Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'entertainment'

Scores Killed In Bangkok Nightclub Fire

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST

At least 61 people were killed and more than 200 injured after they tried to flee what swiftly became a charred, gutted ruin in a glitzy Bangkok entertainment area. The Santika Club, popular with young, affluent Thais as well as tourists and expatriates, had been packed with about 1,000 celebrants.

How Will Obama Influence Arts, Entertainment...

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 08:05:00 EST

In his public appearances, President-elect Barack Obama has been known to quote poetry and harken back to his school music teacher. He likes the works of Stevie Wonder, Toni Morrison and Ernest Hemingway, to name a few. NPR's Elizabeth Blair talks with Steve Inskeep about Obama's potential influence on federal policy toward the arts.

Grief For Christmas Box Office Numbers...

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 09:41:00 EST

Historically, a ticket to the movies has been a ticket to a brief escape from the stresses of lean economic times, and a source of holiday entertainment during winter breaks from work and school. Were those traditional factors a boon for Hollywood, or is the movie industry is suffering financially like everyone else?

Eartha Kitt's Piano Jazz Session

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:41:00 EST

The late entertainer's career spanned every facet of show business: theater, film, cabaret, TV and, of course, music. Piano Jazz remembers her in this 1993 interview and duet with Marian McPartland.

Award-Winning Entertainer Eartha Kitts Dies At 81

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

Self-proclaimed "sex kitten" Eartha Kitt, a sultry singer, dancer and actress has died. She was 81. Her career spanned six decades which includes starring on film next to Nat King Cole, to playing Catwoman on TV's Batman. Kitt won two Emmys. She also was nominated for several Tonys and two Grammys.

Ethan Bortnick: Accomplished Pianist At Seven

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:27:00 EST

Seven-year-old piano prodigy Ethan Bortnick's accomplishments are comparable to those of established musicians and entertainers. He plays more than 200 songs from memory, composes his own pieces, and has appeared on several TV shows. Hear Ethan play songs and talk about his music.

Pre-Inaugural Jitters At San Francisco Chorus

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

Among the entertainment at Barack Obama's Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony will be 86 young singers from San Francisco. The 43 singers from the San Francisco Boys Chorus and 43 from the Girls Chorus paired up, recorded one song and sent it off with their fingers crossed.

Best Superhero Graphic Novels Of 2008

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:06:00 EST

Don't let the capes and external underwear fool you; no longer escapist entertainment, superhero comics capture the timbre of the times as no pollster can. And this year, the mood is dark.

'Shrek' Leads DreamWorks Into Broadway Battle

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:25:00 EST

Since turning its animated film Beauty and the Beast into a Broadway hit 14 years ago, the Walt Disney Co. has had the stage to itself for large-scale family entertainment. Now DreamWorks is challenging it with Shrek: The Musical. The big green ogre debuts on the Great White Way on Sunday.

Before There Was Vegas, There Was Elko

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 09:42:00 EST

Elko, Nev., started the big bands and the big shows long before the glitz and glam of Vegas. Today, the Commercial Hotel and Casino is still open in downtown Elko, but the live entertainment is gone except for few diehards making a cacophony of digital slot machine music.

Michelle Obama Changing Image Of Black Women...

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:43:00 EST

More black faces are showing up in fashion magazines these days, and some are calling it the "Michelle Obama Effect." For the latest entertainment news, NPR's Tony Cox speaks with Allison Samuels, national correspondent for Newsweek magazine.

Nigella's Party Plan: An Excess Of Fun, Not Expense

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:55:00 EST

During a time when many Americans are tightening our belts, we may have to loosen them a bit for the holidays, especially when it's time to have guests over. But as cookbook author Nigella Lawson says, "You entertain to see your friends. You're not opening a restaurant."

More Black Stars To Come Out Of The Closet...

