribus-got...
#Pluribus #AppleTV #VinceGilligan #RheaSeehorn #KarolinaWydra #CarlosManuelVesga #scifi #scifitv #dystopia #postapocalpytic #tv #tvreview
popculturemaniacs.com/pluribus-got...
Pluribus - Got Milk Review - Pop Culture Maniacs
Carol finds herself all alone this week on Pluribus as she investigates just what is in those milk cartons the Hive drink.
popculturemaniacs.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Carol get abandoned and starts a vlog (or something like it) in an episode that proves just how riveting Rhea Seehorn can be by herself on screen.
I caught Hamnet at CIFF and while I wasn’t a fan of the book, I found a lot to like in the film. Especially Jessie Buckley performance.
Hamnet Review
#Hamnet #Hamlet @focusfeatures.bsky.social #ChloeZhao #MaggieOFarrell #JessieBuckley #PaulMescal #EmilyWatson #JoeAlwyn #Shakespeare #WilliamShakespeare #historicaldrama #film #filmreview #filmsky #movies #moviereview #moviesky
popculturemaniacs.com/hamnet-review/
#Hamnet #Hamlet @focusfeatures.bsky.social #ChloeZhao #MaggieOFarrell #JessieBuckley #PaulMescal #EmilyWatson #JoeAlwyn #Shakespeare #WilliamShakespeare #historicaldrama #film #filmreview #filmsky #movies #moviereview #moviesky
popculturemaniacs.com/hamnet-review/
Hamnet Review - Pop Culture Maniacs
Chloe Zhao's masterful adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel is anchored by the amazing work of Jessie Buckley.
popculturemaniacs.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I caught Hamnet at CIFF and while I wasn’t a fan of the book, I found a lot to like in the film. Especially Jessie Buckley performance.
Niche Broadway Thought: Saw Oedipus last night. Stunning show. Lesley Manville is exquisite. The Best Actress in a Play Tony is going to be insane: Manville, Laurie Metcalf, Carrie Coon all eligible. All amazing (saw the latter two at Steppenwolf).
November 9, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Niche Broadway Thought: Saw Oedipus last night. Stunning show. Lesley Manville is exquisite. The Best Actress in a Play Tony is going to be insane: Manville, Laurie Metcalf, Carrie Coon all eligible. All amazing (saw the latter two at Steppenwolf).
I’m going to be reviewing Pluribus weekly. Love this series - highly recommend!
Pluribus – We Is Us and Pirate Lady Review
#Pluribus #AppleTV #VinceGilligan #RheaSeehorn #KarolinaWydra #CarlosManuelVesga #scifi #scifitv #postapocalyptic #dystopia #tv #tvreview #tvsky
popculturemaniacs.com/pluribus-we-...
#Pluribus #AppleTV #VinceGilligan #RheaSeehorn #KarolinaWydra #CarlosManuelVesga #scifi #scifitv #postapocalyptic #dystopia #tv #tvreview #tvsky
popculturemaniacs.com/pluribus-we-...
Pluribus - We Is Us and Pirate Lady Review - Pop Culture Maniacs
Our first two episodes into the world of Pluribus introduce to Carol and what might just be the end of the world.
popculturemaniacs.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I’m going to be reviewing Pluribus weekly. Love this series - highly recommend!
I caught Sentimental Value at CIFF and was impressed with a lot of it, even if I didn’t love it like some have.
Sentimental Value Review
#SentimentalValue #StellanSkarsgård #RenateReinsve #IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #ElleFanning #comedydrama #Norwegianfilm #film #filmreview #filmsky #movies #moviereview #moviesky
popculturemaniacs.com/sentimental-...
#SentimentalValue #StellanSkarsgård #RenateReinsve #IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #ElleFanning #comedydrama #Norwegianfilm #film #filmreview #filmsky #movies #moviereview #moviesky
popculturemaniacs.com/sentimental-...
Sentimental Value Review - Pop Culture Maniacs
Joachim Trier's latest film, Sentimental Value, tackles the ins and outs of difficult families and generational trauma.
popculturemaniacs.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I caught Sentimental Value at CIFF and was impressed with a lot of it, even if I didn’t love it like some have.
Flying to NYC for a theatre-filled weekend this week feels a heck of lot less depressing than when I did it a year ago.
November 5, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Flying to NYC for a theatre-filled weekend this week feels a heck of lot less depressing than when I did it a year ago.
Reposted by Jean Henegan
It’s basically Deep Space Nine.
Hello welcome to bluesky. We have every kind of anti-government radical left of center, and also, baseball
November 2, 2025 at 3:54 AM
It’s basically Deep Space Nine.
The number of young boys I’ve seen dressed as the boy band from K-pop Demon Hunters is telling me this movie was a way bigger crossover than I thought it was. Heck, I just saw a boy dressed as the Hunters’ manager!
October 31, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The number of young boys I’ve seen dressed as the boy band from K-pop Demon Hunters is telling me this movie was a way bigger crossover than I thought it was. Heck, I just saw a boy dressed as the Hunters’ manager!
Despite originating from the same author, Down Cemetery Road lacks the pop of Slow Horses - despite two strong leading performances. It’s just the rest of the show that is a mess.
Down Cemetery Road Review
#DownCemeteryRoad #thriller #tv #BritishTV #tvreview
popculturemaniacs.com/down-cemeter...
