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Pop Culture Happy Hour

NPR
Netflix
NPR
Grief
Video Games
One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawke
The Pit
Caught Stealing
Kiss Of the Spider Woman
Bad Bunny
The Bear
Brokeback Mountain
Sentimental Value
Blue Moon
Horror Movies
Jaws
Austin Butler
The Paper
Task
Wayward

Trying to keep up with the latest in pop culture? We’ve got you covered. The Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast helps you find the best new binge-worthy tv shows, movies, music, and videogames.Join hosts Linda Holmes, Aisha Harris, Stephen Thompson, and Glen Weldon four episodes a week - plus a rotating cast of guest pop culture enthusiasts. It’s your fix for reviews, recommendations, and recaps of th... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1101Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film ReviewsAfter ShowsTV & Film

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Artwork for Pop Culture Happy Hour

Latest Episodes

In the fun, entertaining new film, The End of Oak Street, Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor star as a married couple in the early 1980s. One night, their entire suburban neighborhood is transported to a time filled with a variety of large and dangerous... more

Summer blockbusters are hugely popular and as a result, financially successful, and seen by lots of people. So with summer blockbuster season coming to a close, we decided to revisit our conversation about our own personal blockbuster gaps, and final... more

Ted Lasso is finally back. But is this new fourth season worth the wait, and does it have anything fresh to say? Ted (Jason Sudeikis) has returned to the U.K., only this time, he’s coaching a brand new women’s soccer team. The hit Apple TV series fea... more

We spend the majority of our adult lives at work. We also see so many depictions of working life on TV. So where’s the fictional place we’d like to work? We’ll talk about Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones, The Muppet Show and The West Wing.

If you want mor... more

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Recent Guests

Wei-Lin Wong
Co-host of NPR's Daily Economics podcast, The Indicator from Planet Money
NPR/Planet Money
Episode: One Night Only and What’s Making Us Happy
Travell Anderson
Journalist and host of Seated, a movie review podcast
NPR
Episode: The Hawk
Chris Klymick
Writer and host of the film spotting podcast Movie Deathmatch
Movie Deathmatch
Episode: The Odyssey and What's Making Us Happy
Saraya Nadia McDonald
Cultural critic and journalist
NPR / cultural critic
Episode: Little House on the Prairie
Reanna Cruz
Entertainment journalist and critic
Independent/Entertainment journalism
Episode: Gen Z and the movies
Sam Adams
Staff writer at Slate
Slate
Episode: Gen Z and the movies
Danielle Kurtzleben
NPR White House correspondent
NPR
Episode: Widow’s Bay
Kristen Mincer
Culture Critic
Episode: Power Ballad
Chris Klimek
Writer and host of Movie Death Match
Film journalism
Episode: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu and What’s Making Us Happy

Hosts

Linda Holmes
Host of Pop Culture Happy Hour; NPR editor/critic with a focus on TV and culture; frequent co-host and panelist.
Aisha Harris
Co-host with a background in culture journalism; brings analysis on representation and media trends.
Stephen Thompson
Host with a focus on music and culture; contributes broad pop culture critique and production context.
Glen Weldon
Longtime panelist with deep knowledge of pop culture history and criticism.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 16k ratings
  • Bag of Fun!

    Culling material the covers the stupidity of our elected officials and this was just such a welcome addition! I’ll never see a Spiderman movie, the live Moana? No. But learning about them (and Dwayne Johnson’s body suit - LOL) gives me nuggets to share with others! And who would have known? So thank you for the fun!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BigAppleGreg
    United States14 days ago
  • Spider-Man.

    I do love have they always do reviews without ruining to much. After seeing Spider-Man. I couldn’t put it my finger when I didn’t love it as much as other people did. Their put it to words what I never could. Gave me sense of peace why I like Spider-Man but couldn’t love. Even if you don’t agree with there take. I feel like these podcasts mostly an understanding of things that I wouldn’t be able to get to on my own.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hfotini
    United States15 days ago
  • Smart, Insightful, Funny

    I love this podcast. It is like visiting with friends. Never miss a show.

