Friday Fixations

What I'm into right now

Happy Friday, my fellow suffering beings. Each week, I share two things I’m digging right now (books, TV shows, movies, music, and the like) plus one online video of nearly zero cultural merit.

• There There, by Tommy Orange. I am really digging the many great Native American culture makers at work right now. The novelist Louise Erdrich. The TV show Reservation Dogs. (I’ve heard the detective show Dark Winds, which is streaming on Netflix, is also great. It’s on my list.) But the guy I’m really into these days is Tommy Orange, whose debut novel weaves vivid characters and horrifying history. A great read.

• Conan O’Brien. I’ve had an ambient awareness of Conan O’Brien since the 90s, but I never really watched his show(s). It was only when I signed up for TikTok that I started seeing clips of his stuff. He is incredibly funny—especially when he ditches the desk and goes into the field with his assistant, his associate producer, and celebrity pals. Not only is he talented, but he’s also resilient. After enduring the cancellation of two late-night shows, he found a way to bounce back through podcasts and a hilarious new travel show on Max, which I’ve been enjoying with my son. Conan also just won the Mark Twain Award for American Humor, and you can watch his fellow comedians roast him during the ceremony, now streaming on Netflix.

• If the algorithm is a window into your soul, what does this say about me?

• P.S. Our merch store is stocked—for now. Shirts, hats, and a journal designed to absorb your mental chaos. Check it out while supplies last.

Agree or disagree with these recommendations? Subscribers can comment on this and all other posts. You can also chat with me, my staff, and one another. And there’s lots more: ad-free versions of my podcast; cheatsheets for every episode of 10% Happier (which include time-stamped highlights and full transcripts); and twice-monthly live video sessions where I guide meditations and take questions. Join the party.