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Author: John Maher

John Maher is news and digital editor at Publishers Weekly and editor in chief at The Dot and Line, which he co-founded. His work has been published by New York magazine, The Los Angeles Times, and Esquire, among others.
freaknik
TV

Freaknik’s Back, Baby

September 25, 2018December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on Freaknik’s Back, Baby

A who’s who of 2009 talent—half of which is, somehow, still around!—made an absurd animated musical sing…sort of.

harvey birdman attorney general
TV

Harvey Birdman Is Back to Save America From a Tyrant. Guess Which.

September 20, 2018December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on Harvey Birdman Is Back to Save America From a Tyrant. Guess Which.

Did you get that thing that they sent you? It’s a White House summons this time, Mr. Birdman.

Interviews TV

You’ll Never Guess What BoJack Horseman Had to Say About His New Show

September 14, 2018December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on You’ll Never Guess What BoJack Horseman Had to Say About His New Show

Horseman Roars Himself Hoarse in Coarse Discourse, Gores ‘Philbert’ With Force

TV

A Spoiler-Free Review of ‘Philbert’ Season 1

September 7, 2018December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on A Spoiler-Free Review of ‘Philbert’ Season 1

Even the ‘Horsin’ Around’ star’s commendable performance can’t save Flip McVicker’s new prestige detective drama from itself.

TV

When ‘Adventure Time’ Paid Homage to Harry Nilsson

August 29, 2018September 8, 2020 John MaherComments Off on When ‘Adventure Time’ Paid Homage to Harry Nilsson

Inspirations and acid trips and rap samples, oh my! How Harry Nilsson’s ‘The Point’ influenced the Ice King.

TV

These Kids Watching ‘Animaniacs’ Is the Cutest

August 20, 2018December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on These Kids Watching ‘Animaniacs’ Is the Cutest

The show, clearly, is timeless. Just look at all those grins.

rusty venture bros season 7
TV

Jackson Publick on the Ambition of ‘The Venture Bros.’

August 9, 2018December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on Jackson Publick on the Ambition of ‘The Venture Bros.’

Why do ‘Rick & Morty,’ ‘BoJack Horseman,’ and ‘Archer’ get all the credit when ‘The Venture Bros.’ beat them to everything? What did Rusty Venture ever do to you?

samurai jack japanese tea ceremony
TV

How Accurate Is the ‘Samurai Jack’ Japanese Tea Ceremony?

July 18, 2018December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on How Accurate Is the ‘Samurai Jack’ Japanese Tea Ceremony?

We check in with an expert.

TV

It’s Two-Face’s Supreme Court Now. Go Watch ‘Trial’

July 10, 2018December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on It’s Two-Face’s Supreme Court Now. Go Watch ‘Trial’

Or maybe the Joker’s. Whatever, it’s not a perfect analogue. Sue me. (Don’t ask Harvey Dent to prosecute.) Just go watch “Trial.”

Movies

My Best Friend’s Opinion on Space Jam is Violently Wrong

June 18, 2018December 29, 2019 John MaherComments Off on My Best Friend’s Opinion on Space Jam is Violently Wrong

I mean, how do I even edit a site with this Eric guy???

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EDITORS PICKS

Speculation Rises in “A Talk About Your Quirk”

By Sarra Sedghi

The hero licenses are here, along with some foreshadowing for next season.

Todoroki’s Drama Burns Up in “What’s the Big Idea?”

By Sarra Sedghi

It’s the backstory we’ve all been waiting for.

sokka avatar the last airbender

‘Cowboy Bebop’ Isn’t the Only Show with a “Mushroom Samba”

By John Maher

Rounding up some of the silliest, spookiest, and all-around best trip episodes and sequences from your favorite cartoons.

Animation Is Film Festival Stays Strong In Third Year

By Ari Howorth

Rounding up the show's successes and reviewing a handful of its films in miniature, including Makoto Shinkai's 'Weathering With You.'

Why Hasn’t My Friend Seen ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Yet?

By Sammy Nickalls

More like "'The Handmaid’s Tale' of How You’ve Somehow Avoided This Show, JOHN." Part 2 of a 3-part series.

oprah the boondocks

The Boondocks Predicted the Oprah 2020 Thing and People Are Losing Their Minds

By John Maher

What does It take for mainstream media to pretend to care about cartoons? Oprah. The answer is Oprah. And politics. And clickbait.

The Dot and Line’s Best Writing of 2019

By The Dot and Line

Trying to relive 2019? Why!? Whatever, fine. Here's what we wrote about cartoons to try to make it a better year.

What Do “Best Feature” and “Best Indie Feature” at the Annie Awards Even Mean?

By John Maher

A modest proposal for ASIFA-Hollywood and its signature awards.

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GREATEST HITS

The Dot and Line’s Best Writing of 2017

By The Dot and Line

A look back at a year of hits.

andrea romano

Andrea Romano on Retiring and 30 Years’ Hard Work: Exclusive

By Eric Vilas-Boas

This is how Andrea’s loony, toony road will end. The grand dame of the last 30 years of American voice acting plans to retire. No one wants to see her go.

2017 editorial | Editorial by MysteryThemes.