Television

This 1:24 scale miniature was used to film pivotal scenes from the first Star Wars film. It's now at the center of a auction of items collected over decades by Greg Jein, a master model-builder for film and TV.

'Star Wars' Red Leader X-wing model heads a cargo bay's worth of props at auction

1:51pm September 11, 2023

by Bill Chappell

More than 550 items from the late Greg Jein are heading to auction, from Nichelle Nichols' iconic knee-high boots and red tunic as Lt. Uhura to a hairpiece for William Shatner's Captain Kirk.

The Chicago origins of 'Soul Train'

4:49pm September 10, 2023

The Curious City podcast from member station WBEZ explores the Chicago roots of the legendary TV show Soul Train.

Star Trek's George Takei and LaVar Burton on strike outside Paramount Pictures

'Star Trek' stars join the picket lines in Hollywood

2:42pm September 09, 2023

by Mandalit del Barco

Stars of Star Trek and its many spinoffs gathered outside Paramount Pictures during the labor dispute.

Blair Penner, left, Chloe Bennet and Anthony Konechny in Married by Mistake.

Arts

What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and listening

5:01pm September 08, 2023

Each week, Pop Culture Happy Hour guests and hosts share what's bringing them joy. This week: the Made in Heaven series, the movies Married by Mistake and Gran Turismo and the 50 MPH podcast.

Arts

Part fairy tale, part horror, 'The Changeling' is a drama that mostly satisfies

1:31pm September 08, 2023

by David Bianculli

LaKeith Stanfield plays a young man who achieves his dreams and goals — only to have them descend into nightmares. While the ending of this Apple TV+ series underwlems, the acting keeps you watching.

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National

Charter Spectrum subscribers can't watch ESPN's NFL coverage due to Disney dispute

4:35pm September 07, 2023

by Eric Deggans

Football fans subscribed to Charter Spectrum's cable TV can't watch ESPN's NFL coverage due to a dispute with Disney that saw more than two dozen Disney-owned channels yanked from the service.

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Actor Danny Masterson leaves Los Angeles superior Court with his wife Bijou Phillips after a judge declared a mistrial in his rape case in 2022.

Actor Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for rape

3:12pm September 07, 2023

by Andrew Limbong

The "That '70s Show" star was found guilty of two counts of rape in May, in a trial that involved the Church of Scientology.

SAG-AFTRA leader Fran Drescher has some choice words for Hollywood studio heads.

'You could be the hero': Fran Drescher tells NPR how the Hollywood strikes can end

10:10am September 07, 2023

Fran Drescher, president of the actors' union SAG-AFTRA, says the Hollywood strikes are at an inflection point.

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Remembering Tony Award-winning costume designer Franne Lee

5:45pm September 06, 2023

by Elizabeth Blair

From SNL's Coneheads to Killer Bees, Broadway's Sweeney Todd and Candide, we remember Tony Award-winning costume designer Franne Lee who died on Aug. 27.

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National

What studio executives are saying about the strike

4:58pm September 06, 2023

by Mandalit del Barco

As writers and actors continue to picket in Hollywood, here's what studio executives are saying about the strike — and a look at how long the studios may last without writers and actors.