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Saturday

50 Wonderful Things From 2016

Emma Thompson, seen here at the premiere of Bridget Jones's Baby, is just one of the many people who did something wonderful in 2016. Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images hide caption

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Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

50 Wonderful Things

50 Wonderful Things From 2016

It's time again for our annual collection, in no particular order, of 50 wonderful pop-culture things from 2016. Read them, watch them, or listen to them; we think something will delight you.

Friday

Television

'Late Show' Host Says He Has Finally Found His Post-'Colbert Report' Voice

Fresh Air

The comic initially avoided joking about politics on The Late Show for fear that he would fall into his Colbert Report persona. Originally broadcast Nov. 2, 2016.

'Late Show' Host Says He Has Finally Found His Post-'Colbert Report' Voice

Listen · 35:08
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Wednesday

The Individualism And Fist-Pumping Of George Michael's 'Freedom '90'

George Michael, seen here performing in September 2012, died this week. Among other things, the man could wear a suit. Samir Hussein/Redferns via Getty Images hide caption

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Samir Hussein/Redferns via Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

The Individualism And Fist-Pumping Of George Michael's 'Freedom '90'

In the wake of the death of George Michael, we take a moment to appreciate "Freedom '90," not his biggest hit, but an irresistible mix of independence and vulnerability.

Ari Shapiro and Ann Powers on George Michael's Radical Impact

Listen · 4:42
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'Twin Peaks' Revival Promises Weirdness And Mystery — But Is That Enough?

David Lynch eats a donut in Showtime's bare-bones teaser for the Twin Peaks revival. Showtime/Screenshot by NPR hide caption

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Showtime/Screenshot by NPR

Television

'Twin Peaks' Revival Promises Weirdness And Mystery — But Is That Enough?

So much of today's high quality TV already feels like a distant homage to Twin Peaks. That may make it hard for co-creators David Lynch and Mark Frost to surprise fans with their revival.

'Twin Peaks' Revival Promises Weirdness And Mystery — But Is That Enough?

Listen · 2:27
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Tuesday

Korean Air Revises Taser Rules After Singer's Criticism

Korean Airlines announced changes to its Taser policy Tuesday. The announcement happens a week after singer Richard Marx (pictured in 2015) took the airline to task for its handling of an unruly passenger. Robb D. Cohen/Robb D. Cohen/Invision/AP hide caption

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Robb D. Cohen/Robb D. Cohen/Invision/AP

The Two-Way

Korean Air Revises Taser Rules After Singer's Criticism

The airline says crews will now have more discretion in using stun guns. Last week, 1980s pop star Richard Marx complained about a flight crew's handling of an unruly passenger.

Television

'I Never Set Out To Be An Actor,' Says 'Transparent' Star Gaby Hoffmann

Fresh Air

Hoffmann grew up in the Chelsea Hotel and appeared in Field of Dreams and other films as child. She says she initially saw acting as "a means to an end." Originally broadcast Oct. 10, 2016.

'I Never Set Out To Be An Actor,' Says 'Transparent' Star Gaby Hoffmann

Listen · 20:16
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Television

Kenya Barris On 'Black-ish' And What Kids Lose When They Grow Up With More

Fresh Air

Barris says his ABC comedy series is about "raising your kids in a different environment than you were accustomed to being raised in." Originally broadcast May 18, 2016.

Kenya Barris On 'Black-ish' And What Kids Lose When They Grow Up With More

Listen · 25:16
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Monday

At Last, Harriet Tubman Strides Onto Our Screens

Aisha Hinds (at left) will play Harriet Tubman in the second season of WGN America's Underground, alongside (left to right) Amirah Vann, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Aldis Hodge, Alano Miller and Jessica de Gouw. Courtesy of WGN America hide caption

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Courtesy of WGN America

Culture

At Last, Harriet Tubman Strides Onto Our Screens

The legendary abolitionist hasn't had a big place in popular culture. But with an upcoming movie starring Viola Davis and her appearance in the TV show Underground, that's starting to change.

At Last, Harriet Tubman Strides Onto Our Screens

Listen · 3:28
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Friday

Actress Carrie Fisher Reportedly In Stable Condition After Entering Cardiac Arrest

Carrie Fisher, seen here at the world premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015, has reportedly had a heart attack. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP hide caption

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Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

The Two-Way

Actress Carrie Fisher Reportedly In Stable Condition After Entering Cardiac Arrest

Both the Los Angeles City Fire Department and United Airlines say a passenger aboard a flight from London was unresponsive. Multiple media reports claim it was the Star Wars actress.

Following Negotiations, No Rockettes Will Be Required To Perform At Inauguration

The Radio City Rockettes with Donald Trump in 2004. The Rockettes' union announced late Friday that no dancer would be obligated to perform at the president-elect's inauguration last month. Scott Gries/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Gries/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Following Negotiations, No Rockettes Will Be Required To Perform At Inauguration

After criticism on social media, and concerns from Rockettes themselves, the dance troupe's union announced late Friday that no Rockette would be obligated to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration.

Thursday

'Elena Of Avalor' Takes The Throne As Disney's First Latina Princess

Elena of Avalor is Disney's first Latina princess. Her show features music drawn from all over Central and South America. Disney Channel/Disney Channel hide caption

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Disney Channel/Disney Channel

Television

'Elena Of Avalor' Takes The Throne As Disney's First Latina Princess

Elena Castillo Flores rules the port city of Avalor while learning about life and leadership. Her creators say they want their show to reflect the diversity of Latino cultures and experiences.

'Elena Of Avalor' Takes The Throne As Disney's First Latina Princess

Listen · 5:00
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'A Lot Going On': Critic David Bianculli Picks The Best TV Of 2016

The third season of the Netflix anthology drama, Black Mirror, featured six different stories that centered on technology. It comes in at No. 2 on David Bianculli's list of favorite TV shows in 2016. David Dettmann/Netflix hide caption

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David Dettmann/Netflix

Television

'A Lot Going On': Critic David Bianculli Picks The Best TV Of 2016

Fresh Air

Fresh Air's TV critic says that mini-series and anthology shows are expanding the types of stories that can be told on the small screen — and the benefits to the viewers "are huge."

'A Lot Going On': Critic David Bianculli Picks The Best TV Of 2016

Listen · 23:02
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Wednesday

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 2016 Favorites And Unfinished Business

Pop Culture Happy Hour's picks for 2016 include The New Yorker profile of Leslie Jones, Fleabag on Amazon, musician Mitski and HBO's Veep. Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images, Courtesy of Amazon, Ben Gabbe/Getty Images, Lacey Terrell/HBO hide caption

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Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images, Courtesy of Amazon, Ben Gabbe/Getty Images, Lacey Terrell/HBO

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 2016 Favorites And Unfinished Business

Sam Sanders joins the PCHH roundtable for a conversation about some of our favorite writing, television and movies of the year.

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 2016 Favorites And Unfinished Business

Listen · 8:00
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