Pop Culture Happy Hour

We all love actor/writer Sharon Horgan, and she’s got a new show on HBO called Youth. Horgan stars as Alex, a 50-year-old divorcée who finds herself at several simultaneous personal and professional crossroads. But where does this new show fall in the Horgan canon? Is it essential, or is it more of a vestigial Horgan?

Looking for more TV and movies about navigating mid-life?  Check out these episodes:
‘The Invite’ is a marriage comedy with sex and heart
A twisty scam goes haywire in the fun 'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed'
In Tina Fey’s ‘The Four Seasons,’ marriage is far from a vacation
In ‘Rooster,’ Steve Carell makes some college admissions

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A new Jane Austen adaptation is going to give you love, family and honor, repressed emotions and probably financial peril that can only be resolved through marriage. A new film version of Austen's Sense and Sensibility touches on those familiar themes with the Dashwood family, which include the two oldest sisters Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles). They are, in true Austen fashion, at the mercy of laws that deny widows and daughters financial security. But is this new film a sensible addition to Austen’s film canon?

Looking for more buzzy adaptations? Check out these episodes:
Truth is elusive in the erotic thriller ‘Verity’
'East of Eden' brings a light modern touch to an epic literary classic
Should you test out ‘The Love Hypothesis’?

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Guy meets whale; complications ensue. That's basically the plot of the new survival thriller Whalefall.It stars Austin Abrams as Jay, who goes diving in search of his deceased father (Josh Brolin) – and is swallowed by a whale. Based on the book by Daniel Kraus, the movie also has a lot to say about fathers and sons, as well as the lessons they have to teach each other.

If you’re looking for more with Austin Abrams, check out these episodes:

‘Resident Evil' is a grisly, funny fight to survive
In 'Weapons', the kids aren't at all right, not in the slightest, nope
High school is hazardous in the stylish 'Do Revenge'

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About a month before Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes went to prison for defrauding her investors, she and her partner Billy Evans invited a film crew to document their lives at home with their kids. And they didn't make a deal with a conventional filmmaking team. They connected with Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim. Fielder’s unusual nonfiction work blurs the lines between truth and artifice, so the resulting documentary, You Can See Everything, depicts Fielder's efforts to figure her out using some very unusual methods. 

Check out these episodes next:

‘Primetime’ sits you down with sleaze
'The Rehearsal' is about reality... and surreality
'The Dropout' finds the voice of Elizabeth Holmes

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The great FX series The Lowdown stars Ethan Hawke as a freelance investigative reporter with a knack for sticking his nose where it doesn't belong and getting that nose punched. He gets drawn into the seedy goings-on of one of Tulsa's most prominent families. Created by Sterlin Harjo (Reservation Dogs), the modern-day Western noir comedy has an excellent ensemble including Kyle MacLachlan, Keith David, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Killer Mike. The Lowdownjust returned for a second season, so today we’re revisiting our conversation about the series.

If you need more comedies with great casts, check out these episodes: 
‘Widow’s Bay’ is an island in the scream
Lisa Kudrow returns in 'The Comeback,' and we did need to see that
Gen Z awkwardly transitions into 'Adults'
‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’ is (30) Rock-solid

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The trailer for the movie Other Mommy went viral when it dropped a few months ago. It dominated the box office this weekend, but was panned by critics. But is it reallyone of the worst movies of the year? It’s about a 7-year-old girl who is visited by a mysterious entity who takes the form of her mother, played by Jessica Chastain. It’s a lean, intense horror film full of dark family secrets and grisly body horror.

Looking for more horror films? Check out these episodes:
‘It Ends’ is horror as hangout
'Backrooms' brings YouTube horror to the big screen
In ‘Obsession,’ love hurts. It really, really, really hurts.

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The new series Carrie updates the Stephen King book for the digital age, and plays with what we think we know in some surprising ways. Streaming on Prime Video, it follows a young Carrie who has led a sheltered life with her overbearing mother. But as Carrie enters high school, she has a rough go of it. The signposts are familiar – the showers, the prayer closet, the prom, the pig’s blood – but showrunner Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass) builds out the world around those events.

Looking for more TV and movies inspired by Stephen King? Check out these episodes:
Glen Powell is ‘The Running Man’ in the latest Stephen King adaptation

A new generation is down to clown in ‘IT: Welcome to Derry’

‘The Long Walk’ is a long walk to nowhere

Dance with Tom Hiddleston through 'The Life of Chuck'

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Don’t call it a sequel: The Social Reckoning is a companion piece to The Social Network. While the first movie chronicled the invention of Facebook, this one focuses on where Facebook is now. Jeremy Allen White stars as a crusading reporter alongside Mikey Madison, a Facebook insider with damning information about the business’ practices. The film also features Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg. Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, will it be added to the canon of great films about investigative journalism?  

