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The secret behind why parents — and kids — love 'Bluey'

Dad becomes a Ragdoll so Bluey and Bingo have to work out how to move him so they can get some ice cream. Ludo Studio hide caption

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Ludo Studio

Television

The secret behind why parents — and kids — love 'Bluey'

A new season of the hugely popular Australian cartoon Bluey is dropping on Disney+. With its made-up family games, high jinx and humanity, the series has hooked both kids and their parents.

The secret behind why parents — and kids — love 'Bluey'

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Palestinian pop singer Bashar Murad struggles for freedom and equality on two fronts

Palestinian musician Bashar Murad works at a recording studio in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem November 19, 2018. AMMAR AWAD/REUTERS hide caption

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AMMAR AWAD/REUTERS

Consider This from NPR

Palestinian pop singer Bashar Murad struggles for freedom and equality on two fronts

Bashar Murad's danceable riffs and live concerts and videos - filled with bubbles, enormous hats, and layers and layers of veils - have earned him the nickname "Palestinian Lady Gaga" from his fans. And much like Born This Way is an anthem of equality, Murad's songs challenge conservative social norms and push for LGBTQ rights while also challenging the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.

Palestinian pop singer Bashar Murad struggles for freedom and equality on two fronts

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All things comedy: HBO's 'Rap Sh!t,' plus, what's going on with late-night TV?

Aida Osman and KaMillion, Rapsh!t Alicia Vera/HBO Max hide caption

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Alicia Vera/HBO Max

It's Been a Minute

All things comedy: HBO's 'Rap Sh!t,' plus, what's going on with late-night TV?

What do we expect from women rappers? Guest host Tracie Hunte and music and culture journalist Naima Cochrane discuss HBO's Rap Sh!t — and how it portrays women in hip hop walking the line between sexuality and respectability.

All things comedy: HBO's 'Rap Sh!t,' plus, what's going on with late-night TV?

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

Aasif Mandvi as Ben Shakir, Mike Colter as David Acosta, and Katja Herbers as Kristen Bouchard in Evil Elizabeth Fisher/Elizabeth Fisher/Paramount+ hide caption

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Elizabeth Fisher/Elizabeth Fisher/Paramount+

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

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

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Devil in a Blue Dress, Evil, and more.

'Bullet Train' a high-speed fail

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Sony Pictures

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Bullet Train' a high-speed fail

In the new film Bullet Train, Brad Pitt plays an assassin hired to steal a briefcase from a pair of rival assassins played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry. Also in the mix are Andrew Koji, Joey King, Bad Bunny, and Hiroyuki Sanada. It's directed by David Leitch (Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde, Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw).

'Bullet Train' a high-speed fail

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The Netflix v. 'Unofficial Bridgerton Musical' lawsuit, explained

Emily Bear, left, and Abigail Barlow accept the award for best musical theater album for The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards on April 3. Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP hide caption

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Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Law

The Netflix v. 'Unofficial Bridgerton Musical' lawsuit, explained

Netflix is suing Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, who wrote the Grammy-winning Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, for infringement of intellectual property rights of the streaming service's hit show.

Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' is a thotty, naughty and ethereal work of art

Beyoncé returns with Renaissance, her first solo studio album since 2016's Lemonade. Carlijn Jacobs/Parkwood Entertainment hide caption

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Carlijn Jacobs/Parkwood Entertainment

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' is a thotty, naughty and ethereal work of art

On Beyoncé's new album Renaissance, the superstar channels a rich history of Black and queer music. There's disco, dancehall, bounce, house, gospel, freestyle and funk — all served up in a confident, sexy and thotty gumbo. Now that we've had some time to sit with (and get down to) the album, how are we feeling? Was it worth the wait?

Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' is a thotty, naughty and ethereal work of art

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In middle-age, Neil Patrick Harris is 'Uncoupled'

Neil Patrick Harris stars in Uncoupled. Barbara Nitke/Netflix hide caption

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Barbara Nitke/Netflix

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In middle-age, Neil Patrick Harris is 'Uncoupled'

The new Netflix comedy series Uncoupled stars Neil Patrick Harris as a man whose partner leaves him after 17 years together. The show comes from Darren Star, the prolific producer behind Sex and the City, and Jeffrey Richman, who worked on Modern Family and Frasier. They bring that experience to this new story about being gay and middle-aged and suddenly single.

