NPR Series: 'Fresh Air' Turns 20 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10170626&ft=1&f=10170626 In the coming week: Twenty classic interviews with actors, musicians, comics, authors, and more. Join us for this very special salute to <em>Fresh Air from WHYY.</em> Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Fri, 18 May 2007 18:24:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg 'Fresh Air' Turns 20 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10170626&ft=1&f=10170626 yes David Rakoff: Essayist, Mountaineer, 'Comic Saint' David Rakoff, a regular contributor to public radio's <em>This American Life</em>, once spent a season as the Anti-Santa, posing as Sigmund Freud in the Barneys department-store window. <em>This interview originally aired on Jan. 14, 2001.</em> Fri, 18 May 2007 18:24:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10270493&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10270493&ft=1&f=10170626 David Rakoff, a regular contributor to public radio's <em>This American Life</em>, once spent a season as the Anti-Santa, posing as Sigmund Freud in the Barneys department-store window. <em>This interview originally aired on Jan. 14, 2001.</em> no David Rakoff, a regular contributor to public radio's This American Life, once spent a season as the Anti-Santa, posing as Sigmund Freud in the Barneys department-store window. This interview originally aired on Jan. 14, 2001.

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]]> Actor James Woods James Woods has played his share of tough guys: He was a cop-killer in <em>The Onion Field</em>, a fearless and sometimes foolish journalist in <em>Salvador</em>, and a gangster in <em>Once Upon a Time in America</em>. <em>This interview originally aired on Jan 12., 1999.</em> Fri, 18 May 2007 18:04:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10269948&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10269948&ft=1&f=10170626 James Woods has played his share of tough guys: He was a cop-killer in <em>The Onion Field</em>, a fearless and sometimes foolish journalist in <em>Salvador</em>, and a gangster in <em>Once Upon a Time in America</em>. <em>This interview originally aired on Jan 12., 1999.</em> no James Woods has played his share of tough guys: He was a cop-killer in The Onion Field, a fearless and sometimes foolish journalist in Salvador, and a gangster in Once Upon a Time in America. This interview originally aired on Jan 12., 1999.

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]]> New Orleans R&B Legend Allen Toussaint Many of the rhythms of early rock 'n' roll came out of New Orleans &mdash; and Allen Toussaint has been one of the most important figures there since the '50s. <em>This interview originally aired on Jan. 6, 1988.</em> Fri, 18 May 2007 17:24:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10269291&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10269291&ft=1&f=10170626 Many of the rhythms of early rock 'n' roll came out of New Orleans &mdash; and Allen Toussaint has been one of the most important figures there since the '50s. <em>This interview originally aired on Jan. 6, 1988.</em> no Many of the rhythms of early rock 'n' roll came out of New Orleans — and Allen Toussaint has been one of the most important figures there since the '50s. This interview originally aired on Jan. 6, 1988.

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]]> Funnyman Mel Brooks What's more tasteless than turning the Spanish Inquisition into a lavish song-and-dance number? Try a Broadway musical saluting Adolf Hitler. These are the kinds of insane spectacles that have made Mel Brooks a titan of American comedy. <em>This interview originally aired on July 30, 1991.</em> Fri, 18 May 2007 16:51:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10268425&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10268425&ft=1&f=10170626 What's more tasteless than turning the Spanish Inquisition into a lavish song-and-dance number? Try a Broadway musical saluting Adolf Hitler. These are the kinds of insane spectacles that have made Mel Brooks a titan of American comedy. <em>This interview originally aired on July 30, 1991.</em> no What's more tasteless than turning the Spanish Inquisition into a lavish song-and-dance number? Try a Broadway musical saluting Adolf Hitler. These are the kinds of insane spectacles that have made Mel Brooks a titan of American comedy. This interview originally aired on July 30, 1991.

