Podcast · Film & TV

Pop Culture Happy Hour

New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 24 min
Latest: 6 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026 · 25 minNew

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother

Mahershala Ali’s new movie isn’t the Blade reboot, but it’s still worth your time. Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother follows a newly widowed hitman who wants out of the game. He's also a devout Muslim, and after his wife’s death, he is forced to adjust to being a single dad to three kids, while trying to balance his work and faith. But his boss (Laith Nakli) has other plans for him. If you’re looking for more great movies and TV about parenthood, check out these episodes: ‘Last Seen’ is a new spin on troubled detectives 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' is a smart adaptation well worth your…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

5 Oct 2026 · 24 minNew

Verity

Verity stars Dakota Johnson as a struggling novelist who gets an unusual assignment. She's been asked to ghostwrite the final books by a superstar writer, played by Anne Hathaway. It’s an erotic thriller about marriage, manipulators, and (of course) murder. Based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, Verity is a story of deceit that wants you to keep guessing until the very end, and maybe even after that. Looking for more books adapted for the screen? Check out these episodes: "Wuthering Heights" is rude, moody and broody 'No Other Choice' is the perfect movie for our moment 'Little Women'…
2 Oct 2026 · 22 min

Digger and What’s Making Us Happy

Digger is a loud, surprising, audacious, and sure-to-be-polarizing entry in this year’s Oscars race. The film stars Tom Cruise as a powerful oil baron who’s helped unleash an existential threat on the world — but that’s only the beginning. The looming devastation attracts the attention of the president (John Goodman) and a well-intentioned scientist (Riz Ahmed). The film takes some pretty big narrative swings along the way. But will Digger work for everyone? Want more Tom Cruise? Check out these episodes: In 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,' Tom Cruise is too controlled 'Top Gun:…
30 Sep 2026 · 28 min

A Different World

The TV series A Different World has loomed large in the culture since ending in the ‘90s, and now school is back in session in a new sequel series on Netflix. The show welcomes a new generation of students to the fictional HBCU Hillman College, and brings back notable alumni like Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison). And while the world is a lot different than it was 30-plus years ago, in a lot of ways, it’s also kind of the same. If you’re looking for more nostalgia, Check out these episodes: ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ is a comfy nostalgia trip ‘Practical Magic 2’…
29 Sep 2026 · 14 min

Forgotten Island

Forgotten Island is a wonderful new animated feature from the team that brought you Kung Fu Panda 2 and Puss In Boots: The Last Wish . We’re introduced to childhood friends Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano). One is a free spirit, the other an aspiring scientist, and they’re both getting ready to go their separate ways. But during their last night together, they’re transported to a magical island. The film is full of mythological creatures and fantastical settings, but it’s also rooted in friendship and memory. If you’re looking for more animated epics, check out these episodes: Nature…
28 Sep 2026 · 26 min

The Love Hypothesis

The Love Hypothesis brings the beloved trope of fake dating to the world of science and academia – but does it bring a fresh take to the bestselling book by Ali Hazelwood? The new Prime Video movie follows Stanford graduate student Olive (Lili Reinhart). Her best friend Anh (Rachel Marsh) is holding back from pursuing a guy because she thinks Olive is interested in him. Olive wants Anh to follow her heart, so she lands in a fake-dating situation with a notoriously harsh post-doc Adam (Tom Bateman), who for reasons of his own agrees to be her pretend boyfriend. If you’re looking for more…
25 Sep 2026 · 24 min

Primetime and What's Making Us Happy

The new docudrama Primetime is a weird and highly fictionalized account of the meteoric rise of To Catch a Predato r. Robert Pattinson plays host Chris Hansen, who is struggling to get bigger ratings. Hansen and his team work with local law enforcement to drag the accused sexual abusers of minors before the camera and arrest them. But does director Lance Oppenheim’s highly stylized approach work, or leave viewers feeling empty? If you’re looking for more dramas loosely inspired by real people, check out: ‘Tony’ is a biopic that cooks In 'Marty Supreme,' Timothée Chalamet is good at being…
24 Sep 2026 · 26 min

