Leila Jordan Berger


Featured Articles

Some of the best of the best.

Paste Magazine •

The Right to Write: How the Writers Guild of America's Formation Remains Relevant 90 Years Later

“The motion picture industry is and has been in a state of uncertainty and transition.” These are the opening words on the first official union contract for screenwriters, written on April 6, 1933. With that phrase, written 90 years ago, the Screen Writers Guild was formed, the union that would eventually become the Writers Guild of America. When they spoke of “uncertainty and transition,” they referred to an industry quickly evolving with new technologies. The economy was in shambles. The futur
Paste Magazine •

It's All Content: Peak TV's Crash and the New Era of Television

When the term “Peak TV” began to spread, the inevitable was always waiting. If there’s a peak there must be a crash. It’s time to admit we are in that crash. But the Peak TV crash isn’t a decrease in the number of shows, it’s the way these shows inhabit and have transformed TV as a medium. TV has evolved into something much more sinister than abundance: it’s become merely content.

I. The Rise and Fall of Peak TV

Let’s take a step backward. In his paper “Reasons and Effects of the Peak TV Era”
Paste Magazine •

The Kids Aren't Alright: Inside Gen Z's Chaotic Introduction to Live Music

Live music is back! After a year and a half of isolation and virtual concerts, artists from every genre began to tour again in 2021 and now, halfway through 2022 and with festival season in full swing, it almost feels like the Before Times of concert-going. Almost.

A 2021 Billboard analysis found that the post-quarantine concert boom was heavily driven by first-time concert attendees. The demand for concerts and live experiences is greater than ever, with Billboard reporting a 300% increase in
Paste Magazine •

Dare to Believe in a Magic Groundhog: One Morning in Punxsutawney

An hour and a half outside Pittsburgh, nestled deep in Amish Country and the Christmas tree capital of America, is the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. A small town that for one day a year becomes thrust on the global stage for their magic weather prognosticating groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil.

But the day is also steeped in much more magic than just a prognosticating groundhog. Phil himself is entrusted to the Inner Circle, the local groundhog club who takes care of him and reads his pre
Paste Magazine •

John Mulaney Reinvents His Persona in an Uncomfortably Vulnerable New Show

Who could’ve predicted John Mulaney would have the most tabloid-covered year?

The former SNL writer turned beloved stand-up comedian went through a divorce, a stint in rehab, a highly publicized relationship with actress Olivia Munn, and now has a baby on the way. In the midst of it all he returns with a new stand-up show, the first since the highly acclaimed Kid Gorgeous, titled From Scratch. The title and the poster design, that of Mulaney as a child, promised a more personal set than usual a
Insider •

AI is helping fragrance companies unlock the sensational possibilities of smell

This article is part of " ," a series about digital tech trends disrupting industries.

Smell is perhaps the most powerful human sense. Think about the scent of fresh lavender or an evergreen forest; these might bring you peace or remind you of something unpleasant. Either way, you don't have control over how they affect you.

The connection between smell and emotion has intrigued scientists for decades. Every person experiences scents and feelings differently, which raises the question, why do
Los Angeles Times •

Commentary: 10 years ago, Amazon tried to reinvent TV pilots. Its failure foretold our streaming future

In 2013, Amazon’s fledgling streaming service, Prime Video, had a new form of competition to confront. With Netflix’s international expansion already proceeding at — the platform had that year launched buzzy original series “House of Cards” and “Orange Is the New Black” — streaming entered the realm of “prestige TV” formerly dominated by premium and basic cable. It was no longer just a new technology: It had suddenly become the way for newcomers to challenge media companies that had dominated th
Paste Magazine •

Hollywood Is Going Back to the Assembly Line

The year is 2023 and you want to watch a specific movie. You check all the streaming services you have, a number that has steadily grown over the years. You remember seeing it on HBO Max—sorry, Max—but it’s not there anymore. After scrolling through miles of titles on Netflix you can’t find it there either, although you do learn that there is now an Extraction 2. No luck on Prime Video, nothing on Peacock, and you don’t even bother checking Disney+. But every search just churns up more posters a
Paste Magazine •

Every Poker Face Episode, Ranked

Remember when TV shows had individual episodes that told contained stories? While still common on primetime, it’s a foreign phenomenon in the streaming era. That’s what makes Poker Face such a breath of fresh air. The howcatchem mystery show created by Rian Johnson features a case of the week format that gives each episode a tiny glimpse into the complex lives of a whole new group of people in a new place. Nastasha Lyonne shines as a dirtbag Columbo bouncing between odd jobs while utilizing her...
Paste Magazine •

Enjoying Brendan Fraser's Comeback? Thank TV

Sound the alarms, summon the townsfolk, and listen to the joyous news: Brendan Fraser is back. The iconic George of the Jungle and The Mummy franchise actor is once again a leading man in a major film with Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming drama The Whale. Oscar nomination whispers are already in the air, and Fraser has been welcomed back into the film industry with open arms and extremely long standing ovations. And if that’s not enough, Fraser fans will be rewarded again with his appearance in a lit...
Paste Magazine •

