Pop Culture

The soul behind the soles: former UCLA star — and potential NBA star — Lonzo Ball.

Would You Wear Lonzo Ball's $495 Shoes? 'Nah,' Twitter Says Politely

6:47pm May 05, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

"The Sports World is Forever Changed," Big Baller Brand said in introducing NBA prospect Lonzo Ball's shoes — though some aren't exactly feeling moved. But wait, you ask, what about the $220 sandals?

Clearly the players weren't the problem on May 2, when the Orioles matched up against the Red Sox.

This Week In Race: Movies, Memoirs And Fans Who Didn't Hit It Out Of The Park

2:02pm May 05, 2017

by Karen Grigsby Bates

Sometimes, the arc of the moral universe does bend toward justice. Even if it takes time, as was the case in South Carolina involving a white police officer and an unarmed black man.

Manic And Depressed, 'I Didn't Like Who I Was,' Says Comic Chris Gethard

1:41pm May 05, 2017

Gethard's one-man show Career Suicide, which debuts Saturday on HBO, is a comedy about "suicide, depression, alcoholism and all the other funniest parts of life." Originally broadcast Oct. 24, 2016.

Queue Listen Now

The crowd's got issues: Staff and customers at L.A.'s Golden Apple Comics on Free Comic Book Day in 2014.

Books
Arts

A Guide To Free Comic Book Day 2017: The Don't-Misses And The Near-Misses

12:26pm May 05, 2017

by Glen Weldon

Headed to a comics shop for Free Comic Book Day this Saturday? Take along Glen Weldon's exhaustive guide to all 52 FCBD free comics available.

Star-Lord/Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and Drax (Dave Bautista) in Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2.

Books
Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2' And W. Kamau Bell

10:03am May 05, 2017

by Linda Holmes

This week's show combines our discussion of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 with a discussion we recently had in Chicago with comedian, host, and writer W. Kamau Bell.

Actress Katherine Langford (left), who plays Hannah, a high school student who kills herself after enduring much bullying, and actress Alisha Boe (Jessica) sit in the counselor's office on 13 Reasons Why.

Facts About Teens, Suicide And '13 Reasons Why'

9:04am May 05, 2017

by Anya Kamenetz

As the Netflix series sparks a national discussion, new research shows 1 in 5 middle and high schoolers have thoughts of suicide, and offers suggestions for adults in fighting the problem.

On Wednesday's Late Show, host Stephen Colbert celebrated not being fired from his job. A #FireColbert campaign began after the comedian unleashed a barrage of insults aimed at President Trump on Monday's show.

Colbert Addresses #FireColbert Campaign, But Doesn't Apologize

3:26pm May 04, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

Stephen Colbert had some choice words for the president on Monday's Late Show. Despite calls from some for a boycott, Colbert said Wednesday, "I would do it again, [but] I would change a few words."

World Video Game Hall Of Fame To Announce Inductees

5:05am May 04, 2017

The World Video Game Hall of Fame will induct its newest crop of influential games on Thursday. Among the contenders are Donkey Kong, Myst and Mortal Kombat.

May The Fourth Be With You: Star Wars Jewelry

5:05am May 04, 2017

A Tokyo jewelry store is selling Darth Vader masks made of gold, costing $1.4 million each. But you can't wear it, it weighs 33 lbs. It's one way to mark the 40th anniversary of the first Star Wars.

Arts

A Salute To Filmmaker Jonathan Demme's Early TV Work

2:20pm May 03, 2017

by David Bianculli

In 1982, Demme directed Who Am I This Time?, an hour-long comedy-drama for the PBS anthology series American Playhouse. TV critic David Bianculli says the show deserves to be remembered and watched.

Queue Listen Now