Fresh Air with Terry Gross, November 24, 2008: Interview with James Franco; Review of Tony Morrison's new novel 'A mercy.'

Since its national debut in 1987, Fresh Air with Terry Gross has been a highly acclaimed and much adored weekday magazine among public radio listeners. Each week, nearly 4.8 million people turn to Peabody Award-winning host Terry Gross for insightful conversations with the leading voices in contemporary arts and issues. The renowned program reaches a global audience, with over 620 public radio stations broadcasting Fresh Air, and 3 million podcast downloads each week. Fresh Air has broken the mold of 'talk show' by weaving together superior journalism and intimate storytelling from modern-day intellectuals, politicians and artists alike. Through probing questions and careful research, Gross's interviews are lauded for revealing a fresh perspective on cultural icons and trends. Her thorough conversations are often complemented by commentary from well-known contributors. Fresh Air is produced at WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and broadcast nationally by NPR.
(1.) Actor JAMES FRANCO. He plays Harvey Milk's longtime companion in the new film Milk, starring Sean Penn in the title role. Franco got his big break on the short lived but critically acclaimed TV show Freaks and Geeks. He went on to play Harry Osborn in all three Spiderman films. Prior to Milk, he was in Pineapple Express, and he's going to play Alan Ginsburg in the upcoming film Howl.(THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW.) (2.) Book critic MAUREEN CORRIGAN reviews A Mercy, Toni Morrison's new novel. Maureen says it's being hailed as a sort of prequel to Beloved.