When did Fresh Air begin broadcasting and who was the first host?
Fresh Air began in 1975 at WHYY with Judy Blank serving as the initial host during that first year. Terry Gross took over as presenter and producer in September of 1975.
Questions about Fresh Air
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who is the current co-host of Fresh Air and when did they join the program?
Terry Gross has led the program for four decades alongside co-host Tonya Mosley. Mosley previously co-hosted WBUR's Here & Now before joining Fresh Air in 2023.
Why was Fresh Air removed from Mississippi Public Broadcasting in July 2010?
Fresh Air was removed from Mississippi Public Broadcasting due to recurring inappropriate content following a broadcast with comedian Louis C.K. who discussed his sex life. The show returned to the state network's evening line-up by mid-2011.
How does Fresh Air produce its interviews and when does it go live?
The program's interviews are pre-recorded and edited rather than broadcast live while guests often speak remotely from local affiliate stations or home studios instead of appearing in the studio. When pressing news requires action the show has gone live including coverage of the Soviet coup attempt of 1991 and the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing on the 19th of April 2013.
What awards has Fresh Air won and when was Terry Gross honored by President Barack Obama?
NPR received the George Foster Peabody Award in 1993 alongside Fresh Air and Gross while the show was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. Gross received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama in 2016 for her patient questioning over four decades pushing figures to reveal personal motivations.