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 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...
The delightful Netflix series Survival of the Thickest is about an up-and-coming stylist whose professional and personal ambitions go sideways when she finds herself newly single. With the help of her best friends, she recalibrates her life and steps outside her comfort zone to varying results. It stars the charming comedian Michelle Buteau, who also co-created the show. Survival of the Thickest just returned for a second season, so today we are revisiting our conversation about the series. Lear...
The Pop Culture Happy Hour team reviews the Apple TV+ satire, "The Studio," starring Seth Rogen as a Hollywood studio head. They discuss Rogen's performance, the show's cameos, and its commentary on the entertainment industry. The panel also explores the show's balance of humor and cringe, as well as its insightful observations about power dynamics and personal fulfillment in Hollywood.
In Death of a Unicorn , Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega star as dad and daughter facing off against some angry-as-hell horned beasts. Like so many creature features, it poses a direct question amid all the chaos and carnage: Who's the real monster here? The film also stars Will Poulter, Richard E. Grant, and Téa Leoni. 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 and critic discuss Netflix's 'The Residence,' a comedic whodunit set in the White House. They praise Uzo Aduba's performance, the clever casting, and the show's embrace of the genre's traditions. The conversation explores the show's balance of humor, mystery, and its approach to politics, while touching on the strengths and minor pacing issues in the final episode.
The Apple TV+ series Dope Thief is a great high-stakes crime thriller to stream now. It stars Brian Tyree Henry as a man running a risky con: Robbing small-time drug dealers by posing as a DEA agent. His luck runs out, however, when he and his buddy-in-crime (Wagner Moura) mess with the wrong house. To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour+ at plus.npr.org/happy. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.co...
The hosts and guests discuss the second season of Severance, an Apple TV+ series. They explore the plot, character development, and themes, debating whether the season lived up to its potential. Opinions range from disappointment with the show's meandering plot to praise for its satisfying finale and exploration of dual identities.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Disney's first fully animated feature film back in 1937. Now, it's getting a hi-tech "reimagining" complete with new songs, seven CGI-rendered dwarfs, and live-action leads. Rachel Zegler stars as Snow White, while Gal Gadot plays the Evil Queen with a magic mirror and terrible intentions. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
In the gleefully grisly action movie Novocaine , Jack Quaid plays a sweet, nerdy guy who does not experience physical pain. He falls for a woman (Amber Midthunder) who's determined to get him to leave his safe, risk-averse life behind. That happens in a big and very bloody way when she gets kidnapped by bank robbers, and he sets out to rescue her. 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...
The hosts and guest discuss Sean Baker's film "Anora", focusing on its Cinderella-esque plot involving a sex worker and a Russian oligarch's son. They analyze the film's comedic elements, the performances of the actors, and the subversion of genre tropes, as well as its exploration of class, immigration, and the complexities of relationships. The conversation also considers the film's potential reception in the current cultural climate.
In the new movie Opus , Ayo Edebiri plays a journalist who attends a press event at the compound of a reclusive pop star (John Malkovich) who'd been in hiding for decades. And then, things get weird and questions arise. 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 . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/a...
The cool, stylish new Steven Soderbergh film Black Bag is about a group of British spies who discover there's a traitor in their midst. It stars Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett. He's a lie detector expert; she's one of his chief suspects. The thing is: They're married. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
You should watch the surreal new movie On Becoming a Guinea Fowl . It opens with a Zambian woman finding her uncle's body on the road. His death brings the family together from near and far, but also resurfaces old wounds — wounds the elders would much rather ignore. It's a powerful story about the silence that keeps families from breaking, but only in superficial ways, and with devastating consequences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Lady Gaga has kept busy as a singer and actor, but it's been five years since she's released a full-blown pop album. Now, she's back with Mayhem , which has already produced three hits — including the chart-topping Bruno Mars duet "Die With A Smile." It's got bangers, it's got ballads, it's Lady Gaga through and through. To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour+ at plus.npr.org/happy. Learn more about sponsor message choi...
Live television is all about high risk, high reward. Whether it's musical performances, awards ceremonies, sports events, or comedy shows, there's an electric charge to watching something as it's happening. Today, we're debating the greatest moments of live television in pop culture - including a viral news blooper, John Travolta's "Adele Dazeem" flub at the Oscars, Kanye stating "George Bush doesn't care about Black people", and The Beatles making their debut on The Ed Sullivan Show . Learn mor...
Mickey 17 is writer-director Bong Joon Ho's follow-up to the Oscar-winning film Parasite . In the sharply satirical sci-fi film, Robert Pattinson is a manual laborer on a spaceship who just keeps dying. But then he gets reprinted – his memories get downloaded into a new body. What could go wrong? The film also stars Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, and Naomi Ackie. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture . To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Po...
