Pop Culture Happy Hour – "Marty Supreme and What’s Making Us Happy"

Date: December 24, 2025
Host: Ayesha Harris, Linda Holmes
Guests: Cate Young (podcast producer, film and culture critic)
Main Topic: Review and discussion of the film Marty Supreme, followed by recommendations in the "What's Making Us Happy" segment.

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Marty Supreme, the latest film starring Timothée Chalamet as a charmingly detestable would-be table tennis champion in 1950s America. The Pop Culture Happy Hour team — joined by critic Cate Young — unpacks the movie's unorthodox approach to the sports genre, Chalamet’s standout performance, and the filmmaker’s subversive aims. The conversation later shifts to each critic sharing what’s been “making them happy” this week, featuring recommendations on new TV, a surprising book pick, and an affecting international film.

Marty Supreme: Film Discussion

[00:20 – 02:09] Setting the Scene

Marty Supreme stars Timothée Chalamet as Marty Mallory, a brash, selfish, and ambitious 1950s shoe store worker turned aspiring table tennis champ.
Loosely based on real-life champion Marty Reisman.
The movie ditches typical sports movie tropes for a darker, more eccentric story about ambition and hubris.
Features Gwyneth Paltrow (as ex-movie star turned socialite), Tyler, the Creator (as Marty’s best friend Wally), and Odessa A’zion (as his married girlfriend Rachel).
Directed and co-written by Josh Safdie (Uncut Gems).
The film’s focus is less on sports and more on “naked ambition and American male hubris.”

[02:09 – 03:34]

Linda Holmes highlights Chalamet’s standout performance:

“I think this Timothée Chalamet performance is very, very good... I think he is mesmerizing to watch, which is an accomplishment because I’m not sure I care that much about this story.”
She notes the intentionally idiosyncratic score, comparing it to an '80s action movie soundtrack and says it's "very effective" in setting tone.

[03:34 – 06:38]

Cate Young provides context on Chalamet as Marty:

“This is genuinely the first time that I get why people won’t stop talking about Timothée Chalamet... In this film, I understand what it is that he’s talking about when he says that he aspires to greatness.” (04:00)

Young praises Chalamet’s studied, “very intentional” performance.
They emphasize the movie’s refusal to soften Marty’s narcissism — “there is not a single person or character... that is not made worse by his presence.”

“We are being asked to sympathize with the worst person in the world, then we’re, like, missing half the movie.” (04:58)

[05:30 – 07:14]

Ayesha Harris talks reactions as a viewer:

“This is the first sports movie I’ve ever watched where I’m actively rooting against the main character.” (05:34)
She’s fascinated by a sports movie that doesn’t ask you to root for the protagonist, wondering if the film asks for sympathy or just fascination.

Cate Young responds:

“We’re put in a position where we essentially kind of, like, buy into his whole thing... it forces me to then have to, like, stand outside of myself and be like, wait, you just got got. Like, you fully got got by this movie.” (06:38)

[07:14 – 12:33]

Holmes explores the film’s themes:

The film isn’t about “is this goal reasonable or worthwhile,” but about relentless ambition.

“At what point is that bare desire to get what you want not necessarily the same thing as somebody who is willing to work for what they want?” (08:29)

The film portrays ambition as harm rather than dedication, affecting everyone around Marty.
She points out pacing concerns; at 2.5 hours, “there are places in it where I think there are some significant pacing issues.”

Harris observes:

The movie subverts the expected “is he actually the best?” sports narrative.
Brings up a montage where Marty tours with the Harlem Globetrotters and questions his self-image.

Cate Young clarifies:

“To me, it was very clear that he is very good. What is in question is whether or not he is as good as he thinks he is.” (12:33)

Young highlights a crucial late-film line from Marty:

“I have a purpose and I need you to know nothing is going to sway me from that purpose... but I’m not gonna sit around and, like, be your boyfriend. Like, it’s not gonna happen.”
Notes the absurdity of this obsession being about “hitting a tiny little ball with a paddle on a table.”

[13:50 – 18:02] Supporting Cast & Structure

Linda Holmes reviews the supporting cast:

Praises Gwyneth Paltrow’s performance as Kay Stone, an aging beauty aware of Marty’s manipulation.
Highlights Fran Drescher’s dramatic turn as Marty’s mother.
Criticizes the casting of Kevin O’Leary (Shark Tank) as Paltrow’s husband, calling it “distracting,” since his performance is indistinguishable from his public persona.