Jay-Z

Jay-Z has been everywhere lately. It’s been 30 years since his acclaimed debut Reasonable Doubt , and he celebrated with a series of concerts at Yankee Stadium. And now there’s the HBO docuseries, JAŸ-Z In 8 , in which Jay-Z dissects his catalog with producer Rick Rubin. The series hopes to further cement his legacy as one of the most revered lyricists of our time. But Jay-Z (or JAŸ-Z, as he’s styled it lately.) has always been a polarizing figure, both in his personal life and as a business mogul. So what does this series accomplish? Looking for more episodes about music? Check out these:…
23 Sep 2026 · 33 min

Fall Guide

This fall, there’s a lot of movies and TV on tap for you to see. And we're as excited for all of it to arrive as you are. So we’ve got a guide to what’s worth keeping on your radar, including Wicker , Wildwood , Wild Horse Nine , Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother and Avatar: Seven Havens . Looking for more buzzy movie recommendations? Check out these episodes: ‘Resident Evil' is a grisly, funny fight to survive ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ is as looney as it needs to be ‘The End Of Oak Street’ is a prehistoric good time Connect with Pop Culture Happy Hour: Letterboxd / Facebook Our weekly newsletter…
21 Sep 2026 · 22 min

Great documentaries you don’t want to miss

We talk a lot about movies and TV shows, but new documentary films sometimes can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. So today we’re highlighting some new documentaries that are worth your time and you don’t want to miss – including Remake , The History of Concrete , Black Zombie , The Oldest Person in the World , and You Had to Be There . Looking for more films that might have flown under your radar? Check out these episodes: Great movies you may have missed Fun movies you may have missed Our favorite movies on Tubi Connect with Pop Culture Happy Hour: Letterboxd / Facebook Our weekly…
18 Sep 2026 · 22 min

Resident Evil and What's Making Us Happy

The new Resident Evil movie is wild, scary, inventive, fast-paced, and funny . That’s because the videogame-turned-film franchise got a reboot courtesy of director Zach Cregger ( Weapons and Barbarian ). Austin Abrams plays a medical courier tasked with transporting an important medical MacGuffin, and his journey goes haywire almost immediately as gnarly perils pile up. But does the movie’s blend of horror and comedy work for newcomers and longtime fans? Looking for more gore? Check out these episodes: In ‘Weapons’, the kids aren't at all right, not in the slightest, nope 'Ready or Not 2' is…
17 Sep 2026 · 18 min

Last Seen

The new Apple TV series Last Seen is a compelling thriller. It stars Patrick Brammall ( Colin from Accounts) as an emergency dispatcher named who gets a call one night from a girl he thinks might be his long-missing daughter. The show follows him as he becomes obsessed with finding the truth, even at the cost of his own stability and sobriety. It also tackles some thorny questions about who stands to gain and lose from solving this case. Looking for other compelling thrillers? Check these out: Emmy Rossum tracks down a female serial killer in 'Furious' TV heavy-hitters get dark in 'The Beast…
16 Sep 2026 · 18 min

Crew Girl

The Netflix TV show Crew Girl follows in the footsteps of successful coming-of-age dramas like Sterling Point and The Summer I Turned Pretty . It follows Teagan, an ambitious high school rower (Miku Martineau) trying to fit in on the boys’ crew team at a fancy prep school. The show’s got a plucky fish out of water, a love triangle with two very different boys (Kyle Clark and Sam Braun), and a dreamy sunlit setting. But does Crew Girl sink, swim, or row ? Looking for more teen coming-of-age stories? Check out these episodes: You’ll want more time in ‘Sterling Point’ ‘The Summer I Turned…
15 Sep 2026 · 24 min

