Pop Culture

Jim Gaffigan spent years in stand-up before, finally, someone took a chance on him: that someone just happened to be David Letterman. "The weird thing is, because Letterman thought I was good, everyone changed their mind," he says. "It changed the narrati

Arts

From Adman To Stand-Up: Jim Gaffigan's Transition Took A Few Good Naps

9:52pm July 25, 2015

by Daniel Hajek

The comedian once worked in advertising — until he got caught dozing on the job. So, he took his savings and stepped on stage. Still, it was years before he hit his big break: a gig on the Late Show.

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Two magicians prepare to perform a trick behind a Sky News reporter; the network says the seemingly live report was never broadcast.

Too Good To Be True: TV Reporter Was In On Magicians' Photobomb

11:15am July 24, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Both Sky News and journalist Ashish Joshi have confirmed that the report never aired on the channel, deflating some of the buzz about a magical stunt.

Amy Schumer and Bill Hader in Trainwreck.

Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Trainwreck' And 'Ant-Man'

9:42am July 24, 2015

by Linda Holmes

This week brings two summer movies into our field of vision: an unconventional romantic comedy and a shrunken (in the good way) superhero adventure.

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Women get policed more often for "vocal fry" and "upspeak" than their male counterparts.

From Upspeak To Vocal Fry: Are We 'Policing' Young Women's Voices?

5:43pm July 23, 2015

Journalist Jessica Grose, linguistics professor Penny Eckert and speech pathologist Susan Sankin discuss upspeak, vocal fry and why women's voices are changing — and whether or not that's a problem.

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Mark Cuban, left, as President of the United States, faces killer sharks with Ian Ziering in the Syfy film Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!

Arts

Syfy's 'Sharknado 3' Fails At Being Really Good Bad Television

2:26pm July 23, 2015

by Eric Deggans

Syfy debuts the third installment in its disaster movie spoof franchise. But it isn't fun to watch — even ironically — and the film falls short, even as it inspires imitators on other channels.

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Logo Or No Go? When Campaign Logos Look A Little Too Familiar

2:57pm July 21, 2015

by NPR Staff

It turns out the stylized "E" in Gov. Scott Walker's campaign logo looks just like the logo of a major eyeglasses company. And he's not the only one who has faced a #logogate.

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Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F. Tompkins) and BoJack Horseman (Will Arnett).

Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'BoJack Horseman' And People We're Pulling For

2:16pm July 21, 2015

by Linda Holmes

This week's show brings an old pal home for a discussion of Netflix's favorite cartoon horse, as well as baseball, Lily Tomlin, graphic novels, other podcasts and more.

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Robin Thede is head writer for Comedy Central's The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. She's previously been a reporter for E! News, a writer for BET's Real Husbands of Hollywood and head writer for The Queen Latifah Show.

Arts

In The Writer's Room, One Woman Quietly Makes Late Night History

2:14pm July 21, 2015

by Eric Deggans

Robin Thede's wide-ranging career has included stints in both journalism and comedy. Now, at The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, she's the first black woman to work as a head writer in late night TV.

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Comedian Bill Cosby performs at the Buell Theater in Denver, in January. Cosby, 77, is facing sexual assault accusations from more than two women, with some of the claims dating back decades.

National

Cosby, In Sworn Deposition, Says He Paid Women To Keep Affairs Secret

12:13pm July 19, 2015

by Scott Neuman

In a New York Times exclusive based on new documents related to a 2005 case, the comedian presents himself "as an unapologetic, cavalier playboy."

Turkish TV Travels Far As Craze For Dramas Goes Global

9:35am July 19, 2015

by Mandalit del Barco

The Turkish television industry is booming. Audience numbers spike at the end of Ramadan, when viewers around the world tune in in massive numbers — but there's year-round enthusiasm, too.

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