Conan O'Brien proves a worthy recipient of Mark Twain award in a new Netflix special
Back in March, a group of comic luminaries — from John Mulaney to Nikki Glaser — gathered at the Kennedy Center to celebrate O'Brien for receiving the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
'Fresh Air' listens back to Nick Lowe's 2001 album, 'The Convincer'
British singer, songwriter and guitarist Lowe got his start in the '70s pub-rock era. His 2001 album, The Convincer, has been newly remastered and reissued. Originally broadcast in 2001 and 2011.
'Sopranos' prequel gives Tony a backstory — without the grace notes of the original
The Many Saints of Newark centers on a teen version of mob-boss Tony Soprano. Despite standout performances by its stars, the film offers a confusing narrative, without any real sense of clarity.
Trumpeter Lee Morgan channels Coltrane's splashy style in 'Live at the Lighthouse'
In 1970, Morgan recorded three shows at the Lighthouse jazz club in Hermosa Beach, Calif. A new box set captures Morgan and his band putting their own spin on Coltrane's trance-like repetitions.
'Noir Alley' host celebrates cinema's double crosses and doomed characters
Eddie Muller's book, Dark City, chronicles film noir from the '40s and '50s. "A lot of factors ... go into making something of film noir," he says, including, a "very dark vision of existence."
Remembering John Shelby Spong, Episcopal bishop and LGBTQ champion
In 1977, Spong became one of the first American bishops to ordain a woman into the clergy. In 1989, he was the first to ordain an openly gay man. Spong died Sept. 12. Originally broadcast in 1996.
Remembering Melvin Van Peebles, the 'Godfather' of Black cinema
Van Peebles, who died Sept. 21, was best known for his 1971 film, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song. He spoke with Fresh Air in 1990. His son Mario, also an actor/director, was interviewed in 2004.