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Friday, January 25, 2013

Television

Tina Fey: '30 Rock' Star And Creator Moves On

"I was worried about being the mouthpiece for anyone and being politicized personally," Tina Fey says about playing Sarah Palin on Saturday Night Live. "It ended up being a lot of fun, but it did permanently politicize me in a way."

January 25, 2013 The writer, actress and comedian has helmed the hit NBC show — which will have its series finale on January 31 — for seven seasons, during which time she's had two kids, been in a few movies and written a memoir called Bossypants.

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On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Television

Alec Baldwin Bids Goodbye To Jack Donaghy

Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin appeared in one of several parodies in one of 30 Rock's live episodes.

January 25, 2013 As 30 Rock wraps up its seven-season run on NBC, the star talks about why he chose to take on the role of Jack Donaghy in the first place and about looking to NBC bigwig Lorne Michaels for inspiration in creating the character.

Transcript

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Television

Tracy Morgan: '30 Rock' Let Him Be Himself

Tracy Morgan

January 25, 2013 As the series prepares for its finale, the comedian talks about how Tina Fey created the character of Tracy Jordan specifically for Morgan and how she allowed him "to fly over the cuckoo nest once a week."

Transcript

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Television

Tina Fey: Sarah Palin And 'Saturday Night' Satire

Tina Fey won an Emmy Award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her role as Liz Lemon on 30 Rock.

January 25, 2013 Fey's impersonation of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin helped draw record audiences to Saturday Night Live in the fall of 2008. The former head writer for SNL opens up about politics, satire and her Emmy Award-winning sitcom, 30 Rock, which will have its series finale on January 31.

Transcript

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Monkey See

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Nerd Culture And The Return Of Regrettable TV

A drawing of two clinking martini glasses.

January 25, 2013 On this week's show, we borrow from a great essay about nerd culture and autism and bring back one of our favorite semi-regular segments.

Summary

ListenPlaylist

Television

Lives Of Praise, Lives In Progress On 'The Sisterhood'

The new TLC show The Sisterhood follows the lives of five preachers' wives in Atlanta.

January 25, 2013 The Sisterhood is a new reality show about the lives and struggles of five Atlanta-area preachers' wives. The show has been likened to the Real Housewives franchise and has drawn criticism for its warts-and-all portrayal of the women. But they say they felt called by God to participate.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

Thursday, January 24, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Asia

'Friends' Will Be There For You At Beijing's Central Perk

Customers chat at a Beijing cafe modeled after the Central Perk cafe in the hit American sitcom Friends, in 2010. Nearly a decade after the series ended, the popularity of Friends continues among young Chinese, who use the show as a language-learning tool and enjoy its depiction of young Americans.

January 23, 2013 A Chinese man in Beijing has set up a cafe identical to the New York hangout on the hit TV show. For owner Du Xin, Friends is "like a religion" — and he's not the only one. He's opened a second Central Perk in Shanghai, capitalizing on the Chinese fondness for the six friends and their laid-back, freewheeling lives.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Television

Jimmy Kimmel: Making Late Night A Family Affair

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel interviews Mel Brooks on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

January 23, 2013 This month, the late-night talk-show host sets up camp in the 11:35 p.m. slot, which puts him head-to-head with Jay Leno and Kimmel's idol, David Letterman. Kimmel has put a personal mark on his show by bringing in his family to help him make it happen.

Transcript

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013

Monkey See

The Inaugural Ball: Thousands Of Dresses Searching For An Experience

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama attend an inaugural ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Monday night.

January 21, 2013 The inaugural ball is sort of a strange event — it's not really fancy, but everyone treats it like it is. People are determined to have the experience be special, even if the surroundings aren't.

Summary

The Two-Way

When It Comes To Inaugural Fashion, First Family Stays The Course

First lady Michelle Obama arrives at the Senate carriage entrance for the presidential inauguration ceremonies at the U.S Capitol.

January 21, 2013 The first lady is well known for her wardrobe choices, and for the inauguration, Michelle Obama showed off her ability to make multiple style statements during a single day.

Summary

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Monkey See

Our Royalty: Bangs Aren't All Michelle Obama And Kate Middleton Have In Common

First lady Michelle Obama waves after addressing the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 4.

January 20, 2013 Michelle Obama's bangs recently caused a stir, and so did Kate Middleton's. But surprisingly enough, some of the conflicting, complex expectations of first ladies aren't all that different from those of modern royalty.

Summary

Friday, January 18, 2013

Monkey See

I've Heard That Somewhere: 'Glee' Covers 'Baby Got Back,' And It Sounds ... Familiar

The cast of Glee, which is in its fourth season on Fox.

January 18, 2013 Glee is taking a lot of heat for repurposing a cover version of "Baby Got Back" without crediting the arranger. In a social media world, it's the kind of move that has extra risks.

Summary

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Arts & Life

The theatrical union is strong and healthy, but operates in an ever-shifting showbiz landscape.

Equity At 100: More Than Just A Broadway Baby

The theatrical union is strong and healthy, but operates in an ever-shifting showbiz landscape.

History professor Tracy Campbell describes the controversies and costs behind a St. Louis monument.

Gateway Arch 'Biography' Reveals Complex History Of An American Icon

History professor Tracy Campbell describes the controversies and costs behind a St. Louis monument.

The contentious creatures were allowed in the 100-year-old Chelsea Flower Show for the first time.

Gnomes Crash Distinguished Garden Show In England

The contentious creatures were allowed in the 100-year-old Chelsea Flower Show for the first time.

It's the "only male-dominated appliance in America," says a researcher who crunched the numbers.

Gals Who Grill: What Will It Take For Women To Man The Q?

It's the "only male-dominated appliance in America," says a researcher who crunched the numbers.

The Emmy award-winning reporter answers three questions about men's-only clubs.

NFL Sideline Reporter Michele Tafoya Plays Not My Job

The Emmy award-winning reporter answers three questions about men's-only clubs.

Sam Bompas and Harry Parr have made names for themselves with experimental food installations.

Meet London's Master Architects In Jell-0

Sam Bompas and Harry Parr have made names for themselves with experimental food installations.

Pilot Patrick Smith explores why you have to turn your cellphone off and myths about autopilot.

Prepare For Takeoff With 'Cockpit Confidential'

Pilot Patrick Smith explores why you have to turn your cellphone off and myths about autopilot.

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