Ben Travers
LightNews LightNews
banner
bentravers.bsky.social
Ben Travers
@bentravers.bsky.social
7.8K followers 120 following 280 posts
IndieWire Critic & Deputy Editor, TV • TCA Member • Formerly of a Few Podcasts • He/Him • Ann Dowd calls me “honey” (and don't tell me if she calls everyone that).
Posts Replies Media Videos
bentravers.bsky.social
Rattled around my brain the whole show!
Screenshot of a review headline: fun tag: PRESIDENTS DON'T RESPOND ON MONDAYS headline: 'Death by Lightning' Review: Michael Shannon Leads a Rollicking Elegy for the American Experiment dek: Briskly covering James Garfield's unexpected nomination for the presidency through his…..
November 6, 2025 at 10:23 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
Ben Stiller and Justin Theroux looking at their phones. A close-up of Ben looking at his phone, flummoxed.
October 19, 2025 at 2:06 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
Ben Stiller photographed in The New York Times, fist resting against a blank wall, a black-and-white image “The Leftovers” Season 1 poster, Justin Theroux punching a concrete wall — a black-and-white image
October 19, 2025 at 3:43 AM
bentravers.bsky.social
Tonight!
Meme of Tim Robinson screaming “You Gotta Give” in “ITYSL” except instead of “give” it says “watch”
October 12, 2025 at 5:49 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
The New York Times’ review of “Anthem” argues the book works to empower teenagers even as the narrative sees many of them die. “Instead of making teenagers the victims, Hawley gives them agency and power in a collapsing world.”

The same could be said for “Alien: Earth.”
September 19, 2025 at 6:30 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
Anthony Rizzo not only sitting in the Wrigley Field bleachers but heckling his old teammate (Ian Happ), taking photos and having beers with the fans — his statue can’t be big enough. #AnthonyRizzoForever
Anthony Rizzo in the front row of the Wrigley Field bleachers, shouting at Ian Happ Anthony Rizzo in the bleachers, examining a baseball thrown to him by Happ after warm-ups. Anthony Rizzo walking through the bleachers, beer in hand, near a man wearing an “Anthony Rizzo Forever” t-shirt.
September 13, 2025 at 6:56 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
“None of this is thought out,” Robinson tells Vulture. “It’s not planned. It’s not on purpose.”

"The Chair Company" premieres Sunday, October 12 at 10pm ET. First look --> www.vulture.com/article/tim-...
Still from HBO's 'The Chair Company' starring Tim Robinson, showing him holding a phone up to his ear, looking excited Still from HBO's 'The Chair Company' starring Tim Robinson, showing him standing in an empty room with white walls shouting into a phone Still from HBO's 'The Chair Company' starring Tim Robinson, showing him struggling to take a selfie with his family, including Lake Bell
September 8, 2025 at 3:27 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
Important update! www.indiewire.com/awards/consi...
Interview screenshot Bill Camp: Although interestingly enough, a crew person was talking to me recently in Vancouver or maybe Atlanta, who said, “That’s a pretty good character you played on that show. But any true Chicago Bears fan would never wear that Bears T-shirt you wear at the end.” You know, at the end, Raymond is in the flowerbed with Lorraine– Me: Yeah, he’s got the big “C” on his chest. Bill Camp: He’s got the big “C” on, exactly. And this person said, “No, no. Wouldn’t wear the big ‘C.'” Me: What? Why? The “C” is on their helmet. What’s wrong with the “C”? Bill Camp: Exactly, I dunno. I asked the same questions. But that’s what he said, and he was from Chicago.
August 23, 2025 at 3:56 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
Sure, we’ve already seen Nic Cage’s “True Detective,” but I’m not going to say no to another one.
Nicolas Cage gestures to an iguana in ‘Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans’
August 22, 2025 at 1:15 AM
bentravers.bsky.social
David Strathairn! Gary Cole! Mary Steenburgen! Max Greenfield!
David Strathairn in 'A Man on the Inside' Season 2 Gary Cole in 'A Man on the Inside' Season 2 Mary Steenburgen in 'A Man on the Inside' Season 2 Max Greenfield in 'A Man on the Inside' Season 2
August 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
Justin Theroux doing a funny little accent in a funny little mustache? Well done, "Fallout." See you in December.

