Fresh Air
Weekdays at 7:00pm
Opening the window on contemporary arts and issues with guests from worlds as diverse as literature and economics.
Beetlejuice is back, in a supernatural screwball sequel
Director Tim Burton seems more interested in updating than duplicating his 1988 hit. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice demonstrates affection for the characters and genuine curiosity in how they’re doing now.
Animation Pairs With Soul-Crushing Isolation In 'Anomalisa'
by David Edelstein
The new film by Duke Johnson and Charlie Kaufman uses stop-motion animation to tell a quasi-love story. Critic David Edelstein calls Anomalisa amazing — but also creepy and, ultimately, unsatisfying.
Remembering French Composer, Conductor And Musical Provocateur Pierre Boulez
Once an outspoken avant garde critic of the establishment, Boulez went on to serve as the conductor of both the New York Philharmonic and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Originally broadcast in 2005.
Remembering Oscar-Winning 'Close Encounters' Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond
Zsigmond, who died Friday, won an Oscar for his work on Close Encounters of the Third Kind. He also shot The Deerhunter, Deliverance and Heaven's Gate, among other films. Originally broadcast in 1990.
Author Profiles The 'Traumatized People' Living In The World's Largest Refugee Camp
Founded in 1991 as a temporary shelter for Somalis, the Dadaab complex in Kenya now houses nearly half a million refugees. Ben Rawlence profiles nine of its residents in his new book, City of Thorns.
British Singer Ellie Goulding Strikes An Inventive Chord With 'Delirium'
by Ken Tucker
The "Love Me Like You Do" singer created her new album as an experiment — to see if she could make a "big pop album." Reviewer Ken Tucker says Goulding's experimental effort was worth the risk.
Jazz Singer Cécile McLorin Salvant Doesn't Want To Sound 'Clean And Pretty'
McLorin Salvant first studied classical voice, but turned to jazz because it offered her more range. "In jazz, I felt I could sing these deep, husky lows," she says. Originally broadcast Nov. 4, 2015.
The Story Behind Mark Ronson's Hit Song 'Uptown Funk'
The producer says there was a time when his co-writers thought, "Maybe this song wasn't meant to be." He also describes working with Amy Winehouse and Bruno Mars. Originally broadcast April 16, 2015.
Ansari And Yang Explore The First-Generation Experience In 'Master Of None'
Parks and Recreation colleagues Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang initially bonded over their experiences as Asian-Americans living very different lives from their parents. Originally broadcast Nov. 5, 2015.
At 81, Feminist Gloria Steinem Finds Herself Free Of The 'Demands Of Gender'
As she approached 60, the co-founder of Ms. magazine says, she entered a new phase in life, one in which "you can do what you want." Originally broadcast Oct. 26, 2015.