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How the Writers' Strike May Bring Back the Variety Show.

Television critic David Bianculli discusses how the writer's strike has benefitted "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," and what the show's revival means for the concept of a weekly variety show.

04:00
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Other segments from the episode on April 18, 1988

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, April 18, 1988: Interview with Mario Vargas Llosa; Review of Daryl Sherman's album "She's a Great Great Girl"; Interview with Chris Connor; Commentary on the television…
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27:33

The Latin American Fiction "Boom."

Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa. He is one of the leading figures in the recent boom in Latin American fiction. His novels include Aunt Julia and The Scriptwriter and The War of the End of the World. The latter won the Ritz Paris Hemingway Award. Vargas Llosa's books were banned and burned in Peru by the military in the late 60s.

Peruvian writer and politician Mario Vargas Llosa
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09:59

Chirs Connor is "Hooked on the 40s."

Jazz singer Chris Connor. She was best known for the work she did during a brief stint with the Stan Kenton band. Connor recorded sparingly throughout the 70s and for many jazz fans it was as though she ended her career. She's now performing again and has just completed work on a new album.

Interview

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

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07:02

Ernie Kovacs: The King Of Early Television Comedy.

From 1950 until he died in an auto accident in 1962, Ernie Kovacs created some of the most inventive and unusual television ever made. A new box set collects more than 13 hours of the TV pioneer's best and rarest programs. TV critic David Bianculli says it's "a mandatory purchase for anyone who loves TV."

Review
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06:45

Tom Lehrer: '60s Satirist Still Strikes A Chord.

Lehrer, whose topical songs include "Pollution" and "The Vatican Rag," is the subject of a new multimedia release called The Tom Lehrer Collection. David Bianculli reviews the two-disc set, which includes Lehrer's greatest hits and never-before-seen concert footage.

Review

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