2026 Emmys recap

This year’s Emmys were a big night for shows we really love, including Widow’s Bay , The Pitt and Pluribus. Actors Jean Smart and Matthew Rhys picked up wins, and Rhys made some history. And we’ll explain why we love Mariska Hargitay, who proved to be a game yet corny host. Connect with Pop Culture Happy Hour: Letterboxd / Facebook Our weekly newsletter Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org . See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and…
11 Sep 2026 · 29 min

Practical Magic 2 and What’s Making Us Happy

In Practical Magic 2, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return as witch sisters doomed by a family curse that means any man they love will die. They embark on a new chapter where the next generation is discovering the dangers of being born into this family. It’s been over 25 years since the original film. But will practical moviegoers be swept up in the magic twice? If you are gearing up for the witchy spooky season, check out these episode: In ‘Obsession,’ love hurts. It really, really, really hurts. Adam Scott checks in to a haunted inn in ‘Hokum’ ' Wicked: For Good' will bring you to tears…
10 Sep 2026 · 34 min

Unapologetically basic TV and movies that we love

When you hear the words “pumpkin spice latte,” maybe you think of fall. But maybe you just think about the pleasures of something unapologetically basic. The same can be said for movies and TV. Today, we are revealing some of the most basic things we really love – including National Treasure , Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again , Dateline NBC , and The People’s Court. Looking for more episodes like this? Check out: We talk pop culture pumpkin spice lattes: they're basic but we love them We debate the best movies to watch on an airplane YouTube rabbit holes that are great distractions Connect with…
8 Sep 2026 · 18 min

Watch this: Filipiñana

Are you tired of the same eat-the-rich narratives churned out by Hollywood? There is a great new film Filipiñana offering a new take about the inner-workings of a country club in the Philippines. It’s both beautiful to look at and an emotional gut-punch. From director Rafael Manuel, this film kind of feels like if Wes Anderson made an explicitly anti-colonialist satire. If you want a few more stylish and biting films, check out these episodes: ‘Is God Is’ interrogates misogyny in a vivid, scathing revenge tale 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' shows off Rose Byrne's dramatic chops Keke Palmer…
7 Sep 2026 · 26 min

The hidden money financing your favorite songs

We all need a trusted source for music discovery – a music-savvy friend or family member, a music site – or someone on social media. But are influencers taking money to promote music and not telling you? Today we’re bringing you an episode of NPR’s It's Been a Minute , where host Brittany Luse talks to NPR music reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento about the details and broader implications of this practice. Connect with Pop Culture Happy Hour: Letterboxd / Facebook Our weekly newsletter Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include…
4 Sep 2026 · 23 min

Sterling Point and What’s Making Us Happy

The buzzy fantastic new TV drama Sterling Point has it all. A mysterious inheritance. A teen love triangle. Secrets and lies that echo across generations. The Prime Video series has twists, turns, and heart. You won’t want to miss it. Want more Gen Z drama? Check out these episodes: ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ has drama, romance and the music of Taylor Swift Gen Z awkwardly transitions into 'Adults' 'I Love LA' reinforces our love for Rachel Sennott Connect with Pop Culture Happy Hour: Letterboxd / Facebook Our weekly newsletter Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25…
3 Sep 2026 · 21 min

Beyond Wordle: Our favorite online games

Millions of us play little daily games on our phone. But if you’re looking to expand the horizons of your morning distractions beyond Wordle and Connections, we’re here for you. Today we’re recommending some fun daily online games, including MapTap, Catfishing, TimeGuessr, The Loop, and Clues by Sam. Looking for more conversations about fun games? Try these episodes: Wordle is a daily dose of delight, despair, and sometimes smugness In 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom' the open world is wide open Best Video Games of 2025 Connect with Pop Culture Happy Hour: Letterboxd / Facebook…
1 Sep 2026 · 25 min

