Pop Culture Happy Hour

This week on Culturetopia: A look at the new music video game 'DJ Hero;' Cornell West muses on hip hop and rap and and interview with acclaimed cinematographer Roger Deakins about lighting, CGI and the art of the happy accident. Plus a review of the Michael Jackson concert film 'This Is It' and bassist and singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello talks about her distinctive musical style.

We hear first about the fact that musicians 'hear' better than other people. Then a not-so-typical Tracy Morgan interview from Fresh Air. We check in on an interview with Lenny Kravitz about the development of his unique sound on the 20th anniversary of his album, 'Let Love Rule.' Finally , the worldwide influence of soap operas, and RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan talks about his new book.

We hear first about the fact that musicians 'hear' better than other people. Then a not-so-typical Tracy Morgan interview from Fresh Air. We check in on an interview with Lenny Kravitz about the development of his unique sound on the 20th anniversary of his album, 'Let Love Rule.' Finally , the worldwide influence of soap operas, and RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan talks about his new book.

This week in Culturetopia: Bun B muses on early Southern rap; Julie Andrews discusses her contributions to children's literature; Dave Eggers on pleasing Maurice Sendak in 'Wild Things'; the meaning of "modern" on Project Runway; belly dancing in China.

This week in Culturetopia: Jane Lynch of the Fox TV musical comedy Glee; a new British soccer film "The Damned United;" musician Brother Ali; a new book about the nation's demographically whitest towns; Johnny Cash's daughter Roseanne sings out; the death of a legendary hot dog purveyor.

NPR's best arts stories this week include: David Byrne on the joys of bicycle riding; roller girls whoop it up during "Whip It;" a new character joins Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood; Oprah Winfrey on "Precious;" the latest Broadway production by last year's Pulitzer Prize winning playwright.

This week in Culturetopia: Aziz Ansari of NBC' comedy Parks and Rec, Juliet Binoche's kaleidoscope of talents, Orson Scott Card on graphic novels, why Forrest Whitaker produced an HBO documentary about Newark's city government, Craig Ferguson discusses his American citizenship; also James Ellroy and Michael Moore.

This week in Culturetopia: Matt Damon chats with director Steven Soderbergh about The Informant; the not-so-Horrible career of Neil Patrick Harris and comic Joey Medina explains how to draw on one's ethnic heritage to push the boundaries of stereotypical humor.

This week in Culturetopia: a Broadway star gets Glee-ful on Fox; the secret poet of the Tampa Bay ballpark; how Disney collaborated with the US government during World War Two; a review of Jay-Z's latest album; and Deborah Tannen explains the dynamics of sisterly relationships.

This week in Culturetopia: the new dolphin doc The Cove; musician Imogen Heap; music for monkeys; LA's comedy scene of the 1970s and a violent book for teenagers about reality shows of the future.

This week in Culturetopia: the life and work of classic 1960s pop songwriter Ellie Greenwich, District 9's political subtext, The Nortec Collective mix up music in Tijuana, the sad demise of PBS's Reading Rainbow, the guilty pleasure of Jaws, and making The September Issue - Vogue Magazine's and the new documentary about it.

This week's sampler of the best arts and culture stories on NPR include interviews with 'Inglourious Basterds' director Quentin Tarantino, comedian Patton Oswalt and writer-director Robert Siegel on their upcoming movie 'Big Fan' and John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful talks about his favorite summer song. Plus Archie gets married.

This week on Culturetopia: We remember the legendary guitarist and musical innovator Les Paul and hear a performance from duo Sam and Ruby. Then, critic Kenneth Turan reviews the new Hayao Miyazaki animated film 'Ponyo,' and we hear about a new fantasy novel from author Lev Grossman called 'The Magicians.' And finally NPR's music librarian remembers his time at Woodstock.

This week: Nora Ephron on writing and directing the new film Julie And Julie, a profile of a socially committed Senegalese rap pioneer, and a truly hilarious look back at a British TV series on acting from the 1980s, which featured a bunch of unknown thespians who are some of today's biggest stars. Now it's been released on DVD, giving you the perfect present for the Patrick Stewart fan in your life. You'll also hear a poignant interview with one of hip hop's first superstars, Kurtis Blow, on the occasion of his 50th birthday, and listen to professional ghostwriters expound upon the pleasures and perils of their profession. "I did anything," one says," to put ramen noodles in my bowl and a roof over my head."

Writers, writers and accents on the podcasct this week!