May 23 Watch 10:08 Remembering Philip Roth, prolific American writer and ‘ruthlessly honest observer’ Philip Roth died Tuesday at age 85. His 1969 novel "Portnoy's Complaint" rocketed him to fame for its raunchy tour of a teenage boy's lustful urges and ensuing guilt. He later focused more deeply on Jewish life, mortality and American… Continue watching
May 23 Julia Louis-Dreyfus to receive Mark Twain Prize for American Humor By Associated Press Julia Louis-Dreyfus is being honored with the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for a lifetime in comedy. Continue reading
May 23 Philip Roth, fearless and celebrated author, dies at 85 By Hillel Italie, Associated Press Author of more than 25 books, Roth was a fierce satirist and uncompromising realist, confronting readers in a bold, direct style that scorned false sentiment or hopes for heavenly reward. Continue reading
May 22 Watch 7:45 No smartphones allowed? That’s just how Dave Chappelle wants it By Jeffrey Brown It's hard to go to a concert or show where people don't quickly pull out their phones. But some artists and performers have had enough. Jeffrey Brown reports on a startup that’s trying to dial back our phone use. Continue watching
May 22 This Ramadan poem celebrates the ‘unknowability of the divine’ By Jennifer Hijazi Poet Kazim Ali thinks the fluidity of traditions is an important part of understanding Ramadan. Continue reading
May 21 Barack and Michelle Obama sign multi-year deal with Netflix By David Bauder, Associated Press Netflix said the Obamas would make "a diverse mix of content," potentially including scripted and unscripted series, documentaries or features. Continue reading
May 18 3 documentaries the Duplass Brothers want you to watch now By Elizabeth Flock Jay and Mark Duplass are known for making quirky, funny, empathetic films and television -- and almost always on their own terms. Here are three documentaries that influenced them. Continue reading
May 15 Watch 8:14 Remembering Tom Wolfe, American writer with an ‘anthropologist’s delight’ New Journalism pioneer Tom Wolfe captured American culture in groundbreaking nonfiction like "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test" and novels like "The Bonfire of the Vanities." Journalist Susan Orlean joins Judy Woodruff to remember Wolfe, who died Tuesday at the age… Continue watching
May 15 Why every nonfiction writer once wanted to be Tom Wolfe By Elizabeth Flock Journalist and author Susan Orlean said that Tom Wolfe work changed her life and convinced her to write nonfiction. “Because his style was so extreme, it suggested the most possibility," she said. Continue reading
May 14 A poet’s advice to new grads: Be curious, embrace failure and ‘jump’ By Jennifer Hijazi Poet Jason Reynolds offers sage advice to graduates ... and the rest of us. Continue reading