“It was not particularly interesting to me to see him come in and very much play the same kind of jerk that he plays as a person.” (15:32)

Ayesha Harris didn’t recognize O’Leary and thought his vibe fit a generic ‘90s dad. Observes the Safdies’ penchant for casting celebrities “playing a version of themselves.”

Tyler, the Creator and Odessa A’zion lift their potentially thankless roles as best friend and girlfriend, giving their characters real energy and depth.
The “frenetic” Safdie style, as in Uncut Gems, pervades the film.
All reviewers agree: the movie is a bracing, occasionally exhausting experience, but undeniably interesting.

“What’s Making Us Happy” This Week

[20:03 – 25:05]

Cate Young [20:10]

Picked: Madeline Stowe’s performance in HBO’s Welcome to Derry and a recent Revenge rewatch

Stowe plays one of the show’s “less than trustworthy adults” and is a delight to see after also starring in Revenge.

“It’s a nice reminder that just because she did this thing [Revenge] 15 years ago doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have more to give.” (21:10)

Linda Holmes [21:30]

Picked: The 12th edition of Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary

Holmes delights in the ritual of discovering new, obscure words.
Shared new word: “femtosecond” (one quadrillionth of a second).

“I would not spend one femtosecond voluntarily watching Kevin O’Leary on Shark Tank, and yet I watched him in Marty Supreme.” (22:43)

Ayesha Harris [23:25]

Picked: The Tale of Sillian, a film directed by Tamara Kotevska

This Macedonian film tells a moving story about a farmer, his family, and an injured stork, weaving in folklore and social commentary.
Praises its cinematography and subtlety.

“I was surprised by how moved I was by this... it turns into this really beautiful, lovely story about a man and a stork.” (23:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Chalamet’s Marty:
“There is not a single person or character that he comes into contact with in this film that is not made worse by his presence.” – Cate Young (04:58)
On the Audience's Relationship to the Character:
“This is the first sports movie I’ve ever watched where I’m actively rooting against the main character.” – Ayesha Harris (05:34)
On Supporting Cast:
“Josh Safdie cast Fran Drescher as Marty’s mother in a straight dramatic part...it’s an interesting moment of, like, right, you know, as with everyone, there’s a real person under the idea that people have of her.” – Linda Holmes (14:30)
On Movie’s Ambition Theme:
“At what point is that bare desire to get what you want not necessarily the same thing as somebody who is willing to work for what they want?” – Linda Holmes (08:29)
On Discovering New Words:
“Sometimes when I am sitting around I just pick [the dictionary] up and I open it and I look at it until I find a word that I do not know and... all of a sudden you have a new word...” – Linda Holmes (22:07)

Important Segment Timestamps

Intro and Film Setup: 00:20 – 02:09
Linda on Chalamet & Score: 02:09 – 03:34
Cate on Chalamet & Character: 04:00 – 05:30
Rooting Against the Protagonist: 05:30 – 06:38
Ambition/Theme Analysis: 07:14 – 10:15
Discussion of Pacing/Structure: 10:15 – 12:33
Supporting Cast Deep Dive: 13:50 – 16:30
“What’s Making Us Happy”: 20:03 – 25:05

Tone and Conclusions

The episode is energetic, thoughtful, and nuanced: hosts mostly agree on Chalamet’s revelatory performance but diverge in how the film’s risk-taking affects their investment.
“Marty Supreme” is praised for subverting sports film conventions, challenging viewer identification, and foregrounding a purposely unlikable protagonist.
The “What’s Making Us Happy” segment remains delightfully nerdy and heartfelt, with picks ranging from pop TV to a new dictionary edition to a touching Macedonian film.

For Further Engagement

The hosts invite listeners to share their thoughts about Marty Supreme on the show’s Facebook and Letterboxd pages.
Listeners can find recommended picks and more via the NPR Pop Culture newsletter.

