If TV Has It, Alan Thicke Probably Did It
We remember Alan Thicke, who died this week after a long career as an actor, writer, host and creator of earworm theme songs you may well know by heart.
Arts
'The Jingle King' Tracks Decline Of Original Music In Advertising
Steve Karmen wrote a number of famous jingles, including Budweiser Beer's, "When You Say Bud," the New York State song, "I Love New York", the jingle, "Here Comes the King," the Exxon Song and Wrigley Spearmint Gum's, "Carry The Big Fresh Flavor." He also composed several music scores for motion pictures during the 1960s, and performed briefly as a Calypso singer, achieving some recognition in Trinidad during that time. Karmen is the recipient of 16 Clio Awards. NPR explores how the business of writing the music for advertising has changed.
Broadway 'Master Of Ceremonies' Joel Grey Says, 'Life Seems Full'
Grey explains how he brought his decadent Cabaret character to life on both the stage and screen, and reflects on coming out as gay after years of living closeted. Originally broadcast Feb. 9, 2016.
Long Seen As Victim, 17th Century Italian Painter Emerges As Feminist Icon
Much of what is known of Artemisia Gentileschi comes from her testimony in the trial of a painter who raped her. "Now we try to go back and fill in and properly understand," says a curator.
Billy Eichner Makes A Career Out Of Love/Hating Celebrity Culture
In his Billy on the Street series, Eichner roams the sidewalks of Manhattan, asking strangers open-ended questions about the entertainment industry. If he likes their answers, he gives them a dollar.
UNCSA To Build New Institute With $10 Million Gift
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts has received an anonymous $10 million gift – the largest gift from an individual donor
When A Professor Laughed At Her Queens Accent, Writer Tara Clancy Doubled Down
She says, "Instead of feeling mortified, I felt defiant." In The Clancys of Queens, Clancy tells stories of growing up in a working-class, New York family.
Apartheid Is Long Gone, But African Food Is Still Hard To Find In Cape Town
South Africa's capital is now a global food hot spot. But the lack of restaurants serving traditional dishes of the continent speaks to larger concerns about what this post-apartheid society values.
Reading The Game: 'No Man's Sky'
Some of the best, wildest, most moving storytelling right now isn't on TV or in movies — it's in video games. So we're taking a literary look at one of this year's hottest games, No Man's Sky.
NPR Taste Test: Pastries To Sweeten Your Holiday Party
Pastry chef Aggie Chin showed up at Weekend Edition with a box of scrumptious bite-sized desserts. She talks with NPR's Ailsa Chang about sweet treats to prepare for your holiday party.