Pop Culture

Cover of Captain Atom #78 (December 1965). Co-created by Steve Ditko, the nuclear-powered hero left a wake of ... stars? Sparkles? Glitter? ... in his fabulous wake.

Books
Arts

Remembering Steve Ditko: Forget Kirby Dots, Let's Talk Ditko Sparkles

10:00am July 08, 2018

by Glen Weldon

The idiosyncratic co-creator of Spider-Man, Doctor Strange and many lesser-known comics characters died last week. His distinctive storytelling style shaped generations of comics readers.

Arts

The 'Nanette' Phenomenon

5:43pm July 06, 2018

by Linda Holmes

"Have you seen Nanette?" is the question on everyone's lips and phone screens this summer. Hannah Gadsby's stand-up special doesn't hold back — and might change stand-up comedy as we know it.

Mr. McFeely (David Newell) and Fred Rogers on set, in the documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?'

5:00am July 04, 2018

by Linda Holmes

Daisy Rosario of WAMU joins the table to talk about the new documentary that looks back at the influence and the unusual nature of a classic children's television show.

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Nile Rodgers, performing at the Glastonbury Festival in England in June 2017.

Music & Culture

Nile Rodgers Named Chairman Of Songwriters' Hall Of Fame

2:00pm July 02, 2018

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The co-founder of ChicC, who has also worked with artists from David Bowie to Madonna to Daft Punk, will serve a three-year term.

We explore research on who rises to power, and how power affects those who have it, on this week's Hidden Brain.

Politics & Government

Who Gets Power — And Why It Can Corrupt Even The Best Of Us

2:21pm June 29, 2018

This week on Hidden Brain's radio show, we tackle a big topic: power. From our conflicted feelings toward the powerful, to the ways we gain and lose power ourselves, and how power can corrupt.

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Patrons come down the escalator for the opening day of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. on Thursday.

Casino Comeback: 'Atlantic City's Best Days Are In Front Of It'

1:26pm June 29, 2018

by Jeff Brady

Legendary gambling destination Atlantic City, N.J. has had a tough few years. Now, it wants to re-make itself to offer more: shows, spas, a local beach and dining.

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Music & Culture

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Road-Testing The Songs Of Summer

8:49am June 29, 2018

by Stephen Thompson

NPR Music takes over the show to stump for summertime pop hits by the likes of Cardi B, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Drake, Hayley Kiyoko and more.

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AMC Theatres Introduces New Monthly Program To Compete With Movie Pass

4:32pm June 28, 2018

Movie Pass — which lets people go see one movie per day for $10 a month — has new competition. AMC theatres is now offering three special format movies a week for a set monthly price. But Movie Pass has always had competition from Netflix. The question really is do you want to go out or stay in tonight?

W. Kamau Bell's new Netflix comedy special is Private School Negro. He says that for him, the word "negro" feels "classically, importantly black."

Arts

Comic W. Kamau Bell On The 'Shades Of America' And Not Feeling 'Black Enough'

3:21pm June 27, 2018

by Terry Gross

Bell's new Netflix special is called Private School Negro. He says the word "negro" offends some people, but he has embraced it: "It takes me right back to the height of the civil rights movement."

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Top Chef contestant Joe Sasto cooks a meal in Aspen, Colo.

Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Cooking Shows Provide Food For Thought

5:00am June 27, 2018

by Linda Holmes

This week, we revisit a conversation about competitions and instructional shows, adventures and simple admirations of good cooking.

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