Entertainment Headlines
Eurovision and activism in Baku
Song contest turns the spotlight on Azerbaijan
Jeremy Hunt 'fair' over BSkyB bid
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's main aim was to "reach a fair and unbiased decision" on News Corp's bid for broadcaster BSkyB, his department's most senior civil servant tells the Leveson Inquiry.
The End Is Near, And It's No Walk 'On The Beach'
Growing up in the '80s, author Myla Goldberg crafted a survival plan in the event of a nuclear war. But all that changed when she read On the Beach by Nevil Shute. Have you ever read a book that gave you a sobering picture of the world? Tell us in the comments.
'OC87' A 'Painful And Encouraging' Self-Portrait
Robert Siegel talks with Bud Clayman — director of the documentary OC87: The Obsessive Compulsive Major Depression Bipolar Asperger's Movie. Clayman always wanted to be a filmmaker, but a mental breakdown years ago interrupted that dream. Now, nearly 30 years later, Clayman has produced and directed a chronicle of what living with mental illness is really like.
In A Clouded World, The CD Can 'Stay'
Twelve years ago, the band Jim's Big Ego was trying something new to get its tunes to fans: uploading them to the Internet. Today, lead singer Jim Infantino still thinks digital music is "neat," though the digital landscape has certainly changed.
Big K.R.I.T.: Big Heart, Thick Drawl
Female-soul backup and defiant pride are also part of the Mississippi rapper's appeal.
VIDEO: Cannes red carpet and more news
Eurovision hopefuls prepare for Saturday's final and stars including Jessie J and Janet Jackson hit Cannes plus the rest of the day's top entertainment stories.
'Route 66': A Country-Crisscrossing Series Comes To Home Video
Actor George Maharis talks about Route 66, the television show he starred in that's just been released in a new DVD box set.
The Beverages That Beguile Us, Through A Whole New Lens
Phoenix-based artist William "Bill" LeGoullon reveals our favorite Memorial Day beverages in detail under the microscope. We guarantee you'll never look at beer, wine and soda the same way again.
Cannes Diary: Ticket Tactics, Plus A Surprise Great Performance
In his final dispatch from the Cannes Film Festival, critic Raj Ranade takes in a capitalist critique from Cronenberg and a meditation on love from an Iranian legend.
Teenage Tales: Sneaking Looks In Sexy Books
Coming out as a teenager can be difficult. That's why finding Rubyfruit Jungle was important for author Emily Danforth. The book's lesbian narrator helped her figure out who she wanted to be. Have you ever found a book that helped you understand yourself better? Tell us about it in the comments.
VIDEO: Film 24 - the week's new films
Movie critic Mark Kermode reviews the week's new film releases, including Moonrise Kingdom, Men in Black 3 and What to Expect When You're Expecting.
Drum Fill Friday, From Wild Flag's Drummer Janet Weiss
Wild Flag (and former Sleater-Kinney) drummer Janet Weiss shares some of her all-time favorite drum fills and intros. Can you guess what songs they're from?
VIDEO: Sande 'excited' about Olympic gigs
Brit-winning artist Emeli Sande is headlining a special concert celebrating the arrival of the Olympic torch in Cardiff.
Afghan Whigs: Songs Of Love Gone Wrong, Done Right
Afghan Whigs, fronted by Greg Dulli, always mixed an intense, complicated view of sexuality with a hybrid-style of rock. This week, the band played its first show in more than a decade at New York's Bowery Ballroom.
'February House': When Musicals Whisper Rather Than Shout
Critic Mark Blankenship says that February House, a musical about a band of artists who lived together in Brooklyn, is a musical that whispers rather than shouting with exuberance.
Around The Classical Internet: May 25, 2012
The Met critiques critics, Czechs conquer concerts and Zinman stays up late: all the news that's fit to link.
VIDEO: Sydney light show brings house down
Spectacular light show illuminates the Sydney Opera House as part of Australia's Vivid Festival.
A Civil War In The Olive Garden Parking Lot
Photographer Gregg Segal says he's interested in time — which is why he stages re-enactments in front of strip malls.
VIDEO: Locked up for liberty in Chile
A Chilean actor has locked himself up in a prison cell to draw attention to the issues of overcrowding in Chile's prisons.
Pop Culture Happy Hour: On Endings And Road Trips
On this week's Pop Culture Happy Hour, we talk about finales and road trips, so if you like Lost or getting lost, this is the show for you.
James Burton: The Teen Who Invented American Guitar
You've heard guitarist James Burton even if you don't know it. Ever since he was 15, he's been recording behind a bewildering number of artists, from Ricky Nelson to Ray Charles. He also managed to put out some records on his own. Rock historian Ed Ward shares his story.
Let's Rush To Judgment: Baz Luhrmann's 'The Great Gatsby' In 3-D
Baz Luhrmann's trailer for his 3-D adaptation of The Great Gatsby has arrived. Let's take a look.
