Melissa McCarthy is hailed as a “plus-sized sweetheart,” a champion of representation for women of all sizes. But is she really just a sellout? Today we look at the difference between her roles in movies and the issues she brings to the spotlight in interviews and profiles to see if she really is the progressive comedian everyone makes her out to be. Then, it’s time for some swashbuckling history. We get answers about what’s real and what are myths when it comes to one of our favorite villains – the pirate. Plus, what is the real cost and benefit of personal privacy in a world where everything is under surveillance?
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Is Melissa McCarthy A Big Sellout?
Melissa McCarthy is often called “America’s plus-size sweetheart,” but she has publicly dismissed criticisms of her size in interviews, while simultaneously starring in raunchy comedies that use her weight as the punchline. Freelance writer and editor Laura Bogart asks whether McCarthy is a role model for body acceptance, or just another example of a Hollywood sellout in her article "Is Melissa McCarthy A Big Sellout?" for Dame.
Pirates: Reality vs. Myth
From Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island to Captain Phillips, portrayals of pirates have captured the public’s imagination. Colin Woodard joined us to explain why pirates are so popular and to clear up some common myths. His book The Republic of Pirates served as the inspiration for the NBC series Crossbones – he also served as a story consultant for the video game Assassin’s Creed Four: Black Flag.
How To Delete Your Myspace Profile
Myspace. The velvet leisure suit of social media. Though few will admit to it, many people have (long abandoned) accounts on the website. In 2013 Myspace did an overhaul and deleted everything on non-active accounts…except the pictures. If, after doing some mental calculations, you realize you might need to go and delete that old account, you’re in luck. Producer Taylor Quimby figured out how to erase your Myspace profile, even if you’ve lost passwords and logins, and provided step-by-step directions.
Securing Privacy In A Public World
Julia Angwin is author of the book Dragnet Nation: A Quest for Privacy, Security, and Freedom in a World of Relentless Surveillance. For more than a decade, she was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, where she led a privacy investigative team. She has deep and inside knowledge of who’s watching you, what they know, and why it matters…a few months ago Julia spoke to us about the surveillance economy and the steps she takes to protect her data, as well as the price she pays for privacy.
