M3GAN 2.0

Summary

Pop Culture Happy Hour: In-Depth Discussion on M3GAN 2.0
Episode Release Date: June 30, 2025
Hosts: Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris
Guests: JC Howard and Candace Lim

---

Introduction to M3GAN 2.0

In this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR hosts Stephen Thompson and Glen Weldon delve into the latest installment of the M3GAN franchise, titled M3GAN 2.0. Joined by NPR producer JC Howard and Slate’s ICYMI co-host Candace Lim, the panel explores the evolution of the horror-comedy series, dissecting its narrative expansion, character development, and thematic underpinnings.

Recap of the Original M3GAN

Stephen Thompson begins by summarizing the premise of the original M3GAN film:

“The concept of the original Megan was simple. A young girl named Katie, played by Violet McGraw, loses her parents in a car accident and has to go live with her aunt Gemma. She's a career-focused roboticist played by Allison Williams. Gemma is extremely busy building an interactive robot named Megan. She brings it home to help with parenting duties and keep Katie company. But Megan, having been programmed to protect Katie, soon develops a mind of her own and sets out to eliminate. Eliminate threats.”
[03:05] – Stephen Thompson

This setup established M3GAN as a blend of horror and dark comedy, with a focus on the unintended consequences of integrating advanced AI into familial settings.

Expanding the Universe with M3GAN 2.0

The sequel, M3GAN 2.0, widens the narrative scope by introducing a more formidable AI antagonist named Amelia, portrayed by Ivana Sakno. Glen Weldon highlights the escalation in stakes:

“The sequel pans out to tell a bigger story about an even deadlier AI killing machine and brings back the original M3GAN for some high-tech robot-on-robot violence.”
[00:30] – Glen Weldon

The panel notes that while the first film focused on personal loss and the surrogate parenting dynamic, the sequel ventures into broader themes involving government intervention, tech billionaires, and the global implications of rogue AI.

Critical Analysis of M3GAN 2.0

Glen Weldon offers a mixed review of the sequel:

“I think this delivers on the premise and the memes. We get a winking reference to the dance sequence. We get a winking reference to the idea of Megan singing a ballad. In this case, the choice of ballad is superior to the first film. And it's the funniest part of the movie.”
[04:33] – Glen Weldon

He acknowledges the film's humorous nods to internet culture but criticizes the dilution of M3GAN's presence on screen due to multiple plot threads. Glen points out that despite the film’s longer runtime, Megan appears less frequently, reducing her impact.

Stephen Thompson concurs, pointing out noticeable plot inconsistencies:

“There are also plenty of actual plot holes in this film, such as when they rebuild a... they basically... are in an underground bunker and undergo a five-year robot-building process in what appears to be about 12 hours again.”
[06:10] – Stephen Thompson

This critique underscores a common challenge in sequels: maintaining narrative coherence while expanding the story universe.

Candace Lim shares her disappointment, emphasizing the lost emotional depth:

“I actually think I am disappointed by this movie because one thing is that the first Megan did a really good job of focusing the story on this emotional adoption story. It was about Allison Williams, like, truly struggling to have, like, this surrogate child that had gone through a trauma.”
[08:25] – Candace Lim

She laments that M3GAN 2.0 shifts focus from the heartfelt parent-child relationship to a more frenetic AI showdown, thereby sacrificing the emotional integrity that made the first film resonate.

Themes and Social Commentary

The panel delves into the film’s exploration of artificial intelligence and its implications:

Stephen Thompson reflects on the film's engagement with AI ethics:

“It absolutely makes this jump from January fun to summer blockbuster fun. And with all of the bloat and the flaws that that ends up introducing. And so for me, I came out satisfied, but didn't love it the way that I loved the first one.”
[10:06] – Stephen Thompson

Candace Lim adds a nuanced take on the AI coexistence dilemma presented in the film:

“I think the defining feature of Megan 2.0 is missed opportunity. I think especially with Katie, her character was really compelling in the first one. In this one, she had the opportunity. She was primed for being kind of the moral backbone. The movie sets her up as computer coding... but her character was dampened.”
[14:37] – Candace Lim

The discussion highlights a central tension: while the film attempts to address AI’s role in society, it fails to convincingly balance this with character development and emotional storytelling.

