The Friday wrap-up

10/25/24

• The 80s have been very much on my brain lately for some reason, and I’m always up for a delightfully ribald British romp, and so I’m loving the series Rivals, which is on Hulu right now. It’s set in that decade, with a fun soundtrack to match, and follows two powerful men whose drama plays out primarily outside of London, in the grand estates of the Cotswolds, which means lots of daffy garden parties and hunting expeditions and the like. It is an exceedingly horny, often hilarious show, and I recommend it with no reservation.

• It’s almost gifting season, and I think this new book from NPR, How Women Made Music: A Revolutionary History, would be excellent for any lady music lovers in your life. It’s chock-full of interviews and short pieces on a wide variety of artists, and has an introduction by the great Ann Powers (who was a guest on Everything is Fine recently).

• And speaking of, on Everything is Fine this week, we’re talking about going to parties, flirting after 50, finding your people, pot-smoking octogenarians, and so much more, so please do tune it.