Washington Post reporter Julian Mark talks about the resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay, and the broader movement to dismantle DEI practices in academia and corporate America. Also, TV critic David Bianculli reviews Monsieur Spade, starring Clive Owen on AMC. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Giamatti says his latest movie, filmed at various prep schools in Massachusetts and directed by Alexander Payne, triggered memories of the time he spent as a day student at a private school. He spoke with Sam Briger about his reunion with Payne after 20 years, Billions, and what he loves about acting. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Annie Liontas experienced three brain injuries in the span of one year, which led to dizziness, memory fog and anger — and impacted Liontas' marriage and sex life. Their memoir is Sex with a Brain Injury: On Concussion and Recovery. Also, David Bianculli reviews HBO's True Detective: Night Country starring Jodie Foster Kali Reis. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Brown won an Emmy for his portrayal of Christopher Darden in The People v. O.J. Simpson, and another for This Is Us. He now appears in the film American Fiction. He spoke with Terry Gross about losing his father, how his feelings about the O.J. Simpson case changed, and prejudice he faced in Hollywood. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Bradley Cooper talks about writing, directing, and starring in the new film Maestro, in which he portrays conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. Also with us is conducting consultant Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. The film focuses on Bernstein's music and his relationship with his wife, including the friction caused by his affairs with men. Also, we hear from restaurateur Rose Previte, author of the new cookbook Maydān: Recipes from Lebanon and Beyond. And Justin Chang reviews Memory, starring Peter Sarsgaard and Jessica Chastain. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We remember Tom Smothers, of the comic folk duo the Smothers Brothers, who died last week at the age of 86. Their popular TV variety show in the late 1960s captured the spirit of the counterculture, and was often censored by network execs. We feature our interview with Tom and Dick Smothers and have an appreciation by TV critic David Bianculli. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Bloomberg News reporter Emma Court explains how these so-called "miracle" weight loss drugs work, and discusses side effects, long-term impacts, and what it all means for the body positivity movement. Also, John Powers reviews Michelle Yeoh's Netflix comedy-thriller series The Brothers Sun. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

In her new cookbook, Maydān: Recipes from Lebanon and Beyond, Rose Previte writes about what it's like to be a women restauranteur in a male-dominated industry, and what it was like to grow up in rural Ohio in a Sicilian-Lebanese household. She shares her mother's staple recipes and dishes she learned from other women from around the world. Also, we remember Full Monty actor Tom Wilkinson, who died on last week at the age of 75. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

In his new biopic Maestro, Bradley Cooper was determined not to imitate the legendary Leonard Bernstein. Instead, the actor worked with conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin to find his own rhythm. They spoke with Terry Gross about conducting, Bernstein's legacy, and playing with batons when they were kids. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

We start the new year with Barbra Streisand, and listen back to the interview we recorded in November. Throughout her career, her mother would send her bad reviews of her performances. The intention was to prevent Barbra from getting a "swelled head," but they also served as fuel for a woman who was determined to be a star. Later, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Prophet Song, the novel that won the 2023 Booker Prize. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Taraji P. Henson stars as jazz singer Shug Avery in the new musical adaptation of The Color Purple. She spoke with Tonya Mosley about what the play means to her. Also, we'll hear from Brad Mehldau, one of the most acclaimed and influential jazz pianists of his generation. He joins us at the piano, for music and conversation. And Justin Chang will share his list of the best movies of 2023. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Our dark week continues with a performance by and conversation with two of the best traditional jazz musicians around, trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso and guitarist Matt Munisteri. In 2007, they founded the band The EarRegulars which plays Sunday nights at a very old bar in Greenwich Village called the EAR inn. They spoke with Fresh Air producer Sam Briger. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy