Vultures 20 Most-Read Stories in 2021

February 2022 · 4 minute read

Much of Vulture’s most-read stories list (based on the total minutes visitors spent with our articles) will be familiar to those culture consumers who fought through pandemic fatigue to keep up with the biggest releases and narratives of the year. There’s Succession, White Lotus, and I Think You Should Leave; a surprising John Mulaney twist and another Dave Chappelle controversy; accountability finally coming for Scott Rudin and sort-of-but-not-really for The Bachelor franchise. Then there are the rest of the entries in the top 20, which hearteningly speak to a return of sorts to normalcy: Readers were eager to once again dive down nostalgic rabbit holes, to debate the merits of entertainers and entertainment, and to meet colorful — very literally, in one instance — new characters.

This list is just a small sample of the work New York puts out each day in print, across its six digital sites — VultureIntelligencerthe Cut,  Grub Streetthe Strategist, and Curbed — and in its growing portfolio of newsletters. For more of our coverage, be sure to sign up for Vulture’s daily newsletter and to subscribe to our network.

Succession Plans

20. The Roys Summer in Italy

On location with the cast of Succession, the most interestingly terrible billionaires on TV. Read the story

⚰️

19. How Coffin Flop’s Coffins Got Flopped

The story behind one of I Think You Should Leave’s funniest moments from season two. Read the story

In Conversation

18. In Conversation: Dave Grohl

He’s the most prolific rock star of the last 30 years. Somehow, we’re still getting to know him. Read the story

Books

17. Blurbed to Death

How one of publishing’s most hyped books became its biggest horror story — and still ended up a best seller. Read the story

Profile

16. Confessions of a 32-Year-Old Drama Queen

No one is keeping up with Trisha Paytas, YouTube’s most frighteningly entertaining star. Read the story

Books

15. The Spine Collector

For years, a mysterious figure has been stealing books before their release. Read the story

TV Review

14. Them Is Pure Degradation Porn

The Little Marvin–created, Lena Waithe–produced series reveals the empty promise of representation in Hollywood. Read the story

Comedy Review

13. Dave Chappelle’s Endless Feedback Loop

The Closer proves the comedian is right about one thing: It’s time for a break. Read the story

The Art of Ending Things

12. No, They Weren’t Dead the Whole Time

An oral history of Lost’s daring, divisive finale. Read the story

Stand-Up

11. Who Should John Mulaney Be Now?

A recap of John Mulaney’s first post-rehab stand-up comedy show. Read the story

Ooh It's Them!

10. The 32 Greatest Character Actors Working Today

We asked critics and Hollywood creators: Which supporting players make everything better? Read the story

The Art of Ending Things

9. The 101 Greatest Endings in Movies History

Good finales offer catharsis. The best deny us closure altogether. Here’s our ranking. Read the story

A Long Talk

8. Mike White Accepts the Criticism

The White Lotus creator understands if you feel conflicted about that ending. So does he. Read the story

Vulture Lists

7. The 50 Greatest Western Movies Ever Made

A hard look at one of cinema’s oldest genres. Read the story

Celebrity

6. The End of Kimye’s Wild Ride

She thought he was an artistic genius. He wanted to “dip her ass in gold.” And now it’s over. Read the story

Let There Be Kronk

5. ‘We’ll Never Make That Kind of Movie Again’

An oral history of The Emperor’s New Groove. Read the story

Crime

4. How Sara Gruen Lost Her Life

The Water for Elephants author’s six-year fight to free an incarcerated man left her absolutely broke and critically ill. Read the story

The Industry

3. Scott Rudin, As Told by His Assistants

A portrait of a toxic workplace. Read the story

Gotcha! Gotcha Again!

2. Okay, Let’s Talk About Behind Her Eyes’ Double Twist Ending

That final reveal gives some of what comes before greater context, but that doesn’t mean it’s good context. Read the story

First Person

1. Rachel Lindsay Has No Roses Left to Burn

I thought I could change The Bachelor franchise from within. Until I realized I was their token. Read the story

Vulture’s 20 Most-Read Stories in 2021

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