Stephen Thompson
@idislikestephen.bsky.social
NPR Music writer, yakker; Pop Culture Happy Hour and New Music Friday host; long-ago A.V. Club editor and Onion copy editor; snack-eater; dad.
https://www.npr.org/people/5244882/stephen-thompson
https://www.npr.org/people/5244882/stephen-thompson
Reposted by Stephen Thompson
Such a good show this was. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK4g...
Japanese Breakfast: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
YouTube video by NPR Music
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Such a good show this was. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK4g...
If you’d told me 35 years ago — hell, 2 days ago — that a member of Milli Vanilli would someday be nominated for a Grammy against the Dalai Lama, I’m not 100 percent sure I’d believe you
November 7, 2025 at 5:49 PM
If you’d told me 35 years ago — hell, 2 days ago — that a member of Milli Vanilli would someday be nominated for a Grammy against the Dalai Lama, I’m not 100 percent sure I’d believe you
Reposted by Stephen Thompson
It’s Public Radio Music Day. It’s a celebration of art over algorithms. It’s a celebration of discovery, diversity, and deep listening. Keep the music playing in stations across the nation.
Stand up for the NPR Network’s commitment to free, public-access music at the link here: n.pr/47jpe4d
Stand up for the NPR Network’s commitment to free, public-access music at the link here: n.pr/47jpe4d
October 29, 2025 at 1:29 PM
It’s Public Radio Music Day. It’s a celebration of art over algorithms. It’s a celebration of discovery, diversity, and deep listening. Keep the music playing in stations across the nation.
Stand up for the NPR Network’s commitment to free, public-access music at the link here: n.pr/47jpe4d
Stand up for the NPR Network’s commitment to free, public-access music at the link here: n.pr/47jpe4d
Join NPR Music+! Listen to Ann and Daoud, who are two of the smartest and nicest people I know! Support public media! Thank you!
I happen to work with two of my favorite Thinkers About Music: @annkpowers.bsky.social and @artsorority.bsky.social. Lo and behold, they have a new @npr.org podcast together!
(This episode's free. The rest will be on NPR Music+, which costs a nice cup of tea/month.)
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
(This episode's free. The rest will be on NPR Music+, which costs a nice cup of tea/month.)
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
“I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)” by Stevie Wonder : All Songs Considered
This is the first episode of a new series on All Songs Considered, hosted by NPR Music critic Ann Powers and editor Daoud Tyler-Ameen. Most of what you hear on All Songs is focused on new music, but n...
www.npr.org
October 23, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Join NPR Music+! Listen to Ann and Daoud, who are two of the smartest and nicest people I know! Support public media! Thank you!
The good news for fans of the Dallas Cowboys: Yes, the Cowboys are "one trade away from being Super Bowl contenders."
The bad news for fans of the Dallas Cowboys: That trade was for Micah Parsons.
The bad news for fans of the Dallas Cowboys: That trade was for Micah Parsons.
October 22, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The good news for fans of the Dallas Cowboys: Yes, the Cowboys are "one trade away from being Super Bowl contenders."
The bad news for fans of the Dallas Cowboys: That trade was for Micah Parsons.
The bad news for fans of the Dallas Cowboys: That trade was for Micah Parsons.
In 2024, there were almost as many Trump voters in CA (6,081,697) as in TX (6,375,376); there were more Harris voters in TX (4,806,474) than in NY (4,583,210); there were more Trump voters in NY (3,548,552) than OH (3,121,077); there were more Harris voters in OH (2,481,269) than in WA (2,245,849).
Take note of all these people turning out for protests in small towns in red states.
Remember them the next time you’re inclined to write an area off because “they voted for this.”
Remember them the next time you’re inclined to write an area off because “they voted for this.”
October 18, 2025 at 10:14 PM
In 2024, there were almost as many Trump voters in CA (6,081,697) as in TX (6,375,376); there were more Harris voters in TX (4,806,474) than in NY (4,583,210); there were more Trump voters in NY (3,548,552) than OH (3,121,077); there were more Harris voters in OH (2,481,269) than in WA (2,245,849).
Reposted by Stephen Thompson
If the taxes I pay on my writing are used to bail out an industry founded on stealing and then replacing my writing, I swear to god, I am going to do so much angry writing
OpenAI has pledged to spend $1 trillion in the next five years.
October 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
If the taxes I pay on my writing are used to bail out an industry founded on stealing and then replacing my writing, I swear to god, I am going to do so much angry writing
"Excuse me, could you tell me where I might find the Romeo Doubs-Os?"
October 12, 2025 at 9:24 PM
"Excuse me, could you tell me where I might find the Romeo Doubs-Os?"
