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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

Wednesday

Friday

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

Gretchen (Aya Cash) is a self-centered music publicist who falls in love with Jimmy (Chris Geere) in the FXX series You're the Worst. Prashant Gupta/FX hide caption

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Prashant Gupta/FX

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

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

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: You're the Worst, 60 Songs that Explain the '90s, and Little Moon wins the Tiny Desk.

'The Little Mermaid' takes the uncanny valley under the sea

Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric and Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Disney hide caption

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Disney

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'The Little Mermaid' takes the uncanny valley under the sea

The Little Mermaid is Disney's latest property to receive the live-action remake treatment. While some scenes match the original film, there are changes. Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote several new songs for the film. And it stars Halle Bailey as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula. The film is directed by Rob Marshall and is in theaters now.

'The Little Mermaid' takes the uncanny valley under the sea

Listen · 21:31
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Tuesday

Monday

Friday

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

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Warner Bros.

Pop Culture Happy Hour

The summer 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 summer.

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

Listen · 28:41
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Thursday

Review

Music

NPR's Stephen Thompson's top Weird Al songs, 40 years after the parody genius' debut

Weird Al Yankovic has made a name for himself with spot-on song parodies. 40 years into his career, a look at some of his best tunes reveals the expertise and creativity it takes to do what he does.

NPR's Stephen Thompson's top Weird Al songs, 40 years after the parody genius' debut

Listen · 5:35
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Wednesday

We debate the greatest TV finales of all time

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FX

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

We debate the greatest TV finales of all time

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Barry, and Succession will conclude this month, and it's not easy to end a TV series. So we decided to debate: what is the greatest TV finale of all time?

We debate the greatest TV finales of all time

Listen · 24:58
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Friday

'Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3' overloads on action and sentiment

(l-r): Pom Klementieff, Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, and Karen Gillan in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Marvel Studios hide caption

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Marvel Studios

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3' overloads on action and sentiment

In Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3, our heroes are attacked by a new mysterious villain, and must embark on a dangerous mission to save the life of Rocket Raccoon. Written and directed by James Gunn, the movie brings back Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel as our ever-expanding Guardians team. It's in theaters now.

'Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3' overloads on action and sentiment

Listen · 22:31
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Wednesday

'Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret.' is a great adaptation of a beloved classic

Rachel McAdams as Barbara and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Dana Hawley/Lionsgate hide caption

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Dana Hawley/Lionsgate

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret.' is a great adaptation of a beloved classic

Judy Blume's 1970 novel Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. was a staple of countless childhoods. But until now, it's never been adapted into a film. Like the book, the movie tells the story of a preteen girl who moves to New Jersey, makes new friends, and waits for the arrival of her period.

'Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret.' is a great adaptation of a beloved classic

Listen · 20:16
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Tuesday

'Evil Dead Rise' takes us to the bloodbath, and beyond

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Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Evil Dead Rise' takes us to the bloodbath, and beyond

Sam Raimi's 1981 horror movie The Evil Dead became a cult classic, spawning two sequels, a TV series, and a 2013 film that "reimagined" the franchise. Now, the series gets another reset with Evil Dead Rise – complete with a new writer and director (Lee Cronin), a new cast (including Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland), and a truly extraordinary amount of blood.

'Evil Dead Rise' takes us to the bloodbath, and beyond

Listen · 16:04
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Friday