Television

Arts

50 years ago, 'The Electric Company' used comedy to boost kids' reading skills

3:55pm October 25, 2021

by Elizabeth Blair

In October 1971, The Electric Company flipped a switch and hit the public TV airwaves, aiming to use sketch comedy and animated shorts to teach kids to read.

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Books
Arts

In 'Going There,' Katie Couric lays out her life in intimate detail

11:55am October 25, 2021

by Annalisa Quinn

An unexpected and interesting aspect of the book is the way it brims with experiences of the body, including Couric's years struggling with bulimia and the warping effects of having her looks managed.

Roman (Kieran Culkin) is trying to figure out where to put his loyalties.

Arts

'Succession' recap, Season 3, Episode 2: The sibling summit and the Trojan horse

10:11pm October 24, 2021

by Linda Holmes

Kendall's siblings all gradually make their way to his headquarters to consider whether to join him against their father. Meanwhile, Logan negotiates with the only person he really fears.

Actor James Michael Tyler, pictured at the Central Perk pop-up celebrating the 20th anniversary of Friends in September 2014 in New York City, has died at age 59.

James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther on 'Friends,' dies at 59

9:07pm October 24, 2021

by James Doubek

Tyler was the most frequently recurring guest star over the 10-year run of Friends, playing the shy barista Gunther.

Arts

HBO's 'Insecure' soars by staying true to its revolutionary mission

5:08pm October 24, 2021

by Eric Deggans

Insecure portrays Black joy and pain and struggle without the typical storytelling cliches. The final season of Issa Rae's show works as well as ever.

The Bonanza Creek Film Ranch is seen in Santa Fe, N.M., on Saturday, where an assistant director unwittingly handed Alec Baldwin a loaded weapon moments before the actor fatally shot a cinematographer.

National

Film crew voiced complaints before fatal on-set shooting

10:43pm October 23, 2021

by The Associated Press

An assistant director unwittingly handed Alec Baldwin a loaded weapon and told him it was safe to use, in the moments before the actor fatally shot a cinematographer, unsealed court documents show.

Former Netflix employee fired for alleged leak says Chappelle's special is dangerous

5:11pm October 23, 2021

NPR's David Folkenflik speaks with B.Pagels Minor, a former Netflix employee, about their firing and the controversy surrounding the streamer's release of Dave Chappelle's latest stand up special.

Arts

Peter Scolari, of 'Newhart,' 'Bosom Buddies' and 'Girls,' dies at 66

6:19pm October 22, 2021

by The Associated Press

Scolari, a versatile character actor whose television roles included recurring parts on Evil and Girls, has died after fighting cancer for two years.

Greta Lee and Holland Taylor in "The Morning Show."

Arts

'The Morning Show' recap, Season 2, Ep. 6: Alex is gone, and so is Bradley's privacy

6:00am October 22, 2021

by Linda Holmes

Alex has vanished after Vegas, and the whole team wants to know where she went. Bradley and Laura find their relationship outed, and Stella struggles to find her footing.

Oscar Isaac, shown here at the 2020 Academy Awards, credits his father with introducing him to acting: "I started making movies with his camcorder."

Arts

For Oscar Isaac, life — and acting — is all about impermanence

2:14pm October 21, 2021

by Terry Gross

Isaac says the bonds he makes on set are both meaningful and transient: "You have these really intense months ... and then it goes away." He stars in Dune, The Card Counter and Scenes from a Marriage.