Pop Culture

Group photo of Bakers in the Tent (L to R) (back) Sandro, William, Abdul, Carol, Maisam, Syabira, Maxy (front) James Rebs Janusz, Dawn, Kevin on The Great British Baking Show on Netflix.

What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend reading, listening and viewing

5:35pm September 23, 2022

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Industry, The Great British Baking Show, and more.

Adnan Syed, center, leaves the Cummings Courthouse in Baltimore on Monday. A judge has ordered the release of Syed after overturning his conviction for a 1999 murder that was chronicled in the hit podcast Serial.

How the investigation of Adnan Syed became a podcast phenomenon

5:43pm September 20, 2022

by Elizabeth Blair

With more than 300 million downloads and multiple awards, Serial's investigation into Adnan Syed's case paved the way for a veritable cottage industry of true crime podcasts.

Carlos Villarías and Lupita Tovar starred in the 1931 Spanish language version of Dracula.

Spanish 'Dracula' finds new blood, more than 90 years after its release

4:25pm September 19, 2022

by Mandalit del Barco

In 1931, an entire new cast and crew reshot Dracula into Spanish on the Universal Studios lot.

Social media comedian Jonathan Chavez tells NPR he's ready to reveal move past his Mexican Mom character. He wants to world to know the real him.

Arts

Jonathan Chavez, su mamá, and all the other characters he wants to take on

5:01am September 19, 2022

by Vanessa Romo

The social media comedian has gone farther than he'd imagined as kid. But now, he says he wants more than your TikTok and Instagram attention.

The bride and doom of Valyria: (L-R) Matt Smith, Gavin Spokes, Emily Carey, Paddy Considine, Milly Alcock, Theo Nate, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Wil Johnson, Savannah Steyn.

Books
Arts

'House of the Dragon' episode 5: The perfect match ... to burn it all down

10:01pm September 18, 2022

by Glen Weldon

Episode 5 of HBO's 'Game of Thrones' spin off gets its ducks — and its geese — in a row. A royal celebration goes off with a great big bloody hitch.

Ismael Cruz Cordova as Arondir in Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Arts

Why Black characters in 'Rings of Power' and 'Little Mermaid' make fantasy better

11:47am September 18, 2022

by Eric Deggans

Producers of fantasy shows should use diversity to deepen storylines.

Sheryl Lee Ralph accepts the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary onstage during the 74th Emmy Awards.

What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend reading, listening and viewing

5:11pm September 16, 2022

Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kenan & Kel, and more.

Latinos represent roughly 19% of the U.S. population. Yet a Nielsen study shows they account for 42% of the country's most-watched content on streaming services.

Latino viewers heavily influence the popularity of streaming shows, a study finds

11:38am September 16, 2022

by Mandalit del Barco

A new study shows that Latino-led content attracted new viewers to streaming platforms and helped make shows and films more popular.

June (Elisabeth Moss) discovers that her rage doesn't respond the way she expects in the fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale.

Arts

'The Handmaid's Tale' shifts its focus to the rage and limitations of its heroine

7:01pm September 15, 2022

by Linda Holmes

In its fifth season, The Handmaid's Tale becomes more focused on the problems of complicity and of revolution that is individual rather than collective.

Over the years, Gaby Moreno has shared the stage with a wide array of artists, including Tracy Chapman, Calexico and Punch Brothers.

Gaby Moreno is making music on her terms

5:21pm September 15, 2022

by Betto Arcos

The L.A.-based artist will embark on a big tour of Europe. She'll be doing 28 shows in six weeks, covering 11 countries, including Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Ireland.

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