Pop Culture Happy Hour

The Boroughs

Something is definitely up in the fantastic new Netflix series The Boroughs. Monsters, or maybe aliens? It?s set in a seemingly idyllic mid-century modern retirement community in the middle of the desert, and focuses on a septuagenarian Scooby Gang formed by Geena Davis, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Denis O?Hare and Clarke Peters.

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2026-05-25
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Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu and What?s Making Us Happy

The Mandalorian has made the jetpack-assisted leap to the big screen with the new movie Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. The laconic bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal) and his cute sidekick Grogu are hired by the good guys to do a job for some bad guys. You know what you?re gonna get ? creatures, droids, easter eggs, and lots of fights. But, after three seasons on Disney+, will folks go out to the theaters to watch something they?ve gotten to know on their couches?

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2026-05-22
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Stephen Colbert and late night

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert comes to an end this week amid a lot of changes in the business and the country. Some of the sources of tension include the economics of late night, the approaching merger of Paramount and Warner Brothers, and President Donald Trump's constant criticism of late-night hosts. But for Colbert's fans, it's the end of a friendly, funny, candid show. So we?re talking about the legacy of Stephen Colbert in late night.

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2026-05-21
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Is God Is

You should make sure to check out the new film Is God Is. It?s a kinetic movie about twin sisters (Kara Young and Mallori Johnson) who set out to kill their abusive dad (Sterling K. Brown). It?s an exciting road trip movie akin to Thelma & Louise mashed up with the affecting themes of sisterhood in The Color Purple. The promising feature debut from acclaimed playwright Alesha Harris also features Janelle Monáe, Vivica A. Fox and Erika Alexander.

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2026-05-20
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Nemesis

If you?re a fan of the movie Heat, then you might be into Netflix?s new action-packed heist series Nemesis. Co-created by Courtney A. Kemp (Power), it?s about the blurry lines between criminality and the law, and follows an LAPD detective (Matthew Law) chasing an elusive crew of robbers and its ringleader (Y?lan Noel). The show has a lot going on ? stylized set pieces, double-crosses, relationship issues, daddy issues ? but it all goes down smoothly enough.

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2026-05-18
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Obsession and What?s Making Us Happy

The new film Obsession has a familiar setup: A guy makes a wish, wish comes true, and things go bad. But what sets this twisted little movie apart is how bad things go, and the astonishing, terrifying performance of its lead actress, Inde Navarrette. Written and directed by Curry Barker, the film follows a schlubby music store employee (Michael Johnston) who?s in love with his coworker (Navarrette) and makes a wish on a cheap magic gag gift for her to love him. That love soon proves to be the kind that?s jealous, all-consuming and comes with a body count.

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2026-05-15
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Shrek

Shrek launched a Dreamworks franchise, won an Oscar, spawned a stage musical, and greatly extended the cultural life of the band Smash Mouth. And it all started with the story of a crabby green ogre, voiced by Mike Myers, who just wants a bunch of fairy-tale characters to stay out of his swamp. The film turns 25 this month, so we are revisiting our conversation about its legacy.

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2026-05-14
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Fun movies we missed

One basic truth of the streaming era is that streaming movies come at you fast. So we?re recommending three fun movies that we haven't covered on the show that you can stream at home: Apex, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, and Thrash.

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2026-05-12
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The Sheep Detectives

In the charming new movie The Sheep Detectives, a shepherd (Hugh Jackman) is murdered and the sheep who adored him are determined to solve the crime. The sheep are voiced by an impressive cast including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Patrick Stewart, and Bryan Cranston. It?s sweet and funny, and quite emotional. It might change the whole way you see sheep and murrrrrrder.

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2026-05-11
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Mortal Kombat II and What?s Making Us Happy

Mortal Kombat II brings back more of the unforgettable characters you might have grown up eviscerating. Based on the ultra-violent video game franchise, it centers the story on warrior princess Kitana (Adeline Rudolph) and washed-up action star Johnny Cage (Karl Urban). And of course, there?s fighting. Lots and lots of fighting.

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2026-05-08
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Lord of the Flies

You probably read the Lord of the Flies in high school ? and now you can watch it on Netflix. It follows a bunch of British schoolboys who get stranded on a deserted island and descend into violent tribalism. Lord of the Flies is made by one of the creators of the Emmy-winning Adolescence, another grim meditation on youth and violence and masculinity.

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2026-05-07
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The best Survivor seasons, ranked

Survivor changed the landscape of reality television. Over 50 seasons, the competition has riveted audiences with its complex social strategy, ever-shifting alliances, and many twists. The show has evolved, and fans have debated changes to the game for years. So what?s the best Survivor season of all time?

