Month: June 2025

The one and only Mark Hamill joins us this week. He chats with us about his latest role in the epic, life-affirming drama The Life of Chuck. He also chats with us about what inspired him to take his acting skills to Broadway after Star Wars. Plus, he shares what got him into voice acting and does his iconic voice as the Joker from the animated Batman series for us.

(Image credit: Gareth Cattermole)

But for many working adults, the summer can often feel the same as the rest of the year. So, maybe our idea of a “summer read” should encompass a wider swath of books? Here are a few out this week.

It’s been nearly 30 years since Toy Story kicked off a historic run of animated films. So now seemed like a good time to discuss the best of the best — YOUR picks for the greatest Pixar films of all time. Thousands of you voted, and we’ve got the results.

To see our listener’s full ranking of Pixar film, check out the list on Letterboxd – at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture

To access bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for Pop Culture Happy Hour, subscribe to Pop Culture Happy Hour+ at plus.npr.org/happy

Eric Johnson’s husband Dennis Hopkins was given a 50% chance of surviving lung cancer. During one hospital stay they met their unsung hero, a nurse named Sherry.

A group of Democratic senators and Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller are hosting a Pride celebration at the Kennedy Center Monday evening. But the Kennedy Center has nothing to do with programming it.

Journalist Carter Sherman says that members of Gen Z are having less sex than previous generations — due in part to the political and social climate. Her new book is The Second Coming.

Maria Reva’s virtuosic novel starts out as a straightforward story about a Ukrainian biologist, but morphs into a comic take on war, the mail-order bride business and the plight of snails.

The secretary Miss Moneypenny will now be known as Miss Money One Hundred Billion Dollars Money Money Money. Or Alexa.

Most of the bidding action was online. But at a ritzy Beverly Hills hotel, hopeful bidders united by genuine affection for Lynch admired the tools of the late artist’s trade. It was a mirthful wake.

(Image credit: Emma Bowman)

With a billboard in Times Square and a night on Broadway, the year’s top high school performers are ready for their big moment at the Jimmy Awards.

(Image credit: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR)