Fresh Air

Grant talks about growing up in Swaziland and his role in Can You Ever Forgive Me? Critic Maureen Corrigan picks the best books of 2018. McPherson and his band perform live in studio from Socks

Springsteen's one-man show closes on Broadway Saturday, then begins streaming on Netflix. He spoke to Fresh Air in 2016, admitting: "People see you onstage and, yeah, I'd want to be that guy."

Moonlight director Barry Jenkins returns with a new drama about young lovers in 1970s Harlem whose lives are thrown into turmoil when one of them is falsely accused of a crime.

The self-described "lifelong character actor" plays an alcoholic sidekick in the film Can You Ever Forgive Me? Through Grant is allergic to alcohol, he grew up in Swaziland with an alcoholic father.

Keri Blakinger spent nearly two years locked up on narcotics charges before becoming a journalist. "I've been so privileged in so many ways to end up with hope and second chances," she says.

For both Crowell and the Monkees, Christmas is a time to draw up a gratitude list and put the year in perspective. The results aren't always jolly, but they're certainly sincere and passionate.

McPherson never thought he'd make a Christmas album. Then, he says, "I got a bug in my ear." He and his band perform live in studio from Socks, and McPherson talks about growing up on a cattle farm.

Autonomous vehicles could be the "most disruptive technology to hit society worldwide since the advent of the motor car," says former New York City traffic commissioner Sam Schwartz.

Fresh Air's book critic recommends her 10 favorite books of the year, including The Great Believers, Rebecca Makkai's sweeping story about the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s.

Cooper learned to sing, direct and talk deeply for A Star Is Born. James Beard award-winning food writer and chef Samin Nosrat demystifies great tastes in her Netflix series, Salt Fat Acid Heat.

Sheldon Harnick, John Russell and Steve Young discuss "industrial musicals," Broadway-style productions written and performed at the behest of corporations. Originally broadcast Nov. 5, 2013.

Natalie Portman plays a young Christian woman who is propelled to pop stardom following a mass shooting. Critic John Powers says Vox Lux is inventive — and exasperating.