The MVP: Antony Starr Makes The Boys Stronger, Smarter, and Better

Editor’s Note: Welcome to The MVP, a column where we celebrate the best performances TV has to offer. Whether it be through heart-wrenching outbursts, powerful looks, or perfectly-timed comedy, TV’s most memorable moments are made by the medium’s greatest players—top-billed or otherwise. Join us as we dive deep on our favorite TV performances, past and present:

When The Boys aired in 2019, Avengers: Endgame was just leaving theaters and it felt like the grip superheroes had over the entertainme...
Paste Magazine •

Puppetry Steals the Show in Eric, So Why Aren’t Puppets in More Media for Adults?

It is a truth that must be universally acknowledged: people love puppets. Puppetry is one of the most endearing artforms in human existence. An artform of overwhelming fondness. They invite us to play pretend, to accept a felted reality and talk to a creature rather than acknowledge a hand.

Most of our collective love of puppets comes from childhood. Especially in the United States, puppetry is a staple of children’s TV. Many people alive today grew up watching puppets in some form, whether it
Paste Magazine •

Hacks Is Showing Us the Future of Gen Z Comedy

There always has to be a show on TV making fun of TV shows, and in our current moment that responsibility falls on Hacks. The Max comedy presently finishing its third season is the latest in a lineage of great skewerings like 30 Rock and most recently The Other Two that understand all the absurdity of contemporary entertainment.

But Hacks’ greatest addition to the genre is its decision to center the impact of the latest demographic influencing entertainment: Gen Z. Hacks’ Gen Z characters aren’
Insider •

Educating workplaces about AI will lead to better outcomes, say business leaders

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Artificial intelligence is virtually everywhere now. Companies are recognizing that they need to adopt the technology in their businesses, but given all the possibilities it offers, it's hard to know where to start.

During Business Insider's virtual event "Human-AI Collaboration: The Key to Workplace Ef
Insider •

Brands aren't hurt by advertising on hard news, a new report finds

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Editor's Note, 5/17/24: Business Insider maintains a high bar around covering ourselves d
Insider •

Waste-management facilities are using AI to turn trash into recycled treasure

• Millions of recyclable materials are put into incorrect waste streams every year.
• The UK startup Greyparrot uses AI to help mitigate environmental harm from improper waste disposal.
• This article is part of "Build IT," a series about digital tech trends disrupting industries.

The proverbial "reduce, reuse, and recycle" approach to waste disposal is easier said than done. In the past few decades, global conservation initiatives have tried to promote an eco-friendlier attitude toward recycl
Insider •

AI has entered the workplace. 3 industry leaders discuss how businesses can embrace it.

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Artificial intelligence has become a centerpiece of conversation in almost every industry. As the new technology accelerates in skill and ubiquity, business leaders are racing to figure out what the relationship between workers and AI will look like in years to come.

Business Insider's virtual event "Hu
Insider •

I got severe acne after falling sick from appendicitis. The experience inspired me to start a plant-based-skincare company.

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Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jenny Evans, a facialist and busine
Insider •

While some companies are cutting the CMO role, Gen Z marketers still strive for the top job

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Marketing is going through a very visible transition. The CMO role at several companies,
Insider •

Passion and purpose inspire Brazilian chefs to serve authentic cuisines like the Carnival-favorite dishes feijoada and coxinha

• Chefs say Rio de Janeiro's culinary scene is popular at Carnival but deserves recognition year-round.
• The Brazilian chefs Leticia Schwartz and Luiza Souza shared their favorite dishes, including feijoada.
• This article is part of "Festivals of Flavor," a series celebrating Latin festival cuisines.

Leticia Schwartz, a Rio de Janeiro-born chef, has spent most of her career on a mission.

Her calling, she told Business Insider, is "to put Brazilian cuisine on the map." This inspired her to t
Paste Magazine •

The Regime Finale: The End of the HBO Miniseries and Its Sunday Night Reign

Are there any time slots more coveted on television than HBO’s Sunday night?

Ever since the premiere of The Sopranos 25 years ago, an HBO Sunday show meant you were going to be seeing the best of the best. It was the destination of must-watch prestige TV, from The Wire to Game of Thrones to Succession. Sunday night could make a show a success, seen most evidently with Chernobyl, the historical miniseries that took over the slot from Game of Thrones after its final season and became a surprising
Insider •

AI is helping fragrance companies unlock the sensational possibilities of smell

This article is part of " ," a series about digital tech trends disrupting industries.

Smell is perhaps the most powerful human sense. Think about the scent of fresh lavender or an evergreen forest; these might bring you peace or remind you of something unpleasant. Either way, you don't have control over how they affect you.

