Get obsessed with us. Four days a week, Pop Culture Happy Hour serves you recommendations and commentary on the buzziest movies, TV, music, books, videogames and more. Join arts journalists Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris - plus a rotating cast of guest pop culture aficionados. The Happy Hour team leaves room at the table for exploring a range of reactions and opinions on every bit of the pop universe. From lowbrow to highbrow to the stuff in between, they take it all with a shot of cheer.
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In Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning , Tom Cruise has to save the world (again). But this time, as the movie stresses repeatedly, the stakes are really, really high. Higher than the buildings Tom sprints across or the planes he fights bad guys on. There's an AI that wants to destroy humanity, and Tom and his allies try to pull off the feat of all our lifetimes. Will he? Does it even matter? It's Tom Cruise doing Tom Cruise things in London, the Bering Sea, and beyond. In honor of Toy Sto...
The movie ends, and the credits roll. That used to be your cue to start heading to the parking lot to debrief with your friends. That was before the era of the post-credits scene, which often teases the next installment, or offers one last joke or thrill that you'll miss if you don't stick around. But is it really worth it to stick around? Today we're talking about the state of the post-credits scene, including Sinners , Pixar and Marvel movies, and more. Learn more about sponsor message choices...
The Pop Culture Happy Hour panel reviews the new Apple TV+ sci-fi comedy series "Murderbot," based on Martha Wells' popular book series. They discuss how the adaptation captures the protagonist's interiority, the show's bright visual style, its blend of humor and heart, and the performances. The conversation also explores themes of humanity, free will, and neurodivergence.
In the cringe comedy Friendship , a deeply strange and intense guy forges a troubled friendship with his new neighbor, a TV weatherman, played by Paul Rudd. The film stars Tim Robinson, an SNL veteran who's best known for his work in TV shows like Netflix's I Think You Should Leave . To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour+ at plus.npr.org/happy. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture...
You can't beat death. That's the message of the Final Destination film franchise. Almost 15 years after the last new installment, we're back with Final Destination Bloodline s, a movie all about the fact that you really, really, really can't beat death. It will come for you, and in fact, it may come for your whole family — in the most convoluted, bloody, gnarly ways it possibly can. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture . Learn more about sponsor message cho...
The Pop Culture Happy Hour discusses the Star Wars prequel trilogy, reevaluating the films' impact 20 years after the release of "Revenge of the Sith." The panel explores initial reactions, nostalgic appreciation versus critical analysis, technical achievements, and political themes, while addressing the criticisms of dialogue and romance. The discussion dives into the performances and the lasting community built around these polarizing movies.
It's not easy being a teenager in love. The hormones are raging, the parents are parenting, and the pressure is on to figure out life after senior year. Judy Blume tackled this in her 1975 novel Forever. It's now been reminaged as a Netflix series centering on a pair of Black high schoolers from showrunner Mara Brock Akil ( Girlfriends). A nd it thoughtfully captures the pangs and joys of young romance in a modern context. To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy...
If you're a celeb visiting The Jennifer Hudson Show , it's almost guaranteed you're going to make your way down the Spirit Tunnel – and possibly go viral. In just a few seconds, these videos can reveal a lot about a celeb's personality and persona: Do they have rhythm? Are they any good at improv? And how famous are they, really ? The answers are (sometimes) really surprising! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
The new action movie Fight or Flight finds Josh Hartnett playing a onetime Secret Service agent who is pressured into one more job: fighting off a series of increasingly over-the-top assassins trying to kill a mysterious criminal. And they're all packed onto a plane together. Plus, what's making us happy, including a classic R&B song, a new sports documentary series and a iconic thriller. To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Hap...
The Pop Culture Happy Hour team reviews 'Another Simple Favor,' discussing its plot, performances, and overall enjoyment compared to the first film. They delve into the film's aesthetics, character dynamics, and queer coding, while also noting some missteps in the plot and certain transgressive elements. Overall, it's a mixed bag, best approached with adjusted expectations for a streaming sequel.
Monday was fashion's biggest night: the Met Gala. And our pal Brittany Luse was paying attention to all the best and worst dressed. Today we've got an episode of the podcast It's Been A Minute – they've got a recap of the highs and lows of the night. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
The hosts and guest discuss the new Netflix series 'The Four Seasons,' focusing on its portrayal of middle-aged relationships and group dynamics. They analyze the show's humor, character development, and its success in capturing the complexities of long-term friendships and marriages. The conversation explores the show's insights into aging, relationships, and the nuances of its characters.
Thunderbolts* is the latest Marvel movie and this one's a bit more fun than they've been lately. It stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour and emotionally broken super-people who've done some very bad things. Will they manage to put their guilt aside and come together to form a rag-tag team of losers who somehow manage to save the day? Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR...
If you wanted to escape reality and move to a fictional TV world, where would you live? Many are dystopian hellscapes and stressful workplaces. But other TV shows are a fun hang. Today, we're talking about TV shows where we'd like to live — including Game of Thrones , Derry Girls , Parks and Recreation , and Gilligan's Island . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Weddings make great fodder for TV writers. It's wedding season, so today we're breaking down the different types of TV weddings featured on Friends, General Hospital, A Different World, Grey's Anatomy, Cheers, Schitt's Creek and more. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
Étoile is the latest series from Amy Sherman-Palladino, the creator of Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel . It's about the wacky goings-on between two prestigious but struggling ballet companies, one in New York, and one in Paris. You'll see some of your favorite actors from the Gilmore and Maisel universes all speaking that signature rapid-fire, joke-dense patter. But can a comedy set in the rarified world of professional ballet find its audience – and be funny? Étoile is streaming on ...
