Arts and Culture

Fresh Air

• Fans 'Can Trust' New Los Lobos Album
  Los Lobos has been active since the 1970s, and during that time the band has done everything from opening for Bob Dylan, U2 and the Grateful Dead, to recording a tribute album to Walt Disney soundtracks. Rock critic Ken Tucker says Los Lobos' new album, <em>Tin Can Trust</em>, stands with the group's best work.
• 'Fresh Air' Remembers Journalist Daniel Schorr
  NPR senior news analyst Daniel Schorr died a week ago at the age of 93. Schorr covered Watergate for CBS and broke many major stories, including a secret U.S. plot to assassinate Fidel Castro. <em>Fresh Air</em> remembers the legendary broadcast journalist with highlights from a 1994 interview.
• 'Life During Wartime': Squirm-Worthy Storytelling
  Todd Solondz's latest deadpan comedy, <em>Life During Wartime,</em> stars Shirley Henderson, Ally Sheedy and Allison Janney as three sisters struggling to find meaning in a bleak world filled with David Lynchian grotesques. Critic David Edelstein says it's the "feel-bad movie of the year."
• Sugar Pie DeSanto: After 50 Years, 'Go Going' Strong
  Critic Ed Ward tells the story of one of the most unusual female soul singers to come out of the early 1960s. Sugar Pie DeSanto, who grew up with Etta James, rose to national prominence when her single "I Want to Know" reached the <em>Billboard</em> charts. Fifty years later, she continues to perform and do her signature move, a back flip, on stage.
• Jay Roach, Steve Carell Pair Up For 'Schmucks'
  Actor Steve Carell stars as an amateur taxidermist who enjoys creating elaborate dioramas with his stuffed rodents in the new Jay Roach film, <em>Dinner for Schmucks.</em> The two comedy vets talk improv, pathos and more.
• Dr. Atul Gawande: Make End Of Life More Humane
  Technology can prolong the lives of the terminally ill -- but at what cost? Surgeon and <em>New Yorker</em> writer Atul Gawande examines the difficulties for medical professionals and families who must decide when to stop medical intervention and focus on improving a patient's last days.
• Remembering Dutch Jazz Musician Willem Breuker
  Dutch composer, saxophonist, bass clarinetist and bandleader Willem Breuker died in Amsterdam last Friday. He was 65. Breuker led his own big band while also composing music for films, theater and classical ensembles. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead looks back at Breuker, who he says helped shape and define modern Dutch music.
• Ousted Evangelical Reflects On Faith, Future
  In December 2008, the Rev. Richard Cizik was forced to resign from his position in response to comments he made on <em>Fresh Air</em> in support of same-sex civil unions. He returns to the show to discuss how his life has changed -- and why he believes evangelicals need to change, too.
• Reporter's View: How The WikiLeaks Story Developed
  Reporter Mark Mazzetti was one of several reporters from <em>The New York Times</em> who sifted through the 92,000 secret military documents leaked by WikiLeaks. He explains how the <em>Times</em> worked to verify the information in the documents -- and what the information means for the future of the war in Afghanistan.
• 'Rubicon': Smart Spies Who Connect The Dots
  The AMC cable channel premieres a modern spy series on Aug. 1; critic David Bianculli says the smart, suspenseful drama pays homage to the great conspiracy thrillers of the 1970s -- while providing a much needed update for a modern audience.
• Lee Konitz: Always Stretching His Sax
  From one engagement to the next, saxophonist Lee Konitz rarely uses the same combination twice. But a few years ago, he began collaborating with a young trio known as Minsarah, which he invited to join him at the Village Vanguard last year. Three new Konitz recordings radiate the joy of making music in every note.
• Talking 'Mad Men' With Creator Matthew Weiner
  The six-time Emmy winning writer explains how he came up with the idea for the major plot shakeup at the end of the third season and details his favorite moments from the series.
• Jimmy Webb: From 'Phoenix' To 'Just Across The River'
  The songwriter talks about some of his greatest hits, including "MacArthur Park" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix." His latest album, <em>Just Across the River</em>, features a series of duets with some of the singers he wrote for, including Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams and Vince Gill.
• Jared Harris: A Chameleon-Like Actor Reflects
  The son of acclaimed British actor Richard Harris reflects on his diverse acting roles in films such as <em>Happiness</em> and <em>I Shot Andy Warhol</em> in a 2001 interview on <em>Fresh Air.</em> Harris currently stars as Lane Pryce on the AMC drama <em>Mad Men.</em>
• Robert Duvall: From 'The Godfather' To 'Get Low'
  The Academy Award-winning actor details some of his most memorable roles, including his portrayal of Tom Hagen in <em>The Godfather and </em> Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in <em>Apocalypse Now.</em> He also describes his latest role, a hermit planning a "living funeral," in the upcoming film <em>Get Low.</em>

Driveway Moment

• This American Life
• Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen
• BBC Arts in Action