hbo max : NPR

Mohan (Supriya Ganesh), Javadi (Shabana Azeez), Donnie (Brandon Mendez Homer), and McKay (Fiona Dourif). John Johnson/Max hide caption

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John Johnson/Max

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

On 'The Pitt,' a mass shooting overwhelms an already exhausted ER

March 20, 2025 • Even though this tragedy was hinted at from the first episode, it's treated with gravity and presented in agonizing detail.

Noah Wyle plays Michael Rabinovitch or "Dr. Robby," the senior attending physician in a fictional Pittsburgh emergency room, in The Pitt. Warrick Page/Max hide caption

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Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'The Pitt' is a medical drama worth watching. Stat.

February 22, 2025 • Each episode of the new Max series covers one hour in a single day in a busy emergency department. The show manages to feel sympathetic to the hospital staff and to the patients in their care.

It's still a haute mess, but I can't resist 'And Just Like That...'

Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), Carrie (Parker), and Anthony (Mario Cantone). Craig Blankenhorn/Max hide caption

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Craig Blankenhorn/Max

Analysis

Pop Culture Happy Hour

It's still a haute mess, but I can't resist 'And Just Like That...'

August 25, 2023 • In Season 2, the show settled into its groove as an agreeable-enough cringe-watch.

5 questions about the new streaming service Max — after a glitchy launch

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Max

Television

5 questions about the new streaming service Max — after a glitchy launch

May 23, 2023 • How much does it cost? Will Max be better or just bigger than HBO Max? NPR's Eric Deggans tackles these questions and more ... now that he's finally able to log in.

'House of the Dragon' is the most watched premiere in HBO history, the company said

A dragon flies over King's Landing on House of the Dragon. HBO hide caption

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HBO

Television

'House of the Dragon' is the most watched premiere in HBO history, the company said

August 23, 2022 • House of the Dragon is a prequel to Game of Thrones, set nearly 200 years before the events of the latter show. It is based on the novel Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin.

In 'Rap Sh!t,' women in rap strive and thrive

Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion) in Rap Sh!t. Alicia Vera/HBO Max hide caption

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Alicia Vera/HBO Max

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In 'Rap Sh!t,' women in rap strive and thrive

July 21, 2022 • A new comedy series created by Issa Rae taps into the complexities of being an aspiring female rapper in the age of social media.

'Station Eleven': A Home At The End Of The World

Jeevan (Himesh Patel) and Kirsten (Matilda Lawler) brace for a looming pandemic in Station Eleven. Parrish Lewis/HBO Max hide caption

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Parrish Lewis/HBO Max

Short Wave

'Station Eleven': A Home At The End Of The World

January 31, 2022 • Today we're bringing you an episode from our friends at NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour.

'Station Eleven': A Home At The End Of The World

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Christopher Nolan Calls Warner Bros.' Shift To Streaming New Movies 'A Great Danger'

Wonder Woman 1984, starring Gal Gadot, will open in theaters and stream on HBO Max when it's released on Christmas Day. Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Entertainment hide caption

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Movies

Christopher Nolan Calls Warner Bros.' Shift To Streaming New Movies 'A Great Danger'

December 11, 2020 • In an interview with NPR, the blockbuster director said the studio's decision to stream movies on HBO Max on the day of their release will hurt the people who work in the movie industry.

Christopher Nolan Calls Warner Bros.' Shift To Streaming New Movies 'A Great Danger'

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Netflix Removes 'Chappelle's Show' At Dave Chappelle's Request

Comedian Dave Chappelle at the 2018 Netflix FYSEE Kick-Off event in Los Angeles. David Livingston/Getty Images hide caption

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David Livingston/Getty Images

Pop Culture

Netflix Removes 'Chappelle's Show' At Dave Chappelle's Request

November 25, 2020 • The comedian said he was snared in an unfair contract years ago, which allows Comedy Central to profit off the show without compensating him.

HBO Max's Original Series: A Guide For The Perplexed

Darby (Anna Kendrick) waits for love (and the A Train) in Love Life, an original series launching with HBO Max. HBO Max hide caption

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HBO Max

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

HBO Max's Original Series: A Guide For The Perplexed

May 27, 2020 • The new streaming service launches with a handful of original series, featuring ballroom culture, Anna Kendrick, Elmo and crafting. We take a look at what's on offer.