#DownCemeteryRoad #thriller #tv #BritishTV #tvreview
popculturemaniacs.com/down-cemeter...
Down Cemetery Road Review - Pop Culture Maniacs
AppleTV+ is banking on another Mick Herron novel to set the streamer ablaze. But does Down Cemetery Road live up to the Slow Horses pedigree?
popculturemaniacs.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Despite originating from the same author, Down Cemetery Road lacks the pop of Slow Horses - despite two strong leading performances. It’s just the rest of the show that is a mess.
I actually have been and it is pretty amazing. (River otter, not sea otter. Although I have held hands with a sea otter.)
October 11, 2025 at 11:50 AM
I actually have been and it is pretty amazing. (River otter, not sea otter. Although I have held hands with a sea otter.)
After last season (which felt like a bit of a mess throughout), I wondered in my review how much juice was left. This is for the best.
“Yellowjackets” is ending with its fourth season, which is being written now. Production starting next year, date tbd.
‘Yellowjackets’ to End With Season 4 on Paramount+
Creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson made the announcement late Friday.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
October 11, 2025 at 1:11 AM
After last season (which felt like a bit of a mess throughout), I wondered in my review how much juice was left. This is for the best.
This show has a hell of a cast. But it can’t figure out any interesting ways to use them. My review:
October 10, 2025 at 11:09 AM
This show has a hell of a cast. But it can’t figure out any interesting ways to use them. My review:
As someone raised Catholic with 20 years spent in Catholic schools, a point I’ve made consistently to the “pro-life only applies to abortion” Catholic crowd is that it flies in the face of Church teaching. You can’t claim the moral high ground while ignoring the other humans under that moniker.
"...the simple truth that religious fundamentalists clearly believe that the lives of some innocents matter more than others and cannot reconcile their chosen hierarchy of life with the teachings of Christ."
Pope Leo Makes Mistake of Emulating Christ
How dare he.
charlotteclymer.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:11 PM
As someone raised Catholic with 20 years spent in Catholic schools, a point I’ve made consistently to the “pro-life only applies to abortion” Catholic crowd is that it flies in the face of Church teaching. You can’t claim the moral high ground while ignoring the other humans under that moniker.
I was literally explaining this show to a friend this last week and he refuses to believe it was real.
35 years ago today, COP ROCK premiered, so what better time for you to read my oral history of the series?
www.avclub.com/an-oral-hist...
www.avclub.com/an-oral-hist...
September 26, 2025 at 11:28 PM
I was literally explaining this show to a friend this last week and he refuses to believe it was real.
Having seen the season (and with a review pending), I will say a portion of said review included talking about how this could be a lightning rod for right-wing folks.
Apple is pushing back Friday's debut of THE SAVANT until who-knows-when. Given they were still promoting the premiere as of last Thursday, seems likely this was the company being super cautious and trying to avoid a right-wing backlash www.vulture.com/article/appl...
Apple Pulls The Savant From Its Release Schedule
The show features Jessica Chastain’s character infiltrating white supremacist cells across America.
www.vulture.com
September 23, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Having seen the season (and with a review pending), I will say a portion of said review included talking about how this could be a lightning rod for right-wing folks.
Reading Mo in the Tribune was what convinced me to watch BSG all those years ago (much to the chagrin of my sister who told me the miniseries was great but I wouldn’t watch until my fave critic weighed in). Stoked for this book - and I’ll get my sister a copy as well.
it's HAPPENING! I've revealed the subject of my next book and it's YES of course, it's a deep dive into #BattlestarGalactica! For that news and a few thoughts on the #BSG convention that just took place, read this! 💚🔥 www.moryan.com/its-official...
It's official: My next book is about Battlestar Galactica!
Long ago, the gods decided my fate, and I have embraced it: I’m writing a book about Battlestar Galactica!
I made it official at the Creation convention that took place in New Jersey this past weeken...
www.moryan.com
September 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Reading Mo in the Tribune was what convinced me to watch BSG all those years ago (much to the chagrin of my sister who told me the miniseries was great but I wouldn’t watch until my fave critic weighed in). Stoked for this book - and I’ll get my sister a copy as well.
Reposted by Jean Henegan
Not really an overstatement to say that the test of a free society is whether or not comedians can make fun of the country's leader on TV without repurcussions.
July 18, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Not really an overstatement to say that the test of a free society is whether or not comedians can make fun of the country's leader on TV without repurcussions.
Alan is the gold standard when it comes to TV criticism. This is absolutely awful news.
Rolling Stone fired Alan Sepinwall, Status’ Oliver Darcy reports. That’s probably the end of my subscription.
September 16, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Alan is the gold standard when it comes to TV criticism. This is absolutely awful news.
Welp. I don’t think I can keep watching these Notre Dame games and keep my sanity with everything else in the world. Just…ugh. Should have watched those screeners I was avoiding instead…
September 14, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Welp. I don’t think I can keep watching these Notre Dame games and keep my sanity with everything else in the world. Just…ugh. Should have watched those screeners I was avoiding instead…
Just when I thought we were moving past the “kill the lesbian so the straight lead can have a character arc” stage of writing, it rears its head. At least I could see it coming from a mile away thanks to a lifetime of training…but come on, new show. Do better.
September 11, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Just when I thought we were moving past the “kill the lesbian so the straight lead can have a character arc” stage of writing, it rears its head. At least I could see it coming from a mile away thanks to a lifetime of training…but come on, new show. Do better.