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Lessons About Racism from 'Cops' and 'Gone With The Wind'

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: Black Lives Matter supporters are seen on the roof of a van during a rally in Trafalgar Square on June 12, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers/Getty Images hide caption

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Peter Summers/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders

Lessons About Racism from 'Cops' and 'Gone With The Wind'

The killing of George Floyd has inspired global protests against police brutality, and it seems like everyone has something to say, including the entertainment industry. Sam's joined by NPR television critic Eric Deggans and Tonya Mosley, co-host of NPR/WBUR's Here & Now and host of the KQED podcast Truth Be Told. They talk about the cancellation of the long-running reality TV show Cops, the removal of Gone With the Wind from HBO Max, and what it all says about this moment. After that, Sam chats with Rev. Jacqui Lewis, senior minister at Middle Collegiate Church in Manhattan, and Rev. angel Kyodo williams, a Zen priest. They talk about what Black people and white people should be doing differently now and give Sam a bit of sermon.

Lessons About Racism from 'Cops' and 'Gone With The Wind'

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'Kipo And The Age Of Wonderbeasts' Returns, Weirder And Warmer Than Ever

Kipo (center) and friends make their surprisingly cheerful way through a post-apocalyptic hellscape beset by giant mutant animals in Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts. Netflix hide caption

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Netflix

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Kipo And The Age Of Wonderbeasts' Returns, Weirder And Warmer Than Ever

Netflix's post-apocalyptic animated series about a girl and her friends in a world of giant mutant animals is so colorful and sunny it makes the end of the world look ... kinda fun.

'Kipo And The Age Of Wonderbeasts' Returns, Weirder And Warmer Than Ever

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'Food Is Social Adhesive,' So Questlove Is Hosting A Virtual Potluck

Questlove has written two cookbooks, and pre-pandemic, was a frequent potluck host. Michael Baca hide caption

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Michael Baca

The Coronavirus Crisis

'Food Is Social Adhesive,' So Questlove Is Hosting A Virtual Potluck

The Roots drummer, DJ and cookbook author isn't letting a pandemic slow him down — he's still performing on The Tonight Show, and now he's hosting a virtual potluck dinner party on the Food Network.

'Food Is Social Adhesive,' So Questlove Is Hosting A Virtual Potluck

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'Quaranzines' Bring Readers Together Despite Distancing

Illustrator Kirk Reedstrom says his life began to feel surreal when his state imposed quarantine measures. Kirk Reedstrom hide caption

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Kirk Reedstrom

The Coronavirus Crisis

'Quaranzines' Bring Readers Together Despite Distancing

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Internet has become home to a growing number of self-published "quaranzines" on everything from cutting your own hair to building emergency hand washing stations.

'Quaranzines' Bring Readers Together Despite Distancing

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'The Power Of A Group' Moves Sharon Horgan, Kristin Scott Thomas In 'Military Wives'

Sharon Horgan (left) and Kristin Scott Thomas play the spouses of soldiers who lead a choir group of women to success, in the new based-on-a-true story film, Military Wives. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images hide caption

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Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Movies

'The Power Of A Group' Moves Sharon Horgan, Kristin Scott Thomas In 'Military Wives'

The film follows women who form a choir to cope with their spouses' deployments to Afghanistan. "It's a story that speaks to a huge number of partners, spouses and wives of the military," Horgan says.

'The Power Of A Group' Moves Sharon Horgan, Kristin Scott Thomas In 'Military Wives'

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Science Movie Club: 'Contact'

Much of the movie 'Contact' was filmed at the Very Large Array in New Mexico. Erin Slonaker/Moment Editorial/Getty Images hide caption

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Erin Slonaker/Moment Editorial/Getty Images

Short Wave

Science Movie Club: 'Contact'

Yes, there actually are astronomers looking for intelligent life in space. The 1997 film adaptation of Carl Sagan's 'Contact' got a lot of things right ... and a few things wrong. Radio astronomer Summer Ash, an education specialist with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, breaks down the science in the film.