There was Barbenheimer Summer, then Brat Summer, what will this year bring? Maybe it's the season of actually good superhero movies, like The Fantastic Four and Superman . We've got a guide to the movies and TV we're most excited about this summer, including M3gan 2.0 , Pixar's Elio , and Mission: Impossible . Amazon supports NPR and pays to distribute some of our content. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
The Pop Culture Happy Hour team discusses Conclave, a political thriller set in the Vatican, exploring themes of faith, power, and the future of the Catholic Church. The panel analyzes the performances, direction, and commentary, debating its thematic depth and entertainment value. Ultimately, they find it enjoyable and thought-provoking despite some reservations about the ending.
The lovely rom-com The Wedding Banquet has a stellar all-star cast, including Kelly Marie Tran, Lily Gladstone, and Bowen Yang. It's a twisty comedy of errors where proposals, hookups, and harsh words fly. Directed by Andrew Ahn ( Fire Island ), the film offers a modern take on Ang Lee's classic queer film. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
The hosts of Pop Culture Happy Hour recommend recent TV comedies, including the animated series 'Number One Happy Family USA,' the televangelist satire 'The Righteous Gemstones,' the Canadian small-town show 'North of North,' and the crime comedy 'Deli Boys.' They discuss each show's premise, humor, and unique qualities, offering listeners a range of options for lighter viewing.
The very scary movie Sinners finds Michael B. Jordan playing twin brothers who open a 1930s juke joint. And opening night does not go as planned. Written and directed by Ryan Coogler, ( Black Panther), the film mixes blues music with classic horror in a standoff between the brothers and their friends on the inside and the bloodthirsty – and growing – menace outside. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoice...
The hosts discuss the Apple TV+ series 'Your Friends and Neighbors,' starring Jon Hamm as a wealthy man who turns to crime. They analyze the show's premise, character development, and themes of wealth and morality, questioning whether it fully explores its potential as a dark comedy or ensemble drama. The panel also considers Hamm's performance and its impact on the show's overall dynamic.
The last season of the venerable British science fiction series Doctor Who brought a lot of change. The Doctor is now played by Ncuti Gatwa, who is Black and openly queer. And it marked the return of the showrunner who birthed the modern era of Doctor Who . The show just returned for a new season on Disney+, so today we're revisiting our conversation about the series. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
The new film Warfare dispenses with a lot of things you've come to expect from Hollywood war movies. It's based on the memories of a platoon of Navy SEALS, and attempts to capture the chaos of one specific Iraq War conflict as accurately as possible. The only thing Hollywood about it is its cast of young actors, including Joseph Quinn, Will Poulter, Kit Connor and D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture . Learn more about sponsor message ...
The Pop Culture Happy Hour team reviews the thriller 'Drop', discussing its premise, performances, and overall impact. They delve into the film's use of technology, meme culture, and character backstories, comparing it to similar movies and exploring its strengths and weaknesses. The conversation also covers the film's themes and its potential appeal to different audiences, before moving on to a segment of what's making each host happy that week.
At a certain point, most of us settle into a groove with our pop culture consumption. We know what we love and what we're not into. But sometimes, all it takes is one great outlier or a willingness to step outside our comfort zone to make us reconsider what we don't like. Today we're talking about our pop culture revelations, including Friday Night Lights , Train to Busan , the poetry of Mary Oliver, and Watchmen . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privac...
The premise might be a tough sell: a young woman attempts to finally own her sexuality following a terminal diagnosis. In the new show Dying For Sex, Michelle Williams stars as a cancer patient confronting the unsatisfying relationships in her life. The series is also a raunchy sex comedy that suggests it's never too late to insist on your own happiness. And it's got a stellar cast, including Jenny Slate, Rob Delaney, and Sissy Spacek. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com...
Ayesha and Glenn dissect the finale of *The White Lotus* Season 3, focusing on individual storylines like Rick and Chelsea's tragic end, the Ratliffs' family dynamics, and the three gal pals' reunion. They critique the show's handling of non-white characters, the obvious plot twists, and the overall impact of wealth and privilege. The episode concludes with thoughts on Belinda's return and the chaotic finale.
Based on the best-selling game, A Minecraft Movie stars Jack Black and Jason Momoa in a goofy and sprawling adventure full of blocky animals and magical macguffins. Directed by Jared Hess ( Nacho Libre , Napoleon Dynamite ), the film also features Danielle Brooks and Jennifer Coolidge. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
In Daredevil: Born Again , Charlie Cox returns as everyone's favorite blind-but-with-heightened-senses Marvel superhero. This time out, he hangs up his horns and throws himself into his career as a lawyer. At the same time, the criminal mastermind Kingpin (played by Vincent D'Onofrio) decides to go straight and run for mayor of New York City. The two men declare a truce, but will it last? Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
