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Pop Culture

Saturday

Technology

Track Those Tax Dollars In An 'Augmented Reality'

Want to know where those stimulus dollars were spent? Consider turning your smart phone into a government watchdog — then all you'll have to do is take it for a walk.

Track Those Tax Dollars In An 'Augmented Reality'

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Friday

A Head-Shrinker Studies The Zombie Brain

Psychiatrist Steven Schlozman recently expanded his practice from humans to the inhuman. Poring over his library of classic zombie films, he came up with neurobiological explanations for the behavior of the undead, such as lack of a frontal lobe and an overactive amygdala.

A Head-Shrinker Studies The Zombie Brain

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Opinion

Halloween Tricks And Audio Treats

In Serial Killer's Former Home, A Search For Ghosts

Musician Chris Butler was looking for a house where he could make loud music without disturbing his neighbors. He found the perfect house and for a deal, but it came with certain "conditions." The house was the childhood home of Jeffrey Dahmer and the scene of Dahmer's first killing.

In Serial Killer's Former Home, A Search For Ghosts

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Thursday

Movies

'This Is It': Michael Jackson's Last Act

Late pop superstar Michael Jackson's last stage moments are captured in the new film, This is it. But will the film return Jackson's name to the all-time ist of legendary performers? Host Michel Martin speaks with Ronda Racha Penrice, author and pop culture critic, for more.

'This Is It': Michael Jackson's Last Act

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Tina Brown's Must-Reads

Tina Brown's Must-Reads: The Dead And The Undead

On the Internet, it helps to be an omnivorous reader — like Tina Brown, who scours the Web for compelling, well-written articles. In an interview, Brown discusses three recent pieces that caught her eye. Among the topics: Vladimir Nabokov's last novel and Martin Scorsese's favorite scary movies.

Tina Brown's Must-Reads: The Dead And The Undead

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Wednesday

For A Fallen Star, One Final Chance To Shine

The King Rules: Rehearsals for a London concert series found Michael Jackson and his dancers working on a huge set. Spliced together in a concert movie, scenes from those rehearsals are a reminder of just how good Jackson was performing live. Kevin Mazur/Sony Pictures hide caption

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Kevin Mazur/Sony Pictures

Review

Movies

For A Fallen Star, One Final Chance To Shine

Kenny Ortega's hastily assembled concert movie-cum-Michael Jackson memorial recuts 100 hours of rehearsal footage to give fans VIP access to what might be the greatest show that never was. Movie critic Bob Mondello says This Is It might be short on backstage drama, but it's not hurting for onstage razzle-dazzle.

For A Fallen Star, One Final Chance To Shine

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Music

Meshell Ndegeocello Puts Life In Rhythm

Ndegeocello recently returned with her eighth studio album, Devil's Halo. During a recent performance in NPR's Studio 4A, the German-born neo-soul star sat down with host Michel Martin to play songs from her new album, talk about her career and address the stands she's taken in the music industry.

Meshell Ndegeocello Puts Life In Rhythm

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Jackson's New Career: Permanent, Posthumous Brand

Michael Jackson died shortly before a scheduled London concert series. The show goes on without him in Kenny Ortega's backstage documentary This Is It — and in what's likely to be a long and lucrative posthumous career. James Mitchell/AP hide caption

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James Mitchell/AP

Review

Music Reviews

Jackson's New Career: Permanent, Posthumous Brand

The Michael Jackson concert film This Is It — cut together from rehearsals filmed in the months before the pop star's death — is just the latest venture to highlight how valuable the coin of celebrity can remain even after a star's life is over. Nate DiMeo looks at the big business of posthumous brand management.

Jackson's New Career: Permanent, Posthumous Brand

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Tuesday

Opinion

Culture

When Halloween Costumes Become Offensive

Halloween is just around the corner. And while some look forward to the trick or treating and costume parties, others approach the day with the expectation of being offended by someone wearing a culturally insensitive costume. Guest host Jennifer Ludden speaks with Carmen Van Kerckhove, who blogs about race, parenting and pop culture. Kerckhove explains why good intentions don't always translate into good perceptions.

When Halloween Costumes Become Offensive

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Monday

'DJ Hero' Lets You Rock The Club ... From Your Couch

Want to be a 'DJ Hero'? If you've ever dreamed of spinning records in front of a screaming crowd, here's your virtual chance. FreeStyle Games hide caption

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FreeStyle Games

Review

Music Reviews

'DJ Hero' Lets You Rock The Club ... From Your Couch

If you've ever dreamed of spinning records in front of a screaming crowd, here's your virtual chance. The new music video game DJ Hero lets gamers scratch and mix on a fake turntable while a funky DJ avatar struts and cuts onscreen.

'DJ Hero' Lets You Rock The Club ... From Your Couch

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Saturday

History

Mystery Endures: Remains Found Not Those Of Artist

Everett Ruess, a legendary Utah explorer, writer and artist, has been missing for 75 years. Earlier this year, it seemed the cold case had been solved when human remains found in the Utah desert apparently tested positive as his. But doubts lingered, and now the mystery of the missing artist lives again.

Mystery Endures: Remains Found Not Those Of Artist

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Strange News

Final Dispatches Show U.K. Ambassadors' Snarky Side

British ambassadors have long had a tradition of unleashing vicious torrents of insults about their foreign posts — in official documents bound for 10 Downing St. These letters, uncovered by the BBC for a documentary radio series, reveal the candid side of British diplomacy.

Final Dispatches Show U.K. Ambassadors' Snarky Side

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Friday

Famous Faces, Look-Alike Stars: The Biopic Dilemma

Movies

Famous Faces, Look-Alike Stars: The Biopic Dilemma

As your parents no doubt told you, looks aren't everything. But when a film bio focuses on famous faces — as with the new drama Amelia — it can help to have an actor who looks the part. Even apt casting and accurate costumes can't save a bad story, though; critic Bob Mondello surveys some recent hits and misses.

Famous Faces, Look-Alike Stars: The Biopic Dilemma

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Remembering The Great Depression's Sunny Side
Getty Images

Economy

Remembering The Great Depression's Sunny Side

The Great Depression wasn't just bread lines and soup kitchens. Some people actually made out pretty well during that era, which left its unforgettable stamp on American food, music and culture.

Remembering The Great Depression's Sunny Side

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