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From the Archives: Comedians Robert Townsend and Richard Lewis.

Film director and comedian, Robert Townsend. His first film, "Hollywood Shuffle" took a satiric look at the roles offered to blacks in Hollywood, and established Townsend --with Spike Lee and others-- as a new group of talented black filmmakers who won industry acceptance after making independent films. His new film is "Meteor Man". (REBROADCAST FROM 6-9-87)

Standup comic Richard Lewis. In his act, Lewis portrays a spastic, tortured, self-deprecating man living a life of unrelieved pain. He says of his comedy that after he's finished his act "people throw prescription drugs and the names of their therapists instead of roses. I'm the wreck they can't be." Lewis is in Mel Brook's latest film "Men in Tights" and stars in a new TV series on Fox with Don Rickles. (REBROADCAST FROM 6-16-88).

14:27
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Other segments from the episode on September 10, 1993

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, September 10, 1993: Interview with Curtis Mayfield; Interviews with Richard Lewis and Robert Townsend; Review of the album "Sweet Relief."
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22:31

Curtis Mayfield Discusses his Life and Career.

Curtis Mayfield. He's been called "the thinking man's soul man." He's known for his floating falsetto voice, gospel sound, and social commentary. He was with the group, "The Impressions" for 12 years recording such classics as "Gypsy Woman," "I'm so Proud," and "People Get Ready." After that he went solo. His score for "Superfly," was considered a musical breakthrough, and has inspired many of today's hip-hop performers.

Interview
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06:18

Tribute to a Musicians' Musician.

Ken Tucker reviews the new benefit album organized to help singer/songwriter Victoria Williams, who is afflicted with multiple sclerosis: "Sweet Relief". The album features Lou Reed, Pearl Jam, Matthew Sweet and others performing her songs.

Review

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03:50

Black Artists and Black Narratives

Critic-at-large Laurie Stone reviews a new play and movie about the African American experience, both written by African American artists. She says the works should be celebrated for their refusal to pander to white audiences.

Review
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10:01

Resisting Hollwood's Demand to "Be Blacker"

Film actor, writer, and director Robert Townsend satirizes his experiences as an African American in Hollywood in the new film, Hollywood Shuffle. He says that television commercials have given him more opportunities than movies to play diverse roles.

Interview

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How Jared Kushner is mixing U.S. diplomacy with his billion-dollar business

Journalist DEXTER FILKINS, a staff writer for The New Yorker. His new piece, "Jared Kushner’s Dollar Diplomacy," looks at Trump’s son-in-law’s growing role in American foreign policy while his private-equity firm is backed by billions of dollars from governments in the Middle East. (INTERVIEW BY TONYA MOSLEY) (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).

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Singer/actor Danielle Brooks says 'gratitude should always lead the way'

Actress DANIELLE BROOKS. She’s known for her roles as Tastee in Orange in the New Black and Sophia in the Broadway revival and film adaptations of The Color Purple. She co-stars in the new film If I Go Will They Miss Me. (INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).

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