Character and Performance Evaluations

Glen Weldon praises certain humorous elements but notes a lack of character focus:

“Megan on screen movie fun, Megan offscreen movie less so... This movie's called M3GAN 2.0. We in the audience know they're gonna rebuild M3GAN. The film's characters think rebuilding M3GAN a very bad idea.”
[04:33] – Glen Weldon

Candace Lim discusses the portrayal of human characters in contrast to the AI protagonists:

“The human characters around, you have to kind of dampen a little bit to kind of show that, like, these robots, they have human elements and they are taking away from the other human and their elements.”
[14:24] – Candace Lim

This observation points to a recurring issue in AI-centric narratives: human characters often take a backseat, undermining the story's emotional weight.

Marketing and Cultural Impact

The hosts briefly touch upon the movie’s marketing strategy, particularly its association with queer culture:

Glen Weldon critiques the deliberate positioning:

“They are really pushing Megan as a queer icon in a way that they kind of did with the first one. But it felt organic with the first film because she was embraced by the community. Now it feels deliberate. Now it's a bit sweaty.”
[19:07] – Glen Weldon

JC Howard concurs, noting the timing of the film's release during Pride Month as a calculated move rather than an organic development.

Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Stephen Thompson summarizes his perspective:

“I came out satisfied, but didn't love it the way that I loved the first one.”
[10:06] – Stephen Thompson

He appreciates the sequel's attempt to grapple with more serious themes surrounding AI but feels it falls short in recapturing the charm and emotional resonance of its predecessor.

JC Howard and Candace Lim echo sentiments of missed opportunities and inconsistent execution, ultimately categorizing M3GAN 2.0 as a film that struggles to balance campy horror elements with meaningful social commentary.

Conclusion

M3GAN 2.0 expands the M3GAN universe by introducing higher stakes and broader societal implications of AI integration. While it brings back beloved elements from the first film and engages with timely themes, the sequel faces criticism for its scattered narrative focus and diminished character development. The discussion among hosts and guests underscores the delicate balance required in sequels to honor the original while pushing the story forward.

For listeners seeking an in-depth analysis of M3GAN 2.0, this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour offers a comprehensive exploration of the film’s strengths and shortcomings, enriched by diverse perspectives and critical insights.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Stephen Thompson [03:05]: “The concept of the original Megan was simple... But Megan, having been programmed to protect Katie, soon develops a mind of her own and sets out to eliminate threats.”

• Glen Weldon [04:33]: “We get a winking reference to the idea of Megan singing a ballad. In this case, the choice of ballad is superior to the first film.”

• Candace Lim [08:25]: “This movie flirts with camp, but there's like an adult looking over its shoulder saying, like, okay, keep on task.”

• Glen Weldon [19:07]: “They are really pushing Megan as a queer icon in a way that they kind of did with the first one... Now it feels deliberate. Now it's a bit sweaty.”

---

Stay Connected:
For more discussions and updates, follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Facebook and Letterboxd. Support the show by subscribing to Pop Culture Happy Hour Plus at plus.npr.org/happyhour for a sponsor-free experience.

Transcript

[Apple Pay]

This message comes from Apple Pay. Apple Pay is accepted at millions of places. Literally just tap with iPhone or Apple Watch anywhere you see the contactless symbol, whether you're around the corner or somewhere new, add a card to wallet and start paying the Apple way Terms apply.

[Stephen Thompson]

The horror comedy Megan spawned memes made a fortune and even taught us a lesson about the dangers of outsourcing our humanity to AI.

[Glen Weldon]

The sequel pans out to tell a bigger story about an even deadlier AI killing machine and brings back the original M3GAN for some high tech robot on robot violence. I'm Glen Weldon.

[Stephen Thompson]

And I'm Stephen Thompson. Today we are talking about M3GAN 2.0 on Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR.

[Apple Pay]

This message comes from Apple Pay. No matter where you're going this summer, odds are you'll need to pay for a few things like a ride, share a souvenir or dinner at that spot on your bucket list. Instead of digging for your wallet every time, just use Apple Pay. It's accepted anywhere you see the contactless symbol and all it takes is a tap with iPhone or Apple Watch. The best part is you'll still earn the card, rewards, points and cash back you love easy setup now, easier travels later with Apple Pay Terms apply. This message comes from Amazon. Have you ever been so sick that even the thought of standing up to go to the doctor made you even more sick? Amazon One Medical has 247 virtual care so you can get help while horizontal. And with Amazon Pharmacy you can get medicine delivered fast right to your door. You just have to make it to your door. Thanks to Amazon, Healthcare just got less painful. This message comes from Amica Insurance. As Amica says, empathy is our best policy. Whether you're seeking auto, home or life coverage, they'll work with you to choose the policy that best serves you and your family. Discover how Amica can help protect what matters most to you today. Go to ameca.com and get a quote today.

