Synopsis
Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.
Episodes
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Remembering Quincy Jones
05/11/2024 Duration: 47minWe remember renowned composer, arranger and producer Quincy Jones and listen back to Terry Gross's 2001 interview with him. He died Sunday at the age of 91. He got his start playing with Ray Charles when they were both in their teens. Jones became famous as an arranger and producer for musicians including Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson on his albums Bad, Off the Wall and Thriller.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Al Pacino Looks Back On A Legendary Career
04/11/2024 Duration: 45minOscar-winning actor Al Pacino talks with Terry Gross about growing up in the South Bronx with a single mother, getting his start in Greenwich Village performing in avant-garde theater, nearly dying of COVID, and his life today. We'll also talk about The Godfather, and why he almost passed on Part II. His new memoir is Sonny Boy.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Best Of: Alex Van Halen / Painter Titus Kaphar
02/11/2024 Duration: 48minAlex Van Halen has written a new memoir about forming the rock band Van Halen with his brother Eddie. It takes readers from their childhood to the wild ride of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Eddie Van Halen died in 2020. Alex talks with Tonya Mosley about his grief and reflects on their relationship. Also, artist Titus Kaphar talks about his new movie, Exhibiting Forgiveness, based on his life. It's about a celebrated painter whose world unravels when his estranged father suddenly resurfaces. Carolina Miranda reviews the new Netflix film Pedro Paramo Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Remembering 'Tootsie' Actor Teri Garr
01/11/2024 Duration: 47minWe remember actor Teri Garr, who died last week at age 79. She charmed audiences in her film roles and appearances on late night TV. She's best known for her role as the dim witted seductive lab assistant to Gene Wilder's mad scientist in Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein. She was later nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Tootsie. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Garr became a spokeswoman for MS research and support. She spoke with Terry Gross in 2005. Also, Justin Chang reviews the new World War II drama Blitz, directed by Steve McQueen and starring Saoirse Ronan.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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What About Foreign Interference In The 2024 Election?
31/10/2024 Duration: 46minNew Yorker journalist David Kirkpatrick says a government command hub is tasked with tracking and protecting U.S. elections from foreign adversaries who try to disrupt them by sowing discord and foment violence.Guest jazz critic Martin Johnson remembers composer Benny Golson, who died last month at the age of 95.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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The Organization Ready To Help Trump Override The Federal Gov't
30/10/2024 Duration: 47minNew York Times reporter Ken Bensinger says the America First Policy Institute, which has nearly 300 executive orders ready to be signed, would influence a Trump second term more than Project 2025.Also, John Powers reviews the movie A Real Pain.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Alex Van Halen On Eddie, Fire & 'Feeling It'
29/10/2024 Duration: 46minAlex Van Halen has written a new memoir about forming the rock band Van Halen with his brother Eddie, who died of cancer in 2020. The book, titled Brothers, takes readers from their childhood to the wild ride of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about grief, lighting his drums on fire, and what he really thinks of This is Spinal Tap. Also, TV critic David Bianculli reviews the fall TV broadcast season.Subscribe to Fresh Air's weekly newsletter and get highlights from the show, gems from the archive, and staff recommendations.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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How The Culture Wars Split A Church
28/10/2024 Duration: 46minPulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eliza Griswold says complaints about homophobia, white privilege and diversity are splintering progressive organizations — including one particular church in Philadelphia. Her book is Circle of Hope. It's a finalist for the National Book Award.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Best Of: Bridget Everett / Nick Harkaway, John le Carré's Son
26/10/2024 Duration: 48minThe HBO series Somebody Somewhere is about a 40-something woman who returns home to Kansas to care for her dying sister, then stays, but feels like an outsider until she finds a place in the LGBTQ community. We talk Bridget Everett, star of the series, who is also an acclaimed (and bawdy) cabaret singer. Also, writer Nick Harkaway talks about his novel Karla's Choice. It's a new story about George Smiley, the British spymaster made famous in the books written by Harkaway's late father, John le Carré. Ken Tucker reviews a new biography of Randy Newman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Singer-Songwriter Randy Newman
25/10/2024 Duration: 47minThe witty, cynical and often tongue-in-cheek songwriter Randy Newman is the subject of a new biography. He also wrote a bunch of film scores, including the music for Toy Story, Ragtime, A Bug's Life, and Monsters, Inc. We're revisiting Newman's interview with Terry Gross from 1998 and Ken Tucker reviews the book, A Few Words in Defense of Our Country.Justin Chang reviews the new Vatican thriller Conclave.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Painter Titus Kaphar On 'Exhibiting Forgiveness'
24/10/2024 Duration: 45minWhen painter, sculptor, and installation artist Titus Kaphar's life was upended by his estranged father, he turned to film. First he decided to tell his story in a documentary, but scrapped the project when it felt unsatisfying. His new feature film, Exhibiting Forgiveness, tells his story and brings his paintings to life. Kaphar talked to Tonya Mosley about his journey to healing. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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John le Carré's Son Revives His Late Dad's Beloved Spy
23/10/2024 Duration: 46minWriter Nick Harkaway grew up hearing his dad read drafts of his George Smiley novels. He picks up le Carré's beloved spymaster character in the new novel, Karla's Choice. He spoke with Sam Briger about choosing his own pen name, channeling his dad's writing style, and his stint writing copy for a lingerie catalogue. Subscribe to Fresh Air's weekly newsletter and get highlights from the show, gems from the archive, and staff recommendations. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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What Do Billionaires Like Elon Musk Want From Trump?
