Accessibility links
Pop Culture Happy Hour Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy HourPop Culture Happy Hour

Pop culture in high spirits
What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend listening and viewing

L-R Sydney Bell, Charity Holloway, Arianna Davis, Ashley Williams, Jayla Sullivan, Asia Banks, and Kiara Mooring: some of the hopeful women competing to join Lizzo's Big Grrrls James Clark/James Clark/Amazon Prime Video hide caption

toggle caption
James Clark/James Clark/Amazon Prime Video

What's Making Us Happy: Recommendations From 'Pop Culture Happy Hour'

What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend listening and viewing

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: The Voyeurs, FBoy Island, and more.

Horror and comedy collide in a pileup of 'Bodies Bodies Bodies'

Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Chase Sui Wonders, and Rachel Sennott in a scene from Bodies Bodies Bodies, directed by Halina Reijn. A24 hide caption

toggle caption
A24

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Horror and comedy collide in a pileup of 'Bodies Bodies Bodies'

Bodies Bodies Bodies starts with a fairly standard horror-movie premise: A group of wealthy and attractive pleasure-seekers gather at a mansion to party and ride out an oncoming hurricane. But things get quickly messy when one of them turns up dead. With a cast that includes Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Chase Sui Wonders, Myha'la Herrold, Rachel Sennott, Pete Davidson, and Lee Pace, the movie mixes horror, comedy, Gen-Z satire, and a whodunit-style mystery that will keep you guessing.

Horror and comedy collide in a pileup of 'Bodies Bodies Bodies'

Listen · 20:31
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1116501799/1116964620" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
New Peaches, new problems: 'A League of Their Own' makes a successful move to TV

Roberta Colindrez (Lupe), Kate Berlant (Shirley), Abbi Jacobson (Carson), D'Arcy Carden (Greta), Melanie Field (Jo) and Molly Ephraim (Maybelle) Anne Marie Fox/Anne Marie Fox/Prime Video hide caption

toggle caption
Anne Marie Fox/Anne Marie Fox/Prime Video

Review

New Peaches, new problems: 'A League of Their Own' makes a successful move to TV

The Amazon Prime series, co-created by Abbi Jacobson and Will Graham, is both a loving descendant of the 1992 film of the same name, and an ambitious effort to address its conspicuous gaps.

'Prey' is set in the past, but takes the 'Predator' franchise forward

Amber Midthunder as Naru in Prey. David Bukach/20th Century Studios hide caption

toggle caption
David Bukach/20th Century Studios

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Prey' is set in the past, but takes the 'Predator' franchise forward

The new film Prey isn't just another installment of the Predator franchise. For one thing, it's a prequel to the original 1987 movie — set more than 300 years ago. More important is who's telling the story this time: Amber Midthunder plays Naru, a tough, smart, young Comanche woman determined to prove herself, as well as to protect her people — and her dog — from a seemingly undefeatable enemy.

'Prey' is set in the past, but takes the 'Predator' franchise forward

Listen · 13:02
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1116813117/1116818327" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Our five favorite moments from Desus and Mero

Desus Nice, Denzel Washington and The Kid Mero on Showtime's Desus & Mero. Greg Endries/Showtime hide caption

toggle caption
Greg Endries/Showtime

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Our five favorite moments from Desus and Mero

For nearly a decade, Desus and Mero cultivated a unique space in media. With popular podcasts and late night talk shows, the comedy duo earned a devoted fanbase and became the destination for any celebrity looking to earn some cultural cache. But, alas, the brand is gone. Recently the pair announced they've parted ways. Today, we offer five favorite Desus and Mero moments, and look back on their legacy and influence.

