Pop Culture

In the car racing show Extreme E, electric SUVs try to outpace each other in remote parts of the world hit hard by climate change. Above, the Extreme E drivers pose for a photo on the Russell Glacier in Greenland.

Arts

Climate change is our reality — so why wouldn't it appear on reality TV?

5:02am July 07, 2023

by Chloe Veltman

Scenes modeling sustainable behaviors or highlighting the impact of climate change have been cropping up lately in everything from cooking shows to extreme sports series.

English singer-songwriters George Michael (1963 - 2016) and Andrew Ridgeley of pop duo Wham! at the Ivor Novello Awards, UK, 14th March 1985.

A new documentary on the band Wham! shows the 'temporal nature of youth'

4:06pm July 05, 2023

The pop duo Wham! was only around for four years, but its songs have lasted decades. Chris Smith's Netflix documentary tells its history from the viewpoints of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.

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A short history of the American tradition of competitive eating

5:08pm July 04, 2023

The 4th of July traditional hotdog eating contest got us thinking about why food and the holiday are so intertwined. Some experts have gone deep on the subject of competitive eating.

Do you you keep ketchup in the fridge or cupboard? We're here for the debate

4:10pm July 04, 2023

Fridge or cupboard: Where do you keep your ketchup? Dr. Melvin N. Kramer, the president of a group that consults on food safety, joined NPR to bring science to this condiment conundrum.

The celebratory hot dogs await their impending doom.

Arts

How force-feeding ourselves hot dogs became a 'sacred American ritual'

9:42am July 04, 2023

Competitive eating has found a particular foothold in the American zeitgeist — even becoming entwined with ideals like patriotism.

National

Joseph Pedott, man behind the ch-ch-ch Chia Pet, dies at 91

5:29pm July 03, 2023

Joseph Pedott, the advertising executive who popularized the Chia Pet, died June 22 at age 91.

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The history of competitive eating contests

5:33pm July 01, 2023

Competitive eaters descend on Washington, D.C., to battle for a spot to compete in Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest on July Fourth in Coney Island, N.Y. What is the history of such events?

The excellent summer movie season is what's making Chris Klimek happy this week. Above, a digitally de-aged Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Arts

What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and listening

5:00am July 01, 2023

Each week, guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Lady Audaci-Tea, a summer of good movies and Hair Plugs & Heartache.

Bob the Drag Queen takes offense at YOUR offense

5:08pm June 30, 2023

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Bob the Drag Queen, tracing the thread of his career before and after winning RuPaul's Drag Race.

We met Bob the Drag Queen on a sunny day in New York recently.

Arts

An afternoon with Bob the Drag Queen

5:00am June 30, 2023

Bob the Drag Queen knows the world of drag is getting politicized. But as he prepares his next moves on stage and screen, he makes no apologies for expressing his signature flair.