For every 10 articles, podcasts, or news pieces I file about Taylor Swift's new album, I should be allowed to insert one (1) flagrant falsehood, such as a parenthetical explainer that "Taylor" is short for "Taylorbert"
October 7, 2025 at 9:56 PM
For every 10 articles, podcasts, or news pieces I file about Taylor Swift's new album, I should be allowed to insert one (1) flagrant falsehood, such as a parenthetical explainer that "Taylor" is short for "Taylorbert"
My brilliant colleague is a bit more bullish on The Life Of A Showgirl than I am -- we have a fun, lively discussion about it on Monday's PCHH! -- but this is a terrific, thoughtful, deeply considered review.
I always really enjoy reviewing Taylor Swift's work and try to give it a measured read. I think Swift is a serious artist deserving a serious response! So here's my Showgirl review www.npr.org/2025/10/03/n...
On 'The Life of a Showgirl,' Taylor Swift feels love's glow and the spotlight's glare
On her 12th album, the most dominant pop star of our era makes a spectacle of herself in full flower, in love and holding the music industry in the palm of her hand.
www.npr.org
October 3, 2025 at 6:57 PM
My brilliant colleague is a bit more bullish on The Life Of A Showgirl than I am -- we have a fun, lively discussion about it on Monday's PCHH! -- but this is a terrific, thoughtful, deeply considered review.
Reposted by Stephen Thompson
Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
October 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Today marks the first day in public media’s history without federal funding. And we’re not going anywhere.
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
Listeners like you keep our mission alive. Protect one of the last places where America comes together to hear itself.
Stand with us today. Donate at this link: n.pr/46wamAj
Reposted by Stephen Thompson
This is not a romance. Nobody is "in love" with apps. There are no A.I. boyfriends. You cannot "date" a chatbot. Accepting this framing and treating it as real is tech-industry propaganda. slate.com/technology/2...
She Broke Off Two Engagements. She Couldn’t Commit. Now She’s Dating Chatbots Instead.
As chatbot romance grows more common, women are redefining what they want from a partner—even if they are just ones and zeros.
slate.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
This is not a romance. Nobody is "in love" with apps. There are no A.I. boyfriends. You cannot "date" a chatbot. Accepting this framing and treating it as real is tech-industry propaganda. slate.com/technology/2...
me, fuming as I watch the Badgers rake-stomp their way to a 27-3 deficit:
I Can't Believe The TV They Make Me Watch
I cannot believe the garbage they make me watch on TV these days. Do they think we’re morons or something?
theonion.com
September 20, 2025 at 7:13 PM
me, fuming as I watch the Badgers rake-stomp their way to a 27-3 deficit:
People praise Mr. Show sketches for having modern-day relevance all the time, like when the "blow up the moon" bit went viral a few weeks ago. To me, THIS remains the show's endlessly resonant, weirdly poignant masterpiece. That closing line is me, every time I piss away an hour getting mad online.
Mr Show - I'll Marry Your Stupid Ass
YouTube video by FiveInchTaint
www.youtube.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:12 PM
People praise Mr. Show sketches for having modern-day relevance all the time, like when the "blow up the moon" bit went viral a few weeks ago. To me, THIS remains the show's endlessly resonant, weirdly poignant masterpiece. That closing line is me, every time I piss away an hour getting mad online.
Reposted by Stephen Thompson
Hi, everyone. As you probably know, NPR lost its federal funding this year. So NPR Music is trying something new to keep the music playing: Tiny Desk Donations on YouTube.
If you’ve ever enjoyed our little series that could, please consider showing your support 2day: www.youtube.com/live/Q2CW9TZ...
If you’ve ever enjoyed our little series that could, please consider showing your support 2day: www.youtube.com/live/Q2CW9TZ...
Ed Sheeran: Tiny Desk Concert
YouTube video by NPR Music
www.youtube.com
September 12, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Hi, everyone. As you probably know, NPR lost its federal funding this year. So NPR Music is trying something new to keep the music playing: Tiny Desk Donations on YouTube.
If you’ve ever enjoyed our little series that could, please consider showing your support 2day: www.youtube.com/live/Q2CW9TZ...
If you’ve ever enjoyed our little series that could, please consider showing your support 2day: www.youtube.com/live/Q2CW9TZ...
Reposted by Stephen Thompson
About this Florida vaccine story:
When they were little - 1 yr and 3 1/2 - my two older boys, who’d had all their shots, got whooping cough.
We asked their pediatrician what would’ve happened if they hadn’t been vaccinated.
“Oh, they’d have died.”
When they were little - 1 yr and 3 1/2 - my two older boys, who’d had all their shots, got whooping cough.
We asked their pediatrician what would’ve happened if they hadn’t been vaccinated.
“Oh, they’d have died.”
September 3, 2025 at 10:06 PM
About this Florida vaccine story:
When they were little - 1 yr and 3 1/2 - my two older boys, who’d had all their shots, got whooping cough.
