Remembering Pere Ubu's David Thomas, a frontman who preserved chaos
Thomas' April 23 death at age 71 brings to a close one of the most significant avant-garde experiments ever conducted within the confines of pop music. Rock critic Ken Tucker reflects on his legacy.
'The Plot Against America' Asks: What If The U.S. Had Sided With The Nazis?
David Bianculli reviews HBO's new miniseries, which imagines that Charles Lindbergh became president in 1940. And we listen back to a 2004 with Philip Roth, who wrote the novel the series is based on.
White House Knew Coronavirus Would Be A 'Major Threat' — But Response Fell Short
Politico reporter Dan Diamond says infighting at the Department of Health and Human Services and the need to flatter Trump impeded the response to the coronavirus.
'Writers & Lovers' Captures The Cost Of Following A Dream That May Not Pay Off
Lily King's new novel centers on a woman who's spent six years working on her own novel. It's a story of ambition — and what happens when the markers of adult achievement are slow to materialize.
'MBS' Traces The Rise Of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman
New York Times reporter Ben Hubbard says Saudi Arabia's leader is full of contradictions: He ended a ban on women driving, but his agents also carried out the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Remembering McCoy Tyner, A Jazz Legend Who Created His Own Style
Tyner, who died on March 6, placed thundering piano chords under fast, right-hand melodies. He led his own groups for decades, but was frequently associated with one early employer, John Coltrane.
Best Coast Achieves A New, More Poignant Power On 'Almost Tomorrow'
Singer-songwriter-guitarist Bethany Cosentino opens up about sobriety on a propulsive new album with musical partner Bobb Bruno. Almost Tomorrow is Best Coast's first record in five years.
'Devs' And 'Amazing Stories' Bring Fresh Sci-Fi Drama To Streaming
Hulu's new 8-part miniseries Devs is a definite must-see, while the Disney TV+ show Amazing Stories, based on the 1985 NBC anthology series by Steven Spielberg, is more of a wait-and-see.
Biographer Robert Caro On Fame, Power And 'Working' To Uncover The Truth
Journalist Caro isn't solely interested in telling the stories of famous men. Instead, he says, "I wanted to use their lives to show how political power worked." Originally broadcast April 15, 2019.
'First Cow' Is A Richly Absorbing Tale Of Friendship, Crime And Capitalism
This captivating underdog film centers on two strangers who meet in the Oregon Territory circa 1820 and start their own baking business — which requires stealing milk from the territory's first cow.