    I appreciate all the hosts but Aisha drives me crazy with her increasing use of "like", sometimes multiple times per sentence. And please, learn the difference between her and she!

    All the hosts have interesting PsOV and are often quite charming. Glad I am not the only one who cant quite place Kate Young's accent.

    More Waylon Wong please- she is a delight, and of course we

    All love Ronald Young Jr.

    The inly guest I cannot... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GTJAC
    United States23 days ago
  • Love!!

    I love this podcast! It makes me feel up to speed on aspects of culture I’m not into and gives me awesome insights into the things I am into! My friends and I co-opted the “what’s making me happy this week” idea as a weekly text blurb about our lives, and it’s helped us to stay close despite distance. Thanks for your time, thoughtfulness, and hot takes!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Teagan345
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great Movie/Series Review Podcast

    Love listening to this podcast. I don’t always agree w their takes, but it has made me think more profoundly of the movies and shows I watch and has made me appreciate all the different elements that make for good storytelling. My only critique is how I wish they reviewed more music albums and not just the big name musicians, but new upcoming disruptors to the music scene.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Levy Alex
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners want more consistent coverage of certain genres or topics.
Listeners appreciate the rotating cast and range of expertise.
The critique blends rigor with warmth and humor.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jackass: Best and Last
Q: Jordan, before you climb into a shopping cart and ride it off a rooftop, give me your take on Jackass circa 2026.
Jordan explains his long history with Jackass, how the franchise evolved from MTV to feature films, and his mixed feelings about new cast members while appreciating the nostalgia and the era-defining stunts.
Minions & Monsters and What’s Making Us Happy
Q: What'd you think of Minions & Monsters?
Rihanna Cruz shared strong enthusiasm, calling it a love letter to cinema with clever references and a focus on the Minions, while Candice Lim balanced the praise with notes on overstuffed elements and a strong central focus on the Minions themselves.
Great movies we missed
Q: Bob, what makes She's the He a standout within Pride-linked cinema for you?
Bob discusses the film's ensemble, its inclusive casting, and its blend of humor with a sharp commentary on gender and identity, highlighting how it treats its characters with warmth and complexity.
Great movies we missed
Q: Linda, can you tell us a bit about the first title you chose and why it stood out for you?
Aisha introduces Tuner and Linda explains how the film blends a caper with a deeply observed relationship, praising the score and the way the heist elements serve the drama rather than overwhelm it.
Supergirl and What’s Making Us Happy
Q: What did you think about this movie?
Glen expresses that it's a solid addition to the DC canon but not a game changer, praising Milly Alcock's performance while criticizing the villain as one-dimensional and the overall heaviness of some scenes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pop Culture Happy Hour

What is Pop Culture Happy Hour about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A witty, wide-ranging roundtable that reviews and argues about recent pop culture across film, TV, and beyond. Episodes blend deep dives on specific works with broader industry context, from adaptation and representation to production design and streaming economics. A recurring strength is the panel's mix of scholarly critique and accessible, joyful commentary, with occasional guests offering specialized takes. The show often threads cultural analysis with practical recommendations, making it useful for listeners who want thoughtful perspectives plus entertainment suggestions.

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How many listeners does Pop Culture Happy Hour get?

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How many subscribers and views does Pop Culture Happy Hour have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Pop Culture Happy Hour has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Pop Culture Happy Hour?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Pop Culture Happy Hour:

1. It's Been a Minute
2. The Sam Sanders Show
3. Fresh Air
4. Code Switch
5. Critics at Large | The New Yorker

How many episodes of Pop Culture Happy Hour are there?

Pop Culture Happy Hour launched 18 years ago and published 1101 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Pop Culture Happy Hour?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Pop Culture Happy Hour?

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What guests have appeared on Pop Culture Happy Hour?

Recent guests on Pop Culture Happy Hour include:

1. Wei-Lin Wong
2. Travell Anderson
3. Chris Klymick
4. Saraya Nadia McDonald
5. Reanna Cruz
6. Sam Adams
7. Danielle Kurtzleben
8. Kristen Mincer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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