The Best Of Television In 2020
NPR TV critic Eric Deggans gives us his picks for best the TV programs of 2020 and a few more specific things viewers might want to seek out.
Arts
'Wolfwalkers' Is A Rich, Densely Packed Visual Feast
The story is simple, the themes surprisingly complex, and the hand-drawn animation is stunning in this stylish tale of a young girl yearning for freedom.
In New Picture Book, Family Adds A 'Ninth Night Of Hanukkah'
In Erica Perl's new children's book, a family's box of Hanukkah items are misplaced during a move. Their neighbors help them to make their holiday a success — so they add a ninth night to thank them.
Ellen DeGeneres Tests Positive For the Coronavirus; Show Shut Down Until January
The television host announced Thursday that she has tested positive for the coronavirus but is "feeling fine." Her talk show has been put on hold until January.
Denver's Tattered Cover Becomes Nation's Largest Black-Owned Indie Bookstore
The beloved local chain, founded in 1971, has had a rough year, including severe revenue losses during the pandemic. Its new owners are led by two Denver natives and self-described high school rivals.
4 Teams Head Into Finals Of Collegiate A Cappella Championship
Described as Pitch Perfect meets March Madness, the competition received performance videos from hundreds of groups. Groups can win cash prizes for charities.
Lawyer Combats America's 'Huge Crisis' Of Mass Incarceration
Brittany Barnett works on behalf of people serving harsh sentences as a result of the war on drugs. Nine of her clients have been granted clemency. Her new memoir is A Knock at Midnight.
'Fresh Air' Critic Revisits The TV, Books And Movies That Helped Ease Lockdown
From Lovers Rock to The Good Lord Bird, the titles on John Powers' year-end list didn't simply distract; they also delved into enduring questions of freedom, dignity and survival.
Cameras, Chaos And Cognac: How Bob Gruen Photographed The Spirit Of Rock 'N' Roll
Gruen has photographed countless rock stars, including the Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Tina Turner and John Lennon. "For me, rock 'n' roll is all about freedom," he says.
Hardly Any 1918 Flu Memorials Exist. Will We Remember COVID-19 Differently?
Traditional monuments commemorate politicians or war heroes but rarely victims of disease. We must "mark how profound the catastrophic loss of life has been," says Monument Lab Director Paul Farber.