Pop Culture

Longtime Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek has been chosen to moderate a Pennsylvania gubernatorial debate this fall.

He'll Take 'Gubernatorial Debate' For 400: Trebek Tries Out Moderator's Chair

4:16pm February 21, 2018

by Jessica Taylor

The longtime game show host has described himself in the past as a political independent and has expressed interest in one day moderating a presidential debate as well.

Arts

Actor Michael Stuhlbarg On His Approach To Playing Real-Life Characters

4:38pm February 20, 2018

Michael Stuhlbarg is having a breakout year in Hollywood. NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks to the actor about his year, which includes being in three of this year's Best Picture nominated films.

Costumed viewers pose before watching Black Panther in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday.

National

'Black Panther' Breaks Records And Barriers In Debut Weekend

7:21pm February 18, 2018

by Amy Held

Steeped in cultural significance, the film opened to $192 domestically, the biggest February debut ever, said Disney. It's also already the highest-grossing film by a black director.

In Disney Channel's new original movie-musical ZOMBIES, a high school is integrated with zombie students, including the charismatic Zed (played by Milo Manheim).

Arts

Why The Zombie Craze Still Has Our Undying Affection

4:45pm February 17, 2018

by Neda Ulaby

Disney Channel's new high school zombie musical; The Walking Dead's ratings reign; the buzz for the new book Dread Nation: In pop culture, the undead persist after our brains.

Queue Listen Now

During the 2017 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival last April, Mr. Okra drove his iconic produce truck and called out to customers.

National

Goodbye, Mr. Okra: New Orleans Remembers Its Singing Vegetable Vendor

8:00am February 17, 2018

by Debbie Elliott

Arthur James Robinson, known as "Mr. Okra," died this week. But New Orleans residents will never forget his distinctive inventory call and his brightly-painted truck, winding through the city.

An American Marriage explores themes of love, race and criminal justice.

Books
Arts

An American Marriage: Redefining The American Love Story

10:02am February 16, 2018

by Karen Grigsby Bates

Tayari Jones' new novel tells a story of love, race, justice and what happens when "normal" people come face-to-face with the unthinkable.

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Michael Cohen, President Trump's personal attorney, says he paid $130,000 to adult film star.

Politics & Government

Attorney Says He Paid Adult Film Actress Who Alleges Affair With Trump

3:49pm February 14, 2018

by Brian Naylor

Michael Cohen says his payment of $130,000 to Stephanie Clifford, whose stage name is Stormy Daniels, was not a campaign contribution.

Figure skater Adam Rippon of the United States celebrates after competing in the team event at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics.

Sports

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Sports, Zazz And Commerce At The Winter Olympics

5:00am February 14, 2018

by Linda Holmes

On this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour, Sam Sanders joins the panel to talk about his memories of the Sochi Olympics, the way young athletes handle attention and athleticism itself.

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If "I Love You" candy hearts aren't imaginative enough, you can always consider "Stank Love" or "Sweat Poo."

Candy Heart Messages Getting Stale? Computer-Generated Options Are No Help

5:05pm February 13, 2018

by Sam Gringlas

Computer programs known as neural networks learn by example. So a researcher plugged in some typical Valentine's Day candy heart messages — and got some weird new word combos. "BEAR WIG," anyone?

Social clubs have sprung up at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., in recent years — and a lawsuit describes threats of violence aimed at one of them.

National

Lawsuit Alleges Mafia-Like Tactics Aimed At A Disneyland Social Club

7:07pm February 12, 2018

by Laurel Wamsley

Like an oddly wholesome motorcycle gang, members wear denim vests festooned with Disney trading pins on the front. Some members sport tattoos of Walt Disney himself.