Fresh Air

Weekdays at 7:00pm

Opening the window on contemporary arts and issues with guests from worlds as diverse as literature and economics.

These 2 funny books give readers a reason to smile in tough times

1:35pm April 21, 2025

Dorothy Parker's posthumously published collection is Poems; Camilla Barnes' debut novel is The Usual Desire to Kill. Both affirm: sharp humor can be grounded in pain.

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Early 20th century British maids worked long, hard days with little time off.

Books
Arts

Visible And Invisible: 'Servants' Looks At Life Downstairs

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In the sci-fi romance Her, a lonely man (Joaquin Phoenix) finds love in a rather unexpected place — with a computer operating system named Samantha.

Arts

In A 'Miraculous Year' For Movies, Edelstein Picks His Favorites

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Kevin Spacey (left) and Robin Wright star in House of Cards, directed by David Fincher. The Netflix series, which follows a Machiavellian politician, is an adaptation of a BBC series of the same name. Hear an interview with Spacey and Fincher.

Arts

David Bianculli's Top 10 Shows: 2013 Was A 'Good Year For TV'

by David Bianculli

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Elton John tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross that The Diving Board is "a very adult album."

A More Reflective Leap On Elton John's 'Diving Board'

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As kids, Jorma Taccone, Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer were all obsessed with hip-hop and TV shows like Yo! MTV Raps.

Samberg, Taccone And Schaffer: Three's Not A Lonely Island

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Keegan-Michael Key (left) and Jordan Peele both started their careers at Second City, Peele in Chicago and Key in Detroit.

For Key And Peele, Biracial Roots Bestow Special Comedic 'Power'

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Boardwalk Empire features music by Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks.

Vince Giordano: The Fresh Air Interview

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Steve Young learned about industrial musicals when he started coming across compilations, like this one, in used record stores. (You definitely want to click to enlarge this.)

Sales Take Center Stage: To Boost Morale, Companies Burst Into Song

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Fresh Air Weekend: Our Favorite Books, TV, Movies And Music Of 2013

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Amy Schumer isn't afraid to talk sexting, dirty talk or even the fine line between rape and deeply troubling sex in her comedy.

'Inside Amy Schumer': It's Not Just Sex Stuff

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Once vehemently opposed to the idea of being the subject of a documentary, Brooks had a change of heart. The result is an American Masters episode, Mel Brooks: Make a Noise.

Mel Brooks: 'I'm An EGOT; I Don't Need Any More'

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An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, by Chris Hadfield

Astronaut Chris Hadfield Brings Lessons From Space Down To Earth

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