Terry Gross appears in the following:
'Fresh Air' remembers an icon of Philly sound, music producer Thom Bell
Friday, January 06, 2023
Born in Jamaica, Bell moved to Philadelphia as a kid and went on to shape Philly Soul, with hits like "Back Stabbers," by The O'Jays. Bell died Dec. 22. Originally broadcast in 2006.
He's edited Caro, le Carré and 'Catch-22,' but doesn't mind if you don't know his name
Tuesday, January 03, 2023
Robert Gottlieb has been working in publishing since 1955. The documentary Turn Every Page, by daughter Lizzie Gottlieb, examines his decades-long editing relationship with author Robert Caro.
More than fame and success, Rosie Perez found what she always wanted — a stable home
Monday, January 02, 2023
Raised in a convent for abandoned kids, The Flight Attendant co-star used to dream of stability and a loving home. Now that she has it, Perez says, "It's priceless." Originally published May 9, 2022.
'Weird Al' Yankovic wants to 'bring sexy back' to the accordion
Friday, December 30, 2022
It's "a very sensual instrument," the parody artists insists. A new over-the-top "biopic" tells the story of Yankovic's life — sort of. Originally broadcast Nov. 16, 2022.
Comic Jerrod Carmichael bares his secrets in 'Rothaniel'
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
The comic, actor and writer opens up about his name, his family tree and his sexual orientation in an HBO special. "The more honest I am, the freer I am," he says. Originally broadcast April 18, 2022.
'Reservation Dogs' co-creator says the show gives audiences permission to laugh
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Sterlin Harjo says society has a tendency to be "very precious with Native people." His irreverent series follows four teens on a reservation. Originally broadcast Sept. 19, 2022.
Steven Spielberg was a fearful kid who found solace in storytelling
Monday, December 26, 2022
Spielberg's latest project, The Fabelmans, is semi-autobiographical — focused on his childhood and teen years and his parents' divorce. Originally broadcast Nov. 9, 2022.
John McEnroe grapples with his legacy as tennis' bad boy
Friday, December 23, 2022
McEnroe reflects on his career in a Showtime documentary: "When I went to Wimbledon in London for the first time, and I was like, 'Wow, they're so polite here.'" Originally published Sept. 6, 2022.
From 'Dreamgirls' to 'Abbott Elementary,' Sheryl Lee Ralph forged her own path
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Ralph won an Emmy for her role as a no-nonsense kindergarten teacher on Abbott Elementary. She says classroom management is about setting clear boundaries. Originally broadcast Sept. 12, 2022.
'Fresh Air' presents: Christmas with Questlove
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Get ready for holiday music! Roots cofounder Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson shares his Christmas playlist, which includes songs by DRAM, James Brown, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.
What a classic '50s Western can teach us about the Hollywood Blacklist
Friday, December 16, 2022
Author Glenn Frankel says the 1952 film High Noon was inspired by the toxic political climate of the time. Originally broadcast Feb. 21, 2017.
Rachel Maddow uncovers a WWII-era plot against America in 'Ultra'
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Maddow's podcast uncovers the widespread anti-Semitic, pro-German sympathies active among major religious and political leaders in the U.S. in the lead-up to U.S. entering WWII.
Remembering Marijane Meaker, a pioneer of lesbian pulp fiction
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Meaker wrote Spring Fire in 1952, and was surprised when it sold 1.5 million copies. She went on to write other lesbian-themed books under pen names. She died Nov. 21. Originally broadcast 2003.
Pioneering writer Octavia Butler on writing Black people and women into sci-fi
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Butler's 1979 book, Kindred, is now a series for FX on Hulu. In 1993, the pioneering author, who died in 2006, told Fresh Air she made up her own stories so that she could see herself in them.
A documentary shows never-before-seen footage 50 years after Neil Young's 'Harvest'
Friday, December 09, 2022
The scenes in the new documentary Harvest Time show footage taken when Young was making the album Harvest. We listen back to two Fresh Air interviews with Young, from 1992 and 2004.
We listen back to an interview with George Clooney, now a Kennedy Center Honoree
Friday, December 09, 2022
Clooney was among the recipients of the 45th Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday. He appeared on Fresh Air in 2005, after he directed, co-wrote and co-starred in Good Night, and Good Luck.
Chaos reigns at Twitter as Musk manages 'by whims'
Thursday, December 08, 2022
Tech journalist Casey Newton says Elon Musk did not inherit a company in crisis — but after massive layoffs and upheaval the social media giant is losing money and Musk is warning of bankruptcy.
In 'Chippendales,' actor Kumail Nanjiani embraces a complicated, criminal role
Wednesday, December 07, 2022
Somen "Steve" Banerjee, founder of Chippendales, was ultimately undone by his own corrupt business practices. "He was the king of a world that wouldn't have him as a member," Nanjiani says.
'White Lotus' creator Mike White finds wide success after 25 years in the margins
Monday, December 05, 2022
As the second season of HBO's The White Lotus comes to a close, creator Mike White reflects on how it examines the dark side of sex, and how at its heart is a mix of Laverne & Shirley and Survivor.
Trevor Noah steps away from 'The Daily Show', embarks on new standup tour
Friday, December 02, 2022
Trevor Noah is stepping down as host of The Daily Show after seven years. We'll listen back to portions of two 2016 interviews with Noah, whose newest standup comedy special just premiered on Netflix.