What happens when fans stop talking about a show that used to be their favorite? Take American Idol, for example. Last week's finale was way down from last year's finale. It was the first time a finale did not reach the 20-million mark.

Research shows that prime-time television isn't a bad place to find portrayals of working women. Working moms and working women over 40 are another story.

Raymond Frederick Harryhausen created one of the earliest successful forms of stop motion animation. He and pioneer Willis O'Brien won an Oscar for their work on the film Mighty Joe Young. Harryhausen also created one of the most famous screen swordfights ever between Jason and a group of skeletons in Jason and the Argonauts. Harryhausen died Tuesday at the age of 92.

Subscription services — like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu Plus — attract customers with two kinds of programming. They all have a lot of movies and TV shows, but they have a few things that you can't see anywhere else. For example, the fight among video- streaming services for Downtown Abbey has been intense.

In film and TV, pop culture references are meant to give a knowing nod to those in the audience who understand the joke. But in an increasingly segmented and diverse country, those jokes may be pulling in fewer laughs. This story originally aired on Morning Edition on Jan. 18, 2013.

Broadcast TV used to have bigger stars, bigger audiences and bigger budgets. Cable shows were edgier, with more sex and violence than the broadcasters dared show. In the last few seasons, though, cable ratings have improved and broadcast shows have taken more risks. What's going on on TV?

While the quality of TVs and technology seems to be at an all-time high, the devices we use to access the living room screen are as confusing as ever. But tablets and apps offer hope of simplifying the process of finding shows to watch — and even interacting with other viewers.

Julius Genachowski announced on Friday that he will step down as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. He began his tenure with an ambitious National Broadband Plan and made broadband access for all Americans his most frequent talking point. But many say his actual accomplishments fall short of his stated goals.

"People who live in cities have become more isolated than ever," says the 71-year-old architect based in Tokyo. "I would like to use architecture to create bonds between people." Ito has designed stadiums, libraries, parks, theaters, homes and more in his four-decade career.

ABC Family has become one of the most popular cable networks with young women. Shows like Pretty Little Liars, Switched at Birth and Bunheads all take risks by catering to the desired — and discerning — demographic. But those risks have paid off for ABC Family.

In the 40 Under 40 exhibit at the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery, young artists bring modern-day technology together with old-fashioned craft techniques. Curator Nicholas Bell says it is a worldview and artistic approach "defined by the angst, the unease, the trepidation, the difficulties of the 21st century."

Stylish, exuberant and kinetic are words often associated with the late Tony Scott's movies. The director found success with energetic films that sometimes didn't gain a following until well after their commercial release.

Created in 1987, the AIDS Memorial Quilt honors the lives of more than 94,000 people who have died of AIDS. Now, it's celebrating its 25th anniversary in Washington, D.C., with portions of it displayed around the city.

For more than 50 years, "the world's oldest teenager" was one of pop culture's most familiar figures.

Fred Savage has gone from child actor to a producer and director with a new comedy on NBC. He says growing up in show business doesn't have to mean a life of crime and disaster.

The "Matriarch of the Blues" had grit in her voice that could melt like sugar or rub like salt in a wound. The great vocalist, whose turbulent life broke through in her affecting delivery, has died at age 73.

A black 17-year-old struggles with how to be in the world in a new film directed by Dee Rees. Pariah charmed audiences at the Sundance Film Festival in January — and Rees and producer Nekisa Cooper say the film has been cathartic for their own families as well.