Aug 27th, 2008 · As the summer movie season draws to a close, Morning Edition commentator John Ridley weighs in on what he thinks has been a really bad spell for minorities at the multiplex — both for actors and moviegoers.
Aug 26th, 2008 · The two collaborated on the new Steve Coogan comedy, about a failed actor and overzealous drama teacher who mounts a musical sequel to Shakespeare's most famous tragedy.
Aug 13th, 2008 · It's a movie about a movie. Actor and director Ben Stiller talks with Renee Montagne about his war movie parody Tropic Thunder, which opens Wednesday. In it, actors filming in Southeast Asia get caught up in a real war with gun-toting drug smugglers.
Aug 12th, 2008 · A Hollywood parody of the Scary Movie variety, Tropic Thunder becomes the butt of its own joke. Bombastic actors satirically play bombastic actors — without much effect, says critic Cynthia Fuchs. Ooh, how meta.
Aug 12th, 2008 · Plenty of actors and writers turn their family lives into one-man shows. But how many can spin tales of their father being a pimp, and their stepfather being a devout religious man? Don Reed turned his childhood memories into a one-man Off-Broadway show that runs in New York through the end of August. Farai Chideya talks with actor and comedian Don Reed about his one man show, East 14th.
Aug 11th, 2008 · Music and comedy fans everywhere are mourning the sudden loss of two enormous talents. Soul musician and composer Isaac Hayes and comedic actor Bernie Mac died over the weekend. Professor and culture critic Mark Anthony Neal explains how the lasting contributions of both Hayes and Mac put them in a class of their own among entertainers.
Aug 11th, 2008 · Elham Jazab is an actor and comedian who makes her living as an aesthetician, giving facials and waxing legs, eyebrows and bikini lines. Jazab says women have been waiting longer between waxing appointments and not tipping well since the economic downturn. The beauty industry says it's a national trend.
Aug 11th, 2008 · Comedian and actor Bernie Mac died on August 9 due to complications from pneumonia. Mac was one of the original Kings of Comedy, and he starred in his own sitcom. In tribute, Mac's friend and co-star Don Cheadle says, "He will be missed but heaven just got funnier."