The Reading List for Oct 24: the Video Edition

This latest edition of the Reading List could easily be renamed the Viewing List. Check it out.

For people of a certain generation, the name Jerry O’Connell conjures up images of a chubby Vern from Stand by Me or the geekily awkward Andrew from My Secret Identity. O’Connell has done a lot to shed that image, and a lot of that poundage. So it is rather bizarre to see him not only rather thin on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, but in a sparkly swimsuit.

He helped crack the Enigma code. He arguably helped create the first wave of computing. And he was chemically castrated because of his sexuality. A new documentary about Alan Turing, called Codebreaker, tells the story of how one man who helped save the Western world was then harshly judged by it for being who he was.

With the recent news of boxer Orlando Cruz coming out of the closet, HBO’s Real Sports teases an interview with him. “I’m very, very happy [I came out of the closet]. I am free.”

Another reason Nick Offerman is amazing. Last week, I posted a link about Offerman’s recent foray into stripping for money. Now he’s talking about the wonders of growing mustaches for Movember.

Journalist, writer, blogger, producer.

Keep Reading

The cast of All Stars 11

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 11’ is a second chance for the bracket format. Will it work this time around?

Early enthusiasm for the Tournament of All Stars last season was dampened by the back half of the season, raising the question of whether this format is viable in the long term
A flaming torch

‘Survivor’ helped me climb a volcano

Instead of training for a gruelling day-long hike, I listened to podcasts about my favourite TV show. It paid off
Michaela Coel and Anne Hathaway

‘Mother Mary’ nails how devastating a first lesbian breakup can be

In A24’s new pop star drama, Anne Hathaway captures the physicality of a tormented ex-lover aching for answers—and deliverance
The cover of Afternoon Hours of a Hermit; Patrick Cottrell

In ‘Afternoon Hours of a Hermit,’ Patrick Cottrell writes a protagonist who does everything wrong—again

The pseudo-sequel to Cottrell’s acclaimed first novel brilliantly retraces old ground
Advertisement