Glen Weldon
Glen Weldon is a host of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast. He reviews books, movies, comics and more for the NPR Arts Desk.
Over the course of his career, he has spent time as a theater critic, a science writer, an oral historian, a writing teacher, a bookstore clerk, a PR flack, a completely inept marine biologist and a slightly better-ept competitive swimmer.
Weldon is the author of two cultural histories: Superman: The Unauthorized Biography and The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture. He has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Republic, The Atlantic, Slate, McSweeney's and more; his fiction has appeared in several anthologies and other publications. He is the recipient of an NEA Arts Journalism Fellowship, an Amtrak Writers' Residency, a Ragdale Writing Fellowship and a Pew Fellowship in the Arts for Fiction.
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Pop culture critic Glen Weldon says he can't separate the art from the artist. But in light of the sexual abuse allegations against Gaiman, he will separate himself from the author's future work. -
As Dungeons & Dragons turns 50, critic Glen Weldon looks back on playing the game in its early years — and stumbling upon the fierce, shoulder-padded illusionist that would become his first character. -
Another year, another glitter-filled spectacle known as the Eurovision Song Contest. The Grand Final airs Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET on Peacock in the United States. -
Pee-wee's creator, Paul Reubens, died Sunday of cancer. He was 70. Pee-wee was a petulant man-child and a trickster spirit, a burst of joyous id that snuck his brand of anarchy into the mainstream. -
The Malaysian-born actor made history by winning the Academy Award for best actress in a leading role for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. -
On HBO's Game of Thrones spin-off, questions around several characters' lineage turn the show into one long episode of medieval Maury. -
In the third episode of HBO's Game of Thrones prequel, Rhaenyra is bored, has to fend off a Lord, then nearly gets gored; meanwhile, a minor threat gets put to the sword. -
Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Rutherford Falls season two, Magic Mike XXL, and more. -
Director Taika Waititi goes back to the Thor: Ragnarok well for another sprawling romp starring Chris Hemsworth's pompous thunder god. The water's still thirst-quenching, but not as fresh. -
Jeremy Allen White plays a wunderkind chef who returns to his family's restaurant after a tragedy. The Bear knows exactly what it's doing, and it does it well.
