Analysis

Arts

Missing Your 'Breaking Bad' Fix? 'Better Call Saul' Will Hit The Spot

2:24pm February 07, 2015

by Eric Deggans

This Sunday, AMC debuts Better Call Saul, the backstory behind Breaking Bad drug kingpin lawyer Saul Goodman. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans says the show's so good, TV lightning just might strike twice.

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Arts

ABC Tones Down Author's 'Fresh Off The Boat' For Sitcom Audience

3:01pm February 04, 2015

by Eric Deggans

ABC will break an important boundary in television Wednesday night with the debut of Fresh Off the Boat. It's the first network sitcom in two decades to star an Asian-American family.

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Taraji P. Henson, left, and Terrence Howard star as Cookie and Lucious Lyon in the Fox TV show Empire.

Arts

The Success Of Fox's 'Empire' Reveals A Few Do's And Don'ts For TV

11:12am February 02, 2015

by Eric Deggans

Fox's hip-hop drama is a growing hit that could rescue the network. In a fragmented marketplace, the TV industry is learning the value of creating shows for underserved audiences.

Politics In The News: Fiscal Budget For 2016

8:28am February 02, 2015

by Cokie Roberts

It's not uncommon for presidential budgets of either party to be declared dead on arrival when they hit Capitol Hill. Is this exercise really about budgets or about politics?

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The stars of Parenthood include, left to right, Erika Christensen Peter Krause, Bonnie Bedelia, Craig T. Nelson, Lauren Graham and Dax Shepard.

Arts

NBC's 'Parenthood' Ends As A Family Drama Built On Small Moments

10:07am January 30, 2015

by Eric Deggans

After six seasons, the final episode airs tonight. NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans says the show is a rare gem; a family drama centered on the small, emotional moments between relatives.

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Sports
Arts

Intended For Millennials, Dish's Sling TV Is A Cord Cutter's Dream

6:57pm January 26, 2015

by Eric Deggans

Dish Network soon debuts its Sling TV streaming service, with a small group of cable channels for $20 a month. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans tried it and says Sling TV is a welcome challenge to cable.

A Closer Look At Saturday's Iowa Freedom Summit

8:03am January 26, 2015

by Cokie Roberts

Some potential Republican candidates, such as Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush, stayed away from the event in Des Moines. Was that a smart move?

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Taofick Okoya sells between 6,000 and 9,000 of his Queens of Africa and Naija Princess dolls a month and reckons he has 10 to 15 percent of a small but fast-growing market.

National

Barbie Has Some Royal Competition In Nigeria

9:26am January 22, 2015

by Kat Chow

The Queens of Africa are based on Nigeria's three largest groups — Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa — and each has traits meant to empower the girls who play with them.

President Dwight Eisenhower delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of the 86th Congress in 1959. Behind him are Vice President Richard Nixon (left) and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn.

Obama Joins Ike, The Gipper, Bill And George II In A Club No One Wants To Be In

7:06pm January 20, 2015

by Ron Elving

Clinton began his seventh year with a unique if dubious distinction: He was the only president ever to give a State of the Union speech with impeachment charges pending against him in the Senate.

State Of The Union Will Tout Progress, But Is The Economy Fixed?

12:09pm January 20, 2015

by Marilyn Geewax

The economy has improved greatly since President Obama took office on Jan. 20, 2009. But is his economic legacy impressive enough to justify taking a victory lap during his State of the Union address?