All throughout December, Criterion Channel subscribers can stream their new series "Black Debutantes: First Features by Black Women Directors." The series features films such as "Eve's Bayou," "Daughters of the Dust," "Just Another Girl on the I.R.T," and more. Rógan Graham, programmer and film critic, and Ashely Clark, curatorial director at the Criterion Collection, discuss the series.

From "The Shining" to "Lost in Translation," so many great films have been set in hotels. And all throughout December, you can stream many of those films on the Criterion Channel, as part of their series "Hotels on Film." Aliza Ma, head of programming for the Criterion Channel, discusses the series, and listeners share their favorite movies set in a hotel.

Recently, "The Beatles Anthology" documentary series has been remastered and updated with a new episode for Disney Plus, and includes a new companion album of 191 songs. Rolling Stone contributing editor Rob Sheffield joins us to discuss the project, and also field calls from listeners looking to settle the age-old debate: which Beatles album is the best?

The penny is no more! As we look back at the history of the penny, economist and author David McWilliams provides some context, and examines the history of currency more broadly. He is the author of the new book, The History of Money: A Story of Humanity. Plus, listeners call in with their questions about money throughout the ages.

Golden Globe nominations were announced on Monday, and Kyle Buchanan, awards season columnist for The New York Times, discusses all the snubs and surprises from the world of film and television, and previews some of the other events and honors from awards season.

Jay Som is the solo project of singer-songwriter, producer, and engineer Melina Duterte. In the six years since her last solo record, she's worked with a number of different artists, including most notably boygenius; her work on their album earned her Grammy nominations for Album of the Year and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, plus a win for Best Alternative Music Album. Now, as Jay Som, she's released Belong, an album that boasts contributions from friends she's made in those years, including Hayley Williams. She and her band perform live in our studio.

In his new podcast "David Greene is Obsessed," former Morning Edition host David Greene speaks with guests about their obsessions, from a collector who has more than 13,000 Barbies to David Arquette's fascination with Bozo the Clown. Greene discusses the show, and takes calls from listeners who want to share their obsessions.

The third film in the Knives Out series is called "Wake Up Dead Man," in which Daniel Craig returns to the role of detective Benoit Blanc, trying to solve a Good Friday murder at a Catholic parish in upstate New York. The series' writer and director Rian Johnson talks about the latest installment of his series, which is available to stream on Netflix now.  

[REBROADCAST FROM Nov. 13, 2025] Actors Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, one-time co-stars in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure," have reunited on stage in Jamie Lloyd's production of "Waiting for Godot" on Broadway. They discuss the show, which is running now through January 4.

A new piece in T Magazine argues that Gen X has had some of the greatest contributions to American culture in history. Writer Amanda Fortini discusses her article, "Is Gen X Actually the Greatest Generation?" Plus, listeners share their favorite Gen X cultural contributions.