Accessibility links
Barbershop Each week on Tell Me More, the guys in the Barbershop weigh in on the latest happenings in politics, sports and pop culture. The "shop" is moderated by opinion columnist Jimi Izrael.
Special Series

Barbershop

Eastwood's Speech, A Boost Or A Distraction?

Host Michel Martin checks in with the Barbershop guys to look back on the Republican National Convention. They discuss whether Mitt Romney delivered or disappointed on Thursday night. They also weigh in on whether Clint Eastwood's performance was a winner or a distraction.

Eastwood's Speech, A Boost Or A Distraction?

Listen · 17:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/160385295/160385288" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Doping Controversy Catches Up With Armstrong?

The guys discuss cyclist Lance Armstrong's decision to no longer fight doping charges. Plus, comments by a senate candidate have put the spotlight on the GOP's anti-abortion platform. Guest host Viviana Hurtado checks in with writer Jimi Izrael, civil rights attorney Arsalan Iftikhar, journalist Fernando Vila and GOP strategist Lenny McAllister.

Doping Controversy Catches Up With Armstrong?

Listen · 17:50
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/159988693/159988684" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Did Biden Cross The Line Or Just Offer Tough Talk?

Guest host Jacki Lyden and the Barbershop guys hash out vice presidential politics, including what Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's VP pick, brings to the ticket. They also discuss Joe Biden's controversial comment that Romney's fiscal policy will put people "back in chains."

Did Biden Cross The Line Or Just Offer Tough Talk?

Listen · 17:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/158995059/158995036" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thrill Of Victory, Agony Of Post-Defeat Criticism

The Barbershop guys take on the media's response to the Sikh temple shooting, and they weigh in on criticism launched at Olympic athletes for their appearance and their performance. Host Michel Martin checks in with writer Jimi Izrael, civil rights attorney Arsalan Iftikhar, R. Clarke Cooper of the Log Cabin Republicans, and columnist Mario Loyola.

Thrill Of Victory, Agony Of Post-Defeat Criticism

Listen · 17:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/158564882/158564873" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Was Throwing A Badminton Match Really So Bad?

This week in the Barbershop, the guys talk about the best and worst moments so far at the London Olympics. They'll also weigh in on the controversy surrounding Chick-fil-A after the company's CEO Dan Cathy shared his view of same-sex marriage. Host Michel Martin checks in with writer Jimi Izrael; professor Lester Spence; civil rights attorney Arsalan Iftikhar; and journalist Fernando Vila.

Was Throwing A Badminton Match Really So Bad?

Listen · 17:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/158049396/158049387" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Should We Bring Back Tug-Of-War, Club Swinging?

It's an Olympics-themed Barbershop this week. The guys weigh in on a Greek athlete who was expelled from the Games after an offensive Twitter post. They'll also share their opinions on the best sporting event - and perhaps most silly. Badminton anyone? Host Michel Martin checks in with writer Jimi Izrael; sports editor Dave Zirin, Univision's Fernando Vila and sports columnist William Rhoden.

Should We Bring Back Tug-Of-War, Club Swinging?

Listen · 17:50
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/157481590/157481783" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Did Darkness Of Movie Egg On Colo. Shooter?

This week in the Barbershop, the guys talk about the latest Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises. A gunman opened fire in a Colorado theater in which the film was being shown. Host Michel Martin checks in with writer Jimi Izrael; civil rights attorney Arsalan Iftikhar; columnist Jeff Yang and film critic Wesley Morris.

Did Darkness Of Movie Egg On Colo. Shooter?

Listen · 17:48
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/157105491/157105482" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Not So Hot: U.S. Olympic Uniforms ... Made In China

The Barbershop guys weigh in on Joe Biden and Mitt Romney's appearances at the NAACP convention. They also discuss the latest revelations about the Penn State sexual abuse scandal, and the fury over some U.S. Olympic gear being made in China. Guest host Maria Hinojosa talks with Jimi Izrael, Arsalan Iftikhar, Lester Spence and Michael Steele.

Not So Hot: U.S. Olympic Uniforms ... Made In China

Listen · 17:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/156724063/156724054" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Will Same-Sex Romance Sink R&B's Ocean?

When journalist Anderson Cooper said he's gay in an email, the twitter-verse mostly shrugged. When R&B singer Frank Ocean acknowledged a romance with another man, there was a tidal wave of reaction online. Host Michel Martin and the Barbershop guys discuss that news, and a controversial Independence Day tweet by comedian Chris Rock.

Will Same-Sex Romance Sink R&B's Ocean?

Listen · 17:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/156373488/156373481" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Should NBA Teams Accommodate Players With Anxiety?

Host Michel Martin and the Barbershop guys weigh in on the Supreme Court's decision on President Obama's signature health care law. They also discuss newly drafted NBA player Royce White, who's speaking out about his anxiety disorder and whether it'll affect his career.

Should NBA Teams Accommodate Players With Anxiety?

Listen · 17:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/155986098/155986087" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Grandma Withstands Bus Bullies

Host Michel Martin and the Barbershop guys weigh in on the new NBA champions: the Miami Heat. They also discuss what should happen to a group of middle school boys who relentlessly bullied a 68-year-old school bus monitor. A video of the incident has gone viral, and one website has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the grandma.

Grandma Withstands Bus Bullies

Listen · 17:50
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/155571294/155571287" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Will Lebron - Durant Matchup Go Down In History?

Host Michel Martin and the Barbershop guys discuss the trial of Penn State's Jerry Sandusky. The guys also weigh in on the NBA match-up between LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Plus, some boxing fans are fighting mad. They claim judges robbed Manny Pacquiao of the victory he deserved in last week's match. But was it good for boxing?

Will Lebron - Durant Matchup Go Down In History?

Listen · 17:50
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/155101165/155101155" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Is It Ever Appropriate To Use The N-Word?

Host Michel Martin and the Barbershop guys weigh in on actress Gwyneth Paltrow's recent tweet behavior. She raised eyebrows after tweeting a photo of friends Jay-Z and Kanye West with the title of their song, which includes the n-word. Plus, the guys dish on the NBA playoffs and the Boston Celtics get blown out by LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Is It Ever Appropriate To Use The N-Word?

Listen · 17:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/154579994/154579987" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Should John Edwards Be Retried?

Host Michel Martin and the Barbershop guys discuss the trial of former presidential candidate John Edwards. The judge declared a mistrial after the jury acquitted Edwards on one count and deadlocked on the others. The guys also weigh in on the NFL dreams of a high school football star, who was exonerated after serving five years for a rape he didn't commit.

Should John Edwards Be Retried?

Listen · 17:51
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/154143690/154143683" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

'Shop Talk': Does Hazing Consent Matter?

The Barbershop guys weigh in on revelations about the death of Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion. Some police documents suggest Champion agreed to undergo hazing that allegedly took his life. The guys also dish on their top picks for the NBA playoffs.

'Shop Talk': Does Hazing Consent Matter?

Listen · 17:50
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/153692815/153692804" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript