Television

Arts

TV Production Boom Fueled By Scripted 'Must See' Shows

7:01pm June 03, 2016

We are in an era dubbed "peak TV," with more television being produced in the U.S. than ever. For people who work in the industry, and for people who watch TV, it's a big deal. Is it sustainable?

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Books

After 'Fargo' Noah Hawley Writes 'Before The Fall'

5:54am June 02, 2016

David Greene talks with Noah Hawley, the creator of TV's Fargo, about his novel Before the Fall. It's rooted in what Hawley views as a very real human desire to create narratives to explain tragedies.

Martin Short and Maya Rudolph kicked off their variety show Maya & Marty on Tuesday night.

Arts

'Maya And Marty': NBC Tries A Lukewarm Summer 'SNL' In Prime Time

11:32am June 01, 2016

by Linda Holmes

What could have been a true variety show collapsed into a halfhearted version of late-night comedy where the bright spots only accentuated the weak ones.

Arts

'Top Gear' Returns With New Hosts On BBC America

4:29pm May 30, 2016

by Eric Deggans

The massively popular BBC show, Top Gear, relaunches Monday on BBC America. Following the painfully public downfall of its former host, the new hosts have big gears to grind.

Arts

A Modern 'Roots' For An American Society Still 'Based On The Color Line'

5:17am May 30, 2016

by Eric Deggans

The remake of the seminal TV miniseries begins on the History channel Monday night. Co-producer LeVar Burton says he recognized an opportunity to retell the story "to and for a new generation."

'Roots' Remake: Your Take

5:14pm May 29, 2016

We want to hear your thoughts on the remake of the classic series. Use your phone's voice memo app to record yourself and email the audio to nprcrowdsource@npr.org using the subject line "Roots."

Arts

From Broadway To TV, An Actress' Death Takes Us Down Cultural Rabbit Hole

10:28am May 29, 2016

Beth Howland died in December at age 74. One of her best known roles, was as the original Amy in Stephen Sondheim's "Company." Looking into her past can lead you down a pop culture spiral.

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Chef Eddie Huang On Cultural Identity And 'Intestine Sticky Rice Hot Dog'

7:01pm May 27, 2016

by NPR Staff

Huang and his brothers, Evan and Emery, headed to China to reconnect with their culture, to eat lots and lots of food — and to cook. He's documented his travels in his new book, Double Cup Love.

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Comedian Maria Bamford Finds Humor In Uncomfortable Topics

1:35pm May 27, 2016

The star of the new Netflix series Lady Dynamite has used comedy to address her serious struggles with OCD, bipolar disorder and suicidal thoughts. Originally broadcast July 18, 2013.

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Malachi Kirby plays Kunta Kinte in the updated version of the miniseries Roots.

Arts

In Its Retelling, 'Roots' Is Powerful, Must-See Television

1:31pm May 26, 2016

by David Bianculli

This weekend, an eight-hour remake of the 1977 miniseries begins airing on A&E, Lifetime and The History Channel. TV critic David Bianculli says the new Roots deserves to be seen and talked about.

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