Pop Culture Happy Hour — “Wicked: For Good And What’s Making Us Happy”

NPR | Nov 21, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the highly anticipated sequel, Wicked for Good, the cinematic continuation of the Wicked musical saga. The panel—Linda Holmes, Aisha Harris, Waylon Wong, and Tre’vell Anderson (with guest Waylon Wong from NPR's The Indicator and Tre’vell Anderson of the Seated podcast)—debates whether the new film justifies its existence, compares it to its celebrated predecessor, and explores how it intertwines with the legacy of The Wizard of Oz. As always, the end of the episode features recommendations in “What’s Making Us Happy.”

Main Discussion: Wicked for Good (00:23-22:24)

Initial Impressions & Sequel Justification

• Waylon Wong: Entered with skepticism due to the weaker second half of the stage musical but was “blown away by the performances. There are some real showstoppers in here that I just loved.” She identified a “Glinda character development problem” but called it minor. (02:18–03:12)

  • Quote: “Honestly, I was again blown away by the performances. There are some real showstoppers in here that I just loved, and I think this movie hits so many emotional high points for me.” (02:32)

• Tre’vell Anderson: Came to Wicked without deep source knowledge and “really enjoyed Wicked for Good... I've seen it three times, you all. Why, I do not know, but I really enjoyed it.” Appreciated what filmmaking offers this narrative versus the stage, calling it a “movie musical lovers movie.” (03:16–04:17)

• Aisha Harris: Longtime franchise fan, “pleasantly surprised” by part one, less convinced by the two-movie split for the sequel: “I don't think it really justifies making this two different movies.” Questioned value of new songs but found emotional moments powerful: “For good, the song. I was on the verge of tears.” (04:25–05:30)

  • Notable banter: “Wicked. Good enough.” (05:27)

• Linda Holmes: Not closely attached to Wicked stage musical; felt the second half “maybe more fun,” but is in the camp that sees the emotional pinnacle not as “Defying Gravity” but “For Good,” describing the climactic duet as “worth the whole thing.” Felt Ariana Grande’s Glinda came into her own: “I feel like she makes her way into a little more of a... her own version of Glinda.” (05:53–07:20)

New Songs & Performances

• Debate about new songs:
  • Linda liked the new Glinda song best: “I like her added song better than the Elphaba added song.” (07:31)
  • Aisha & Waylon disagreed; “Neither one of them is a great song and neither is necessary.” (07:42)
• For Good staging praised for emotional impact:
  • Waylon: “I did love the staging of For Good. ... It was done in a kind of more restrained manner... focused on their faces, on the emotion. And I was a mess. I was a mess.” (08:07–08:51)
  • Tre’vell: Dolby sound enhanced the emotional effect: “You can hear both of their voices, both, like, individually and together with the Dolby situation.” (08:54)

Narrative Structure and Political Themes

• Film length discussed (Linda preferred this one’s shorter runtime).
• Aisha critiques Glinda’s development: “Glinda was actually a pretty bad person and a bad friend. ... when the outcome is what happens to Elphaba.” Reflects on the more radical, political vibes of the Wicked novel compared to the streamlined musical and film. (10:32–11:41)
  • Questions political clarity: “I don't know, it just doesn't really meld politically like what the rest of it seems to be trying to say about how we should attack, you know, fascism and oppressive regimes.” (11:52)
• Waylon echoes: “There's a bit of political incoherence... politics get very much distilled and watered down for the stage version,” making Glinda's arc feel like a “big leap.” (12:21–13:45)

The Wizard of Oz Connections

• Panel enjoys the nods to The Wizard of Oz; Dorothy is shown in silhouette or by her shoes, keeping the focus on Elphaba and Glinda.

