Fresh Air
Weekdays at 7:00pm
Opening the window on contemporary arts and issues with guests from worlds as diverse as literature and economics.
Mark Ruffalo shed the Hulk suit and had 'a blast' making 'Poor Things'
Set in Victorian times, Poor Things was a departure from Ruffalo's prior work in movies like Zodiac and Spotlight, and his Marvel role as the Incredible Hulk. Originally broadcast Feb. 13, 2024.
Why the weapon of choice matters in the Trump assassination attempt
by Terry Gross
The shooter who tried to assassinate the former president used an AR-15. Pulitzer-winning Washington Post reporter Todd Frankel explains why this rifle is the weapon of choice for mass shooters.
50 years later, Stevie Wonder's 'First Finale' remains ripe for rediscovery
by Ken Tucker
Fulfillingness’ First Finale won the Grammy for Best Album in 1975, yet today it feels underrated — perhaps because its overall tone was more meditative than the albums immediately preceding it.
Remembering Martin Mull, an actor, comic, musician and painter
Mull, who died June 27, appeared in the 1970s series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, and later starred in Fernwood 2 Night. David Bianculli offers an appreciation, then we revisit a 1995 interview.
Remembering 'Chinatown' screenwriter Robert Towne
by Terry Gross
Towne, who died July 1, was nominated for an Oscar in 1974 for his screenplay for The Last Detail, and won the Academy Award in 1975 for his screenplay for Chinatown. Originally broadcast in 1988.
Understanding the resurgence of jobs in America's 'left behind' counties
by Tonya Mosley
David Madland of the Center for American Progress says new, “good” jobs are on the rise, but many of the workers don’t realize it’s a result of Biden’s new industrial policies.
'Madoff' takes account of the biggest financial Ponzi scheme in history
by Terry Gross
Disgraced financier Bernie Madoff scammed investors out of approximately $68 billion. Journalist Richard Behar spoke to Madoff in prison more than 50 times for his book, Madoff: The Final Word.
Taffy Brodesser-Akner explores wealth and family trauma in 'Long Island Compromise'
by Tonya Mosley
Brodesser-Akner's novel centers on the kidnapping of a rich businessman, and the impact, decades later, on his grown children. Her previous book is Fleishman Is In Trouble.
For David Byrne, Talking Heads was about making emotional sense — not literal sense
by Terry Gross
In November 2023, Byrne spoke about the 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense and described the band's hit song "Burning Down the House" as a compilation of "non-sequiturs" with an emotional impact.
A retired federal judge reflects on going blind and losing faith in the Supreme Court
by Terry Gross
David Tatel, a former judge on the nation’s second highest court, shares his concerns about the state of our democracy and our judiciary. His new book is Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice.
‘The Bear’ remains as delicious as ever in Season 3
by David Bianculli
If you saw the first two seasons of the Hulu series, you probably agree that it deserved every Emmy it won. Now The Bear is back, and serving up just as brilliant and beautiful a concoction as before.