Acclaimed actor Jimmy Smits will host the 28th annual broadcast of <em>A Capitol Fourth</em> on PBS this July 4th. But before his primetime duties, the actor stops by NPR to discuss his television career and why he's proud to be an American. Smits also discusses the possibility of his own run for public office.
Linguist Geoff Nunberg reflects on the life and language of the late comedian George Carlin, who died last month. In the 1970s, Carlin observed: "There are 400,000 words in the English language, and there are seven of them you can't say on television. What a ratio that is: 399,993 to seven. They must really be bad." Then he proceeded to say them.
When Carole King's album <em>Tapestry</em> came out in 1971, it became one of the best-selling albums of all time and marked her as one of pop's most talented songwriters. King's masterpiece has been reissued as a 2-disc Legacy Edition by Sony. Music historian Milo Miles takes a look at the landmark work.
A new "best of" collection, <em>The Soul Years,</em> showcases the soulful vocals and composing skills of soul and R&B singer and composer Bobby Womack — and has become a favorite of many critics.
In the final part of Morning Edition's series about Shakespeare, co-host Renee Montagne examines the theory that the Earl of Oxford — not the man from Stratford — is actually the bard and author of the world's most famous plays.
In 1967 a flat tire led dancer and artist Marta Becket to Death Valley, an opera house — and her life's work. Today, she no longer dances, but she continues to attract an audience.
Centuries later, doubts persist that William Shakespeare penned the works that bear his name. Skeptics include not only scholars but also famous folks, ranging from Orson Welles to Mark Twain.
Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall is perhaps best known for Brown v. the Board of Education. Now, actor Laurence Fishburne is playing him on Broadway in <em>Thurgood</em>, which is playing to sold-out audiences and standing ovations on Broadway.
The world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Legendary dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison, the artistic director of the theater, is leading the celebration. Jamison talks about her love for dance, retirement and keeping the vision of her late mentor alive.
Shakespeare's works inspire strong emotions both on stage and off. Author Nigel Cliff talks about his book <em>The Shakespeare Riots: Revenge, Drama and Death in 19th-Century America</em>, which tells the story of an argument between two actors that led to a deadly riot.
