National Britney's 'Meltdown' Inspires New Ballet January 31, 2008 • Pop icon Britney Spears' story is now the subject of a new modern ballet. Meltdown premieres Friday night in London and traces the rise and fall of the singer and tabloid favorite. According to the show's choreographer, he was inspired by every detail of Spears' life and how her story had become a "modern tragedy." Britney's 'Meltdown' Inspires New Ballet Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18582314/18582287" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Britney's 'Meltdown' Inspires New Ballet Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18582314/18582287" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
All Things Considered Has Hollywood Helped Pave Way for Obama? January 31, 2008 • Racial and gender barriers have already been broken at the White House — well, at least in Hollywood. But if voters have seen a black man as president on the screen, are they more likely to elect one in real life? Has Hollywood Helped Pave Way for Obama? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18580711/18582291" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Has Hollywood Helped Pave Way for Obama? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18580711/18582291" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
On Television Believe It or Not, 'Lost' Returns for a New Season Fresh Air January 31, 2008 • New mysteries, new jeopardies and only eight episodes to explore them: The survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 are back, but the ongoing Hollywood writers strike means a shorter season than planned. Fresh Air's TV critic — and him you can trust — previews the season premiere of Lost, airing tonight on ABC. Believe It or Not, 'Lost' Returns for a New Season Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18571932/18571918" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Believe It or Not, 'Lost' Returns for a New Season Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18571932/18571918" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
National A Mile in Miss Utah's Combat Boots January 30, 2008 • First she joined the National Guard, then she did a stint as Miss Utah and competed in the Miss America pageant. Jill Stevens took an unusual route from the fighting in Afghanistan to the photo sessions in Los Angeles. A Mile in Miss Utah's Combat Boots Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18532662/18532616" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
A Mile in Miss Utah's Combat Boots Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18532662/18532616" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Movies Filmmaker Dreams of 'Pangea Day' January 30, 2008 • Two years ago, documentary filmmaker Jehane Noujaim won $100,000 from the TED Conference — the acronym stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design awards — to fund her wish for a better world. Noujaim wished for a global film festival. It's slated for May 10. Filmmaker Dreams of 'Pangea Day' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18532645/18532611" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Filmmaker Dreams of 'Pangea Day' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18532645/18532611" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Captain America, Back from the Dead (Sort Of) January 30, 2008 • Captain America was killed off last year. Now the superhero is making a comeback on comic book stands, with a different alter ego. This time, he's packing heat. But true fans know that an armed Cap is nothing new. Captain America, Back from the Dead (Sort Of) Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18520433/18532794" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Captain America, Back from the Dead (Sort Of) Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18520433/18532794" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
In Character Pollyanna: Spirit of Optimism Born Out of War January 27, 2008 • She was cute, she was cheerful, and she was famous for the creation of "the glad game." But today her name is synonymous with optimism — to a fault. Liane Hansen explores the roots of Pollyanna's story. Pollyanna: Spirit of Optimism Born Out of War Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18456177/18456125" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Pollyanna: Spirit of Optimism Born Out of War Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18456177/18456125" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Religion A Gospel According to Yoda January 25, 2008 • The Stars Wars saga began long ago, in a world far, far away, but Daniel and Barney Jones are bringing its outlook to a church down the block. They've founded the U.K. Church of the Jedi, which has no deity but follows the teachings of Yoda. Daniel Jones describes the new UK Church of the Jedi Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18409014/18408952" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Daniel Jones describes the new UK Church of the Jedi Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18409014/18408952" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Obituaries Ledger's Death Is Film World's Loss January 23, 2008 • An autopsy is scheduled Wednesday for Heath Ledger, a day after the 28-year-old actor was found dead at his New York apartment. Ledger's Oscar nomination for Brokeback Mountain was the highlight of a career filled with promise. Ledger's Death Is Film World's Loss Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18328154/18328136" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Ledger's Death Is Film World's Loss Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18328154/18328136" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Obituaries Actor Heath Ledger, 28, Found Dead in N.Y. Home January 22, 2008 • Australian actor Heath Ledger, whose role as a tormented gay ranch hand in Brokeback Mountain earned him an Oscar nomination two years ago, was found dead Tuesday in his New York apartment. Police say drugs might have been involved. Actor Heath Ledger, 28, Found Dead in N.Y. Home Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18317784/18316954" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Actor Heath Ledger, 28, Found Dead in N.Y. Home Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18317784/18316954" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Movies 'People's History' Film Project Draws Stars, Drama January 22, 2008 • Howard Zinn's book A People's History of the United States tells the stories of those whose voices weren't heard in traditional history books. Filming has begun for an adaptation called The People Speak, but the producers haven't found a home for the film, and not everyone is happy with Zinn's view of history. 'People's History' Film Project Draws Stars, Drama Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18316974/18316949" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'People's History' Film Project Draws Stars, Drama Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18316974/18316949" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
The 80th Annual Academy Awards Meet This Year's Top Acting Nominees January 22, 2008 • This year's nominees for Best Actor and Best Actress Oscars include several veteran stars --and a 20-year-old newcomer from Canada. One thing many of the nominees have in common: They've passed through NPR's studios recently.
Culture Michael K. Williams: He's Only Playing Tough Fresh Air January 22, 2008 • On HBO's The Wire, actor Michael K. Williams plays Omar Little, a stick-up guy who robs only drug dealers. Omar has a scar running down his face. That's not a prosthetic scar; it's real. Williams tells Terry Gross the story behind his scar — and lots of other stories about himself and Omar. Michael K. Williams: He's Only Playing Tough Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18299087/18299085" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Michael K. Williams: He's Only Playing Tough Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18299087/18299085" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
The 80th Annual Academy Awards Oscar Nods Arrive; Will a Show Follow? January 22, 2008 • As Oscar nominees are announced, uncertainty remains over the fate of the annual ceremony. The ongoing writers' strike could short-circuit the awards show. Oscar Nods Arrive; Will a Show Follow? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18292837/18292818" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Oscar Nods Arrive; Will a Show Follow? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18292837/18292818" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Books In Search of 'The Perfect Scent' January 21, 2008 • In his new book, The Perfect Scent, Chandler Burr follows the developments of two perfumes: one by actress Sarah Jessica Parker; the other by French perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. Burr is perfume critic at The New York Times. In Search of 'The Perfect Scent' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18238465/18288526" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
In Search of 'The Perfect Scent' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18238465/18288526" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript