The College of Liberal Arts consists of vibrant readers, viewers, and listeners of media. In 2024, here are a handful of favorite experiences CLA faculty and staff have held on to.
Shrinking on Apple TV
Michelle Calbreath, Academic Advisor, School of Psychological Science
“Shrinking on Apple TV is airing a second season in the last half of 2024. The show stars Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, and Harrison Ford, with other standout cast. The premise surrounds a clinical psychology therapy practice, along with themes of family, friendship, neighbors, grief, generations, and much more. The writing is quick-witted, funny, and touching, just all around feel-good.”
I Shouldn't Be Telling You This (But I'm Going to Anyway) by Chelsea Devantez
Erin Cook, Instructor, School of Writing, Literature, and Film
“An amazing biography! Loved the humor, emotion, and self-reflection in the book. It renews a sense of self in the reader.”
Wicked
DeMara Cabrera, Sr. Instructor, School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts
“After waiting almost 20 years since seeing it on Broadway, and over 10 years since they announced that there would be a movie, Wicked the movie finally came out! I was so nervous, because Wicked is my favorite musical, but the movie was absolutely wonderful. I'm already planning my Halloween costume for next year…”
Matlock and Elsbeth on CBS
Jennifer Edwards, Academic Advisor, School of Public Policy
“My favorite weekend binge is a double feature of the relaunch of Matlock with Kathy Bates and Elsbeth with Carrie Preston streaming on Paramount +. I'm a big fan of law and crime procedurals, and these two do well in this genre, but while also adding more wit, fun, and quirkiness that make for two hours of interesting puzzles coupled with light hearted and creative banter.”
2024 OSU Native American Flute Circle
Jan Michael Looking Wolf (Reibach), Sr. Instructor, School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts
“On May 29, 2024, we conducted the annual Native American Flute Circle. A new record was made this year with 696 OSU past and present students of the course playing together in harmony. It was an incredible experience! One Heart - Go Beavs!”
Challengers
Morgan Ross, Assistant Professor, School of Communication
“A Luca Guadagnino-directed, Mike Faist-starring, bass-dropping, steamy, and sexually fluid love triangle where tennis is everything and everything is tennis? Challengers was both a personal love letter and a universal smash.”
Amelia by Laurie Anderson
Peter Swendsen, Director, School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts
“Laurie Anderson’s Amelia is my pick for 2024. There is more provocative work than this in Anderson’s catalog, but this fictionalized telling of the last weeks of Amelia Earhart’s life feels like a gift of stories and music, featuring both Anderson herself—there may be no better sound than her voice in this mode—and a number of other contributors. At a brisk 35 minutes, it’s an attainable goal to sit and listen closely to the whole thing. I suggest doing so in a context where you can hear the details, and I also suggest it while flying, ideally at night with a window seat. Lots of other great music this year, including David Lang’s composition as explanation, based on Gertrude Stein’s 1926 lecture and featuring the incomparable eighth blackbird (PRAx guests back in May), and cellist Maya Beiser’s new release of Terry Riley’s In C, on the occasion of its 60th birthday. For something light and easy, check out Seattle band The Dip’s 2024 release, Love Direction, and then finish with the cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed” on the new album, Compassion, by Vijay Iyer, Linda May Han Oh, and Tyshawn Sorey.”
Fantasmas on Max
Lorenzo Triburgo, Sr. Instructor, School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts
"Writer, director, and comedian Julio Torres spins a fantastical six-part tale of when he lost a gold oyster earring. In his search to find the precious object, Julio reflects on the offbeat characters he encounters in introspective, often eerie, and always comedic vignettes set in a dreamy, alternate version of New York City. A kaleidoscope of color and surrealism, Fantasmas weaves together stories of people looking for meaning, purpose, and connection in an increasingly isolating world."
Somebody Somewhere on Max
Keith Van Norman, Web & Digital Communications Specialist
"The third and final season of this understated, honest, courageous and incredibly satisfying dramedy aired in 2024. The show is rich in characters that feel like friends in my real life who I’m now going to miss very much."
