NPR Programs: Fresh Air from WHYY http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13&ft=1&f=13 This one-hour program features Terry Gross' in-depth interviews with prominent cultural and entertainment figures, as well as distinguished experts on current affairs and news. en Copyright 2010 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:57:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Fresh Air from WHYY http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13&ft=1&f=13 In 'Still Here,' A Fully Committed Joaquin Phoenix A couple of years back, the two-time Oscar nominee announced he was giving up acting to become a rapper. David Edelstein reviews Casey Affleck's film <em>I'm Still Here,</em> which tracks Phoenix's transformation -- and says there may be a real madness in Phoenix's method performance. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:57:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129756616&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129756616&ft=1&f=13 A couple of years back, the two-time Oscar nominee announced he was giving up acting to become a rapper. David Edelstein reviews Casey Affleck's film I'm Still Here, which tracks Phoenix's transformation -- and says there may be a real madness in Phoenix's method performance.

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]]> Teddy Roosevelt And The 'Burn' That Saved Forests Author Timothy Egan argues in <em>The Big Burn</em> that the forest fire of 1910 -- the largest in American history -- actually saved the forests, even as its flames charred the trees. It helped rally public support, Egan explains, behind Theodore Roosevelt's push to protect national lands. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129750575&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129750575&ft=1&f=13 Author Timothy Egan argues in The Big Burn that the forest fire of 1910 -- the largest in American history -- actually saved the forests, even as its flames charred the trees. It helped rally public support, Egan explains, behind Theodore Roosevelt's push to protect national lands.

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]]> Hal Holbrook: A Lifetime Of Diverse Roles After a lifetime of acting, the 85-year-old Hal Holbrook is still racking up new accomplishments. In 2008, he received his first Oscar nomination for his performance in <em>Into The Wild.</em> Last year, he starred in <em>That Evening Sun.</em> Now, he has a reoccurring role on the new FX series <em>Sons of Anarchy.</em> Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129772235&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129772235&ft=1&f=13 After a lifetime of acting, the 85-year-old Hal Holbrook is still racking up new accomplishments. In 2008, he received his first Oscar nomination for his performance in Into The Wild. Last year, he starred in That Evening Sun. Now, he has a reoccurring role on the new FX series Sons of Anarchy.

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]]> Katy Perry: A 'Teenage Dream,' An Artistic Musician Perry has released what is commonly considered the pop hit of the summer, a song called "California Gurls." Perry has a new album, <em>Teenage Dream,</em> which rock critic Ken Tucker says is just one part of what he calls "the Katy Perry art project." Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129663867&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129663867&ft=1&f=13 Perry has released what is commonly considered the pop hit of the summer, a song called "California Gurls." Perry has a new album, Teenage Dream, which rock critic Ken Tucker says is just one part of what he calls "the Katy Perry art project."

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]]> Fair Or Not, 'Freedom' Has Earned Its Accolades Why all the adulatory attention, critics ask, for Jonathan Franzen's latest domestic drama about marriage and family? Even though Franzen gets more praise for doing what many fine female writers do "backwards and in heels," critic Maureen Corrigan says <em>Freedom</em> has earned its high praise. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129727817&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129727817&ft=1&f=13 Why all the adulatory attention, critics ask, for Jonathan Franzen's latest domestic drama about marriage and family? Even though Franzen gets more praise for doing what many fine female writers do "backwards and in heels," critic Maureen Corrigan says Freedom has earned its high praise.

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]]> Franzen On The Book, The Backlash, His Background Jonathan Franzen's new novel <em>Freedom</em> has been called "a masterpiece" by <em>Time Magazine</em> and has received rave reviews from critics. Franzen talks about<em></em> the runaway success of his previous novel <em>The Corrections,</em> and the strong reaction elicited by <em>Freedom.</em> Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:43:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129747555&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129747555&ft=1&f=13 Jonathan Franzen's new novel Freedom has been called "a masterpiece" by Time Magazine and has received rave reviews from critics. Franzen talks about the runaway success of his previous novel The Corrections, and the strong reaction elicited by Freedom.

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]]> Fresh Air Remembers Comedian Robert Schimmel The 60-year-old comedian, who often joked about his own life in his raunchy stand-up routines, died Friday from injuries suffered in a car accident. <em>Fresh Air</em> remembers Schimmel with highlights from a 2008 interview in which he discusses his memoir <em>Cancer On $5 A Day.</em> Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:48:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129706457&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129706457&ft=1&f=13 The 60-year-old comedian, who often joked about his own life in his raunchy stand-up routines, died Friday from injuries suffered in a car accident. Fresh Air remembers Schimmel with highlights from a 2008 interview in which he discusses his memoir Cancer On $5 A Day.

