Studio 360 With Kurt Andersen
The Peabody Award-winning Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen, from PRI, is a smart and surprising guide to what's happening in pop culture and the arts. Each week, Kurt introduces the people who are creating and shaping our culture. Life is busy – so let Studio 360 steer you to the must-see movie this weekend, the next book for your nightstand, or the song that will change your life. Produced in association with Slate.
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Tracey Ullman is such a character
An artist searches for the buckets of Hillary Clinton’s victory confetti that were never dropped on Election Night. Plus Kurt interviews the sketch comedy genius Tracey Ullman as well as the novelist and YouTube star John Green.
49 min
202
Dance Studio 360
Twyla Tharp’s love of popular music, a belly dancer inspired by Bono, parents obsessed with tango, scientific principles to ballet, and how Christopher Wheeldon brought “An American in Paris” to the stage.
50 min
203
Sugar Mouth
Artists Agnès Varda and JR on a road trip (and sugar binge), the overuse of horror-movie jump cuts, why Hari Kondabolu loves “Untamed Heart,” and a manifesto for slow art.
52 min
204
American Icons: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Ken Kesey had worked in a mental hospital, but his first novel was really a parable of what happens when you stand up to the Man—a counterculture fable that doesn’t end well.
50 min
205
Michael Chabon Sings!
Danny Strong takes on J.D. Salinger, Van Gogh paintings come to life, Michael Chabon’s punk awakening, kids’ books as literature.
50 min
206
Does Laughter Yoga Work?
Sure, laughing makes us feel good in the moment. But could it have enduring health effects?
50 min
207
Harvard’s Full of Morons
Spielberg’s greatness, “Bojack Horseman’s” edginess, the worst seat at the symphony.
50 min
208
Learning to Love “Fuller House”
Why B.J. Novak loves “Fuller House,” John McPhee’s writing tips, Amadou & Mariam live.
50 min
209
Back to School Special
This week: Kurt calls up his favorite high school teacher, novelist Nicholson Baker fills in as a substitute, and scientists turn their research into dance.
49 min
210
Casting ‘Moonlight’
A behind the scenes look at films we love and one film people love to hate.
50 min
211
Sing your “I want” song
Our favorite recent segments about the stage, including lingo for staples of musicals like the “I want” song.
50 min
212
Say it loud: “moist”
Our favorite recent segments featuring writers and books, including one writer’s defense of the word everyone hates: moist.
50 min
213
When music punches you in the face.
Our favorite recent segments about when music hits hard – sometimes a bit too hard.
50 min
214
American Icons: Moby-Dick
In this Peabody Award-winning show, Kurt Andersen sets sail in search of the great white whale.
49 min
215
Nikola Tesla: Strange Genius
The astounding mad scientist life of Nikola Tesla.
48 min
216
Ready to “Rumble”
How many f-bombs and gun shots determine a movie’s rating? Howard Fridkin reveals the process of rating movies. Plus, how Native Americans shaped rock and roll history, and a live performance by NPR Tiny Desk Contest winners Tank and the Bangas.
50 min
217
American Icons: Native Son
This is the novel about racism that America couldn't ignore. The story of a young man in the ghetto who turns to murder was an overnight sensation. Richard Wright set out to confront white readers with the most brutal consequences of racism, and finally
49 min
218
Off Script
This week, Kurt goes through the looking glass into the world of conspiracy thrillers. Plus, Matt Walsh breaks down how he improvises comedy on the set of “Veep.” And Jimmy Iovine explains how he sold music in the ever-shifting music industry.
49 min
219
American Icons: The Great Gatsby
Episodes of false identity, living large, and murder in the suburbs add up to the great American novel. Studio 360 explores F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and finds out how this compact novel became the great American story of our age. Novelist J
49 min
220
Bee is for Blondie
Should arts organizations accept money from the Koch brothers? Art critic Philip Kennicott weighs in. Plus, Oscar-winning director Errol Morris talks about interviewing Elsa Dorfman and Donald Trump. And Blondie’s Debbie Harry and Chris Stein share music
49 min
221
Tupac and Art Rock
This week, an episode about groundbreaking pop music: The music that preceded and followed Radiohead’s landmark album, “OK Computer.” Plus, an exploration of how the life of Tupac Shakur was mythologized — even by Tupac himself. And gospel punk band Algi
50 min
222
Across the Multiverse
Universe not big enough for you? There’s always the multiverse — many universes, scattered through time and space. In one world, you might drive a bus; in another, you might be a Formula One racer. If the idea sounds familiar, that could be because it ha
49 min
223
Homecoming Attractions
This week, Kurt talks with “Daily Show” Correspondent Hasan Minhaj about surviving the Trump Administration. Plus, the story behind one of the great literary hoaxes of the century: “Naked Came the Stranger.” And statistician Ben Blatt uses data analysis
49 min
224
American Icons: I Love Lucy
This is where television invented itself. It set the model for the hit family sitcom. Lucy was a bad girl trapped in the life of a ’50s housewife; her slapstick quest for fame and fortune ended in abject failure weekly. Both the antics and the humiliatio
49 min
225
Manchester, United
This week, a conversation with music journalist Eve Barlow about the terror attack in Manchester and the city’s rich musical history. Plus, “Master of None” co-creator Alan Yang reveals behind-the-scenes stories from the Netflix series, and an expert on
49 min