Some thought the cable had gone out. Many were angry their long investment in the saga was to be left unresolved: was Tony assassinated? Does he just go on as before? Creator David Chase defended the ending as preserving the uncertainty that shaped the lives of the characters since episode 1. 3/4

In the last scene, Tony is with his family at a diner; “Don’t Stop Believin’” plays in the background. The camera cuts between Tony’s POV, the entrance, & other patrons. Just as his daughter Meadow is about to enter, Tony looks up—& the screen cuts to black before the credits roll in silence. 2/4

On this date in 2007, the finale of THE SOPRANOS, “Made in America,” aired on HBO, immediately sparking controversy. Unlike the finale to SEINFELD 9 years earlier or the LOST finale 3 years later, both of which were pretty much universally loathed, the finale of SOPRANOS deeply divided its fans. 1/4

Donald's transformation from a slacker in the Idle Hour Club in THE WISE LITTLE HEN to an *almost* respectable middle-class citizen is fascinating. "Almost," because Donald remains a bachelor and both his childcare duties & lack of a career marks him a marginal figure in 1950s Duckburg/America. 3/3

From this minor role, Donald's popularity will go on to rival that of Mickey himself, even starring in his own series of animated shorts. Beginning in 1943, Carl Barks will take Donald on a remarkable series of comic book adventures with his nephews and his irascible Uncle Scrooge. 2/3

On this day in 1934, the world's most famous duck was born, making his debut in the Silly Symphony short, THE WISE LITTLE HEN. Along with Peter Pig, Donald dances & loafs, playing sick when Mrs. Hen asks for help with the planting. They learn their lesson when they're not invited to the feast. 1/3

It goes without saying that the novel is having something of a moment in 2025.

On June 8, 1949, George Orwell's 1984 was published, telling of a near-future in which conformity is enforced through constant surveillance & the manipulation of thought through language. 1/2

The show ended in 1942 following the entrance of the US into World War II. But its popularity laid the foundation for further advancements in educational public radio and tv—culminating with the signing of the 1967 Public Broadcasting Act & the creation of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting 2/2

On this date in 1936, the first episode of THE WORLD IS YOURS premiered on CBS radio—the first national, federally-sponsored educational program. Produced with the Smithsonian, the show's success proved that the federal government could play a role in education via mass media. 1/2

My last visit to a drive-in was 27 years ago, in Newton, Iowa, at the Valle Drive-in, infant son in tow. MEN IN BLACK, I think, although the star of the show was a tremendous storm that had everyone huddled in their cars scanning the skies for tornadoes. It was awesome—I must do that again 4/4

Today there are around 120 drive-ins in the U.S., in 25 states. Their ongoing survival, however attenuated, speaks to something unique about the experience, despite so many more convenient and frankly better ways to watch movies if the point is, well, watching the movie. 3/4

By the 1970s, with gas skyrocketing and cars getting smaller (and less comfortable for hanging out for a double feature with your friends), the drive-in began to decline—accelerating following in the 80s with VHS and in early 21st century with DVD and then streaming. 2/4

Today in Pop Culture history: the first drive-in movie theater opens in Camden, NJ 6/6/1933. It would not be until after WWII that drive-ins would take off, benefiting from the baby boom, the highway act, suburban sprawl, and big-ass cars. As many as 4000 dotted the country in the 50s and 60s 1/4