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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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. -
Peacock will stream the 66th Eurovision Song Contest live on Saturday, May 14th. Here's a highly opinionated guide to keep handy as you watch 25 countries vying for gleefully over-the-top glory. -
A new trailer confirmed that Eternals will feature Phastos, a gay character played by Brian Tyree Henry, who's married with a kid. Never heard of him? You're not alone. -
After taking a year off, the Eurovision Song Contest is back, and for the first time a major streaming service — Peacock — is carrying it live in the U.S. Here's what to look for. -
The streaming service "designed specifically for your phone" launches with 50 shows — and over 100 more on the way. Here are our highlights from the opening batch.