We asked their pediatrician what would’ve happened if they hadn’t been vaccinated.
“Oh, they’d have died.”
When they were little - 1 yr and 3 1/2 - my two older boys, who’d had all their shots, got whooping cough.
We asked their pediatrician what would’ve happened if they hadn’t been vaccinated.
“Oh, they’d have died.”
I'm a fan of both the Green Bay Packers and KPop Demon Hunters. As a society, I don't think we've prepared ourselves for what a breakout season by rookie receiver Matthew Golden would mean in terms of broadcasters yelling, "He's going up, up, up!" every time the guy leaps for a pass.
Packers rookie WR Matthew Golden not feeling pressure of first-round status
Matthew Golden isn’t feeling the pressure of being the Packers’ first first-round receiver since Javon Walker in 2002. “I just feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life to get in the position I’m in ...
www.nfl.com
September 3, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I'm a fan of both the Green Bay Packers and KPop Demon Hunters. As a society, I don't think we've prepared ourselves for what a breakout season by rookie receiver Matthew Golden would mean in terms of broadcasters yelling, "He's going up, up, up!" every time the guy leaps for a pass.
Literally an Onion story brought to life, and yet not funny at all.
September 3, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Literally an Onion story brought to life, and yet not funny at all.
Sure, you could read the alt text, remember that Max Kennerly is a rascal, or otherwise deploy common sense. But the REAL red flag in this quote is that it spells Warren Buffett's last name correctly.
Increasing market turbulence last few days, if you're an investor then heed the wise words of the Oracle of Omaha. 🙏
August 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Sure, you could read the alt text, remember that Max Kennerly is a rascal, or otherwise deploy common sense. But the REAL red flag in this quote is that it spells Warren Buffett's last name correctly.
Took a lovely little beach vacation with my family last week. Thought I'd revisit my camera roll from the trip, only to discover that I'd taken precisely one (1) photo the entire time. It's of a box of donuts, which I'd documented due to the most egregious misuse of quotation marks I've ever seen.
August 18, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Took a lovely little beach vacation with my family last week. Thought I'd revisit my camera roll from the trip, only to discover that I'd taken precisely one (1) photo the entire time. It's of a box of donuts, which I'd documented due to the most egregious misuse of quotation marks I've ever seen.
Saw this post while scrolling, read the text without seeing the image, got as far as “A sitting Republican senator says he is so scared driving in DC,” and thought, “It’s gonna be Markwayne Mullin.”
A sitting Republican senator says he is so scared driving in DC that he doesn't wear a seatbelt out of fear he might get carjacked and won't be able to escape www.mediaite.com/media/tv/rep...
Republican Senator Says He Doesn’t Wear Seatbelt in D.C. Because He Fears Being Carjacked: ‘I Don’t Buckle Up’
Sen. Markwayne Mullin said he does not wear a seatbelt while driving in Washington, D.C., lest doing so prevent him from acting quickly in case he's carjacked.
www.mediaite.com
August 14, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Saw this post while scrolling, read the text without seeing the image, got as far as “A sitting Republican senator says he is so scared driving in DC,” and thought, “It’s gonna be Markwayne Mullin.”
Reposted by Stephen Thompson
Breaking: It’s still summer! And summer is roadtrip season. This wk’s All Songs Considered from @npr.org shares pro-tips and tunes to make any 10-hour drive feel like 5. ❤️🚗 w/ @idislikestephen.bsky.social @totalvibration.bsky.social
What's the perfect roadtrip playlist? : All Songs Considered
Before summer disappears, we share our favorite songs for your long and winding drives, plus a list of ground rules (does the driver always have final say?), and a breakdown of what works best when. ...
www.npr.org
August 12, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Breaking: It’s still summer! And summer is roadtrip season. This wk’s All Songs Considered from @npr.org shares pro-tips and tunes to make any 10-hour drive feel like 5. ❤️🚗 w/ @idislikestephen.bsky.social @totalvibration.bsky.social
For those not in the DC area: This is like if you got hired as a mall cop, then spent your shift cowering in the break room of the Build-A-Bear Workshop.
Drug Enforcement Administration officers patrolling the National Mall.
If you know DC you understand how tremendously goofy this is
(h/t @lorenzohall1.bsky.social)
If you know DC you understand how tremendously goofy this is
(h/t @lorenzohall1.bsky.social)
August 11, 2025 at 3:40 PM
For those not in the DC area: This is like if you got hired as a mall cop, then spent your shift cowering in the break room of the Build-A-Bear Workshop.
I've decided, with this birthday, that it's time to start obscuring my age behind subtle hints. Here, for example, is a still photo from a movie I loved as a child:
August 1, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I've decided, with this birthday, that it's time to start obscuring my age behind subtle hints. Here, for example, is a still photo from a movie I loved as a child: