NPR Programs: Fresh Air from WHYY

NPR Programs: Fresh Air from WHYY http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13&ft=1&f=13 This one-hour program features Terry Gross' in-depth interviews with prominent cultural and entertainment figures, as well as distinguished experts on current affairs and news. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Fresh Air from WHYY http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13&ft=1&f=13 Larry David's Dysfunctional Family Reunion The seventh season finale of <em>Curb Your Enthusiasm</em> capped a year-long storyline about Larry finally agreeing to a produce a reunion episode of <em>Seinfeld</em> which he co-created with Jerry Seinfeld. TV critic David Bianculli explains how both programs — the show and the show within the show — were a comedic coup and a perfect end to the season. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120695386&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120695386&ft=1&f=13 The seventh season finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm capped a year-long storyline about Larry finally agreeing to a produce a reunion episode of Seinfeld which he co-created with Jerry Seinfeld. TV critic David Bianculli explains how both programs — the show and the show within the show — were a comedic coup and a perfect end to the season.

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]]> Wes Anderson Covers New Ground With 'Mr. Fox' Director Wes Anderson has worked on a lot of film projects, but with his latest film, <em>Fantastic Mr. Fox,</em> he ventured into new territory: animation. Anderson says that making a stop-motion picture is the most involved filmmaking he's ever done, but he also says that the process has "a sort of magic." Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:07:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120682083&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120682083&ft=1&f=13 Director Wes Anderson has worked on a lot of film projects, but with his latest film, Fantastic Mr. Fox, he ventured into new territory: animation. Anderson says that making a stop-motion picture is the most involved filmmaking he's ever done, but he also says that the process has "a sort of magic."

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]]> A 'New Moon' Destined For A Quick Eclipse Stephenie Meyers' four-novel <em>Twilight</em> saga set off a rage for lovelorn teen vampires -—one that only escalated after the release of the first hit movie. The second film, N<em>ew Moon, </em>set box-office records for advance sales, but critic David Edelstein says it's too turgid for the excitement to last. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:28:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613720&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613720&ft=1&f=13 Stephenie Meyers' four-novel Twilight saga set off a rage for lovelorn teen vampires -—one that only escalated after the release of the first hit movie. The second film, New Moon, set box-office records for advance sales, but critic David Edelstein says it's too turgid for the excitement to last.

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]]> Judd Apatow On The Alchemy Of 'Funny People' Judd Apatow, known for films like <em>The 40 Year Old Virgin</em> and <em>Knocked Up</em>, was the guiding force behind the comedy <em>Funny People,</em> out now on DVD. The movie focuses on a comedian (Adam Sandler) who reassesses his life after a dire medical diagnosis. Apatow, a former comic himself, talks about why he made the movie — and what he finds funny. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:53:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120608834&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120608834&ft=1&f=13 Judd Apatow, known for films like The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, was the guiding force behind the comedy Funny People, out now on DVD. The movie focuses on a comedian (Adam Sandler) who reassesses his life after a dire medical diagnosis. Apatow, a former comic himself, talks about why he made the movie — and what he finds funny.

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]]> Judith Fox Turns A Close-Up Lens On Alzheimer's Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120568216&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120568216&ft=1&f=13

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]]> After Obama Visit, Assessing U.S.-China Relations China expert Orville Schell explains to host Terry Gross how the fates of the United States and China are connected, and how the protectionist policies of the past are no longer viable. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120566969&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120566969&ft=1&f=13 China expert Orville Schell explains to host Terry Gross how the fates of the United States and China are connected, and how the protectionist policies of the past are no longer viable.

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]]> Celebrating The Johnny Mercer Centennial Lyricist and composer Johnny Mercer — born Nov. 18, 1909 — wrote or co-wrote more than 1,000 songs, including American Songbook standards like "Skylark," "That Old Black Magic" and "Come Rain or Come Shine." His Academy Awards tally includes a statue for what's possibly his most famous tune, "Moon River." <em>Fresh Air</em> marks the anniversary of his birth with an in-studio concert starring Rebecca Kilgore and Dave Frishberg. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:04:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120535469&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120535469&ft=1&f=13 Lyricist and composer Johnny Mercer — born Nov. 18, 1909 — wrote or co-wrote more than 1,000 songs, including American Songbook standards like "Skylark," "That Old Black Magic" and "Come Rain or Come Shine." His Academy Awards tally includes a statue for what's possibly his most famous tune, "Moon River." Fresh Air marks the anniversary of his birth with an in-studio concert starring Rebecca Kilgore and Dave Frishberg.

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]]> Sacha Baron Cohen And Larry Charles Talk 'Bruno' When Sacha Baron Cohen grants an interview, it's usually in character — as Borat, the clueless faux-Kazakh journalist; or as Bruno, the outrageously shallow, ostentatiously gay Austrian fashionista at the center of Cohen's most recent film. Today, though, Cohen joins <em>Fresh Air</em> as himself, for a conversation with Terry Gross and <em>Bruno</em> director Larry Charles. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:59:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120464037&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120464037&ft=1&f=13 When Sacha Baron Cohen grants an interview, it's usually in character — as Borat, the clueless faux-Kazakh journalist; or as Bruno, the outrageously shallow, ostentatiously gay Austrian fashionista at the center of Cohen's most recent film. Today, though, Cohen joins Fresh Air as himself, for a conversation with Terry Gross and Bruno director Larry Charles.

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]]> Geoffrey Nunberg: 'The I's Don't Have It' Counting words has become a popular new device in assessing political speech. The number of first-person singular pronouns in a speech can turn a modest public figure into a pompous politician. Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg suggests that counting words isn't very revealing unless we consider their context as well. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:19:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120496369&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120496369&ft=1&f=13 Counting words has become a popular new device in assessing political speech. The number of first-person singular pronouns in a speech can turn a modest public figure into a pompous politician. Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg suggests that counting words isn't very revealing unless we consider their context as well.

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]]> Joshua Kosman, Predicting The Next Credit Crisis In a new book, journalist Joshua Kosman predicts a coming credit crisis, and assigns blame to private equity firms. While such firms make a fast profit from buying companies, improving them and reselling them, the companies take on the debt incurred from the purchase, leaving them in danger of financial collapse. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:26:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120391729&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120391729&ft=1&f=13 In a new book, journalist Joshua Kosman predicts a coming credit crisis, and assigns blame to private equity firms. While such firms make a fast profit from buying companies, improving them and reselling them, the companies take on the debt incurred from the purchase, leaving them in danger of financial collapse.

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]]> Woody Harrelson, Part 2: When War Comes Home This month Woody Harrelson stars plays Capt. Tony Stone in a new movie about the costs of war. His character notifies the families of fallen soldiers. Harrelson's performance is already generating Oscar chatter. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:30:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120391848&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120391848&ft=1&f=13 This month Woody Harrelson stars plays Capt. Tony Stone in a new movie about the costs of war. His character notifies the families of fallen soldiers. Harrelson's performance is already generating Oscar chatter.

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]]> Cinematographer Gordon Willis, Setting the Scene The Academy Awards aren't until February, but cinematographer Gordon Willis is receiving his honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement award this fall. Willis is the visual mastermind behind classic films like <em>Annie Hall, The Godfather,</em> and <em>Pennies From Heaven.</em> We tip the hat in his direction with a rebroadcast of a 2002 conversation about his life behind the lens. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120386781&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120386781&ft=1&f=13 The Academy Awards aren't until February, but cinematographer Gordon Willis is receiving his honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement award this fall. Willis is the visual mastermind behind classic films like Annie Hall, The Godfather, and Pennies From Heaven. We tip the hat in his direction with a rebroadcast of a 2002 conversation about his life behind the lens.

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]]> With Its Limp Remake, AMC Breaks 'The Prisoner' AMC's newest miniseries is an ill-advised attempt at a reboot of the cult-hit '60s spy series: A man known as Six (Jim Caviezel) finds himself trapped in a strange desert village, dogged by a mysterious watcher (Ian McKellen's elusive Two). Critic David Bianculli says that despite McKellen's captivating performance, the remake has none of the curious genius of the original. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:02:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120383344&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120383344&ft=1&f=13 AMC's newest miniseries is an ill-advised attempt at a reboot of the cult-hit '60s spy series: A man known as Six (Jim Caviezel) finds himself trapped in a strange desert village, dogged by a mysterious watcher (Ian McKellen's elusive Two). Critic David Bianculli says that despite McKellen's captivating performance, the remake has none of the curious genius of the original.

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]]> Between Albums, Rivers Cuomo Digs Up Solo Work Since Weezer's debut in 1994, the band has released six more albums, gone through a re-organization, and earned a devoted following. Their new album is called <em>Raditude.</em> Last year, Rivers Cuomo, Weezer's lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter, released two solo CDs of songs that didn't make it onto the band's albums. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:29:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120380079&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120380079&ft=1&f=13 Since Weezer's debut in 1994, the band has released six more albums, gone through a re-organization, and earned a devoted following. Their new album is called Raditude. Last year, Rivers Cuomo, Weezer's lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter, released two solo CDs of songs that didn't make it onto the band's albums.

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]]> The (Surprisingly) Real Feel of 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' Director Wes Anderson's first animated film is based on Roald Dahl's cheerfully wicked children's book about a wily fox who wages war on three farmers. Critic David Edelstein says the film — with its stop-motion animation, big-name voice talent and quirky mannerisms — achieves a degree of realism that isn't always apparent in the cult director's work. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:18:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120348665&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120348665&ft=1&f=13 Director Wes Anderson's first animated film is based on Roald Dahl's cheerfully wicked children's book about a wily fox who wages war on three farmers. Critic David Edelstein says the film — with its stop-motion animation, big-name voice talent and quirky mannerisms — achieves a degree of realism that isn't always apparent in the cult director's work.

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