Pop Culture Happy Hour

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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Episodes

Sinners And What's Making Us Happy

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...

Apr 18, 2025•26 min•Ep. 2052

Your Friends And Neighbors

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.

Apr 16, 2025•15 min•Ep. 2051

Doctor Who

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...

Apr 15, 2025•26 min•Ep. 2050

Warfare

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 ...

Apr 14, 2025•16 min•Ep. 2049

Drop And What's Making Us Happy

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.

Apr 11, 2025•20 min•Ep. 2048

Pop Culture That Changed Our Minds

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...

Apr 10, 2025•23 min•Ep. 2047

Dying For Sex

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...

Apr 09, 2025•22 min•Ep. 2046

The White Lotus

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.

Apr 07, 2025•24 min•Ep. 2045