Fresh Air

Best Of: Bradley Cooper / Samin Nosrat

Bradley Cooper talks about writing, directing and starring in his remake of 'A Star is Born.' He not only had to learn how to direct, he had to learn how to sing and play guitar for his role as musician Jackson Maine opposite Lady Gaga. Salt, fat, acid, heat – those are the four elements to mastering cooking, according to James Beard-winning cookbook author Samin Nosrat. She's adapted her bestselling cookbook, 'Salt Fat Acid Heat,' into a four-part Netflix docuseries. She spoke with producer Sam Briger.

Actor Lucas Hedges / Samin Nosrat Part 2

Hedges is best known for his roles in 'Manchester by the Sea' and 'Lady Bird,' and now stars in the movie 'Ben is Back' as a teenager in rehab for opioid addiction. He's also nominated for a Golden Globe for 'Boy Erased,' about a teenager subjected to gay conversion therapy by his conservative Baptist parents. Hedges talks about growing up obsessed with actors, his ADHD, and crying onscreen versus real life. Samin Nosrat, host of the Netflix docuseries 'Salt Fat Acid Heat,' says those are the four key elements to master cooking. She spoke with 'Fresh Air' producer Sam Briger about why she wanted to showcase home cooks rather than famous chefs on her show. (Part one of this interview is in the Monday Dec. 3 episode.)

'Remaking Journalism' In An Age Of Information Chaos

In 'Breaking News,' former Guardian editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger reflects on the blockbuster stories he helped publish over the course of his 20-year tenure running the British newspaper (including the Snowden and Assange leaks). "Journalism has to remake itself if it is to be the answer to the world of information chaos that we're in danger of living in," he says. Also, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the album 'The Space' by pianist Kenny Werner.

Best Of: Rami Malek On 'Bohemian Rhapsody' / The 'Profound' Power Of The Immune System

Rami Malek sang at the top of his lungs while playing Queen's iconic lead singer in the new biopic 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' Still, he says, "No one can sing like Freddie Mercury." Malek spoke with Terry Gross about learning to sing and move like Mercury, and wearing prosthetic teeth. Critic John Powers reviews 'Insurrecto' by Gina Apostol. The novel is about two women, a Filipina translator and an American filmmaker, on a road trip in the Philippines. Immunologist Daniel Davis says scientists are harnessing the power of the immune system to create new medications to fight cancer, auto-immune conditions and other diseases. Davis' book is 'The Beautiful Cure.'

'Widower's Notebook' Draws A Portrait Of Grief And Guilt

Five years ago, Jonathan Santlofer's wife died suddenly, throwing him into a "fugue state" of grief. Sketching her portrait from old photographs has helped him stay close to her. His memoir is 'The Widower's Notebook.' Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the novel 'Come With Me' by Helen Schulman, about regrets and risk-taking in the Internet age.

Inside Nancy Pelosi's Bid For Speakership

Journalist Robert Draper talks about why Republicans love to attack Pelosi, the challenges she faces from within her own party, and her bid to be speaker of the House. Draper wrote a cover story about Pelosi for the 'New York Times Magazine.'Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews 'Sophisticated Giant,' a new biography of the late saxophonist Dexter Gordon.

Best Of: The Coen Brothers / Free Climbing Yosemite's 'Dawn Wall'

Filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen ('Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?,' 'No Country for Old Men') pay homage to old Westerns with their new film, 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.' The movie is a collection of six stories that often subvert the expectations of the genre.Rock climbers Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson talk about scaling the 3,000 foot sheer vertical face of Yosemite's El Capitan that was long thought impossible to ascend. The documentary about their historic climb is 'The Dawn Wall.'

Jazz Singer Cécile McLorin Salvant

McLorin Salvant grew up in Miami as the child of a Haitian father and a French mother. She first studied classical voice, but turned to jazz because it offered her more range. "I never wanted to sound clean and pretty," she told Terry Gross in 2015. "In jazz, I felt I could sing these deep, husky lows if I want, and then these really tiny, laser highs if I want, as well." Her new record is 'The Window,' which critic Kevin Whitehead says is "riveting."

Actor Rami Malek On Becoming Freddie Mercury

Malek sang at the top of his lungs while playing Queen's iconic lead singer in the new biopic 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' Still, he says, "No one can sing like Freddie Mercury." Malek spoke with Terry Gross about recreating the 1985 Live Aid concert, learning to move like Mercury, and wearing prosthetic teeth. He also talks about playing a withdrawn and socially anxious hacker in the thriller series 'Mr.Robot,' and how he got started in acting.

