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Today in Fresh Air History
A Comedian Plays a Comedian
Jonathan Katz stars as standup comedian Jackie Shore in the new movie Things Change, which was written by his friend David Mamet. Katz played a con man in the earlier Mamet movie House of Games, which Katz says was loosely based on their experience as small-time ping pong hustlers.
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The voices of Sept. 11: 'My first thought was ... I can't believe that I survived'
(1.) Former FDNY Deputy Chief JOHN "JAY" JONAS. He was in the North tower on September 11th when the South tower collapsed. He and his crew made their way down from the 27th floor. On the 20th, they came across a woman who could barely walk. They made it to the fourth floor when the building collapsed around them. JONAS retired from the Fire department in 2022 after almost 43 years. (INTERVIEW FROM 2011.09.07)
How the WNBA became a political prop in the culture wars
SABREENA MERCHANT covers women’s basketball for The Athletic. The WNBA is having a moment, fueled by rising stars like Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, and Angel Reese, recent leadership changes, and the culture war debates over trans athletes. MERCHANT discusses the latest in professional women's basketball —including the controversies surrounding the WNBA, on and off the court. (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW.) (INTERVIEW BY SAM FRAGOSO.)
Practical Magic 2' can't break the curse of the Hollywood sequel
Film critic JUSTIN CHANG reviews Practical Magic 2.