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Pop culture in high spirits
How 'Hot Ones' took wing(s)

Comedian Conan O'Brien at TBS Night Out in 2016. He recently appeared on YouTube show, Hot Ones. Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for TBS hide caption

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Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for TBS

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

How 'Hot Ones' took wing(s)

Hot Ones is the YouTube show where famous people answer questions while eating increasingly hot chicken wings. Hosted by Sean Evans, the series is a phenomenon. And Conan O'Brien is its most recent high achiever, and possibly the best guest ever. What exactly makes a good Hot Ones guest?

How 'Hot Ones' took wing(s)

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'X-Men '97' validates your nostalgia while looking to the future

Jean Grey and Cyclops in the new Disne series X-Men '97. Marvel Animation/Disney hide caption

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Marvel Animation/Disney

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'X-Men '97' validates your nostalgia while looking to the future

For millions of kids, the popular 1990s X-Men animated series served as a gateway drug into the world of the X-Men and comics in general. Now, the new Disney+ series X-Men '97 picks up right where the original ended. But changes are also taking place: secrets get revealed, the team roster gets shuffled, and characters meet shocking fates. What hasn't changed is everything fans expect from the X-Men: big fights, big powers, and lots of mutant melodrama.

'X-Men '97' validates your nostalgia while looking to the future

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Books We Love: Love And Romance
Luke Medina/NPR

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

Books We Love: Love And Romance

NPR's Books We Love is a roundup of favorite books of the year, sorted and tagged to help you find exactly what you're looking for. From the meet cutes to the happy endings and through all the ups and downs in between, we're recommending great books for people who love love and romance.

Books We Love: Love And Romance

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'Civil War' envisions a too-near future

Kirsten Dunst as Lee in Civil War. A24 hide caption

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A24

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'Civil War' envisions a too-near future

The new film Civil War depicts a contemporary America torn apart by a military conflict between the federal government and an alliance of secessionist states. Directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina), the film follows a small band of journalists led by Kirsten Dunst's jaded war photographer. They embark on a harrowing journey to the heart of the conflict, encountering brutality and bloodshed along the way.

'Civil War' envisions a too-near future

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'Girls State' provides hope and disappointment for the state of our democracy

Nisha Murali in the Apple TV+ documentary film Girls State. Apple TV+ hide caption

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Apple TV+

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'Girls State' provides hope and disappointment for the state of our democracy

The new Apple TV+ documentary Girls State asks: how would high school girls do things if they were in charge? The film is a follow-up to 2020's Boys State, and this time, follows an annual high school program that gives hundreds of girls a chance to create a mock government, complete with elections and a Supreme Court. It was made during the 2022 session, which ended days before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and the case is very much on the minds of the girls in the program.

'Girls State' provides hope and disappointment for the state of our democracy

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'Shōgun' is a fascinating epic about power and honor

Hiroyuki Sanada in FX's Shogun. Katie Yu/FX hide caption

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Katie Yu/FX

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'Shōgun' is a fascinating epic about power and honor

The sweeping historical epic has roared back with Shōgun. The FX miniseries takes place beginning in 1600, in a fictionalized but historically inspired feudal Japan, where the previous ruler has died with an heir not yet old enough to be in power, and everything has become chaotic. Shōgun has war, power struggles, violence, impossible love, beautiful naked people, and thorny questions about whose story it really is.

'Shōgun' is a fascinating epic about power and honor

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A guide to Stephen King

Stephen King at a press conference in 2013, in Paris. Eric Feferberg/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Eric Feferberg/AFP via Getty Images

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A guide to Stephen King

Stephen King is one of the most successful living writers. He's written more than 50 books that have sold hundreds of millions of copies. And his works have been adapted into a number of classic films, including The Shining, The Shawshank Redemption, and It. This month marks the 50th anniversary of his first novel, Carrie, so we are revisiting our guide to Stephen King.

A guide to Stephen King

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'Ripley' returns in black and white — and is so much better for it

The new Netflix adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley is brilliantly shot in black and white. It's a meticulously built piece of filmmaking and looking at it shot by shot is a profound pleasure. Maurizio Lombardi/Netflix hide caption

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Maurizio Lombardi/Netflix

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'Ripley' returns in black and white — and is so much better for it

The Netflix adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley is brilliantly shot in black and white. It's a meticulously built piece of filmmaking and looking at it shot by shot is a profound pleasure.

In 'Monkey Man,' Dev Patel gets revenge through gorilla warfare

Dev Patel in Monkey Man. Akhirwan Nurhaidi/Universal Pictures hide caption

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Akhirwan Nurhaidi/Universal Pictures

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In 'Monkey Man,' Dev Patel gets revenge through gorilla warfare

The new action film Monkey Man is Dev Patel's film – he serves as star, director, and co-writer. He plays a young man whose village was destroyed and mother murdered by elite members of society. He sets out to infiltrate their corrupt, rarified existence and seek his bloody, bloody revenge. There's plenty of gunplay, knife-play, ax-play, bone-crunching, tuk-tuk chases, and gouts of blood.

In 'Monkey Man,' Dev Patel gets revenge through gorilla warfare

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'Ripley' offers a novel take. Literally.

Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley in Ripley. Philippe Antonello/Netflix hide caption

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Philippe Antonello/Netflix

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'Ripley' offers a novel take. Literally.

Tom Ripley is back — and still can't be trusted. The character — created by novelist Patricia Highsmith — was made indelible by Matt Damon in the film The Talented Mr. Ripley. Now, he's played by Andrew Scott on a Netflix series called simply Ripley. Tom once again worms his way into the life of one Dickie Greenleaf and attempts to sabotage his luxurious life in the Italian countryside.