Looking for other potential Oscar contenders? Check out these episodes:
The movies and TV we’re most excited about this fall
‘Primetime’ sits you down with sleaze
Tom Cruise in 'Digger' is loud, divisive and intensely committed to the bit

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A new series on Netflix is taking a bold crack at the American classic. Maybe you read John Steinbeck’s East of Edenin school. Or maybe you’ve seen the very loosely-adapted film starring James Dean. Anchored by a fantastic Florence Pugh performance, this new adaptation follows multiple generations of the Trask family. The series is an epic retelling of their story that offers a fresh perspective for new audiences.

Looking for more adaptations of classic literature? Check out these episodes:
Little House on the Prairie
‘Lord of the Flies’ gets the Netflix treatment
Only Guillermo del Toro could've made this 'Frankenstein'

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Mahershala Ali’s new movie isn’t the Bladereboot, but it’s still worth your time. Your Mother Your Mother Your Motherfollows a newly widowed hitman who wants out of the game. He's also a devout Muslim, and after his wife’s death, he is forced to adjust to being a single dad to three kids, while trying to balance his work and faith. But his boss (Laith Nakli) has other plans for him.

If you’re looking for more great movies and TV about parenthood, check out these episodes:

‘Last Seen’ is a new spin on troubled detectives

'Margo's Got Money Troubles' is a smart adaptation well worth your time

‘One Battle After Another’ is revolutionary — and revelatory

'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' shows off Rose Byrne's dramatic chops

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The TV seriesA Different World has loomed large in the culture since ending in the ‘90s, and now school is back in session in a new sequel series on Netflix. The show welcomes a new generation of students to the fictional HBCU Hillman College, and brings back notable alumni like Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison). And while the world is a lot different than it was 30-plus years ago, in a lot of ways, it’s also kind of the same.

If you’re looking for more nostalgia, Check out these episodes:
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ is a comfy nostalgia trip

‘Practical Magic 2’ wants to cast a spell of '90s nostalgia

How you feel about 'Bel-Air' may depend upon how you feel about CW dramas

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The new docudrama Primetimeis a weird and highly fictionalized account of the meteoric rise of To Catch a Predator. Robert Pattinson plays host Chris Hansen, who is struggling to get bigger ratings. Hansen and his team work with local law enforcement to drag the accused sexual abusers of minors before the camera and arrest them. But does director Lance Oppenheim’s highly stylized approach work, or leave viewers feeling empty? 

If you’re looking for more dramas loosely inspired by real people, check out:
‘Tony’ is a biopic that cooks
In 'Marty Supreme,' Timothée Chalamet is good at being supremely annoying
‘Blue Moon’ will bewitch, bother and bewilder you

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Jay-Z has been everywhere lately. It’s been 30 years since his acclaimed debut Reasonable Doubt, and he celebrated with a series of concerts at Yankee Stadium. And now there’s the HBO docuseries, JAŸ-Z In 8, in which Jay-Z dissects his catalog with producer Rick Rubin. The series hopes to further cement his legacy as one of the most revered lyricists of our time. But Jay-Z (or JAŸ-Z, as he’s styled it lately.) has always been a polarizing figure, both in his personal life and as a business mogul. So what does this series accomplish?

Looking for more episodes about music? Check out these:
Ariana Grande stares down the public eye in 'Petal'
It's time to talk about how y'all act at music festivals
Most overused songs in movies

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This fall, there’s a lotof movies and TV on tap for you to see. And we're as excited for all of it to arrive as you are. So we’ve got a guide to what’s worth keeping on your radar, including Wicker, Wildwood, Wild Horse Nine, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother and Avatar: Seven Havens.

Looking for more buzzy movie recommendations? Check out these episodes:
‘Resident Evil' is a grisly, funny fight to survive
‘Coyote vs. Acme’ is as looney as it needs to be 
‘The End Of Oak Street’ is a prehistoric good time

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We talk a lot about movies and TV shows, but new documentary films sometimes can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. So today we’re highlighting some new documentaries that are worth your time and you don’t want to miss – including Remake, The History of Concrete, Black Zombie, The Oldest Person in the World, and You Had to Be There.

Looking for more films that might have flown under your radar? Check out these episodes:

Great movies you may have missed

Fun movies you may have missed

Our favorite movies on Tubi

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The new Resident Evil movie is wild, scary, inventive, fast-paced, and funny. That’s because the videogame-turned-film franchise got a reboot courtesy of director Zach Cregger (Weapons and Barbarian). Austin Abrams plays a medical courier tasked with transporting an important medical MacGuffin, and his journey goes haywire almost immediately as gnarly perils pile up. But does the movie’s blend of horror and comedy work for newcomers and longtime fans?

