Television

Arts

What's making us smile? That time Elmo lost his cool over Rocco

7:39pm January 04, 2022

by Elizabeth Blair

We feel you, Elmo. Rocco is "JUST A ROCK." This episode of Sesame Street was brought to you in 2004, but going viral on Twitter today. Call it pandemic relief of the fuzziest kind.

'Sesame Street' composer Stephen Lawrence has died at 82

6:25am January 04, 2022

by Elizabeth Blair

Emmy Award-winning composer Stephen Lawrence, who co-wrote songs for Sesame Street and Free to Be... You and Me, died on December 30 at age 82.

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Temura Morrison plays the title bounty hunter in The Book of Boba Fett.

Arts

'The Book of Boba Fett' adds an impressive chapter to the 'Star Wars' saga

1:50pm January 03, 2022

by David Bianculli

Picking up where The Mandalorian left off, this new fantasy series on Disney+ features well-defined characters, exciting action and special effects that are as good as in any Star Wars movie.

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Arts

Betty White, a beloved icon and actress since the beginning of TV, has died at age 99

8:42pm December 31, 2021

by Kyle Norris

TV favors the young — but Betty White only got more famous as she got older. White's career began in the earliest days of television, and she was active until her death at the age of 99.

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Betty White at the 41st Annual People's Choice Awards in 2015.

Arts

Remembering the smart, sharp, naughty Betty White

6:00pm December 31, 2021

by Linda Holmes

Betty White was smart and sharp, sexy and versatile, for decades. Anyone who saw her as just a salty-mouthed grandma missed out.

Arts

'Schmigadoon!' star Cecily Strong and co-creator Cinco Paul embrace musical satire

1:12pm December 31, 2021

by Terry Gross

The Apple TV+ satire series Schmigadoon! centers on a couple who gets trapped in a town where people burst into song. Originally broadcast Aug. 9 and Aug. 23.

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The top Fresh Air web stories of 2021 reflect the show's status as a place where artists, authors and journalists speak to the moment.

You won't want to miss the 10 most popular 'Fresh Air' stories of 2021

11:40am December 30, 2021

From Dr. Anthony Fauci to Sacha Baron Cohen, the year's most popular Fresh Air web pages reflect the show's strength as a place where artists, authors and journalists speak to the moment.

Stills from (L-R): CODA, The Morning Show, Summer of Soul, Starstruck, Plan B, the Olympics, Ted Lasso, and Spencer.

Arts

50 wonderful things from 2021: The performances, moments, and laughs we'll remember

9:37am December 30, 2021

by Linda Holmes

NPR pop culture critic Linda Holmes lists highlights from the year, including Ted Lasso, a TikTok dog, a twisty mystery, some great performances, and a moment in a mall.

National

Some of the best TV shows of 2021, you may not have even heard of

4:51pm December 29, 2021

by Eric Deggans

NPR TV critic Eric Deggans shares what shows he loved in 2021 and what TV should have gotten more attention.

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Former Oakland Raiders coach John Madden practices the electronic charting device telestrator on Jan. 21, 1982, for the Super Bowl broadcast on CBS. Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster, died Tuesday morning.

NFL Hall of Fame coach and iconic sports broadcaster John Madden dies at 85

11:50am December 29, 2021

by Jaclyn Diaz

For 10 seasons, John Madden led the Oakland Raiders as head coach. After his retirement, he became a legendary NFL commentator for three decades.