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from NPR. Sponsor the official Gilded Age podcast from HBO. Unpack each episode and hear from the people who bring 19th century New York to life. Listen to the official Gilded Age Podcast. Wherever you get podcasts, this message comes from Thuma. Create your oasis with Thuma, a modern design company that specializes in furniture and home goods by stripping away everything but the essential. Thuma makes elevated beds with premium materials and intentional details with clean lines, subtle curves and minimalist style. The Thuma Bed Collection is available in four signature finishes to match any design aesthetic. To get $100 towards your first bed purchase go to T H U M A CO NPR.

[Stephen Thompson]

Joining us today is NPR producer JC Howard. Hey, JC.

[Candace Lim]

Hello. Hello.

[Stephen Thompson]

Also with us is co host of Slate's ICYMI podcast and former PCH producer Candace Lim. Hey, Candice.

[Candace Lim]

Hello.

[Stephen Thompson]

It is a pleasure to have you both here. So, the concept of the original Megan was simple. A young girl named Katie, played by Violet McGraw, loses her parents in a car accident and has to go live with her aunt Gemma. She's a career focused roboticist played by Allison Williams. Gemma is extremely busy building an interactive robot named Megan. She brings it home to help with parenting duties and keep Katie company. But Megan, having been programmed to protect Katie, soon develops a mind of her own and sets out to eliminate. Eliminate threats. That plot gets more ambitious in M3GAN 2.0. Though M3GAN was defeated at the end of the original film, her tech remains and it's found its way into a rogue AI assassin named Amelia, played by Ivana Sakno. I want to be with my own kind.

[Candace Lim]

Don't you?

[JC Howard]

That thing isn't like us.

[Glen Weldon]

It's something even we can't understand.

[Candace Lim]

Maybe you're the thing that's not like us.

[Stephen Thompson]

Maybe your allegiance to them has made you weak. Amelia is a pure killing machine with no interest in protecting anyone, which makes her both wildly dangerous and of great interest to the US government. Soon enough, we've got a plot messy enough to contain government agents, billionaire tech bros, a reconstituted M3GAN, Gemma's bumbling but mighty staff, the literal fate of the world, and loads of gleaming tech, as well as all the violence a ludicrous PG13 rating will allow. The film is in theaters now. Glenn Weldon, I'm going to start with you. What did you think of Megan 2.0?

[Glen Weldon]

Yeah, I think this delivers on the premise and the premise. So the first film, as you mentioned, this thing comes to us loaded down with memes. So what does it do? It winks at those memes. We get a winking reference to that dance sequence. We get a winking reference to the idea of Megan singing a ballad. In this case, the choice of ballad is superior to the first film. And it's the funniest part of the movie. Yeah, look, there is a very simple formula to this film. Megan on screen movie fun, Megan offscreen movie less so. So many plot threads, as you mentioned, involving the FBI and J. Clement's tech bro and the Cady Gemma relationship and this big MacGuffin they're looking for. All those threads mean a smaller percentage of screen time for M3gan, even though it's a slightly longer film, I think she's on screen less. This movie's called M3GAN 2.0. We in the audience know they're gonna rebuild M3GAN. The film's characters think rebuilding M3GAN very bad idea. So the filmmakers, for reasons I guess you can explain, have decided to side with, not with the audience, but with the film's characters. Which means that Jamba spends, what is it, 20, 25 saying variations of what are you crazy? It's a terrible idea. It's too risky. We can't rebuild M3gan. So the plot does a lot of sweaty work in that time to attempt to justify rebuilding M3GAN. And again, not justifying it for us, we're on board. But for the characters, what would have been lost in this movie? If the first time anybody mentions rebuilding M3gan, Gemma was like, yep, let's do it right. Nothing. Nothing would have been lost. Some Twitter bros would complain about, like, plot holes, but people who complain about plot holes don't matter. You can always ignore them.

[Stephen Thompson]

There are also plenty of. Of actual plot holes in this film, such as when they rebuild a. Like, they basically, like, are in an underground bunker and undergo a five year robot building process in what appears to be about 12 hours again.

[Glen Weldon]

But, like, I think eventually delivers what it needed to for me.

[Stephen Thompson]

All right, how about you, Candace?

