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

    One Good Thing
    One Good Thing: The dark pop pleasures of Selena Gomez’s RareOne Good Thing: The dark pop pleasures of Selena Gomez’s Rare
    One Good Thing

    This excellent album got lost in the 2020 chaos. Now is the perfect time to listen.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    My two days watching Newsmax, the network waging war on Fox News from the rightMy two days watching Newsmax, the network waging war on Fox News from the right
    Culture

    The 24-hour channel has refused to call the election for Biden because it believes Trump still has a chance to win.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Who is Gritty, and why is he Donald Trump’s mortal enemy?Who is Gritty, and why is he Donald Trump’s mortal enemy?
    Culture

    With Trump’s electoral hopes foundering on the shores of Philadelphia, the hockey mascot takes center stage.

    By Emily St. James
    One Good Thing
    One Good Thing: HBO’s In Treatment will soothe your shattered nervesOne Good Thing: HBO’s In Treatment will soothe your shattered nerves
    One Good Thing

    The series about a therapist has 106 episodes of quiet, enthralling television to get you through a rough patch.

    By Emily St. James
    Politics
    Claire McCaskill’s MSNBC comments revive a tired argument over the Democratic Party’s futureClaire McCaskill’s MSNBC comments revive a tired argument over the Democratic Party’s future
    Politics

    We’re going to argue about “pocketbook issues” versus “social issues” again, it would seem.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    TV absolutely has to get rid of “election night”TV absolutely has to get rid of “election night”
    Culture

    The election is in an anxiety-inducing holding pattern, and TV doesn’t know what to do.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    What the remaining swing states would look like as a TV showWhat the remaining swing states would look like as a TV show
    Culture

    If we have writers, election 2020 is a pretty wild season finale.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    I’m obsessed with The West Wing’s truly wild Electoral College mapsI’m obsessed with The West Wing’s truly wild Electoral College maps
    Culture

    A Democrat winning South Carolina? A Republican winning Vermont? C’mon!

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Fall TV is here, Covid-19 and allFall TV is here, Covid-19 and all
    Culture

    Here’s how production is happening during a TV season unlike any other.

    By Emily St. James
    Culture
    Watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown with a 5-year-oldWatching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown with a 5-year-old
    Culture

    Our critic-at-large (39) and critic-at-small (5) discuss the most iconic Halloween special of them all.

    By Emily St. James