Episodes

  • Al Pacino Looks Back On A Legendary Career
    Nov 4 2024
    Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino talks with Terry Gross about growing up in the South Bronx with a single mother, getting his start in Greenwich Village performing in avant-garde theater, nearly dying of COVID, and his life today. We'll also talk about The Godfather, and why he almost passed on Part II. His new memoir is Sonny Boy.

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    46 mins
  • Best Of: Alex Van Halen / Painter Titus Kaphar
    Nov 2 2024
    Alex Van Halen has written a new memoir about forming the rock band Van Halen with his brother Eddie. It takes readers from their childhood to the wild ride of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Eddie Van Halen died in 2020. Alex talks with Tonya Mosley about his grief and reflects on their relationship.

    Also, artist Titus Kaphar talks about his new movie, Exhibiting Forgiveness, based on his life. It's about a celebrated painter whose world unravels when his estranged father suddenly resurfaces.

    Carolina Miranda reviews the new Netflix film Pedro Paramo

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    49 mins
  • Remembering 'Tootsie' Actor Teri Garr
    Nov 1 2024
    We remember actor Teri Garr, who died last week at age 79. She charmed audiences in her film roles and appearances on late night TV. She's best known for her role as the dim witted seductive lab assistant to Gene Wilder's mad scientist in Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein. She was later nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Tootsie. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Garr became a spokeswoman for MS research and support. She spoke with Terry Gross in 2005.

    Also, Justin Chang reviews the new World War II drama Blitz, directed by Steve McQueen and starring Saoirse Ronan.

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    48 mins
  • What About Foreign Interference In The 2024 Election?
    Oct 31 2024
    New Yorker journalist David Kirkpatrick says a government command hub is tasked with tracking and protecting U.S. elections from foreign adversaries who try to disrupt them by sowing discord and foment violence.

    Guest jazz critic Martin Johnson remembers composer Benny Golson, who died last month at the age of 95.

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    46 mins
  • The Organization Ready To Help Trump Override The Federal Gov't
    Oct 30 2024
    New York Times reporter Ken Bensinger says the America First Policy Institute, which has nearly 300 executive orders ready to be signed, would influence a Trump second term more than Project 2025.

    Also, John Powers reviews the movie A Real Pain.

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    47 mins
  • Alex Van Halen On Eddie, Fire & 'Feeling It'
    Oct 29 2024
    Alex Van Halen has written a new memoir about forming the rock band Van Halen with his brother Eddie, who died of cancer in 2020. The book, titled Brothers, takes readers from their childhood to the wild ride of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. He spoke with Tonya Mosley about grief, lighting his drums on fire, and what he really thinks of This is Spinal Tap.

    Also, TV critic David Bianculli reviews the fall TV broadcast season.

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    46 mins
  • How The Culture Wars Split A Church
    Oct 28 2024
    Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eliza Griswold says complaints about homophobia, white privilege and diversity are splintering progressive organizations — including one particular church in Philadelphia. Her book is Circle of Hope. It's a finalist for the National Book Award.

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    46 mins
  • Best Of: Bridget Everett / Nick Harkaway, John le Carré's Son
    Oct 26 2024
    The HBO series Somebody Somewhere is about a 40-something woman who returns home to Kansas to care for her dying sister, then stays, but feels like an outsider until she finds a place in the LGBTQ community. We talk Bridget Everett, star of the series, who is also an acclaimed (and bawdy) cabaret singer.

    Also, writer Nick Harkaway talks about his novel Karla's Choice. It's a new story about George Smiley, the British spymaster made famous in the books written by Harkaway's late father, John le Carré.

    Ken Tucker reviews a new biography of Randy Newman.

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    49 mins