Pop Culture

Viral Vegan Influencer Makes Comforting TikTok Videos During The Pandemic

5:07pm May 20, 2020

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with actress Tabitha Brown, who has become a sensation after gaining a new audience on TikTok using southern charm and uplifting messages during the pandemic.

Dutch singer and television host Jan Smit dances on stage as presenters prepare for Saturday's Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light special.

Eurovision Song Contest To 'Shine A Light' With Pandemic Special

3:57pm May 16, 2020

by Joanna Kakissis

Instead of leaving super fans without glitter, glam and hard-rock hallelujah, the annual event now in it's 64th year, will air a live two-hour special available for viewing in more than 40 countries.

Huzzah? Emperor Peter of Russia (Nicholas Hoult) and a disillusioned Catherine of Prussia (Elle Fanning) enter into a not-great marriage in Hulu's The Great.

Arts

Crass Warfare: 'The Great' Casts A (Vodka) Gimlet Eye On Privilege

2:08pm May 15, 2020

by Glen Weldon

Loosely (very loosely) based on the early life of Russia's Catherine the Great, Hulu's 10-episode historical comedy-drama is arch, witty, twisty and knowing.

In the final season of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, the rebellion faces an invasion from Horde Prime and his alien clone army.

Arts

In 'She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power,' True Strength Is In Being Yourself

9:40am May 15, 2020

by Victoria Whitley-Berry

Netflix and DreamWorks Animation have rebooted the classic 1980s cartoon She-Ra: Princess of Power. The new version updates characters from the old show to reflect a more diverse audience for kids.

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As you trek through the wilderness of Death Stranding, you'll gradually discover you're not as alone as you think.

Arts

Playing 'Death Stranding,' Even In Isolation, You're Not Alone

10:00am May 14, 2020

by Adam Frank

In Hideo Kojima's famously strange new game, you're often alone, trekking across deserted post-apocalyptic America. But you're also not alone, as you find clues and connections left by other players.

National

Paul Vasquez, The Viral Sensation Known As 'Double Rainbow Guy,' Dies At 57

7:54am May 13, 2020

Paul Vasquez died this week at the age of 57. He became one of YouTube's first viral hits when he posted a video of himself reacting to two rainbows over Yosemite National Park.

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Lizzo performs on Saturday Night Live on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019.

Music & Culture

'SNL' Just Wrapped Its 45th Season: It's Time To Cruelly Rank Its Musical Guests

4:31pm May 11, 2020

by Stephen Thompson

It is vital that we reflect on the most recent season of Saturday Night Live and mean-spiritedly rank its 18 featured musical acts from worst to best.

In Valorant, you mostly won't be jumping into direct confrontations — instead, you'll creep around corners to try landing a sneaky shot.

Arts

Can Riot Games Make 'Valorant' An Esports Success? Signs Point To Yes

10:00am May 08, 2020

by Kaity Kline

Riot Games is known as the League of Legends studio — apart from some spinoffs, they've never done anything else. But now they're trying something new, a first-person shooter called Valorant.

World News

A Soviet-Era Poem Resonates With Russians Under The Lockdown

4:07pm May 04, 2020

by Charles Maynes

A Soviet-era poem about people isolating in their apartments from the harsh realities of communism is resonating with Russians once again.

Screenwriter Archie (Jeremy Pope, left) and wannabe director Raymond (Darren Criss) run lines in the Netflix miniseries Hollywood.

Arts

'Hollywood' Serves Up A Progressive Alt-History Parable, Thinly Sliced

5:43am May 01, 2020

by Glen Weldon

Noble-minded (and determined you don't forget that) but glibly made, the latest Ryan Murphy Netflix miniseries offers an alternate history in which brave Hollywood types change the world.