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Peter Boyer Asks "Who Killed CBS?"

New York Times television critic Peter Boyer. His new book, Who Killed CBS? The Undoing of America's Number One News Network, explores the recent turmoil within the news division of CBS, and how it has effected the entire corporation. He reports on the ill-fated reign of CBS News President Van Gordon Sauter, the tenure of Dan Rather as anchor of the CBS Evening News and the takeover of CBS by New York investor Laurence Tisch.

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Other segments from the episode on May 11, 1988

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, May 11, 1988: Interview with Peter Boyer; Review of Elizabeth Welch's album "The Irving Berlin Songbook"; Interview with Susan Baur; Commentary on bilingualism in the…
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06:49

Paying Tribute to Irving Berlin.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz pays tribute to Irving Berlin, arguably the greatest American song writer, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Schwartz will review a new recording of Berlin songs performed by Elizabeth Welch.

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07:36

A Look Back At Cronkite's Career In Broadcasting

There are two types of history to consider when trying to put CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite into context. There's the history of broadcast news and there's history itself. TV critic David Bianculli offers an appreciation of the venerable newsman.

Commentary
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06:39

'Good Night' from George Clooney

Film critic David Edelstein reviews Good Night, and Good Luck, a new film about Edward R. Murrow, tells the story of the famed newsman's clash with Sen. Joe McCarthy. The film, with David Strathairn in the title role, was directed by George Clooney.

Review

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34:41

Paperwork, lines, hours on hold: There's a 'Time Tax' on Americans who need help most

Journalist ANNIE LOWREY is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she covers economic policy. Her new book is The Time Tax: How the Government Wastes Our Time, and How to Fix It. She argues that the red tape in American life isn't an accident. It's a policy choice, one that determines who gets food assistance, health care, even the ability to vote. Her previous book is Give People Money about universal basic income. (INTERVIEW BY TONYA MOSLEY) (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).

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23:07

'Pluribus' star Rhea Seehorn says no thanks to a world dictated by groupthink

(2.) Actor RHEA SEEHORN<RAY Seehorn>. The former co-star of “Better Call Saul” is nominated for an Emmy for her starring role in “Pluribus,” the Apple TV series created by Vince Gilligan. Terry Gross spoke with RHEA SEEHORN last year about the “Pluribus”. “Pluribus” is nominated for eighteen Emmys, including one for SEEHORN as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. The Emmys are scheduled for September 14th. (THIS INTERVIEW ORIGINALLY AIRED 12.09.2025)

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