Outside the Beltway

Pro-tip: Googling BEFORE posting a Hot Take can save a lot of embarrasment

The cruelty isn’t the point.

The actor known for “Good Times,” “Roots,” and “The West Wing” is gone at 84.

The legendary singer, songwriter, and actor is gone at 88.

The legendary star of stage and screen is gone at 93.

Where’s my $400,000 a month contract?

The talk show pioneer is gone at 88.

Beyond politics, there’s culture.

“Dr. Ruth” is gone at 96.

The1980s fitness icon is gone at 76.

The President’s demand that Democrats shut up and rally behind him is going unheeded.

A four decade run is coming to an end today.

Restored versions of the original movies are now available in 4K. They’re likely not legal.

A legendary actor is gone at 87.

The country music singer was 62.

The Piano Man is back with a new song.

On racism, Republicans, and names

Also: the media landscape is currently evolving.

It’s just resting.

Steamboat Willie is about to be ripe for exploitation.

A television icon is gone at 101.

The actor best known for his role in “Friends” is gone at 54.

Hasan Minhaj is a serial liar. Does it matter?

A deep tradition rightly under scrutiny.

In a world of fixed positions, is debating in good faith really worth it?

The show about nothing has a big legacy.

Turns out that costing your employer nearly a billion dollars isn’t good for your career.

The Baretta actor and acquitted murderer is dead at 89.

Disney has replaced a controversial song at its theme parks.

Newspapers across the country are dropping the popular strip over a racist rant.

A Hollywood star is gone at 82.

A long-form podcast recommendation.

At what point does negligence become a crime?

What a too-good-too-be-true story shows us about the modern news business.

The launch of a new feature… featuring Drake!

An odd phenomenon.

A country music icon is gone at 90.

Start your weekend with some soul!

The man most famous for his turn on “Leave it to Beaver” has passed from liver cancer aged 77.

Police and the Punisher Skull

Mild spoilers ahead.

Has a franchise that’s always been political gone too far?

PETA has launched a weird protest against Starbucks.

What are the limits of representation?

Is the creepy comic’s comeback complete?

A Black columnist argues that Will Smith set back a whole race.