Michael Schulman
Michael Schulman, a staff writer, has contributed to The New Yorker since 2006, writing primarily about arts and culture. His Profile subjects have included the comedian Bo Burnham, the talk-show host Wendy Williams, and the actors Adam Driver, Elisabeth Moss, and Jeremy Strong. He has written more than a hundred Talk of the Town pieces and contributed long-form interviews with such subjects as Linda Ronstadt, Robert De Niro, Fran Lebowitz, Anthony Hopkins, and Mel Brooks. He is the author of “Her Again: Becoming Meryl Streep,” a Times best-seller. His most recent book is “Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears.”
Are Hollywood’s Jewish Founders Worth Defending?
Jews in the industry called for the Academy Museum to highlight the men who created the movie business. A voice in my head went, Uh-oh.
Maya Rudolph Is Ready to Serve
The actress and comedian on motherhood, studying the lives of billionaires for her show “Loot,” and her “S.N.L.” portrayals of women in the spotlight—from Beyoncé to Kamala Harris.
Rashida Jones Wonders What Makes Us Human
The actor discusses the encroachment of A.I., her adolescent tiff with Tupac, and her enduring love of philosophy.
Diane von Furstenberg Will See You Now
The fashion icon is still starring in the story of her life, dispensing wisdom on our age of prudishness, the “three types of women,” and why “only losers don’t feel like losers.”
“H.M.S. Pinafore” Uptown, on Repeat
A century ago, some Manhattan blue bloods in Blue Hill, Maine, decided that performing Gilbert and Sullivan would keep the kids out of trouble. They’re still at it.
Jonathan Groff Rolls Merrily Back
The actor reflects on his journey in reverse: from his latest Tony nomination to his arrival in New York, waiting tables and dreaming of Broadway.
How to Play Putin
Will Keen and Michael Stuhlbarg, the stars of the play “Patriots,” about the rise of the Russian President, studied how Putin plays table tennis and why his hand trembles.
Christopher Durang’s Stage Directions for Life
The Tony-winning playwright’s dark, antic satires were many people’s gateway to theatre. I was one of those people.
The Evanescent Art of the Sandcastle
In a new book, “The Work of Art,” Adam Moss, the former editor-in-chief of New York magazine, draws out artists on what makes them make art.
Robert Downey, Jr. (Fuel-Efficiently) Pimps His Rides
The Oscar winner asked Chris Mazzilli, a vintage-car restorer, to turn his gas-guzzlers green, with vegan-leather interiors, solar panels, and e-bike chargers.
Recalling Meryl Streep’s “Half-Assed Genuflection”
Sister Margaret McEntee inspired the play “Doubt,” by her former pupil John Patrick Shanley. Her fellow Sisters of Charity went to see the Broadway revival.
An Oscar-Night Diary: The Kenergy Was Palpable
“Barbie” received only one award, but the ceremony—and even the after-parties—brimmed with a simple ebullience.
Can You Really Want an Oscar Too Much?
It’s the ultimate paradox of campaigning: an actor must somehow be dedicated but not try-hard, authentic but not award-hungry.
The She-Wolves and Lionesses of Fashion Week
At a runway event for “Queens,” a National Geographic docuseries about female wildlife, bears and elephants (no fur, no leather, no live animals) go strutting.
Returning to the Scene of a Literary Crime
On the site of the old La Côte Basque, Tom Hollander, the star of “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans,” considers to what extent his character was a self-loathing castle creeper.
Jenny Slate Doesn’t Want to Gross You Out
The comic on love, stagefright, and her new standup special’s focus on bodily fluids.
Another “Barbie” Oscars Snub: Best Whistler!
Molly Lewis, a professional whistler who provided part of the movie’s soundtrack, and who has a new LP, “On the Lips,” shows a music class how it’s done.
Lily Gladstone Is Holding the Door Open
The “Killers of the Flower Moon” star on how to curse in Blackfoot, being nominated for an Oscar, and the many Native actors she hopes will follow her.
