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Mike Katzif.
Mito Habe-Evans/NPR

Mike Katzif

Producer, Pop Culture Happy Hour

Story Archive

Friday

'Sex Education' teaches valuable lessons in empathy

Ncuti Gatwa in season 4 of Netflix's Sex Education. Samuel Taylor/Netflix hide caption

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Samuel Taylor/Netflix

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Sex Education' teaches valuable lessons in empathy

Netflix's hit series Sex Education is a refreshing and frank coming-of-age story about modern teens learning about their bodies and themselves in awkward, relatable ways. In the final season, amateur sex therapist Otis (Asa Butterfield), his best friend Eric (Ncuti Gatwa), and their friends juggle academic life and young adulthood.

'Sex Education' teaches valuable lessons in empathy

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Thursday

In 'Starfield', human destiny is written in the stars

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Bethesda Softworks

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In 'Starfield', human destiny is written in the stars

Starfield is one of the biggest and most anticipated video game releases of the year. It's a massive open world game set in humanity's future, when we've settled on star systems throughout the galaxy. There's over 1000 planets to explore, multiple factions to join, spaceships to pilot and quests to go on. But does Starfield live up to the hype?

In 'Starfield', human destiny is written in the stars

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Wednesday

Three great 90s thrillers

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PictureLux / The Hollywood Archive / Alamy Stock Photo

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Three great 90s thrillers

When you're talking about the movies of the 1990s, you have to mention the decade's huge assortment of thrillers. From courtroom standoffs and frantic chases to wild twists and A-list stars, today, we are recommending three of our favorite 90s thrillers.

Three great 90s thrillers

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Tuesday

'The Other Black Girl' explores identity and unease

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Hulu

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'The Other Black Girl' explores identity and unease

Part blistering workplace satire, part creepy thriller, Hulu's The Other Black Girl packs a lot of punches. Nella (Sinclair Daniel) is a young editorial assistant who forms a fast-friendship with her new-coworker, Hazel (Ashleigh Murray) as they both navigate working in a mostly white publishing company. Hazel is confident, a bit mysterious, and full of secrets. The Other Black Girl is based on the novel by Zakiya Dalila Harris.

'The Other Black Girl' explores identity and unease

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Friday

The Fall movies, TV and music we can't wait for

Cailee Spaeny stars in Priscilla. A24 Films hide caption

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A24 Films

Pop Culture Happy Hour

The Fall movies, TV and music we can't wait for

Today we offer up a guide to some of the most exciting movies, TV, and music you can check out this fall.

The Fall movies, TV and music we can't wait for

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Thursday

On 'GUTS', Olivia Rodrigo is more than the sum of her influences

Olivia Rodrigo returns with her sophomore album Guts. Nick Walker/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Nick Walker/Courtesy of the artist

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

On 'GUTS', Olivia Rodrigo is more than the sum of her influences

Olivia Rodrigo's debut album, Sour, was one of the biggest hits of 2021. Now, she's back with a new record called GUTS, which has already spawned two hits with "vampire" and "bad idea right?" The album sharpens a sound inspired by pop, punk and singer-songwriters.

On 'GUTS', Olivia Rodrigo is more than the sum of her influences

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Monday

We unpack Jimmy Fallon and the 'Strike Force Five' podcast

Jimmy Fallon hosts the The Tonight Show in March 2023. Todd Owyoung/NBC hide caption

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Todd Owyoung/NBC

Pop Culture Happy Hour

We unpack Jimmy Fallon and the 'Strike Force Five' podcast

Recently, late night talk show hosts Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, John Oliver and Jimmy Kimmel started the chat podcast Strike Force Five to raise money and support their staff during the actors and writers strikes. Shortly after it launched, an investigation in Rolling Stone outlined allegations of erratic and aggressive behavior by Jimmy Fallon and a generally terrible working environment at The Tonight Show. So now, this unusual project finds itself in an awkward position.

We unpack Jimmy Fallon and the 'Strike Force Five' podcast

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Friday

'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' heads for the homeland

Nia Vardalos stars as Toula and John Corbett stars as Ian in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. Focus Features hide caption

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Focus Features

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' heads for the homeland

The family comedy My Big Fat Greek Wedding was a very big hit back in 2002. So it was inevitable that the movie spawned a couple of sequels – thus, we now have My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. Writer and director Nia Vardalos is back as Toula, John Corbett is back as her husband, and this time, they're headed to Greece for a family reunion.

'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' heads for the homeland

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Wednesday

For The Eras Tour, Taylor Swift takes a lucrative, satisfying victory lap

Taylor Swift performs onstage on the first night of her Eras Tour at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

For The Eras Tour, Taylor Swift takes a lucrative, satisfying victory lap

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is on pace to become the biggest and most lucrative concert tour in history. Each night's show offers up a career-spanning three-hour epic, with a sprawling setlist that includes a nightly assortment of surprises. But what made the tour such a juggernaut this summer?

