Recent Interviews

Movie Interviews

Going In '50/50' On A Cancer Comedy, With Laughs

In 50/50, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Adam, a public radio host stricken with cancer who enlists his best friend, played by Seth Rogen, for moral and physical support.

February 3, 2012 Screenwriter Will Reiser coped with his cancer diagnosis by thinking up ideas for cancer comedy movies with his best friend, actor Seth Rogen. Rogen and actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt now star in a film based on Reiser's life. Both Gordon-Levitt and Reiser join Fresh Air for a conversation about the film.

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Energy

Clean-Tech Industry Facing Lean Times After Solyndra

President Obama tours the headquarters of the Solyndra solar panel company in Freemont, Calif., on May 26, 2010.The company declared bankruptcy in August 2011.

February 2, 2012 The once-booming clean-tech industry is facing hard times, in part because of cheaper natural gas, the effects of the financial crisis, China's growing solar industry and the Solyndra bankruptcy. Reporter Juliet Eilperin, who covers the industry's struggles in Wired's February issue, explains.

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Television

The Producers Behind NBC's Musical 'Smash'

Ivy Lynn (played by Megan Hilty) is one of two actresses vying for the coveted lead role in Smash, which premieres Monday on NBC.

February 2, 2012 Producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan take us inside the world of Smash, the new NBC musical drama about the people putting together a Broadway musical.

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Author Interviews

Baratunde Thurston Explains 'How To Be Black'

Baratunde Thurston is an American comedian and the digital director of The Onion. He co-founded the black political blog Jack & Jill Politics. He is also a prolific tweeter.

February 1, 2012 From the comedian and digital director of The Onion, a satirical self-help book for anyone who has a black friend, wants to be the next black president or speak for the black community.

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Music Interviews

Ira Glass Interviews His Cousin, Composer Philip Glass

Glass on Glass: Philip Glass (left) and Ira Glass are second cousins.

January 31, 2012 It's no coincidence that composer Philip Glass and This American Life host Ira Glass have the same last name: They're second cousins. On today's Fresh Air, we replay excerpts from an onstage conversation between Ira and Philip in honor of the latter's 75th birthday.

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Recent Reviews And Commentaries

Music Reviews

Lana Del Rey: The Self-Made Pop Star As Target

Lana Del Ray

February 2, 2012 Rock critic Ken Tucker says questions of identity and authenticity have come to dominate heated discussions of the singer-songwriter's music.

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Book Reviews

Fired And Foreclosed: Unemployment Lit

stock image

February 2, 2012 Unlike the Great Depression, our current recession hasn't yet produced much memorable literature, but book critic Maureen Corrigan says that situation, like the economy, seems to be changing.

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Music Reviews

Leonard Cohen's 'Old Ideas' Inspire Confidence

Leonard Cohen.

January 31, 2012 Now in his late 70s, the singer-songwriter has just released a new album, his first collection of new material in eight years, titled Old Ideas. Rock critic Ken Tucker says these Cohen songs work as both pop music and as prayers.

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Book Reviews

'An Available Man': Love After Loss

cover detail

January 30, 2012 Hilma Wolitzer's finely observed comedy of manners follows the romantic misadventures of recently widowed 62-year-old Edward Schuyler as he re-enters the dating pool with a splash.

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Television

HBO's 'Luck': A Winning TV Show, Set At The Track

Nick Nolte plays a horse owner who spent most of his career working as a horse trainer in Luck.

January 27, 2012 HBO's newest series Luck is set in and around the world of horse racing. TV critic David Bianculli says the series, which stars Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte, is loaded with thoroughbred talent.

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Interviews By Topic

Program Archive

View Archive

fresh air people

Contact the Show

Send us your comments, questions, and suggestions.

Contact Us >

Podcast + RSS Feeds

Podcast RSS

  • NPR: Movies
     
  • NPR: Story of the Day
     
  • Fresh Air from WHYY
     
 
 
Fresh Air Facebook Promo

NPR thanks our sponsors

Become an NPR Sponsor

podcast

Fresh Air Podcast

Fresh Air Podcast

Download Fresh Air as a podcast and listen on your own schedule.

Subscribe