Critic-at-large Laurie Stone says that, while movies tend to be male-dominated, television has had the power to give more substantial roles to women. She reviews three new sitcoms about women at home and in the workplace.
Director Ken Russell's new movie, Lair of the White Worm, updates a minor Bram Stoker novel of the same name for the 1980s. Film critic Stephen Schiff says the movie's acting and effects are silly and over-the-top. That's all part of the charm.
James Fenton is a poet who traveled to Southeast Asia without any clear goal in mind. He started writing first-person journalism for a number of newspapers and magazines. Fenton covered the fall of Saigon and the end of the Marcos regime in the Philippines.
Television journalist Marlene Sanders was a pioneer in advancing the role of women in the newsroom. In the 1970s, she covered the feminist movement; she says no male journalists were able to get the story right. She has a new book about women, co-authored by Marcia Rock.
Hal Wilner produced the compilation album Stay Awake, which features contemporary artists performing songs from Disney movies. Rock critic Ken Tucker says it's uneven but has unexpected moments of beauty and inspiration. It's more of a baby-boom curiosity than an essential recording.
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews an all-star recording of Stravinsky's jazz-inspired theater piece, which features Sting, Ian McKellen, and Vanessa Redgrave.
Singer and civil rights worker Benice Johnson Reagon studied Euro-classical music in college, During her time in the Freedom Singers, she returned to her gospel roots. She joins Fresh Air to talk about how she combined her musical talents with her activism.
Part II of the interview with the folk-rock star. While serving time on drug charges, Crosby joined the prison band as a guitar player. He says it was the first time he performed sober.
Lawrence Joseph is lawyer and poet from Detroit whose parents are from Lebanon. Critic Stuart Klawans says Joseph's newest collection features brutal autobiography and fierce intelligence.
Book critic John Leonard reviews Alfred Kazin's new book, A Writer's America, which explores the country through the eyes of its great authors. Leonard's only complaint is that Kazin doesn't feature enough of his own distinct, literary voice.
New Yorker writer William Finnegan followed back journalists in South Africa who worked for a liberal, opposition newspapers. Finnegan is white, and his presence often put the people he traveled with in danger. His book about the reporters is called Dateline Soweto.
Part I of the Fresh Air interview. The folk-rock singer and songwriter battled drug addiction and eventually served eleven months in jail. He's now clean, and has a new autobiography about his life. He tells Fresh Air host Terry Gross about what made his bands The Byrds and Croby, Stills & Nash unique.
Rock historian Ed Ward concludes his profile of the early rhythm and blues band the 5 Royales. They were known for their raucous live shows and their prominent lead guitar lines.
Jane and Michael Stern are a husband-and-wife food-writing duo who travel the country to find the best regional food. Their work has spanned twenty years and several books. Their latest is called A Taste of America.
Nelson grew up picking cotton, and got his start as a musician playing in local Texas bars. Before finding fame as a singer, he sold songs he wrote to other performers, which later became hits. Nelson has a new memoir, called Willie, and an album of standards titled What a Wonderful World.
The Brazilian, guitar-playing brothers are in Philadelphia as part of their East Coast tour. They talk to Fresh Air guest host Marty Moss-Coane about their early music lessons and influences. The Assads' newest album, Alma Brasileira, features music exclusively by Brazilian composers.