[JC Howard]

So I think what's really interesting to me is that the hype around M3gan, the first movie, I actually compared a lot to the show the Bear and how it felt like the show that was fresh, the movie Megan felt fresh. It came out of nowhere. We've never seen something like it. And I think that newness really, really catapulted it to this, like, Internet culture hierarchy of, like, tier A memes. Everyone loves it. And I think there was a hunger for a sequel. But maybe they waited too long because now we're talking about Megan 2.0 coming out the same weekend as F1, right after 28 years later. There are just so many other things that, like, I think people have been waiting for at the theaters. I don't know if Megan 2.0 is even cracking the top two of that list, but for me, it was. And so walking in, I think you're right, Glenn. Not enough Megan. Actually, not enough Megan. And it's funny because every single poster, every single trailer you see for this movie, it really implies a lot of Megan. They keep saying the bee is back, and the bee is kind of back. She's kind of back, but she has a bigger. And the B is Emelia, who all I'll say about her is like, does she not look like Elizabeth Olsen?

[Stephen Thompson]

Yes, sure. Oh, my gosh. I was very distracted by that.

[JC Howard]

But that is like a conversation that maybe you want to walk out with because it's kind of like a Black Mirror episode of like. Well, this entire movie is about AI. It's about a very specific spectrum of AI supporters. But regulators, which I did find interesting, but I actually was a little disappointed about how, like, waffly they were. And I think that's about the fact that this is a sequel that doesn't want to detract Megan Truthers. Meghan1, Truthers. But if you're not jumping on the train now, I think you're anti M3GAN.

[Stephen Thompson]

Okay, how about you, J.C. one of.

[Candace Lim]

The notes that I wrote down while I was watching this movie is, what if Chucky was Tom Cruise?

[Glen Weldon]

Oh, God.

[Candace Lim]

And I think that that is an interesting kind of central question. And I think if the movie stuck to that question, it could have been a lot better. But instead I came out struggling to figure out what I just watched. Like, it was funny, but it was also serious and it was cheeky, but it was also earnest. It was tender, but also action packed. It was inconsequential, but it also had a message. So it was kind of like all over the place. And this is, mind you, coming from a big fan of the first M3gan movie. Like, that one was weird and tongue in cheek, but it had a certain charm, you know. So I went in expecting M3GAN 2.0 to be just as charming, just as self aware, but with the camp turned up to 11. Because that was one of the things that really pulled me in about the first one is that it wasn't exactly a horror. It was like a campy horror. But I think instead of self aware, I think, as Glenn kind of mentioned, they settled for self reference. Like, you know, remember this kind of great moment from the first one. What if we did something like that? Again, the pitch for this movie seemed to be you've seen Terminator, right? Well, what if Terminator. But Megan and it had a chance to be a campy adventure, but it oscillates between that and AI and social commentary. So I'm just kind of left with a lot of really good jokes and solid what ifs in search of a unifying thread. This movie, it's billed as a sci fi horror movie. And I think this movie is, quote unquote horror in the same way that lacroix is, quote unquote flavored. It's a solid premise, but a kind of a shaky execution for me.

[Stephen Thompson]

Okay. You know, I think I came down, you know, somewhere in the neighborhood of where y' all came down. I loved the first Megan M3gan, for me was like one of those perfect, like, early January seeming like it's getting dumped in the release graveyard surprises that I found really witty and funny. Like, I went in expecting, like, kind of a low rent Chucky redux. And instead I got a movie that had actually thought about its own premise and really kind of engaged with the idea of how technology is kind of, as I said in the intro, it's outsourcing our humanity. And what I was worried about going into this film was that they were going to kind of lean a little bit too much into the, like, robot on robot banter stuff. And it didn't have as much of that as the trailers kind of led me to believe. It doesn't abandon the wrestling that the first film does with AI. This film wrestles a lot with AI And I really did appreciate that. It's not just like huffing its own farts from the first movie. It's not just restating the first film. It absolutely makes this jump from January fun to summer blockbuster fun. And with all of the bloat and the flaws that that ends up introducing. And so for me, I came out satisfied, but didn't love it the way that I loved the first one.

[JC Howard]

Yeah.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah.

[Glen Weldon]

I mean, okay, so you mentioned this goes from January to summer. I wouldn't pursue that too hard because I think the thing I respect about this is that this is still a B movie. There's something kind of lo fi and practical effects and B minus fight choreography. It stays in its lane. So it doesn't get the Alien to Aliens upgrade. It doesn't get the Terminator to T2 upgrade. It's more modest than that. It's schlockier than that. This is kind of weakened at Bernie's to weakened at Bernie's 2. That's what kind of happens here. It's a lateral move, and I respected that.

