Pop Culture

One of the competitors on The Chair is Anna Martemucci, a graduate of New York University film school who has written and acted before, but never directed.

Arts

In 'The Chair,' Two Filmmakers Make Movies From The Same Script

11:18pm September 04, 2014

by David Bianculli

The new 10-episode reality show on Starz follows Anna Martemucci, a graduate of NYU film school, and Shane Dawson, who's been making YouTube videos for eight years. They compete for $250,000.

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Actor and typewriter aficionado Tom Hanks says typing on a typewriter "is only a softer version of chiseling words into stone."

Arts

In Tom Hanks' iPad App, Typewriters Make Triumphant Return (Ding!)

5:06pm September 03, 2014

by NPR Staff

For iPad users who are nostalgic for the clickety-clack of keystrokes and "ding!" of the carriage return, Hanks has created Hanx Writer, an app that simulates using a typewriter.

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Health & Safety

X Prize Competition Could Make 'Tricorder' A Reality

8:01pm August 31, 2014

Many Star Trek gadgets have made the journey from science fiction to real life. Arun Rath talks to Grant Campany about the X Prize Foundation's competition to bring the medical tricorder to life.

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Aaron Paul On Playing A Meth Dealer On 'Breaking Bad'

1:57pm August 27, 2014

Paul won the Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for playing student-turned-drug dealer Jesse Pinkman. In 2011, he said his character was supposed to die in the first season.

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Arts

Louis C.K. Reflects On 'Louie,' Loss, Love And Life

1:57pm August 27, 2014

C.K. won an Emmy for outstanding writing in a comedy series for an episode on his FX show Louie. In 2011, C.K. told Fresh Air about making his comedy special and his relationship with other comedians.

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Past Winners Do Well At 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

3:14pm August 26, 2014

by Eric Deggans

Plenty of statuettes were handed out Monday night at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. ABC's Modern Family won for best comedy series and AMC's Breaking Bad won best drama series.

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Arts

Allison Janney On Sex, Sorkin And Being The Tallest Woman In The Room

1:25pm August 25, 2014

Allison Janney has been nominated for Emmys for her roles on Masters of Sex and Mom. She says her relationships with her family members helped inform her characters. Originally broadcast Aug. 4.

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Arts

Viewer Beware: Watching Reality TV Can Impact Real-Life Behavior

7:13pm August 24, 2014

by NPR Staff

A new study finds that reality television shows like Jersey Shore and Real Housewives can make some viewers more aggressive in real life.

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The Simpsons family in the Itchy and Scratchy Land episode in 1994.

Arts

Prepare For 'The Simpsons' Marathon With Interviews From The 'Fresh Air' Archives

2:10pm August 21, 2014

Starting Thursday, FXX will air all 552 episodes of The Simpsons in the longest single-series marathon in TV history. Fresh Air listens backs to interviews with the show's creator, writers and actors.

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Arts

How 'The Knick' Creators Capture Turn-Of-The-Century Operating Scenes

2:49pm August 14, 2014

The drama is set in a New York hospital in 1900, when surgeons were developing new techniques. Series creators Jack Amiel and Michael Begler and medical historian Stanley Burns talk about the show.

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