Ryan Benk
@ryanbenk.bsky.social
Producer/reporter for NPR's Weekend Edition. Horror, punk, pop-punk or anything by Sturgill Simpson. Lift heavy things. Cats are rad. SAGAFTRA. DC is a real place.
https://www.npr.org/people/942414025/ryan-benk
https://www.npr.org/people/942414025/ryan-benk
Pinned
Ryan Benk
@ryanbenk.bsky.social
· Oct 11
Joey Arias has plenty of art left to give: 'I want to live to be at least 200 years'
Decades of metamorphosis and drag performer Joey Arias is far from his final form.
www.npr.org
At 76, cabaret artist Joey Arias’s resume reads like the movie Big Fish. The tales are almost too tall to believe, but he’s really done them all.
What an honor to help tell this legend's story.
www.npr.org/2025/10/11/n...
What an honor to help tell this legend's story.
www.npr.org/2025/10/11/n...
Reposted by Ryan Benk
Francis was more Mike Shinoda whereas Leo is more Chester
November 24, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Francis was more Mike Shinoda whereas Leo is more Chester
Reposted by Ryan Benk
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old.
www.whatimreading.net
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Reposted by Ryan Benk
The thing about DOGE is it accomplished neither its ostensible nor actual goals but did manage to cause a couple of holocausts worth of deaths internationally.
And the media finds none of those three things particularly notable.
And the media finds none of those three things particularly notable.
It remains insane to me that DOGE was treated at the time as an impressive shock and awe accomplishment - “you can’t deny he’s getting stuff done!” - and then instantly memory holed by the press once if became clear it was a total failure by every possible standard including Musk’s own
Difficult to overstate how profound a failure DOGE was. Spending in FY2025 was not only than in FY2024 – but higher than it was projected to be when Trump first took office.*
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
The little bit of spending DOGE cut has already killed hundreds of thousands and will eventually lead to millions of deaths.
November 23, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The thing about DOGE is it accomplished neither its ostensible nor actual goals but did manage to cause a couple of holocausts worth of deaths internationally.
And the media finds none of those three things particularly notable.
And the media finds none of those three things particularly notable.
Ccccrrrraaaawwwwwllllliiinnnggggg iiinnnnn mmmmyyyy sssskkkkiiiinnn
These wounds they will not heal
These wounds they will not heal
November 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Ccccrrrraaaawwwwwllllliiinnnggggg iiinnnnn mmmmyyyy sssskkkkiiiinnn
These wounds they will not heal
These wounds they will not heal
Please please please just don't
An Alice in Wonderland musical film starring Sabrina Carpenter is in the works by Universal Pictures.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND Musical Film Starring Sabrina Carpenter Is in the Works
nerdist.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Please please please just don't
Reposted by Ryan Benk
Are we still fucking asking this question. Can you not get a new bit? Like he's been asked this 400 fucking times
WELKER: What is your message to Jewish New Yorkers who feel you won't be tough enough in your response to antisemitism?
MAMDANI: That I am looking forward to being the next mayor and fulfilling the commitment I've made to Jewish New Yorkers to not only protect them but to celebrate and cherish them
MAMDANI: That I am looking forward to being the next mayor and fulfilling the commitment I've made to Jewish New Yorkers to not only protect them but to celebrate and cherish them
November 23, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Are we still fucking asking this question. Can you not get a new bit? Like he's been asked this 400 fucking times
"Films are not for consumption, but for participation," says Canadian-Iranian-American filmmaker Alireza Khatami. His new film THE THINGS YOU KILL is a dark, brooding and twisty exploration of family, masculinity and the soul that dares you not to look away. www.npr.org/2025/11/23/n...
Iranian-Canadian filmmaker Alireza Khatami discusses his new movie 'The Things You Kill'
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to Iranian-Canadian filmmaker Alireza Khatami about his new movie, "The Things You Kill."
www.npr.org
November 23, 2025 at 2:48 PM
"Films are not for consumption, but for participation," says Canadian-Iranian-American filmmaker Alireza Khatami. His new film THE THINGS YOU KILL is a dark, brooding and twisty exploration of family, masculinity and the soul that dares you not to look away. www.npr.org/2025/11/23/n...
He's such an underrated talent. Everyone should also watch him steal the screen in TETRO (2009).
I think that's probably Coppola's best in the last 20 years. Idk if that's a hot take or not. 🤷🏼♂️
I think that's probably Coppola's best in the last 20 years. Idk if that's a hot take or not. 🤷🏼♂️
Alden Ehrenreich is 36
Obviously, the would that it t’were so simple scene is wonderful but I loved this scene where he and Veronica Orsorio are out on a studio stunt date but their chemistry together is immediate & delightful: youtu.be/xKaCxkf1Ccs?...
Obviously, the would that it t’were so simple scene is wonderful but I loved this scene where he and Veronica Orsorio are out on a studio stunt date but their chemistry together is immediate & delightful: youtu.be/xKaCxkf1Ccs?...
Hail, Caesar! - Fixin' to Be Friendly Scene (6/10) | Movieclips
YouTube video by Movieclips
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 1:07 PM
He's such an underrated talent. Everyone should also watch him steal the screen in TETRO (2009).
