Pop Culture

Arts

Kentucky Boy Solves Rubik's Cube In Record Time

6:56pm November 24, 2015

A 14-year-old boy from Lexington, Ky., has solved a Rubik's Cube in less than five seconds. As Guinness World Records declares this a record-breaker, we hear how NPR covered a Rubik's Cube competition in 1981.

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It's Not Hosting SNL, But NBC Will Give 'Equal Time' To 4 GOP Candidates

4:50pm November 24, 2015

by Eric Deggans

The candidates made requests for equal time after Donald Trump guest hosted Saturday Night Live earlier this month. NBC will let them broadcast campaign messages on affiliate stations this weekend.

This walker is a spoiler-free representation of Sunday night's important episode of The Walking Dead on AMC.

Arts

'The Walking Dead' Makes Another Life-Or-Death Decision

2:00pm November 23, 2015

by Eric Deggans

Sunday night's episode continued to explore when the show is and isn't willing to let characters go.

PBS To Air Eddie Murphy Receiving The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize

5:14am November 23, 2015

by Eric Deggans

The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor went to comedian Eddie Murphy this year. Monday night, PBS will air Murphy's first jokes for an audience in 28 years, delivered during his acceptance speech.

Aziz Ansari in the Netflix series Master of None.

Books
Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Master Of None' And 'Challenger Deep'

10:48pm November 20, 2015

by Linda Holmes

A newly minted National Book Award winner and a new Netflix series have us fully occupied this week, but we've also got plenty making us happy.

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'Scandal' Finale Stirs Up Controversy

6:43pm November 20, 2015

by Eric Deggans

Fans express support as well as opposition after the lead character of the hit ABC drama is shown undergoing an emotional procedure.

Krysten Ritter plays the believably damaged ex-superhero in Netflix's latest Marvel series, Jessica Jones.

Arts

'Jessica Jones' Struggles In Life — But Triumphs On Screen

5:12pm November 20, 2015

by Eric Deggans

Netflix's latest venture into the Marvel universe follows Jessica Jones, an unlikely ex-superhero who tries to keep her powers hidden while she works to defeat the telepathic villain who abused her.

Rupert Evans plays Frank, a young man caught up in postwar drama and turmoil, in the Amazon Prime series, The Man in the High Castle.

Amazon's 'High Castle' Offers A Chilling Alternate History Of Nazi Triumph

6:34pm November 18, 2015

by David Bianculli

The Man in the High Castle, a new Amazon Prime series set in 1962, takes place in an America occupied by German and Japanese forces. Critic David Bianculli calls the show "breathtakingly original."

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Arts

The Next 'Law & Order?' 'Chicago' Series Take Over TV With New Franchise

4:32pm November 18, 2015

by Eric Deggans

NBC's Chicago franchise grew this week with the premiere of Chicago Med. NPR explores whether it can be the next ER and whether executive producer Dick Wolf, who built the Law & Order empire, can do it again with the Chicago shows.

Laurie Metcalf portrays Annie Wilkes, left, and Bruce Willis portrays Paul Sheldon in Misery, currently playing at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York.

Books
Arts

'Misery,' 'Misery' And 'Misery,' From Page To Screen To Stage

12:33pm November 18, 2015

by Linda Holmes

A new stage play finds Bruce Willis and Laurie Metcalf at the controls of an oddly horror-free version of the Stephen King novel.