Looking for more gore? Check out these episodes:

In ‘Weapons’, the kids aren't at all right, not in the slightest, nope
'Ready or Not 2' is a satanic and manic thrill

In '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,' the zombies aren’t the worst villains


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The new Apple TV series Last Seen is a compelling thriller. It stars Patrick Brammall (Colin from Accounts)as an emergency dispatcher named who gets a call one night from a girl he thinks might be his long-missing daughter. The show follows him as he becomes obsessed with finding the truth, even at the cost of his own stability and sobriety. It also tackles some thorny questions about who stands to gain and lose from solving this case.

Looking for other compelling thrillers? Check these out:

Emmy Rossum tracks down a female serial killer in 'Furious' 

TV heavy-hitters get dark in 'The Beast In Me'

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The Netflix TV show Crew Girl follows in the footsteps of successful coming-of-age dramas like Sterling Pointand The Summer I Turned Pretty. It follows Teagan, an ambitious high school rower (Miku Martineau) trying to fit in on the boys’ crew team at a fancy prep school. The show’s got a plucky fish out of water, a love triangle with two very different boys (Kyle Clark and Sam Braun), and a dreamy sunlit setting. But does Crew Girlsink, swim, or row?

Looking for more teen coming-of-age stories? Check out these episodes:

You’ll want more time in ‘Sterling Point’

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ has drama, romance and the music of Taylor Swift

The delightful 'My Old Ass' seeks wisdom from hindsight

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This year’s Emmys were a big night for shows we really love, including Widow’s Bay, The Pittand Pluribus. Actors Jean Smart and Matthew Rhys picked up wins, and Rhys made some history. And we’ll explain why we love Mariska Hargitay, who proved to be a game yet corny host.
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In Practical Magic 2, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return as witch sisters doomed by a family curse that means any man they love will die. They embark on a new chapter where the next generation is discovering the dangers of being born into this family. It’s been over 25 years since the original film. But will practical moviegoers be swept up in the magic twice?

If you are gearing up for the witchy spooky season, check out these episode:
In ‘Obsession,’ love hurts. It really, really, really hurts.
Adam Scott checks in to a haunted inn in ‘Hokum’'
Wicked: For Good' will bring you to tears
The scary movies and books that still haunt us

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When you hear the words “pumpkin spice latte,” maybe you think of fall. But maybe you just think about the pleasures of something unapologetically basic. The same can be said for movies and TV. Today, we are revealing some of the most basic things we really love – including National Treasure, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Dateline NBC, and The People’s Court.

Looking for more episodes like this? Check out: 

We talk pop culture pumpkin spice lattes: they're basic but we love them

We debate the best movies to watch on an airplane

YouTube rabbit holes that are great distractions

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Are you tired of the same eat-the-rich narratives churned out by Hollywood? There is a great new film Filipiñana offering a new take about the inner-workings of a country club in the Philippines. It’s both beautiful to look at and an emotional gut-punch. From director Rafael Manuel, this film kind of feels like if Wes Anderson made an explicitly anti-colonialist satire.

If you want a few more stylish and biting films, check out these episodes: 
‘Is God Is’ interrogates misogyny in a vivid, scathing revenge tale
'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' shows off Rose Byrne's dramatic chops
Keke Palmer steals the (fashion) scene in 'I Love Boosters'

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We all need a trusted source for music discovery – a music-savvy friend or family member, a music site – or someone on social media. But are influencers taking money to promote music and not telling you? Today we’re bringing you an episode of NPR’s It's Been a Minute, where host Brittany Luse talks to NPR music reporter Isabella Gomez Sarmiento about the details and broader implications of this practice.

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The buzzy fantastic new TV drama Sterling Point has it all. A mysterious inheritance. A teen love triangle. Secrets and lies that echo across generations. The Prime Video series has twists, turns, and heart. You won’t want to miss it. 

Want more Gen Z drama? Check out these episodes: 

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ has drama, romance and the music of Taylor Swift

Gen Z awkwardly transitions into 'Adults'

'I Love LA' reinforces our love for Rachel Sennott

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Millions of us play little daily games on our phone. But if you’re looking to expand the horizons of your morning distractions beyond Wordle and Connections, we’re here for you. Today we’re recommending some fun daily online games, including MapTap, Catfishing, TimeGuessr, The Loop, and Clues by Sam.