I think that's probably Coppola's best in the last 20 years. Idk if that's a hot take or not. 🤷🏼♂️
I think that's probably Coppola's best in the last 20 years. Idk if that's a hot take or not. 🤷🏼♂️
I was a broke, bartending lit/film major with no direction until the right regular customer cut me a break. I've been writing and producing work I'm proud of for almost 15 years.
November 23, 2025 at 11:59 AM
I was a broke, bartending lit/film major with no direction until the right regular customer cut me a break. I've been writing and producing work I'm proud of for almost 15 years.
Everything about you damn well know what, I learned against my will
a man is standing in front of a brick wall with a sign that says c block on it .
ALT: a man is standing in front of a brick wall with a sign that says c block on it .
media.tenor.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Everything about you damn well know what, I learned against my will
Sure seems like the fire hasnt ceased, but what do I know
BREAKING: At least 24 people are dead and 54 wounded after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, testing the ceasefire that began in October, officials say.
Israel launches strikes in Gaza ceasefire's latest test as hospitals say 20 killed
Israel's military says it has launched new airstrikes against Hamas militants in Gaza, testing the ceasefire that began on October 10.
bit.ly
November 22, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Sure seems like the fire hasnt ceased, but what do I know
Reposted by Ryan Benk
Reposted by Ryan Benk
Zesty, very zesty
November 22, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Zesty, very zesty
Again I will say: perfect fucking movie
November 22, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Again I will say: perfect fucking movie
Uber driver this am has Christmas music playing and honestly I'm feeling festive and grateful
November 22, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Uber driver this am has Christmas music playing and honestly I'm feeling festive and grateful
Reposted by Ryan Benk
If this isn't an inspiration for the next season of Drag Race...
Miss Norway at the Miss Universe pageant took me out.
10/10, she should guest host New Scandinavian Cooking
www.instagram.com/reel/DROqyRn...
10/10, she should guest host New Scandinavian Cooking
www.instagram.com/reel/DROqyRn...
November 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
If this isn't an inspiration for the next season of Drag Race...
🎵Kevin Spacey, you're working as a singer in a cocktail bar
I don't feel sorry for you🎶
I don't feel sorry for you🎶
November 21, 2025 at 6:43 PM
🎵Kevin Spacey, you're working as a singer in a cocktail bar
I don't feel sorry for you🎶
I don't feel sorry for you🎶
Reposted by Ryan Benk
every "pivot to video" is fake. it's always fake numbers
*banging a metal pot with a wooden spoon very loudly*
people want to LISTEN to podcasts!!!!!!!!!!!!
*hitting you on the forehead with the spoon*
STOP PIVOTING TO VIDEO
www.westwoodone.com/blog/2025/11...
people want to LISTEN to podcasts!!!!!!!!!!!!
*hitting you on the forehead with the spoon*
STOP PIVOTING TO VIDEO
www.westwoodone.com/blog/2025/11...
November 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM
every "pivot to video" is fake. it's always fake numbers
Reposted by Ryan Benk
have seen critiques of this video, essentially arguing that he doesn't prove his point well enough for, like, academic standards, but i just saw Wicked 2, and literally everything this guy says is true, because what he's really talking about is a failure of taste
he's just being nice about it
he's just being nice about it
this is fantastic, a thorough and compellingly argued theory of modern cinematic sludge
Why Movies Just Don't Feel "Real" Anymore
YouTube video by Like Stories of Old
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 3:29 PM
have seen critiques of this video, essentially arguing that he doesn't prove his point well enough for, like, academic standards, but i just saw Wicked 2, and literally everything this guy says is true, because what he's really talking about is a failure of taste
he's just being nice about it
he's just being nice about it
Reposted by Ryan Benk
imagine knowing literally anything about Haiti and deciding to try this
Gavin and Tanner, planned and trained for nearly a year, legal documents say, in an elaborate attempt to invade a Haitian island, kill its Black men, enslave its Black women and Black children and fulfill their "rape fantasies."
www.fox4news.com/news/haitian...
www.fox4news.com/news/haitian...
NTX men planned to murder men, enslave women on foreign island: Indictment
Two North Texas men have been indicted for an alleged scheme to sail to a foreign island, murder all the men, and enslave the women and children.
www.fox4news.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:28 PM
imagine knowing literally anything about Haiti and deciding to try this
Me and my friends
November 21, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Me and my friends
Reposted by Ryan Benk
Reposted by Ryan Benk
This is a fabulous read:
"Bovino’s Border Patrol raiders have one playbook — terror — and it’s less effective each time they deploy it. So far, it’s aging in nuclear half-lives. The shock value is wearing off..."
"Bovino’s Border Patrol raiders have one playbook — terror — and it’s less effective each time they deploy it. So far, it’s aging in nuclear half-lives. The shock value is wearing off..."
Trump, Border Patrol Retreat in Failure from Chicago
Five important lessons of the first six months of Trump’s immigration raids — and why CBP’s Greg Bovino is the Nathan Bedford Forrest of the Trump era.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
November 21, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This is a fabulous read:
"Bovino’s Border Patrol raiders have one playbook — terror — and it’s less effective each time they deploy it. So far, it’s aging in nuclear half-lives. The shock value is wearing off..."
"Bovino’s Border Patrol raiders have one playbook — terror — and it’s less effective each time they deploy it. So far, it’s aging in nuclear half-lives. The shock value is wearing off..."