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Pop Culture

How 'The Martian' Became A Science Love Story

Matt Damon portrays an astronaut who relies on science to survive on a hostile planet. Giles Keyte/EPKTV hide caption

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Giles Keyte/EPKTV

Pop Culture Happy Hour

How 'The Martian' Became A Science Love Story

The movie about a stranded astronaut is being hailed for its scientific realism. Andy Weir, who wrote the book the film is based on, is a longtime computer programmer who sees romance in numbers.

How 'The Martian' Became A Science Love Story

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Catherine Coulson, The Quirky 'Log Lady' Of 'Twin Peaks,' Dies At 71

Catherine Coulson, who played the "log lady" in the TV series Twin Peaks, died on Monday at 71. With her odd attachment to a piece of ponderosa pine, she was something of a pop culture hero.

Catherine Coulson, The Quirky 'Log Lady' Of 'Twin Peaks,' Dies At 71

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Television

How A Pair Of Pretty Boys Got Their Groove Back

Two new comedies debut on Fox on Tuesday night: Grandfathered and The Grinder, both of which feature TV pretty boys Jon Stamos and Rob Lowe amping up their images. NPR's TV critic, Eric Deggans, offers a review.

How A Pair Of Pretty Boys Got Their Groove Back

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New Host Trevor Noah Puts His Own Spin On 'The Daily Show'

Fresh Air

Last night, seven weeks after Jon Stewart stepped down as the host of The Daily Show, the new host debuted. Critic David Bianculli says Trevor Noah "gave viewers plenty of reasons to tune in again."

New Host Trevor Noah Puts His Own Spin On 'The Daily Show'

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'The Daily Show' Introduces A New Host — And A Familiar Feel

Comedian Trevor Noah hosts his first episode of The Daily Show on Sept. 28. Brad Barket/Getty Images hide caption

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Brad Barket/Getty Images

'The Daily Show' Introduces A New Host — And A Familiar Feel

Longtime viewers didn't know what to expect of Trevor Noah's debut Monday night. What they got resembled the old show, perhaps because it kept a lot of writers and producers from Jon Stewart's era.

'The Daily Show' Introduces A New Host — And A Familiar Feel

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Media

Comedian Trevor Noah Calls On Kevin Hart For His 'Daily Show' Debut

South African comedian Trevor Noah debuts Monday night as the new host of 'The Daily Show.' So how does a new host get comfortable? He makes sure he has a good first guest.

Comedian Trevor Noah Calls On Kevin Hart For His 'Daily Show' Debut

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Television

Devoted Fans Cross The Country For 'Gunsmoke' Reunion

KMUW | NPR for Wichita

It's been 40 years since Gunsmoke ran on television, but it remains a classic Western. Several actors, including Burt Reynolds, reunite in Dodge City, Kan.

Devoted Fans Cross The Country For 'Gunsmoke' Reunion

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Remember 'Beakman's World'? The Wacky Scientist Is Still Big In Latin America

Beakman, played by performance artist Paul Zaloom, was on TV in the U.S. 20 years ago, but is still beloved in Latin America, where it plays in reruns. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television hide caption

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Courtesy of Sony Pictures Television

Television

Remember 'Beakman's World'? The Wacky Scientist Is Still Big In Latin America

The children's TV show ran for just five years in the U.S. in the 1990s. But it's still hugely popular in Latin America, and a stage version of the show attracts audiences in the thousands.

Remember 'Beakman's World'? The Wacky Scientist Is Still Big In Latin America

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Pop Culture Happy Hour: The Toronto International Film Festival And Our Fall TV Pool

Linda and Glen look forward to watching Supergirl, the new CBS series starring Melissa Benoist. Darren Michaels/CBS hide caption

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Darren Michaels/CBS

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour: The Toronto International Film Festival And Our Fall TV Pool

This week, a big fall movie update from Toronto, plus our annual futile effort to predict the future of fall shows.

Pop Culture Happy Hour: The Toronto International Film Festival And Our Fall TV Pool

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National

Happy Punctuation Day! Which Is All The Rage, Next To Go?

It's National Punctuation Day, and, mysteriously, some of the All Things Considered staff still use periods when texting. What punctuation is next to go? And what is making a comeback?

Happy Punctuation Day! Which Is All The Rage, Next To Go?

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After Prank Calls, Russian President Putin Actually Chats With Elton John

A week ago, two pranksters called Elton John and pretended to be Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Thursday, the real Putin phoned the singer and proposed that they meet.

After Prank Calls, Russian President Putin Actually Chats With Elton John

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Comic Jim Gaffigan On Stand-Up, Faith And Opening For The Pope

Jim Gaffigan is the author of Dad is Fat and Food: A Love Story. The Jim Gaffigan Show, which airs on TV Land, was recently renewed for a second season. Brad Barket/Invision/AP hide caption

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Brad Barket/Invision/AP

Comic Jim Gaffigan On Stand-Up, Faith And Opening For The Pope

Fresh Air

On Saturday, Gaffigan will perform for an audience that may include Pope Francis. A practicing Catholic, the comic says faith is a central part of his humor.

Comic Jim Gaffigan On Stand-Up, Faith And Opening For The Pope

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Sonia Manzano: I Met A Girl Named Maria

Sonia Manzano and Emilio Delgado rehearse for Ask backstage at The Bell House in Brooklyn, New York. Denny Shin/NPR hide caption

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Ask Me Another

Sonia Manzano: I Met A Girl Named Maria

The actress best known for playing Maria on Sesame Street reflects on 44 years of being on the show, and leads a game for mother-and-son contestants on their Sesame Street expertise.

Sonia Manzano: I Met A Girl Named Maria

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Remember When You Had To Flip To The Back Page Of 'Jet' To Find Black People On TV?

Viola Davis accepts the award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for How to Get Away With Murder at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 20. Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP hide caption

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Alex Berliner/Invision for the Television Academy/AP

Code Switch

Remember When You Had To Flip To The Back Page Of 'Jet' To Find Black People On TV?

This year's Emmy broadcast highlighted some big demographic and technological shifts staring everyone in the face — and encapsulated how much the centers of gravity in the TV landscape had shifted.

The Tao Of Cookie: Behind The 'Empire' Character's Many-Layered Persona

Taraji P. Henson's Cookie refuses to be marginalized or dismissed. Chuck Hodes/FOX hide caption

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Chuck Hodes/FOX

Code Switch

The Tao Of Cookie: Behind The 'Empire' Character's Many-Layered Persona

Brash, biting Cookie Lyon is arguably the most compelling character on Fox's hit show Empire. The show's co-producer and writer Attica Locke says that's because we've all got a bit of Cookie in us.

The Tao Of Cookie: Behind The 'Empire' Character's Many-Layered Persona

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