What is it about a show that turns you into a bitter-ender, that keeps you dutifully watching every last episode, long after the train has jumped the tracks? Even when you know it's not good, but, for you anyway, it's just good enough to muddle through, all the way to the finale? Today, we're revisiting our conversation about terrible but bingeable TV shows Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Perhaps you've heard that Saturday Night Live is celebrating its 50th anniversary — they've mentioned it once or twice. From Lazy Sunday to Domingo to a ton of iconic musical performances, SNL 's had a long and fascinating relationship with music. Today, we're talking about some of our favorite SNL musical moments. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
The Pop Culture Happy Hour team recaps the 2025 Oscars, highlighting Anora's wins for Best Picture and Director, Mikey Madison's surprising Best Actress win, and other key moments. They discuss Adrien Brody and Kieran Culkin's long speeches, Zoe Saldana's win, and the telecast's musical performances, including Conan O'Brien's hosting. The hosts also share their thoughts on the 'Fab Five' presenter format and the overall show's vibe.
This year's Oscar nominees include Wicked , The Substance , Emilia Perez , and Conclave . And we watched all the nominated movies so you don't have to. We're making some bold predictions for who will win, plus vouching for who should take home those shiny gold statues. To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour+ at plus.npr.org/happy. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
The Pop Culture Happy Hour team discusses the Hulu series 'Paradise,' focusing on Sterling K. Brown's performance, the show's structure, and its blend of political thriller and dystopian elements. The panelists debate the effectiveness of flashbacks, the strength of episode seven, and the show's political commentary. They also analyze the performances of Julianne Nicholson and James Marsden, and their overall thoughts on the series' potential.
Linda Holmes and Eric Deggans discuss the Netflix political thriller Zero Day, starring Robert De Niro and Angela Bassett, exploring its plot, political commentary, and overall effectiveness. They critique the show's reluctance to take a clear political stance, its pacing issues, and the underutilization of its talented cast. Both reviewers express disappointment with the series, citing a lack of resolution and meaningful character development.
The standard line for awards season goes: "It's an honor just to be nominated." But when it comes to the Oscars, there's quite a long list of great performers who have never received this honor. Today, we're talking about some of our favorites who should have at least one Oscar on their mantle — including Pam Grier, John Goodman, Oscar Isaac, and Regina Hall. Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices ...
In the new horror-comedy The Monkey , Theo James plays a pair of identical twin brothers who get saddled with a cursed wind-up toy monkey that causes people around them to die freakish, gory deaths. It's based on a Stephen King short story, and directed by Osgood Perkins, who made last year's Longlegs . Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
For more than 20 years on screen, Bridget Jones has been making her way through dating, working, having a baby, and even ending up in jail. Now in the fourth film, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy , Bridget (Renée Zellweger) is dealing with a whole new phase of life, and a new pair of possible love interests. In the run-up to the Oscars, Pop Culture Happy Hour is watching all 10 best picture nominees – and you're invited to join us! Sign up for the NPR Movie Club newsletter series and tell us wh...
The Peacock reality show The Traitors continues to be a delightful mix of treachery, foolishness, and Alan Cumming's outfits. In the United States, the cast is made up exclusively of so-called celebrities. So today on the show we're fantasy casting who we think should be on the next season of The Traitors . In the run-up to the Oscars, Pop Culture Happy Hour is watching all 10 best picture nominees – and you're invited to join us! Sign up for the NPR Movie Club newsletter series and tell us what...
In the new movie Paddington In Peru, Paddington Bear and the Brown family fly across the globe, into the wilds of Peru, in search of Paddington's Aunt Lucy. Along the way, they meet a not-remotely-suspicious singing nun (Olivia Colman) and a boat captain (Antonio Banderas). The adventure that follows involves lost treasure and narrow escapes — and leads to new revelations about Paddington's past, and a new appreciation for what it means to be home. In the run-up to the Oscars, Pop Culture Happy ...
Anthony Mackie is the new Captain America, and he's finally got his own movie. In Captain America: Brave New World , Cap finds himself battling President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) who is hiding quite a few secrets. In the run-up to the Oscars, Pop Culture Happy Hour is watching all 10 best picture nominees – and you're invited to join us! Sign up for the NPR Movie Club newsletter series and tell us what you thought of the movies you watched this week. Learn more about sponsor message choices...
The Substance is a bloody, campy, fiercely feminist body horror film. Demi Moore plays a TV aerobics instructor who learns of a mysterious drug that causes another younger, entirely separate version of herself (Margaret Qualley) to splurt out of her back and assume her consciousness. The movie has earned Moore her first Oscar nomination, and she's the frontrunner in this year's best actress race. So we thought it would be the perfect time to revisit our conversation about the movie. In the run-u...
In the age of streaming content and "Prestige TV" it's easy to forget that old school TV networks are still out here, pumping out television shows. ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC have launched new series that adopt familiar formats – cop shows, lawyer shows, doctor shows – but each has something special to recommend it. So we're talking about St. Denis Medical, Doc, Doctor Odyssey, Matlock and High Potential. Subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour Learn more about sponsor mes...