Our five favorite moments from Desus and Mero

Listen · 25:44
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1116295815/1116575415" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Don't sleep on 'The Sandman'

Tom Sturridge as Dream in Netflix's The Sandman. Liam Daniel/Netflix hide caption

toggle caption
Liam Daniel/Netflix

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Don't sleep on 'The Sandman'

The new Netflix series The Sandman is based on Neil Gaiman's much-beloved comic book series about an immortal and powerful being known as the Master of Dreams. The series introduces us to a world of fantastic adventure where dreams and nightmares come to life. But beneath all its imaginative trappings is a story of a man who loses everything, and has to fight to get it all back, even if that means facing down Hell itself.

Don't sleep on 'The Sandman'

Listen · 22:28
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1116276366/1116334291" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
20 years later, 'The Wire' still enthralls

Wendell Pierce and Dominic West in the HBO series The Wire. Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy hide caption

toggle caption
Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

20 years later, 'The Wire' still enthralls

This year marks the 20th anniversary of HBO's crime drama The Wire. Creators David Simon and Ed Burns spent five seasons dissecting various institutions in Baltimore, producing what is now considered one of the best television series of all time. The large cast included many then-unknown actors who've gone on to become stars, like Idris Elba, Michael B. Jordan, Dominic West and the late Michael K. Williams.

20 years later, 'The Wire' still enthralls

Listen · 26:09
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1115935761/1115945980" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend reading, listening and viewing

Aasif Mandvi as Ben Shakir, Mike Colter as David Acosta, and Katja Herbers as Kristen Bouchard in Evil Elizabeth Fisher/Elizabeth Fisher/Paramount+ hide caption

toggle caption
Elizabeth Fisher/Elizabeth Fisher/Paramount+

What's Making Us Happy: Recommendations From 'Pop Culture Happy Hour'

What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend reading, listening and viewing

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Devil in a Blue Dress, Evil, and more.

'Bullet Train' a high-speed fail

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brad Pitt in a scene from the film Bullet Train. Sony Pictures hide caption

toggle caption
Sony Pictures

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Bullet Train' a high-speed fail

In the new film Bullet Train, Brad Pitt plays an assassin hired to steal a briefcase from a pair of rival assassins played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry. Also in the mix are Andrew Koji, Joey King, Bad Bunny, and Hiroyuki Sanada. It's directed by David Leitch (Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde, Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw).

'Bullet Train' a high-speed fail

Listen · 20:16
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1114058387/1115610535" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' is a thotty, naughty and ethereal work of art

Beyoncé returns with Renaissance, her first solo studio album since 2016's Lemonade. Carlijn Jacobs/Parkwood Entertainment hide caption

toggle caption
Carlijn Jacobs/Parkwood Entertainment

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' is a thotty, naughty and ethereal work of art

On Beyoncé's new album Renaissance, the superstar channels a rich history of Black and queer music. There's disco, dancehall, bounce, house, gospel, freestyle and funk — all served up in a confident, sexy and thotty gumbo. Now that we've had some time to sit with (and get down to) the album, how are we feeling? Was it worth the wait?

Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' is a thotty, naughty and ethereal work of art

Listen · 22:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1114499408/1115484537" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
In middle-age, Neil Patrick Harris is 'Uncoupled'

Neil Patrick Harris stars in Uncoupled. Barbara Nitke /Netflix hide caption

toggle caption
Barbara Nitke /Netflix

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In middle-age, Neil Patrick Harris is 'Uncoupled'

The new Netflix comedy series Uncoupled stars Neil Patrick Harris as a man whose partner leaves him after 17 years together. The show comes from Darren Star, the prolific producer behind Sex and the City, and Jeffrey Richman, who worked on Modern Family and Frasier. They bring that experience to this new story about being gay and middle-aged and suddenly single.

In middle-age, Neil Patrick Harris is 'Uncoupled'

Listen · 13:02
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1115145259/1115153445" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Three great movies under 90 minutes

John Boyega stars in the 2011 film Attack The Block. Screen Gems hide caption

toggle caption
Screen Gems

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Three great movies under 90 minutes

What do you do when you need a good movie, but you don't have much time? The answer is that you find a short one. We recommend three films that deliver a lot of punch without taking up your whole day.