Filmmakers Joel & Ethan Coen

The Coen brothers ('Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?,' 'No Country for Old Men') pay homage to old Westerns with their new film, 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.' The movie is a collection of six stories that often subvert the expectations of the genre.

Best Of: 'Never Home Alone' With Bugs & Bacteria / 'Burning' Star Steven Yeun

"Every surface, every bit of air, every bit of water in your home is alive," says scientist Rob Dunn. His new book, 'Never Home Alone,' examines the bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites and insects we live with — from armpit bacteria to black mold in our walls. Also, linguist Geoff Nunberg chooses 'nationalist' as his word of 2018.In 'Burning,' Steven Yeun plays a mysterious South Korean playboy who may or may not be murdering his girlfriends. "To this day, I'm the only one who knows who Ben really is," he says of the character. He spoke with 'Fresh Air' producer Sam Briger.

The Russian Disinformation Playbook: Exploit Tension, Sow Chaos

A new video series by 'New York Times' reporter Adam Ellick explores Russia's role in spreading fake news, dating back to the '80s conspiracy theory that the AIDS virus was created by the U.S. military. Ellick also talks about the impact of Russian disinformation in the U.S. "This country is so split and divided that we're now using this Soviet disinformation playbook on ourselves."Also, film critic Justin Chang reviews the heist thriller 'Widows,' starring Viola Davis and directed by Steve McQueen.

Remembering Stan Lee / 'Seduction' In Old Hollywood

Karina Longworth's new book, 'Seduction,' focuses on 10 women that had relationships with Howard Hughes and the exploitation of actresses in Old Hollywood. She also reflects on the #MeToo movement and women coming forward against Harvey Weinstein: "The thing that I've come to understand from studying the 20th century of Hollywood is that these things have always happened, and they were never talked about publicly," she says. "So just the fact that we're having a conversation is completely revolutionary." Longworth's podcast, 'You Must Remember This,' is about the forgotten stories of Hollywood's first century.Also we remember Marvel Comics writer, editor, publisher Stan Lee. He died yesterday at 95. Lee spoke with Terry Gross in 1991 about coming up with Spider-Man, inventing new sound effects for his comics, and why superheroes have colorful costumes.

Best Of: 'How Hearts Can Heal' After Tragedy / Chef José Andrés

Religion scholar Elaine Pagels lost her young son to terminal illness and her husband a year later in an accident. Her new book, 'Why Religion?' combines memoir and biblical scholarship and reflects on loss and faith. Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the album 'Interstate Gospel' from the country trio Pistol Annies, comprised of Ashley Monroe, Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley.Chef José Andrés talks about why "vegetables are sexy," reinventing the Philly Cheesesteak and growing up in Spain. His memoir is 'We Fed an Island.'

Queen Guitarist Brian May

Terry Gross spoke with Queen lead guitarist Brian May in 2010 about recording the many vocals in 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' writing the anthem 'We Will Rock You' and getting a PhD in astrophysics. The new biopic 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' about Freddie Mercury and the meteoric rise of Queen, is now in theaters. Also, film critic Justin Chang reviews the Coen Brothers' new film, 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,' coming to Netflix Nov. 16.

Did Law Enforcement Overlook The Threat Of Far-Right Extremism?

'New York Times Magazine' journalist Janet Reitman says domestic counter-terrorism strategists ignored the rising danger of far-right extremism — which enabled the movement to grow and become more dangerous. Juan Gabriel Vásquez's novel, 'The Shape Of The Ruins,' centers on the 1948 assassination of Colombian political leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán, the years of violence that followed and the conspiracy theories concerning his death. Vásquez spoke with 'Fresh Air' producer Sam Briger.Also Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the album 'Interstate Gospel' from the country trio Pistol Annies, comprised of Ashley Monroe, Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley.

'Why Religion?' Asks 'How Hearts Can Heal' After Tragedy

Religion scholar Elaine Pagels lost her young son to terminal illness and her husband a year later in an accident. Her new book combines memoir and biblical scholarship reflects on loss and faith. Also, Lloyd Schwartz visits two art exhibitions — the Met's big Delacroix retrospective and the Morgan Library's Pontormo collection.

