Pop Culture Happy Hour – "Our Dream TV Crossovers"
Date: January 13, 2026
Host: NPR
Panelists: Aisha Harris, Glen Weldon, Ba Parker, Andrew Limbong
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the tantalizing world of "dream TV crossovers" — imaginary mashups between beloved shows from the minds of the Pop Culture Happy Hour team. The panelists each pitch their ultimate "what if" crossover special, blending tones, genres, and characters in creative, often hilarious ways. The conversation explores what makes a crossover work, addresses tonal challenges, and celebrates fan-favorite characters and TV worlds.
Key Discussion Points & Crossovers
1. What Makes a Good Crossover? (02:48–03:41)
- The team highlights the distinction between organic, purposeful crossovers and those that are mere stunts.
- Aisha Harris: “For every mashup that feels organic, there are plenty more that amount to little other than weird stunts.” (00:28)
2. Andrew Limbong: Gilmore Girls × Nashville (04:03–07:43)
- Concept: Lane’s indie rock band, Hep Alien (from Gilmore Girls), gets a shot at greatness by crossing paths with the musically driven world of Nashville.
- Andrew imagines Hep Alien being inspired and finding new life among the country and alt-rock acts from Nashville, leading to musical collaborations akin to real-life bands like Waxahachie.
- Notable quote:
- Andrew Limbong: "If Hep Alien, this local indie rock band, can meet up with the folks in Nashville...they might be inspired to actually go for it." (05:20)
- Panelists riff on how Lane Kim's journey could get the justice she deserves, envisioning new relationships, creative fusion, and happiness for underappreciated characters.
- Glen Weldon: Expresses concern about the tonal clash but is ultimately swayed by Andrew's enthusiasm and vision.
- Memorable Moment:
- Ba Parker: "Any fantasy where Lane thrives is okay with me." (07:19)
3. Ba Parker: Abbott Elementary × The Leftovers (08:17–11:54)
- Concept: The upbeat world of elementary school teachers in Abbott Elementary is interrupted (and transformed) by the existential, grief-driven universe of The Leftovers.
- Parker imagines emotionally rich intersections — e.g., Nora Durst healing through volunteering, characters grappling with loss alongside the quirky staff, and the documentary crew navigating the new reality.
- Notable quote:
- Ba Parker: "If you think of it as, like, an Inside Out situation where you need the joy to reach the sadness…there is a world." (08:52)
- Panel brainstorms how characters would fit into the grief cult "Guilty Remnant" and imagines heartfelt (and hilarious) culture clashes.
- Memorable moment:
- Glen Weldon: "They lost their boom mic guy. Maybe one, two sound people, but I feel like they slip up and find one of the Guilty Remnant finally talking in the corner." (10:39)
- The team delights in the audacious and weird potential of this mashup, with Aisha dubbing the choices "bonkers but fun."
4. Aisha Harris: Only Murders in the Building × Brooklyn Nine-Nine (12:05–16:45)
- Concept: The amateur sleuths of Upper West Side whodunnit Only Murders team up with Brooklyn’s goofiest (but effective) detectives from Brooklyn Nine-Nine to solve a murder that crosses borough lines.
- Aisha addresses pitfalls of past cross-network crossovers (Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl) and explains why this NYC pairing would work: shared crime-solving themes, overlapping humor, and a natural location connection.
- Notable quote:
- Aisha Harris: "I just feel as though it could be a really fun mashup." (15:12)
- Panelists imagine character pairings:
- Martin Short's Oliver and Captain Holt (theatrical chaos vs. stoic order)
- Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Rosa (Stephanie Beatriz) as kindred spirits
- Crossover plot options: clues lead from Manhattan to Brooklyn; food truck backgrounds; inside jokes about crime-solving rates.
- Memorable moment:
- Andrew Limbong: “Maybe they can give him, like, tips on good police work.” (16:22)
5. Glen Weldon: The Bear × Happy Endings (16:45–20:57)
- Concept: The high-stress world of The Bear meets the rapid-fire, joke-dense friendship ensemble of Happy Endings, both set in Chicago.
- Glen values location as a crossover anchor, explaining that real-life and TV crossovers work best when location makes sense (echoing classic Cheers–St. Elsewhere mashups).
- He proposes that The Bear could bring in Dave from Happy Endings (who owns a food truck, "Steak Me Home Tonight") to run a new venture; Max and Penny bring comic relief; Jane and Brad run the front-of-house.
- Explores how the comedic quirks of Happy Endings could “finally put to bed” debate about The Bear’s genre as a comedy.
- Notable quote:
- Glen Weldon: “If they really want to put that [comedy] to bed forever, what they need is jokes. Jokes is how you solve that problem.” (17:54)
- Considers alternative crossovers (e.g., The Bear × Bob’s Burgers) but sticks with his Chicago-centric plan.
- Memorable moment:
- Glen Weldon: “Max is also there. I don’t know what he does. He does whatever the Faks do, which is nothing.” (19:05)
6. Riffs, Reactions, and Recognition of TV Geography (20:57–22:20)
- The conversation explores why Chicago serves as a nexus for crossovers; it’s an “everyman” city, not coastal, but with rich TV history.
- Andrew Limbong reflects: “I don’t think I realized that Chicago is such a home for TV shows.” (21:38)
Notable Quotes and Moments
- Aisha Harris (Host):
- “Look, this is a dream. There are no boundaries here.” (07:58)
- Panel banter on crossover absurdity:
- Glen Weldon: “That is the perfect answer...That’s called Pavement, the band.” (06:54)
- Ba Parker's campaign pitch:
- "I'm willing to write fan fiction if you want for The Leftovers–Abbott Elementary situation as like a boon for you to vote for me." (22:46)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:42 – Setup of dream crossover segment (non-shipping disclaimer)
- 04:03–07:43 – Andrew pitches Gilmore Girls × Nashville
- 08:17–11:54 – Parker pitches Abbott Elementary × The Leftovers
- 12:05–16:45 – Aisha pitches Only Murders in the Building × Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- 16:45–20:57 – Glen pitches The Bear × Happy Endings
- 20:57–22:20 – Broader reflection on TV cities and tone
Conclusion
The episode is a playful, freewheeling exercise in group imagination, packed with affectionate character insights, sly TV industry wisdom, and good-natured ribbing. The panelists embrace tonal clashes, acknowledge the inherent messiness of crossovers, and celebrate the joys of TV’s endless “what-if” potential. Listeners are invited to vote on the best crossover and share their own dreams for TV universes intersecting.
Cast & Speaker Key
- B: Aisha Harris (Host)
- C: Glen Weldon
- E: Andrew Limbong
- F: Ba Parker