Fresh Air Weekend

Brooks says the panic about COVID-19 could have been avoided. Lloyd Schwartz recommends Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong's Cheek To Cheek. Fresh Air remembers McNally, who died March 24.

McBride's novel, Deacon King Kong, takes place in 1969, in a Brooklyn housing project similar to the one he grew up in. The host of RuPaul's Drag Race says loving yourself is a cornerstone of success.

Maron's new Netflix stand-up special, End Times Fun, was named before the coronavirus pandemic. Azaria reflects on his IFC comedy series Brockmire and why he no longer performs Apu on The Simpsons.

Spencer plays businesswoman Madam C.J. Walker in Self Made. John Powers reviews the TV series Little Fires Everywhere. Nézet-Séguin discusses the Philadelphia Orchestra's response to COVID-19.

Erdrich reflects on her personal connection to native peoples' "fight for survival." John Powers reviews the film Bacurau. Wine-Banks talks about her work related to the Watergate probe.

Ben Mendelsohn plays a detective on HBO's The Outsider. Ken Tucker reviews Bryan Ferry's new concert album. Axios reporter Jonathan Swan talks about Trump's move to oust those he considers disloyal.

Danes reflects "with gratitude" on her life-changing Homeland tenure. John Powers reviews Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Music duo Rachael & Vilray talk about their love of old swing standards.

Atlantic writer McKay Coppins says the president's relection campaign is "pushing lies and distortions." Justin Chang reviews And Then We Danced. Pollan does a deep-dive on caffeine.

Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert's documentary centers on a Chinese-run factory in Ohio. Justin Chang reviews Beanpole. Eilene Zimmerman writes about her ex-husband's drug-related death in Smacked.

Stevenson built a museum and monument in Alabama dedicated to slavery and its legacy. Justin Chang reviews The Assistant. Rigby talks about mixing music and motherhood.