RIP ‘Euphoria’: Creator Sam Levinson Explains Why This Is The End

RIP ‘Euphoria’: Creator Sam Levinson Explains Why This Is The End

Author: The New York Times June 1, 2026 Duration: 1:16:56
Sam Levinson, the writer, director and creator of “Euphoria,” sat down with Joe and Jon to explain why he felt it was time to end HBO’s juggernaut series. With its third season in seven years, “Euphoria” concluded a thrilling, provocative and tumultuous run with a cast of the defining young actors of the 2020s: Zendaya, who won two Emmys for her portrayal of Rue, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer and more. In this wide-ranging conversation, Levinson, himself a former addict, described staying true to his vision, his approach to shooting sensitive subject matter and the limits of empathy.

Hosted by The New York Times pop music critic Jon Caramanica, Popcast digs into the conversations that define what we listen to now. This isn't just a rundown of new releases; it's a thoughtful dissection of the forces shaping popular music, from underground shifts to mainstream explosions. Each episode feels like a lively, insightful debate you'd have with the most knowledgeable friend in the room, blending sharp criticism with a genuine curiosity about where sound and culture collide. You'll hear interviews with artists, producers, and industry thinkers that go beyond the usual promotional talk, alongside regular discussions that unpack trends, controversies, and the occasional forgotten gem. The Popcast provides context and argument, offering a deeper understanding of why a song or artist resonates-or fails to-at a particular moment in time. It’s essential listening for anyone who wants to move past the playlist and into the ideas driving the music. As a production of The New York Times, this podcast brings the same level of rigor and reporting you'd expect from their journalism, applied directly to the ever-evolving world of pop.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Popcast
Podcast Episodes
‘Sinners,’ the Blues and Fighting for Artistic Control [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:59
Unpacking the Ryan Coogler movie “Sinners,” starring Michael B. Jordan, and its relationship to music, genre and gatekeeping, with guests Wesley Morris, Reggie Ugwu and James Thomas.
The Oscars’ Best (and Worst!) Music Moments [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:16
From "Wicked" to Doja Cat, how the Academy Awards incorporated music into its 97th annual ceremony on Sunday, in ways both smooth and bumpy.
RZA Interview! How He Got Wu-Tang Clan Back Together for a Final Tour [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:31
In an exclusive interview, RZA reveals that his pathbreaking New York rap group, which has rarely performed as a full unit, is hitting the road for the last time. Plus: ODB memories, quitting the Rage Against the Machine…