Celebrating rural contributions to the cultural conversation and popular imagination. Dropping in your inbox every other Thursday.

Presenting The Good, the Bad, and the Elegy.

The Good, the Bad, and the Elegy is a newsletter from the Daily Yonder focused on rural media, entertainment, and culture. In each edition, you’ll find features reviews, retrospectives, recommendations, and more. Let’s dig into the best, and worst, of rural representation on our screens, speakers, stages, and pages.

Get Up to Speed

Making Sense of ‘Outer Range’ and Its Many Mysteries

The new sci-fi series from Amazon Studios is a bizarre, buzzworthy spin on the current rural trend in TV.

by Adam B. Giorgi and Jan Pytalski

On-Demand Entertainment is Great, But Have You Tried Channel Surfing Lately?

Linear television channels might just be the once and future king of the living room. Is that good news for rural viewers?

by Adam B. Giorgi

Two Recent ‘Rural’ Movies and One Show You Might Have Missed

Turns out 2021 and 2022 (thus far) have turned out a lot of great rural and small-town stories on both the big and small screen. We’re here to help you catch up on a few of our favorites.

by Adam B. Giorgi

What’s the Deal with ‘Welcome to Flatch?’

The new sitcom will feel familiar to fans of ‘The Office’ and ‘Parks and Rec,’ but it’s novel in how it speaks directly to rural issues and rising interest in small-town living.

by Adam B. Giorgi

Rooted in Relationships and a Strong Sense of Place, ‘CODA’ is Something to See

The film, streaming on Apple TV+, is a worthy awards-season underdog. The small-town story relies on a familiar formula but is singular in its execution.

by Adam B. Giorgi

Is ‘The Power of the Dog’ Powerful Rural Storytelling?

Netflix’s award-season favorite is an understated examination of Western film archetypes.

by Adam B. Giorgi

Commentary: Balancing Trauma and Joy in Black History

There is a joy in seeing Black voices share their stories, but it’s tempered by the recognition that so many Black stories are still rooted in historical trauma and struggle, Tyler Owens writes in reflections for this Black History Month.

by Tyler Owens and Adam B. Giorgi

The Humble Small-Town Charm of ‘Joe Pera Talks With You’

It’s slow-paced and old-fashioned yet not much like anything else on TV. Joe Pera’s Adult Swim series, which recently finished its third season, relies on a rural spirit that is refreshing and resonant.

by Adam B. Giorgi

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Brought to You By

Adam B. Giorgi is the main writer behind “The Good, the Bad, and the Elegy.” He hails from the Iron Range of northern Minnesota.

He wears a lot of different hats at the Daily Yonder, but this newsletter allows him to tap into one of his most natural talents: geeking out about a good many things.

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