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2026-05-06
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Hokum

In the satisfying new horror movie Hokum, Adam Scott plays a misanthropic writer who takes his parents' ashes to the lonely Irish inn where they honeymooned many years ago. There?s just a few things dampening his stay: surly staff, a local eccentric and a witch haunting the hotel. Hokum was directed by Damian McCarthy, known for making similarly spooky films like Caveat and Oddity.

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2026-05-04
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The Devil Wears Prada 2 and What?s Making Us Happy

The Devil Wears Prada 2 reunites Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci 20 years after the beloved original film. The sequel finds Andy as a mid-career reporter who gets an unexpected opportunity to lead the features department at Runway and working for Miranda Priestly, the worst boss she ever had. But does the sequel capture the magic of the original film?

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2026-05-01
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Summer Guide

It?s getting warm outside and the sun is shining, which means it?s time to look ahead to what you should be watching and listening to this summer. We've got a guide to the movies, TV and music we're most excited to check out, including Olivia Rodrigo?s new album, and movies like Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Disclosure Day and I Love Boosters.

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2026-04-30
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Margo's Got Money Troubles

The great new Apple TV series Margo's Got Money Troubles boasts an impressive cast: Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman, Nicole Kidman--there's no shortage of star power. Fanning plays a college student whose life gets very complicated when she becomes a mother at 19 and joins OnlyFans. It was created by David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies), and is based on a novel by Rufi Thorpe.

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2026-04-28
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Mother Mary

The surreal movie Mother Mary stars Anne Hathaway as a Gaga-esque pop star facing an existential crisis. She turns to her former costume designer and estranged friend, played by Michaela Coel, to find herself again. The reunion resurfaces old wounds, and then things get spooky and weird. The film features a few grandiose concert numbers with songs penned by Charli xcx, Jack Antonoff, and FKA twigs.

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2026-04-27
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Michael and What's Making Us Happy

Michael Jackson was one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, so it?s only natural that he?s the subject of a glossy, big-budget biopic. In Michael, the singer?s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson portrays him in his rise to fame. The film leans heavily on the depiction of live performances, but steers entirely clear of the controversies that dogged the singer. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture

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2026-04-24
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The many narratives of Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson remains one of the most influential and celebrated musicians in modern history, yet his legacy continues to inspire both intense criticism and fascination. The new film, Michael, is set for release this week, raising the question of whether an estate-approved biopic can truly redefine an artist's legacy. Aisha Harris explores the various music videos and biopics related to this generational talent, whose narrative was crafted throughout his lifetime and long after his death, especially in the wake of sexual abuse allegations.

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2026-04-23
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Watch This: The Christophers

In the terrific new film The Christophers, an art restorer with a background in forgery (Michaela Coel) takes a job as an assistant to a once-famous artist who's faded from public life (Ian McKellen). And her motives are? complicated. It might seem like a quiet story, but as directed by Steven Soderbergh, the movie packs a serious punch of talent.

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2026-04-21
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Beef

The Netflix Beef returns for season two with an all new cast. This time the beef involves two couples: Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaac face off against Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny. Just like in the first season, their feud reveals way bigger underlying issues for each of the parties involved. Everyone?s a mess and it?s a surreal journey to behold.

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2026-04-20
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Normal and What?s Making Us Happy

Bob Odenkirk has pivoted from sketch comedy to dramatic acting and, most recently, to late-middle-aged action star. In the new film Normal, he plays a small-town sheriff who finds out his small town isn?t so normal after all, which will of course require some sexagenarian butt-kicking. The cast includes Henry Winkler and Lena Headey, and was written by Derek Kolstad, the mind behind the John Wick franchise.

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2026-04-17
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We Watch Classic Movies For The First Time

We've all been there. A major movie is mentioned, you shrug, sheepishly, and someone says, "I can't believe you've never seen that!" Today, in this encore episode, we make a dent in our own lists of classic films we somehow had not yet gotten to, including Erin Brockovich, Enter the Dragon, Raging Bull, and Flower Drum Song.

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2026-04-16
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Great TV We Missed

There?s a lot of TV worth recommending out there. So today we?re spotlighting some television we didn?t have time to talk about earlier this year, including Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat, Ponies, Blossoms Shanghai, and Deadloch.

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2026-04-14
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Big Mistakes

Dan Levy co-created and starred in the beloved Schitt?s Creek. And now he?s back with a new comedy on Netflix that?s got a very different vibe. In Big Mistakes, Levy and Taylor Ortega play dysfunctional siblings who get drawn deeper and deeper into the world of organized crime, even as their mom ? the great Laurie Metcalf ? runs for public office.