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]]> Author Norman Mailer Norman Mailer once wrote that before he was 17, he'd formed the desire to be a major writer. That wish certainly came true. One political campaign, two Pulitzer Prizes and an unprecedented level of controversy later, he's a literary grandee unlike any other. <em>This interview originally aired on Oct. 8, 1991.</em> Thu, 17 May 2007 18:45:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10220867&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10220867&ft=1&f=10170626 Norman Mailer once wrote that before he was 17, he'd formed the desire to be a major writer. That wish certainly came true. One political campaign, two Pulitzer Prizes and an unprecedented level of controversy later, he's a literary grandee unlike any other. <em>This interview originally aired on Oct. 8, 1991.</em> no Norman Mailer once wrote that before he was 17, he'd formed the desire to be a major writer. That wish certainly came true. One political campaign, two Pulitzer Prizes and an unprecedented level of controversy later, he's a literary grandee unlike any other. This interview originally aired on Oct. 8, 1991.

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]]> A Conversation with Folk Legend Doc Watson Guitarist, singer and songwriter Doc Watson is one of America's most revered folk musicians; he's often called the finest flat-picker in the country. <em>This show originally aired Jan. 19, 1996; it contains material from a 1988 interview and a 1989 studio concert.</em> Thu, 17 May 2007 11:56:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10230032&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10230032&ft=1&f=10170626 Guitarist, singer and songwriter Doc Watson is one of America's most revered folk musicians; he's often called the finest flat-picker in the country. <em>This show originally aired Jan. 19, 1996; it contains material from a 1988 interview and a 1989 studio concert.</em> no Guitarist, singer and songwriter Doc Watson is one of America's most revered folk musicians; he's often called the finest flat-picker in the country. This show originally aired Jan. 19, 1996; it contains material from a 1988 interview and a 1989 studio concert.

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]]> Actor Michael Caine Michael Caine has made more than 70 films in his 30-year career, playing everything from the cockney lothario in <em>Alfie</em> to the super-suave con man in <em>Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.</em> He won an Oscar for his work in <em>Hannah and Her Sisters</em>. He says that while an actor's eyes are his best asset, his voice is a close second. <em>This interview originally aired on Nov. 17, 1992.</em> Thu, 17 May 2007 11:35:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10229248&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10229248&ft=1&f=10170626 Michael Caine has made more than 70 films in his 30-year career, playing everything from the cockney lothario in <em>Alfie</em> to the super-suave con man in <em>Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.</em> He won an Oscar for his work in <em>Hannah and Her Sisters</em>. He says that while an actor's eyes are his best asset, his voice is a close second. <em>This interview originally aired on Nov. 17, 1992.</em> no Michael Caine has made more than 70 films in his 30-year career, playing everything from the cockney lothario in Alfie to the super-suave con man in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. He won an Oscar for his work in Hannah and Her Sisters. He says that while an actor's eyes are his best asset, his voice is a close second. This interview originally aired on Nov. 17, 1992.

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]]> Comedian Richard Pryor Comedian Richard Pryor once confessed that he started his career by imitating Bill Cosby &mdash; but that there was a world of junkies and winos, pool hustlers and prostitutes inside his head, and all of them were screaming to get out. <em>This interview originally aired on May 22, 1995.</em> Thu, 17 May 2007 11:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10228447&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10228447&ft=1&f=10170626 Comedian Richard Pryor once confessed that he started his career by imitating Bill Cosby &mdash; but that there was a world of junkies and winos, pool hustlers and prostitutes inside his head, and all of them were screaming to get out. <em>This interview originally aired on May 22, 1995.</em> no Comedian Richard Pryor once confessed that he started his career by imitating Bill Cosby — but that there was a world of junkies and winos, pool hustlers and prostitutes inside his head, and all of them were screaming to get out. This interview originally aired on May 22, 1995.

