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Sunday, March 24, 2013

The Picture Show

Drawing Artistic Inspiration From C-SPAN's Talking Heads

(Left to right) Sketches of Henry Kissinger, Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama

March 24, 2013 Michael McCutcheon draws sketches of C-SPAN's morning guests and posts them on his website. The 73-year-old retiree says he isn't particularly interested in the guests, but simply does it to occupy his morning hours.

Transcript

On Weekend Edition SundayPlaylist

Friday, March 22, 2013

The Two-Way

HBO: Programming Could Be Sold Directly Through Internet Providers

HBO chief Richard Plepler speaks in New York at a 2011 screening.

March 22, 2013 The television network's CEO, Richard Plepler, says the company is mulling over a move that could end-run the cable companies.

Summary

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The Two-Way

'Tonight Show' Reportedly Moving To New York In 2014 With Fallon As Host

Jimmy Fallon, right, and Jay Leno at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills.

March 21, 2013 Jimmy Fallon is on track to replace Jay Leno as host of The Tonight Show on NBC in 2014, according to reports in The New York Times and The Hollywood Reporter.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Monkey See

Here We Go Again: Leno, Fallon, And Why The Late-Night Wars Are So Boring

Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon pose in the press room during the Golden Globe Awards in January.

March 21, 2013 At this point, it takes heroic effort to care about the possible future handoff of Tonight, even if you have strong feelings about whether you like Jay, Dave, Jimmy, other Jimmy, or Craig.

Summary

You Can't Trust HBO's 'Phil Spector,' But You Can Enjoy It

Helen Mirren and Al Pacino star in the new HBO film Phil Spector, which was written and directed by David Mamet.

March 21, 2013 David Mamet, the writer and director of the new HBO movie Phil Spector starring Al Pacino and Helen Mirren, includes a disclaimer at the beginning of the film: While the movie might be based on the controversial music producer, "This is a work of fiction. It's not 'based on a true story.' "

Transcript

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Monkey See

Why Not Fall From A Giant Bucket?: Tomorrow's 'Splash' Headlines Today

Why yes, this is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar diving on ABC's new show Splash.

March 19, 2013 Tonight marks the premiere of ABC's Splash. Yes, it's celebrities diving. And we're ready.

Summary

A Measured Look At Roth As The Writer Turns 80

A new documentary about Philip Roth premieres on PBS next week as part of a slew of celebrations in honor of the novelist's 80th birthday.

March 19, 2013 The celebration of Philip Roth's career reaches its peak in a new documentary — Philip Roth Unmasked — that will screen on PBS next week as part of the American Masters series. There's no doubt that Roth is a master, and not just an American one, but the film tiptoes around the novelist's dark ferocity.

Transcript

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Monday, March 18, 2013

Monkey See

'The Simpsons' Better Than 'Cheers'? It Is To Laugh

Ted Danson, playing the role of bartender Sam Malone, keeps Rhea Perlman, playing waitress Carla Tortelli, under control as Shelley Long, portraying Diane Chambers, left, returns to the set of Cheers during taping of the final episode in 1993.

March 18, 2013 A recent effort to name the greatest sitcom of the last 30 years settled on The Simpsons. We beg to differ.

Summary

Two New TV Dramas Look Below The Surface

Elisabeth Moss (right) and Thomas Wright star in Jane Campion's new series Top of the Lake.

March 18, 2013 Jane Campion directs a new Sundance Channel miniseries, Top of the Lake, about a young New Zealand detective played by Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss. Meanwhile, producers from Lost and Friday Night Lights team up to create a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, called Bates Motel.

Transcript

On Fresh Air from WHYYPlaylist

Friday, March 15, 2013

Pop Culture

Angry Birds TV, Coming To A Mobile Screen Near You

A scene from the upcoming animated series based on the popular game Angry Birds. The show will be distributed to existing users of the digital game.

March 15, 2013 The wildly popular game has been downloaded 1.7 billion times. Now, the company that brings these birds — and the pigs they love to hate — to your phone is launching an animated series, which will be distributed via television and app.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The Two-Way

Sharpton 2.0: From Outsider To Insider

The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of National Action Network, prepares for his MSNBC show PoliticsNation in January.

March 12, 2013 The longtime activist hasn't quite overcome the reputation of his early career, but the Rev. Al Sharpton now commands a uniquely powerful platform.

Summary

Monday, March 11, 2013

A New TV Type: The Spunky, Obsessive Female 'Hummingbird'

Amy Poehler plays Leslie Knope on NBC's Parks and Recreation.

March 11, 2013 New Yorker critic Emily Nussbaum wants to add one more character to that long, familiar list of television's archetypes — the optimistic, ambitious, off-putting leading lady. She says Parks and Recreation's Leslie Knope and Homeland's Carrie Mathison both fall into this new category.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Pop Culture

Thirty Years Later, 'Hazzard' Still 'A Good-Old-Boy Thing'

James Best played Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, the bumbling minion of Jefferson Davis "Boss" Hogg, a corrupt county commissioner and the show's Big Bad. Rosco's dog Flash was played by a basset hound named Sandy.

March 10, 2013 The Dukes of Hazzard still inspires legions of fans. This weekend, many of those fans — and some of the show's surviving stars — descend on central Georgia for a celebration of TV's most famous good ole boys. James Best, who played Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, joins Rachel Martin for a look back at the show.

Transcript

On Weekend Edition SundayPlaylist

Friday, March 08, 2013

Monkey See

'American Idol' Makes A Play For A Little Variety

The top 10 contestants on this year's American Idol. Clockwise from top left: Lazaro Arbos, Amber Holcomb, Paul Jolley, Curtis Finch, Jr., Janelle Arthur, Kree Harrison, Devin Velez, Burnell Taylor, Angie Miller and Candice Glover.

March 8, 2013 American Idol is trying to escape a five-year streak of guiltar-strumming winners. Last night, it presented a different selection of singers, forcing a break from the phenomenon knows as "White Guys With Guitars."

Summary

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Arts & Life

China has been constructing museums with abandon, opening about 100 annually in recent years.

China Builds Museums, But Filling Them Is Another Story

China has been constructing museums with abandon, opening about 100 annually in recent years.

The director examines the five-year love affair between the flamboyant pianist and Scott Thorson.

Soderbergh's Liberace, 'Behind The Candelabra'

The director examines the five-year love affair between the flamboyant pianist and Scott Thorson.

Old-media brands, from old TV shows to well-known bands, are finding homes in new media.

'Arrested Development' Leads The Charge For Old Brands In New Media

Old-media brands, from old TV shows to well-known bands, are finding homes in new media.

J.J. Abrams isn't the first guy to bait <em>Star Trek</em> fans by messing with the brand.

The Starfleet Divide: The 'Star Trek' Universe Revisits One Of Its Great Debates

J.J. Abrams isn't the first guy to bait Star Trek fans by messing with the brand.

Beth Lapides' event bills itself as a venue for "idiosyncratic, conversational comedy."

At L.A.'s UnCabaret, 25 Years Of Letting It All Hang Out

Beth Lapides' event bills itself as a venue for "idiosyncratic, conversational comedy."

Carol Shaben describes the night they spent in the wilderness, wondering if they'd ever be found.

After Crashing In Canadian 'Abyss,' Four Men Fight To Survive

Carol Shaben describes the night they spent in the wilderness, wondering if they'd ever be found.

Jackson's new book reflects on his legendary career as coach of the Bulls and the Lakers.

Courtside Chemistry: How NBA's Phil Jackson Won 'Eleven Rings'

Jackson's new book reflects on his legendary career as coach of the Bulls and the Lakers.

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