For The Eras Tour, Taylor Swift takes a lucrative, satisfying victory lap

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Friday

Why 'Suits'? We dive into this summer's streaming hit

Meghan Markle and Patrick J. Adams in Suits. Cinematic / Alamy Stock Photo hide caption

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Cinematic / Alamy Stock Photo

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Why 'Suits'? We dive into this summer's streaming hit

The long-running lawyer show Suits is this summer's streaming sensation, and riding high on Netflix's top ten. Starring Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams, the series originally ran on the USA Network and ended its run four years ago. So why is it now so popular? Is it nostalgia for a different kind of television? Is it Meghan Markle? And how good is this show?

Why 'Suits'? We dive into this summer's streaming hit

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Wednesday

HBO shines a light on scams in 'Telemarketers' and 'BS High'

Roy Johnson (right) with a Bishop Sycamore player in the HBO documentary, BS High. HBO hide caption

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HBO

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

HBO shines a light on scams in 'Telemarketers' and 'BS High'

HBO has two great new documentary projects about two very different scams. BS High is about a high school football team that came from what turned out to be a nonexistent high school. Telemarketers is about telemarketing scams, and how hard it is to stop them. Both stories are about not just the very colorful nitty-gritty details of a successful scam, but also the conditions and the systems that make scams possible.

HBO shines a light on scams in 'Telemarketers' and 'BS High'

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Friday

High school comedy 'Bottoms' is violent, bizarre, and a hoot

Ayo Edebiri stars as Josie and Rachel Sennott as PJ in Bottoms. Orion Pictures Inc. hide caption

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Orion Pictures Inc.

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

High school comedy 'Bottoms' is violent, bizarre, and a hoot

Hollywood loves a movie about horny teens desperate to lose their virginity, and the smart new comedy Bottoms is a welcome addition to the canon. Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott star as unpopular best friends who start a fight club in hopes of seducing the cheerleaders of their dreams. Bottoms was co-written by Sennott and Emma Seligman, who also directs. They previously collaborated on the movie Shiva Baby.

High school comedy 'Bottoms' is violent, bizarre, and a hoot

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Thursday

'Blue Beetle' is a true-blue surprise

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Warner Bros.

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Blue Beetle' is a true-blue surprise

In the great new DC superhero film Blue Beetle, Xolo Maridueña plays Jaime Reyes, a young Mexican-American man who stumbles across a creepy bug-like alien artifact that bonds to him and gives him superpowers. It may seem like just another story about a reluctant hero, but in execution, centering the film on a Latino family changes the familiar formula in ways big and small.

'Blue Beetle' is a true-blue surprise

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Tuesday

'Strays' leads the pack for R-rated dog comedies

Reggie (Will Ferrell), Maggie (Isla Fisher), Hunter (Randall Park) and Bug (Jamie Foxx) in Strays. Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Pictures hide caption

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Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Pictures

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Strays' leads the pack for R-rated dog comedies

In the raunchy new comedy Strays, four talking dogs embark on an incredible journey. Reggie (voiced by Will Ferrell) doesn't realize his owner Doug (Will Forte) is desperate to abandon him on the streets. But when Doug's intentions become clear, Reggie's motivation shifts from a reunion to revenge. Strays' voice cast also features Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher and Randall Park.

'Strays' leads the pack for R-rated dog comedies

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Friday

'The Afterparty' is a genre-generating whodunit

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Apple TV+

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'The Afterparty' is a genre-generating whodunit

The Apple TV+ murder mystery comedy series The Afterparty looks at the events around a murder and its investigation from a different character's point of view in each episode. Starring Sam Richardson, Zoë Chao, Tiffany Haddish, and many others, each installment is made in a different film style — like an erotic thriller, a midcentury melodrama, or a Wes Anderson sendup.

'The Afterparty' is a genre-generating whodunit

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Thursday

Checking in on the World Cup

Salma Paralluelo of Spain during the Women's World Cup semi-final match versus Sweden. Phil Walter/Getty Images hide caption

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Phil Walter/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Checking in on the World Cup

On Sunday morning, England and Spain will face off in the Women's World Cup Final. Both countries are playing in the women's final for the first time. And whether you'll be watching for the first time or a diehard soccer fan, we've got you've covered. Plus, we'll talk about why the U.S. was knocked out in the round of 16, and the impact of the American team on the sport.

