Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now
Emily St. James

Emily St. James

Former Critic at Large

    Latest articles by Emily St. James

    Culture
    Nancy Cartwright on landing the role of Bart Simpson: “I did not want to do Lisa”Nancy Cartwright on landing the role of Bart Simpson: “I did not want to do Lisa”
    Podcast
    Culture

    The voice actress tells us about playing the role of a (literal) lifetime on our podcast.

    By Emily St. James
    Awards Shows
    19 movies released before awards season the Oscars shouldn’t forget19 movies released before awards season the Oscars shouldn’t forget
    Awards Shows

    Including everything from superhero movies (Wonder Woman) to tiny indies (The Big Sick) to whatever A Cure for Wellness is.

    By Emily St. James, Genevieve Koski and 3 more
    Culture
    Two James Francos. Porn. 1970s New York. The Deuce could go so wrong — but it doesn’t.Two James Francos. Porn. 1970s New York. The Deuce could go so wrong — but it doesn’t.
    Culture

    HBO’s new drama from the creator of The Wire is the best new show of the fall. And it’s not even close.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    2017 is the worst fall TV season in recent memory2017 is the worst fall TV season in recent memory
    Culture

    Here are three big reasons why this is the worst fall since I became a TV critic in 2006.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    You’re the Worst enters a treacherous 4th season in styleYou’re the Worst enters a treacherous 4th season in style
    Culture

    A bad fourth season has felled many a show. This sardonic rom-com is intent on not joining their number.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    One Mississippi season 2 shows the limits of joke-light comedyOne Mississippi season 2 shows the limits of joke-light comedy
    Culture

    The Tig Notaro series is still charming and whimsical and fun. But it struggles to balance its tone.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    The chilling, horrific death of ER’s Lucy, remembered by Kellie Martin, the actress who played herThe chilling, horrific death of ER’s Lucy, remembered by Kellie Martin, the actress who played her
    Podcast
    Culture

    “I’m so glad it was an awesome moment in television, but it was really hard for me,” she says in our new podcast.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Twin Peaks was the only TV show that made sense this summerTwin Peaks was the only TV show that made sense this summer
    Culture

    The miniseries took place in a broken world yearning for healing. Sound familiar?

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    A potentially frustrating Twin Peaks finale asks one big question: are we owed answers?A potentially frustrating Twin Peaks finale asks one big question: are we owed answers?
    Culture

    Is it future? Or is it past?

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    A ballet set in a hotel room forms the center of the week’s best TV episodeA ballet set in a hotel room forms the center of the week’s best TV episode
    Culture

    Two women dance an evocative pas de deux in Room 104’s most unusual installment yet.

    By Emily St. James