Arts & Life

White Malice: The CIA and the Covert Recolonization of Africa, by Susan Williams

CIA Role In Africa Expanded As U.S. Cold War Worries Grew, 'White Malice' Details

3:56pm August 12, 2021

by Lily Meyer

Though Susan Williams' book is framed far too expansively, it overflows with fascinating information, research and bold ideas — especially regarding Congo's first prime minister, Patrice Lumumba.

Filmmaker Ken Burns has produced and directed historical documentaries for more than 30 years. In March, 140 documentary filmmakers signed a letter to PBS executives, suggesting the service may provide an unfair level of support to white creators.

Arts

PBS And Ken Burns Vow To Do Better On Diversity But Critics Aren't Convinced

1:57pm August 12, 2021

by Eric Deggans

PBS has announced $11 million in grants to boost diversity among documentary filmmakers months after an open letter accused the service of unfairly favoring white creators.

'The Lorax' Warned Us 50 Years Ago, But We Didn't Listen

9:36am August 12, 2021

by Elizabeth Blair

Call it fate or an unfortunate coincidence that Dr. Seuss' eco-parable marks its 50th anniversary just as the United Nations releases a report on the dire consequences of human-induced climate change.

Books
Arts

Inspired By 'The Decameron,' These Poems Are A Modern Pandemic Time Capsule

7:12am August 12, 2021

by Jeevika Verma

If you, like many people, are getting through the dragging months of the pandemic by being Very Online, you'll find poet Leigh Stein's new book is a perfect encapsulation of that experience.

Mike Richards, left, and Mayim Bialik will co-host Jeopardy!

Arts

It's Double 'Jeopardy!': Mike Richards And Mayim Bialik Will Be New Hosts

9:06pm August 11, 2021

by Neda Ulaby

In a surprise move, Jeopardy! has selected actor Mayim Bialik and current executive producer Mike Richards as permanent new hosts of the game show.

Kenan Thompson speaks on stage during the 2019 New Yorker Festival. He's currently nominated for two Emmy Awards, one for Kenan, and another for his comic performances on SNL.

Arts

'Put Me On Blast': Kenan Thompson On 'SNL' And His New, Self-Titled Sitcom

1:43pm August 11, 2021

by Terry Gross

The SNL veteran plays a widowed father on his NBC show. Thompson says being a dad and playing a dad on TV can be a whirlwind: "I'm living my character kind of 24/7 in a weird way."

Queue Listen Now

Agatha of Little Neon, by Claire Luchette

Books
Arts

The Nuns In 'Agatha Of Little Neon' Don't Fly Or Sing, But They Will Stay With You

12:25pm August 11, 2021

by Maureen Corrigan

You don't have to be Catholic to connect with Claire Luchette's vivid story of a lonely young woman yearning for community — and also for everything she gave up to be part of that community.

Uatu the Watcher (voiced by Jeffrey Wright) is your guide to Disney+'s What If...?, which mixes up characters and events in the MCU.

Arts

'What If...?' Gives The Marvel Cinematic Universe An Animated Banger Of A Remix

5:01am August 11, 2021

This animated anthology series boasts clever writing, fluid animation and stories that mix and match MCU characters, who are voiced (mostly) by the actors who played them on the big screen.

Bonnaroo Will Require Vaccination Or Negative Test As Live Music Adapts To Delta

5:15pm August 10, 2021

by Andrew Limbong

The Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee announced today that it will require either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to attend.

In Batman: Urban Legends #6, Robin (Tim Drake) comes to a realization. Writer: Meghan Fitzmartin. Art: Belén Ortega. Color: Alejandro Sánchez.

Books
Arts

Batman's Sidekick Robin Comes Out. It Makes Sense, If You Were Paying Attention

5:02pm August 10, 2021

by Glen Weldon

In the pages of a DC Comics anthology series, Tim Drake — the third young man to assume to role of Batman's sidekick, Robin, has a "lightbulb moment" realization — but his journey is only beginning.