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From the Archives: Comedians Robert Townsend and Richard Lewis.

Film director and comedian, Robert Townsend. His first film, "Hollywood Shuffle" took a satiric look at the roles offered to blacks in Hollywood, and established Townsend --with Spike Lee and others-- as a new group of talented black filmmakers who won industry acceptance after making independent films. His new film is "Meteor Man". (REBROADCAST FROM 6-9-87)

Standup comic Richard Lewis. In his act, Lewis portrays a spastic, tortured, self-deprecating man living a life of unrelieved pain. He says of his comedy that after he's finished his act "people throw prescription drugs and the names of their therapists instead of roses. I'm the wreck they can't be." Lewis is in Mel Brook's latest film "Men in Tights" and stars in a new TV series on Fox with Don Rickles. (REBROADCAST FROM 6-16-88).

14:27
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Other segments from the episode on September 10, 1993

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, September 10, 1993: Interview with Curtis Mayfield; Interviews with Richard Lewis and Robert Townsend; Review of the album "Sweet Relief."
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22:31

Curtis Mayfield Discusses his Life and Career.

Curtis Mayfield. He's been called "the thinking man's soul man." He's known for his floating falsetto voice, gospel sound, and social commentary. He was with the group, "The Impressions" for 12 years recording such classics as "Gypsy Woman," "I'm so Proud," and "People Get Ready." After that he went solo. His score for "Superfly," was considered a musical breakthrough, and has inspired many of today's hip-hop performers.

Interview
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06:18

Tribute to a Musicians' Musician.

Ken Tucker reviews the new benefit album organized to help singer/songwriter Victoria Williams, who is afflicted with multiple sclerosis: "Sweet Relief". The album features Lou Reed, Pearl Jam, Matthew Sweet and others performing her songs.

Review

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03:50

Black Artists and Black Narratives

Critic-at-large Laurie Stone reviews a new play and movie about the African American experience, both written by African American artists. She says the works should be celebrated for their refusal to pander to white audiences.

Review
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10:01

Resisting Hollwood's Demand to "Be Blacker"

Film actor, writer, and director Robert Townsend satirizes his experiences as an African American in Hollywood in the new film, Hollywood Shuffle. He says that television commercials have given him more opportunities than movies to play diverse roles.

Interview

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Daughter of Warhol star looks back on a bohemian childhood in the Chelsea Hotel

Alexandra Auder's mother, Viva, was one of Andy Warhol's muses. Growing up in Warhol's orbit meant Auder's childhood was an unusual one. For several years, Viva, Auder and Auder's younger half-sister, Gaby Hoffmann, lived in the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan. It was was famous for having been home to Leonard Cohen, Dylan Thomas, Virgil Thomson, and Bob Dylan, among others.

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This fake 'Jury Duty' really put James Marsden's improv chops on trial

In the series Jury Duty, a solar contractor named Ronald Gladden has agreed to participate in what he believes is a documentary about the experience of being a juror--but what Ronald doesn't know is that the whole thing is fake.

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