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]]> Good Night, Sleep Tight, Don't Let The Bedbugs ... Bedbugs virtually disappeared from the U.S. by the 1950s, but now they're back -- in homes, hotels and schools. Entomologist Michael Potter, who specializes in pest management, explains how to check hotel rooms for the "perfect parasite" -- and what to do if you suspect an infestation. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129701363&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129701363&ft=1&f=13 Bedbugs virtually disappeared from the U.S. by the 1950s, but now they're back -- in homes, hotels and schools. Entomologist Michael Potter, who specializes in pest management, explains how to check hotel rooms for the "perfect parasite" -- and what to do if you suspect an infestation.

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]]> Journalist Lawrence Wright's 'Trip To Al-Qaeda' A new HBO documentary details Wright's experiences writing his Pulitzer Prize-winning book <em>The Looming Tower</em>. Wright explains what he learned while interviewing sources for his book -- and talks about the challenge of maintaining objectivity while researching modern terrorism. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129697986&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129697986&ft=1&f=13 A new HBO documentary details Wright's experiences writing his Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Looming Tower. Wright explains what he learned while interviewing sources for his book -- and talks about the challenge of maintaining objectivity while researching modern terrorism.

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]]> Maybe We All Need Some 'Sensitivity' Training Linguist Geoff Nunberg says the word "sensitive" was complicated long before it was political. These days, "sensitivities" can be a stand-in for a lot of different attitudes -- some more defensible than others. Our modern stress on sensitivities, he says, probably set back cultural understanding as much as it has advanced it. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129636299&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129636299&ft=1&f=13 Linguist Geoff Nunberg says the word "sensitive" was complicated long before it was political. These days, "sensitivities" can be a stand-in for a lot of different attitudes -- some more defensible than others. Our modern stress on sensitivities, he says, probably set back cultural understanding as much as it has advanced it.

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]]> Charlie Rich: The Silver Fox With A Big Country Sound Rich, who sang "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl," joined <em>Fresh Air</em> host Terry Gross in 1992 for a conversation about his eclectic musical choices, his rise to fame in the 1970s and his chart-toppers. Rich died in 1995. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129612715&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129612715&ft=1&f=13 Rich, who sang "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Most Beautiful Girl," joined Fresh Air host Terry Gross in 1992 for a conversation about his eclectic musical choices, his rise to fame in the 1970s and his chart-toppers. Rich died in 1995.

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]]> Dolly Parton: Singing Songs From The Heart And Soul Dolly Parton has written thousands of songs, including "Coat of Many Colors," "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You." In a 2001 interview with <em>Fresh Air</em> host Terry Gross, the actress and singer-songwriter describes how she went from East Tennessee to Nashville to worldwide stardom. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129611133&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129611133&ft=1&f=13 Dolly Parton has written thousands of songs, including "Coat of Many Colors," "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You." In a 2001 interview with Fresh Air host Terry Gross, the actress and singer-songwriter describes how she went from East Tennessee to Nashville to worldwide stardom.

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]]> Puns In Country Music Songs Done Right Puns have long been a part of country music songs -- think of song titles such as George Jones' "She Took My Keys Away, and Now She Won't Drive Me to Drink" or Lee Ann Womack's "Am I the Only Thing That You Done Wrong?" Linguist Geoff Nunberg says that the genre's willingness to play with lyrics and song titles uncovers new layers of meaning. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129625588&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129625588&ft=1&f=13 Puns have long been a part of country music songs -- think of song titles such as George Jones' "She Took My Keys Away, and Now She Won't Drive Me to Drink" or Lee Ann Womack's "Am I the Only Thing That You Done Wrong?" Linguist Geoff Nunberg says that the genre's willingness to play with lyrics and song titles uncovers new layers of meaning.

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]]> Carolina Chocolate Drops And A String Band Tradition Though they work as a traditional African-American string band, Carolina Chocolate Drops' members throw in some modern twists. The Durham, N.C.-based trio plays a wide variety of instruments, including the banjo, fiddle, jug, bones and harmonica. All of those sounds are featured on the band's newest record, <em>Genuine Negro Jig.</em> Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129458600&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129458600&ft=1&f=13 Though they work as a traditional African-American string band, Carolina Chocolate Drops' members throw in some modern twists. The Durham, N.C.-based trio plays a wide variety of instruments, including the banjo, fiddle, jug, bones and harmonica. All of those sounds are featured on the band's newest record, Genuine Negro Jig.

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]]> Doc Watson: An Old-Time Folk Musician With Soul In 1988, the legendary flatpicker and singer of traditional folk tunes spoke to Terry Gross about starting his musical career, touring with his son Merle and playing banjo during the folk revival of the late 1950s and '60s. Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129579152&ft=1&f=13 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129579152&ft=1&f=13 In 1988, the legendary flatpicker and singer of traditional folk tunes spoke to Terry Gross about starting his musical career, touring with his son Merle and playing banjo during the folk revival of the late 1950s and '60s.

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