The Oscars Are Confused About “Barbie”
In snubbing the film’s central voices—Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie—the Academy continues its tense relationship with blockbusters.
Broadway vs. the Pedicabs
Essentially boom boxes on three wheels, the bicycle-drawn carriages are prompting theatre owners to push back.
Are Hollywood’s Jewish Founders Worth Defending?
Jews in the industry called for the Academy Museum to highlight the men who created the movie business. A voice in my head went, Uh-oh.
Maya Rudolph Is Ready to Serve
The actress and comedian on motherhood, studying the lives of billionaires for her show “Loot,” and her “S.N.L.” portrayals of women in the spotlight—from Beyoncé to Kamala Harris.
Rashida Jones Wonders What Makes Us Human
The actor discusses the encroachment of A.I., her adolescent tiff with Tupac, and her enduring love of philosophy.
Diane von Furstenberg Will See You Now
The fashion icon is still starring in the story of her life, dispensing wisdom on our age of prudishness, the “three types of women,” and why “only losers don’t feel like losers.”
“H.M.S. Pinafore” Uptown, on Repeat
A century ago, some Manhattan blue bloods in Blue Hill, Maine, decided that performing Gilbert and Sullivan would keep the kids out of trouble. They’re still at it.
Jonathan Groff Rolls Merrily Back
The actor reflects on his journey in reverse: from his latest Tony nomination to his arrival in New York, waiting tables and dreaming of Broadway.
How to Play Putin
Will Keen and Michael Stuhlbarg, the stars of the play “Patriots,” about the rise of the Russian President, studied how Putin plays table tennis and why his hand trembles.
Christopher Durang’s Stage Directions for Life
The Tony-winning playwright’s dark, antic satires were many people’s gateway to theatre. I was one of those people.
The Evanescent Art of the Sandcastle
In a new book, “The Work of Art,” Adam Moss, the former editor-in-chief of New York magazine, draws out artists on what makes them make art.
Robert Downey, Jr. (Fuel-Efficiently) Pimps His Rides
The Oscar winner asked Chris Mazzilli, a vintage-car restorer, to turn his gas-guzzlers green, with vegan-leather interiors, solar panels, and e-bike chargers.
Recalling Meryl Streep’s “Half-Assed Genuflection”
Sister Margaret McEntee inspired the play “Doubt,” by her former pupil John Patrick Shanley. Her fellow Sisters of Charity went to see the Broadway revival.
An Oscar-Night Diary: The Kenergy Was Palpable
“Barbie” received only one award, but the ceremony—and even the after-parties—brimmed with a simple ebullience.
Can You Really Want an Oscar Too Much?
It’s the ultimate paradox of campaigning: an actor must somehow be dedicated but not try-hard, authentic but not award-hungry.
The She-Wolves and Lionesses of Fashion Week
At a runway event for “Queens,” a National Geographic docuseries about female wildlife, bears and elephants (no fur, no leather, no live animals) go strutting.
Returning to the Scene of a Literary Crime
On the site of the old La Côte Basque, Tom Hollander, the star of “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans,” considers to what extent his character was a self-loathing castle creeper.
Jenny Slate Doesn’t Want to Gross You Out
The comic on love, stagefright, and her new standup special’s focus on bodily fluids.
Another “Barbie” Oscars Snub: Best Whistler!
Molly Lewis, a professional whistler who provided part of the movie’s soundtrack, and who has a new LP, “On the Lips,” shows a music class how it’s done.
Lily Gladstone Is Holding the Door Open
The “Killers of the Flower Moon” star on how to curse in Blackfoot, being nominated for an Oscar, and the many Native actors she hopes will follow her.
The Oscars Are Confused About “Barbie”
In snubbing the film’s central voices—Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie—the Academy continues its tense relationship with blockbusters.
Broadway vs. the Pedicabs
Essentially boom boxes on three wheels, the bicycle-drawn carriages are prompting theatre owners to push back.