Pop Culture

Allison Tolman plays Deputy Sheriff Molly Solverson in the FX TV series Fargo. It's a breakout role for the actress who had done only theater and commercials.

Arts

'Fargo' TV Series Captures The Best And Worst Of America

10:46am June 17, 2014

The finale of the Fargo TV series airs Tuesday. The characters are different, like a deputy sheriff played by Allison Tolman. But writer Noah Hawley says the Coen brothers told him he "nailed it."

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Arts

New Season Of 'Orange Is The New Black' Has A Strong, Unsettling Start

5:31pm June 11, 2014

Netflix's women-in-prison series, based on a memoir by Piper Kerman, returns Friday. Fresh Air listens back to interviews with Kerman and series creator Jenji Kohan.

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Books
Arts

John Waters Hitchhikes Across America, And Lives To Write About It

4:04pm June 10, 2014

The 68-year-old film director hitchhiked from Baltimore to San Francisco for his book Carsick. He says hitchhiking is "the worst beauty regimen ever" and admits he always kept his luggage with him.

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Laverne Cox of Netflix's Orange is the New Black.

Arts

'I Kinda Stole The Show': Laverne Cox And The Path To Prestige Television

7:29pm June 06, 2014

by Neda Ulaby

Actress Laverne Cox has had huge success on Orange is the New Black. But breaking into acting as a tall trans woman of color wasn't a simple thing by any means.

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Mr. Numbers (Adam Goldberg) signs to Mr. Wrench, played by Russell Harvard, in the sixth episode of the TV show Fargo.

Arts

In 'Fargo,' A Deaf Actor Gets His Chance To Be Wicked

4:48pm June 03, 2014

by Becky Sullivan

An actor since childhood, Russell Harvard always wanted to play the bad guy. In the TV show Fargo, he plays a menacing hit man whose partner interprets for him — sometimes.

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Arts

TV Offerings Are Hotter Than Usual This Summer

7:11pm May 29, 2014

by Melissa Block

This year, more original, highly anticipated summer TV series are debuting on the broadcast networks than ever before — along with some big-ticket series from cable and one of Netflix's biggest shows.

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Arts

For TV Advertisers, A Hunt For Live Audiences

7:11pm May 29, 2014

Advertising deals for the upcoming television season are now being negotiated. Jeanine Poggi, TV reporter for Ad Age, says that in an era of time-shifted viewing, advertisers are in hot pursuit of the people who watch TV live.

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Bob Newhart Looks Back On A Career Of One-Sided Conversations

9:46am May 28, 2014

David Greene talks to comedian Bob Newhart about his critically acclaimed show and career. The complete box set of The Bob Newhart Show is being released in its entirety for the first time.

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Arts

HBO's 'The Normal Heart' Looks At The Early Days Of The AIDS Crisis

1:27pm May 23, 2014

by David Bianculli

On Sunday night, HBO presents a new TV version of Larry Kramer's 1985 play. Kramer himself wrote the adaptation, which stars Mark Ruffalo and Julia Roberts.

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The Maya Rudolph Show premiered Monday night with guest appearances from Sean Hayes, Fred Armisen and Andy Samberg.

Arts

'The Maya Rudolph Show' And What It'll Take To Bring Back Variety

6:40pm May 20, 2014

by David Bianculli

The comedian's prime-time NBC special is the latest rare attempt by network TV to revive the long-dormant genre. Fresh Air's critic doesn't think it succeeded, but he encourages TV to try, try again.

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