Science Movie Club: 'Contact'

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Eurovision Song Contest To 'Shine A Light' With Pandemic Special

Dutch singer and television host Jan Smit dances on stage as presenters prepare for Saturday's Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light special. EBU/Kris Pouw hide caption

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EBU/Kris Pouw

Coronavirus Live Updates

Eurovision Song Contest To 'Shine A Light' With Pandemic Special

Instead of leaving super fans without glitter, glam and hard-rock hallelujah, the annual event now in it's 64th year, will air a live two-hour special available for viewing in more than 40 countries.

In 'She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power,' True Strength Is In Being Yourself

In the final season of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, the rebellion faces an invasion from Horde Prime and his alien clone army. DreamWorks/Netflix hide caption

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DreamWorks/Netflix

Television

In 'She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power,' True Strength Is In Being Yourself

Netflix and DreamWorks Animation have rebooted the classic 1980s cartoon She-Ra: Princess of Power. The new version updates characters from the old show to reflect a more diverse audience for kids.

In 'She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power,' True Strength Is In Being Yourself

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Crass Warfare: 'The Great' Casts A (Vodka) Gimlet Eye On Privilege

Huzzah? Emperor Peter of Russia (Nicholas Hoult) and a disillusioned Catherine of Prussia (Elle Fanning) enter into a not-great marriage in Hulu's The Great. Hulu hide caption

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Hulu

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Crass Warfare: 'The Great' Casts A (Vodka) Gimlet Eye On Privilege

Loosely (very loosely) based on the early life of Russia's Catherine the Great, Hulu's 10-episode historical comedy-drama is arch, witty, twisty and knowing.

Crass Warfare: 'The Great' Casts A (Vodka) Gimlet Eye On Privilege

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Playing 'Death Stranding,' Even In Isolation, You're Not Alone

As you trek through the wilderness of Death Stranding, you'll gradually discover you're not as alone as you think. Sony Interactive Entertainment/Kojima Productions hide caption

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Sony Interactive Entertainment/Kojima Productions

The Coronavirus Crisis

Playing 'Death Stranding,' Even In Isolation, You're Not Alone

In Hideo Kojima's famously strange new game, you're often alone, trekking across deserted post-apocalyptic America. But you're also not alone, as you find clues and connections left by other players.

Can Riot Games Make 'Valorant' An Esports Success? Signs Point To Yes

In Valorant, you mostly won't be jumping into direct confrontations — instead, you'll creep around corners to try landing a sneaky shot. Courtesy of Riot Games hide caption

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Courtesy of Riot Games

Join The Game

Can Riot Games Make 'Valorant' An Esports Success? Signs Point To Yes

Riot Games is known as the League of Legends studio — apart from some spinoffs, they've never done anything else. But now they're trying something new, a first-person shooter called Valorant.

'Hollywood' Serves Up A Progressive Alt-History Parable, Thinly Sliced

Screenwriter Archie (Jeremy Pope, left) and wannabe director Raymond (Darren Criss) run lines in the Netflix miniseries Hollywood. Saeed Anyani/Netflix hide caption

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Saeed Anyani/Netflix

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Hollywood' Serves Up A Progressive Alt-History Parable, Thinly Sliced

Noble-minded (and determined you don't forget that) but glibly made, the latest Ryan Murphy Netflix miniseries offers an alternate history in which brave Hollywood types change the world.

From 'Parks And Recreation,' A Brief But Delightful Return To Pawnee

Nick Offerman and Amy Poehler would never breathe on each other like this (an earlier moment in the series) in the new Parks and Recreation special, but at least they can talk on video. Ben Cohen/NBC hide caption

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Ben Cohen/NBC

Review

The Coronavirus Crisis

From 'Parks And Recreation,' A Brief But Delightful Return To Pawnee

Thursday night's special may not have been a narrative necessity, but it was a welcome joy to visit with Leslie Knope, Ron Swanson and the rest of our old pals.

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