Best Of: Jonah Hill / How Newt Gingrich 'Broke Politics'

Jonah Hill always wanted to be a writer and director, but an unexpected complement in an acting class shifted him towards performing instead. He co-starred in 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' 'Superbad,' and 'Moneyball.' Now he's written and directed his first movie, 'Mid90s,' about a group of young skateboarders. He talks about toxic masculinity, self-acceptance, and his experience directing for the first time. Maureen Corrigan reviews 'If You Ask Me,' a book of advice columns by Eleanor Roosevelt. 'Atlantic' journalist McKay Coppins says that by the time former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, left Congress in 1999, he had enshrined a "combative, tribal, angry attitude in politics that would infect our national discourse in Washington and Congress for decades to come." Coppins' new article is 'The Man Who Broke Politics.'

How Newt Gingrich 'Broke Politics'

'Atlantic' journalist McKay Coppins says that by the time the former speaker of the house left Congress in 1999, he had enshrined a "combative, tribal, angry attitude in politics that would infect our national discourse in Washington and Congress for decades to come." Coppins explains how Gingrich set the stage for President Trump's rise, and how Democrats are now using some of his tactics. Coppins' new article is 'The Man Who Broke Politics.' Also, critic David Edelstein reviews the Orson Welles film 'The Other Side of the Wind,' which was unfinished before his death — now complete and streaming on Netflix.

Jonah Hill

Hill always wanted to be a writer and director, but an unexpected complement in an acting class shifted him towards performing instead. He co-starred in 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' 'Superbad,' and 'Moneyball.' Now he's written and directed his first movie, 'Mid90s,' about a group of young skateboarders. He talks about toxic masculinity, self-acceptance, and his experience directing for the first time. Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews 'Let The People See,' the story of Emmett Till.

Best Of: Melissa McCarthy / Paul Dano

McCarthy is not interested in playing pleasant characters. "Who wants to watch that?" she says. "There's nothing to sink your teeth into. ... The people I love and like are filled with quirks and eccentricities." McCarthy spoke with Terry Gross about playing Sean Spicer on 'SNL' and her role as literary forger Lee Israel in 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?'Also, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a reissued album, from 1981, featuring diverse musicians playing songs that Nino Rota composed for Federico Fellini movies.The 'Love & Mercy' and 'Little Miss Sunshine' actor steps behind the camera for 'Wildlife,' an adaptation of Richard Ford's novel about a boy whose parents are separating. The film was informed by Dano's own parents' relationship.

Lou Reed: A Life

Anthony DeCurtis, contributing editor for 'Rolling Stone,' says he sought to write the biography that Lou Reed "deserved." DeCurtis didn't shy away from writing about the darker side of Reed's life, including addiction and domestic abuse. "It wasn't like I had to go looking for the drugs and the sex," he says. "Lou wrote about it ... so I felt it was fair game." 'Lou Reed: A Life' is now out in paperback. DeCurtis spoke with Terry Gross in 2017.

Actor Paul Dano On Anxiety, Directing, And 'Wildlife'

The 'Love & Mercy' and 'Little Miss Sunshine' actor steps behind the camera for 'Wildlife,' an adaptation of Richard Ford's novel about a boy whose parents are separating. The film was informed by Dano's own parents' relationship. "I think someone else would have wanted to make a film about a kid who rebels; for me, I remember being in the middle, feeling the ground shake and not wanting to tip," he says.Also, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a reissued album, from 1981, featuring diverse musicians playing songs that Nino Rota composed for Federico Fellini movies.

Melissa McCarthy

McCarthy is not interested in playing pleasant characters. Flawless women with perfect clothes and relationships? Nope, not for her. "Who wants to watch that?" she says. "There's nothing to sink your teeth into. ... The people I love and like are filled with quirks and eccentricities." McCarthy spoke with Terry Gross about 'Bridesmaids,' playing Sean Spicer on 'SNL,' and her role as literary forger Lee Israel in 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?'Also, John Powers reviews the BBC drama 'Bodyguard,' dropping on Netflix Oct. 24.

Best Of: 'BoJack Horseman' Creator / 'Hey, Kiddo' Author

Raphael Bob-Waksberg's animated comedy series for Netflix, 'BoJack Horseman,' satirizes Hollywood using a mix of human and animal characters. "Part of the original pitch was like, 'What's Mr. Ed like behind the scenes?'" BoJack (a horse) is a depressed, alcoholic, sexist former sitcom star in the #MeToo era.Justin Chang reviews 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?' starring Melissa McCarthy as a con artist who forges letters from famous authors. Jarrett J. Krosoczka's National Book Award-nominated graphic memoir 'Hey, Kiddo' is about growing up with a mother addicted to heroin. Krosoczka initially didn't want to write about his childhood because he felt it was too dark. "It took it took a long time for me to gain that courage to make this book," he says.