'Ripley' offers a novel take. Literally.

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Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' ropes us in and gives us everything to talk about

Beyoncé returns with her highly anticipated new album Cowboy Carter. Blair Caldwell/Parkwood Entertainment / Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Blair Caldwell/Parkwood Entertainment / Courtesy of the artist

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' ropes us in and gives us everything to talk about

Throw on those boots with the spurs, grab your cowboy hat, and saddle up that horse, because Beyoncé's highly anticipated album, Cowboy Carter is here. Cowboy Carter is a country-fied album, full of legendary guests like Dolly Parton and Linda Martell, and duets with stars like Post Malone and Miley Cyrus — all tied together with the unbridled swagger of Queen Bey. But is Beyoncé knocking down the doors of the country establishment, or looking for validation?

Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' ropes us in and gives us everything to talk about

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Revisiting the movies of 1999

Ron Livingston in Office Space. Getty Images hide caption

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Getty Images

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Revisiting the movies of 1999

Movies had a big year in 1999. Today, we're going back 25 years to talk about some of the most interesting movies released in 1999 — including Drop Dead Gorgeous, Office Space, and The Talented Mr. Ripley. In this encore episode, we'll talk about what holds up, what looks really different, and what we miss the most.

Revisiting the movies of 1999

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'Godzilla x Kong' and 'Godzilla Minus One' revamp the classic monster story

Godzilla in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Warner Bros. Pictures hide caption

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Warner Bros. Pictures

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'Godzilla x Kong' and 'Godzilla Minus One' revamp the classic monster story

Godzilla has been around for 70 years and recently won his first Oscar. The beloved 2023 Japanese production Godzilla Minus One won an Oscar for visual effects. Now, the Hollywood MonsterVerse franchise rolls on with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which pairs the two titans as they face a common enemy. Today, we talk about both movies and how they offer different takes on the decades-old monster story.

'Godzilla x Kong' and 'Godzilla Minus One' revamp the classic monster story

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In '3 Body Problem,' Earth is doomed... eventually

Jess Hong in the Netflix series 3 Body Body Problem. Netflix hide caption

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Netflix

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In '3 Body Problem,' Earth is doomed... eventually

In the new Netflix sci-fi series 3 Body Problem, a killing during the Chinese Cultural Revolution sparks a chain of events that puts humanity at risk. When scientists start dying in mysterious ways, five friends just might be the key to saving the world. The series' showrunners include David Benioff and D.B Weiss, the team behind Game of Thrones, who are once again adapting an epic book series.

In '3 Body Problem,' Earth is doomed... eventually

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'Quiet On Set' considers the hard lives of child stars

Bryan Hearne in the docuseries Quiet on Set. ID/Warner Bros hide caption

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ID/Warner Bros

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'Quiet On Set' considers the hard lives of child stars

The new docuseries Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV examines the working environment of the young stars who fueled Nickelodeon's rise. The series pays close attention to allegations of sexual harassment, manipulation, and other problematic behavior by Dan Schneider, who was in charge of shows like iCarly, Sam & Cat, and All That. And Drake & Josh star Drake Bell talks publicly for the first time about the sexual abuse and assault he says he experienced at the hands of his dialogue coach. Today, we talk about the series and how it fits into a larger conversation about protecting kids who work in entertainment.

'Quiet On Set' considers the hard lives of child stars

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'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' is a chill hang

Finn Wolfhard, Celeste O'Connor, Paul Rudd, Kumail Nanjiani, Logan Kim and Carrie Coon in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Columbia Pictures hide caption

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Columbia Pictures

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'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' is a chill hang

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is the latest entry in the blockbuster action-comedy franchise. This time, the crew has set up shop in New York, and, with the help of the surviving original Ghostbusters, tries to stop a demon looking to freeze the world and rule over it. The film is packed with both newer and nostalgic cast members, including Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and more.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' is a chill hang

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What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and listening

Joel Kim Booster recently returned as a guest on the podcast Depresh Mode. He's shown above at Sundance in January 2024. Mat Hayward/Getty Images for IMDb hide caption

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Mat Hayward/Getty Images for IMDb

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, Pop Culture Happy Hour guests and hosts share what's bringing them joy. This week: the 1980s movie Miami Connection, and the podcasts Blank Check and Depresh Mode.

Jake Gyllenhaal punches up a 'Road House' remake

Jake Gyllenhaal in Road House. Laura Radford/Prime Video hide caption

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Laura Radford/Prime Video

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Jake Gyllenhaal punches up a 'Road House' remake

The 1989 movie Road House starred Patrick Swayze as a no-nonsense bouncer who saves a honky-tonk bar from a local toughs. Now, in the new remake, Jake Gyllenhaal plays a former UFC fighter who accepts a job to clean up a seaside bar in the Florida Keys that's being terrorized by a motorcycle gang. There's still plenty of fighting and plenty of brooding, but how does it hold up to the original cult classic?

Jake Gyllenhaal punches up a 'Road House' remake

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Sydney Sweeney is a devout scream queen in the twisted 'Immaculate'

Sydney Sweeney stars in Immaculate. Neon hide caption

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Neon

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Sydney Sweeney is a devout scream queen in the twisted 'Immaculate'

In the new movie Immaculate, Sydney Sweeney plays Cecelia, an American woman who joins a convent in Italy. But after she arrives, she encounters strange occurrences and mysteriously winds up pregnant. Almost everyone in the convent touts it as a miracle, but Cecelia isn't so sure. Horror, of course, ensues. Immaculate was directed by Michael Mohan – who previously collaborated with Sweeney on the Hitchcock-esque thriller The Voyeurs.

Sydney Sweeney is a devout scream queen in the twisted 'Immaculate'

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