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]]> 'Sopranos' Creator David Chase David Chase's hit HBO series <em>The Sopranos</em> is as much about stress as it is about violence; mob boss Tony Soprano seeks therapy not just because of troubles in the Family, but because his kids and his wife and especially his mother have done a number on him. <em>This interview originally aired on June 22, 2000.</em> Wed, 16 May 2007 17:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10219304&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10219304&ft=1&f=10170626 David Chase's hit HBO series <em>The Sopranos</em> is as much about stress as it is about violence; mob boss Tony Soprano seeks therapy not just because of troubles in the Family, but because his kids and his wife and especially his mother have done a number on him. <em>This interview originally aired on June 22, 2000.</em> no David Chase's hit HBO series The Sopranos is as much about stress as it is about violence; mob boss Tony Soprano seeks therapy not just because of troubles in the Family, but because his kids and his wife and especially his mother have done a number on him. This interview originally aired on June 22, 2000.

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]]> Comic Henny Youngman At 85, the King of the One-Liners has done it all: Vaudeville, speakeasies, the Borscht Belt, <em>The Ed Sullivan Show</em>, nightclubs, casinos, even the occasional bar mitzvah. He's never tried to keep up with the times &mdash; but he's been Henny Youngman for so long, he's hip again. <em>This interview originally aired on Oct. 18, 1991.</em> Wed, 16 May 2007 12:08:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10207555&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10207555&ft=1&f=10170626 At 85, the King of the One-Liners has done it all: Vaudeville, speakeasies, the Borscht Belt, <em>The Ed Sullivan Show</em>, nightclubs, casinos, even the occasional bar mitzvah. He's never tried to keep up with the times &mdash; but he's been Henny Youngman for so long, he's hip again. <em>This interview originally aired on Oct. 18, 1991.</em> no At 85, the King of the One-Liners has done it all: Vaudeville, speakeasies, the Borscht Belt, The Ed Sullivan Show, nightclubs, casinos, even the occasional bar mitzvah. He's never tried to keep up with the times — but he's been Henny Youngman for so long, he's hip again. This interview originally aired on Oct. 18, 1991.

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]]> Author Stephen King Stephen King, to put it mildly, likes to scare people &mdash; and millions of people agree that he does it brilliantly. He's the popular author of <em>Carrie, Cujo, Misery, The Shining, The Dead Zone</em>, and <em>Pet Sematary</em> &mdash; all of which have been made into movies &mdash; and many more; even the novels he's written under pseudonyms have been hits. <em>This interview originally aired on July 22 and 23, 1992.</em> Wed, 16 May 2007 11:53:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10207209&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10207209&ft=1&f=10170626 Stephen King, to put it mildly, likes to scare people &mdash; and millions of people agree that he does it brilliantly. He's the popular author of <em>Carrie, Cujo, Misery, The Shining, The Dead Zone</em>, and <em>Pet Sematary</em> &mdash; all of which have been made into movies &mdash; and many more; even the novels he's written under pseudonyms have been hits. <em>This interview originally aired on July 22 and 23, 1992.</em> no Stephen King, to put it mildly, likes to scare people — and millions of people agree that he does it brilliantly. He's the popular author of Carrie, Cujo, Misery, The Shining, The Dead Zone, and Pet Sematary — all of which have been made into movies — and many more; even the novels he's written under pseudonyms have been hits. This interview originally aired on July 22 and 23, 1992.

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]]> Actress Catherine Deneuve French actress Catherine Deneuve has long been thought of as an icon of international cinema. She's starred in films as diverse as Luis Bu&#xF1;uel's sensual <em>Belle de jour</em>, the musical <em>The Umbrellas of Cherbourg</em> and the colonial epic <em>Indochine</em>; her latest film is Andre Techine's <em>Les voleurs,</em> or <em>Thieves</em>. <em>This interview originally aired on Oct. 3, 1996.</em> Tue, 15 May 2007 16:49:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10194784&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10194784&ft=1&f=10170626 French actress Catherine Deneuve has long been thought of as an icon of international cinema. She's starred in films as diverse as Luis Bu&#xF1;uel's sensual <em>Belle de jour</em>, the musical <em>The Umbrellas of Cherbourg</em> and the colonial epic <em>Indochine</em>; her latest film is Andre Techine's <em>Les voleurs,</em> or <em>Thieves</em>. <em>This interview originally aired on Oct. 3, 1996.</em> 0 no French actress Catherine Deneuve has long been thought of as an icon of international cinema. She's starred in films as diverse as Luis Buñuel's sensual Belle de jour, the musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and the colonial epic Indochine; her latest film is Andre Techine's Les voleurs, or Thieves. This interview originally aired on Oct. 3, 1996.