It Ends

Have you ever been on a road trip that feels like it goes on forever and things started getting a bit existential? That’s the whole deal with the chewy new film It Ends . The horror-meets-psychological thriller follows four friends who just graduated college, as they turn onto a road through a dense forest and the road just keeps going. Directed by Alexander Ullom, It Ends is both chill and chilling, and a lot of fun to talk about. Chasing down your next horror fix? Check out these episodes: 'Backrooms' brings YouTube horror to the big screen In ‘Weapons’, the kids aren't at all right, not…
31 Aug 2026 · 16 min

The Dog Stars

In the new post-apocalyptic film The Dog Stars , a virus has wiped out most of humanity and the survivors eke out a meager existence trying to stay alive. Sound like an oh-too-familiar tale? What if it featured stars like Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, and Allison Janney? And was directed by Ridley Scott and based on a best-selling novel? Would it be enough to pull you in? Should it be? Want more action from Hollywood’s biggest directors? Check out these episodes: Spielberg revisits aliens and alienation in ‘Disclosure Day’ 'Gladiator II': Are you not entertained? Still? Again? Some more?…
28 Aug 2026 · 26 min

Coyote vs. Acme and Dolly Parton

The movie Coyote vs. Acme comes with some buzzy lore: it was famously shelved, and almost didn’t see the light of day. But it’s here now, and it’s good and looney! It follows Wile E. Coyote when he decides to sue the Acme Corporation for manufacturing crappy, ineffective products. The cast includes Will Forte, John Cena and Lana Condor. We also talk about our favorite Dolly Parton musical performances. If you want more animated capers, check out these episodes: 'Minions & Monsters' is, oddly enough, a love letter to Old Hollywood In 'Toy Story 5,' playtime's over and screentime's in Connect…
27 Aug 2026 · 19 min

Adults

Every generation gets its own version of a “20-somethings hang out and make mistakes” sitcom. And Gen Z’s got Adults , a silly series about a group of friends cohabitating in Queens, New York – and it makes for fun and all-too-relatable TV fodder. Adults is back for its second season on Hulu, so today we’re revisiting our episode about the series. If you want more bingeable comedies, check out these episodes: ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’ is (30) Rock-solid Meg Stalter shines in the rom-com 'Too Much' ‘Widow’s Bay’ is an island in the scream Connect with Pop Culture Happy Hour:…
26 Aug 2026 · 26 min

Fictional teachers we wish we had

It’s back to school season, which has us thinking about our favorite teachers. The ones who really saw us, changed our points of view, or set us on new paths. But of all the teachers we've seen in TV and movies, which of them do we wish we'd had to educate us in real life? Today we’re talking about fictional on-screen teachers from My Girl , My So-Called Life , Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit and Dune: Part One . If you like want more episodes like this one, check out: The reality TV show I'd like to judge The TV show I'd like to live in The American dream according to ‘The Wire,’ ‘Apollo…
24 Aug 2026 · 24 min

Lanterns

HBO’s new DC superhero show Lanterns is not the show you think it is. It’s about a couple of space cops: Kyle Chandler plays Earth’s Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, a grizzled, impulsive old-timer reluctantly training up his backup, John Stewart (Aaron Pierre). Yet the story avoids cosmic sweep and spectacle in favor of a character-driven mystery and a grounded setting. Does this series thread the needle to appeal to comics nerds and newcomers alike? If you need more superhero stories, check out these episodes: 'Supergirl' has a solid hero but could use a better villain Marvel’s ‘Wonder Man’ is a…
21 Aug 2026 · 22 min

Tony and What’s Making Us Happy

In the new film Tony , we meet chef and author Anthony Bourdain before he was in the public eye. He was a wayward, overconfident young guy, and, as played by Dominic Sessa, kind of a piece of work. The movie focuses on a pivotal summer in 1975, when Tony worked in his first kitchen, a tiny hole-in-the-wall in Provincetown. But does the film break out of the familiar biopic formula to tell a compelling story? Do you like biopics about complicated artists? Check out: ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’ is better than your average biopic In 'A Complete Unknown,' Timothée Chalamet captures…
20 Aug 2026 · 22 min