(Season 2 trailer --> www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TsP...)
Justin Theroux, with a wry smile and a thin mustache, in the "Fallout" Season 2 trailer
August 19, 2025 at 7:20 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
“And speaking of murky waters, it’s time to address the literal turd in the (punch)bowl: In no universe should the ending of ‘And Just Like That’ — a series of beautiful gowns, gorgeous sets, & stunning NYC locations — include multiple shots of a clogged toilet erupting with actual pieces of shit.”
Ilana Glazer doing air quotes around “good” morning
August 15, 2025 at 3:07 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
Screenshot of Stephen Colbert blowing into a firepit on “The Late Show” — the chyron says, “The Flame Show”
July 17, 2025 at 11:35 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
And without that pesky nuclear apocalypse, she would’ve won!
Kevin and Patti hold hands on a rooftop, watching the nuclear missles rain down
July 15, 2025 at 8:47 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
Emmy nominee.
Bill Camp waters the garden while wearing a Chicago Bears t-shirt (under an open blue Hawaiian shirt)
July 15, 2025 at 5:25 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
*squints*

Are those... my boys?
Jude Law? I think? It's a pretty dark image so it's hard to tell Jason Bateman, maybe, but it's very hazy and he's got a beard so it really could be anyone Jason Bateman comforting a sad Jude Law, but from a distance and someone's finger is covering the bottom third of the frame, so who knows what the fuck is going on. Oh yeah, these are all stills from the Netflix series, "Black Rabbit"
June 26, 2025 at 3:45 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
Finally got to read @emilystjams.bsky.social fantastic debut novel, “Woodworking” — an absolute joy to live in, even though I tore through it, and easily the best book I’ve ever read that incorporates the 2016 World Series. (Constance = MVP)
Hardback copy of Emily St. James’ “Woodworking” on a colorful table
June 22, 2025 at 10:59 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
From the TV show “Archer,” Sterling Archer has his son’s name, Seamus, tattooed on his right shoulder. (Seamus’ mother looks on disapprovingly.)
June 15, 2025 at 2:29 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
A sign at the No Kings march in New York, NY showing an artist’s portrait of Vladimir Putin with Trump as his grumpy little lapdog — literally. (The NYPL lion is in the background, protesters marching by in the foreground, and an American flag peeks out from the lower left corner.)
June 14, 2025 at 10:11 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
Good morning, Michael Shannon's architectural digest video is everything you dreamed it would be. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyQd...
Michael Shannon sitting on his bed in his bedroom, looking away from the camera, and a caption reads: "Director: What do you dream about?" Michael Shannon sitting on his bed in his bedroom, looking directly at the camera, saying, "None of your business."
June 13, 2025 at 1:05 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
Julian Fellowes hearing “The Gilded Age” is too boring:

“They want pearl-clutching, I’ll GIVE THEM pearl-clutching.”

www.indiewire.com/news/trailer...
Gladys Russell nervously toying with her pearl necklace in a still from “The Gilded Age” Gladys Russell’s pearl necklace breaks! Pearls everywhere!
June 3, 2025 at 5:08 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
Another amazing ATX TV Festival in the books — my deep thanks to the incredible team for having me and everyone who made it out!

Also, a belated apology to Jon Hamm. I’m sorry for delaying your “Mad Men” panel. The staff warned me to wrap up “The Leftovers” reunion. I just didn’t listen.
Overhead shot of “The Leftovers” reunion panel with Tom Perrotta, Ann Dowd, Damon Lindelof, Mimi Leder, Carrie Coon, and Amy Brenneman. (Moderator Ben Travers on the far left, ignoring his cues) Ann Dowd speaks at “The Leftovers” reunion panel, as Damon Lindelof, Mimi Leder, Carrie Coon, and Amy Brenneman listen. (It goes without saying that they’re all smiling.) Carrie Preston speaks at the “Elsbeth” Q&A at the ATX TV Festival, as moderator Ben Travers listens, probably ignoring important information from the lovely ATX team.
June 1, 2025 at 10:35 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
It’s almost time for lunch-hour with Carrie Preston! Come by the Stephen F. Austin bar for all things “Elsbeth” at 12:15pm! #ATXTVS14
Carrie Preston in Elsbeth (white scarf, pink coat)
May 31, 2025 at 4:30 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
If you’re in Austin and awake already, come on down to the State Theater for the indie docuseries “You Belong Here” screening + Q&A — Steve Zahn is here! And Chef Ouita Michel! And I’ll probably say something embarrassingly naive about food!
Screenshot of the ATX TV Festival promo for “You Belong Here” screening and Q&A on May 31 at 10am
May 31, 2025 at 2:40 PM
bentravers.bsky.social
After the original moderator’s mysterious disappearance, I have been summoned to Texas for “The Leftovers” reunion at #ATXTVS14.

Scribble your questions on a piece of paper and make sure your dove can reach the Paramount by Saturday at 3:30. Or swing by! (Or reply below!) 🚬 🕊️ #LetTheMysteryBe
Nora Durst (Carrie Coon) sitting on a couch with a questionnaire in her lap, looking skeptical — OR a preview of what I’ll look like moderating a panel with “The Leftovers” cast + creators
May 30, 2025 at 6:08 PM