Three great movies under 90 minutes

Listen · 11:07
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1114607295/1114927693" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
$#@*! we're talking profanity in pop culture

Shut the front door, we're revisiting an episode about profanity. Robin Olimb/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Robin Olimb/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

$#@*! we're talking profanity in pop culture

We've got dirty words on the brain. In this encore episode from 2013, we chat about the use and functions of profanity in entertainment. We cover everything from Anchorman to South Park to Shakespeare.

$#@*! we're talking profanity in pop culture

Listen · 16:34
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1114033896/1114328853" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
In 'Vengeance,' a podcast bro messes with Texas

Ashton Kutcher and B.J. Novak in a scene from the film Vengeance. Focus Features hide caption

toggle caption
Focus Features

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In 'Vengeance,' a podcast bro messes with Texas

B.J. Novak (The Office) wrote, directed, and stars in the new indie comedy Vengeance. He plays Ben, a New York City journalist who decides to turn the mysterious death of his former hookup into fodder for a podcast. The film features Issa Rae as his podcast editor and Ashton Kutcher as a record producer.

In 'Vengeance,' a podcast bro messes with Texas

Listen · 20:43
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1114033983/1114246681" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
It's man vs. moustache on 'The Gray Man'

Ryan Gosling in The Gray Man. Netflix hide caption

toggle caption
Netflix

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

It's man vs. moustache on 'The Gray Man'

The Netflix movie The Gray Man stars Ryan Gosling as an inmate who becomes an assassin for the CIA in exchange for his freedom. When a mission goes awry, he has to contend with a sociopathic ex-agent played by Chris Evans. It's directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, who made the Captain America and Avengers movies for Marvel.

It's man vs. moustache on 'The Gray Man'

Listen · 20:07
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1113541710/1113848747" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Summer TV shows we missed (but liked)

Gavin Casalegno and Lola Tung star in Amazon Prime's The Summer I Turned Pretty. Peter Taylor/Amazon Prime Video hide caption

toggle caption
Peter Taylor/Amazon Prime Video

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Summer TV shows we missed (but liked)

Today there's more TV than ever before. And in such a crowded landscape, we can't get around to everything. That's why we wanted to highlight some of the recent shows that we didn't get around to, but we still think you might wanna check out. We recommend: The Summer I Turned Pretty, Dark Winds, Loot, Flowers In The Attic: The Origin, Chloe, and Trixie Motel.

Summer TV shows we missed (but liked)

Listen · 18:30
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1112566715/1113702557" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
'The Last Movie Stars' demystifies the legacies of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward

Actors Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Keystone Press / Alamy Stock Photo/HBO hide caption

toggle caption
Keystone Press / Alamy Stock Photo/HBO

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'The Last Movie Stars' demystifies the legacies of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward

Actors Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward had one of the most legendary partnerships in Hollywood. They were married over 50 years, and made 16 films together. Now they are the subject of a compelling new HBO Max docuseries called The Last Movie Stars. Directed by Ethan Hawke, it's a tale of Hollywood and love, but also of how heroes are made and sometimes robbed of their complexities.

'The Last Movie Stars' demystifies the legacies of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward

Listen · 16:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1112936008/1112974438" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Yup, we're spoiling 'Nope'

Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Brandon Perea in Jordan Peele's latest film, NOPE. Universal Pictures hide caption

toggle caption
Universal Pictures

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Yup, we're spoiling 'Nope'

The film Nope stars Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer as siblings and horse wranglers living in a small California town where things get weird, people disappear, and a threat must be stopped. Jordan Peele wrote and directed the film, so there are bound to be some surprises. So we're hitching a ride on horseback into spoiler territory.

Yup, we're spoiling 'Nope'

Listen · 24:26
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1111582332/1113083420" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org