Pop Culture Happy Hour Pop Culture Happy Hour

The End of Oak Street and What’s Making Us Happy

Aug 14, 2026 · 22m

Summary

Hosts Linda Holmes and Stephen Thompson are joined by critic Bidatri D. Chaudhry to review the new film *The End of Oak Street*, praising its blend of horror, comedy, and 80s nostalgia. The trio discusses the movie's engaging runtime, effective dinosaur effects, and tonal balance. In the "What's Making Us Happy" segment, they highlight the documentary *American Doctor*, the viral raccoon Jimothy, and a fan's successful attempt at calling a Phillies game.

Topics discussed

Schwab Teen Investor ad Intro and The End of Oak Street premise Stephen's review: Engrossing 80s throwback Bidatri's take: Fun but tonal confusion Horror elements and cinematography Comparison to Jurassic Park and pacing Metaphors, 80s setting, and analog comms Critique of heavy-handed satire and humor Starbuck the dog and cast performances Ads: Dell, BetterHelp, Great Wolf, Poshmark Happy: American Doctor documentary Happy: Jimothy the raccoon Happy: Lewis Kalb calls Phillies game Outro and sponsor ads
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