Pop Culture

Arts

'Late Show' Host Says He Has Finally Found His Post-'Colbert Report' Voice

1:27pm December 30, 2016

The comic initially avoided joking about politics on The Late Show for fear that he would fall into his Colbert Report persona. Originally broadcast Nov. 2, 2016.

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How did your predictions and resolutions for 2016 stack up?

Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: In One Year And Out The Other, 2017 Edition

10:20am December 30, 2016

by Linda Holmes

Every year at this time, we revisit our resolutions and our predictions from 2016 and we make new ones for 2017. From creating more to who might win Oscars, we're working hard to figure out 2017.

George Michael, seen here performing in September 2012, died this week. Among other things, the man could wear a suit.

The Individualism And Fist-Pumping Of George Michael's 'Freedom '90'

11:46am December 28, 2016

by Linda Holmes

In the wake of the death of George Michael, we take a moment to appreciate "Freedom '90," not his biggest hit, but an irresistible mix of independence and vulnerability.

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Showtime Revives 'Twin Peaks' But Says Little About 2017's Plot

8:50am December 28, 2016

by Eric Deggans

One of the most anticipated TV shows of the new year may sound familiar. Twin Peaks is coming back more than 25 years after FBI Agent Dale Cooper first started investigating Laura Palmer's murder.

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World News

Korean Air Revises Taser Rules After Singer's Criticism

7:07pm December 27, 2016

by Jason Slotkin

The airline says crews will now have more discretion in using stun guns. Last week, 1980s pop star Richard Marx complained about a flight crew's handling of an unruly passenger.

Arts

'I Never Set Out To Be An Actor,' Says 'Transparent' Star Gaby Hoffmann

1:50pm December 27, 2016

Hoffmann grew up in the Chelsea Hotel and appeared in Field of Dreams and other films as child. She says she initially saw acting as "a means to an end." Originally broadcast Oct. 10, 2016.

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Arts

Kenya Barris On 'Black-ish' And What Kids Lose When They Grow Up With More

1:50pm December 27, 2016

Barris says his ABC comedy series is about "raising your kids in a different environment than you were accustomed to being raised in." Originally broadcast May 18, 2016.

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Aisha Hinds, at left, will play Harriet Tubman in the second season of WGN America's Underground, alongside (left to right) Amirah Vann, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Aldis Hodge, Alano Miller and Jessica de Gouw.

Arts

At Last, Harriet Tubman Strides Onto Our Screens

4:59am December 26, 2016

by Neda Ulaby

The legendary abolitionist hasn't had a big place in popular culture. But with an upcoming movie starring Viola Davis and her appearance in the TV show Underground, that's starting to change.

Music & Culture

The 'Jingle Bells' Song Has Roots In Minstrelsy

8:56am December 25, 2016

The Christmas staple "Jingle Bells," has been the subject of many arguments about its provenance. Researcher Kyna Hamill, who did some more digging, talks with NPR's Ailsa Chang.

After Sexual Assault Allegations, Race Colors Stars' Reputations Differently

8:56am December 25, 2016

NPR's Ailsa Chang chats with BuzzFeed's Anne Helen Petersen about actors Nate Parker and Casey Affleck. Both are the subject of allegations of sexual assault, but their reputations have fared differently.