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Pop Culture

Interactive TV Allows Viewers To Shop Remotely

Remotely Interested? With the "simple push of the 'Select' button," Optimum Select allows viewers to request information, coupons and free samples. Cablevision/Optimum Select hide caption

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Cablevision/Optimum Select

Television

Interactive TV Allows Viewers To Shop Remotely

A new TV advertising service will give viewers the ability to get information, coupons and free samples without leaving the couch. Optimum Select invites viewers to hit a button on their remote controls to learn more about advertised products.

Interactive TV Allows Viewers To Shop Remotely

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Television

'Law & Order' Writer Turns Headlines Into TV

Some of Law & Order's most memorable plot lines are literally "ripped from the headlines." Executive producer Rene Balcer explains how he divides "headline" episodes between Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and how soon is too soon to recreate a real-life murder.

'Law & Order' Writer Turns Headlines Into TV

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Education

Students At 'Fame' School Nervous About Remake

The remake of the 1980 film Fame, which opened in theaters this weekend, has its roots in an authentic setting: the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City. Many students at the school say they are afraid the new version will make LaGuardia students look lightweight.

Students At 'Fame' School Nervous About Remake

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Fashion, A La Mode Again At The Multiplex

Coco Before Chanel, starring Audrey Tautou, explores the early life of the iconic French designer who changed fashion history with her classic tweed suit. Sony Pictures Classic hide caption

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Sony Pictures Classic

Movies

Fashion, A La Mode Again At The Multiplex

Hollywood and haute couture have always been a good fit: From the cinematic runways of Stanley Donen's Funny Face to the behind-the-scenes tastemaking of The September Issue, fashion and the business of it have long been favorite topics on film. Bob Mondello charts the trend.

Fashion, A La Mode Again At The Multiplex

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Tony Danza Shows High School Students Who's Boss
Mary Altaffer/AP

Television

Tony Danza Shows High School Students Who's Boss

Actor Tony Danza, known for his roles on the sitcoms Taxi and Who's the Boss?, is now playing to a much smaller venue. He's teaching English to 26 sophomores at a Philadelphia high school for a reality show to air next year on A&E.

Tony Danza Shows High School Students Who's Boss

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Games & Humor

Suggested Sounds For Too-Quiet Cars

With the popularity of electric and hybrid cars growing, automakers are concerned that the cars may be too quiet. They are trying to find a suitable sound to warn pedestrians of on-coming traffic. We offer some suggestions of sounds for the cars of the future.

Suggested Sounds For Too-Quiet Cars

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Anime Festival Not Just For Otakus

This weekend, New York hosts a festival celebrating Japanese animation, or anime. Host Scott Simon talks to festival organizer and anime expert (or "otaku") Lance Fensterman, about the event.

Anime Festival Not Just For Otakus

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Media

Kid Reporter Covers 'Worldwide Day Of Play'

The cable channel Nickelodeon goes dark for three hours Saturday in an effort to encourage kids to go out and play. The network is calling it the Worldwide Day of Play. Host Scott Simon talks with 10-year-old Brennan LaBrie about what the budding reporter's friends are planning for the afternoon.

Kid Reporter Covers 'Worldwide Day Of Play'

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Television

The Men Behind AMC's Hit 'Mad Men'

Fresh Air

The reign of AMC's Mad Men continues with a new season and another Emmy. Terry Gross discusses the show's success with executive producer Matthew Weiner and actors Jon Hamm and John Slattery.

The Men Behind AMC's Hit 'Mad Men'

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Television

'60 Minutes' Still Ticking After 41 Years

If broadcast TV news is a dinosaur, then 60 Minutes is a prime-time T-Rex. The CBS newsmagazine draws 14 million viewers every Sunday evening and was television's 10th-highest-rated show in 2008.

'60 Minutes' Still Ticking After 41 Years

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Palestinian TV Show Satirizes Life, Leaders

A Palestinian woman works in the kitchen while listening to the TV program Country on a String in the West Bank city of Nablus. The irreverent comedy mocks and often bites the hand that feeds it: the government. Majdi Mohammed/AP hide caption

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Majdi Mohammed/AP

Middle East

Palestinian TV Show Satirizes Life, Leaders

Country on a String is unusual in the Arab world — a comedy sketch show that takes aim at Palestinian leaders on the TV channel they control. The popular show debuted during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Palestinian TV Show Satirizes Life, Leaders

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Television

Comedian Ansari Enjoys Playing Sleazebag On TV

Aziz Ansari was doing stand-up the entire time he was studying business at New York University. Now, he plays public servant and jerk Tom Haverford on NBC's new sitcom Parks and Recreation. Ansari says it's "always fun to play a dude who's kind of a sleazebag."

Comedian Ansari Enjoys Playing Sleazebag On TV

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Television

Will Colleges Give NBC's 'Community' Good Marks?

The comedy world has eagerly awaited the arrival of Community, a new NBC sitcom about a band of wacky misfits who attend a community college. And community colleges have been getting ready too, hoping this show will not add to the image problems they face.

Will Colleges Give NBC's 'Community' Good Marks?

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Author Interviews

Craig Ferguson's Adventures As An 'Unlikely Patriot'

When Craig Ferguson dropped out of high school at age 16, he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. In his new memoir, American On Purpose, Ferguson chronicles the story of his life, from Glasgow, to big time comedy, to becoming host of CBS's Late Late Show.

Craig Ferguson's Adventures As An 'Unlikely Patriot'

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World

An Indian Doctor's Cure-All: Charlie Chaplin

Ashok Aswani has been a fan of Charlie Chaplin for more than 40 years. Now, the practitioner of ayurvedic medicine heads a club of other equally serious fans of the silent-movie-era icon and uses Chaplin movies to help patients suffering from depression.

An Indian Doctor's Cure-All: Charlie Chaplin

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