Pop Culture http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1048&ft=1&f=1048 News and commentary on popular culture trends. Download the Pop Culture podcast. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Pop Culture http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1048&ft=1&f=1048 yes Christine Ha: From MasterChef To Home Kitchen When Christine Ha won <em>MasterChef</em> in 2012, she blew the reality TV show judges away with her Vietnamese influenced cooking. But what really impressed viewers was that she had total control in the kitchen, even though she's blind. Host Michel Martin speaks to Christine Ha about her new cookbook <em>Recipes from my Home Kitchen</em>. Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185534668&ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185534668&ft=1&f=1048 When Christine Ha won <em>MasterChef</em> in 2012, she blew the reality TV show judges away with her Vietnamese influenced cooking. But what really impressed viewers was that she had total control in the kitchen, even though she's blind. Host Michel Martin speaks to Christine Ha about her new cookbook <em>Recipes from my Home Kitchen</em>. 672 no When Christine Ha won MasterChef in 2012, she blew the reality TV show judges away with her Vietnamese influenced cooking. But what really impressed viewers was that she had total control in the kitchen, even though she's blind. Host Michel Martin speaks to Christine Ha about her new cookbook Recipes from my Home Kitchen.

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]]> 'Scandal' Creates Twitter Frenzy Social media was ablaze during the season finale of ABC's hit political thriller <em>Scandal</em>. Host Michel Martin asks Gene Demby, blogger for NPR's Code Switch team, what it is about the show that makes it ripe for Twitter chatter — especially among African Americans. Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185534670&ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185534670&ft=1&f=1048 Social media was ablaze during the season finale of ABC's hit political thriller <em>Scandal</em>. Host Michel Martin asks Gene Demby, blogger for NPR's Code Switch team, what it is about the show that makes it ripe for Twitter chatter — especially among African Americans. 383 no Social media was ablaze during the season finale of ABC's hit political thriller Scandal. Host Michel Martin asks Gene Demby, blogger for NPR's Code Switch team, what it is about the show that makes it ripe for Twitter chatter — especially among African Americans.

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]]> Mel Brooks: 'I'm An EGOT; I Don't Need Any More' The screenwriter, producer, director and actor, whose name has become synonymous with American comedy, talks about his penchant for spoofs and his decades-long friendship with Carl Reiner. Brooks, who is among a handful of people who've won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards, is the subject of a new documentary on PBS. Mon, 20 May 2013 13:40:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/182609040/mel-brooks-i-m-an-egot-so-i-don-t-need-any-more?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/182609040/mel-brooks-i-m-an-egot-so-i-don-t-need-any-more?ft=1&f=1048 The screenwriter, producer, director and actor, whose name has become synonymous with American comedy, talks about his penchant for spoofs and his decades-long friendship with Carl Reiner. Brooks, who is among a handful of people who've won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards, is the subject of a new documentary on PBS. 2231 no The screenwriter, producer, director and actor, whose name has become synonymous with American comedy, talks about his penchant for spoofs and his decades-long friendship with Carl Reiner. Brooks, who is among a handful of people who've won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards, is the subject of a new documentary on PBS.

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]]> Reaction Saturation And Sunday Night Television On Sundays, it can seem like we're a nation of critics. But we're not. Mon, 20 May 2013 08:57:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/05/20/185498148/reaction-saturation-and-sunday-night-television?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/05/20/185498148/reaction-saturation-and-sunday-night-television?ft=1&f=1048 On Sundays, it can seem like we're a nation of critics. But we're not. no On Sundays, it can seem like we're a nation of critics. But we're not.

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]]> Despite Digital Platforms, TV Still Relies On Word Of Mouth TV is still a huge topic of conversation on and offline, according to recent research. In fact, conversation about TV is growing in the last few years. And face-to-face word of mouth still has tremendous power when it comes to attracting new viewers to a show. TV still seems to be the most influential medium when it comes to shaping American culture. Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185458147/tv-shows-still-rely-on-word-of-mouth?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185458147/tv-shows-still-rely-on-word-of-mouth?ft=1&f=1048 TV is still a huge topic of conversation on and offline, according to recent research. In fact, conversation about TV is growing in the last few years. And face-to-face word of mouth still has tremendous power when it comes to attracting new viewers to a show. TV still seems to be the most influential medium when it comes to shaping American culture. 277 no TV is still a huge topic of conversation on and offline, according to recent research. In fact, conversation about TV is growing in the last few years. And face-to-face word of mouth still has tremendous power when it comes to attracting new viewers to a show. TV still seems to be the most influential medium when it comes to shaping American culture.

