Barbara Spindel is a writer and editor who covers books and culture. She has contributed to Time Out New York, Details, Spin, the Barnes & Noble Review, Newsweek.com, and other publications. She has a Ph.D. in American studies and lives in Brooklyn.

Tween TV

With Hannah Montana long gone, a new legion of tween TV shows has risen. Barbara Spindel explores a world of pop music, Scott Baio, and blogging dogs to discover what’s on offer.

The Next Yo Gabba Gabba

The Nickelodeon live-action music show The Fresh Beat Band has the juice-box set squealing and forcing their parents to buy concert tickets. Strangely, the parents don’t mind.

In his strip, Garry Trudeau has taken on the school's administration for banning festivals named after his characters Duke and Zonker—because of their "hippie-druggie stereotype."

Twilight star Robert Pattinson’s ethereal good looks and off-screen love life have given the tabloids fresh blood. Barbara Spindel on the sexiest vampire alive.