Ben Travers

Ben Travers is the Los Angeles-based TV Critic at IndieWire, where he writes reviews, conducts interviews, and provides extensive awards analysis related to today’s best and most popular television projects. Along with his award-winning Emmy predictions, he covers film and television festivals, including Sundance, SXSW, and ATX TV Festival. He's also an experienced moderator at Comic-Con PaleyFest, the Screen Actors Guild, the Television Academy, Film Independent, the International Documentary Association, and various other events. Prior to joining IndieWire, Ben served as an editor for PopMatters, worked as a production assistant at Walt Disney Pictures, and earned degrees in both journalism and film production from the University of Iowa. If you're looking for .gifs, follow him on Twitter @BenTTravers.

Television / By Ben Travers

‘Mad About You’ Review: Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt’s Revival Only Works in a Parallel Universe

The rhythms are the same, the actors are game, but Spectrum’s limited series feels like an ill-fitting puzzle piece jammed into place.

Nov 20, 2019 6:27 pm /

Television / By Ben Travers

‘Servant’ Review: M. Night Shyamalan Throws the Fake Baby Out with the Bathwater

The director’s housebound TV series (a bottle show? a horror sitcom?) offers flashes of creepy fun and strong performances, but squanders its premise.

Nov 20, 2019 9:00 am /

Film / By Kate Erbland, Ben Travers, Eric Kohn, Ann Donahue, Anne Thompson, David Ehrlich, Libby Hill, Steve Greene, Tambay Obenson, Ryan Lattanzio and Chris Lindahl

IndieWire 2019 Holiday Gift Guide: 22 Clever Gift Ideas for Film and TV Fans

Stuff to wear, stuff to read, and at least one item that will make everyone who sees it chant “L TO THE O G!”

Nov 19, 2019 11:30 am /

Television / By Ben Travers

‘Watchmen’: Tim Blake Nelson and the Empowering Nature of Hiding

The veteran actor spoke to IndieWire about how to deliver a great performance without anyone seeing your face.

Nov 18, 2019 12:37 pm /

Television / By Ben Travers

‘Watchmen’ Review: Episode 5 Goes Through the Looking Glass to Find Answers, Intrigue, and Despair

Tim Blake Nelson delivers a rich, nuanced performance in an episode filled with vital explanations — and even more heart.

Nov 17, 2019 10:00 pm /

Television / By Ben Travers

‘Mrs. Fletcher’: Kathryn Hahn’s Brilliant Performance Stems From a Key Change to the Book

The actress tells IndieWire how a crack team of talented women built Eve Fletcher’s first-person journey in HBO’s excellent adaptation.

Nov 17, 2019 11:00 am /

Awards / By Ben Travers

Golden Globe Statue 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards Nominations, Los Angeles, America - 13 Dec 2012

Golden Globe Predictions 2020: Power Ranking This Year’s Most Likely Nominees

Always surprising and eager to play kingmaker, the Golden Globes are set to cast a wide spotlight with their 2020 nominations.

Nov 15, 2019 6:30 pm /

Awards / By Ben Travers

Golden Globes 2020 Predictions: Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Limited Series, or TV Movie

Andrew Scott looks to make a lasting impression on the HFPA, along with a stellar, expansive crop of supporting actors.

Nov 14, 2019 6:00 pm /

Television / By Steve Greene, Ann Donahue, LaToya Ferguson, Libby Hill, Ben Travers and Leo Garcia

The Best TV Pilots of the Decade, Ranked

Each of these 20 series expertly built worlds of their own, breaking the rules to make them feel all the more relevant to ours.

Nov 14, 2019 4:00 pm /

Awards / By Ben Travers

Golden Globes 2020 Predictions: Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Limited Series, or TV Movie

Actors playing royalty spar with acting royalty in another crowded, up-in-the-air Best Supporting Actress race.

Nov 13, 2019 6:00 pm /

Awards / By Ben Travers

Russell Crowe in "The Loudest Voice" and Toni Collette in "Unbelievable"

Golden Globes 2020 Predictions: Best Actor and Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie

Emmy winners look for one more trophy, while new limited series and TV movies try to lay the groundwork as serious awards contenders.

Nov 12, 2019 3:15 pm /

Television / By Ben Travers

Pedro Pascal is The Mandalorian in the Disney+ series THE MANDALORIAN.

‘The Mandalorian’ Review: Jon Favreau’s Disney+ Debut Is Another Opulent, Effective Money Grab

Offering lavish visuals, plenty of “Star Wars” tie-ins, and an irresistible new creature — two if you count Werner Herzog — “The Mandalorian” is exactly what you expect from Disney.

Nov 12, 2019 2:06 pm /

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‘Mad About You’ Review: Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt’s Revival Only Works in a Parallel Universe

‘Servant’ Review: M. Night Shyamalan Throws the Fake Baby Out with the Bathwater

IndieWire 2019 Holiday Gift Guide: 22 Clever Gift Ideas for Film and TV Fans

‘Watchmen’: Tim Blake Nelson and the Empowering Nature of Hiding

‘Watchmen’ Review: Episode 5 Goes Through the Looking Glass to Find Answers, Intrigue, and Despair

‘Mrs. Fletcher’: Kathryn Hahn’s Brilliant Performance Stems From a Key Change to the Book

Golden Globe Predictions 2020: Power Ranking This Year’s Most Likely Nominees

Golden Globes 2020 Predictions: Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Limited Series, or TV Movie

The Best TV Pilots of the Decade, Ranked

Golden Globes 2020 Predictions: Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Limited Series, or TV Movie

Golden Globes 2020 Predictions: Best Actor and Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie

‘The Mandalorian’ Review: Jon Favreau’s Disney+ Debut Is Another Opulent, Effective Money Grab

Newswire

‘Wallace and Gromit’ Studio Aardman to Make Short Film for Netflix

‘The Mandalorian’ Recap: Manna From Heaven

‘Shaun The Sheep’ Outfit Aardman To Make Stop-Motion Christmas Short For Netflix

HTGAWM's Matt McGorry on Why the Fall Finale's Big Asher Twist 'Felt Right'

Jennifer Lopez (‘Hustlers’) just got a big Oscar boost with her Independent Spirit Award nomination