Arts & Life

"Figgy pudding" is a traditional Christmas dessert that normally contains no figs — and isn't what Americans usually mean by "pudding."

Arts

'Oh, Bring Us Some ... ' Wait. What Is Figgy Pudding?

3:39pm December 21, 2015

by NPR Staff

It doesn't usually feature figs, and it isn't what Americans think of as a pudding. Want to try it for yourself? Be prepared for 30 minutes of prep, eight hours of cooking — and four weeks of aging.

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Lee Child attends the World Premiere of Jack Reacher at Odeon Leicester Square in London on Dec. 10, 2012.

Arts

Not My Job: Best-Selling Author Lee Child Gets Quizzed On Worst Sellers

3:29pm December 21, 2015

Child is the author behind the beloved Jack Reacher novels. We'll ask him three questions about books that sold really, really badly.

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Beyond Panettone: 5 Global Christmas Breads To Nibble On

3:05pm December 21, 2015

by Anne Bramley

The Italian fruit bread is readily available these days. But if you want to take your palate off the well-worn path, here's a look at other holiday breads to feast on, from pan de jamon to julekake.

Jennifer Lawrence stars as Joy Mangano, the creator of the Miracle Mop, in the comic drama Joy.

Arts

Jennifer Lawrence Looks Back On A Career-Changing 'Yes-Or-No Question'

2:38pm December 21, 2015

Lawrence got her big break as Katniss in the Hunger Games series. She says concerns about the price of fame made her hesitate before saying "yes" to the role. She's now starring in the drama Joy.

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The two control cabs at the Stockholm Arlanda Airport symbolize two ravens from Nordic mythology that were tasked with watching over the earth.

Arts

Prepare For Takeoff: Smithsonian Celebrates The Art Of The Airport Tower

2:04pm December 21, 2015

by Susan Stamberg

Photographer Carolyn Russo says these beacons of the landscape serve as "cultural greeters." Her dramatic photographs are on display at the Air and Space museum in Washington, D.C.

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Arts

From Family Fare To Oscar Bait, The Big Pictures To See At Year's End

2:04pm December 21, 2015

The final weeks of the year are chock-full of huge movies. People Magazine film critic Alynda Wheat offers reviews of some popular year-enders, including Joy, The Hateful Eight and Concussion.

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Mariah Carey appears in, directed, and provided music for Hallmark's movie A Christmas Melody.

Arts

20 Things You Desperately Need To Know About Mariah's Hallmark Movie

11:24am December 21, 2015

by Linda Holmes

Called A Hallmark Melody, the movie stars Lacey Chabert as a fashion designer who relocates to a small Midwestern town with her adorable child. The shocks continue from there.

Genevieve Buechner (in pigtails), Constance Zimmer (holding microphone) and Craig Bierko star in Lifetime's UnREAL.

Arts

A Little Under-The-Radar TV: 'UnREAL'

10:55pm December 20, 2015

by Linda Holmes

Lifetime's UnREAL is one of the shows that might have gotten lost in the shuffle of television, and it's worth looking for.

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There are so many opportunities to screw up pumpkin pie. But done right, it can win friends and influence people.

Perfect Pumpkin Pie: One Woman's Quest For Custard, Crust — And Glory

10:58am December 20, 2015

by Maanvi Singh

Great pumpkin pie is elusive. You could end up with a soggy crust or a grainy filling. For months, reporter Maanvi Singh has been on a journey to learn the art and science of the ideal pie.

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Arts

The Best Of The Worst: Christmas Films

8:34am December 20, 2015

If you haven't found a Christmas movie on TV yet, you can bet you will in the next week. Author and critic Colin Fleming takes us through the Christmas films that are so bad they're good.