Pop Culture

In Louie, Louis C.K. plays a comic who finds comedy in uncomfortable, touchy topics.

Arts

Louis C.K. On His 'Louie' Hiatus: 'I Wanted The Show To Feel New Again'

2:59pm May 19, 2014

The comic tells Fresh Air that after Season 3, he "aggressively forgot the show existed for a few months." Then he got back to work. Louie is now in its fourth season.

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Michael Conrad as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus does the cop roll call, concluding with his signature line: "Let's be careful out there."

Arts

Let's Be Careful Out There: The Legacy Of 'Hill Street Blues'

9:17am May 09, 2014

by Eric Deggans

TV is full of dramas that are as complex as the best novels or films. But they all owe some debt to the pioneering gritty cop show Hill Street Blues, which has just been released on DVD.

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Among Hill Street Blues' many innovations, says David Bianculli, was focusing on a large ensemble cast instead of one or two central stars. Pictured here: Veronica Hamel as Joyce Davenport, Daniel J. Travanti as Capt. Frank Furillo and Robert Prosky as Sg

Arts

'Hill Street Blues' Created Two Eras For TV Drama: Before And After

2:49pm May 07, 2014

by David Bianculli

In 1981, NBC presented a new police series that went on to make TV history. Hill Street Blues has just been released on DVD in its entirety for the first time.

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Srinivas Ayyagari onstage in 1992 (left); at right, Ayyagari today. "Seeing someone from ESPN commenting on your style and strategy was bizarre and weird. But it's the closest I'll ever come to being an athlete," Ayyagari says.

Arts

What Happens To Spelling Bee Kids? Years Later, The Prize Is Perspective

2:25pm May 06, 2014

by Elise Hu

NPR tracked down former top spellers to see how they're faring, decades after their early successes.

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Todd Barry has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Late Show With David Letterman and Late Night With Conan O'Brien.

Arts

Todd Barry's New Stand-Up Strategy: 'Does Anyone Want To Talk To Me?'

3:51pm May 05, 2014

Last year, the comedian teamed up with Louis C.K. to film a tour in which all he did was crowd work, or engage the audience in improvised conversations.

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Arts

'24' Returns To Live Another Action-Packed Day

12:33pm May 03, 2014

Jack Bauer is back and fighting terrorism in Europe. Can he save the day again? NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Kiefer Sutherland about bringing Bauer back for a new season of "24."

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Books
Arts

The Making Of 'Godzilla,' Japan's Favorite 'Mon-Star'

2:23pm May 02, 2014

Steve Ryfle is the author of a book about the making of the film and its many sequels. He spoke to Fresh Air in 2004, on the film's 50th anniversary.

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Matthew Weiner says sometimes he wakes up in the middle of the night wondering if there'd even be a Mad Men without Jon Hamm, who plays Don Draper.

Arts

'Mad Men' Creator Matthew Weiner On The End Of Don Draper's Journey

2:35pm May 01, 2014

Weiner is currently writing and shooting the show's final episodes. He tells Fresh Air, "I'm going to be leaving these characters in a place where they belong."

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If We'd Only Known About The Impending Spam

2:10pm April 29, 2014

by NPR Staff

Twenty years ago, NPR alerted staff members that they would soon have access to a new form of communication: "A collection of computer networks that is connected around the world."

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Arts

'Say Anything,' Still Full Of Guileless Affection

11:44am April 24, 2014

by Linda Holmes

A look back at the seminal teen flick reveals a surprisingly deep and romantic story. This story originally aired on All Things Considered on April 13, 2014.

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