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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Kelsey McKinney

The statue of Victoire de Samothrace portrays the Greek goddess Nike on August 20 in Paris, France. (Photo by Steve Christo/Corbis via Getty Images)

Wings Week

I Would Die To Save The Winged Victory Of Samothrace

Nicholas Russell is a writer from Las Vegas.

Nicholas Russell

Arts And Culture

‘Longlegs’ Can’t Quite Carry The Weight Of Expectations

Lauren Theisen

two actors sitting on stage, looking at each other, in Illinoise

‘Illinoise’ Carries The Spirit That Makes Sufjan Stevens Special

Life and Trust logo on skyscraper background

The Master Key To Great Immersive Theater Is People

Israel Daramola

People during the concert before the meeting with Franklin Graham in Krakow, Poland on April 13, 2024. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto)

Why Are So Many Concert Tours Getting Canceled?

Corey Atad is a freelancer writer based in Toronto with an unhealthy Air Bud obsession.

Corey Atad

‘The Bear’ Misses What’s Truly Toxic About Fine Dining

Albert Burneko

George Clooney, as Michael Clayton, talks into a cell phone while walking down a city street at night.

This Is So Stupid

There Are Three Essential Lawyer Movies

Who Are These Big Book Lists For?

The Year’s Best Rap Album Wants To Take You To The Future

Ray Ratto

Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, arrives at a charity polo game at the Ikoyi Polo Club in Lagos on May 12, 2024 as he and Britain's Meghan (unseen), Duchess of Sussex, visit Nigeria as part of celebrations of Invictus Games anniversary. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP)

Don’t Look Now, But The British Tabloids Have Discovered The ESPY Awards

Soraya Roberts

John Turturro's character holds a tomato in Box of Moonlight

‘Box Of Moonlight’ Is A Gem From The ’90s Indie Boom

Jack from 'Lost' lying down with a golden retriever next to him in the finale

The ‘Lost’ Finale Is Good

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Why is AI Jesus So Fucking Jacked?

David Roth

The City Lives In The Earth Room

Alex Sujong Laughlin

The words "girl's girl" appear in the Charli XCX Brat font, on a Brat-green background.

Charli XCX, Lorde, And The Trap Of The “Girl’s Girl”

Appalling Errors In Vulture’s Ranked List Of Muppets Movies, Ranked

God Help Me, I Can’t Stop Watching ‘Clipped’

Kendrick Lamar at Life Is Beautiful 2023 on September 23, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kendrick Lamar Gets His Curtain Call

Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and has written for The Guardian, The Second Serve, The Athletic, and other publications.

Owen Lewis

Josh O'Connor feeds a churro to Mike Faist in a scene from Challengers

Tennis

Who Wins The Match In ‘Challengers’?

It’s Pop Girl Summer

Samuel John Peploe, R.S.A's 'Pink Rose in a Glass Vase with Fruit' is hung on a wall for auction.

Everyone Loses When We Start Talking About Art Like It’s Real Estate

Conner O'Malley performing in his latest stand-up special

Conner O’Malley’s New Special Exposes The Dark Heart Of Techno-Optimism

Talk show host Conan O'Brien appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios on September 5, 2003 in Burbank, California.

Mods Asleep

The Late-Night Television Wars Are Worth Reliving

Fran Hoepfner is a writer and teacher.

Fran Hoepfner

US actor Kevin Costner attends a press conference for the film "Horizon: An American Saga" during the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 20, 2024.

Why Do I Keep Rooting For Kevin Costner?

Dan Brooks writes essays and fiction from Missoula, Montana.

Dan Brooks

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift reputation Stadium Tour at MetLife Stadium on July 21, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.