Television

National

Michael Parks, TV And Movie Character Actor, Dies At 77

5:00am May 11, 2017

by Mandalit del Barco

Parks had more than a hundred film and TV credits as villains and antiheroes in a career lasting more than 50 years. He was a favorite of directors Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith and David Lynch.

Kathryn Hahn and Griffin Dunn play a married couple on the new Amazon series I Love Dick.

Arts

'Transparent' Creator Jill Soloway Seeks To Upend Television With 'I Love Dick'

1:45pm May 10, 2017

by Terry Gross

I Love Dick tackles themes of gender, sexual obsession and artistic insecurity, all through a humorous lens. "Transparent was my origin story," Soloway says. "This is my story about finding my voice."

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ABC Announces Plan To Revive 'American Idol'

5:30pm May 09, 2017

by Eric Deggans

It was a short death. The long-running Fox network singing competition was cancelled last year due to sagging ratings, but ABC announced Tuesday that there are plans in the works to revive it.

News Brief: Sally Yates Testimony, South Korea Election, 'Front Line' Probe

11:03am May 09, 2017

Senate panel told ex-national security adviser Michael Flynn was compromised by the Russians. South Koreans elect a president. Probe shows why some families aren't getting government-funded housing.

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Kenya Barris is the executive producer of the family comedy Blackish and Shahidi plays Zoe, the eldest daughter in the Johnson family. There are hopes for a spin-off starring Shahidi's character going off to college. Meanwhile, Barris is piloting a few ot

Arts

Talking Black-ish With Star Yara Shahidi And Creator Kenya Barris

10:12am May 09, 2017

by NPR Staff

Shereen Marisol Meraji and Gene Demby chat it up with Kenya Barris and Yara Shahidi — the creator and star of ABC's Black-ish.

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus has won the "Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series" Emmy five times for her portrayal of Selina Meyer in HBO's Veep.

Arts

What's Next? Sixth Season Of 'Veep' Probes Post-Presidential Life

5:34pm May 08, 2017

by Kelly McEvers

Julia Louis-Dreyfus says growing up in Washington, D.C., and later living in Los Angeles helped her prepare for her role in the HBO comedy. "You're selling a brand of yourself," she says.

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Before landing her first film role, Gabourey Sidibe struggled to find work. "This is my path, and I'm really grateful that I'm on it," she says of acting.

Books
Arts

Actress Gabourey Sidibe On Anxiety, Phone Sex And Life After 'Precious'

3:21pm May 08, 2017

by Terry Gross

As a young woman, Sidibe struggled to find work before landing the film role that would change her life. "This is my path, and I'm really grateful that I'm on it," Sidibe says of her acting career.

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2 Shows About Race Offer Different Approaches To Building Bridges

8:28am May 08, 2017

by Eric Deggans

Charles Barkley premieres a documentary series on TNT that aims to tackle issues of race in America. Comedian W. Kamau Bell has been hosting United Shades of America on CNN with a similar goal.

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Kate McKinnon plays Kellyanne Conway on Saturday Night Live.

Arts

'Morning Joe' Gets Awkward And Kids Search For Kellyanne Conway On 'SNL'

4:12am May 07, 2017

by James Doubek

This week, Saturday Night Live reimagined a classic kids show, while a suspiciously presidential-sounding "John Miller" called into an already uncomfortable day on Morning Joe.

Chris Gethard's special, Career Suicide, comes to HBO Saturday night.

Arts

Chris Gethard Isn't Kidding About 'Career Suicide'

5:00am May 06, 2017

by Linda Holmes

Chris Gethard's new HBO special tells stories of his struggles with suicidal thoughts and his complex relationship with his psychiatrist. Funny and moving, Career Suicide premieres Saturday night.