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Pop Culture Happy Hour Get obsessed with us. Five 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
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Pop Culture Happy Hour

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Get obsessed with us. Five 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

Most Recent Episodes

'A Man on the Inside' is the cozy mystery we need

Ted Danson in A Man on the Inside. Colleen E. Hayes/Netflix hide caption

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Colleen E. Hayes/Netflix

'A Man on the Inside' is the cozy mystery we need

The charming Netflix sitcom A Man on the Inside stars Ted Danson as a lonely widower who's hired by a private investigator to live undercover in a senior living facility. His mission is to find out who stole a precious item from one of the residents. Created by Michael Schur (The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), the series is also a tender and poignant depiction of loss, aging, and finding community.

'A Man on the Inside' is the cozy mystery we need

Listen · 16:36
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'Wicked' is that good shiz

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked. Universal Pictures hide caption

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Universal Pictures

'Wicked' is that good shiz

The musical Wicked is a bold, revisionist take on The Wizard of Oz. It imagines that back in college, the Wicked Witch of the West (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda the Good Witch of the North (Ariana Grande) were best friends. The sprawling film delivers lavish spectacle, costumes, music, and choreography. But does the long-awaited film live up to the hype?

'Wicked' is that good shiz

Listen · 28:55
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'Gladiator II': Are you not entertained? Still? Again? Some more?

Paul Mescal plays Lucius in Gladiator II. Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures hide caption

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Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures

'Gladiator II': Are you not entertained? Still? Again? Some more?

The new film Gladiator II is a sequel to Gladiator, Oscar-winning swords-and-sandals blockbuster that starred Russell Crowe. It tells a similar tale — a soldier, sold into slavery, becomes a gladiator in the Roman arena. This time out, it's Paul Mescal whose prowess in the coliseum earns him fame that threatens Rome's tyrannical rulers. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film also stars Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington.

'Gladiator II': Are you not entertained? Still? Again? Some more?

Listen · 17:03
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Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin tap into 'A Real Pain'

Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A Real Pain. Searchlight Pictures hide caption

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Searchlight Pictures

Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin tap into 'A Real Pain'

The moving dramedy A Real Pain stars Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin as two very different cousins attempting to reconnect by going on a heritage tour of Poland. As they make their way across the country, they mourn their late grandmother, confront the fractures in their relationship, and reckon with the grief left in the wake of the Holocaust. A Real Pain was written and directed by Eisenberg.

Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin tap into 'A Real Pain'

Listen · 18:48
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We debate the best movie musical numbers

Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Alamy Stock Photo hide caption

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Alamy Stock Photo

We debate the best movie musical numbers

If you've ever loved a movie musical, then you've probably got a favorite movie musical number — a song that makes you want to sing along, swoon, celebrate, or simply dance with the nearest lamppost. But what makes these moments great? With Wicked hitting theaters, there's never been a better time to debate the best movie musical numbers.

We debate the best movie musical numbers

Listen · 25:59
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'Red One' is a Christmas buddy comedy for fans of muscle

Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans in Red One. Karen Neal/Amazon MGM Studios hide caption

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Karen Neal/Amazon MGM Studios

'Red One' is a Christmas buddy comedy for fans of muscle

In the deeply goofy Christmas action comedy Red One, the holiday season comes to an emergency halt when Santa (J.K. Simmons) is kidnapped. It's up to his head of security, played by Dwayne Johnson, and a ne'er-do-well played by Chris Evans to save Christmas.

'Red One' is a Christmas buddy comedy for fans of muscle

Listen · 22:16
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'Say Nothing' is a valiant effort at adapting a complex history

Lola Petticrew in Say Nothing. Rob Youngson/FX hide caption

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Rob Youngson/FX

'Say Nothing' is a valiant effort at adapting a complex history

One night in Belfast in 1972, a mother of ten was abducted from her home in front of her children and never seen again. But the new FX series Say Nothing isn't just true crime – it's part of a more complex history. Because this particular woman was kidnapped and killed by members of the Irish Republican Army during the period known as the Troubles. And decades later, one of the women involved in her disappearance still grapples with her memories and whether to tell the truth about what happened.

'Say Nothing' is a valiant effort at adapting a complex history

Listen · 22:05
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'Emilia Pérez' is Netflix's divisive musical about a trans cartel boss

Selena Gomez in Emilia Pérez Shanna Besson/Netflix hide caption

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Shanna Besson/Netflix

'Emilia Pérez' is Netflix's divisive musical about a trans cartel boss

Emilia Pérez is Netflix's new divisive musical about a Mexican cartel boss who disappears from the criminal underworld to create a new life as a woman. But when her love for her kids proves overpowering, she ingratiates herself back into their lives, posing as a distant relative. The movie stars Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, and Selena Gomez.

'Emilia Pérez' is Netflix's divisive musical about a trans cartel boss

Listen · 23:18
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Can't sleep? Catch some zzzs with these songs

If you like to fall asleep to a soundtrack, we have three great recommendations to help you doze away. Angela Hsieh/NPR hide caption

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Angela Hsieh/NPR

Can't sleep? Catch some zzzs with these songs

There are songs you want to groove to, and songs you want to pump up to. But sometimes, you just want something for the come down at the end of a long day. If you're having trouble sleeping in silence, or are just looking for some new songs to throw into your bedtime rotation, we've got you covered. In this encore episode, we are recommending three great songs that will help you fall asleep.

Can't sleep? Catch some zzzs with these songs

Listen · 9:27
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In the thrilling 'Heretic,' Hugh Grant is in his peak-villain era

Hugh Grant in Heretic. A24 hide caption

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A24

In the thrilling 'Heretic,' Hugh Grant is in his peak-villain era

In the claustrophobic thriller Heretic, two young Mormon missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) knock on the door of a charming man played by Hugh Grant. At first he seems genuinely interested in learning more, and invites them in. But it quickly becomes clear that this guy doesn't actually want to have a good-faith discussion.

In the thrilling 'Heretic,' Hugh Grant is in his peak-villain era

Listen · 21:59
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