An Electric Bluesman Rivaled Only by Muddy Waters

The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer joins Fresh Air to talk about the scientific and cultural history of the Red Planet. He advocates for robotic and human exploration of Mars -- an endeavor that would lead to greater technological innovations and international cooperation.

Forsythe plays the villain Flattop in the new Dick Tracy movie. He also appeared in the Patty Hearst biopic and Serigio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America.

Performance artists Karen Finley and Holly Hughes, whose work is often sexual and political in nature, recently had their NEA grants vetoed, despite a recommendation by the organization's peer review board. Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Stephan Salisbury speaks to Fresh Air about the controversy.