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.
To Make 'The Godfather' His Way, Francis Ford Coppola Waged A Studio Battle
Coppola was 29 years old when he signed on to direct a film. "I was young and had no power," he said in 2016, "so [the studio] figured they could just boss me around." But Coppola fought back.
Loudon Wainwright III And Vince Giordano Play From The Great American Songbook
Wainwright and Giordano collaborated on the period music for the series Boardwalk Empire and the film The Aviator. Their new album is I'd Rather Lead a Band. Originally broadcast Dec. 2, 2020.
Remembering Broadway Star Rebecca Luker
Luker, who died of ALS Dec. 23, received Tony nominations for her performances in Showboat, The Music Man and Mary Poppins. She spoke to Fresh Air in 1999, 2000, 2013 and 2020.
Remembering The Jazz Legends Who Died In 2020
Dozens of notable jazz musicians died this year, many from COVID-19. Fresh Air critic Kevin Whitehead remembers some of the legends lost, including Bucky Pizzarelli, Ellis Marsalis and Jimmy Heath.
Patrick Stewart On His Return To 'Star Trek': 'I'm Braver Now Than I Was'
Stewart is back as Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: Picard. He says he's changed as an actor over the years: "I am not averse to risk-taking and I don't judge myself." Originally broadcast July 2, 2020.
Stephen King Is Sorry You Feel Like You're Stuck In A Stephen King Novel
The horror writer says he understands why fans have said the pandemic feels like living inside one of his novels. In April 2020, King told Fresh Air that COVID-19 filled him with a "gnawing anxiety."
'Queen's Gambit' Co-Creator Scott Frank Wanted To Explore The 'Cost Of Genius'
The Netflix limited series tells the story of an orphaned girl who becomes a chess pro in a male-dominated world. Frank talks about consulting with grand masters and maximizing the drama of the game.
A Poet Reflects On How We Reckon — Or Fail To Reckon — With The Legacy Of Slavery
Atlantic writer Clint Smith grew up surrounded by Confederate iconography, being told that the Civil War wasn't about slavery. He shares a poem from his forthcoming book, How the Word Is Passed.
