© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Fresh Air Weekend: 'Loving Day'; Cable's Faux Newsmen; 'Dope' Director

Mat Johnson is the author of <em>Pym, Drop, </em><em>Hunting in Harlem </em>and <em>The Great Negro Plot</em> as well as several graphic novels including <em>Incognegro</em>, <em>Dark Rain </em>and <em>Right State</em>.
Meera Bowman Johnson
Mat Johnson is the author of Pym, Drop, Hunting in Harlem and The Great Negro Plot as well as several graphic novels including Incognegro, Dark Rain and Right State.

Fresh Air Weekend highlights some of the best interviews and reviews from past weeks, and new program elements specially paced for weekends. Our weekend show emphasizes interviews with writers, filmmakers, actors and musicians, and often includes excerpts from live in-studio concerts. This week:

Mat Johnson On 'Loving Day' And Life As A 'Black Boy' Who Looks White: As a biracial child growing up in Philadelphia, writer Mat Johnson identified as black – but looked white. His new novel is about a man who returns to his hometown after inheriting a run-down mansion.

From SCOTUS To The Confederate Flag, Cable Comedians Keep Tabs On The News: Critic David Bianculli says the commentary, questioning and ridicule of Jon Stewart, Larry Wilmore, John Oliver and Bill Maher help keep news outlets — and news-makers — honest.

'Dope' Director On Geekdom, The N-Word And Confronting Racism With Comedy: Rick Famuyiwa's new film is about a black high-school student who's into 90s hip hop and Japanese comic books. He calls Dope a celebration of kids whose interests don't fit into pop-culture norms.

You can listen to the original interviews here:

Mat Johnson On 'Loving Day' And Life As A 'Black Boy' Who Looks White

From SCOTUS To The Confederate Flag, Cable Comedians Keep Tabs On The News

'Dope' Director On Geekdom, The N-Word And Confronting Racism With Comedy

Copyright 2021 Fresh Air. To see more, visit Fresh Air.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.