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Television

'SNL' Takes On Race And Politics Post-Election

Comedian Dave Chappelle hosted Saturday Night Live Saturday, which featured a somber opening and commentary about race relations after Donald Trump's victory.

'SNL' Takes On Race And Politics Post-Election

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U.S.

'Black-Ish' Creator Kenya Barris Says Show Will Take New Direction Post-Election

Kenya Barris created the ABC sitcom, Blackish. He says Donald Trump's win has changed the course of his show, to have a renewed focus on addressing serious issues, as it did in the first two seasons.

'Black-Ish' Creator Kenya Barris Says Show Will Take New Direction Post-Election

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Television

The Greatest Hits Of 'The Platinum Age Of Television'

Fresh Air

"Television has really become where a lot of the action is right now," critic David Bianculli says. His new book revisits the best of the small screen — from I Love Lucy to The Walking Dead.

The Greatest Hits Of 'The Platinum Age Of Television'

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'Awkward' And 'Insecure' Get To The Root Of Writer Issa Rae's Humor

"This character is in between two worlds and is just in a constant state of discomfort," Issa Rae says of Issa Dee, her character on HBO's Insecure. Ann Marie Fox/HBO hide caption

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Ann Marie Fox/HBO

Television

'Awkward' And 'Insecure' Get To The Root Of Writer Issa Rae's Humor

Fresh Air

As a self-described "awkward black girl," Rae says she often felt that she was straddling two worlds growing up. She drew on her own experiences to create the HBO series Insecure.

'Awkward' And 'Insecure' Get To The Root Of Writer Issa Rae's Humor

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Comedian Aparna Nancherla Makes Light Of The Heavy Stuff

Aparna Nancherla says that making jokes about depression and anxiety injects "a little dose of hope." Shaughn & John hide caption

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Shaughn & John

Arts & Life

Comedian Aparna Nancherla Makes Light Of The Heavy Stuff

Nancherla is riding high with a new TV special, a tour and a new album, Just Putting It Out There — all while dealing with some difficult personal issues, like depression and anxiety, on stage.

Comedian Aparna Nancherla Makes Light Of The Heavy Stuff

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Television

'Westworld' Creators Explore The 'Dark Thrills' Of The Digital Age

Fresh Air

Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy offer a pessimistic view of human nature in Westworld, HBO's futuristic TV series about a theme park that allows tourists to act out their Wild West fantasies.

'Westworld' Creators Explore The 'Dark Thrills' Of The Digital Age

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Small Batch: Late-Night Comedy And The 2016 Election

Samantha Bee is the host of Full Frontal With Samantha Bee. TBS hide caption

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TBS

Monkey See

Small Batch: Late-Night Comedy And The 2016 Election

Glen Weldon and Stephen Thompson break down the late-night field at the end of this bruising election season, and discuss how difficult it is to stand out and say something new.

Small Batch: Late-Night Comedy And The 2016 Election

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Writer Created 'Fleabag' By Looking At What She Loved, Then Taking It Away

In the show, Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge, right) copes with the death of her best friend, Boo (Jenny Rainsford). Before Boo died, the two ran a guinea pig-themed cafe together. Luke Varley/Courtesy of Amazon Studios hide caption

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Luke Varley/Courtesy of Amazon Studios

Television

Writer Created 'Fleabag' By Looking At What She Loved, Then Taking It Away

The British comedy follows a young woman who lost her best friend in a tragic accident. Creator and actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge says it was inspired by her relationship with her own best friend.

Writer Created 'Fleabag' By Looking At What She Loved, Then Taking It Away

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Movie Reviews

With Parallels To Iron Man, Mystic 'Dr. Strange' Comes Full Circle For Marvel Fans

The latest Marvel movie, Dr. Strange, is about a neurosurgeon on a quest to heal himself. It's worth the extra cost of a 3-D ticket, says reviewer Chris Klimek.

With Parallels To Iron Man, Mystic 'Dr. Strange' Comes Full Circle For Marvel Fans

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Performing Arts

This Election Is Even Tough For Comedians

For the past two years this election season has been relentless. And it turns out it's especially tough for stand up comedians. Washington, D.C. comedian Rob Maher explains.

This Election Is Even Tough For Comedians

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For Tippi Hedren, Hitchcock's Scares Came Off-Screen

Author Interviews

For Tippi Hedren, Hitchcock's Scares Came Off-Screen

In her new memoir, Tippi, the actress speaks frankly about Hollywood, her career, and her complicated relationship with Alfred Hitchcock — who made her a star, but also made her life hell.

For Tippi Hedren, Hitchcock's Scares Came Off-Screen

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U.S.

Beyoncé, Jay-Z Join Clinton On Campaign Trail To Drive Up Minority Turnout

Hillary Clinton campaigned in Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania in an effort to excite young voters and shore up turnout among African-Americans in states that can protect her path to victory.

Beyoncé, Jay-Z Join Clinton On Campaign Trail To Drive Up Minority Turnout

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Television

A Monarch Balances Personal And Royal Demands In 'The Crown'

Netflix debuts its newest prestige series, a period drama that, over six seasons, will trace the life of Queen Elizabeth, from her wedding in 1947 to the present.

A Monarch Balances Personal And Royal Demands In 'The Crown'

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'Late Show' Host Says He Has Finally Found His Post-'Colbert Report' Voice

For Stephen Colbert, taking over as host of The Late Show was not a hard decision. "I love a live audience," he says. "I love the grind of every day and I love the people I work with." Scott Kowalchyk/CBS hide caption

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Scott Kowalchyk/CBS

Television

'Late Show' Host Says He Has Finally Found His Post-'Colbert Report' Voice

Fresh Air

The comic initially avoided joking about politics on The Late Show for fear that he would fall into his Colbert Report persona. He says, "Now, I have no qualms about being sharp and satirical."

'Late Show' Host Says He Has Finally Found His Post-'Colbert Report' Voice

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Television

Donald Glover Challenges Stereotypes About Rappers In 'Atlanta'

Fresh Air

Glover created, co-writes and stars in the FX series Atlanta, a hybrid of comedy and drama set on the fringes of the city's hip-hop scene. He has also recorded music under the name Childish Gambino.

Donald Glover Challenges Stereotypes About Rappers In 'Atlanta'

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Words You'll Hear

Spooky Sounds To Leave Your Ears Trembling

With Halloween around the corner, we asked Peter Brown, sound editor behind the movie Paranormal Activity to share his secret behind scary sound effects.

Spooky Sounds To Leave Your Ears Trembling

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Movies

We've Got A New Horror Genre To Add To Your Halloween Movie Binge: Brains!

Halloween movies usually revolve around monsters and vampires. But this year, author and critic Colin Fleming introduces NPR's Rachel Martin to an old horror genre, movies about demonic brains.

We've Got A New Horror Genre To Add To Your Halloween Movie Binge: Brains!

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U.S.

Professional Halloween 'Haunters' Channel Method Acting To Deliver Real Scares

Method acting isn't just for Hollywood. Employees at Halloween theme parks are also tapping emotional truths to deliver epic scares.

Professional Halloween 'Haunters' Channel Method Acting To Deliver Real Scares

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Author Interviews

Film Critic Delves Into 60-Year 'Biography' Of Television

NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with David Thomson, author of "Television: A Biography" about TV's vast landscape and key moments in the medium's history.

Film Critic Delves Into 60-Year 'Biography' Of Television

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