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/adchoicesNPR 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/adchoicesNPR 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 choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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 more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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 Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour+ at plus.npr.org/happy. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

What keeps viewers glued to terrible TV shows? The hosts dive into the mind-bending allure of binge-watching, even when the storylines derail. They reminisce about the outrageous 'Married by America' and its chaotic dating antics. The discussion also covers the cultural impact of 'Teen Mom 2' and the monetization of motherhood. They explore scripted dramas and their soap opera-like drama, as well as LGBTQ+ representation in shows like 'Boy Meets Boy.' Perfect for anyone who's ever cringed and laughed through a guilty pleasure!

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/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Oscars shone bright this year, highlighting Sean Baker's Anora with wins for Best Picture and Director. Mikey Madison surprised everyone by clinching Best Actress. Hosts engage in hilarious commentary on Conan O'Brien’s hosting antics and the often lengthy acceptance speeches. They dive into memorable nods, including Lil Crawley's cinematography and Daniel Bloomberg's score. The mix of laughter and reflections spotlights the night's triumphs and missteps, offering a lively retrospective on the awards season.

This discussion dives into fierce Oscar contenders like 'Wicked' and 'Emilia Perez,' with bold predictions on who’ll snag the coveted awards. There's an exploration of standout performances, particularly in the Lead Actress category and innovative films like the Latvian 'Flow.' The hosts also share their joy over uplifting music and reality shows, including a fun look at 'Deal or No Deal Island.' Expect a mix of passionate analysis and lighthearted banter about cinema's highs and lows!

Ronald Young Jr., host of Pop Culture Debate Club, brings his insights to discuss the Hulu drama Paradise. The conversation dives into Sterling K. Brown's portrayal of a Secret Service agent entangled in a presidential assassination mystery. They explore the show's rich narrative layers, character dynamics, and thought-provoking themes of leadership in crisis. Young Jr. critiques the complexities of dystopian storytelling and highlights the captivating interplay between Brown and James Marsden, questioning how the plot might unfold amidst the intrigue.