Netflix

Discovered in 2016, a roughly Earth-sized planet orbiting our nearest neighboring star might be habitable. This artist's impression shows a view of the surface of the planet Proxima b orbiting the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the solar system.

Science

Could 3 Body Problem's aliens exist? The science behind Netflix's new hit

3:00am July 02, 2024

Before the '3 Body Problem' became a bestselling book and a smash TV show ... it was a physics concept, with big implications for how we understand planetary orbits. In this episode, we learn about the science behind the screen. Plus, why it's plausible a nearby, mysterious planet could hold life.

This story is part of Short Wave's Space Camp series about all the weird, wonderful things happening in the universe —check out the full series.

Curious about other science behind the things you love? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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Arts

The biggest rivals in hot dog-eating are headed for a rematch 15 years in the making

3:26pm June 13, 2024

by Rachel Treisman

Rivals Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi will reunite in September for their first hot dog-eating competition in 15 years. Here's why the competitors and their fans are so hungry for a rematch.

Arts

As a fake 'Hit Man,' Glen Powell shows off his real star power

7:01am June 06, 2024

by Aisha Harris

Glen Powell co-wrote Netflix's Hit Man alongside Richard Linklater, of the Before trilogy. The story is based on a Texas Monthly profile of a real undercover cop.

Arts

Can Netflix build a factory for appointment TV?

4:00pm May 10, 2024

by Eric Deggans

The streamer has tried to create an avalanche of appointment television this week. We analyze whether it succeeded.

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Richard Gadd as Donny in Baby Reindeer. The new Netflix series is based on Gadd's autobiographical one-man show.

Arts

Netflix's 'Baby Reindeer': A dark, haunting story bungles its depiction of queerness

11:32am April 25, 2024

by Glen Weldon

The new series, based on creator and star Richard Gadd's one-man show, depicts queer sexuality as something that happens to people.

Prince Andrew's 2019 BBC interview is now the subject of a Netflix film.

'A masterclass in how to give terrible answers': Inside that Prince Andrew interview

2:38pm April 09, 2024

Sam McAlister was the BBC booker who persuaded Prince Andrew to go on record about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It's the subject of new Netflix movie Scoop.

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A grid of streaming service logos including: YouTube TV, Netflix, Paramount +, Max, Hulu, Prime, Fubo, Apple TV and Peacock all in front of a gradient background.

Arts

How to choose the streaming services that are right for you

7:26pm January 31, 2024

by Eric Deggans

Costs have gone way up and there are so many options — but we are here to help. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans suggests some streaming strategy best practices and looks carefully at the major providers.

Queen Elizabeth II, as portrayed by Olivia Colman (left) Imelda Staunton (center) and Claire Foy (right).

Arts

As 'The Crown' ends, Imelda Staunton tells NPR that 'the experiment paid off'

5:01am December 20, 2023

Imelda Staunton was the third actress to portray Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, which is ending its six-season run.

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In Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, the chicken factory is like a creepy Disneyland for chickens.

Arts

It took 23 years, but a 'Chicken Run' sequel has finally hatched

5:11am December 13, 2023

by Elizabeth Blair

It's Bond meets The Truman Show in Aardman's sequel to Chicken Run. This time, the chickens break in — not out — to save the flock. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget premieres on Netflix this week.

Squid Game: The Challenge is a reality game show based on the sensational 2021 South Korean drama series. But this gruesome, creatively misbegotten concept should never have made it past the first meeting.

Arts

'The Challenge' is understanding why this 'Squid Game' game show was green-lit

7:00am December 02, 2023

by Linda Holmes

Squid Game: The Challenge is a reality game show based on the sensational South Korean drama series. But this gruesome, creatively misbegotten concept should never have made it past the first meeting.