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2026-04-13
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You, Me & Tuscany and What?s Making Us Happy

?She came for the pasta, and got lost in the sauce.? That?s the brilliant tagline for the zesty new rom-com You, Me, & Tuscany. Halle Bailey stars as a broke twenty-something who decides to fulfill a dream and fly to Tuscany on a whim. There she meets a hot winemaker played by Regé-Jean Page. But this is an old-school movie with classic rom-com machinations, so it?ll take at least a three-course meal and a few vinos to get these two beautiful people together.

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2026-04-10
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How We Handle Spoilers

We?ve all been there: Maybe somebody tells you too much about the twist ending of a movie, or they tell you who dies at the end. In other words, you?ve run into a spoiler. The discourse around The Drama has us thinking: how should you handle spoilers, and what even counts as a spoiler? We talk about Star Wars, The Sixth Sense, and even the American Idol finale.

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2026-04-09
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The Pitt

In HBO Max's The Pitt, an ER full of doctors, nurses and staff are put through tense, high-stakes shifts. The first season was a critical success and won the show a raft of Emmy Awards. Now the second season is close to an end, and while this shift has been less catastrophic in some ways, it's clear that everyone, including attending physician Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) is stretched very, very thin.

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2026-04-08
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The Drama: Spoiler Episode

The Drama is a dark and twisty comedy starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as a storybook couple preparing for their upcoming wedding. But just days before the big day, she reveals a horrifying truth about her past self that threatens to undo their nuptials, and their bond. In this spoiler-packed episode, we?re getting into that reveal, and all the surprising drama of the movie.

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2026-04-06
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The Drama and What?s Making Us Happy

In the dark comedy The Drama, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson are getting married, but maybe they shouldn?t? The stars play a couple in full-on prep mode for their upcoming wedding, though when a shocking secret is revealed, suddenly their love for one another doesn?t seem all that secure.

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2026-04-03
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The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is the ultimate piece of Nintendo fan service. Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day), Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) are on an outer space adventure to save Princess Rosalina (Brie Larson). The film features other beloved Nintendo characters like Bowser (Jack Black) and Yoshi (Donald Glover) ? and a few surprises. It?s a sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which made more than a billion dollars worldwide.

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2026-04-02
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The Comeback

Lisa Kudrow is back in HBO?s beloved comedy The Comeback. It?s been more than a decade since we last saw sitcom star Valerie Cherish, and her present situation is bleak. The new show she?s starring in is being written by AI. But if we know anything about Val, it?s that she?ll always seize an opportunity, setbacks be damned.

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2026-04-01
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Hannah Montana

This year marks 20 years since Hannah Montana premiered on the Disney Channel. The show made a global phenomenon of star Miley Cyrus and her pop-star alter ego. It's been streamed millions of hours since going off the air, and influenced the next generation of pop stars like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter. With the new Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special on Disney Plus, we figured it?s a good time to look back at the legacy of the show, and where it fits into Miley?s career.

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2026-03-31
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Bait and What?s Making Us Happy

In the whimsical Prime Video comedy series Bait, the great Riz Ahmed plays Shah, an actor in the middle of a career downturn who lands an audition to be the next James Bond. But when this leaks to the public, the social media reactions to the possibility of a brown 007 are unhinged. And one particularly disturbing response shakes Shah?s confidence and sends his personal life into a tailspin.

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2026-03-27
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BTS Arirang

BTS, one of the biggest groups in K-pop, is back. Arirang is the group?s first full-length album following a hiatus in which the members released solo projects and served in South Korea?s military. It?s a brash, catchy comeback, with a mix of hip-hop, pop, and R&B. And like their previous hits, Arirang is bound to make a mark on the Billboard charts.

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2026-03-25
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The Reality TV Show We?d Actually Win

Part of the fun of reality TV is putting yourself in the shoes of the people you're watching. Maybe you'd make a great Real Housewife. Maybe you could win The Amazing Race. In this encore episode, we're not here to make friends. But we are here to pick the reality shows that we think could thrive on.

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2026-03-24
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Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

The cheeky horror comedy Ready Or Not starred Samara Weaving as a bride who?s forced to partake in her new family?s game of hide and seek, which turns quite deadly. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come picks up right where the previous story left off, but this time with more lore, more gore, and more stars like Elijah Wood, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Kathryn Newton.

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2026-03-23
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Project Hail Mary and What?s Making Us Happy

Ryan Gosling has teamed up with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) for the new sci-fi movie Project Hail Mary. It?s based on a novel by Andy Weir (The Martian), and tells the story of a molecular biologist who winds up on a one-way mission into space to save Earth?s population. If that all sounds incredibly bleak, fear not: you can expect quirk, charm, and a cutesy alien creature.

