A conversation with R. Crumb, the king of underground comics
Crumb's comics were staples of 1960s counterculture. He's now the subject of a new biography. Crumb spoke to Fresh Air in 2005, and again, with his wife, fellow comic Aline Kominsky Crumb, in 2007.
'Fresh Air' remembers country superstar Loretta Lynn
Lynn, who died Oct. 4, grew up in poverty in eastern Kentucky and went on to have 16 No. 1 hits. Her life story was portrayed in the 1980 film Coal Miner's Daughter. Originally broadcast in 2010.
Celeste Ng's powerful new dystopian novel reflects our headlines back to us
Our Missing Hearts imagines a world of governmental cruelty — and the armies of citizens who both facilitate and resist. It's a masterful work that epitomizes the possibilities of storytelling.
Rachel Bloom looks back on 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,' and moves ahead on 'Reboot'
Bloom talks about writing songs for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and losing her musical collaborator Adam Schlesinger, who died from COVID-19 complications in March 2020. She stars in the Hulu series Reboot.
'Mercury Rising' explores treacherous U.S. attempts to control space
Historian Jeff Shesol recalls the early days of the space program, when Cold War fears ruled and no one knew if John Glenn would survive America's first orbital flight. Originally broadcast June 2021.
'Bros' offers lots of laughs — plus a serious commentary on queer identity
Billy Eichner and Luke Macfarlane star in a nuanced comedy about how opposites can attract and also learn from each other. Bros means to send you out of the theater in a good mood — and it does.
The Colorado River water shortage is forcing tough choices in 7 states
Forty million people rely on the river. ProPublica's Abrahm Lustgarten says that water scarcity in the West hasn't been recognized as the national emergency that it is.
'Searching in Grenoble' showcases the unique style of jazz pianist Mal Waldron
Nobody sounds like Waldron, a fact proved by a new 2-CD recording the artist made during a 1978 solo concert. Searching in Grenoble is a good introduction to the pianist's compelling sound.
'Words & Music' offers 15 demos Lou Reed recorded as a fledgling artist
Reed died in 2013. A new collection, recorded in 1965, captures the earliest-known versions of some of the Velvet Underground's best known songs, including "Heroin" and "Pale Blue Eyes."
Remembering Hilary Mantel, Booker Prize-winning author of the 'Wolf Hall' saga
The British writer, who died Sept. 22, wrote a trilogy of critically acclaimed historical novels on the life of Thomas Cromwell, one of Henry VIII's most trusted advisors. Originally broadcast in '12.