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Hi there. It's Linda Holmes. Before we start the show, we're marking Giving Tuesday this week. NPR

celebrates this global day of generosity every year, but we've never had a year quite like this one before.

You've probably heard by now that federal funding for public media was eliminated as of October 1st.

That means NPR is now operating without federal

support for the first time in our history, more than 50 years. It's a big change and a big

challenge, but it's one that we can overcome together. So we hope you'll take a moment to think

about what you love about Pop Culture Happy Hour. Maybe we've helped you find a new show you

love or made you think differently about the movie you just saw or kept you in good company while

you're on a walk or getting ready for work. We're so grateful to the listeners who have already

stepped up to donate like Patrick from Indiana, who says, my biggest sense of loyalty and appreciation goes to Linda, Aisha, Stephen, and Glenn at PCH. They are all the best, and I love how they have helped the show evolve in format, broadened voices, and persisted with integrity, wishing you all the fortitude to keep it going. Well, that is very touching, Patrick. You, if I may say, are the best.

Thank you so much. Thank you to everyone else who supported NPR this year. You know I'm going to say

this, but you are what's making us happy this week and every week. If you haven't yet,

please make your Giving Tuesday gift right now by signing up for NPR Plus. It's a simple recurring

donation that gets you perks to NPR's podcasts and bonus episodes of Pop Culture Happy Hour,

where you can get a peek behind the scenes of our show. Join us at plus.npr.org. Thanks again

for your support and let's get on with the show.

Every Thanks again for your support, and let's get on with the show. Every December, we like to set aside some time to talk about some of our favorite cultural moments of the year.

And this year's highlights include K-pop demon hunters, sinners, and severance.

They might be funny, moving, unforgettable.

The point is that we experienced them and we're still thinking about them.

I'm Stephen Thompson.

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