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]]> Comedian Chris Rock Twenty-six-year-old comic Chris Rock grew up in Brooklyn, got his start in show business performing stand-up in Manhattan, and spent three years on <em>Saturday Night Live.</em> He's appeared in a few films as well, including the recent <em>Beverly Hills Ninja.</em> Now he's the star of his own comedy and talk-show series, <em>The Chris Rock Show</em>; it premieres Feb. 7 on HBO. <em>This interview was originally broadcast on Feb. 6, 1997.</em> Tue, 15 May 2007 12:35:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10187534&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10187534&ft=1&f=10170626 Twenty-six-year-old comic Chris Rock grew up in Brooklyn, got his start in show business performing stand-up in Manhattan, and spent three years on <em>Saturday Night Live.</em> He's appeared in a few films as well, including the recent <em>Beverly Hills Ninja.</em> Now he's the star of his own comedy and talk-show series, <em>The Chris Rock Show</em>; it premieres Feb. 7 on HBO. <em>This interview was originally broadcast on Feb. 6, 1997.</em> no Twenty-six-year-old comic Chris Rock grew up in Brooklyn, got his start in show business performing stand-up in Manhattan, and spent three years on Saturday Night Live. He's appeared in a few films as well, including the recent Beverly Hills Ninja. Now he's the star of his own comedy and talk-show series, The Chris Rock Show; it premieres Feb. 7 on HBO. This interview was originally broadcast on Feb. 6, 1997.

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]]> Jobrani, Ahmed, Kader: A Comic 'Axis of Evil' Maz Jobrani, Ahmed Ahmed and Aron Kader make up the Axis of Evil Comedy group. (They're of Iranian, Egyptian and Palestinian descent, respectively). Their special premiered on Comedy Central last month. It's out on DVD this week. Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:21:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9283896&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9283896&ft=1&f=10170626 Maz Jobrani, Ahmed Ahmed and Aron Kader make up the Axis of Evil Comedy group. (They're of Iranian, Egyptian and Palestinian descent, respectively). Their special premiered on Comedy Central last month. It's out on DVD this week. 0 no Maz Jobrani, Ahmed Ahmed and Aron Kader make up the Axis of Evil Comedy group. (They're of Iranian, Egyptian and Palestinian descent, respectively). Their special premiered on Comedy Central last month. It's out on DVD this week.

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]]> David Cronenberg on 'A History of Violence' He's been called the King of Venereal Horror. He directed the films <em>M. Butterfly</em>, <em>The Fly</em>, <em>Dead Ringers</em> and <em>Naked Lunch</em>, all of which tell a story of sexually deviant behavior. In the film <em>Crash</em> he continued the theme, combining sex and car wrecks. His new film <em>A History of Violence</em> is a psychological thriller about one man's potential for violence. Thu, 17 Mar 2005 15:22:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4934043&ft=1&f=10170626 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4934043&ft=1&f=10170626 He's been called the King of Venereal Horror. He directed the films <em>M. Butterfly</em>, <em>The Fly</em>, <em>Dead Ringers</em> and <em>Naked Lunch</em>, all of which tell a story of sexually deviant behavior. In the film <em>Crash</em> he continued the theme, combining sex and car wrecks. His new film <em>A History of Violence</em> is a psychological thriller about one man's potential for violence. 0 no He's been called the King of Venereal Horror. He directed the films M. Butterfly, The Fly, Dead Ringers and Naked Lunch, all of which tell a story of sexually deviant behavior. In the film Crash he continued the theme, combining sex and car wrecks. His new film A History of Violence is a psychological thriller about one man's potential for violence.

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