Looking for more conversations about fun games? Try these episodes:

Wordle is a daily dose of delight, despair, and sometimes smugness

In 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom' the open world is wide open

Best Video Games of 2025

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Have you ever been on a road trip that feels like it goes on forever and things started getting a bit existential? That’s the whole deal with the chewy new film It Ends. The horror-meets-psychological thriller follows four friends who just graduated college, as they turn onto a road through a dense forest and the road just keeps going. Directed by Alexander Ullom, It Ends is both chill and chilling, and a lot of fun to talk about. 

Chasing down your next horror fix? Check out these episodes: 

'Backrooms' brings YouTube horror to the big screen

In ‘Weapons’, the kids aren't at all right, not in the slightest, nope

Should you give 'Presence' the ghost of a chance?


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In the new post-apocalyptic film The Dog Stars, a virus has wiped out most of humanity and the survivors eke out a meager existence trying to stay alive. Sound like an oh-too-familiar tale? What if it featured stars like Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, and Allison Janney? And was directed by Ridley Scott and based on a best-selling novel? Would it be enough to pull you in? Should it be? 

Want more action from Hollywood’s biggest directors? Check out these episodes: 

Spielberg revisits aliens and alienation in ‘Disclosure Day’

'Gladiator II': Are you not entertained? Still? Again? Some more?

‘The Odyssey’ is an ancient tale on a modern budget

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The movie Coyote vs. Acme comes with some buzzy lore: it was famously shelved, and almost didn’t see the light of day. But it’s here now, and it’s good and looney! It follows Wile E. Coyote when he decides to sue the Acme Corporation for manufacturing crappy, ineffective products. The cast includes Will Forte, John Cena and Lana Condor. We also talk about our favorite Dolly Parton musical performances. 

If you want more animated capers, check out these episodes: 
'Minions & Monsters' is, oddly enough, a love letter to Old Hollywood
In 'Toy Story 5,' playtime's over and screentime's in

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Every generation gets its own version of a “20-somethings hang out and make mistakes” sitcom. And Gen Z’s got Adults, a silly series about a group of friends cohabitating in Queens, New York – and it makes for fun and all-too-relatable TV fodder. Adults is back for its second season on Hulu, so today we’re revisiting our episode about the series. 

If you want more bingeable comedies, check out these episodes:

‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’ is (30) Rock-solid

Meg Stalter shines in the rom-com 'Too Much'

‘Widow’s Bay’ is an island in the scream

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It’s back to school season, which has us thinking about our favorite teachers. The ones who really saw us, changed our points of view, or set us on new paths. But of all the teachers we've seen in TV and movies, which of them do we wish we'd had to educate us in real life? Today we’re talking about fictional on-screen teachers from My Girl, My So-Called Life, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habitand Dune: Part One.

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The reality TV show I'd like to judge
The TV show I'd like to live in
The American dream according to ‘The Wire,’ ‘Apollo 13’ and more

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HBO’s new DC superhero show Lanternsis not the show you think it is. It’s about a couple of space cops: Kyle Chandler plays Earth’s Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, a grizzled, impulsive old-timer reluctantly training up his backup, John Stewart (Aaron Pierre). Yet the story avoids cosmic sweep and spectacle in favor of a character-driven mystery and a grounded setting. Does this series thread the needle to appeal to comics nerds and newcomers alike?

If you need more superhero stories, check out these episodes: 
'Supergirl' has a solid hero but could use a better villain
Marvel’s ‘Wonder Man’ is a low-key, low-stakes buddy comedy

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In the new film Tony, we meet chef and author Anthony Bourdain beforehe was in the public eye. He was a wayward, overconfident young guy, and, as played by Dominic Sessa, kind of a piece of work. The movie focuses on a pivotal summer in 1975, when Tony worked in his first kitchen, a tiny hole-in-the-wall in Provincetown. But does the film break out of the familiar biopic formula to tell a compelling story?

Do you like biopics about complicated artists? Check out:
‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’ is better than your average biopic
In 'A Complete Unknown,' Timothée Chalamet captures the idea of Bob Dylan

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We're traveling way back in time to 1971 -- when Richard Nixon was president, the Beatles were newly broken up, and Fiddler on the Roof was one of the biggest movies at the box office. Today in this encore episode, we’re revisiting a special edition of What's Making Us Happy, recommending pop culture from the 1970s – including Isaac Hayes’ Shaftsoundtrack, Carol King’s Tapestry,Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On, and The Monster at the End of This Book.

Looking for more pop culture from the past? Check out these episodes:

The American dream according to ‘The Wire,’ ‘Apollo 13’ and more

‘Jaws’ is still stuck in our teeth, 50 years later

'Shrek' – a weird, flatulent and beloved franchise – turns 25


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Phoebe Bridgers is your favorite pop star’s favorite pop star. And she’s just released a gorgeous new solo album, Lost Weekend. It’s packed with guest stars including her boygenius bandmates, pop superproducer Jack Antonoff and her partner, Bo Burnham. The record’s 16 songs are full of lore, lush sonic ideas, and quotable insights about love, sex, and death. But does Bridgers’ long-awaited return make up for lost time?

