Pop Culture

The Amazing Spider-Man #700 is the final issue of the series.

Arts

Peter Parker's Dead, But Spider-Man Will Live On (Sort Of)

8:47pm December 30, 2012

by Steve Mullis

Marvel Comics has killed off the iconic web-headed superhero — or to be more precise, they've killed off Peter Parker. Spider-Man will continue web-slinging, albeit with a twist that has earned writer Dan Slott the ire of many fans.

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Books
Arts

Colbert On Musical Moments And 'America Again'

4:23pm December 28, 2012

As part of our year-end wrap up, we are sharing the best Fresh Air interviews of 2012. Here we listen back to two interviews we did this year with Stephen Colbert. He talks about the presidential debates, his superPAC, Jesus Christ Superstar and Elvis Costello

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Templeton, Iowa, is a tiny farming community mostly unchanged since the days of Prohibition.

The Rebirth Of Rye Whiskey And Nostalgia For 'The Good Stuff'

11:04am December 28, 2012

by Noah Adams

Rye was all but pushed off the market by sweeter, corn-based bourbon after Prohibition, but it might be coming back, no illegal still required. Bartenders from coast to coast seem to prefer its intense flavor for their cocktail creations.

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On Aaron Sorkin's latest drama The Newsroom, Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels) pledges to cover stories because they're important, not because they get ratings.

Arts

Aaron Sorkin: The Writer Behind 'The Newsroom'

12:18pm December 27, 2012

HBO's new behind-the-anchor-desk drama follows in the footsteps of Sorkin's hit series The West Wing. "I like writing about heroes that don't wear capes or disguises," he says.

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A screengrab from the "Kony 2012" online video about the Central African warlord Joseph Kony, which skyrocketed in popularity after its release in March. It was criticized, then forgotten, just as quickly.

Arts

In Rapid-Fire 2012, Memes' Half-Life Fell To A Quarter

4:34am December 27, 2012

by Neda Ulaby

Internet memes used to stick around for months on end (remember "Charlie Bit My Finger"?). But in 2012, the shelf-life of an Internet sensation became increasingly fleeting. Funny videos and games are now enjoying only brief moments in the cultural spotlight before they're forgotten.

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Joan Rivers says her material has only gotten stronger with age. "I always say, 'What are you going to do? Are you going to fire me? Been fired. Going to be bankrupt? Been bankrupt.'"

Books
Arts

Joan Rivers Hates You, Herself and Everyone Else

12:19pm December 26, 2012

Comedian Joan Rivers hates a lot of things. Her new book, I Hate Everyone, Starting With Me, details the things Rivers can't stand, from her appearance to obituaries to younger comedians who steal her gigs.

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Aziz Ansari dissects a variety of topics in his latest comedy special, Dangerously Delicious.

Arts

Aziz Ansari's Latest Is 'Dangerously Delicious'

9:55am December 26, 2012

The comedian, who plays Tom Haverford on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, just released a new comedy special directly on his website. He's also embarking on a multicity tour, where he'll be riffing on the things that terrify him — marriage, for instance, and babies.

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How To Handle Santa-Heavy TV In A Jewish Home

1:46pm December 25, 2012

The Christmas season is a peculiar time for Jewish children, many of whom are drawn to Christmas specials like A Christmas Story. What should Jewish parents do? Guest host John Donvan talks to Slate senior editor Dahlia Lithwick about her Jewish parent's guide to Christmas specials.

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Aaron Paul plays a meth-making drug dealer on the AMC drama Breaking Bad.

Arts

David Bianculli Says 2012 Brought No New TV Favorites

2:57pm December 24, 2012

Fresh Air's television critic says there weren't any new shows this year that wowed him and that all the shows he watched and loved this year were ones that have been on for at least a season. His No. 1 favorite remains Breaking Bad.

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Laura Dern and series creator Mike White, shown together on the set of Enlightened, first worked together on White's 2007 film Year of the Dog.

Arts

HBO's 'Enlightened' Take On Modern Meditation

2:00pm December 21, 2012

Laura Dern is Amy Jellicoe, a health and beauty executive who returns from a post-meltdown retreat to pick up the pieces of her broken life in the HBO series Enlightened. Series creator Mike White talks about the tone of the show, and whether it's possible for people to really change.

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