In middle-age, Neil Patrick Harris is 'Uncoupled'

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Three great movies under 90 minutes

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Screen Gems

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Three great movies under 90 minutes

What do you do when you need a good movie, but you don't have much time? The answer is that you find a short one. We recommend three films that deliver a lot of punch without taking up your whole day.

Three great movies under 90 minutes

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$#@*! we're talking profanity in pop culture

Shut the front door, we're revisiting an episode about profanity. Robin Olimb/Getty Images hide caption

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Robin Olimb/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

$#@*! we're talking profanity in pop culture

We've got dirty words on the brain. In this encore episode from 2013, we chat about the use and functions of profanity in entertainment. We cover everything from Anchorman to South Park to Shakespeare.

$#@*! we're talking profanity in pop culture

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Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on 'Star Trek,' dies at 89

Nichelle Nichols made history for her role as communications officer Lt. Uhura on Star Trek. CBS via Getty Images hide caption

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CBS via Getty Images

Television

Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on 'Star Trek,' dies at 89

Nichols broke ground and paved the way for Black actors in Hollywood as Uhura. Her castmate George Takei wrote, "We lived long and prospered together."

Nichelle Nichols, Lt. Uhura on 'Star Trek,' dies at 89

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Happy Birthday, George Jetson? The internet thinks he was born on July 31, 2022

Memes have been circulating claiming that July 31, 2022 is the birthday of the dopey patriarch from the vintage cartoon, "The Jetsons." Warner Bros./Getty Images hide caption

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Warner Bros./Getty Images

Happy Birthday, George Jetson? The internet thinks he was born on July 31, 2022

According to memes circulating on the internet, July 31, 2022 may just be the birthday of the dopey patriarch from the vintage cartoon, The Jetsons.

Happy Birthday, George Jetson? The internet thinks he was born on July 31, 2022

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Artist Tunde Olaniran's 'Made a Universe' opens a portal at a Detroit museum

Artist Tunde Olaniran Steven Piper/Tunde Olaniran hide caption

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Steven Piper/Tunde Olaniran

Culture

Artist Tunde Olaniran's 'Made a Universe' opens a portal at a Detroit museum

Musician and artist Tunde Olaniran is a rising star from Flint, Michigan whose exuberant work comments on serious issues such as environmental injustice and the carceral state.

Artist Tunde Olaniran's 'Made a Universe' opens a portal at a Detroit museum

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Bow down, Queen Bey's 'Renaissance' era has finally arrived

Beyoncé's seventh album, Renaissance, is now available worldwide. Carlijn Jacobs/Parkwood Entertainment hide caption

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Carlijn Jacobs/Parkwood Entertainment

It's Been a Minute

Bow down, Queen Bey's 'Renaissance' era has finally arrived

Beyoncé's new album is here! Guest host Anna Sale chats with Dan Runcie, founder of the hip hop site Trapital, and Joey Guerra, music critic for the Houston Chronicle. They talk about Renaissance, what Beyoncé means to us and how this album meets the moment.

Bow down, Queen Bey's 'Renaissance' era has finally arrived

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Pop star Shakira could face 8 years in prison in a Spanish tax fraud trial

Performer Shakira answers questions at a news conference on Jan. 30, 2020, in Miami. Spanish prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of eight years for Colombian-born pop star Shakira in her expected trial for alleged tax fraud. Shakira is charged for failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($15 million) in taxes in Spain between 2012 and 2014. David J. Phillip/AP hide caption

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David J. Phillip/AP

Pop star Shakira could face 8 years in prison in a Spanish tax fraud trial

Authorities say the Colombian spent at least half the year in Spain in 2012, 2013 and 2014, when she was married to an FC Barcelona football player. That would mean she dodged $15 million in taxes.

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