Pop Culture

Mike Richards is the new host of the daily syndicated game show Jeopardy! Maybe you've heard of it.

Arts

For A Show Full Of Answers, 'Jeopardy!' Host Selection Raises A Lot Of Questions

4:01pm August 13, 2021

by Linda Holmes

Despite having gotten good reviews for his guest-hosting stint, new host (and executive producer) Mike Richards has found himself greeted with mixed feelings at best.

Hosted by Christina Tosi of Milk Bar, Netflix's Bake Squad asks four professional bakers to create an epic dessert for a special occasion in each episode.

What's Making Us Happy: A Guide For Your Weekend Watching, Listening And Reading

3:23pm August 13, 2021

Each week, the guests and hosts on Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. Today it's new music from Big Thief, Netflix's Bake Squad and a new article from Priya Krishna.

Arts

Gleefully Lurid 'Brand New Cherry Flavor' Explores The (Black) Magic Of The Movies

11:51am August 13, 2021

by Glen Weldon

The trippy Netflix series about a student filmmaker who uses dark magic to get revenge on a sleazy producer borrows heavily from Cronenberg and Lynch, but tells a weird, gruesome tale all its own.

Ted (Jason Sudeikis) and Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) spend some time together on the Christmas episode of Ted Lasso.

Arts

'Ted Lasso' Recap, Season 2, Episode 4: At Christmas, Sam Gets His Goat

9:56am August 13, 2021

by Linda Holmes

In a charming Christmas episode, Ted Lasso himself struggles to feel the holiday spirit, but the team finds joy over dinner and Roy and Keeley help Phoebe battle a bully.

Emilia Jones and Marlee Matlin play daughter and mother in the new film CODA.

Arts

'CODA' Will Yank Shamelessly On Your Heartstrings ... But It's Very Good At It

7:01am August 13, 2021

by Linda Holmes

The family comedy-drama CODA nabbed big prizes at Sundance in January. Now, it arrives on Apple TV+. It doesn't hold back in going for the tears, but it mostly earns them.

Filmmaker Ken Burns has produced and directed historical documentaries for more than 30 years. In March, 140 documentary filmmakers signed a letter to PBS executives, suggesting the service may provide an unfair level of support to white creators.

Arts

PBS And Ken Burns Vow To Do Better On Diversity But Critics Aren't Convinced

1:57pm August 12, 2021

by Eric Deggans

PBS has announced $11 million in grants to boost diversity among documentary filmmakers months after an open letter accused the service of unfairly favoring white creators.

China Is Creating A Karaoke Blacklist

4:11pm August 11, 2021

by Scott Neuman

The country's Ministry of Culture and Tourism says it is creating a blacklist of banned songs containing "illegal content" that it deems "subversive" at karaoke establishments starting Oct. 1.

Robin, Batman's Sidekick, Comes Out As Bisexual

6:36am August 11, 2021

After 80 years, Batman's trusted sidekick finally had his coming out moment. In the latest comic, Robin — who's real name is Tim Drake — accepts a male friend's offer to go on a date.

Uatu the Watcher (voiced by Jeffrey Wright) is your guide to Disney+'s What If...?, which mixes up characters and events in the MCU.

Arts

'What If...?' Gives The Marvel Cinematic Universe An Animated Banger Of A Remix

5:01am August 11, 2021

This animated anthology series boasts clever writing, fluid animation and stories that mix and match MCU characters, who are voiced (mostly) by the actors who played them on the big screen.

In Batman: Urban Legends #6, Robin (Tim Drake) comes to a realization. Writer: Meghan Fitzmartin. Art: Belén Ortega. Color: Alejandro Sánchez.

Books
Arts

Batman's Sidekick Robin Comes Out. It Makes Sense, If You Were Paying Attention

5:02pm August 10, 2021

by Glen Weldon

In the pages of a DC Comics anthology series, Tim Drake — the third young man to assume to role of Batman's sidekick, Robin, has a "lightbulb moment" realization — but his journey is only beginning.