If you need more multifaceted pop music, check out these episodes: 
Ariana Grande stares down the public eye in 'Petal'
Olivia Rodrigo seems pretty sad, but does she still generate bangers?

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The new movie Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasmais a bloody and bewildering queer slasher film. Directed by Jane Schoenbrun (I Saw the TV Glow), it stars Hannah Einbinder as a queer young filmmaker tapped to reboot a defunct slasher franchise, and Gillian Anderson as a reclusive actress. The movie is a meditation on slashers and film itself, sexuality and identity – and it’s also gore-filled fun you won’t want to miss.


Want more queer indie horror? Check out these episodes:

'I Saw the TV Glow' is weird and transfixing

'Love Lies Bleeding' is the queer erotic thriller Kristen Stewart fans have wanted
 

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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 dinosaurs. Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell (It Follows), it’s part action-adventure, part monster movie, part dark comedy. But after so many dino-packed blockbusters, does this movie offer a fresh take to the prehistoric creature feature?

If you need a few more creature features, check out these episodes:
'Minions & Monsters' is, oddly enough, a love letter to Old Hollywood
Only Guillermo del Toro could've made this 'Frankenstein'
‘Jaws’ is still stuck in our teeth, 50 years later

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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 finally watch a movie that absolutely everyone saw – except for us — including Armageddon, Beverly Hills Cop II, Ghost, The Fast and the Furious.

If you need a bit more summer magic, check out these episodes: 

What’s the best summer snack? The votes are in

‘Jaws’ is still stuck in our teeth, 50 years later

We debate the sweatiest movie of all time

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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 more workplace shenanigans, check out these episodes:

‘Widow’s Bay’ is an island in the scream

The final course at ‘The Bear’ was both sweet and savory

‘The Paper’ is an ‘Office’ spinoff where journalism takes the lede
 

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Ariana Grande has been omnipresent the last few years. Discussions of her relationships and her weight have made Grande an internet fixture in recent years. She’s coming off a long run promoting and starring in the two Wickedfilms, and her hit song “Hate That I Made You Love Me” has been everywhere this summer. She’s also announced she’s taking a step back from public life after her current tour. So with the release of her new album, Petal, what do we make of Grande’s latest batch of songs, and do they successfully capture this moment in her life?

Looking for more buzzy pop music conversations? Check out:

Olivia Rodrigo seems pretty sad, but does she still generate bangers?

On 'Arirang,' BTS nods to K-pop's past, present and future

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Whether they're lightly perspiring, gently glowing, or soaked through from sweltering, people in the movies sweat a lot. But what movie has had people sweat the very most? With another summer underway, we are revisiting our debate about what is the sweatiest movie of all time — including Do the Right Thing, Dog Day Afternoon, Y tu mamá también, and Body Heat.

If you like need more summery suggestions, check out these episodes:

The summer blockbusters we finally watched

‘Jaws’ is still stuck in our teeth, 50 years later

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ has drama, romance and the music of Taylor Swift


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Sex is back, baby! In the fun new movie I Want Your Sex, Olivia Wilde plays Erika, a mixed-media artist who enters into a very consensual, very kinky, but very unprofessional sub/dom relationship with her assistant Elliot (Cooper Hoffman). Elliot’s having the time of his life, but Erika is a lot, and soon his life starts to fall apart. I Want Your Sex is directed by Gregg Araki and the film doubles down on his brand of fun, in-your-face sexuality he’s known for.

If you want more great films about sex, check out:

‘The Invite’ is a marriage comedy with sex and heart

In ‘Pillion,’ submission is the mission

What makes a good sex scene?


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Zendaya and Tom Holland are back in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and the movie has a more grounded tone than we’ve seen from the franchise. But does it strike the right balance of fun and darkness? Directed by Daniel Destin Cretton, the film also features Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Tramell Tillman, and Sadie Sink.


Looking for more spectacular Spider-episodes? Check out: 

'Spider-Man: No Way Home' mixes fun and fan service

'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' thrills in every dimension

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The new Hulu show Furiousis a twisty serial killer drama with a sense of humor, but does it hit its mark? Emmy Rossum stars as Alice, a low-level FBI agent on the hunt for a young woman (Lola Petticrew) who’s been targeting prominent men across New York City. Furiouswill keep you guessing as both women carve their own paths to justice. 