[Stephen Thompson]

Part of that fight choreography, though, is coming from the fact that because it's PG13, they're constantly panning away from the slaughter, which to me is fine. But it is also a very violent movie to get a PG13 rating. And I didn't even realize it was PG13 until I realized that you could run a perfectly precise swear count. And that's how you realize, like, oh, this is PG13.

[JC Howard]

I think for me. I have to say, though, I actually think I am disappointed by this movie because one thing is that the first Megan did a really good job of focusing the story on this emotional adoption story. It was about Allison Williams, like, truly struggling to have, like, this surrogate child that had gone through a trauma. And then Megan gets introduced almost as, like, a distraction coping mechanism, and that kind of takes over. But I think this movie is so much about the Megan of it all, and it should be. That's what the marketing is. And I think because of that, it really loses a lot of that emotional integrity that I loved. I mean, there is, like, obviously an iconic Megan singing a ballad, but right before that, what leads up to that is she's, like, teaching Alison Williams about the meaning of motherhood. And I kid you not, my friend cried. My friend was crying and then laughing. But I was like, that's like, that's funny. Like, that's the stuff I miss and I love. But at the same time, I was thinking about, like, who they use to kind of fill up the emotional void in this movie. So that's like Jermaine Clement, who plays, like, look, he's like Elon Musk. Ish. Right? He's kind of this, like, weird tech billionaire.

[Stephen Thompson]

Yeah, he's our latest Elon Musk surrogate.

[JC Howard]

There you go. And then we have, like, Aristotle Atari, who I love. He was on snl. He played Angelo. That was a great sketch he did there. But in this movie, he's so dead behind the eyes, so deadpan. I think that's the point, though, because, like, I feel like when you have two robots who. I would say they are strong females, Amelia and Megan, when you have them and you're trying to, like, pit them in a very Godzilla versus Kong way, I think the. The human characters around, you have to kind of dampen a little bit to kind of show that, like, these robots, they have human elements and they are taking away from the other human and their elements.

[Candace Lim]

Yeah. You know, I think, Candace, you're touching on something that, like, I felt deeply as I watched and walked away from this movie, which is. I think that the defining feature of Megan 2.0 is missed opportunity.

[JC Howard]

I agree.

[Candace Lim]

I think especially with Katie, her character was really compelling in the first one. I mean, the relationship between she and Gemma was the core of the premise of the movie at one point. And in this one, she had the opportunity. She was primed for being kind of the moral backbone. The movie sets her up as computer coding. She's like, you know, thinking about and struggling with morality. She's like, really thinking about how you can integrate morality into code and into AI, but ultimately her character. So her character was dampened in exactly the way that you're talking about in a way where she could have actually made strides toward self betterment and self actualization, but instead she kind of regressed. I feel like the movie flirts with camp, but there's like an adult looking over its shoulder saying, like, okay, keep on task. And I think this is most evident in this kind of ballad scene that we all keep kind of talking about. The sequence was so good and so self aware. It was a great back and forth. But then at the end of the scene, Gemma's character is like, okay, let's get back to business here.

[Stephen Thompson]

I think the issue is that the stakes are too high suddenly. The stakes are not just like, how do we subdue this robot that has kind of gone off script and become, you know, kind of, what happens if this evil robot achieves the singularity and then all of society collapses? Then all of a sudden you are constantly having to expend more and more energy trying to resolve the fate of the world, and that is smothering out some of these character beats that are the best things about the film.

[JC Howard]

Yeah, I think that's true to that effect.

[Candace Lim]

Steven, you mentioned the AI commentary, which I also appreciated.

[Glen Weldon]

Right.

[Candace Lim]

Like, I really liked the commentary that it provided. It seems the point is, hey, look, AI is coming and we've got to figure out how to coexist with it, which is interesting. Right? Like, as people who work in the realm of content creation, like, I think all the time about how AI could fundamentally change how we do what we do. So I think the idea of learning to use AI as a tool instead of fearing it is fascinating. However, the movie just spent two hours telling me that robots have no interest in coexistence. They want to destroy humanity and rule over the ashes. So, like, I'm kind of left with this good point, like, oh, wow, you know, we've got to coexist. But then you've just taught me all the reasons why we probably shouldn't just, like, want to coexist. So, like, again, great point. Not the arguments that you wanted to actually support that point.

