Pop Culture Happy Hour
NPR
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.Make your happy hour even happier with Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus! Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/happyhour
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 5, 2024 • 21min
MaXXXine and what's making us happy
Mia Goth discusses her role in the movie MaXXXine, the final film in a horror trilogy set in 1985 Los Angeles. The hosts explore the complexity of the character Maxine and unique storytelling in the film. They also celebrate lesbian cinema beyond Pride Month and delve into the 'Chang Gang All Stars' novel and 'Brat' album by Charlie XCX.
Jul 4, 2024 • 28min
Bowen Yang thinks being present is overrated
Bowen Yang, SNL's first Chinese American cast member, talks about living in the present, Tina Fey's wisdom, and his vision of a rollercoaster-filled afterlife on the Wild Card podcast.
Jul 3, 2024 • 20min
Megan Thee Stallion sheds her skin on Megan
Rapper Megan Thee Stallion discusses personal struggles, growth, and new album. Explores themes of self-pleasure, anime, and challenging stereotypes in her music.
Jul 2, 2024 • 25min
Yes, chef: The Bear has a lot going on in its third season
Actors Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri discuss the intense third season of 'The Bear' where characters tackle personal struggles, relationships, and success in the fine dining world. They explore themes of grief, character development, and emotional dynamics, keeping listeners engaged with insights into plot twists and unresolved elements.
Jul 1, 2024 • 17min
In A Quiet Place: Day One, Lupita Nyong'o makes silence golden
Lupita Nyong'o stars in 'A Quiet Place: Day One' as a terminally ill cancer patient navigating a world where sound attracts deadly aliens. The hosts discuss the captivating performance, storytelling, and themes of the film, praising its departure from traditional tropes and focus on character development. They explore potential future storylines and global settings in the 'A Quiet Place' franchise.
Jun 28, 2024 • 23min
Kinds of Kindness and what's making us happy
Actors Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, and Jesse Plemons discuss the dark and unsettling film 'Kinds of Kindness' directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. They touch on extreme measures to regain lost things, explore themes of cruelty and kindness, and dissect the ethical dilemmas in the film's structure. The podcast also delves into a woman torn between a cult and her past life, engaging summer movies, and a unique ghost story narrative in The Jessica Cabin movie.
Jun 27, 2024 • 17min
Lily Gladstone's Fancy Dance is a road trip worth taking
Lily Gladstone shines in the film Fancy Dance, portraying a woman tasked with caring for her niece. The podcast delves into the movie's exploration of Indigenous perspectives, family dynamics, and the challenges faced by the protagonist. It critiques the film's portrayal of Native life in Oklahoma and praises its significance in depicting realistic experiences within Native communities.
Jun 25, 2024 • 23min
Will they or won't they? Unpacking TV's eternal question
Dive into the world of 'will they, won't they' TV couples with discussions on iconic pairings like Jim and Pam, Mulder and Scully, and more. Explore different types of relationships in shows such as Abbott Elementary, Grey's Anatomy, and Cheers, while debating the impact of unresolved sexual tension on storytelling.
Jun 24, 2024 • 23min
Is Star Wars' The Acolyte a force to be reckoned with?
Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae discuss The Acolyte, a Star Wars murder mystery series. The show explores the hidden history of the Jedi and the nature of the Force. The story follows Force-sensitive twins, Osha and Mae, as they uncover the reasons behind the killings of great Jedi masters. The Acolyte promises to deliver new insights into the Star Wars universe.
Jun 21, 2024 • 18min
Thelma And What's Making Us Happy
June Squibb and Richard Roundtree discuss the action-comedy Thelma where a grandma seeks revenge after being scammed by a fraudster. The podcast also explores themes of aging, relationships, and positive portrayals of older characters in cinema, along with a discussion on summer activities and music history.
