SMART LIST: Pop culture talking points (Aug. 31-Sept. 6)

“The Fly the Opera” hits L.A. next month. Ger ready by talking about: The 1986 sci-fi masterpiece.

Director David Cronenberg and the opera’s composer, Howard Shore, will conduct a Q&A before screening a shiny new print of Cronenberg’s cult classic at the ArcLight Hollywood. Will the opera be as gloriously gory as the movie? There is no doubt. (Wednesday)  (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

Does anyone really want to talk about: The final goodbye on “The Shield”?

Not I. Not so soon after “The Wire” was ripped from my life. And how is it possible that “The Shield” is embarking on its final episodes when it seems like the Vic-vs.-Shane story is just getting started? I get the sense that our antihero Vic is going to get his comeuppance, either way. Rest assured, it won’t be a fade-to-black ending. (Tuesday)  (Prashant Gupta / Associated Press)

September is blast-from-the-past month (continued). Some are already talking about: The return of Zack Morris

Never say die, Bayside! Steven Bochco meets Mark Paul Gosselaar in the new courtroom drama “Raising the Bar.” Gosselaar’s long locks are intriguing, if nothing else. (Monday)  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)