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Stephen Thompson Stephen Thompson is a host, writer and reviewer for NPR Music and Pop Culture Happy Hour. He appears frequently on All Songs Considered and NPR newsmagazines.
Washington, DC - May 03, 2016: Stephen Thompson CREDIT: Matt Roth
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Stephen Thompson

Friday

Summer Guide: Movies, TV and Music We Can't Wait For

Conrad Ricamora and Joel Kim Booster star in the upcoming film Fire Island. Jeong Park/Searchlight Pictures hide caption

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Jeong Park/Searchlight Pictures

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Summer Guide: Movies, TV and Music We Can't Wait For

It's about to be summer. While that means sunshine and maybe even a chance to relax, it also means summer entertainment. Whether you're ready to venture out into theaters or you're still enjoying the comforts of your couch, we are here to talk about some of the best TV, film and music that's coming straight to you. Vote for your favorite American Idol contestants at npr.org/AmericanIdol

Summer Guide: Movies, TV and Music We Can't Wait For

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Thursday

In 'X,' horror and pleasure are deeply intertwined

Mia Goth stars in Ti West's latest horror flick, X. Christopher Moss/A24 hide caption

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Christopher Moss/A24

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In 'X,' horror and pleasure are deeply intertwined

In the terrific horror thriller X, a ragtag film crew sets up shop in a creepy rural farmhouse, where they plan to shoot a porno movie without attracting the attention of their elderly hosts. But it's only a matter of time before things get stabby. Starring Mia Goth and Brittany Snow, and directed by Ti West, X has an arty, stylish feel – as well as larger points to make about filmmaking, aging, exploitation, and sex. Vote for your favorite American Idol contestants at npr.org/AmericanIdol

In 'X,' horror and pleasure are deeply intertwined

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Friday

Nicolas Cage carries 'The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent'

Nicolas Cage plays Nicolas Cage in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate hide caption

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Katalin Vermes/Lionsgate

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Nicolas Cage carries 'The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent'

In the action comedy The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent, Nicolas Cage plays a fictionalized Nicolas Cage. This down-on-his-luck version of the actor must get out of a jam after he is offered a million dollars to attend the birthday party of a potentially deadly superfan, played by Pedro Pascal. Also starring Tiffany Haddish, Ike Barinholtz and Sharon Horgan, the movie gets meta as it draws heavily on the Cage's career and long history of eccentric performances. Vote for your favorite American Idol contestants at npr.org/AmericanIdol

Nicolas Cage carries 'The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent'

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Thursday

Friday

New Music Friday: The Top 5 albums out on April 15

Kaitlin Butts' what else can she do is one of the top releases out April 15. Mackenzie Ryan/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Mackenzie Ryan/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The Top 5 albums out on April 15

NPR Music picks the best new albums out this week, including new releases by Kaitlin Butts, Samora Pinderhughes, Mal Blum and more.

New Music Friday: The Top 5 albums out on April 15

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Wednesday

Tuesday

A Cameo Quiz
jameslee1/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

A Cameo Quiz

Cameo is an online service where you can pay a celebrity to record a personalized video message. Maybe it's for your birthday, maybe it's for someone's anniversary — or maybe you're just bored. The videos can costs you tens, hundreds, or even thousands of dollars. In this episode we play a game involving the Cameo prices of some extremely famous, modestly famous, and delightfully niche celebrities.

A Cameo Quiz

Listen · 21:19
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Friday

'Ambulance' is peak Michael Bay, peak meh

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Jake Gyllenhaal star in the new Michael Bay thriller Ambulance. Andrew Cooper/Universal Pictures hide caption

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Andrew Cooper/Universal Pictures

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Ambulance' is peak Michael Bay, peak meh

Ambulance is Michael Bay's latest action movie, and if you think you know exactly what you're going to get — you'd be correct. It's more than two hours of pure, unrelenting adrenaline featuring gun fights, explosions and dizzying camera work. The film stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Jake Gyllenhaal as adoptive brothers who get caught up in a bank heist gone spectacularly wrong. And true to the title, it involves a high-speed ambulance chase.

'Ambulance' is peak Michael Bay, peak meh

Listen · 21:46
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Thursday

In 'Morbius,' Jared Leto is a living vampire undone by a bloodless script

Jared Leto in a scene from Morbius. Marvel/Sony hide caption

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Marvel/Sony

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In 'Morbius,' Jared Leto is a living vampire undone by a bloodless script

In Morbius, Jared Leto stars as the mysterious and brilliant Dr. Michael Morbius, who was born with a rare and debilitating blood disorder. With the aid of vampire bats, he comes up with a treatment that gives him superpowers, but also gives him a taste for blood. The movie takes place in the Sony wing of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and serves as an origin story for this vampiric antihero.

In 'Morbius,' Jared Leto is a living vampire undone by a bloodless script

Listen · 12:38
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Wednesday

Monday

Our 2022 Grammys Recap

Olivia Rodrigo accepts the best pop vocal album Grammy. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy hide caption

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Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Our 2022 Grammys Recap

Last night's Grammys featured wins for Olivia Rodrigo, Silk Sonic, Jon Batiste, and more. Plus we got a lavish stage show with performances from BTS, Lady Gaga, and many others.

Our 2022 Grammys Recap

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10 takeaways from a night of strong performances and curveballs at the Grammys

Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars of Silk Sonic accept the record of the year award for "Leave the Door Open." Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy hide caption

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Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The 2022 Grammy Awards

10 takeaways from a night of strong performances and curveballs at the Grammys

Here's what you need to know about the 2022 Grammys — the lessons, storylines, triumphs and irritations that defined the very long night.

10 takeaways from a night of strong performances and curveballs at the Grammys

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Saturday

7 storylines to watch at this year's Grammy Awards

Trevor Noah, Tony Bennett, Olivia Rodrigo and Jon Batiste are all people to keep your eye on Sunday night, all for different reasons. Kevin Winter; Joseph Prezioso; Matt Winkelmeyer; Rich Fury/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Winter; Joseph Prezioso; Matt Winkelmeyer; Rich Fury/Getty Images

The 2022 Grammy Awards

7 storylines to watch at this year's Grammy Awards

From a possible Olivia Rodrigo sweep to the probability of someone mentioning "The Slap," here's what to expect at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards this Sunday.

7 storylines to watch at this year's Grammy Awards

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