The connection between smell and emotion has intrigued scientists for decades. Every person experiences scents and feelings differently, which raises the question, why do
Paste Magazine •

3 Body Problem Is the Consequence of a Post-Game of Thrones TV Landscape

There is a universal truth of the current state of television: Game of Thrones changed everything. The HBO series premiered in 2011 to a very different TV landscape. While expensive TV had been attempted before—especially at HBO, who paid record-breaking bills for series like Rome and Band of Brothers—there was nothing that had reached the same scale of expense and success before. Television, long the medium of small budgets and succinct ideas, was now open to the blockbuster model.

After such
Insider •

Emergency dispatchers are using AI and cloud-based tools to help those in need faster

• Emergency-response centers are using AI to improve and streamline services like live translation.
• Better tech could help workers prioritize calls, avoid logistical issues, and catch crucial details.
• This article is part of "Build IT," a series about digital tech trends disrupting industries.

Raquel Lewandowski has been working as a call taker at a call center in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, for nearly 30 years.

In that time, she's seen technology modernize emergency-response services
Paste Magazine •

TV Rewind: Max’s Underrated I Hate Suzie Is a Pitch-Perfect Commentary on Celebrity Meltdowns

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our TV Rewind column! The Paste writers are diving into the streaming catalogue to discuss some of our favorite classic series as well as great shows we’re watching for the first time. Come relive your TV past with us, or discover what should be your next binge watch below:

Is there anything more entertaining than a famous woman having a mental breakdown? If you’ve been a part of pop culture the past few decades, the answer is no. Even the most esteemed media consumers
Paste Magazine •

The 15 Best CW Shows, Ranked

No network has a reputation quite like that of The CW. The broadcast channel was formed in 2006 as a merger between entertainment giants CBS (now Paramount Global) and Warner Bros. following UPN and The WB ceasing operations. Together, the two companies created The CW, which featured a new slate of original shows.

The network started with clear goals: to appeal to an under-served viewer. It aimed for a younger audience, originally tapping into the teenage demographic, specifically teen girls. I
Paste Magazine •

75th Emmys Roundup: A Delayed Celebration Delivered Awards Show Perfection

During a normal Emmys season, this is the part where I get heated. Whether it’s strange wins, poor show construction, or weird advertisements, every Emmys broadcast is filled with controversial creative choices. The good and the bad. The snubs and the surprises.

But this was no normal Emmys season. For the first time in 23 years, the Emmys was televised after its usual end-of-summer date due to delays caused by the writers’ and actors’ strikes. For its 75th year, the Emmys aired with a clearer
Los Angeles Times •

Commentary: 10 years ago, Amazon tried to reinvent TV pilots. Its failure foretold our streaming future

In 2013, Amazon’s fledgling streaming service, Prime Video, had a new form of competition to confront. With Netflix’s international expansion already proceeding at — the platform had that year launched buzzy original series “House of Cards” and “Orange Is the New Black” — streaming entered the realm of “prestige TV” formerly dominated by premium and basic cable. It was no longer just a new technology: It had suddenly become the way for newcomers to challenge media companies that had dominated th
Paste Magazine •

The Sting at 50: The Art of Entertaining

While scrolling through the list of the highest-grossing films in history (adjusted for inflation), there are a lot of obvious hits. Gone with the Wind, The Sound of Music, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. But nestled at the end of the top 20 is an offbeat inclusion, a film that made more money than The Godfather, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Avatar: The 1973 Depression-set caper The Sting.

Starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman, The Sting premiered Christmas Day 1973 on the heels of one of the
Paste Magazine •

Despite a Glorious Finale, Loki Season 2 Was Another Waste of Time

Last week, an article in Variety titled “Crisis at Marvel” broke down the many issues plaguing Marvel Studios in 2023. These include diminishing box office and critical responses to recent works, reshoots on The Marvels, and banking the future of the MCU’s next phase on Jonathan Majors, a man currently awaiting trial on assault charges. Marvel Studios, once the unsinkable entertainment monolith, suddenly appears to be taking on water.

In the article, author Tatiana Siegel mentions that the Disn
Paste Magazine •

The Right to Write: How the Writers Guild of America's Formation Remains Relevant 90 Years Later

“The motion picture industry is and has been in a state of uncertainty and transition.” These are the opening words on the first official union contract for screenwriters, written on April 6, 1933. With that phrase, written 90 years ago, the Screen Writers Guild was formed, the union that would eventually become the Writers Guild of America. When they spoke of “uncertainty and transition,” they referred to an industry quickly evolving with new technologies. The economy was in shambles. The futur
Paste Magazine •

The Price for Profits: Why Residuals Are at the Heart of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA Strikes

Editor’s Note: This article originally published August 30th, 2023, but in the wake of SAG-AFTRA’s lucrative deal to mark the official end to the Hollywood strikes, we’re bringing it back to highlight the importance of the writers’ and actors’ fight for fair compensation.

The last time both the writers and actors were on strike was 1960. The unions were less than 30 years old, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, and Ronald Reagan was considered a promising leader for workers’ rights. But the is
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