Eric Deggans
NPR
St. Petersburg, FL, United States
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Past articles by Eric:
I critiqued Dave Chappelle and his fans questioned my Blackness
After my commentary about Dave Chappelle's turn on Saturday Night Live, a flood of hateful and personal invective erupted. But what do they think the job of a critic is? → Read More
Dave Chappelle monologue disappoints on 'Saturday Night Live'
Chappelle's monologue seemed filled with justification and minimization. → Read More
What do users want from their TV streaming? A new NPR/Ipsos poll has some answers
Consumers often make decisions about TV streaming platforms based on three factors. → Read More
Return of 'Inside Amy Schumer' is welcome, even when it's inconsistent
Schumer is back — kind of. → Read More
'Saturday Night Live' returns and shows that a lot of rebuilding is underway
Judging by the relentlessly average, borderline uninspired season opening episode, this 48th season of SNL is off to a bumpy start, writes our critic Eric Deggans. → Read More
Trevor Noah's 'Daily Show' departure hints at deeper problems in late night TV
Noah increasingly looked like a performer who was growing beyond the grind of a late-night Comedy Central show. If he doesn't find a new perch in the genre, the industry will be all the worse for it. → Read More
Can the hurricane TV reporters come inside now? Please?
This is an old debate and one the TV news industry seems to have already decided — but until someone is seriously injured doing this kind of reporting, it will continue. → Read More
These are the new movies and TV shows we can't wait to watch this fall
Our critics' guide lets you search by genre and where to watch — whether on your couch or in the theater. Here's what NPR critics are looking forward to after a busy blockbuster summer. → Read More
Why Black characters in 'Rings of Power' and 'Little Mermaid' make fantasy better
Producers of fantasy shows should use diversity to deepen storylines. → Read More
Who is Emmy winner Quinta Brunson ... besides the woman who had to step over Kimmel?
Brunson had already made history when she was nominated for three Emmys for Abbott Elementary → Read More
Michael K. Williams' memoir 'Scenes From My Life' shows how he turned trauma into art
The beloved actor made his mark playing tough characters; but he wanted young Black men to know it was okay to be vulnerable. → Read More
What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend listening and viewing
Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Chaka Khan, P-Valley, and more. → Read More
'Better Call Saul' ends with redemption, your honor
The sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman was meant to appear in only a handful of episodes of Breaking Bad. Instead, Saul (played by Bob Odenkirk) became an integral part of the series and eventually earned his own acclaimed spin-off, Better Call Saul. Now, after six seasons, the AMC drama has come to an end. In this tense and meticulously-paced origin story, we've witnessed his complete transformation… → Read More
'Better Call Saul' finale soars as a meditation on consequences and regret
The question that hung over the show's final episode was a simple one: Would Saul ever grow a conscience? Would he ever let himself feel real regret? → Read More
'Legacy' offers a blander history of the LA Lakers 'Showtime' era
The docuseries seems to be a pointed riposte to the more freewheeling scripted drama about the Lakers on HBO. → Read More
'Five Days at Memorial' showcases John Ridley's skill at tough stories
Executive producer, writer and director John Ridley says he tried to take an unbiased view of this new Apple+ drama based on what actually happened. → Read More
20 years later, 'The Wire' still enthralls
This year marks the 20th anniversary of HBO's crime drama The Wire. Creators David Simon and Ed Burns spent five seasons dissecting various institutions in Baltimore, producing what is now considered one of the best television series of all time. The large cast included many then-unknown actors who've gone on to become stars, like Idris Elba, Michael B. Jordan, Dominic West and the late Michael… → Read More
Super Fly at 50: A blaxploitation classic that remains a powerful pop culture force
The movie's gritty, authentic depiction of street life and its flamboyant lead character created archetypes that have inspired legions of future storytellers and musicians. → Read More
Samantha Bee's cancellation hints at tough times for women and POC in late night TV
The late night comedy scene is changing and that could be trouble or an opportunity for emerging talents. → Read More
Netflix loses nearly 1 million subscribers. That's the good news
The streaming service had forecast that it would lose 2 million subscribers. The less severe loss, combined with a projection of growth in July to September, helped lift Netflix's battered stock. → Read More