Arts

Writer Phillip B. Williams brought the power of conjuring into his debut novel 'Ours'

6:00pm February 20, 2024

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with writer Phillip B. Williams about his debut novel, Ours, a sprawling American epic that centers on a woman who frees enslaved people and builds a hidden town for them.

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Arts

'American Fiction' star Jeffrey Wright searches for 'strange humanness' in roles

1:29pm February 20, 2024

by Tonya Mosley

Wright is nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of a novelist who's frustrated with the publishing industry's expectations of Black authors. His first starring role was in the 1996 film Basquiat.

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The Bachelor producers Jason Ehrlich, Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner answered questions at the TV Critics Association's winter press tour.

I asked about race on reality shows at the TV critics press tour. It didn't go well

11:07am February 20, 2024

by Eric Deggans

What's ahead for the TV industry in 2024? Original series are down 14% but it still feels like too much TV. Executives and streaming services are feeling the squeeze post strikes. Race issues persist.

Books
Arts

'Splinters' is a tribute to the love of a mother for a daughter

10:45am February 20, 2024

by Ilana Masad

In different variations of her signature, beautifully frank language, Leslie Jamison writes about her fantasy of stability and her uncertainty as to whether it's a dream she actually wants fulfilled.

An Apple TV+ animated special shows how Franklin, the first Black Peanuts character, meets Charlie Brown and friends in Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin.

Arts

The first Black 'Peanuts' character finally gets his origin story in animated special

6:00pm February 19, 2024

by Barry Gordemer

The origin story of the first Black Peanuts character is streaming on Apple TV+.

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What layoffs in the video game industry mean for developers and the games we love

4:29pm February 19, 2024

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with video game journalist Rebekah Valentine about the trends that are driving layoffs across the industry.

Books
Arts

'Oscar Wars' spotlights bias, blind spots and backstage battles in the Academy

2:01pm February 19, 2024

by Terry Gross

From relentless campaigning to snubs and speeches, the Academy Awards have often reflected a cultural conflict zone. Michael Schulman discusses the controversies. Originally broadcast Feb. 22, 2023.

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The Kamogawa Food Detectives, by Hisashi Kashiwai

Books
Arts

You'll savor the off-beat mysteries served up by 'The Kamogawa Food Detectives'

11:49am February 19, 2024

by Maureen Corrigan

Hisashi Kashiwai's charming novel centers on a diner where carefully reconstructed meals help unlock mysteries of memory and regret.

Civil War imagines a second civil war has broken out in the United States. Kirsten Dunst stars as a journalist in the film, which comes out April 12.

Arts

Here are 6 movies to see this spring

6:00am February 19, 2024

by Bob Mondello

Usually around this time, Hollywood is talking about how to keep its box office momentum going. This year, January was so lackluster that studios had to jump-start moviegoing from scratch.

Arts

'Oppenheimer' wins 7 prizes, including best picture, at British Academy Film Awards

1:35am February 19, 2024

by The Associated Press

Atom bomb epic Oppenheimer won seven prizes, including best picture, director and actor, at the 77th British Academy Film Awards on Sunday, cementing its front-runner status for the Oscars next month.