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Pop Culture Happy Hour

by NPR

Trying to keep up with the latest in pop culture? We’ve got you covered. The Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast helps you find the best new binge-worthy tv shows, movies, music, and videogames. Join hosts Linda Holmes, Aisha Harris, Stephen Thompson, and Glen Weldon four episodes a week - plus a rotating cast of guest pop culture enthusiasts. It’s your fix for reviews, recommendations, and recaps of the pop culture everyone is talking about. From lowbrow reality TV to Oscar-winning movies to the stuff in between, we take it all with a shot of cheer. On the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, we…

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Episodes

Pop Culture Happy Hour discusses 'The Social Reckoning,' a new Aaron Sorkin film positioned as a companion piece to 'The Social Network.' The episode covers the film's premise: Jeremy Allen White stars as an investigative reporter working alongside Mikey Madison, who plays a Facebook insider with damning information…

Worth it if you're tracking fall movie releases and want a quick roundtable take on Aaron Sorkin's latest investigative drama and other seasonal contenders.

Pop Culture Happy Hour examines 'Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,' a new film starring Mahershala Ali that explores themes of parenthood, faith, and redemption. The movie centers on a recently widowed hitman attempting to leave his criminal life behind while raising three children as a single parent and navigating…

Worth it if you're interested in character-driven crime dramas exploring faith, parenthood, and moral compromise, or if you're a regular Pop Culture Happy Hour listener seeking their take on Mahershala Ali's latest work.

Pop Culture Happy Hour ·1w ago ·24 min

Verity

Pop Culture Happy Hour discusses the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel 'Verity,' starring Dakota Johnson as a struggling novelist hired to ghostwrite for a superstar author played by Anne Hathaway. The episode covers this erotic thriller centered on themes of marriage, manipulation, and murder—a…

Worth it if you're a Pop Culture Happy Hour regular or deeply interested in the Verity film adaptation, but the show notes alone don't provide enough detail to recommend it to casual listeners.

Pop Culture Happy Hour discusses 'Digger,' described as a loud, audacious, and polarizing entry in the Oscar race. The film stars Tom Cruise as a powerful oil baron who inadvertently unleashes an existential threat on the world. The narrative involves the U.S. president (John Goodman) and a well-intentioned scientist…

Worth it if you're a regular Pop Culture Happy Hour listener curious about 'Digger' or a Tom Cruise fan wanting casual critical discussion.

Pop Culture Happy Hour examines the Netflix sequel series to the beloved '90s sitcom A Different World, which returns to the fictional HBCU Hillman College with a new generation of students while bringing back legacy characters Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison). The episode explores how…

Worth it if you're invested in A Different World, curious about how legacy reboots balance nostalgia with contemporary relevance, or a regular Pop Culture Happy Hour listener.

Pop Culture Happy Hour discusses 'Forgotten Island,' a new animated feature from the creative team behind Kung Fu Panda 2 and Puss In Boots: The Last Wish. The episode focuses on the film's central premise: childhood friends Jo (voiced by H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) face separation as they prepare to go their…

Worth it if you're actively considering watching 'Forgotten Island' and want a quick plot summary and thematic overview before deciding.

Pop Culture Happy Hour discusses the Prime Video adaptation of Ali Hazelwood's bestselling novel 'The Love Hypothesis,' examining whether the film brings a fresh perspective to the fake-dating romantic comedy trope. The episode centers on the film's plot: Stanford graduate student Olive (Lili Reinhart) enters into a…

Worth it if you've seen 'The Love Hypothesis' and want a quick, conversational take from the Pop Culture Happy Hour panel, or if you're a regular listener who enjoys their roundtable format.

Pop Culture Happy Hour examines the new docudrama 'Primetime,' which tells a fictionalized account of the rise of 'To Catch a Predator' with Robert Pattinson playing host Chris Hansen. The episode explores director Lance Oppenheim's highly stylized approach to the material, questioning whether his creative choices…

Worth it if you've seen or plan to watch 'Primetime' and want smart critical perspective on whether its stylized approach justifies its subject matter.

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Pop Culture Happy Hour ·3w ago ·26 min

Jay-Z

Pop Culture Happy Hour tackles Jay-Z's recent cultural moment, examining the significance of the HBO docuseries 'JAŸ-Z In 8,' which features the rapper dissecting his catalog alongside producer Rick Rubin. The episode contextualizes this project within Jay-Z's broader legacy: 30 years since his acclaimed debut…

Worth it if you're interested in Jay-Z's legacy, the 'JAŸ-Z In 8' docuseries, or want a quick pop culture roundtable take on a major artist's recent cultural moment.

Pop Culture Happy Hour's Fall Guide is a 33-minute episode designed to help listeners navigate the autumn entertainment season. The episode promises to highlight movies and TV shows worth watching, with specific titles mentioned including Wicker, Wildwood, Wild Horse Nine, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, and…

Worth it if you're looking for quick fall entertainment recommendations from trusted critics and want a lively discussion to help narrow down your watchlist.

Pop Culture Happy Hour dedicates this 22-minute episode to documentary films that deserve attention but often get overlooked in the broader media conversation. The hosts highlight five specific documentaries: Remake, The History of Concrete, Black Zombie, The Oldest Person in the World, and You Had to Be There. The…

Worth it if you're looking for documentary recommendations and enjoy Pop Culture Happy Hour's conversational style, but not if you want substantive analysis or filmmaker insights.

Pop Culture Happy Hour examines the new Resident Evil film reboot directed by Zach Cregger, exploring whether the movie's blend of horror and comedy succeeds for both newcomers and franchise veterans. The episode discusses Austin Abrams' role as a medical courier whose simple task spirals into chaos, and evaluates how…

Worth it if you're interested in the new Resident Evil reboot, enjoy horror-comedy analysis, or want a quick dose of Pop Culture Happy Hour's accessible critical perspective.

Pop Culture Happy Hour ·4w ago ·18 min

Last Seen

Pop Culture Happy Hour discusses Apple TV's new thriller series 'Last Seen,' starring Patrick Brammall as an emergency dispatcher who receives a mysterious call that may connect him to his long-missing daughter. The episode explores the show's central premise: how this potential lead sends the protagonist into an…

Worth it if you're considering watching 'Last Seen' and want a quick primer on whether it's worth your time, or if you're hunting for thriller recommendations.

Pop Culture Happy Hour ·1mo ago ·18 min

Crew Girl

Pop Culture Happy Hour examines Netflix's 'Crew Girl,' a coming-of-age drama starring Miku Martineau as Teagan, an ambitious high school rower navigating life on an elite prep school's boys' crew team. The episode frames the show within the familiar teen drama landscape, comparing it to recent successes like Sterling…

Worth it if you're actively interested in Crew Girl and want a quick critical overview before watching, or if you're a devoted Pop Culture Happy Hour listener who trusts the panel's taste.

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