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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

Tuesday

Our favorite graduation moments in pop culture
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Pop Culture Happy Hour

Our favorite graduation moments in pop culture

This is the time of year when so many students graduate from so many schools in so many caps and gowns. Whether it's graduation episodes of our favorite TV series, high school songs, or movies about the last wild night of high school, we're here to commence a show about commencement.

Our favorite graduation moments in pop culture

Listen · 24:23
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Friday

'Top Gun: Maverick' puts Tom Cruise back in the cockpit, 36 years later

Tom Cruise stars as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick. Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures hide caption

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Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Top Gun: Maverick' puts Tom Cruise back in the cockpit, 36 years later

Top Gun first hit theaters in 1986, starring Tom Cruise as a cocky fighter pilot who trains in an elite military program. Now, there's finally a sequel called Top Gun: Maverick, in which Cruise returns to train a new generation of pilots.

'Top Gun: Maverick' puts Tom Cruise back in the cockpit, 36 years later

Listen · 27:03
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Thursday

Harry Styles sinks into summer vibes on 'Harry's House'

Harry Styles' latest album Harry's House is out now. Columbia Records hide caption

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Columbia Records

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Harry Styles sinks into summer vibes on 'Harry's House'

Harry Styles has just released his third solo album, called Harry's House. The new record finds the former One Direction singer presiding over a bunch of breezy, unfailingly pleasant love songs. The new album has already spawned a No. 1 single with the song "As It Was" and comes after 2019's Fine Line, which won Styles his first Grammy.

Harry Styles sinks into summer vibes on 'Harry's House'

Listen · 17:21
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Monday

Thursday

Kendrick Lamar looks inward on 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers'

Kendrick Lamar returns with his latest album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Kendrick Lamar looks inward on 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers'

It's been five years since Kendrick Lamar released his last album, DAMN. Since then, he's won a Pulitzer Prize, been nominated for an Oscar, and become a parent. His new double-length album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, is anything but a breezy victory lap. Lamar examines generational trauma, sexual politics, and his own attempts to grow amid high expectations and heavy introspection.

Kendrick Lamar looks inward on 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers'

Listen · 22:16
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Monday

Eurovision serves up lavish spectacle — and a big win for Ukraine

Members of the band Kalush Orchestra perform on behalf of Ukraine during the final of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest. Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Eurovision serves up lavish spectacle — and a big win for Ukraine

The 66th Eurovision Song Contest took place in Italy over the weekend. Every year, dozens of countries face off in a competition full of pageantry, strobe lights, and sparkles. But Eurovision isn't just a talent search. It's also a lavish spectacle that attempts to unify the world in song. This year's winner was Kalush Orchestra, from Ukraine.

Eurovision serves up lavish spectacle — and a big win for Ukraine

Listen · 14:14
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Thursday

Bad Bunny unleashes a genre-smashing summer blockbuster

Bad Bunny performs onstage in Miami during "The Last Tour Of The World" on April 1, 2022. Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Bad Bunny unleashes a genre-smashing summer blockbuster

Bad Bunny is one of the world's biggest pop stars and a multimedia superstar. Now, the Puerto Rican singer is back with a new record called Un Verano Sin Ti, or A Summer Without You. It's a 23-song, double-length album that sprawls across many genres, including pop, trap, reggaeton and much more — and features musical guests galore.

Bad Bunny unleashes a genre-smashing summer blockbuster

Listen · 16:52
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Monday

'American Song Contest' attempts to duplicate the magic of Eurovision

Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson host American Song Contest. Trae Patton/NBC hide caption

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Trae Patton/NBC

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

'American Song Contest' attempts to duplicate the magic of Eurovision

Hosted by Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg, NBC's American Song Contest is a singing competition that tries to duplicate the Eurovision formula by having each entry represent their home state or territory.

'American Song Contest' attempts to duplicate the magic of Eurovision

Listen · 17:42
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Friday

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

Heléne Yorke and Drew Tarver on The Other Two, which was renewed for a third season this past fall. Greg Endries /HBO Max hide caption

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Greg Endries /HBO Max

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

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

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: vintage reads, Elden Ring and something to scratch the Schitt's Creek itch.

New Music Friday: The best releases out on May 6

Sharon Van Etten's We've Been Going About This All Wrong is on our shortlist of the best albums out on May 6. Michael Schmelling hide caption

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Michael Schmelling

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best releases out on May 6

NPR Music's picks for the best albums out this week include Sharon Van Etten's We've Been Going About This All Wrong, Jack Harlow's Come Home The Kids Miss You, Arcade Fire's WE and more.

New Music Friday: The best releases out on May 6

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'Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness' serves horror energy

Xochitl Gomez, Benedict Wong, and Benedict Cumberbatch star in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness. Marvel Studios hide caption

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Marvel Studios

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness' serves horror energy

In Marvel's Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, Benedict Cumberbatch returns as a powerful sorcerer who must protect Earth from mystical menaces. The new film finds Doctor Strange battling an unexpected nemesis as he comes to the aid of America Chavez, played by Xochitl Gomez, who has the power to travel across alternate universes. Directed by Sam Raimi, the film also stars Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, and Rachel McAdams.

'Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness' serves horror energy

Listen · 26:20
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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

Listen · 23:45
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