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Arts & Life

'Becoming Superman' Chronicles The Life And Career Of J. Michael Straczynski

J. Michael Straczynski attends the 30th annual Producers Guild Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 19, 2019 in Beverly Hills, Calif. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images hide caption

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Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Review

Book Reviews

'Becoming Superman' Chronicles The Life And Career Of J. Michael Straczynski

While the prolific Hollywood writer's career is well-documented, his personal history has been a mystery. His memoir is painful and inspiring, infuriating and full of hope, humorous and depressing.

In 'Beijing Payback,' The Immigrant Experience, But Make It A Crime Thriller
Beth Novey/NPR

Author Interviews

In 'Beijing Payback,' The Immigrant Experience, But Make It A Crime Thriller

Daniel Nieh used to be a model and a translator. He says both of those professions went into his debut novel, a page-turner about a college basketball player unraveling his Chinese father's murder.

In 'Beijing Payback,' The Immigrant Experience, But Make It A Crime Thriller

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'Veronica Mars' Offers More Than Nostalgia; She's Always Been A Survivor

Kristen Bell is back as the wry title detective in Hulu's new season of Veronica Mars. Hulu hide caption

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Hulu

Review

TV Reviews

'Veronica Mars' Offers More Than Nostalgia; She's Always Been A Survivor

Fresh Air

Fifteen years after its debut, Veronica Mars has outlived the UPN and has aired on the CW, HBO and now Hulu. Chances are this new, excellent season won't be the last we hear of the wry detective.

'Veronica Mars' Offers More Than Nostalgia; She's Always Been A Survivor

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At Whitney Museum Biennial, 8 Artists Withdraw In Protest Of Link To Tear Gas Sales

Artists are requesting that the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York remove their work from its biennial showcase over a museum board member's ties to the sale of law enforcement supplies including tear gas. Bebeto Matthews/AP hide caption

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Bebeto Matthews/AP

At Whitney Museum Biennial, 8 Artists Withdraw In Protest Of Link To Tear Gas Sales

Artists are asking the New York City museum to pull their work from the high-profile show, protesting the Whitney's board vice chair Warren Kanders, who profits from the sale of tear gas and bullets.

At Whitney Museum Biennial, 8 Artists Withdraw In Protest Of Link To Tear Gas Sales

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New Opera 'Blue' Takes On The Tragedy Of Police Brutality

Kenneth Kellogg, Briana Hunter and Aaron Crouch play The Father, The Mother and The Son in the world premiere of Blue at the 2019 Glimmerglass Festival. Karli Cadel/Courtesy of the festival hide caption

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Karli Cadel/Courtesy of the festival

Performing Arts

New Opera 'Blue' Takes On The Tragedy Of Police Brutality

The new opera by Tazewell Thompson and Jeanine Tesori tells the story of a couple in Harlem who are forced to confront their teenage son's sudden death by police violence.

New Opera 'Blue' Takes On The Tragedy Of Police Brutality

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Inside 'Family Reunion,' A Sitcom With An All-Black Writers Room

Tia Mowry-Hardrict plays a mother of four moving to Georgia to be closer to her in-laws in Family Reunion. John P. Fleenor/Netflix hide caption

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John P. Fleenor/Netflix

Television

Inside 'Family Reunion,' A Sitcom With An All-Black Writers Room

Creator Meg DeLoatch conceived her new streaming series, starring Tia Mowry-Hardrict, around her own family reunion in Georgia. Then Netflix encouraged her to staff up with African Americans.

Inside 'Family Reunion,' A Sitcom With An All-Black Writers Room

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In 'Queen Of The Sea,' The Story Rides On Goatback

In Queen of the Sea, 11-year-old Margaret befriends a mysterious visitor to her island home — and learns to play chess. Copyright 2019 by Dylan Meconis/Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press hide caption

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Copyright 2019 by Dylan Meconis/Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press

Book News & Features

In 'Queen Of The Sea,' The Story Rides On Goatback

Dylan Meconis' new graphic novel is set on a mysterious island off the coast of a country that's not quite Tudor England. It's an alternate history, loosely based on the youth of Queen Elizabeth I.

In 'Queen Of The Sea,' The Story Rides On Goatback

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Not My Job: We Quiz 'Orange Is The New Black' Author On Laundering (Clothes)
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!

Not My Job: We Quiz 'Orange Is The New Black' Author On Laundering (Clothes)

Piper Kerman served time in minimum security prison for money laundering ... but how much does she know about actual laundering? We'll find out.

Not My Job: We Quiz 'Orange Is The New Black' Author On Laundering (Clothes)

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San Diego Comic-Con Is Turning 50: Here's Its Origin Story

The original San Diego Comic-Con committee, as drawn by Scott Shaw! and inspired by Jack Kirby. Courtesy of Scott Shaw! hide caption

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Courtesy of Scott Shaw!

San Diego Comic-Con Is Turning 50: Here's Its Origin Story

50 years ago, a bunch of teenaged comics fans got together to plan a convention, and what started with 300 people in a hotel basement became the pop culture juggernaut known as San Diego Comic Con.

San Diego Comic-Con Is Turning 50: Here's Its Origin Story

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Fly Me To The Permanent Natural Satellite

Ophira Eisenberg performs alongside guest house musician Julian Velard on Ask Me Another at the Bell House in Brooklyn, New York. Mike Katzif/NPR hide caption

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Mike Katzif/NPR

Ask Me Another

Fly Me To The Permanent Natural Satellite

Pretending they're on a romantic night stroll, contestants must correctly identify facts about the moon that would impress their hypothetical date.

Fly Me To The Permanent Natural Satellite

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Classical Power Chords

Contestants Alysa O'Shea and Mike Racioppa appear on Ask Me Another at the Bell House in Brooklyn, New York. Mike Katzif/NPR hide caption

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Mike Katzif/NPR

Ask Me Another

Classical Power Chords

In this audio quiz, classical compositions are paired up with contemporary songs they inspired.

Classical Power Chords

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Put On A Happy Face

Contestants Max Neuman and Alice Kors appear on Ask Me Another at the Bell House in Brooklyn, New York. Mike Katzif/NPR hide caption

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Mike Katzif/NPR

Ask Me Another

Put On A Happy Face

In this music game, songs from famous musicals are rewritten to describe the plots of famous non-music dramatic stage plays. It's a crossover the Tony Awards would never themselves allow.

Put On A Happy Face

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