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Can The Networks Ever Create Another Night Of 'Must-See TV'?

Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer appear in the baby birth episode of NBC's Friends. AP hide caption

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AP

The Week's Best Stories From NPR Books

Can The Networks Ever Create Another Night Of 'Must-See TV'?

Former NBC president Warren Littlefield talks about his new book, changing viewing habits, and why there will never be another "Must-See TV" quite like the one at NBC.

Can The Networks Ever Create Another Night Of 'Must-See TV'?

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Identity Crisis: When Your Name Is Famous But You Aren't

Pop singer Katy Perry became known for her song "I Kissed a Girl," and that became a problem for Katie Perry, a marketing manager at a New York advertising agency. Aijaz Rahi/AP hide caption

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Aijaz Rahi/AP

National

Identity Crisis: When Your Name Is Famous But You Aren't

Average people who have the same names as celebrities will tell you they put up with a lifetime of lame jokes. Sharing names with people known for less glamorous pursuits, such as porn stars and killers, can cause real problems.

New Hazard On The Horizon: Amateur Storm Chasers

Emergency responders are running headlong into a growing phenomenon: roads bottled up by swarms of tornado chasers Matt Piechota /YouTube hide caption

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Matt Piechota /YouTube

New Hazard On The Horizon: Amateur Storm Chasers

KCUR 89.3

Emergency responders are running headlong into a growing phenomenon: roads bottled up by swarms of tornado chasers.

New Hazard On The Horizon: Amateur Storm Chasers

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Obama Said WHAT? At The Correspondents' Dinner?

Politicians, journalists and celebrities gathered in Washington, D.C., Saturday night for the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Guest host David Greene chats with veteran White House correspondent and SiriusXM host Julie Mason for a wrap-up of the night's festivities.

Obama Said WHAT? At The Correspondents' Dinner?

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Middle East

Egyptian Comedian's Case Raises Free Speech Concerns

An Egyptian court has upheld the conviction against famous comedian Adel Imam for offending Islam in some of his most popular films. Despite protests by Islamists, he received only a suspended sentence and paid a fine of about $170. NPR's Soraya Nelson reports the court's ruling bolsters worries that an Islamist-ruled Egypt will stifle freedom of speech.

Egyptian Comedian's Case Raises Free Speech Concerns

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Blasts From The Past: The Art Of Video Games

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, 2006, Shigeru Miyamoto, Executive Producer; Eiji Aonuma, Director; Satoru Takizawa, Art Director; Eiji Aonuma, Satoru Iwata, Producers, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo of America, Inc. Smithsonian American Art Museum hide caption

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Smithsonian American Art Museum

Games & Humor

Blasts From The Past: The Art Of Video Games

Hopper, Hockney, Lichtenstein. Among these great artists featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., you'll now find Lara Croft and Earthworm Jim.

Blasts From The Past: The Art Of Video Games

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Garry Marshall On His 'Happy Days'

Director Garry Marshall and sister, actress-director Penny Marshall, seen here in 2004 when she received her star on the Walk Of Fame. Vince Bucci/Getty Images hide caption

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Vince Bucci/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Garry Marshall On His 'Happy Days'

Director Garry Marshall talks to NPR's Scott Simon about his career, his relationship with his own family, and his new memoir.

Garry Marshall On His 'Happy Days'

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Shakira Shuts Out J-Lo At Latin Billboard

The hottest stars of Latin music strutted down the red carpet last night in South Florida, for the annual Billboard Latin Music Awards. Host Michel Martin checks in with NPR Music's Alt.Latino co-host Jasmine Garsd to take a look at the winners, the losers, and the surprising snubs.

Shakira Shuts Out J-Lo At Latin Billboard

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Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Veep' Talk And Spoilery 'Cabin In The Woods' Chatter

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Veep' Talk And Spoilery 'Cabin In The Woods' Chatter

On this week's show, we inevitably spoil some of Cabin In The Woods, but we also talk Veep, political satire, and what's making us happy.

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A Totally Wired World Leaves Us Oddly Disconnected

Commuters immersed in their smartphones ride the subway in Beijing. Nelson Ching/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Nelson Ching/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Technology

A Totally Wired World Leaves Us Oddly Disconnected

Thanks to Twitter, Facebook, Skype, mobile phones, chat, instant messages and countless other tech advances, we're more connected than ever — theoretically, at least. But all too often, being totally wired leaves us oddly disconnected.

'Moist,' 'Dude' and 'Slacks': The Worst Words Ever?

Is "slacks" the worst word in the English language? The New Yorker thinks so. Hollywood producer Robert Evans might disagree. He poses here with some of his most fashionable slacks in 1957. Marty Lederhandler/AP hide caption

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Marty Lederhandler/AP

Strange News

'Moist,' 'Dude' and 'Slacks': The Worst Words Ever?

The New Yorker started a tongue-in-cheek contest last week to purge the worst word from the English language. Some of the submissions were words that are "like" overused. Others had "bad textures."

'Moist,' 'Dude' and 'Slacks': The Worst Words Ever?

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Broadway's 'Best Man': John Larroquette

Sen. Joseph Cantwell, played by Eric McCormack (left), is an ambitious striver who throws mud at his rival, Secretary William Russell, played by John Larroquette, who debates whether to use some dirt of his own in The Best Man. Joan Marcus/ hide caption

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Joan Marcus/

Theater

Broadway's 'Best Man': John Larroquette

Perhaps most recognizable for his role on Night Court, John Larroquette has recently taken to the stage, earning a Tony Award for his role in the 2011 production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Now, he has returned to Broadway in a revival of Gore Vidal's The Best Man.

Broadway's 'Best Man': John Larroquette

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I, David Bianculli, Highly Recommend 'I, Claudius'

Patrick Stewart co-starred in the BBC series that spanned the history of the Roman empire from Augustus through Claudius. Acorn Media hide caption

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Acorn Media

Television

I, David Bianculli, Highly Recommend 'I, Claudius'

Fresh Air

I, Claudius is loaded with bloody violence, graphic sex, tales of epic battles and intrigue and characters who are in danger of being killed at any time. The British miniseries has now been remastered and is available in a 35th anniversary edition DVD.

I, David Bianculli, Highly Recommend 'I, Claudius'

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Hugh Laurie's 'House': No Pain, No Gain

Hugh Laurie has received two Golden Globe awards and two Screen Actors Guild awards for his portrayal of Dr. Gregory House. Fox hide caption

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Fox

Television

Hugh Laurie's 'House': No Pain, No Gain

Fresh Air

For the past eight seasons, the English actor has played Dr. Gregory House on the Fox medical series. During that time, Laurie's character has diagnosed dozens of patients suffering from rare ailments, while maintaining a serious addiction to Vicodin.

Hugh Laurie's 'House': No Pain, No Gain

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