Writer Chris Klimek joins Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, and Glen Weldon for a discussion of Batman V Superman and how to build a better blockbuster. They also discuss pop culture objects they wish they owned. All that, plus What's Making Us Happy.
All Things Considered Audie Cornish and NPR Music's Katie Presley join the PCHH gang for a look at the 2016 SXSW Festival. Then, they'll discuss the songs that change their lives. All that, plus what's making us happy.
All Things Considered host Audie Cornish chats with Glen Weldon about his new book "The Cape Crusade." It traces the evolution of Batman, and argues that his various iterations over the years are a sort of Rorschach test for America's cultural mood. (A shorter version of this interview aired on All Things Considered on March 23, 2016.)
While our panel recovers from our New York field trip, we bring you three great conversations. First, NPR Music's Daoud Tyler-Ameen talks to Leslie Odom Jr., who plays Aaron Burr in the hit Broadway musical Hamilton. Then, host Linda Holmes talks with WNYC's Sean Rameswaram about Kanye West and his new ablum The Life of Pablo. Then, Linda chats with Latino USA's Daisy Rosario about the Gilmore Girls reboot.
In our first dispatch from New York, Linda Holmes chats with culture writer Danielle Henderson about American Crime, ABC's acclaimed anthology series.
All Things Considered host Audie Cornish and Weekend Edition Books Editor Barrie Hardymon join Linda Holmes and Glen Weldon for a look back at Downton Abbey. Then, they discuss nostalgia as a genre, covering everything from Mad Men to Galavant to American Crime Story. All that, plus What's Making Us Happy.
Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, and Code Switch's Gene Demby chat about the 88th Academy Awards, including Chris Rock's monologue, Lady Gaga and Joe Biden's friendship, and the orchestra's questionable music choices.
All Things Considered's film critic Bob Mondello joins the panel for the annual Oscars omnibus. The gang discuss all the best picture nominees, a number of the performances, and recommend some movies that the academy overlooked.
In this Pop Culture Happy Hour extra, Linda Holmes and Barrie Hardymon of NPR's Weekend Edition about the book that was, for most of her life, Harper Lee's only published novel.
Film critics Bob Mondello and Chris Klimek join Linda Holmes and Glen Weldon for a discussion of the new Coen brothers film Hail, Caesar! Then the panel chats about why Hollywood loves to make films and television about the entertainment business.
Linda Holmes and Stephen Thompson talk about how awards themselves went more or less as expected. But two performances, one from Broadway's Hamilton and one an extended medley by Kendrick Lamar, overwhelmed everything that surrounded them.
Alex Kapelman, host of the Pitch podcast, joins the gang for a discussion of what they want and expect from award shows. Then they'll chat about product placement in pop culture. All that, plus What's Making Us Happy.
Linda Holmes and Stephen Thompson chat about Super 50, including the game itself, Beyoncé stealing the halftime show, and some memorable commercials.
Dan Pashman from The Sporkful podcast joins Linda Holmes and Stephen Thompson for a chat about the eternal question: If you're watching the Super Bowl, what are you eating while you do?
Code Switch's Kat Chow joins the panel to discuss the musical comedy Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, currently airing on the CW. Then the gang discusses Fox's live staging of Grease and other musicals on television. All that, plus What's Making Us Happy.
The PCHH gang couldn't tape a show this week, so instead we bring you two interviews. First, Linda Holmes chats with Fred Armisen about his illustrious career in a never-been-heard outtake from our live show in 2015. Then Linda interviews Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor, the creators of Welcome to Night Vale. Holmes spoke with the writers in late 2015, at an event hosted by Politics & Prose and the Sixth & I.
This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See's Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson and Sarah D. Bunting chat about Making a Murderer and the true crime genre. Then they'll look back at the career of Alan Rickman, who passed away last week at the age of 69. All that, plus What's Making Us Happy.
Sometimes, sports fandom comes naturally: We grew up immersed in it, or we get swept up in local fervor. But there's more than one way to become a fan. Stephen Thompson and Gene Demby discuss.
This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See's Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson and Chris Klimek discuss new Quentin Tarantino film The Hateful Eight. Then, from recliners to 30mm to Smell-O-Vision, it's an examination of the ever-changing movie theater experience. All that, plus What's Making Us Happy.
All Things Considered Host Audie Cornish talks with comedian John Mulaney about his new stand-up special The Comeback Kid, his failed network sitcom, and his childhood. (A shorter version of this interview originally aired on All Things Considered on November 16, 2015)
In this Pop Culture Happy Hour extra, Linda Holmes and Stephen Thompson remember pop icon David Bowie.
This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See's Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Tanya Ballard Brown, and Marc Hirsh look back at the legacy of American Idol. Then they'll return to one of our favorite segments, people we're pulling for. All that, plus What's Making Us Happy.
Monkey See's Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson and Glen Weldon and guest Kat Chow of NPR's Code Switch say goodbye to 2015, and revisit their resolutions and predictions. And they make new ones for 2016. And no fail, Pop Culture Happy Hour panelists share what's making them happy.
This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, librarian Margaret Willison helps NPR Monkey See's Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson and Glen Weldon get on their melacholidays — yes, it's okay to have a not-so-merry little Christmas. They talk about the Pohler-Fey film, Sisters, their 2015 surprises and, always, what's making them happy.
By now, billions of people have seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens. We didn't spoil it for you last week. But on this bonus epidose, Linda Holmes and Glen Weldon do nothing but talk spoilers that make you really want to see the movie.
This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See's Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Chris Klimek, and Code Switch's Gene Demby talk about Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Then they'll reveal some of their most beloved and reviled pieces of movie merchandise. All that, plus What's Making Us Happy.
In this Pop Culture Happy Hour extra, Stephen Thompson chats with NPR's biggest Frank Sinatra fan, reporter Sonari Glinton.
This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See's Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson and Code Switch's Gene Demby talk about Creed, the latest film in the Rocky franchise. Then they'll discuss men crying at movies, and other visceral reactions we have while consuming pop culture. All that, plus What's Making Us Happy.
This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See's Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson and Kat Chow the new Pixar film The Good Dinosaur. Then the gang share some examples of pop culture in which their first impression was completely wrong. All that, plus What's Making Us Happy.
Our panel is on vacation, but that doesn't mean there's no show: in October, host Linda Holmes chatted with The Daily Show 's new host Trevor Noah about comedy, diversity, decor, visiting South Africa, and lots more.
