Pop Culture

Malachi Kirby plays Kunta Kinte in the updated version of Roots.

Politics & Government

As Black Drama Flourishes, Divides On Racial Equality Persist

6:00am June 29, 2016

While black stories debut on large and small screens, a Pew survey finds deep divisions on views of race in America. We examine how black America has changed through the lens of a hit TV remake.

The original USS Enterprise model, from the classic Star Trek TV series, has been restored by the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and will move to a permanent display in the museum's Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall on June 28.

Arts

Smithsonian Sets Phasers To Restore On Original Starship Enterprise

9:06am June 28, 2016

by NPR Staff

The Starship Enterprise — from the original Star Trek series — has gotten a restoration fit for a real life spacecraft. It goes on display this week at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

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'Game Of Thrones' Evolves On Women In Explosive Sixth Season

6:11pm June 27, 2016

The sixth season of HBO's Game of Thrones showed a real evolution in the way the show portrays women and in the season finale, several female characters ascended to power. NPR's Kelly McEvers talks to Glen Weldon from NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour and Greta Johnsen, host of the Nerdette podcast, about the show.

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Emilia Clarke (left) and Peter Dinklage appear in Sunday's episode of HBO's Game of Thrones.

Arts

'Game Of Thrones' Finale Sunday Caps A Season Of Satisfaction

10:23am June 27, 2016

by Eric Deggans

NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans says HBO's most popular series soared this year with plots that moved beyond George R.R. Martin's published books.

This lady (whom we found here) expresses our feelings on the demise of the Toast.

Books
Arts

A Toast To The Toast, The Site That Was Just For You. Yes, Even You

9:10am June 27, 2016

by Annalisa Quinn

The Toast — the funny, literary feminist website, gleeful kneecapper of high culture, center of cheerful misandry, and habitat of the courteous commenter — is closing. We have an appreciation.

National

Logo Channel Dedicates Annual Awards Show To Orlando Victims

5:20pm June 25, 2016

by Mandalit del Barco

On Saturday Logo TV, the largest LGBT-focused network, will honor "trailblazers" in the gay community. In light of the shootings in Orlando, the telecast has taken on a more poignant resonance.

Jenny (Diane Keaton) and Charlie (Eugene Levy) in Finding Dory.

Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Finding Dory' And Great Voice Acting

10:10am June 24, 2016

by Linda Holmes

This week's show finds us swimming around in Pixar's latest, and then we talk about the finer points of the voice acting we love the most. Plus: what's making us happy this week.

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(Clockwise from left) Drummer Tiki Fulwood, guitarist Tawl Ross, keyboardist Bernie Worrell, Billy "Bass" Nelson, and guitarist Eddie Hazel of the funk group Parliament-Funkadelic pose for a portrait in 1971.

Music & Culture

On Parliament-Funkadelic And A Less 'Squeaky-Clean Picture' Of Blackness

8:54am June 24, 2016

by Walter Ray Watson

Parliament showed me that being black has liabilities, but that it's also a powerful gift.

Intelligence officer Tory Garcia, who has a background in gymnastics and diving, works through the obstacle course on American Ninja Warrior, which airs on NBC and Esquire Network.

Sports
Arts

'If It Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Interesting,' Say 'Ninja Warrior' Producers

5:37pm June 23, 2016

by NPR Staff

The American Ninja Warrior obstacle course is so hard that, at first, no one managed to complete it. But the show's executive producers say that's OK: "It's not about winning," says Arthur Smith.

Ben Affleck and Bill Simmons on the premiere of HBO's Any Given Wednesday.

Sports
Arts

Bill Simmons Brings Angry Ben Affleck To His Big Night On HBO

10:33am June 23, 2016

by Linda Holmes

Bill Simmons debuted his new HBO show Any Given Wednesday with a few very strong feelings from Ben Affleck about Tom Brady.