A Wes Anderson 'Kingdom' Full Of Beautiful Imagery
Wes Anderson's latest film is the story of a 12-year-old girl and boy who merge their imaginative worlds on an island off the coast of New England. Critic David Edelstein says Moonrise Kingdom will appeal to Anderson's longtime fans as well as anyone who appreciates good cinematography and design.
Examining 'The Leftovers,' After The Rapture
What if the rapture actually occurred? That's the plot of Tom Perrotta's novel The Leftovers, which examines the aftermath of an unexplained rapturelike event in which millions of people around the globe inexplicably disappear into thin air.
VIDEO: Gary Barlow on making the Jubilee song
Gary Barlow, who co-created the official song for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, took inspiration from the Commonwealth.
David Hyde Pierce On 'Song Travels'
The TV and Broadway star performs his favorite standards and talks Beethoven, rap and Spamalot.
How Can Law Be Simplified?
The Land of the Free has become a legal minefield, says attorney Philip K. Howard — especially for teachers and doctors, whose work has been paralyzed by fear of suits. The answer? Howard has four propositions for simplifying U.S. law.
Can Video Games Solve Real Issues?
Games like World of Warcraft give players the means to save worlds and incentive to learn the habits of heroes. What if we could harness this gamer power to solve real-world problems? Game designer Jane McGonigal says we can.
How Do Rules Fail Us?
Psychologist Barry Schwartz makes a passionate call for practical wisdom as an antidote to a society gone mad with bureaucracy. He argues powerfully that rules often fail us, incentives often backfire, and practical, everyday wisdom will help rebuild our world.
Blair to appear before Leveson
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is to appear before the Leveson Inquiry on Monday.
The Gregory Brothers: The Masters of the Internet
This week's Mystery Guests are no strangers to breaking news, though instead of making the headlines, this quartet makes them worth singing about. It's brothers versus brothers, as we test their wits in a trivia match that's bound to go viral.
Cabinet Of Wonders: Episode One
John Wesley Harding laments the Starbucks-ization of America, great music from Josh Ritter, Edie Brickell, and Punch Brothers. Then questionable life advice from Sarah Vowell and Eugene Mirman, topped with Haley Tanner's homage to a favorite writer.
John Martyn On Mountain Stage
Mountain Stage celebrates the life of the '70s folk hero with a re-airing of his 1993 performance.
Lawsuits over ad-skipping TV box
Satellite broadcaster clashes with US TV networks over a set-top box that strips ads out of recorded programmes
Eurovision Spain star 'misquoted'
Spain's Eurovision entrant denies reports she was asked not to win by her country's public television channel, claiming she was misquoted.
BBC renews Match of the Day deal
BBC agrees a new deal to broadcast Premier League highlights on Match of the Day until the end of the 2015-16 season.
Star Wars: Wales' hidden history
On the 35th anniversary of Star Wars, a look at some lesser-known links between the film franchise and Wales, from the Millennium Falcon to the Phantom Menace.
VIDEO: Katona: I spent £100k on drug rehab
Former pop star Kerry Katona claimed politicians do not want to deal with people with problems as she discussed her cocaine addiction.
Chuck Prophet: Tawdry, Tattered Glory
Few can turn tales from the outer limits into catchy songs quite like Prophet does in "The Left Hand and the Right Hand." He's as original as the oddball characters he brings to life.
VIDEO: The Charlatans on their retrospective tour
The Charlatans are marking the 15th anniversary of their album 'Tellin' Stories' by going on a retrospective tour
Ryan joins Will Young in Cabaret
Former EastEnder Michelle Ryan is to star opposite Will Young in a forthcoming West End revival of Cabaret.
VIDEO: Africa Beats: Eric Wainaina
Kenya's Eric Wainaina speaks the truth to those in power
Elton John cancels Vegas shows
Sir Elton John has pulled out of three performances in Las Vegas after being taken to hospital with a respiratory infection.
AUDIO: Plan B: 'There are idiots everywhere'
Plan B talks to Evan Davis about class and social exclusion ahead of the release of his new film Ill Manners.
In Pictures: Cannes amfAR gala
Stars open their wallets at Cannes charity gala
An Uncommon 'Riddle': Joshua Redman Covers His Musical Peer
The saxophonist performs a piece by his contemporary — a practice much rarer than you might think.
15 Summer Reads Handpicked By Indie Booksellers
Not sure what to read this summer? NPR's Susan Stamberg asked three booksellers to share their top five picks for the books you shouldn't miss. They recommend tales of con artists, grade-school spies, refugees and ranchers — plus an exploration of why stories make us human.
Hollywood Dreams Led Chinese Firm To Buy Into U.S.
When the Chinese firm Wanda announced the purchase of AMC cinemas, it may not have made a lot of business sense in the short term. But it could be part of a larger strategy that will bring the company into the U.S. in a major way.
