What better way to wrap up 2010 than in the company of two very funny ladies? We cap our weeklong retrospective of the year’s most entertaining interviews with two very funny and often outrageous comedians (comediennes?) — Sarah Silverman and Joan Rivers. Seems like the right company to keep before watching the ball drop. 

— braiker

As the best of 2010 keeps rolling along here at Fresh Air world headquarters, we’ll be bringing you Terry’s amazing interview with Jay-Z today. If you missed it the first time — or want to hear again — tune in to hear him discuss growing up in the Marcy Houses housing project, crack in the ’80s, crotch-grabbing and misogyny in rap lyrics.  

Also on deck is an encore presentation of our interview with LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, who is not losing his edge. 

— braiker

Tune in today as we continue our look back at the most entertaining interviews of 2010 with Stephen Sondheim. The legendary composer celebrated his 80th birthday this year.

Can’t wait to hear it? This should hold you over: Sondheim recently sat down with another Stephen to chat about his new book, a collection of lyrics titled Finishing the Hat. Check him out on the Colbert Report before you tune in to us. 

Also on the program today, journalist Matt Richtel talks to Terry about the impact technology is having on our lives and our brains. 

— braiker

In ‘Daily Show’ Role on 9/11 Bill, Echoes of Murrow

We woke up to the New York Times asking this question today:

“Did the bill pledging federal funds for the health care of 9/11 responders become law in the waning hours of the 111th Congress only because a comedian took it up as a personal cause?

“And does that make that comedian, Jon Stewart — despite all his protestations that what he does has nothing to do with journalism — the modern-day equivalent of Edward R. Murrow?”

As it happens Stewart, one of the more polarizing and relevant comedians of our lifetime, was a guest on the show earlier this year. As part of our ongoing series of the most entertaining interviews of the year, Fresh Air will re-broadcast Terry’s interview with the Daily Show host tomorrow. The conversation was recorded in September of 2010 in front of a studio audience at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan and covered topics from Glenn Beck and Christine O’Donnell to his homelife and how the show gets made. 

— braiker

Keith Richards’ Terms of Endearment for Terry Gross Used During His Fresh Air Interview

austinkleon:

I did it lying down, darling.

I don’t know about you, honey, but I do most of this stuff lying down.

Darling, I don’t know. I dreamt it.

I love them both, honey. Don’t ask me to cut the babies in half.

I mean, it’s only rock n’ roll, honey.

I didnt never knew what they called it, honey.

I mean, boo, we all bump into death at one time or another, honey.

Good try, honey.

Listen here. Transcript.

In case you missed it the first time — or want to hear it again — be sure to tune in today for our encore presentation of Terry’s interview with Keith Richards. The guitarist opens up about his music, his legendary journeys on the road with The Rolling Stones and his occasionally contentious relationship with lead singer Mick Jagger in a new memoir called Life. 

— braiker