Why the Murdaugh trial has had audiences hooked
NPR's Juana Summers talks with Neal Baer, former executive producer of Law and Order: SVU, about American audiences' fascination with crime stories.
Pop Culture
Wattstax drew 100,000 people — this 1972 concert was about much more than music
Although the fight for racial equality is ongoing, Stax co-owner Al Bell says so is the hope for a better future envisioned by Wattstax a half-century ago.
'The Coldest Case' is Serial's latest podcast on murder and memory
In 1985, a University of Wyoming student was killed in her apartment. A new audio documentary series grapples — again — with the unreliability of memory and the slipperiness of truth.
What 'Succession' and 'Cocaine Bear' have in common (other than cocaine)
There's an art to knowing when a story is over. The creators of the film Cocaine Bear (just 95 minutes long) and the show Succession (which will end after the upcoming fourth season) understand this.
Dr. Meredith Grey says farewell to Seattle and 'Grey's Anatomy' as a series regular
After 19 seasons, Dr. Meredith Grey of ABC's hit drama Grey's Anatomy says goodbye as a series regular.
What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend reading and viewing
Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Class of '07, Snowfall and Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat and Tears
Jonathan Majors is ready to be a critical darling
Actor Jonathan Majors is already part of the conversation for next year's Oscars. Ayesha Rascoe looks at how his career has taken off, with two big movies out now and another on the way.
Remembering Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman, dead at age 66
Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman has died at 66. Over his career, he developed a specialty helping people publicly come out of the closet, during a time when doing so could jeopardize their careers.
Madonna decries 'ageism and misogyny' after criticism of her new look
Legendary singer Madonna was criticized on social media for her new look after an appearance at the Grammys. Novelist Jennifer Weiner defends the artist's "new face" as a beautiful provocation.
What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend reading, listening and viewing
Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Scriptnotes podcast, Elissa Bassist's Hysterical, and more.