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Culture

Saturday

Weekend Edition Saturday

Alexander McCall Smith's Mysteries of Philosophy

Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books are international bestsellers. His new venture, the Sunday Philosophy Club series, stars a single, serious, inquisitive and adventurous character of a certain age named Isabel Dalhousie.

Alexander McCall Smith's Mysteries of Philosophy

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National

On Eve of War, Truman Turned to Comfort Food

As the Korean War loomed, President Truman summoned his war Cabinet to the White House for a strategy dinner that included a key ingredient to solving any crisis: comfort food.

On Eve of War, Truman Turned to Comfort Food

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Celebrated Military Nurse, Poet Revealed as a Fraud

Dana Shuster was a celebrated Vietnam war-era military nurse who wrote poetry about her experiences. One of her poems was read by Vice President Al Gore when the Vietnam Women's Memorial was dedicated in 1993. But it turns out she was never a nurse, never in the military and never in Vietnam.

Celebrated Military Nurse, Poet Revealed as a Fraud

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Studio Sessions

Asleep at the Wheel: Driving Western Swing

Bob Wills was the father of the Western swing genre, and the band Asleep at the Wheel has carried it into the new millennium. Now, the band has brought Wills' story to the stage in a musical drama called A Ride with Bob.

Asleep at the Wheel: Driving Western Swing

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Movies

'Idiocracy': Strong Comedy, Weak Promotion

The new film Idiocracy imagines a world 500 years into the future dumbed-down to the point of mindlessness. Film critic Elvis Mitchell says it's uproariously funny and worthy of an audience. But Twentieth Century Fox has released it with no publicity, in only seven markets.

'Idiocracy': Strong Comedy, Weak Promotion

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Media

Silver-Haired Characters Slowly Re-Emerge on TV

The new NBC sitcom Twenty Good Years is a rarity for television: It focuses on characters over 50. Networks haven't pursued older audiences because advertisers pay more to draw in younger viewers, whose brand loyalties aren't established. But with boomers' big spending habits, that may slowly begin changing.

Silver-Haired Characters Slowly Re-Emerge on TV

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Friday

Review

Song Of The Day

Feeling the Blues of the World

Nuru Kane arrives at his blues by way of Malian traditions, and blends it with his roots in Senegal, the traditions of the Gnawa people and his life in France. Playing guitar and the traditional Gumbiri three-stringed bass, he creates a musical journey that covers centuries, continents and many ways of thinking.

'Cigil' by Nuru Kane

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Morning Edition

Tracey Ullman Takes on Knitting

Tracey Ullman is a singer, impressionist, dancer, comedienne and actress. And now she can add another title to her extensive repertoire: knitting guru. Ullman has just co-authored a book about everything yarn-related.

Tracey Ullman Takes on Knitting

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On Television

A Serial Killer Protagonist in 'Dexter'

Fresh Air

In Dexter, the new Showtime series starring Michael C. Hall of Six Feet Under fame, a forensics expert investigates serial killers by day and turns into one at night, stalking and murdering criminals.

A Serial Killer Protagonist in 'Dexter'

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Thursday

Review

Song Of The Day

Breaking Ground on a Modern Message Song

Years after breaking through as one of the most innovative and musically gifted acts in hip-hop, The Roots' members return with Game Theory, another groundbreaking collection of stellar and often political material.

'Don't Feel Right' by The Roots

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Performing Arts

Replacing a Symphony Stage -- Carefully

In the 105 years since the construction of the Boston's acoustically perfect Symphony Hall, its stage has become dangerously worn. The Boston Symphony has made every effort to duplicate the original stage, hoping to avoid the mistakes made at Carnegie Hall during its renovation. The new stage will be unveiled at a concert Friday.

Replacing a Symphony Stage -- Carefully

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Pop Culture

A 'Histo-Tainment' Take on the L.A. County Fair

The Los Angeles County Fair is the largest in the country, and it takes a big personality to cover all the fun... Self-proclaimed "histo-tainer" Charles Phoenix visits the fair in search of extraordinary livestock, deep-fried Twinkies, and a high-stakes bean bag toss.

A 'Histo-Tainment' Take on the L.A. County Fair

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Music Interviews

In the Hands Of A Master, The Ukulele Is No Toy

Think the ukulele is just a cheap, plastic toy to be played under a palm tree? One listen to Jake Shimabukuro and you'll change your mind. The Hawaiian-born virtuoso visits NPR to show what the tiny instrument can do.

In the Hands Of A Master, The Ukulele Is No Toy

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Wednesday

Review

Idi and Me: 'The Last King of Scotland'

The Last King of Scotland stars Forrest Whitaker as charismatic -- and unfathomably murderous -- ruler Idi Amin. In the film adapted from a bestselling book by Giles Foden, the Ugandan dictator's bloody reign is seen through the eyes of a young Scottish doctor who finds himself thrust into Amin's inner circle.

Idi and Me: 'The Last King of Scotland'

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