Conan O’Brien gets serious about silliness
On July 16, 2008, Conan O’Brien spoke about his style of late night and his reason for doing comedy. Interview conducted by director Michael Kantor for the six-hour PBS comedy series, “Make ‘Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America” (2009).
Episodes
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The Incomparable Mr. Buckley
S38 E3 - 1h 40m
Discover the intellectual evolution and political legacy of William F. Buckley, Jr. See how the author and commentator, one of the foremost public intellectuals in American history, galvanized the modern conservative movement.
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Moynihan
S38 E2 - 1h 43m
Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Going beyond the “Moynihan Report,” President Joe Biden, Ta-Nehisi Coates and others reflect on his decades-long fight to end national poverty.
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HOPPER: An American love story
S38 E1 - 53m 3s
Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works. Known for “Nighthawks” and other evocative paintings of American life, Hopper has left a lasting impression on our culture. Meet the man behind the brush, and see how his marriage to fellow artist Josephine Nivison Hopper shaped his art and career.
Extras + Features
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Explaining the "Moynihan Report"
S38 E2 - 6m 3s
In 1965, Daniel Patrick Moynihan released his report on the Black family, titled "The Negro Family: The Case for National Action." Through structural and cultural analysis, the "Moynihan Report," as it was known colloquially, detailed "the deterioration of the fabric of Negro society is the deterioration of the Negro family." The report caused controversy upon its release.
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Edward Hopper's simple lifestyle with wife Jo
S38 E1 - 1m 55s
Edward and Jo Hopper lived an extremely frugal life, with just a hot plate to cook on and their living room used as an art studio. Hopper had a reputation for being gruff and unfriendly, while Jo loved to have drinks and chats with friends.
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Rare interview footage of Edward Hopper on his process
S38 E1 - 29m 7s
In this rare archival footage from 1964, Edward Hopper joins host and art critic Brian O'Doherty at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston for a conversation about Hopper's process and inspirations, and his belief that "the important element in the picture cannot be defined."
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HOPPER: An American love story
S38 E1 - 1m 2s
Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works. Known for “Nighthawks” and other evocative paintings of American life, Hopper has left a lasting impression on our culture. Meet the man behind the brush, and see how his marriage to fellow artist Josephine Nivison Hopper shaped his art and career.
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Edward Hopper's work showed a narrow view of New York
S38 E1 - 2m 39s
Edward Hopper painted what he wanted to paint, showing no interest in the growing diversity of America or the social movements happening in New York City.
"It's just almost comical for me to imagine Hopper, still in his button-down at his easel, when you have this great Bohemian culture happening right outside the window," says curator Kim Conaty. "And it's not really reflected in the work."
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Edward Hopper's childhood in Nyack, New York
S38 E1 - 2m 3s
Edward Hopper was raised in Nyack, New York, where his creativity was fostered by his supportive parents and his childhood home influenced his interpretation of light and space in his paintings.
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Edward Hopper's career soared as wife Jo Nivison's faltered
S38 E1 - 2m 31s
When Edward Hopper first met fellow painter and future spouse Josephine Nivison in 1923, he had not sold a painting in 10 years. Jo, on the other hand, was at her most productive, both showing and selling her artwork. When Jo recommended Hopper's paintings to gallerists, his career began to soar while hers faltered.
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A closer look at Edward Hopper's "Automat" and "Chop Suey"
S38 E1 - 1m 59s
Edward Hopper displayed a preference for quieter social commentary with his art. In "Automat," he paints a woman alone in an empty automat, conveying a sense of loneliness and isolation. In "Chop Suey," two women are depicted at lunch without male chaperones, reflecting the newfound independence many women were experiencing at the time.
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HOPPER: An American love story (EAD + ASL + OC Trailer)
S38 E1 - 2m 10s
Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works. Known for “Nighthawks” and other evocative paintings of American life, Hopper has left a lasting impression on our culture. Meet the man behind the brush, and see how his marriage to fellow artist Josephine Nivison Hopper shaped his art and career. This version contains extended audio description and ASL interpretation.
Schedule
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American Masters
Ballerina Boys
Saturday
Jun 1
1 Hour
The story of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a company of men who dance on pointe as ballerinas. -
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American Masters
Ailey
Saturday
Jun 1
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The life and career of choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances focus on the Black experience, interviews with those close to him and a glimpse into his dance studios. -
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American Masters
Ballerina Boys
Sunday
Jun 2
1 Hour
The story of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, a company of men who dance on pointe as ballerinas. -
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American Masters
Ailey
Sunday
Jun 2
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The life and career of choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances focus on the Black experience, interviews with those close to him and a glimpse into his dance studios. -
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American Masters
Waterman -- Duke: Ambassador of Aloha
Sunday
Jun 2
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The journey and legacy of five-time Olympic medalist Duke Kahanamoku, who broke swimming records and popularized modern-day surfing while overcoming racism. -
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American Masters
Ailey
Sunday
Jun 2
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The life and career of choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances focus on the Black experience, interviews with those close to him and a glimpse into his dance studios. -
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American Masters
Ailey
Sunday
Jun 2
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The life and career of choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances focus on the Black experience, interviews with those close to him and a glimpse into his dance studios. -
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American Masters
Ailey
Monday
Jun 3
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The life and career of choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances focus on the Black experience, interviews with those close to him and a glimpse into his dance studios. -
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American Masters
Keith Haring: Street Art Boy
Saturday
Jun 8
1 Hour
Artist Keith Haring blazes a trail through the art scene of 1980s New York and revolutionizes pop culture. -
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American Masters
Keith Haring: Street Art Boy
Sunday
Jun 9
1 Hour
Artist Keith Haring blazes a trail through the art scene of 1980s New York and revolutionizes pop culture. -
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American Masters
Keith Haring: Street Art Boy
Sunday
Jun 9
1 Hour
Artist Keith Haring blazes a trail through the art scene of 1980s New York and revolutionizes pop culture. -
Image
American Masters
Ailey
Tuesday
Jun 11
1 Hour 30 Minutes
The life and career of choreographer Alvin Ailey, whose dances focus on the Black experience, interviews with those close to him and a glimpse into his dance studios. -
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American Masters
Keith Haring: Street Art Boy
Friday
Jun 14
1 Hour
Artist Keith Haring blazes a trail through the art scene of 1980s New York and revolutionizes pop culture.
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