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Creative Spark

How do today’s masters create their art? American Masters: Creative Spark presents narrative interviews that go in-depth with an iconic artist about the creation of a single work. Each episode offers a unique window into the world of art and the creative process of artists and cultural icons across a wide range of disciplines, from music and comedy to poetry and film. Explore more at www.pbs.org/creativespark

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Taylor Rooks Talks NBA, Interview Techniques and Finding the Person Behind the Athlete

Taylor Rooks has built her career asking athletes the questions that reveal who they are beyond the game. As a journalist and the host of NBA on Prime, she’s become known for her curious approach to her work. For Taylor, “everyone is more than one story.” In this episode, we talk about how Taylor prepares for interviews and builds connections with stars like Anthony Edwards. She describes the…

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Michael Sarnoski: What Robin Hood and Folklore Tell Us About Ourselves Today

Filmmaker Michael Sarnoski (“Pig” and “A Quiet Place: Day One”) takes on a revisionist version of the Robin Hood story with his new film, “The Death of Robin Hood.” When you hear Robin Hood, you probably think of the man who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. But what if he was just an outlaw? A violent outlaw who has to reckon with his past. In this episode, Sarnoski reflects on adapting…

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Tyler James Williams on 30 Years of Acting and Protecting the Next Generation

In this episode, Tyler James Williams gives a masterclass on his own acting technique: studying people, building characters, and finding the humanity behind every performance. We talk about his love for New York, how “Men In Black” made him fall in love with art and entertainment, and the care he has poured into creating the character of Gregory Eddie on “Abbott Elementary.” The Emmy-winning…

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Why Atsuko Okatsuka’s Comedy Connects Across Cultures

Atsuko Okatsuka returns to the show! The comedian joins us to talk about how she bridges cultures with her work, crafting jokes that land wherever she performs. Atsuko cites Lucille Ball as a major influence when she was a kid growing up in Japan, inspired by the universality of her physical comedy. Whether it’s here in the United States, Taiwan, Japan, or on her global tour, “The Big Bowl Tour,”…

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Greg Kinnear on Acting, AI, and Why Movies Still Matter

Oscar-nominated actor Greg Kinnear has been a fixture of film and television for decades, bringing warmth, wit, and emotional depth to beloved classics like “As Good as It Gets,” “You've Got Mail,” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” Most recently, he stars in “Margo's Got Money Troubles,” the acclaimed new television series that recently wrapped its first season. In this episode, Greg Kinnear reflects on…

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Chris Fleming Embraces the Chaos

Comedian Chris Fleming embraces the chaos in his new HBO comedy special, “Live at the Palace.” Long regarded as a comedian’s comedian, Fleming’s breakout performance has propelled him into the spotlight. In this episode, Chris Fleming traces the origins of his manic, effervescent stage persona back to his childhood in rural Stow, Massachusetts, where he first began crafting jokes about deer and…

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How Leslie Jones Became a Comedian

Comedian and actress Leslie Jones has lived a lot of life and she wants you to know it. The Saturday Night Live alum and veteran stand-up comic returns with a new special, called “Leslie Jones: Life Part 2.” In this interview, Jones traces the long road to discovering her comedic voice. She speaks candidly about family life and the comedians like Richard Pryor who influenced her at a young age. We…

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Phoebe Robinson Shows Her Work

Comedian Phoebe Robinson is a girl boss in recovery. As the creator and star of projects like 2 Dope Queens and Everything’s Trash, she’s long been one of the hardest-working voices of her generation. But in her new comedy special, I Don’t Wanna Work Anymore, Robinson takes a sharp, self-aware look at the millennial hustle-culture mentality. In this episode, Phoebe Robinson shows us the hard work…

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Fantasmas: Julio Torres on Art Surviving in Late-Stage Capitalism

Hi all! We're taking a break from our usual episodes of Creative Spark this week to share a podcast from our friends at The Peabody Awards and the Center for Media and Social Impact. Their show is called We Disrupt This Broadcast. Host Gabe Gonzalez introduces us to the brilliant, absurdist, hilarious Peabody Award-winning HBO series Fantasmas. In a funny, enlivening conversation with creator,…

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Sarah McLachlan: Making Music to Connect and Heal

Singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan says, “we need opportunities to feel connection and to feel less alone.” For her, music is the salve. The three-time Grammy Award winner is back with her tenth studio album, Better Broken. Amidst our tense collective cultural moment, McLachlan aims to create music that bridges divide. In this episode, Sarah McLachlan talks about touring between Canada and the…

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