Dennis Smith says that his own history as a firefighter helped him earn the trust of the people he interviewed for his new book. He talks about firefighter training and culture, and shares some of the personal anecdotes he learned during his research. Smith's first book was called Report from Engine Co. 82
Sci-fi writer and editor Bruce Sterling says that the cyberpunk movement doesn't anticipate the future--it describes the how technological innovation affects culture today.
Guest critic Stuart Klawans says that Harvey Pekar's critically acclaimed comic book series is changing, and not necessarily for better or worse. While their sardonic tone remain, the latest issues focus more on significant moments in Pekar's life, and less on the the minutiae of everyday life.
Journalist Timothy Ferris spent twelve years writing his new history of the galaxy. He explores ancient and contemporary theories of the universe, and how philosophy and theology have influenced scientific advancements.
Ken Tucker recommends the home video release of Near Dark, a vampire movie directed and cowritten by Kathryn Bigelow. Dark Eyes and Wall Street are also worth watching.
Most people know Steve Turre as the pony-tailed trombonist in the Saturday Night Live band. His new album, Fire and Ice, pairs a jazz combo with a string section. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the CD version -- with more tracks than the LP -- is the one to buy.
Music critic Nelson George considers the changing nature of black music. In the past, Nelson says, African American artists, record store owners, and concert promoters were more community oriented. He thinks the focus now is on corporate-backed, commercial success.
David Watts continued the gorilla research of Dian Fossey after her 1985 murder. He served as a consultant on the film Gorillas in the Mist, based on Fossey's book of the same name.
Pat DiNizio fronts the rock band The Smithereens, whose new album is called Green Thoughts. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his musical inspirations and straightforward approach to lyric writing.
TV critic David Bianculli still needs to deliver a column each week, even as the ongoing writers' strike affects programming. He shares some of his more inventive ideas of what to write about.
Patti Smith returns with Dream of Life, her first album in nearly a decade. Rock critic Ken Tucker says her mix of avant-garde lyrics and working-class populism may make her America's John Lennon, but she uses up her best ideas too quickly.
Part II of the Fresh Air interview with Penelope Spheeris. Terry Gross asks the filmmaker about growing up in a carnival, the prophetic power of rock music, and making movies about youth culture. Spheeris's new documentary is The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years.
Film critic Stephen Schiff says that two new crime comedies, A Fish Called Wanda and Midnight Run, don't do justice to the excellent performances of their lead actors.
Part I of Terry Gross's interview with filmmaker Penelope Spheeris. Spheeris talks about her new movie, The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: the Metal Years, a documentary about the heavy metal scene. She thinks stereotypes of the inarticulate and unskilled metal musicians are unfair -- though it's often true that they embrace a drug-fueled, self-destructive lifestyle.
Classical music Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new collection of Renata Tebaldi's performances. The recordings are so good that he's willing to overlook the soprano's sometimes forced, theatrical effects.
Sociologist Barry Glassner's new book Bodies explores the pressures Americans face to conform to particular standards of health and beauty. He says this cultural expectation -- which even extends to the workplace -- has led to a proliferation of diet and exercise programs, which most participants are doomed to fail.
Language commentator Geoff Nunberg wonders about the demand for authentic regional and national accents in motion pictures -- even when its not essential to the plot.
The conceptual artist developed the sets and visual style for science fiction movies like Blade Runner, Short Circuit, and Tron. NASA has also called on him to design Skylab. He joins Fresh Air to talk about how individuals and corporations conceive of the world to come.