22/10/2024 Duration: 46minNew Yorker writer Susan Glasser says Musk has spent $75 million to support Trump. If elected, Trump promises to appoint Musk to head a commission to cut costs in every part of the federal government.Maureen Corrigan reviews the satirical novel Blood Test by Charles Baxter.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Bridget Everett On Not Fitting In, Then Finding Her People
21/10/2024 Duration: 45minGrowing up in Manhattan, Kansas, Bridget Everett and her "blue sense of humor" never quite fit in. After moving to New York City and developing a cabaret show, she returned home for her HBO show Somebody Somewhere. The series is semi-autobiographical, about a woman struggling with self-worth and grief as she finds her people and her voice. Subscribe to Fresh Air's weekly newsletter and get highlights from the show, gems from the archive, and staff recommendations. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Best Of: Pharrell Williams / Lisa Marie Presley's Memoir
19/10/2024 Duration: 48minGrammy-winning producer, singer, songwriter and rapper Pharrell Williams has a new animated biopic called Piece by Piece. He talks with Tonya Mosley about synesthesia and collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Kelis, and Gwen Stefani.We'll also hear from Riley Keough, Elvis's granddaughter and Lisa Marie Presley's daughter. She talks about the memoir she co-authored with her late mother. Before her unexpected death, Lisa Marie chronicled her childhood, her marriage to Michael Jackson, and growing up in Elvis's shadow.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Tom Petty / 'Reservation Dogs' Co-Creator Sterlin Harjo
18/10/2024 Duration: 47minWe're revisiting our interview with Tom Petty, whose hits include "American Girl," "Breakdown," and "I Won't Back Down." The soundtrack of the new Apple TV+ series Bad Monkey is all Tom Petty covers. He spoke with Terry Gross in 2006. Sterlin Harjo, co-creator of the Peabody award-winning FX/Hulu TV series Reservation Dogs, is a 2024 recipient of the MacAathur "genius" award. Reservation Dogs is about a group of teenagers living on reservation in rural Oklahoma. Harjo is a member of the Muscogee and Seminole Nations and spoke with Terry in 2022. Justin Chang reviews the new film Anora by Sean Baker, director of Tangerine and The Florida Project.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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The Battle For Honest And Accountable Government
17/10/2024 Duration: 46minFormer Inspector General Glenn Fine oversaw investigations of the mishandling of documents in the Oklahoma bombing case, the treatment of detainees at Guantanamo and corruption in the Navy. He spoke with Dave Davies about his work to uncover abuse, waste, and fraud in the Departments of Justice and Defense. His book is Watchdogs. Also, Maureen Corrigan reviews the book Clean, about a housekeeper who is the primary suspect in the death of a child.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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An Unprecedented Moment For Abortion, IVF & Fetal Personhood
16/10/2024 Duration: 46minLegal scholar Mary Ziegler talks about the legal battles shaping reproductive rights across the U.S. — including the scope of abortion access and the fate of IVF. And we look ahead at two very different outcomes with the election. "I don't think in the past 50 years we've had an election where the stakes could be as high, simply because Roe v. Wade isn't there as a floor anymore," Ziegler says. Also, John Powers controversial French writer Michel Houellebecq's new novel, Annihilation. Subscribe to Fresh Air's weekly newsletter and get highlights from the show, gems from the archive, and staff recommendations. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Palestinian Poet Reflects On A Life Of Loss
15/10/2024 Duration: 44minMosab Abu Toha was able to escape Gaza, along with his wife and three young children. The award-winning poet talks about being detained at a check-point, parenting in war, and the devastation of leaving his family and friends behind. His new book of poetry is Forest of Noise.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
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Riley Keough Helps Mom Lisa Marie Presley Emerge From Elvis' Shadow
14/10/2024 Duration: 45minLisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley, was working on a memoir when she died in 2023. In From Here to the Great Unknown, actor Riley Keough details her mother's unusual life in Graceland. She also talks about grief and her own time at Neverland Ranch. Maureen Corrigan reviews the novel Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner. Subscribe to Fresh Air's weekly newsletter and get highlights from the show, gems from the archive, and staff recommendations. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy