Segments by Date

My guest is the author Rhae Lynn Barnes. In the late 1800s, as professional minstrel shows were becoming obsolete, amateur blackface shows became one of the most popular forms of entertainment, and that's where Barnes' focus is. The new book "Darkology" uncovers the hidden history of blackface.

Sedaka, who died Feb. 27, was a classical piano prodigy whose hits in the late '50s and early '60s included "Calendar Girl" and "Breaking up is Hard to Do." Originally broadcast in 2007.

Five albums into their career, the band exudes a cocky confidence in its ability to use rock songs as vehicles for both social commentary and personal angst.

Our film critic, Justin Chang, says the new animated film "Hoppers" is the strongest Pixar movie in years. It's a science-fiction comedy about a college student who wants to protect the local wildlife and stumbles on an extremely high-tech way to do it. The movie opens in theaters this week and features the voices of Piper Curda, Bobby Moynihan and Jon Hamm. Here is Justin's review.

Delroy Lindo, an actor whose presence has shaped film and theater for more than 50 years. From West Indian Archie in Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" to the charming and cruel drug kingpin in "Clockers" to a father guarding an unspeakable secret in "The Cider House Rules," for me, Delroy's characters often feel lived in, complicated and hard to shake. In Ryan Coogler's latest film "Sinners," Lindo plays Delta Slim, a hard-drinking, deeply knowing blues harmonica player in 1930s Mississippi.

Trump is promoting tighter restrictions on mail-in ballots as well as passage of the SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to vote. UCLA professor Richard Hasen unpacks the ramifications.

The new Japanese film "Kokuho" set box office records in its home country. It's now playing in theaters here. The movie, which received an Oscar nomination for hair and makeup, tells the story of a gangster's son who dreams of being a star in Japan's famously rigorous Kabuki theater. Our critic-at-large John Powers says "Kokuho" carried him away into a fascinating subculture whose demands are at once familiar and unfamiliar.

Jessie Buckley, who is nominated for an Oscar for her starring role on "Hamnet." She's already won a Golden Globe for her performance.

Kenny has voiced SpongeBob since the animated series began in 1999. Now he's playing the character in a new film, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. Originally broadcast Nov. 16, 2004.

In the psychological drama "Dreams," Jessica Chastain plays a San Francisco philanthropist whose foundation supports a dance academy in Mexico City. The movie, which also stars the Mexican actor and ballet dancer Isaac Hernández, is the latest from the writer and director Michel Franco, who previously worked with Chastain in the 2024 film "Memory." "Dreams" opens in select theaters this week. And our film critic, Justin Chang, has this review.

"Man on the Run" is now streaming on Prime Video. It's about Sir Paul McCartney, but it's not about his years with the Beatles. Instead, it's about his first years without them. Yes, there have been plenty of Beatles-related documentaries in the past decade or so.

New York Times journalist David Sanger discusses how we got here, the state of Iran's nuclear weapons program, the likelihood of U.S. military force against Iran and if Trump's goal is regime change.

Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard, has had a long and interesting career, which only seems to get more interesting with age. Now in his 70s, he's just earned a Golden Globe award and an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor for his performance in the widely acclaimed film "Sentimental Value," from the Danish Norwegian director Joachim Trier.

Allegra Goodman's latest novel is called "This Is Not About Us." But our book critic, Maureen Corrigan, says that title is coy. Goodman's readers are bound to see aspects of themselves and their families in these pages. Here's her review.

Kate Hudson. She's up for an Oscar for her role as Claire in the film "Song Sung Blue," starring opposite Hugh Jackman as one half of Lightning & Thunder, a Neil Diamond tribute band.

From The Pitt to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Bianculli recommends the best television has to offer right now.

novelist Tayari Jones. She wrote her first novel more than two decades ago, but it was her fourth, "An American Marriage," that put her into the national spotlight. When it came out in 2018, Oprah chose it for her book club, and Barack Obama put it on his reading list. It went on to win the Women's Prize for Fiction and has been published in more than a dozen countries, praised as a compassionate portrait of love and justice.

Wiseman's narration-free documentaries, including Titicut Follies, Hospital and Central Park, examined institutions and neighborhoods. He died Feb. 16. Originally broadcast in 1986.

Duvall, who died Feb. 15, often played intense, combative characters. His film credits include The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Great Santini and Lonesome Dove. Originally broadcast in 1996 and 2010.

Michael Pollan. His new book, titled "A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness," is about different ways neurobiologists and engineers are trying to figure out the source of consciousness and whether AI can ever achieve it. Pollan also writes about how Zen Buddhists, writers and philosophers approach the idea of self and consciousness.