Accessibility links
Pop Culture News and commentary on popular culture trends. Download the Pop Culture podcast.

Pop Culture

The miracle of middle age with Miranda July

Author Miranda July poses next to her novel, "All Fours" Elizabeth Weinberg/Amazon hide caption

toggle caption
Elizabeth Weinberg/Amazon

It's Been a Minute

The miracle of middle age with Miranda July

Our culture is full of stories about what it's like to be young: to find yourself, to fall in love, to leave home. But there aren't nearly as many scripts for what middle age might look like, especially for women. This week, host Brittany Luse is joined by author and filmmaker Miranda July, whose new novel 'All Fours' dives deep into the mystery and miracle of being a middle aged woman.

The miracle of middle age with Miranda July

Listen · 21:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197956401/1251381066" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Legal experts say a TikTok ban without specific evidence violates the First Amendment

TikTok sued the Biden administration in response to a new law that bans the video app in the U.S. unless it is sold in the next 12 months. Michael Dwyer/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Michael Dwyer/AP

Technology

Legal experts say a TikTok ban without specific evidence violates the First Amendment

The Justice Department is expected to argue that its clamp down on TikTok is about national security, but Constitutional lawyers say there is no way around grappling with the free speech implications.

Fallout continues from the Miss USA resignations as a runner-up declines the crown

Noelia Voigt (L) and UmaSofia Srivastava (R) attend a charity event in New York City on May 8, the week that they stepped down as Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. Rob Kim/Getty Images for Smile Train hide caption

toggle caption
Rob Kim/Getty Images for Smile Train

National

Fallout continues from the Miss USA resignations as a runner-up declines the crown

After a pair of resignations rocked the pageant world, organizers have found a replacement for Miss USA but not Miss Teen USA. Last year's runner-up said this week that she turned down the crown.

'I Saw the TV Glow' is weird and transfixing

Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine in I Saw The TV Glow. A24 hide caption

toggle caption
A24

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'I Saw the TV Glow' is weird and transfixing

I Saw the TV Glow is a strange and pleasantly unsettling new film from writer and director Jane Schoenbrun. It's about two teenagers (Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine) who bond so strongly over a cult monster-of-the-week TV show that it becomes their entire identities. When the show gets canceled, their bond dissolves – until years later, when one of the teens sweeps back into the other's life, bearing secret knowledge that could change everything.

'I Saw the TV Glow' is weird and transfixing

Listen · 23:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197964549/1251087907" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Have the new weight-loss drugs changed what it means to be body positive?

Weight-loss drugs like Semaglutide have skyrocketed in popularity among Americans. Douglas Cliff/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Douglas Cliff/Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

Have the new weight-loss drugs changed what it means to be body positive?

America is a land of contradictions; while we're known as a nation that loves to eat, we also live within a culture that has long valued thinness as the utmost beauty standard.

Have the new weight-loss drugs changed what it means to be body positive?

Listen · 11:14
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198912257/1251084136" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The history of hip-hop, told through bling

Slick Rick is known for his eyepatch and the crowns he often wears. Janette Beckman /Courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery hide caption

toggle caption
Janette Beckman /Courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery

The history of hip-hop, told through bling

The extravagant jewelry worn by hip-hop artists has meaning beyond the shiny surfaces.

The history of hip-hop, told through bling

Listen · 4:10
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1250559141/1251075194" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The origin story of Steve from 'Blue's Clues' is even more wholesome than you think

Nickelodeon television show Blue's Clues host Steve Burns rides a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York City in November 2021. Ted Shaffrey/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Ted Shaffrey/AP

The origin story of Steve from 'Blue's Clues' is even more wholesome than you think

The heartfelt enthusiasm from a toddler in a dress with yellow flowers landed Steve Burns the iconic hosting gig, bringing joy to generations of tots. Earlier this spring, they met for the first time.

Sink your teeth into 'Interview with the Vampire'

Sam Reid and Jacob Anderson in the second season of AMC's Interview With the Vampire. Larry Horricks/AMC hide caption

toggle caption
Larry Horricks/AMC

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Sink your teeth into 'Interview with the Vampire'

If you're familiar with Interview with the Vampire — because you read the Anne Rice novel or you saw the 1994 movie — the AMC series has some surprises. It revolves around a young man named Louis, his handsome vampire lover, and the creepy vampire child they adopt — but it's funnier, sexier and queerer than you remember. But this Louis isn't a white plantation owner — he's an ambitious and closeted Black man. The show just returned for a new season, so we're revisiting our conversation about the series.

Sink your teeth into 'Interview with the Vampire'

Listen · 15:33
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198005183/1250419543" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Switzerland's Nemo wins Eurovision 2024 in a year of protests

Nemo of Switzerland, who performed the song "The Code," celebrates after winning the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, on Saturday. Martin Meissner/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Martin Meissner/AP

Television

Switzerland's Nemo wins Eurovision 2024 in a year of protests

The Swiss singer and rapper was one of two nonbinary artists in the finals at this year's event held in Malmo, Sweden. Meanwhile, protesters called for Israel's disqualification from the contest.

On social media, activists used the Met Gala to call out stars for Gaza silence

Zendaya at the 2024 Met Gala in New York City. The actress is one of many celebrities whose name has appeared this week on social media "block" lists for not speaking out publicly about the conflict in Gaza. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

On social media, activists used the Met Gala to call out stars for Gaza silence

A fast-growing social media campaign to block stars for not speaking out escalated this week after the star-studded New York event.

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

If you love Vanderpump Rules you will love Brian Moylan's recaps of the show. Above, Scheana Shay, left, Ariana Madix and Lala Kent. Casey Durkin/Bravo hide caption

toggle caption
Casey Durkin/Bravo

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

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

Each week, Pop Culture Happy Hour guests and hosts share what's bringing them joy. This week: Vanderpump Rules recaps, the book The Worst Ronin, and a duet by Pavarotti and Celine Dion.