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:36:00 EST

Comedian Wanda Sykes publicly came out of the closet at a rally in support of gay marriage. Will other black stars follow suit? Newsweek's Allison Samuels gets us up to speed on the latest in entertainment news.

Not Just Another Pretty Head Shot

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:44:00 EST

A photographer and a comedy writer went through over 50,000 head shots and picked out those that "took our breath away." The book that resulted is a bizarre tutorial in the art of getting noticed, starring an actress who will only wear pink and other entertaining dreamers.

Judith Owen On Mountain Stage

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:23:00 EST

Welsh singer-songwriter Judith Owen has a knack for entertaining her audience with self-deprecating humor just before enchanting it with her elegant and emotional songs. In her third Mountain Stage appearance, Owen plays songs from her latest album, Mopping Up Karma.

QE2 Sets Sail On Farewell Voyage

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Queen Elizabeth 2, one of the world's most famous ocean liners, is on her final voyage. The vessel will become a first-class hotel and entertainment center in Dubai. Captain Ian McNaught talks with Ari Shapiro about what it's been like to be on board the ship for more than 20 years.

FCC Will Vote On Wireless Internet Access

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

The Federal Communications Commission votes Tuesday on whether to open up broadcast airwaves to deliver high-speed wireless Internet access. Tech companies like the idea. But they're facing powerful opposition from broadcasters, religious leaders and entertainers.

Okkervil River: No Mere 'Stand Ins'

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:18:00 EDT

In a session from WXPN, Okkervil River performs material from The Stand Ins. The band's lead singer and songwriter, Will Sheff, reveals the real characters that populate his songs and how the new album offers a satirical look at the entertainment industry.

Casinos Gamble On Smoking, Osmonds

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The nation's gambling palaces are setting their course for hard times. In Atlantic City, N.J., officials repealed a smoking ban less than two weeks after it took effect. Officials say they don't want to hurt the economy by driving smokers away from the tables. You may hurt your lungs: but you're helping your country. In Las Vegas, the Flamingo is asking two entertainers to do their part. Donnie and Marie Osmond have extended their variety show for two more years.

Is Cable TV Recession-Proof...

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

In the past, the entertainment industry was thought to be recession-proof. Even when people are tightening their belts, they still want to watch TV. But some analysts say maybe not this time. People who watched free broadcast TV during the last economic downturn might drop their pricey cable packages this time around.

Q&A: What Will The Intellectual Property Czar Do...

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:54:00 EDT

Congress has authorized the creation of the new White House coordinator to ride herd on law-enforcement aimed at intellectual-property theft. The entertainment industry says it's vital; critics say it's a waste of time and money. NPR's Laura Sydell explains.

Fall TV Season Off To A Poor Start

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:00:00 EDT

The new broadcast TV season is not having a stellar start. Every season premiere last Thursday night drew a lower rating than last fall. Even returning favorites like ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," CBS' "Survivor" and NBC's "The Office" lost audience compared to last year. Some are blaming the lower numbers on last year's writers strike. Others are looking to larger forces in the entertainment industry.

Chris Rock Riffs On Bill Clinton

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EDT

Farai talks with Newsweek magazine national correspondent Allison Samuels about the hot topics in entertainment news, including Chris Rock's riff on Bill Clinton, controversy surrounding HBO's True Blood, and the latest projects of actress/producer Jada Pinkett Smith.

Emmys: Reality, Cable Take Center Stage

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:20:00 EDT

The red carpet is out in Hollywood for tonight's Emmy Awards. Five reality-show hosts will emcee, while AMC's cable hit Mad Men is up for 16 awards. NPR's entertainment blogger, Linda Holmes of "Monkey See," explains this seismic shift.

Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 'Music, Money, Madness'

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:52:00 EDT

Sammy Davis, Jr. made $50 million singing, dancing and cavorting with the Rat Pack but died impoverished and in debt to the IRS. Matt Birjeck, author of the biography Deconstructing Sammy, discusses the entertainer's legacy.