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]]> Show Abandonment: When Viewers Drop Popular TV Programs What happens when fans stop talking about a show that used to be their favorite? Take <em>American Idol</em>, for example. Last week's finale was way down from last year's finale. It was the first time a finale did not reach the 20-million mark. Mon, 20 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185458149/show-abandonment-when-once-popular-shows-nose-dive-in-the-ratings?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185458149/show-abandonment-when-once-popular-shows-nose-dive-in-the-ratings?ft=1&f=1048 What happens when fans stop talking about a show that used to be their favorite? Take <em>American Idol</em>, for example. Last week's finale was way down from last year's finale. It was the first time a finale did not reach the 20-million mark. 163 no What happens when fans stop talking about a show that used to be their favorite? Take American Idol, for example. Last week's finale was way down from last year's finale. It was the first time a finale did not reach the 20-million mark.

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]]> Nostalgia For Sale As Captain Kangaroo's Pals Are Auctioned Off A giant lot of <em>Captain Kangaroo</em> memorabilia goes on the auction block this week in Los Angeles. Among the items up for auction are several of the captain's signature jackets, Mr. Green Jeans' famous jeans and the life-sized costume worn by Dancing Bear. Mon, 20 May 2013 03:06:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/184856244/nostalgia-for-sale-as-captain-kangaroos-pals-are-auctioned-off?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/184856244/nostalgia-for-sale-as-captain-kangaroos-pals-are-auctioned-off?ft=1&f=1048 A giant lot of <em>Captain Kangaroo</em> memorabilia goes on the auction block this week in Los Angeles. Among the items up for auction are several of the captain's signature jackets, Mr. Green Jeans' famous jeans and the life-sized costume worn by Dancing Bear. 237 no A giant lot of Captain Kangaroo memorabilia goes on the auction block this week in Los Angeles. Among the items up for auction are several of the captain's signature jackets, Mr. Green Jeans' famous jeans and the life-sized costume worn by Dancing Bear.

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]]> 'Scandal': Preposterous, Unmissable, Important The show has become a social event for a large and varied crowd of African-Americans and others on Twitter, for reasons mysterious, complex and worth exploring. Sat, 18 May 2013 11:44:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2013/05/18/184859810/scandal-preposterous-unmissable-important?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2013/05/18/184859810/scandal-preposterous-unmissable-important?ft=1&f=1048 The show has become a social event for a large and varied crowd of African-Americans and others on Twitter, for reasons mysterious, complex and worth exploring. no The show has become a social event for a large and varied crowd of African-Americans and others on Twitter, for reasons mysterious, complex and worth exploring.

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]]> Astronaut Chris Hadfield's Most Excellent Adventure Hadfield just spent 146 days up at the International Space Station, during which time he performed rock concerts and shared his dazzling photographs with nearly a million Twitter followers. Sat, 18 May 2013 05:13:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/18/184821421/astronaut-chris-hadfields-most-excellent-adventure?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/18/184821421/astronaut-chris-hadfields-most-excellent-adventure?ft=1&f=1048 Hadfield just spent 146 days up at the International Space Station, during which time he performed rock concerts and shared his dazzling photographs with nearly a million Twitter followers. 184 no Hadfield just spent 146 days up at the International Space Station, during which time he performed rock concerts and shared his dazzling photographs with nearly a million Twitter followers.

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]]> Working Women On Television: A Mixed Bag At Best Research shows that prime-time television isn't a bad place to find portrayals of working women. Working moms and working women over 40 are another story. Sat, 18 May 2013 05:13:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/05/18/184832930/working-women-on-television-a-mixed-bag-at-best?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/05/18/184832930/working-women-on-television-a-mixed-bag-at-best?ft=1&f=1048 Research shows that prime-time television isn't a bad place to find portrayals of working women. Working moms and working women over 40 are another story. 438 no Research shows that prime-time television isn't a bad place to find portrayals of working women. Working moms and working women over 40 are another story.