Need more deep dark thrillers? Check out these episodes:

TV heavy-hitters get dark in ‘The Beast In Me’

In ‘Task’, Mark Ruffalo pursues his quarry 


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There’s plenty to love about summer: Summer music, summer road trips, summer movies. But to enjoy all those things, you have to sustain yourself with summer snacks. But what are the best summer treats of all? We asked our listeners, and we are revealing the results in a game all about summer snacks. (Today’s episode originally ran as a bonus episode for NPR Plus supporters.)
For other episodes where we unpack your votes, check out:
Top 5 Pixar movies, ranked by listeners
Top 10 Muppets, as voted by listeners

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Can’t make it to Broadway? Hadestown: The Musicalhas you covered. The film adaptation of the Tony-winning hit captures the musical retelling of the Greek tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice. Fans can see the principal original Broadway cast including Reeve Carney, Eva Noblezada, and André De Shields reunite on the big screen for five nights only. 

Need more musicals? Check out these episodes:

'Wicked: For Good' will bring you to tears

We debate the best movie musical numbers

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Have some people forgotten how to behave at music festivals? Summer is peak music festival season, and that means many of us are braving huge crowds and sweltering heat to see a bunch of artists we love in one place. But is there a decline in social decorum in these concert settings? From using phones to being in the front row to navigating crowds, today we’re sharing personal and passionate takes about music festival etiquette.

If you are looking for more episodes like this one, check out:
The pop culture hill I'll die on
How we handle spoilers

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Will Ferrell stars as a past-his-prime golfer in the new Netflix series, The Hawk. If you loved watching him play self-absorbed athletes in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Blades of Glory, you might be into this too. He reunited with some funny former collaborators like Molly Shannon, Luke Wilson, and Chris Parnell. The Frat Pack vibes are high, but does this old school sports comedy feel fresh or stuck in the past?

If you want more big goofy gags, check out these episodes:
‘Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass’ is a fun dumb time at the movies
'Stop! That! Train!' goes off the rails in a good way

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You may be familiar with the world of Little House on the Prairie, either through Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved books, or the 1970s TV adaptation. Now, Netflix is once again bringing the Ingalls family to life with a new series. It focuses on earlier in Laura's life in Kansas, where the promise of available land for the family comes at the expense of a local Osage population that's being pushed out. During this time, the Ingalls family must make friends in their local community and deal with the harsh realities of pioneer life.


Here are some recommendations both kids and adults will enjoy:
‘Zootopia 2’ brings back your favorite fun animals — and some pointed commentary 
In 'Toy Story 5,' playtime's over and screentime's in

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What happens when a simple dinner party goes off the rails? That’s the premise of The Invite, a very good new comedy directed by Olivia Wilde. Wilde also stars alongside Seth Rogen as a couple who invite their neighbors over for a meal, played by Penelope Cruz and Edward Norton. And it’s a heck of a dinner party, full of frank talk about sex and its complications.

If you like slightly absurd relationship comedies, check out these episodes:

'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' is a stylish take on spy marriage
In Tina Fey’s ‘The Four Seasons,’ marriage is far from a vacation

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The 2026 Emmy nominations are here. We’re unpacking the record-breaking nominations for Hacks, plus a big day for Widow’s Bay, The Pitt, and The Bear. We’ll also talk about the snubs and make some early predictions of who will win. 

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Two big horror films, Obsession and Backrooms, just smashed all box office expectations. So much of their success has been driven by Gen Z, which is now the biggest moviegoing demographic. But what makes a movie a Gen Z movie? Today we’re bringing you an episode of NPR’sIt’s Been a Minute. Host Brittany Luse talks about this trend with Sam Adams and Reanna Cruz. 

If you want to hear more about these movies, check out these episodes: 
In ‘Obsession,’ love hurts. It really, really, really hurts.
'Backrooms' brings YouTube horror to the big screen
Zendaya brings 'The Drama,' we bring the spoilers

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Everywhere you look, movies and TV shows are teaming up with all kinds of companies to make odd product tie-ins. Green Shrekketchup. The Handmaid’s Tale wine. Grogu serving boards. Today on the show, we’re playing a game about some very strange brand collaborations.

If you like want more episodes like this one, check out:

We fantasy cast 'The Traitors'

Our 15th Anniversary Time Capsule

A Cameo Quiz

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Did the final season of FX’s The Bearserve up the perfect last bite or are diners and viewers alike left wishing for more? Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), Syd (Ayo Edebiri), and the rest of the kitchen staff are back in action as they face down their final day of service. It’s now streaming on Hulu.

If you like seriously funny dramas, check out these episodes:  

‘Widow’s Bay’ is an island in the scream

We are united in our love of ‘Pluribus’


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America turns 250 this year. So for this special birthday, we discuss our picks for what pieces of pop culture best depict the American dream, includingThe Wire, Apollo 13, Grey Gardens, and the spiritual successor to Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.”

