Pop Culture

Arts

'The Last Man': An Odd Premise, Says Its Creator, But Oddly Relatable

3:07pm March 03, 2015

A new comedy series, The Last Man on Earth, features your average guy who becomes humanity's last hope. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with Will Forte, the creator, writer and star of the show.

Queue Listen Now

Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock in the Star Trek episode "Plato's Stepchildren" in 1968.

Arts

Leonard Nimoy's Mr. Spock Taught Us Acceptance Is Highly Logical

3:20pm March 02, 2015

by Eric Deggans

The Star Trek actor died Friday in Los Angeles, and NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans says Nimoy's signature role taught fans the power of accepting their differences rather than fighting them.

Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. The character's mixed Vulcan and human heritage set him apart from the rest of the Star Trek crew.

National

Mr. Spock, Mixed-Race Pioneer

2:35pm March 02, 2015

by Steve Haruch

As Mr. Spock on Star Trek, the late Leonard Nimoy embodied the conflicts faced by many biracial and other people of color. Even on the diverse crew of the Enterprise, he stood out.

Arts

Of Con Men And Dames: How Margot Robbie Gets Robbed In 'Focus'

1:01pm March 02, 2015

by Linda Holmes

Will Smith plays a con man in Focus, but unfortunately, the woman playing opposite him has depressingly little to do.

While Leonard Nimoy became famous as Star Trek's Mr. Spock, he was conflicted about the role. He later came to embrace it. He's shown here with actor William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk.

Arts

He Was, And Will Always Be, Our Friend: Remembering Leonard Nimoy

10:45am March 02, 2015

by Neda Ulaby

The Star Trek actor, writer, poet and photographer has died of lung disease at 83. NPR's Neda Ulaby has a look back at the long career of the man who was (and was not) Spock.

Queue Listen Now

Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) made the acquaintance of Henry Talbot (Matthew Goode) on the season finale of Downton Abbey.

Arts

'Downton' Wraps Another Season Of Marriage And (Sigh) Muuuuuurder!

8:59am March 02, 2015

by Linda Holmes

The fifth season of Downton Abbey, like all of its seasons, certainly wasn't perfect and had way too much murder. On the whole, though: pretty good.

Dean Winters, left, and Josh Duhamel are not your father's mismatched buddy cops, on the new CBS show Battle Creek.

Arts

'Battle Creek' Tries To Shake Up CBS' Cop Show Formula

10:20pm March 01, 2015

by Eric Deggans

CBS' new cop show Battle Creek is based on a 12-year-old script by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. It's among three new network shows that aim to reinvent old TV concepts.

Queue Listen Now

Spock was famously emotionless, but that didn't stop him from forming intense friendships with his shipmates, particularly Captain James T. Kirk.

Arts

Mr. Spock And The Consolations Of Solitude

7:03am March 01, 2015

by Elizabeth Graham

Mr. Spock was famously the Starship Enterprise's resident emotionless alien. But writer Elizabeth Graham says many alienated teenage nerds found something to love and share behind that mask of calm.

Gina Rodriguez stars alongside Justin Baldoni in The CW's Jane the Virgin.

Arts

Diversity Sells — But Hollywood Remains Overwhelmingly White, Male

6:39pm February 28, 2015

by NPR Staff

Women and minorities continue to be under-represented on TV and in film, both behind and in front of the camera, according to a new study — even though diverse films and shows make more money.

Queue Listen Now

Arts

Ex-'Weekend Edition' Producer Tight-Lipped On Her 'Jeopardy!' Appearance

10:40am February 28, 2015

We all know public radio types are pretty sharp, right? NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Laura Lorson about her appearance on Jeopardy! Lorson hosts All Things Considered on KANU in Lawrence, Kan.

Queue Listen Now