Linda Holmes
Linda Holmes is a pop culture correspondent for NPR and the host of Pop Culture Happy Hour. She began her professional life as an attorney. In time, however, her affection for writing, popular culture, and the online universe eclipsed her legal ambitions. She shoved her law degree in the back of the closet, gave its living room space to DVD sets of The Wire, and never looked back.
Holmes was a writer and editor at Television Without Pity, where she recapped several hundred hours of programming — including both High School Musical movies, for which she did not receive hazard pay. Her first novel, Evvie Drake Starts Over, was published in the summer of 2019.
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The cheerleading film Bring It On spawned direct-to-video sequels and a Broadway musical. And with an all-star cast of Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, and Gabrielle Union, the movie remains a quotable classic. But a lot has happened since that might make it feel very timely, or very dated. Bring It On turns 25 this month so today we’re revisiting our conversation about the movie. Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture -
Denzel Washington stars in a loose remake of the 1963 Akira Kurosawa film High and Low. And four anthropomorphic turtles are back in theaters for an anniversary re-release. -
Liam Neeson plays the detective Frank Drebin, Jr. in a Naked Gun reboot that piles on the jokes. Meanwhile, a stunning documentary explores the history of stone and cement in architecture. -
With the release of sequels to "The Naked Gun" and "Happy Gilmore," the Pop Culture Happy Hour team has been considering the successes and pitfalls of reviving decades-old franchises.
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NPR journalists Scott Detrow, Sacha Pfeiffer and Linda Holmes discuss Hollywood's treatment of journalism movies and how they reflect public perception of the profession.
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In the new Pixar film Elio, a lonely kid dreams of being abducted by aliens. And then one day, it happens. Eager to find a place to belong, Elio (voiced by Yonas Kibreab) volunteers to save the aliens from a dangerous enemy. Along the way, he makes a friend and starts to think about Earth a little differently. The film was directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi (Turning Red) and Adrian Molina (Coco). Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour 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. -
Tom Hiddleston stars in the new adaptation of Stephen King's novella — which is somehow a very sweet film about the inevitable approach of death. -
The movie ends, and the credits roll. That used to be your cue to start heading to the parking lot to debrief with your friends. That was before the era of the post-credits scene, which often teases the next installment, or offers one last joke or thrill that you'll miss if you don't stick around. But is it really worth it to stick around? Today we're talking about the state of the post-credits scene, including Sinners, Pixar and Marvel movies, and more. -
What is the deal with post-credit movie scenes? NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with Linda Holmes, host of the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, about why they exist and whether they really work.
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Superhero movies, thrillers and the return of some of our favorite TV shows — the 2025 summer season offers something for everyone.
