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Julie Klausner: The Pop Culture Maven

Julie Klausner.
Mindy Tucker
Julie Klausner.

The constant flow of celebrity scandals, blockbuster films and reality TV shows these days can seem overwhelming — and in some cases, quite trivial. So leave it to comedian Julie Klausner to make pop culture relevant. As the media ambassador for Vulture.com, the entertainment site for New York magazine, Klausner recaps shows like The Real Housewives reality series, makes weekly videos on pop culture topics, and appears on TV to discuss what's taboo and what's worth following. She also writes for Funny or Die's Billy On The Street, a wild, unpredictable online game show. And on her weekly comedy podcast, How Was Your Week, Klausner muses about life in New York City, occasionally sings a few songs and talks about the entertainment business with the likes of Joan Rivers and Fred Armisen, to name a few.

Klausner sat down with host Ophira Eisenberg to chat about why The Real Housewives is appointment television. Klausner knows that many people think the characters don't represent women in a positive light, but she's discovered the show's merit. "I think that the values it holds up are women being loyal to each other, women being 'girls' girls,' as opposed to talking behind about people's back. ... It's about females, friendship and the social dynamics of female relationships."

While Klausner diligently keeps track of the latest trends and hottest shows, she has a soft spot in her heart for the beloved '60s band The Monkees. So in an Ask Me Another Challenge, we quiz Klausner on quirky trivia only a superfan would know, from episode plots of The Monkees television show to a hip-hop cover of one of their singles.


In the video below, Klausner challenges comedian Rob Delaney to some classic board games, like Clue and Hungry Hungry Hippos.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.