Drake and Kendrick are beefing, but who pays? Plus, moms as our social safety net

Kendrick Lamar. Drake. A woman holding a child. Frazer Harrison; Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Frazer Harrison; Wang Zhao/AFP/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Drake and Kendrick are beefing, but who pays? Plus, moms as our social safety net

Drake and Kendrick have been trading diss tracks for weeks, and it's gotten darker and darker with each track. Drake accuses Kendrick of beating women, and Kendrick accuses Drake of abusing minors. It's a spectacle, but who are the pawns? Brittany chats with NPR Music's Sidney Madden and writer Tirhakah Love about the collateral damage in this rap beef.

Drake and Kendrick are beefing, but who pays? Plus, moms as our social safety net

Listen · 39:22
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197956376/1250550198" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Liam and Olivia are still the most popular baby names in the U.S.—but Mateo is rising

Olivia and Liam were the most popular names for girls and boys in 2023, just as they have been in each of the last five years. Meg Oliphant/Getty Images for Rock 'n' Roll M hide caption

toggle caption
Meg Oliphant/Getty Images for Rock 'n' Roll M

Family

Liam and Olivia are still the most popular baby names in the U.S.—but Mateo is rising

Olivia and Liam are the most popular baby names in the U.S. for the fifth consecutive year, according to an annual tally by the Social Security Administration.

'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' swings us back to a familiar franchise

Owen Teague as Noa in the film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. 20th Century Studios hide caption

toggle caption
20th Century Studios

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' swings us back to a familiar franchise

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes follows Noa (Owen Teague), an extraordinary chimpanzee whose clan is enslaved by a mercenary ape king named Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand). As he sets out to gets them back, he's joined by a sage orangutan (Peter Maykin) and a scavenging human (Freya Allan). The movie is set hundreds of years after the recent Planet of the Apes trilogy, but the spirit of Andy Serkis' revolutionary character Caeser still looms large over this new film.

'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' swings us back to a familiar franchise

Listen · 23:35
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197964530/1250205937" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Eurovision 2024: Here are the songs with the best shot at glory

Switzerland's Nemo rehearses "The Code" before the second semifinal. Jessica Gow/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty hide caption

toggle caption
Jessica Gow/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Eurovision 2024: Here are the songs with the best shot at glory

Another year, another glitter-filled spectacle known as the Eurovision Song Contest. The Grand Final airs Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET on Peacock in the United States.

Eurovision 2024: Here are the songs with the best shot at glory

Listen · 3:46
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1249696930/1250402936" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Miss USA and Miss Teen USA resign days apart, casting a spotlight on the organization

Miss Teen USA, UmaSofia Srivastava, left, and Miss USA, Noelia Voigt pictured at a New York Fashion Week event in February. They both announced their resignations this week. Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Supermodels Unlimited hide caption

toggle caption
Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Supermodels Unlimited

Miss USA and Miss Teen USA resign days apart, casting a spotlight on the organization

Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava stepped down, citing mental health and personal values. They are the latest to depart the organization, which is no stranger to controversy.

We process the explosive Drake-Kendrick beef

Drake onstage during Drake's Till Death Do Us Part rap battle in 2021. Amy Sussman/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

We process the explosive Drake-Kendrick beef

2024 seems destined to go down as the Year of Pop Culture Grievances. Megan vs. Nicki. Beyoncé vs. Nashville. But above all: Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake, who are currently engaged in the nastiest lyrical warfare rap fans have seen in a minute. Today, we're talking about all the pettiness: Why so much beef, and what makes a good battle? And is there ever a clear "winner" in these battles?

We process the explosive Drake-Kendrick beef

Listen · 21:47
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197964460/1250059986" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Dua Lipa's 'Radical Optimism' is loaded with hyper-catchy bangers

Radical Optimism is the latest album from Dua Lipa. Tyrone Lebon/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Tyrone Lebon/Courtesy of the artist

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Dua Lipa's 'Radical Optimism' is loaded with hyper-catchy bangers

The British singer Dua Lipa has become one of the world's biggest pop stars. Now, she's back with Radical Optimism, a sort of concept record about moving through life with a more mature and constructive attitude. But it's also a pretty straightforward collection of grievance-free, hyper-catchy bangers.

Dua Lipa's 'Radical Optimism' is loaded with hyper-catchy bangers

Listen · 21:31
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197964457/1249759402" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Pioneering stuntwoman Jeannie Epper, of 'Wonder Woman' and 'Charlie's Angels' dies

Jeannie Epper accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Taurus World Stunt Awards in 2007. M. Phillips/WireImage/Getty hide caption

toggle caption
M. Phillips/WireImage/Getty

Obituaries

Pioneering stuntwoman Jeannie Epper, of 'Wonder Woman' and 'Charlie's Angels' dies

"We were united in the way that women had to be in order to thrive in a man's world, through mutual respect, intellect and collaboration," Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter posted in a tribute.

Pioneering stuntwoman Jeannie Epper, of 'Wonder Woman' and 'Charlie's Angels' dies

Listen · 3:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1249623005/1250836531" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Katy Perry's own mom fell for her Met Gala AI photo. Do you know what to look for?

Katy Perry pictured at an event in Los Angeles in April. She wasn't at Monday night's Met Gala, despite the fake photos of her circulating on social media. Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Katy Perry's own mom fell for her Met Gala AI photo. Do you know what to look for?

Katy Perry and Rihanna weren't at the Met Gala on Monday night, despite the viral AI-generated photos showing them on the red carpet. Here are some tips for recognizing and investigating deep fakes.

Browse archive or search npr.org