The Best Television Of 2015
With so many good TV shows out there, the bar has been raised for best-of lists. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans highlights 12 shows he says are more than good — they're game-changing.
Pop Culture
2015 In TV: A Couple More Under The Radar Picks
Linda Wertheimer talks with Slate critic June Thomas about her underrated television pick. She chose two dramas, "Cucumber" and "Banana," about the lives of a group of gay men in Manchester, England.
'Our Gang' Chronicles Lives Of African-American Actors In 'The Little Rascals'
NPR's Robert Siegel talks to author Julia Lee about her book Our Gang: A Racial History of The Little Rascals. She chronicles the story of the African-American actors in the films. They were hailed as heroes of the black community for a time but were later reviled for their roles.
'Another Great Year For TV': David Bianculli On The Best (And Worst) Of 2015
Though broadcast TV didn't impress him much this year, critic David Bianculli says Better Call Saul and a number of other shows from cable and streaming services made 2015 a great year for viewers.
The 'Unitasker' Kitchen Gadgets Alton Brown Loves To Loathe
The Food Network host and celebrity chef has a vendetta against single-use kitchen gadgets. This year, he takes aim at meat claws, the egg cuber and the Rollie Eggmaster.
Another Burning Miss Universe Query: Why Did Miss Honduras Wear Skulls?
It turns out the skulls have many layers of symbolism, from Mayan lore to modern-day issues.
How Did Santa Get Hooked On Cookies And Milk?
Turns out the tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa hasn't left much of a trail of crumbs to trace through history. But it might start with the early cookies of 13th-century Europe.
Pop Culture Happy Hour Small Batch: The Very Spoilery 'Star Wars'
Glen Weldon joins host Linda Holmes for a chat about a few spoilery aspects of the newly crowned owner of many box-office records.
Make 'Em Laugh: 'The Comedians' Tells The Story Of Stand-Up
Kliph Nesteroff's book digs into the origins of modern comedy, from the segregated Chitlin' Circuit to the vaudeville refugees who found a new home in the Catskills, to the very first female comics.
Revisiting Mary Martin's Lighter-Than-Air Exuberance In NBC's 1955 'Peter Pan' Live
In 1955 and '56, NBC aired live telecasts of the Broadway hit Peter Pan, starring Mary Martin. Critic Lloyd Schwartz calls the performances, now available on Blu-ray, a "tribute to freedom and youth."