© 2026 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Fresh Air Weekend: Actor Laverne Cox; Comic Ali Siddiq

Laverne Cox attends the world premiere of Apple's Outcome at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on April 6, 2026 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris
/
Getty Images
Laverne Cox attends the world premiere of Apple's Outcome at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on April 6, 2026 in New York City.

Fresh Air Weekend highlights some of the best interviews and reviews from past weeks, as well as new program elements specially paced for weekends. Our weekend show emphasizes interviews with writers, filmmakers, actors and musicians, and it often includes excerpts from live in-studio concerts. This week:

Laverne Cox wrote her memoir because "one more human story out there can help": For more than a decade, actor Laverne Cox has been one of the most visible trans women in America. But the Orange Is the New Black star says she spent most of her childhood keeping herself hidden.

Comic Ali Siddiq makes peace with the past in My Father: As a kid with an aching tooth, Siddiq remembers his dad treating it with cocaine he'd stashed in a Cool Whip container. Now Siddiq pays homage to his dad in the comedy special My Father.

You can listen to the original interviews here:

Copyright 2026 NPR

Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.