Arts & Life

A screengrab from the "Kony 2012" online video about the Central African warlord Joseph Kony, which skyrocketed in popularity after its release in March. It was criticized, then forgotten, just as quickly.

Arts

In Rapid-Fire 2012, Memes' Half-Life Fell To A Quarter

4:34am December 27, 2012

by Neda Ulaby

Internet memes used to stick around for months on end (remember "Charlie Bit My Finger"?). But in 2012, the shelf-life of an Internet sensation became increasingly fleeting. Funny videos and games are now enjoying only brief moments in the cultural spotlight before they're forgotten.

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Joan Rivers says her material has only gotten stronger with age. "I always say, 'What are you going to do? Are you going to fire me? Been fired. Going to be bankrupt? Been bankrupt.'"

Books
Arts

Joan Rivers Hates You, Herself and Everyone Else

12:19pm December 26, 2012

Comedian Joan Rivers hates a lot of things. Her new book, I Hate Everyone, Starting With Me, details the things Rivers can't stand, from her appearance to obituaries to younger comedians who steal her gigs.

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Sculptures entered in the Great Salt Lick Contest await the judging and auction.

Arts

The Joy Of Salt Licking: Contest Turns Farm Animals Into Fine Artists

11:40am December 26, 2012

by Taki Telonidis

Eastern Oregon is known more for ranching than abstract sculpture, but some residents are venturing into the world of fine art. For the last five years, Whit Deschner has been organizing the Great Salt Lick Contest, which gathers salt blocks artfully licked by local farm animals.

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Snow cream, ice cream made from fresh snow, is a bit of a tradition in North Carolina, though snowfalls aren't common.

Arts

When Life Gives You Snow, Make Snow Cream

11:40am December 26, 2012

by NPR Staff

There's snow across much of the country this weekend. In eastern North Carolina, where it doesn't snow a lot, snowflakes are an occasion for some folks to flock outside, scooping up what falls to make a particularly seasonal treat.

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Aziz Ansari dissects a variety of topics in his latest comedy special, Dangerously Delicious.

Arts

Aziz Ansari's Latest Is 'Dangerously Delicious'

9:55am December 26, 2012

The comedian, who plays Tom Haverford on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, just released a new comedy special directly on his website. He's also embarking on a multicity tour, where he'll be riffing on the things that terrify him — marriage, for instance, and babies.

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Books
Arts

Recipe Rebellion: A Year Of Contrarian Cookbooks

4:20pm December 25, 2012

The rebels, rule breakers and renegades who rule this year's Top 10 list aren't looking for a Ph.D. in Traditional Cooking. They're pleasure seekers whose books are filled with quirky facts, gorgeous pictures and ingredients deployed in unexpected places.

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Illustration: a superhero flies while reading a book.

Books
Arts

Graphic Novels That Flew Under The Radar In 2012

4:20pm December 25, 2012

by Glen Weldon

It's been a great year for high-profile comics creators, producing landmark works destined for many "Best Comics of 2012" lists. But what about the lesser-known artists and their work? Glen Weldon points to outstanding works that haven't gotten the attention they deserve.

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E.T.A. Hoffmann's original story, "Nutcracker and Mouse King," is darker and spookier than the ballet version most people know.

No Sugar Plums Here: The Dark, Romantic Roots Of 'The Nutcracker'

4:20pm December 25, 2012

by NPR Staff

Few people today remember E.T.A. Hoffmann, but most everyone is familiar with his most famous creation: The Nutcracker. NPR's Robert Siegel traces the history of everyone's favorite Christmas ballet all the way back to its much darker original version.

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Aaron Paul plays a meth-making drug dealer on the AMC drama Breaking Bad.

Arts

David Bianculli Says 2012 Brought No New TV Favorites

2:57pm December 24, 2012

Fresh Air's television critic says there weren't any new shows this year that wowed him and that all the shows he watched and loved this year were ones that have been on for at least a season. His No. 1 favorite remains Breaking Bad.

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In Friends With Kids, Jason (Adam Scott) and Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt) play two best friends who decide to have a baby together while keeping their relationship platonic — so that the baby doesn't interfere with their own romantic relationships.

Arts

David Edelstein's Top 12 Movies of 2012

2:47pm December 24, 2012

Fresh Air's movie critic does not think any masterpieces were made this year, but he does compare Daniel Day-Lewis to Julius Caesar and have some choice thoughts on the movie version of Les Mis.

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