Pop Culture Happy Hour

This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Music's Stephen Thompson takes the reigns in Linda Holmes absence to lead a brief discussion of this year's Emmy Awards — who won, who lost and how host Jane Lynch did. Then the gang make their picks for new fall television shows they're championing sight unseen and will be periodically watching throughout the season. Plus, What's Making Us Happy.

This week on Culturetopia: The Night Circus; Citizen Kane meets Blu-Ray; portraits of New York African-American women; Roger Ebert on his new memoir; last purchases at Borders Bookstore.

This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See's Linda Holmes sits with PCHH regulars Glen Weldon, Trey Graham and producer Mike Katzif to talk about local culture — from local sports and eats, to those wackadoo local television programs. Then a look culture that uses food well and makes us hungry: Chocolate, Ratatouille, The Sopranos, Bridesmaids and more. All that plus What's Making Us Happy this week.

This Week on Culturetopia: Alexandra Fuller's new memoir; Western opera singers in China; cellist Zoe Keating; Libyan author Hisham Matar; what tennis star Zina Garrison's listening to now

This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See's Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Glen Weldon and Trey Graham preview this fall's upcoming movies — from Ides of March and Contagion to I Don't Know How She Does It and more. Then a look at the best television guest stars, who should be caset and who we want to see again. Plus, What's Making Us Happy.

This Week on Culturetopia: Hugh Laurie plays the blues; comedy after 9/11; the song of the summer; the comedy webseries "Awkward Black Girl"

This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, the PCHH staff takes a look at fictional schools we have known — from Buffy The Vampire Slayer to Freaks and Geeks to Heathers and beyond — the traditions that kinda go with Labor Day, and one of our favorite pointless television spectacles of the year: the VMAs.

This Week On Culturetopia: origins of the banjo revealed; the importance of location in the film ‘Fort Apache the Bronx;’ Irish rockabilly singer Imelda May; comparing the 1947 gangster film ‘Brighton Rock’ to its recently released remake; the new reality TV show ‘Russian Dolls.’

This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See's Linda Holmes and the PCHH crew have a somewhat spoilery discussion of Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, talk about how to get over insomnia, and talk — as always — about what's making us happy this week. Plus an earthquake update!

This Week on Culturetopia: Photographer Elliott Erwitt; a rebooted “Porgy and Bess;” musician Grey Reverend; the new documentary “Senna;” the healing power of blues dancing.

This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See's Linda Holmes returns to the host chair to give a quick recap of TCA. Then the rest of the PCHH gang — Stephen Thompson, Glen Weldon and Mike Katzif — discuss some unsung heroes in pop culture, from the straight man in a comedy duo to film editors to the Washington Generals. All that plus more Pop Culture Blind Spots and What's Making Us Happy this week — the Green Bay Packers, the return of a comedy podcast, Curb Your Enthusiasm and a classic 80s show.

This Week on Culturetopia: Jeff Bridges releases a country music album; our series On Location continues with a look at the film "Touch of Evil;" actress Octavia Spencer on the controversies surrounding "The Help;" Bert and Ernie are officially just friends; a remembrance of a Mexican comic legend.

This Week on Culturetopia:  Crime novelist George Pelecanos; Shakespeare in the Park; Wil Wheaton remembers "Stand By Me"; the vanishing profession of snake charming

This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR's Trey Graham, Stephen Thompson, Tanya Ballard Brown and Barrie Hardymon take a look at some of the recent news going on in the world: London's burning, and the markets are having mood swings — and naturally look to Hollywood for lessons about what to do when the center isn't holding. Then a discussion of frequent pop culture punching bag, fast food. And lastly, What's Making Us Happy this week including the Green Bay Packers, the Canadian television drama Intelligence, 'The Help' and more.

This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See's Linda Holmes is still away covering the Television Critics Association gathering in Los Angeles, but she still manages to drop by via Skype to talk about some of the best shows, worst shows she's seen and share some wackadoo stories. Then, a discussion of some regrettable television: Same Name, starring David Hasselhoff and his similarly named doppleganger. Plus What's Making Us Happy This Week.