[Stephen Thompson]

I did feel like my big takeaway on this film is like, should we coexist with AI? The answer?

[Glen Weldon]

Nah.

[JC Howard]

Yeah, we basically pick up with Gemma becoming like, a government regulation AI mommy activist. Her whole thing is like, get those Kids off those iPads. But she's clearly on this place of, like, AI is something I have built. AI is something I'm okay with, but you need to regulate it. Fine. Her opposing force is someone who's actually kind of on that spectrum, but taking a very extremist stance. Maybe not extremist in the way you think, but I think the reason why I don't like where it landed is because the first movie was not necessarily about technological morality, but, like, ethical morality. Just, like, what is your role as, like, the parent of this kid and, like, introducing them to both friendship and technology at the same time. And clearly, you see Violet McGraw as Katie. She's going to become the next Gemma. She is going to create Megan 16.0, as she should. And I think because of. Of that, like, this movie actually, I don't think is horror. I actually think this is a spy thriller. That's the vibe I got. It's a spy thriller that uses action to kind of, like, show, not tell. And the reason why that bothered me is because I loved how funny the first movie was. I love the way that they talk to each other, which is that they didn't really talk to each other. They talked at each other. And that's kind of how I feel like AI. And that conversation is now where it's like, between the first movie and this. The biggest thing that's changed is our regulation and use of, like, ChatGPT in our regular life. And I think a lot of people at first would have said, like, I'm refusing chatgpt. Now they rely on it. And the question is, like, okay, maybe AI is like the New York City of Sex and the City is the fifth character. And I don't like her.

[Glen Weldon]

I don't like her when the takeaway is not allai. That is a wishy washy closing statement. I want to spend a little bit of time talking about the marketing of this movie. Again, the movie is in the marketing. I can't begrudge the marketing. But they are really pushing Megan as a queer icon in a way that they kind of did with the first one. But it felt organic with the first film because she was embraced by the community. Now it feels deliberate. Now it's a bit sweaty. I can kind of feel her crawling to the top of the Pride float, you know, to just stand up there. Will she show up as a guest judge on Drag Race All Stars? I wouldn't put it past her. There is something.

[JC Howard]

Glenn, you know, I was gonna ask you about the lost culture. Recess. Adam when they talk to Megan, this is the thing.

[Glen Weldon]

She's showing up on the queer podcasts and they're doing a bit. It's deliberate in a way that something was kind of discovered and found with the first film. That feels very slick with the second one.

[JC Howard]

I mean, you're right because Steven, as you're mentioning, the, like January to June bump, they release this during Pride Month. That's not an accident. None of this is an accident. Right. Yeah.

[Stephen Thompson]

All right. Well, we want to know what you Think about Megan 2.0. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com PCHH and on [e-mail] NPRpopculture we'll have a link in our episode description that brings us to the end of our show. Candice Lim, J.C. howard, Glen Weldon, thanks so much for being here.

[JC Howard]

Thank you.

[Candace Lim]

Thanks for having me.

[Glen Weldon]

Thank you.

[Stephen Thompson]

And just a reminder that signing up for Pop Culture Happy Hour plus is a great way to support our show and pop public radio. And you get to listen to all of our episodes sponsor free. So please go find out more at plus.npr.org happyaur or visit the link in our show notes. This episode was produced by Hafsa Fathoma and Mike Katsif and edited by our showrunner, Jessica Reedy. Hello. Come in. Provides our theme music. Thank you for listening to Pop Culture Happy Hour from npr. I'm Stephen Thompson and we will see you all next time. Foreign.

[Apple Pay]

This message comes From NPR Sponsor 1Password Secure access to your online world, from emails to banking, so you can protect what matters most with 1Password for a free 2 week trial, go to 1Password.com NPR this message comes from Warby Parker.

[NPR Sponsor]

Prescription eyewear that's expertly crafted and unexpectedly affordable. Glasses designed in house from premium materials starting at just $95, including prescription lenses. Stop by a Warby Parker store near you. Support for NPR and the following message come from Rosetta Stone. The perfect app to achieve your language learning goals no matter how busy your schedule gets. It's designed to maximize study time with immersive 10 minute lessons and audio practice for your commute. Plus tailor your learning plan for specific objectives like travel. Get Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership for 50% off and unlimited access to 25 language courses. Learn more at RosettaStone.com NPR.