David Bianculli

And when his research uncovers the findings of a former member of the National Transportation Safety Board, who suggested that advanced role play between pilots may help that interaction and prevent crashes, Nathan goes to him and tries to be taken seriously, even though, by profession, he's a comedian.

And when his research uncovers the findings of a former member of the National Transportation Safety Board, who suggested that advanced role play between pilots may help that interaction and prevent crashes, Nathan goes to him and tries to be taken seriously, even though, by profession, he's a comedian.

And when his research uncovers the findings of a former member of the National Transportation Safety Board, who suggested that advanced role play between pilots may help that interaction and prevent crashes, Nathan goes to him and tries to be taken seriously, even though, by profession, he's a comedian.

Okay. Before long, Nathan is on the case. He enlists as his initial test subject a young first officer who lives with his mother and has a somewhat shaky relationship with his girlfriend. Nathan tries to shadow the junior pilot going through his everyday routine, but when Nathan and his camera crew track him through the Houston airport, they're denied access to the exclusive pilot's lounge.

Okay. Before long, Nathan is on the case. He enlists as his initial test subject a young first officer who lives with his mother and has a somewhat shaky relationship with his girlfriend. Nathan tries to shadow the junior pilot going through his everyday routine, but when Nathan and his camera crew track him through the Houston airport, they're denied access to the exclusive pilot's lounge.

Okay. Before long, Nathan is on the case. He enlists as his initial test subject a young first officer who lives with his mother and has a somewhat shaky relationship with his girlfriend. Nathan tries to shadow the junior pilot going through his everyday routine, but when Nathan and his camera crew track him through the Houston airport, they're denied access to the exclusive pilot's lounge.

That's when Nathan places a phone call. And halfway through the call, walks into an adjacent office to deliver a message in person.

That's when Nathan places a phone call. And halfway through the call, walks into an adjacent office to deliver a message in person.

That's when Nathan places a phone call. And halfway through the call, walks into an adjacent office to deliver a message in person.

Think of how meta that is. Before Nathan places a call to United Airlines, he stages his own rehearsal, with a hired actor to ad-lib her responses to his request.

Think of how meta that is. Before Nathan places a call to United Airlines, he stages his own rehearsal, with a hired actor to ad-lib her responses to his request.

Think of how meta that is. Before Nathan places a call to United Airlines, he stages his own rehearsal, with a hired actor to ad-lib her responses to his request.

And then, when he calls the real United Airlines representative and she doesn't play ball, Nathan uses HBO's money to build on a vast soundstage a replica of a long stretch of the Houston airport terminal, including the pilot's lounge, as described by the first officer. An actor is hired to play the senior pilot, and we, along with Nathan, get to observe how they interact before a flight.

And then, when he calls the real United Airlines representative and she doesn't play ball, Nathan uses HBO's money to build on a vast soundstage a replica of a long stretch of the Houston airport terminal, including the pilot's lounge, as described by the first officer. An actor is hired to play the senior pilot, and we, along with Nathan, get to observe how they interact before a flight.

And then, when he calls the real United Airlines representative and she doesn't play ball, Nathan uses HBO's money to build on a vast soundstage a replica of a long stretch of the Houston airport terminal, including the pilot's lounge, as described by the first officer. An actor is hired to play the senior pilot, and we, along with Nathan, get to observe how they interact before a flight.

Or, more precisely, how they don't. I encourage you to take a ride with Season 2 of the rehearsal. It's like a magical mystery tour because you aren't given any clues about its final destination. But I can promise you this. The rehearsal doesn't crash at the end. It sticks the landings.

Or, more precisely, how they don't. I encourage you to take a ride with Season 2 of the rehearsal. It's like a magical mystery tour because you aren't given any clues about its final destination. But I can promise you this. The rehearsal doesn't crash at the end. It sticks the landings.

Or, more precisely, how they don't. I encourage you to take a ride with Season 2 of the rehearsal. It's like a magical mystery tour because you aren't given any clues about its final destination. But I can promise you this. The rehearsal doesn't crash at the end. It sticks the landings.

This is Fresh Air. I'm David Bianculli. How to Be a Civil Rights Widow is one chapter title in a book by Joy Reid, the former MSNBC Evening Show host. The widow is Merle Evers. Her husband was Medgar Evers, a civil rights activist who served as the NAACP's Mississippi field secretary and risked his life to push for voting rights, desegregation, and freedom.

This is Fresh Air. I'm David Bianculli. How to Be a Civil Rights Widow is one chapter title in a book by Joy Reid, the former MSNBC Evening Show host. The widow is Merle Evers. Her husband was Medgar Evers, a civil rights activist who served as the NAACP's Mississippi field secretary and risked his life to push for voting rights, desegregation, and freedom.