End of summary

Pop Culture Happy Hour – "Marty Supreme and What’s Making Us Happy"

Episode Overview

Marty Supreme: Film Discussion

[00:20 – 02:09] Setting the Scene

Marty Supreme stars Timothée Chalamet as Marty Mallory, a brash, selfish, and ambitious 1950s shoe store worker turned aspiring table tennis champ.
Loosely based on real-life champion Marty Reisman.
The movie ditches typical sports movie tropes for a darker, more eccentric story about ambition and hubris.
Features Gwyneth Paltrow (as ex-movie star turned socialite), Tyler, the Creator (as Marty’s best friend Wally), and Odessa A’zion (as his married girlfriend Rachel).
Directed and co-written by Josh Safdie (Uncut Gems).
The film’s focus is less on sports and more on “naked ambition and American male hubris.”

[02:09 – 03:34]

Linda Holmes highlights Chalamet’s standout performance:

“I think this Timothée Chalamet performance is very, very good... I think he is mesmerizing to watch, which is an accomplishment because I’m not sure I care that much about this story.”
She notes the intentionally idiosyncratic score, comparing it to an '80s action movie soundtrack and says it's "very effective" in setting tone.

[03:34 – 06:38]

Cate Young provides context on Chalamet as Marty:

“This is genuinely the first time that I get why people won’t stop talking about Timothée Chalamet... In this film, I understand what it is that he’s talking about when he says that he aspires to greatness.” (04:00)

Young praises Chalamet’s studied, “very intentional” performance.
They emphasize the movie’s refusal to soften Marty’s narcissism — “there is not a single person or character... that is not made worse by his presence.”

“We are being asked to sympathize with the worst person in the world, then we’re, like, missing half the movie.” (04:58)

[05:30 – 07:14]

Ayesha Harris talks reactions as a viewer:

“This is the first sports movie I’ve ever watched where I’m actively rooting against the main character.” (05:34)
She’s fascinated by a sports movie that doesn’t ask you to root for the protagonist, wondering if the film asks for sympathy or just fascination.

Cate Young responds:

“We’re put in a position where we essentially kind of, like, buy into his whole thing... it forces me to then have to, like, stand outside of myself and be like, wait, you just got got. Like, you fully got got by this movie.” (06:38)

[07:14 – 12:33]

Holmes explores the film’s themes:

The film isn’t about “is this goal reasonable or worthwhile,” but about relentless ambition.

“At what point is that bare desire to get what you want not necessarily the same thing as somebody who is willing to work for what they want?” (08:29)

The film portrays ambition as harm rather than dedication, affecting everyone around Marty.
She points out pacing concerns; at 2.5 hours, “there are places in it where I think there are some significant pacing issues.”

Harris observes:

The movie subverts the expected “is he actually the best?” sports narrative.
Brings up a montage where Marty tours with the Harlem Globetrotters and questions his self-image.

Cate Young clarifies:

“To me, it was very clear that he is very good. What is in question is whether or not he is as good as he thinks he is.” (12:33)

Young highlights a crucial late-film line from Marty:

“I have a purpose and I need you to know nothing is going to sway me from that purpose... but I’m not gonna sit around and, like, be your boyfriend. Like, it’s not gonna happen.”
Notes the absurdity of this obsession being about “hitting a tiny little ball with a paddle on a table.”

[13:50 – 18:02] Supporting Cast & Structure

Linda Holmes reviews the supporting cast:

Praises Gwyneth Paltrow’s performance as Kay Stone, an aging beauty aware of Marty’s manipulation.
Highlights Fran Drescher’s dramatic turn as Marty’s mother.
Criticizes the casting of Kevin O’Leary (Shark Tank) as Paltrow’s husband, calling it “distracting,” since his performance is indistinguishable from his public persona.

“It was not particularly interesting to me to see him come in and very much play the same kind of jerk that he plays as a person.” (15:32)

Ayesha Harris didn’t recognize O’Leary and thought his vibe fit a generic ‘90s dad. Observes the Safdies’ penchant for casting celebrities “playing a version of themselves.”

Tyler, the Creator and Odessa A’zion lift their potentially thankless roles as best friend and girlfriend, giving their characters real energy and depth.
The “frenetic” Safdie style, as in Uncut Gems, pervades the film.
All reviewers agree: the movie is a bracing, occasionally exhausting experience, but undeniably interesting.

“What’s Making Us Happy” This Week

[20:03 – 25:05]

Cate Young [20:10]

Picked: Madeline Stowe’s performance in HBO’s Welcome to Derry and a recent Revenge rewatch

Stowe plays one of the show’s “less than trustworthy adults” and is a delight to see after also starring in Revenge.