If you like want more episodes like this one, check out:
How we handle spoilers
Our 15th anniversary time capsule
We rewatch the movies we loved as teens
Pop culture that changed our minds

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In Jackass: Best and Last, Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and the rest of the crew are back for a final round of stunts, pranks, and laughs. The film features new laugh-out-loud bits as well as footage from the franchise’s best clips over its long history. But did Jackass: Best and Last stick the landing or fall just short of a big bang?

Need more gut-busting laughs? Check out these episodes: 
‘Stop! That! Train!’ goes off the rails in a good way
In 'Dicks: The Musical', broad jokes, narrow audience

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Hollywood’s newest Supergirl is kind of a dirtbag — in the good way. Fearless and grumpy, Supergirl (Milly Alcock) sets out on a quest to support a new pal’s revenge journey and to make a point that should be clear by now: Never mess with a lady’s dog. Also featuring David Corenswet and Jason Momoa, is Supergirla worthy follow up to Superman?

If you want more DC superhero action, check out these episodes: 
'Superman' takes off and nails the landing
'The Batman' puts the emo in emote

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There have been some fantastic movies released this year, and we know you can’t see them all. So we’re recommending four recent movies we missed that you should add to your watchlist: The Furious, Tuner, She’s The He, and Heresy.

If you need a few more fun film recommendations, check out these episodes: 

Fun movies you may have missed
Our favorite movies on Tubi
We debate the best movies to watch on an airplane

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You should see the new horror movie Leviticus. Set in a small Australian religious community, it’s about two queer teens that start having feelings for each other. Their relationship touches off a chain of increasingly violent events. It’s both a queer coming-of-age romance and a blistering indictment of gay conversion therapy. Mostly, though, it’s a seriously creepy movie about a demonic entity that knows exactly how to get to you. 

If you like spine-tingling queer dramas, check out these episodes: 
'I Saw the TV Glow' is weird and transfixing
'Love Lies Bleeding' is the queer erotic thriller Kristen Stewart fans have wanted

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In Disney’s Toy Story 5, Jessie, Woody, and Buzz are back to confront a new threat – screen time. When their kid Bonnie gets a new tablet called Lilypad, she forgets about the rest of her toys. But Jessie is determined to win Bonnie back, even after a series of events separates them. Toy Story 5 features a familiar and beloved voice cast with Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack reprising their roles. 

Are you a fan of all things Pixar? Check out these episodes!

Top 5 Pixar movies, ranked by listeners 

Nature needs a little help in the inventive Pixar movie ‘Hoppers’

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Olivia Rodrigo is back blending spikey rock with tender ballads. How do we feel about her evolving sound? Her third album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love is a collection of fizzy, sometimes jagged pop songs about a love that goes amazingly well until it doesn’t.

If you’re looking for other fizzy pop songs, check out: 
Taylor Swift re-enters her banger era in ‘The Life of a Showgirl’
Sabrina Carpenter returns with the short and saucy 'Man's Best Friend'
Harry Styles' new album has vibes all the time. Bangers, occasionally.

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The ridiculously fun new film Stop! That! Train!brings the gags-a-minute silliness of Airplane!to the bawdy world ofRuPaul’s Drag Race. But does it chug along smoothly or does it veer off the rails? RuPaul stars as the president of the United States who must help save a train from a massive stormaganza. Drag queens Jujubee and Ginger Minj are train attendants aboard the runaway train filled with Drag Racealumni and comedy heavy-hitters who are here to serve looks and bring the shade. 

If you need more goofy little movies, check out:
'The Naked Gun' packs jokes on jokes on jokes
Our favorite movies on Tubi

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Stephen Spielberg brings aliens back to the big screen inDisclosure Day. But how does his new blockbuster compare to his alien classics like E.T.and Close Encounters of The Third Kind? Our heroes Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor are compelled by something they don’t understand, and there are authority figures trying to keep a huge secret from the public. 

If you need more summer blockbusters, check out: 
‘Jaws’ is still stuck in our teeth, 50 years later
The summer blockbusters we finally watched

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Have you been keeping up with all the drama of Summer House? The cast of the Bravo reality series is currently embroiled in a scandal involving Kyle Cooke, Amanda Batula, West Wilson and Ciara Miller. We’re unpacking why people in and outside the Bravo fandom can’t stop talking about Summer House, what drives the drama of Bravo, and where the franchise might go from here. 

