Fresh Air with Terry Gross, April 15, 2002: Interview with Ellen Degeneres; Interview with Andy Richter; Review of the music album 'The element of swing.'

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.) Actress, writer, comediene ELLEN DEGENERES. She's soon to begin a comedy tour. Her five-year sit-com "Ellen" won an Emmy for her much anticipated coming-out episode. She and her character came out at the same time. This was followed by a very public relationship with actress Anne Heche, which eventually ended. DEGENERES talks about coming out, her relationship with Heche, and why she resists becoming a lesbian role model. DEGENERES is the author of the book, "My Point. . . And I Do Have One." (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).(2.) Actor, writer, comedian ANDY RICHTER. For seven years he was Conan O'Brien's sidekick on 'Late Night.' Now he has his own sitcom on FOX, 'Andy Richter Controls the Universe' (Tuesdays at 8:30). RICHTER could be seen in the movies, 'Scarey Movie 2,' 'Dr. T & The Women,' and in the upcoming films 'Big Trouble,' and 'Run, Ronnie, Run.'(3.) Jazz critic KEVIN WHITEHEAD reviews 'The Element of Swing' (Stunt) featuring drummer Ed Thigpen and saxophonist Joe Lovano.