Pop Culture Happy Hour

This week on Culturetopia: We remember the life of American Splendor comic writer Harvey Pekar; Leonardo DiCaprio discusses finding a way through the multi-layered dream worlds of Inception; Scottish-born Gavin Bain recalls his double life as an American rapper in 'California Schemin' and Live Nation stumbles over summer concert sales.

This week on Culturetopia: Steve Carrel on 'Despicable Me' and why he's leaving The Office; a look at Harper Lee's classic 'To Kill A Mockingbird' 50 years later; a new novel 'The Madonnas of Echo Park' depicts the enigmatic neighborhood; and James Taylor and Carol King reunite for a tour and a new live album.

The erudite Jay Smooth and the inimitable Maura Johnston examine the so-called "comeback" of Kanye West, with his latest release, 'Power.' What's a comeback these days anyway?

This week on Culturetopia: Filmmakers learn 3D technology; Queen Latifah on new book 'Put On Your Crown;' The Mozart Effect reconsidered; Sheperdstown, VA becomes supportive center for playwrights; Rapper Oddisee on the suburbs.

On this week's "Pop Off," a special edition of Culturetopia, bloggers Jay Smooth and Maura Johnston take on whether there's a there there in the ubiquitous Lady Gaga.

This Week in Culturetopia: Interviews with musicians Mark Mothersbough, ?uestlove and Lauryn Hill; the new documentary "Restrepo," what Tom Cruise means to Hollywood today.

This week on Culturetopia: Sandy Denny on "50 Great Voices;" M.J. Rose; mumblecore goes mainstream; the fate of an extraordinary collection of Polaroids; the new movie "John Rabe."

This week on Culturetopia: Bravo's new art-world reality show; Tim Conway; Broadway understudies speak out; Mayer Hawthorne's iPod; House's health care costs; Joan Rivers vs. The A-Team

This week on Culturetopia: A review of the latest summer buddy comedy from the Apatow gang 'Get Him To The Greek;' Robert Duvall discusses the art of acting; Daily Show correspondent Samantha Bee on reporting from the 2008 RNC; guitarist and bandleader Kevin Eubanks on leaving The Tonight Show and classical cellist Zuill Bailey plays the music of J.S. Bach.

This week on Culturetopia: Remembering the dramatic life of actor Dennis Hopper; Shock value in music; Motown hits translated; Walking on Sunshine revisited; and Tejano singer, the "Lark of the Border" Lydia Mendoza.

Bollywood meets telenovela, the last Lost, Sex and the City movie and Irish identity.

Eminem exemplifies the post-rebellion phase of hip-hop. He's in good company, with Jay-Z as product placement in Sex and the City 2 and bad rap being used to sell minivans.

This week on Culturetopia: Keith Richards and Mick Jagger reflect on their raw rock and roll classic 'Exile on Main Street;' actors with disabilities on the TV series 'Glee;' the history of the Vocoder; author Brad Meltzer on real life heroes; and remembering the legacy of singer Lena Horne.

will.i.am takes the crooning R&B sound of Usher and turns him into another Black Eyed Pea-- and scores another chart topping hit with "OMG".

This week on Culturetopia: Annette Benning on secrets her characters carry; Lisa Kudrow's new online-only comedy; Chely Wright comes out; the return of Tracey Thorne; a London theatrical sesation about horses comes to New York; the contents of Wyclef Jean's iPod.