Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Transparent' And Pop Culture Debuts
On this week's show, NPR's Ari Shapiro joins us to chat about the Amazon show Transparent and about lots of different pop culture debuts.
Arts & Life
Book News: John Grisham Backs Down From Comments On Child Pornography
After meeting backlash, the author apologized for lamenting the long prison sentences handed to some users of child pornography. Also: Stirrings are afoot in the worlds of Harry Potter and Twin Peaks.
'Dear White People' Is A Satire Addressed To Everyone
Justin Simien's film is funny, but it pushes viewers to think seriously about race and stereotypes in their own lives. Tongue-in-cheek title aside, he says the film speaks to the "human experience."
Mindy Kaling On Refusing To Be An Outsider And Sexism On Set
The comedian says she often forgets that as an Indian-American woman who's not pencil thin, she's kind of a new thing for broadcast TV. But, she says, "I refuse to view myself in such terms."
'How To Cook Everything Fast'? Bittman Says Skip The Prep
Rachel Martin talks to food writer Mark Bittman about his new cookbook, "How to Cook Everything Fast," which thumbs its nose at the French tradition of having ingredients prepped before you cook.
With Few Stages Left To Conquer, Neil Patrick Harris Goes To The Oscars
It seems like Neil Patrick Harris has always hosted everything, but in fact, his February 2015 outing hosting the Oscars will be his first time in that particular job.
Book News: The 'Dickens Of Detroit' Leaves His Collection To South Carolina
Before his death, crime novelist Elmore Leonard chose to host his archives at the University of South Carolina. Now, the school is unveiling the first of these items. Also: McSweeney's goes nonprofit.
'Citizenfour' Charts The Early Days Of Snowden's NSA Revelations
Melissa Block speaks with documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras about her new film, Citizenfour that charts her meeting with Edward Snowden and his subsequent revelations about government surveillance.
'The Assassination Of Margaret Thatcher' And Other Stories From Hilary Mantel
Heads tend to roll, figuratively and otherwise, in Mantel's writing. Critic Maureen Corrigan says this new short story collection — about grotesque characters in the modern world — is breathtaking.
Pop Culture Happy Hour, Small Batch: A Report From New York Comic-Con
Pop Culture Happy Hour pal Petra Mayer just got back from New York Comic-Con, so we got her to update us briefly on Gillian Anderson, fandom and very big crowds.