All upcoming Popular Culture programs

Oxford’s golden spires have long doubled as the perfect setting for murder—at least on the page. Mystery writers from Dorothy L. Sayers to Colin Dexter have turned the city’s colleges, quads, and traditions into fertile ground for ingenious crimes and eccentric detectives. The same atmosphere has fueled beloved TV dramas like “Inspector Morse,” “Endeavour” and “Inspector Lewis.” Author Daniel Stashower dives into this rich tradition of Oxford mysteries, while actor Scott Sedar brings classic scenes to life through dramatic readings. Enjoy an evening of locked rooms, cryptic clues, and enigmatic detectives. As Lord Peter Wimsey might have said, it promises to be “a bally good time.”

Join Tim Dolan, actor and owner of Broadway Up Close tours, as he steps back to 1903 for an insider’s look at Broadway’s oldest playhouse, the historic Hudson Theatre. Along the way, discover the vibrant history that unfolded within its walls—from tales of tragedy and intrigue to unforgettable moments shaped by legendary figures in theater, music, and popular culture. Dolan brings the Hudson’s past and present vividly to life, offering a rare glimpse into one of Broadway’s most storied stages.

Sammy Davis Jr. was a prodigy in vaudeville, trailblazer in desegregating Las Vegas, and global superstar who shone in Hollywood and on Broadway. Performer and educator Aaron Reeder examines how Davis’s artistry intersected with questions of race, religion, and identity in 20th-century America and the contradictions of fame that defined his career. Reeder explores Davis’ life and legacy through rare recordings, archival images, and performance excerpts.

Costume design shapes character and story by using clothing to signal background, personality, status, and emotional tone while grounding a film’s time and place. In Hollywood’s studio era, vast wardrobe departments created glamorous, idealized looks that often influenced real-world fashion. As independent cinema grew, looks shifted toward realistic, character-driven choices. Working closely with actors and drawing on custom pieces or existing garments, designers help performers inhabit their roles, a process Nancy Friedland of Columbia University traces through American film history.

The first decade of American TV comedy—from the late 1940s to the late 1950s—produced a remarkable range of live comedy and variety shows, filmed sitcoms, and late-night talk programs. Pioneering performers and creators such as Sid Caesar, Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, and Steve Allen helped shape a new visual language of comedy that influenced television for the next 60 years. As he shares dozens of clips, media historian Brian Rose examines why this era may have produced more laughter than any other period in television history.

The titles electrified any cinema marquee: Dragstrip Riot, High School Confidential!, Hot Rod Girl, Riot in a Juvenile Prison, Teenage Rebel, High School Hellcats. It was the 1950s, and Hollywood movies could not get enough of America’s flaming, disoriented post-World War II youth. Film historian Max Alvarez takes on the role of school disciplinarian to the likes of John Cassavetes, Natalie Wood, Tony Curtis, Sal Mineo, Mamie Van Doren, Russ Tamblyn—even Jerry Lewis—in this totally “boss” multimedia lecture examining the 1950s “teen-ager” film cycle.

The anime creations of Studio Ghibli in Japan have traversed the globe since it was founded in 1985. Linda Ehrlich, who has taught Asian studies and Japanese film for several universities, focuses on the artistic and cultural influences of two of the studio’s key films: Spirited Away (Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi, 2001), directed by Miyazaki Hayao, and The Tale of Princess Kaguya (Kaguya-hime, 2013), directed by Takahata Isao. She also analyzes other Studio Ghibli films.

Few composers have made a mark on film like Ennio Morricone. He composed and arranged scores for more than 400 film and television productions, earning a reputation as a master of underscoring, deftly building psychological and emotional impact with music. Film music scholar Franco Sciannameo examines a selection of Morricone's scores to illuminate the composer’s ability to bring viewers into the cinematic narrative.

Technology and science ran amuck on screen during the 1950s as moviemakers addressed the tensions and uncertainties associated with scientific, political, and technological developments during the Truman-Eisenhower years. The world exploded, pods replaced humans, and invaders came from Mars. Film historian Max Alvarez explores out-of-this-world selections of spine-tingling sci-fi and horror films from the period.

From inventing beloved characters to crafting fantastical worlds to creating television for the whole family, Jim Henson’s creative genius was unparalleled. The Jim Henson Company Archives Director Karen Falk and biographer Brian Jay Jones explore six extraordinary objects donated by Henson’s family to the National Museum of American History. Each offers a unique window into Henson’s creativity, artistic evolution, and long-lasting cultural impact. Guided by Ryan Lintelman, entertainment curator in the Smithsonian’s Division of Culture and the Arts, the discussion weaves together biography, behind-the-scenes insights, and historical context.