  • Tre’vell: “There were a lot of whispers there. But if you weren't familiar with the source, I think it would be a beautiful surprise... how all of these characters come to the ending.” (15:54–16:25)
  • Aisha: Likes the “minimalist, viable amount of Dorothy,” saying it avoids distraction and keeps the sequel from feeling like a reboot. (18:23)

• Handling of Oz “Easter eggs” was discussed:

  • Aisha: “Playing lip service, you know, when you think of all those superhero movies or whatever... I think this does a better job because it is still weaved into the story.” (17:29–18:00)
  • Surprise at Colman Domingo's cameo: “I didn’t realize that was him until my third screening.” (18:02, Tre’vell)

Comparing Source Material & Adaptation

• Discussion of the difference between Maguire’s novel, the musical, and the film:

  • Linda: “My understanding is Wicked, the novel, is sort of about several different things... I think the musical and this film hit that [theme of reconsidering history/famous villains]. ... The piece that is not here... is this other political piece about essentially collective action to resist oppressive governments.” (19:02–20:32)

• For Good and No Good Deed called out as emotional highlights.

  • Waylon: “I also cried at the end of No Good Deed, which is Elphaba's big showstopper. ... That was the first time that people in my screening applauded.” (21:21)
  • Aisha: “She hit those final notes like goosebumps, the way she does goosebumps.” (21:40)

Final Thoughts

• Mostly positive feelings, tempered by narrative and structural reservations.
  • Linda: “A satisfying time with reservations and questions kind of wraps up my experience.” (21:52)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I've seen it three times, you all. Why, I do not know, but I really enjoyed it.” — Tre’vell Anderson (03:45)
• “For Good, the song. I was on the verge of tears.” — Aisha Harris (05:20)
• “I did love the staging of For Good... I was a mess.” — Waylon Wong (08:07)
• “There's a bit of political incoherence...” — Waylon Wong (12:21)
• “Minimalist, viable amount of Dorothy.” — Waylon Wong (18:23)
• “She hit those final notes like goosebumps.” — Aisha Harris (21:40)

“What’s Making Us Happy” Recommendations (24:24–31:45)

• Waylon Wong: Grayson Smith, Main Street Disney pianist—search “Grayson Piano Disney” on TikTok/Instagram; known for delightful public renditions of Disney and show tunes. (24:30)
• Tre’vell Anderson: Reliving Single podcast, the Living Single rewatch led by show stars Erica Alexander & Kim Coles, with cast/industry tidbits and reflections. (26:05)
• Aisha Harris: Tales from the Tabletop documentary on board game fandom and competition; available on the Roku Channel and VOD, featuring the creator of Wingspan and board game culture. (27:34)
• Linda Holmes: Simon Sits, Instagram/TikTok account chronicling foster dog journeys, especially medical rescues, known for heartwarming content (special note of Whimsy, the singing-loving pup). (29:00)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:23 — Introduction to Wicked for Good, panelist intros
• 02:18 — Waylon’s review: emotional impact, Glinda’s character
• 03:16 — Tre’vell’s review: joy, rewatchability, film’s uniqueness
• 04:25 — Aisha’s review: franchise fan, length/structure critiques
• 05:53 — Linda’s view, emotional peaks, Ariana Grande as Glinda
• 08:07 — Emotional highlight: “For Good” staging and reactions
• 10:32 — Act 2 as “narrative catch-up,” political/friendship critique
• 12:21 — Waylon on the “Glinda character development problem”
• 15:54 — Wizard of Oz references and effectiveness
• 19:02 — Handling classic themes: political vs. personal focus
• 21:21 — Emotional high: “No Good Deed” performance
• 24:24 — “What’s Making Us Happy” segment begins

Tone & Atmosphere

The panel is lively, candid, and conversational, punctuated by genuine affection for both pop culture and one another. They don’t shy away from critique or disagreement, maintaining both warmth and humor throughout. Jokes and loving nitpicks abound, particularly about the film’s structure, music, and the pop culture resonance of Wicked.

In summary:
The panel finds Wicked for Good to be an emotionally potent crowd pleaser anchored by powerhouse performances—particularly Cynthia Erivo and a more individualized Ariana Grande as Glinda—but notes issues with narrative coherence, Glinda’s character arc, and the necessity of splitting the story into two films. The political radicalism of the original novel is notably dialed back in favor of personal drama and emotional catharsis. A solid cinematic experience, “with reservations.”