MEMETERIA by Thomas May

Arts & Culture Stories from NPR

• Composer John Williams and cellist Yo-Yo Ma bring together 'A Gathering of Friends'
  On a new album, the classical stars revisit the concerto Williams composed specifically for Ma, as well as some of Williams' most affecting film scores.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters receives a $122.6 million donation to mentor kids
  Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott continues her charity drive with a $122.6 million donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the group's largest gift ever from an individual.
• Overwhelmed with TV options? Here's a few series you may have overlooked
  Candy, Under the Banner of Heaven, I Love That For You and Made for Love are all on our TV critic's list.
• A burn-proof edition of 'The Handmaid's Tale' goes up for auction
  Organizers say proceeds from the auction will be donated to PEN, which advocates for free expression around the world.
• The designer of the X-wing and other iconic 'Star Wars' ships has died
  Colin Cantwell worked on other films including 2001: A Space Odyssey and WarGames. He was 90.
• In major video game company first, Activision Blizzard employees are joining a union
  A subset of staff at the massive video game company Activision Blizzard voted to join the Communication Workers of America. The vote comes as Activision Blizzard is being purchased by Microsoft.
• Novelist Emma Straub asks life's big questions in 'This Time Tomorrow'
  Straub's new novel is a time-travel fantasy about a 40-year-old woman who's tending to her ailing father — until, that is, the day she's transported to her childhood home on her 16th birthday.
• On social media, Johnny Depp is winning public sympathy over Amber Heard
  On TikTok, #IStandWithAmberHeard has garnered about 8.2 million views, while #JusticeForJohnnyDepp has earned about 15 billion views. A sociologist offers her views on the reasons why.
• 'Top Gun: Maverick' is ridiculous. It's also ridiculously entertaining
  Tom Cruise was in his early 20s when he first played the cocky young Navy pilot with the need for speed. Now, 36 years later, he's back — and Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is as insubordinate as ever.
• Liev Schreiber's family ties to Ukraine push him to help its people
  The actor speaks with NPR's Michel Martin about BlueCheck Ukraine, an aid network he co-founded, as well as his relationship with his grandfather.