Checking in on the World Cup

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Wednesday

On 'Harley Quinn' love reigns, with a side of chaos

Kaley Cuoco and Lake Bell voice Harley and Poison Ivy on Harley Quinn. Max hide caption

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Max

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

On 'Harley Quinn' love reigns, with a side of chaos

The fantastic Max animated series Harley Quinn is set in its own separate version of the DC Universe where the violence is frequent and the raunchy jokes come at you fast. In the show, Harley (Kaley Cuoco) has ditched the Joker and started making her own brand of mayhem alongside her best friend and romantic partner Poison Ivy (Lake Bell). Harley Quinn recently returned for a new season, so we decided to revisit our conversation about the series.

On 'Harley Quinn' love reigns, with a side of chaos

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Tuesday

The hip-hop verse that changed my life

Big Boi and Andre 3000 of Outkast perform at the Firefly Music Festival in 2014. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Firefly Music Festival hide caption

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Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Firefly Music Festival

Pop Culture Happy Hour

The hip-hop verse that changed my life

What makes for an unshakable rap verse — the kind that shifts your world view and sticks around years after the first time you encountered it? This month marks 50 years since the birth of hip-hop, so we reached out to some NPR colleagues and a few hip-hop luminaries and asked them what hip-hop verse changed their lives. You can hear all the tracks discussed in this episode in our Spotify playlist.

The hip-hop verse that changed my life

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Friday

Will 'Red, White & Royal Blue' be your cup of tea?

Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex Claremont-Diaz and Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry in Red, White & Royal Blue. Jonathan Prime/Prime Video hide caption

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Jonathan Prime/Prime Video

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Will 'Red, White & Royal Blue' be your cup of tea?

The new film Red White & Royal Blue is a classic enemies-to-lovers rom-com, though in this case the rom is queer, and the com arises out of the fact that there are huge geopolitical stakes involved. That's because the two lovers in question are Alex (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the American president and Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), the prince of England. Directed by Matthew López, the movie is based on Casey McQuiston's wildly successful and much-loved novel.

Will 'Red, White & Royal Blue' be your cup of tea?

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Thursday

'Shortcomings' is a comedy that lives in the discomfort

Justin H. Min and Sherry Cola in Shortcomings. Jon Pack/Sony Pictures Classics hide caption

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Jon Pack/Sony Pictures Classics

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Shortcomings' is a comedy that lives in the discomfort

The tart comedy Shortcomings is about a cynical cinephile with a lot of hang-ups. Ben (Justin H. Min) hates his job and is emotionally checked out of his relationship with his longtime girlfriend (Ally Maki). When the couple goes on a hiatus, he's forced to confront unresolved insecurities tied to his Asian-American identity. Directed by Randall Park, the film has a lot to say about interracial dating and intraracial conflict.

'Shortcomings' is a comedy that lives in the discomfort

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Friday

'Mutant Mayhem' reboots the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and does it well

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Nickelodeon Movies/Paramount Pictures

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Mutant Mayhem' reboots the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and does it well

The fun new animated movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem reboots the iconic series. It's directed by Jeff Rowe (The Mitchells vs. the Machines), who co-wrote the script with Seth Rogen and others. The formula is familiar — an ooze turns four baby turtles into ninja-fighting warriors who must save humanity and find acceptance along the way. The film is bolstered by its funny pop-culture references and a strong voice cast, including Jackie Chan, Ice Cube and Ayo Edebiri.

'Mutant Mayhem' reboots the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and does it well

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Thursday

Idris Elba is the hero we need in 'Hijack'

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Apple TV+

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Idris Elba is the hero we need in 'Hijack'

Idris Elba is in full action hero mode in the Apple TV+ series Hijack. He stars as a corporate business negotiator onboard an airplane that is taken hostage by an eclectic bunch of assailants with mysterious motives. The series is very fun and very silly.

Idris Elba is the hero we need in 'Hijack'

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Wednesday

'This Fool' is an odd-couple comedy with L.A. flair

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Hulu

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'This Fool' is an odd-couple comedy with L.A. flair

The Hulu comedy series This Fool is set in South Central Los Angeles and follow an odd couple of cousins named Julio and Luis. They bicker, help each other out and try to figure out what's next for themselves. Star and co-creator Chris Estrada, who plays Julio, based a lot of the show on his standup.

'This Fool' is an odd-couple comedy with L.A. flair

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Friday

'Haunted Mansion' is grave

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Walt Disney Studios

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Haunted Mansion' is grave

In Disney's Haunted Mansion, a rag-tag group of paranormal experts attempt to get rid of ghosts that haunt a crumbling New Orleans mansion. Based on the beloved theme park experience, the film stars Rosario Dawson, LaKeith Stanfield, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito and Tiffany Haddish — who band together to confront the dangers of the unseen world. But despite its star power, does the movie live up to its supernatural premise?

'Haunted Mansion' is grave

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