What's Making Us Happy (1970s Version)

We're traveling way back in time to 1971 -- when Richard Nixon was president, the Beatles were newly broken up, and Fiddler on the Roof was one of the biggest movies at the box office. Today in this encore episode, we’re revisiting a special edition of What's Making Us Happy, recommending pop culture from the 1970s – including Isaac Hayes’ Shaft soundtrack, Carol King’s Tapestry, Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On , and The Monster at the End of This Book . Looking for more pop culture from the past? Check out these episodes: The American dream according to ‘The Wire,’ ‘Apollo 13’ and more ‘Jaws’…
19 Aug 2026 · 23 min

Phoebe Bridgers’ album Lost Weekend

Phoebe Bridgers is your favorite pop star’s favorite pop star. And she’s just released a gorgeous new solo album, Lost Weekend . It’s packed with guest stars including her boygenius bandmates, pop superproducer Jack Antonoff and her partner, Bo Burnham. The record’s 16 songs are full of lore, lush sonic ideas, and quotable insights about love, sex, and death. But does Bridgers’ long-awaited return make up for lost time? If you need more multifaceted pop music, check out these episodes: Ariana Grande stares down the public eye in 'Petal' Olivia Rodrigo seems pretty sad, but does she still…
17 Aug 2026 · 23 min

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

The new movie Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is a bloody and bewildering queer slasher film. Directed by Jane Schoenbrun ( I Saw the TV Glow ), it stars Hannah Einbinder as a queer young filmmaker tapped to reboot a defunct slasher franchise, and Gillian Anderson as a reclusive actress. The movie is a meditation on slashers and film itself, sexuality and identity – and it’s also gore-filled fun you won’t want to miss. Want more queer indie horror? Check out these episodes: 'I Saw the TV Glow' is weird and transfixing 'Love Lies Bleeding' is the queer erotic thriller Kristen Stewart…

About Pop Culture Happy Hour

Trying to keep up with the latest in pop culture? We’ve got you covered. The Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast helps you find the best new binge-worthy tv shows, movies, music, and videogames. Join hosts Linda Holmes, Aisha Harris, Stephen Thompson, and Glen Weldon four episodes a week - plus a rotating cast of guest pop culture enthusiasts. It’s your fix for reviews, recommendations, and recaps of the pop culture everyone is talking about. From lowbrow reality TV to Oscar-winning movies to the stuff in between, we take it all with a shot of cheer. On the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, we watch everything so that you never miss anything. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org . You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour.

Pop Culture Happy Hour is a English film & tv podcast from NPR. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: NPR
Language: English
Category: Film & TV
New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 24 min
Latest episode: 6 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id278974813
Website: npr.org/podcasts/510282/pop-culture-happy-hour

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

Latest episode

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

Verity

Digger and What’s Making Us Happy

A Different World

Forgotten Island

The Love Hypothesis

Primetime and What's Making Us Happy

Jay-Z

Fall Guide

Great documentaries you don’t want to miss

Resident Evil and What's Making Us Happy

Last Seen

Crew Girl

2026 Emmys recap

Practical Magic 2 and What’s Making Us Happy

Unapologetically basic TV and movies that we love

Watch this: Filipiñana

The hidden money financing your favorite songs

Sterling Point and What’s Making Us Happy

Beyond Wordle: Our favorite online games

It Ends

The Dog Stars

Coyote vs. Acme and Dolly Parton

Adults

Fictional teachers we wish we had

Lanterns

Tony and What’s Making Us Happy

What's Making Us Happy (1970s Version)

Phoebe Bridgers’ album Lost Weekend

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

About Pop Culture Happy Hour

More English film & tv 6

Take it with you