Pop Culture Happy Hour: 2025 Pop Culture Predictions – Detailed Summary

Introduction to Predictions Segment

In the December 30, 2024 episode of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, titled "2025 Pop Culture Predictions," hosts Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris engage in their annual tradition of forecasting the trends, events, and shifts expected to shape the pop culture landscape in the upcoming year. This episode delves into the accuracy of their previous predictions, explores new forecasts, and provides insightful discussions on various facets of entertainment, media, and technology.

Review of Last Year's Predictions

Stephen Thompson’s 2024 Predictions

Stephen Thompson embarked on the episode by revisiting his 2024 predictions, offering a candid assessment of his forecasting accuracy.

• Best Picture: Thompson had boldly predicted that Oppenheimer would win Best Picture at the Oscars, a prediction that proved accurate. “Oppenheimer did win Best Picture. I think we can agree. That was a huge shock. And I'm a genius,” he remarked at [02:57].

• Album of the Year: He also forecasted that Taylor Swift’s Midnights would clinch Album of the Year at the Grammys, a prediction that came true. “Midnight's winning album of the year. No one would ever think to predict a win at the Grammys for Taylor Swift,” Thompson noted [04:33].

• Super Bowl Outcome: Thompson predicted the San Francisco 49ers would triumph over the Baltimore Ravens. However, the 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, marking this prediction as incorrect.

• Rihanna’s Album Release: He anticipated no new album from Rihanna in 2024, which held true. “Rihanna did not put out an album,” he confirmed [04:26].

• Trend Towards Shorter Hit Songs: Thompson foresaw the continued rise of shorter songs, influenced by TikTok trends, predicting that two of the five biggest Billboard hits in 2024 would be under two minutes. This prediction did not materialize as the top hits did not follow this trend.

Despite some misses, Thompson highlighted the successes in his predictions, celebrating his accurate foresight while humorously acknowledging his inaccuracies.

Aisha Harris’s 2024 Predictions

Aisha Harris provided a reflective analysis of her 2024 predictions:

• Box Office Expectations: Harris predicted that no movie would surpass the $1 billion mark worldwide, a forecast that was ultimately incorrect. “Inside Out 2 and Deadpool and Wolverine were in the top two spots of this year. They both crossed the $1 billion mark,” she admitted [10:31].

Despite the inaccuracy, Harris expressed satisfaction with her overall understanding of the industry's dynamics, acknowledging the resilience of major franchises.

Linda Holmes’s 2024 Predictions

Linda Holmes shared her evaluations of the previous year's forecasts:

• Jesse Armstrong’s New Series: Holmes had predicted that Jesse Armstrong, creator of Succession, would announce a new series. This prediction fell flat, as no significant announcements were made regarding Armstrong’s involvement in new projects. Instead, Armstrong took on an executive producer role for HBO’s The Michaela Cole Show, which Holmes noted [14:12].

• Reality Show Lawsuit Settlement: She also predicted a major settlement or verdict in a reality show lawsuit, specifically referencing Love is Blind. Harris confirmed this prediction, highlighting the National Labor Relations Board’s ruling that participants are employees, leading to significant legal and operational implications for reality TV productions [15:00].

Glen Weldon’s 2024 Predictions

Glen Weldon revisited his 2024 forecasts with a critical eye:

• AI-Written Novel: Weldon predicted that a first-time novelist would release a critically acclaimed novel written by AI, sparking a literary hoax. While not exact, he mentioned a Chinese novel titled The Land of Machine Memories by Professor Shengyang, which garnered attention, though it did not receive widespread recognition or major literary awards [21:49].

2025 Predictions

Stephen Thompson’s 2025 Forecasts

Building on last year's experiences, Stephen Thompson outlined his predictions for 2025:

1. Oscar Best Picture: Thompson predicts that Wicked will take home the Best Picture Oscar, considering the Oscars' tendency to factor in box office success [07:49].

2. Grammys Album of the Year: He anticipates Billie Eilish’s album Hit Me Hard and Soft will win Album of the Year, potentially sparking debates on social media [07:38].

3. Super Bowl Outcome: Thompson forecasts the Buffalo Bills will defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, dismissing the Detroit Lions fans humorously [07:38].

4. Rihanna’s Album Release: Contrary to his previous prediction, Thompson now expects Rihanna to release a new album in 2025, hoping for a positive outcome [07:10].

5. Rise of K-Pop: He foresees a significant year for K-Pop, especially with BTS returning from hiatus and topping the Billboard Hot 100 for over 12 weeks, despite criticizing the expected lyrical content [07:10].

