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Culture

Saturday

Actor And Activist Jesse Williams: 'I'm Certain I'm Making A Difference'

Actor and activist Jesse Williams says he believes his efforts are making a difference but gives credit to those who inspire him, among them black women and the black LGBTQ community. Melissa Kuypers/NPR hide caption

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Melissa Kuypers/NPR

Politics

Actor And Activist Jesse Williams: 'I'm Certain I'm Making A Difference'

The Grey's Anatomy co-star tells NPR's Michel Martin he's seen the effects of his actions in the public consciousness and discourse. He says he's inspired by black women and the black LGBTQ community.

Actor And Activist Jesse Williams: 'I'm Certain I'm Making A Difference'

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50 Wonderful Things From 2016

Emma Thompson, seen here at the premiere of Bridget Jones's Baby, is just one of the many people who did something wonderful in 2016. Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images hide caption

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Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

50 Wonderful Things

50 Wonderful Things From 2016

It's time again for our annual collection, in no particular order, of 50 wonderful pop-culture things from 2016. Read them, watch them, or listen to them; we think something will delight you.

'Lost Journalism' Revisits The Golden Age Of Ring Lardner

Author Interviews

'Lost Journalism' Revisits The Golden Age Of Ring Lardner

Ron Rapoport, himself the recipient of the Ring Lardner Award for sportswriting, has collected the legendary columnist's work in a new book. Lardner wrote about sport, but also his family and travels.

'Lost Journalism' Revisits The Golden Age Of Ring Lardner

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Brooklyn Police And The People They Serve Improvise 'Understanding' On Stage

Starting in October, seven police officers and seven civilians got together once a week to get to know one another and do improvisational exercises. At the end of the 10-week journey they starred in To Protect, Serve, and Understand, a free show at the Brooklyn Music School. Above, Officer Desmond John, left, and Kathie Horejsi. Amanda Hinkle hide caption

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Amanda Hinkle

Theater

Brooklyn Police And The People They Serve Improvise 'Understanding' On Stage

What happens when you put seven cops and seven civilians in a rehearsal room once a week for 10 weeks? The result is a free show called To Protect, Serve, and Understand at the Brooklyn Music School.

Brooklyn Police And The People They Serve Improvise 'Understanding' On Stage

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Obituaries

Remembering Debbie Reynolds

In 2013 NPR's Scott Simon interviewed Debbie Reynolds. She shared a lesson she learned from Fred Astaire on the set of Singin' in the Rain — that even great artists have to work hard.

Remembering Debbie Reynolds

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Friday

Simon & Schuster Will Publish Book By Breitbart Editor, Despite Criticism

Milo Yiannopoulos, a conservative columnist and Internet personality, confirmed that he has a book deal with Simon & Schuster, saying on his Facebook page: "They said banning me from Twitter would finish me off. Just as I predicted, the opposite has happened." Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption

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Drew Angerer/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Simon & Schuster Will Publish Book By Breitbart Editor, Despite Criticism

Some Simon & Schuster authors are outraged over plans to publish the book by Milo Yiannopoulos, widely known for his attacks against actress Leslie Jones on Twitter.

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. Originally broadcast Nov. 2, 2016.

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

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Thursday

Is It Possible To Die Of Grief?

Debbie Reynolds and her daughter, Carrie Fisher, at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2011 in Los Angeles. Reynolds' death, just one day after her daughter's, has led many to ask whether it's really possible to die of a broken heart. Chris Pizzello/AP hide caption

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Chris Pizzello/AP

The Two-Way

Is It Possible To Die Of Grief?

Actress Debbie Reynolds died just one day after her daughter Carrie Fisher's sudden death — which has led some to speculate that grief might have been a contributing factor.

All Things Considered

How Tattoo Artist Brian Finn Is Covering Up Pain With Art

Just over a year ago, Toledo, Ohio tattoo artist Brian Finn began offering free tattoos to people to cover their scars from trauma. We take a year-end look at his work.

How Tattoo Artist Brian Finn Is Covering Up Pain With Art

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Studios And Audiences Had Lots To Celebrate In 2016

I Am Not Your Negro uses the words of James Baldwin to analyze American attitudes toward race. Bob Adelman/Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures hide caption

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Bob Adelman/Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

Review

Movie Reviews

Studios And Audiences Had Lots To Celebrate In 2016

This is the time of year when critics release their best-of lists. Usually, they pick the 10 best — but our film critic Bob Mondello couldn't narrow it down that much. He picked 18 of his favorites.

Studios And Audiences Had Lots To Celebrate In 2016

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Movie Interviews

To Make 'The Godfather' His Way, Francis Ford Coppola Waged A Studio Battle

Fresh Air

Coppola was 29 years old when he signed on to direct a film. "I was young and had no power," he says, "so [the studio] figured they could just boss me around." Originally broadcast Nov. 16, 2016.

To Make 'The Godfather' His Way, Francis Ford Coppola Waged A Studio Battle

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