Pop Culture
Judd Apatow: A Comedy-Obsessed Kid Becomes 'Champion Of The Goofball'
When Apatow was a teen he landed interviews with an impressive roster of comics for his high school radio show. Sick in the Head is a collection of those conversations, and more recent ones as well.
Obama Visits Marc Maron's Garage; Cats Annoyed They Were Shut In Bedroom
Several months ago, the White House contacted the comedian to see if he'd be interested in having the president as his guest. "I just didn't think that it would ever happen," Maron says.
The Human Drama Of Hacking Fuels TV Thriller 'Mr. Robot'
The new show, which focuses on a vigilante programmer, has gotten some rave reviews from real-life hackers. But the show's creator, Sam Esmail, says he wasn't inspired by any individuals in the news.
Which Time Of Day Is Both Too Early And Too Late?
Poet Rives explores why 4 in the morning has become popular shorthand for the strangest hour of the day.
HBO's 'The Brink' Puts The Situation Room In Situation Comedy
The show is a response to the notion that sitcoms have generally ceded political satire to fake news programs. It opens with a certifiably crazy general taking control of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
The Weird — Weirder? — Thing About The Ferrell-Wiig Lifetime Movie
Despite the big stars, it's hard to make a straight-faced parody of something watched by people who often already think it's a joke.
Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Inside Out' And Moms And Dads In Love
On this week's show, we explore Pixar's new exploratory movie about a girl's brain, and we talk about why pop culture often struggles to give parents rich, satisfying romantic lives.
HBO's New Sunday Lineup Is Full Of Pleasant Surprises
Ballers feels like the football equivalent of the hip-hop world of Empire, and The Brink is reminiscent of Dr. Strangelove, but has its own modern take on the nonsense of war.
4 Ways NBC Might Rehabilitate Brian Williams' Image
Now that NBC has finalized a deal to move disgraced anchor Brian Williams to MSNBC, NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans outlines some ways the network might salvage his credibility.