Thompson underscores his commitment to bold and specific predictions, embracing both the potential successes and controversies they may incite.

Aisha Harris’s 2025 Forecasts

Aisha Harris presents a more cynical outlook for the upcoming year, focusing on corporate leadership shifts:

1. Disney’s CEO Position: Harris predicts Bob Iger will extend his tenure as Disney’s CEO beyond the initial extension through 2026, leveraging Disney’s strong financial performance and strategic decisions [12:30].

2. Warner Brothers Discovery Leadership: She also forecasts the ousting or resignation of David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Brothers Discovery, speculating on internal company dynamics and performance [12:30].

Harris’s predictions reflect her keen observation of corporate trends and leadership influences within major entertainment conglomerates.

Linda Holmes’s 2025 Forecasts

Linda Holmes offers her predictions with a blend of optimism and realism:

1. Lorne Michaels’s Retirement: Holmes anticipates serious discussions about Lorne Michaels retiring from Saturday Night Live (SNL). She envisions a period where succession plans will be crucial, given Michaels’s long-standing influence and the evolving nature of the show [18:00].

2. Jesse Armstrong’s New Series: While acknowledging her previous misprediction, Holmes remains hopeful that Armstrong will announce a new series, driven by his success with Succession [14:12].

Holmes emphasizes the enduring impact of influential figures in television and the necessity of strategic planning for continuity and innovation.

Glen Weldon’s 2025 Forecasts

Glen Weldon approaches his predictions with a hopeful perspective on AI’s future in creative writing:

1. AI Writing Roadblocks: Weldon predicts a plateau in the acceptance and utility of generative AI in creative writing. He believes that the over-reliance on AI for functional writing tasks may lead to its diminishing usefulness, as the lack of human nuance and emotion becomes apparent [22:54].

Weldon’s forecast highlights the tension between technological advancement and the irreplaceable value of human creativity in the arts.

Group Discussion and Reactions

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage in lively discussions, reflecting on the nature of predictions and the unpredictability inherent in pop culture trends.

• On Stephen’s Predictions: The group commends Thompson’s accuracy regarding Oppenheimer and Taylor Swift, while humorously dissecting his misses. Glen highlights the importance of specificity in predictions, appreciating Thompson’s boldness [04:21].

• On Aisha’s Predictions: Despite the inaccuracy regarding box office earnings, the team acknowledges Harris’s insightful understanding of the film industry’s challenges, particularly the reliance on major franchises [10:50].

• On Linda’s Predictions: The hosts express empathy over the unfulfilled expectations surrounding Jesse Armstrong, yet recognize the validity of her reality show lawsuit prediction [16:31].

• On Glen’s Predictions: The team appreciates Weldon’s forward-thinking approach to AI’s role in literature, even as they discuss the practical hurdles in realizing such scenarios [22:43].

Insights on AI and Creative Industries

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the intersection of AI and creative industries. Glen Weldon articulates a concern that generative AI may undermine the quality and authenticity of creative writing, advocating for the preservation of human touch in artistic endeavors [24:32]. Conversely, the group acknowledges the pervasive use of AI in task-oriented writing, pondering its long-term implications on employment and creative integrity [25:15].

Linda Holmes adds to this discourse by speculating on the technological limitations of AI, suggesting that the degradation of AI-generated content could challenge its sustained acceptance [26:09]. The hosts collectively emphasize the irreplaceable value of human creativity, debating the balance between efficiency and artistic expression.

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, the hosts express enthusiasm for future discussions and invite listeners to engage with their predictions through social media. The conversation underscores the perennial fascination with forecasting pop culture trends, blending humor, critical analysis, and genuine curiosity about the future.

Notable Quotes:

• Linda Holmes [01:54]: “Nobody can predict what the future holds, but that doesn't stop us from trying.”

• Stephen Thompson [04:33]: “Oppenheimer did win Best Picture. I think we can agree. That was a huge shock. And I'm a genius.”

• Aisha Harris [12:30]: “I feel like [David Zaslav’s] days are numbered. That's just me.”

• Glen Weldon [22:54]: “There is a kind of writing that just checks boxes. But it always does more than checks a box.”

• Linda Holmes [26:34]: “If the way you're using cover letters in your business doesn't recognize the difference between an AI cover letter and not, then you probably don't need them.”

This episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour offers a comprehensive exploration of the hosts' predictions for 2025, blending retrospective analysis with forward-looking insights. Their discussions provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing pop culture, from corporate leadership shifts to technological advancements in AI.