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2026-03-20
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Rooster

Steve Carell is a writer of pulpy crime novels and a hapless new writing teacher at a small college in the HBO comedy series Rooster. His daughter (Charly Clive) is also a teacher, and she?s the subject of campus gossip because her husband just dumped her for a student. The show?s got a great cast, including Danielle Deadwyler and John C. McGinley, and one of its creators is Bill Lawrence of Scrubs, Shrinking and Ted Lasso.

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2026-03-18
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Scarpetta

In the Prime Video series Scarpetta, Nicole Kidman plays a tough, smart medical examiner whose latest murder case is entangled with a much earlier one. The show's got a big cast including Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale and Ariana DeBose. Scarpetta is based on a series of successful crime novels by Patricia Cornwell.

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2026-03-17
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Our 2026 Oscars Recap

At the Oscars, One Battle After Another took home six awards including best picture, Michael B. Jordan won for lead actor in Sinners, and the telecast had plenty of jokes at Timothée Chalamet?s expense. We?re recapping the highs and lows of the 2026 Oscars.

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2026-03-16
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2026 Oscars Guide and What's Making Us Happy

We've watched all the nominees in the major categories for the Oscars including Sinners, One Battle After Another, Hamnet, and Marty Supreme. So we?ve got opinions about what will win and what should win. (And yes, we?ll talk about Timothée Chalamet.)

For a list of our favorite Oscar nominated films, check out our list at Letterboxd ? at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture .

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2026-03-13
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What Makes A Great Cast?

This year, there's finally an Oscar being awarded for casting. The nominees are the casting directors for Sinners, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, and The Secret Agent. That got us thinking - what makes a great cast, anyway? Today, we spent some time talking about some of the nominees and casting generally.

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2026-03-12
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Harry Styles Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.

Harry Styles just released his new album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. It?s his fourth solo album since leaving the boy band One Direction, and the follow-up to Harry?s House, which won album of the year at the Grammys. The new album is a fairly radical departure, inspired by dance floors and post-punk music. But it still swoons, as any Harry Styles record must.

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2026-03-11
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Hoppers

In Disney and Pixar?s delightful new film Hoppers, a young woman (Piper Curda) learns a beloved glade is under threat from the town?s slimy mayor (Jon Hamm). But luckily, she discovers that her college professor has developed technology that can let her live as one of the critters she loves ? by allowing her mind to ?hop? into an animatronic beaver. And it just might just allow her to help save the glade from serious risk of destruction.

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2026-03-09
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The Bride! and What's Making Us Happy

The Bride! goes way beyond a simple tale of literature?s most famous reanimated corpses. Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale, the film is a wild take on the bride of Frankenstein?s monster. It follows her origin story, her relationship with the big lug himself, and her pursuit of her own distinct identity.

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2026-03-06
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Love Story

John F. Kennedy Jr. was an object of public fixation his entire life, and he?s now the subject of the FX series Love Story. It focuses on Kennedy?s (Paul Anthony Kelly) relationship with his wife, Carolyn Bessette (Sarah Pidgeon). The show follows their courtship, their marriage, and the great strain that she experienced as part of what was, for a time, one of the most closely watched couples in the world.

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2026-03-04
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The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins

The new comedy series The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins stars Tracy Morgan as a disgraced former football star and Daniel Radcliffe as a documentary filmmaker who team up to make a movie. I know what you?re saying - another mockumentary sitcom? What if I told you that the creators come from shows like 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Girls5eva? And that the joke density bears that out? The NBC/Peacock series also stars Erika Alexander, Bobby Moynihan and Craig Robinson.

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2026-03-03
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Industry

HBO?s addictive drama Industry has never been afraid to wade in the muck, and the fourth season and finale was especially messy. The paths of frenemies Harper (Myha?la) and Yasmin (Marisa Abela) erratically converged and diverged, Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harington) lands at a fintech startup, and the parallels to real-life headlines became impossible not to notice. So after that harrowing season finale, we?re wondering what just happened, and where might the show go from here?

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2026-03-02
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Scream 7 and What's Making Us Happy

The OG Scream Queen Neve Campbell returns. Scream 7 re-centers the franchise back on Sidney Prescott. She has a new life, a family, and lots of baggage. You know the drill: Someone dressing up as the masked slasher Ghostface comes for her, her family and friends. There?s lots of stabbing and murder and so many red herrings it?s practically a smorgasbord.

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2026-02-27
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