“It’s a nice reminder that just because she did this thing [Revenge] 15 years ago doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have more to give.” (21:10)

Linda Holmes [21:30]

Picked: The 12th edition of Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary

Holmes delights in the ritual of discovering new, obscure words.
Shared new word: “femtosecond” (one quadrillionth of a second).

“I would not spend one femtosecond voluntarily watching Kevin O’Leary on Shark Tank, and yet I watched him in Marty Supreme.” (22:43)

Ayesha Harris [23:25]

Picked: The Tale of Sillian, a film directed by Tamara Kotevska

This Macedonian film tells a moving story about a farmer, his family, and an injured stork, weaving in folklore and social commentary.
Praises its cinematography and subtlety.

“I was surprised by how moved I was by this... it turns into this really beautiful, lovely story about a man and a stork.” (23:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Chalamet’s Marty:
“There is not a single person or character that he comes into contact with in this film that is not made worse by his presence.” – Cate Young (04:58)
On the Audience's Relationship to the Character:
“This is the first sports movie I’ve ever watched where I’m actively rooting against the main character.” – Ayesha Harris (05:34)
On Supporting Cast:
“Josh Safdie cast Fran Drescher as Marty’s mother in a straight dramatic part...it’s an interesting moment of, like, right, you know, as with everyone, there’s a real person under the idea that people have of her.” – Linda Holmes (14:30)
On Movie’s Ambition Theme:
“At what point is that bare desire to get what you want not necessarily the same thing as somebody who is willing to work for what they want?” – Linda Holmes (08:29)
On Discovering New Words:
“Sometimes when I am sitting around I just pick [the dictionary] up and I open it and I look at it until I find a word that I do not know and... all of a sudden you have a new word...” – Linda Holmes (22:07)

Important Segment Timestamps

Intro and Film Setup: 00:20 – 02:09
Linda on Chalamet & Score: 02:09 – 03:34
Cate on Chalamet & Character: 04:00 – 05:30
Rooting Against the Protagonist: 05:30 – 06:38
Ambition/Theme Analysis: 07:14 – 10:15
Discussion of Pacing/Structure: 10:15 – 12:33
Supporting Cast Deep Dive: 13:50 – 16:30
“What’s Making Us Happy”: 20:03 – 25:05

Tone and Conclusions

The episode is energetic, thoughtful, and nuanced: hosts mostly agree on Chalamet’s revelatory performance but diverge in how the film’s risk-taking affects their investment.
“Marty Supreme” is praised for subverting sports film conventions, challenging viewer identification, and foregrounding a purposely unlikable protagonist.
The “What’s Making Us Happy” segment remains delightfully nerdy and heartfelt, with picks ranging from pop TV to a new dictionary edition to a touching Macedonian film.

For Further Engagement

The hosts invite listeners to share their thoughts about Marty Supreme on the show’s Facebook and Letterboxd pages.
Listeners can find recommended picks and more via the NPR Pop Culture newsletter.

End of summary

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Marty Supreme and What’s Making Us Happy

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Summary

Pop Culture Happy Hour – "Marty Supreme and What’s Making Us Happy"

Episode Overview

Marty Supreme: Film Discussion

[00:20 – 02:09] Setting the Scene

[02:09 – 03:34]

[03:34 – 06:38]

[05:30 – 07:14]

[07:14 – 12:33]

[13:50 – 18:02] Supporting Cast & Structure

“What’s Making Us Happy” This Week

Cate Young [20:10]

Linda Holmes [21:30]

Ayesha Harris [23:25]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Segment Timestamps

Tone and Conclusions

For Further Engagement

Summary

Pop Culture Happy Hour – "Marty Supreme and What’s Making Us Happy"

Episode Overview

Marty Supreme: Film Discussion

[00:20 – 02:09] Setting the Scene

[02:09 – 03:34]

[03:34 – 06:38]

[05:30 – 07:14]

[07:14 – 12:33]

[13:50 – 18:02] Supporting Cast & Structure

“What’s Making Us Happy” This Week

Cate Young [20:10]

Linda Holmes [21:30]

Ayesha Harris [23:25]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Segment Timestamps

Tone and Conclusions

For Further Engagement