Do you like messy and fun reality shows? Check out these episodes:

We're taking a chaotic trip to 'Love Island,' babe

'Vanderpump Rules,' 'Scandoval' and a fight that never ends

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The new Netflix film Office Romance pairs rom-com veteran Jennifer Lopez with Brett Goldstein in a story about the hazards of falling for your boss. But is the on-screen chemistry there? And how does it fit into J.Lo’s rom-com history? Directed by Ol Parker (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), the film was written by Goldstein and Joe Kelly, one of the writers he worked with on Ted Lasso.

If you need another Jennifer Lopez fix, check out these episodes:
Can Jennifer Lopez's 'This Is Me... Now' say anything new?
A silly 'Shotgun Wedding' sends J.Lo on an adventure

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The horror comedy franchiseScary Movie is back in theaters with a new movie. But does this legacy sequel that parodies other legacy sequels have anything new to say? Helmed by the Wayans Brothers, it lampoons horror tropes new and old amid a flurry of jokes and references, and brings back familiar faces like Anna Faris and Regina Hall. It also introduces a new generation to face the dreaded Ghostface.

Do you want to hear about more legacy sequels? Check out these episodes:

‘Scream 7’ takes a weak stab at continuing the franchise

'I Know What You Did Last Summer' gets hooked on nostalgia


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The new Masters of the Universe movie is packed with Easter eggs for fans of the old 80s cartoon and toys, but does this wannabe summer blockbuster have anything to offer for everybody else? It features big names playing the signature characters, like He-Man (Nicholas Galitzine), Evil-Lyn (Alison Brie), Man at Arms (Idris Elba), and Skeletor (Jared Leto). But the movie also adds a contemporary and comedic comic riff on the story.    

If you like nostalgic adaptations for superfans, check out these episodes:

In 'Mortal Kombat II,' fatality meets fan service

'Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves' has high charisma

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In the wonderful new film Power Ballad, Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas play two musicians whose careers haven’t exactly gone to plan – but one song may change that. Rick (Rudd) is a wedding band singer in Ireland and Danny (Jonas) is a former boy band member. They collaborate on a song that Rick wrote a few years ago, but Rick later finds out that Danny is trying to pass off the song as his own. Power Ballad was directed by John Carney, who also made Sing Streetand Once. 

If you like movies with great songs, check out these episodes:

'KPop Demon Hunters' is a viral smash that crushes the songs 

We debate the best movie musical numbers


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Does Spider-Noir get its blend of noir and superheroes right? In the 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Nicolas Cage gave us a taste of a black and white, film-noir Spider-Man who talked in Dashiell Hammett dialogue. That cameo has spun into a full series that’s streaming on Prime Video. 

If you like off-the-wall superhero adaptations, check out these episodes:

Marvel’s ‘Wonder Man’ is a low-key, low-stakes buddy comedy 

In 'The Penguin' a C-list villain gets an A-list series

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The new horror movie Backroomsis about some of the creepiest places imaginable: the nondescript, beige-carpeted rooms that populate countless office spaces and discount furniture warehouses. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as the manager of a pirate-themed furniture store, who, as he discusses with his therapist (Renate Reinsve), discovers a secret labyrinth of backrooms – each with a strange and unsettling design. Directed by Kane Parsons, based on his “creepypasta”-inspired web series, the movie doesn’t have a plot so much as a deeply unnerving sense of place.

If you’re looking for more moody horror, check out these episodes:
In ‘Obsession,’ love hurts. It really, really, really hurts. 
Adam Scott checks in to a haunted inn in ‘Hokum’

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The Apple TV series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed pulls you in almost immediately. Tatiana Maslany plays a newly divorced woman who finds comfort in an online relationship with a camboy, but that comfort is cut short by a frightening incident. As things escalate, every aspect of her life comes under threat. The show also has a colorful cast that features Jake Johnson and Murray Bartlett, with a sharp script that lives up to its hook.

If you like fast-paced, mysterious thrillers, be sure to check out these episodes:

Hilariously caustic 'Big Mistakes' drags Dan Levy into organized crime

‘The Boroughs’ lets a veteran cast shine in a sci-fi monster mystery


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Netflix’s charming comedy The Four Seasons follows a group of couples whose friendship dynamic is rocked by their mid-life crises. The impressive cast includes Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Colman Domingo, and Will Forte. And while the jokes may not fly quite as fast as they did on 30 Rock, Fey’s comedic sensibilities are written all over it. The Four Seasons just returned for a second season, so we’re revisiting our conversation about the series.

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In the new film I Love Boosters, Keke Palmer is the ringleader of a shoplifting crew that squares off with an unethical fashion CEO played by Demi Moore. It's from the bizarro visionary director Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) and it may be his most delightfully unhinged project yet. 

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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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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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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 & Louisemashed 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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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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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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Listen to our episode about Margo’s Got Money Troubles

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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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In the charming new movieThe 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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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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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 Caveatand Oddity. 

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