Arts

Tessa Thompson plays Samantha (Sam) White, host of a campus radio show called Dear White People.

Arts

'Dear White People' Is A Satire Addressed To Everyone

2:36pm October 16, 2014

Justin Simien's film is funny, but it pushes viewers to think seriously about race and stereotypes in their own lives. Tongue-in-cheek title aside, he says the film speaks to the "human experience."

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Before creating The Mindy Project, Mindy Kaling wrote and appeared in NBC's The Office.

Arts

Mindy Kaling On Refusing To Be An Outsider And Sexism On Set

12:32pm October 16, 2014

by NPR Staff

The comedian says she often forgets that as an Indian-American woman who's not pencil thin, she's kind of a new thing for broadcast TV. But, she says, "I refuse to view myself in such terms."

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Books
Arts

'How To Cook Everything Fast'? Bittman Says Skip The Prep

9:59am October 16, 2014

Rachel Martin talks to food writer Mark Bittman about his new cookbook, "How to Cook Everything Fast," which thumbs its nose at the French tradition of having ingredients prepped before you cook.

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Neil Patrick Harris, seen here hosting the 2013 Emmys, is getting the Oscars job many have long wanted for him.

Arts

With Few Stages Left To Conquer, Neil Patrick Harris Goes To The Oscars

8:58am October 16, 2014

by Linda Holmes

It seems like Neil Patrick Harris has always hosted everything, but in fact, his February 2015 outing hosting the Oscars will be his first time in that particular job.

Arts

Charlie Lovett Publishes First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen

8:44am October 16, 2014

by Bethany Chafin

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Elmore Leonard was famously picky with his words — but not with his papers. He left behind more than 150 boxes, or about 2,400 linear feet, of documents.

Books
Arts

Book News: The 'Dickens Of Detroit' Leaves His Collection To South Carolina

7:44am October 16, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

Before his death, crime novelist Elmore Leonard chose to host his archives at the University of South Carolina. Now, the school is unveiling the first of these items. Also: McSweeney's goes nonprofit.

Arts

'Citizenfour' Charts The Early Days Of Snowden's NSA Revelations

6:54pm October 15, 2014

Melissa Block speaks with documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras about her new film, Citizenfour that charts her meeting with Edward Snowden and his subsequent revelations about government surveillance.

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Books
Arts

'The Assassination Of Margaret Thatcher' And Other Stories From Hilary Mantel

1:57pm October 15, 2014

by Maureen Corrigan

Heads tend to roll, figuratively and otherwise, in Mantel's writing. Critic Maureen Corrigan says this new short story collection — about grotesque characters in the modern world — is breathtaking.

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Costumes were plentiful at the New York Comic-Con at Jacob Javitz Center.

Books
Arts

Pop Culture Happy Hour, Small Batch: A Report From New York Comic-Con

1:55pm October 15, 2014

by Linda Holmes

Pop Culture Happy Hour pal Petra Mayer just got back from New York Comic-Con, so we got her to update us briefly on Gillian Anderson, fandom and very big crowds.

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Books
Arts

When Good Kids Go Feral, Bloody 'Brood' Hits Its Stride

1:02pm October 15, 2014

by Colin Dwyer

Gratuitous, gore-soaked and reveling in poor taste, Chase Novak's Brood is a true B-movie sequel — and just as fun. But despite its body count, the book still could have used a little more blood.