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]]> Previously, On Arrested Development NPR's guide to the running gags from the show. Fri, 17 May 2013 17:40:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184818002/previously-on-arrested-development?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184818002/previously-on-arrested-development?ft=1&f=1048 NPR's guide to the running gags from the show. no NPR's guide to the running gags from the show.

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]]> Giving It Away You can give away almost anything — your time, money, food, your ideas. Giving helps define who we are and helps us connect with others. Thanks to the Internet and a rise in social consciousness, there's been a seismic shift not only in what we're giving, but how. In this hour, stories from TED speakers who are "giving it away" in new and surprising ways, and the things that happen in return. Fri, 17 May 2013 09:56:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/06/181684003/giving-it-away?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/06/181684003/giving-it-away?ft=1&f=1048 You can give away almost anything — your time, money, food, your ideas. Giving helps define who we are and helps us connect with others. Thanks to the Internet and a rise in social consciousness, there's been a seismic shift not only in what we're giving, but how. In this hour, stories from TED speakers who are "giving it away" in new and surprising ways, and the things that happen in return. no You can give away almost anything — your time, money, food, your ideas. Giving helps define who we are and helps us connect with others. Thanks to the Internet and a rise in social consciousness, there's been a seismic shift not only in what we're giving, but how. In this hour, stories from TED speakers who are "giving it away" in new and surprising ways, and the things that happen in return.

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]]> How Do You Get People To Pay For Music? Don't make people pay for music, says musician Amanda Palmer: Let them. In a passionate talk that begins in her days as a street performer, she examines the new relationship between artist and fan. Fri, 17 May 2013 09:55:47 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181868750/how-do-you-get-people-to-pay-for-music?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181868750/how-do-you-get-people-to-pay-for-music?ft=1&f=1048 Don't make people pay for music, says musician Amanda Palmer: Let them. In a passionate talk that begins in her days as a street performer, she examines the new relationship between artist and fan. 1101 no Don't make people pay for music, says musician Amanda Palmer: Let them. In a passionate talk that begins in her days as a street performer, she examines the new relationship between artist and fan.

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]]> How Can You Give A Community Better Health? Ron Finley plants vegetable gardens in South Central LA — in abandoned lots, traffic medians, along the curbs. He hopes to offer some alternative to fast food in a community where "the drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys." Fri, 17 May 2013 09:55:46 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181691507/how-can-you-give-a-community-better-health?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181691507/how-can-you-give-a-community-better-health?ft=1&f=1048 Ron Finley plants vegetable gardens in South Central LA — in abandoned lots, traffic medians, along the curbs. He hopes to offer some alternative to fast food in a community where "the drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys." 431 no Ron Finley plants vegetable gardens in South Central LA — in abandoned lots, traffic medians, along the curbs. He hopes to offer some alternative to fast food in a community where "the drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys."

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]]> Bill Hader On Sketch Comedy, Classic Hollywood This weekend will be Hader's final romp on <em>Saturday Night Live</em>. He joined the cast in 2005 and has been nominated for an Emmy for his character Stefon, an obsessive clubgoer. Hader talks about not understanding how people do standup and about watching old films, which sparked his interest in Hollywood. Fri, 17 May 2013 12:37:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184507565/bill-hader-on-sketch-comedy-classic-hollywood?ft=1&f=1048 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184507565/bill-hader-on-sketch-comedy-classic-hollywood?ft=1&f=1048 This weekend will be Hader's final romp on <em>Saturday Night Live</em>. He joined the cast in 2005 and has been nominated for an Emmy for his character Stefon, an obsessive clubgoer. Hader talks about not understanding how people do standup and about watching old films, which sparked his interest in Hollywood. 2195 no This weekend will be Hader's final romp on Saturday Night Live. He joined the cast in 2005 and has been nominated for an Emmy for his character Stefon, an obsessive clubgoer. Hader talks about not understanding how people do standup and about watching old films, which sparked his interest in Hollywood.

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