WTOP entertainment editor Jason Fraley counts down his favorite celebrity interviews of 2017.
From David Letterman’s confession that he didn’t deserve the Mark Twain Prize to a conversation with the man behind the melodies in “La La Land,” WTOP Entertainment Editor Jason Fraley interviewed some pretty cool people in 2017.
So, what were Jason’s favorite interviews of the year? Check out his picks in the gallery below and listen to the interviews you missed.
30. Gloria Gaynor
Disco legend Gloria Gaynor joined Jason to discuss the history of disco music and her part in it. Gaynor was in D.C. this year to participate in the Library of Congress’ special series, “Bibliodiscotheque,” an exploration of disco culture, music, dance and fashion. Listen to the interview and read Jason’s article.
(AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)
AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams
29. Lady Antebellum
The country music trio toured to promote their latest album “Heart Break.” Ahead of their August performance at Merriweather Post Pavilion, the group spoke with Jason about their rise to country stardom.
Listen to the interview: Lady Antebellum ready to ‘Look Good’ Sunday at Merriweather Post Pavilion
(Photo by Sanford Myers/Invision/AP)
Photo by Sanford Myers/Invision/AP
28. John Stamos
This July, John Stamos kept busy by balancing filming Season 3 of Netflix’s “Fuller House” and hosting “A Capitol Fourth” (and also making a cameo as the drummer for the Beach Boys during the July Fourth celebration). In his interview with Jason, he discussed his role as Uncle Jesse and how his famous catchphrase “Have Mercy!” came to be.
Listen to the interview: Have Mercy! John Stamos talks ‘Full House’ legacy, embracing Uncle Jesse
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File
27. Edgar Wright
British writer and director Edgar Wright chatted with Jason about the inspiration behind the hit action film “Baby Driver,” starring Ansel Elgort as Baby. Baby has to listen to loud music in earbuds to drown out a ringing in his ears caused by the hearing condition tinnitus.
Listen to the interview: Edgar Wright talks stylized action, getaway soundtrack of ‘Baby Driver’
(Wilson Webb/Sony/TriStar Pictures via AP)
Wilson Webb/Sony/TriStar Pictures via AP
26. Pam Grier
Pam Grier debuted a new streaming service “Brown Sugar” that features more than 200 African-American movies. It’s now available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Amazon Kindle, Roku and Google Chromecast. She was honored at an event at the Marriott Marquis celebrating Black and Latino women in the D.C. area. She discussed the prejudices she witnessed growing up in the South and breaking into Hollywood.
Listen to the interview: ‘Foxy Brown’ star Pam Grier hits DC to launch streaming service ‘Brown Sugar’
(WTOP collage via AP)
WTOP collage via AP
25. Hal Linden
Emmy and Tony winner Hal Linden spoke with Jason about his time on the stage, from his Broadway debut to his starring role in Arthur Miller’s “The Price,” which ran at Arena Stage this fall.
Listen to the interview: Q&A: Hal Linden reflects on career from ‘Barney Miller’ to Arthur Miller
(AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
AP Photo/Richard Vogel
24. Sarah Silverman
In April, Sarah Silverman brought a load of laughs to MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Before her show, the comedian spoke with Jason about dropping out of NYU to pursue stand-up, her short run at SNL, and playing Kramer’s girlfriend who had a bad case of “The Jimmy Legs” on “Seinfeld.”
Listen to the interview: Sarah Silverman cracks up MGM National Harbor on Saturday
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
23. LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes tells Jason she “never took voice lessons,” but it’s her natural gift that has propelled her into a decades-long, award-winning career in country music. In April, she performed with the NSO Pops at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.
Listen to the interview: LeAnn Rimes joins NSO Pops for live concert at Kennedy Center
(Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)
Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP
22. Misty Copeland
“Ballet Across America” came to the Kennedy Center in April, flaunting the diversity within American ballet. Dancers Misty Copeland and Justin Peck hand-picked the best ballet pieces performed throughout the country and brought them all to the Kennedy Center Stage. Copeland discussed her rather unusual journey to ballet in her interview with Jason.
Listen to the interview: Misty Copeland, Justin Peck curate ‘Ballet Across America’
(Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)
21. Savannah Guthrie
A conversation over dinner between “Today Show” host Savannah Guthrie and clinical psychologist Allison Oppenheim led to the creation of Princess Penelope Pineapple, the leading lady who wears both dresses and pants in the children’s book “Princesses Wear Pants.” The book, said Guthrie, aims to show kids that they can do many different things and “sometimes our dresses do get in the way.”
Listen to the interview: ‘Today’ host Savannah Guthrie pens children’s book ‘Princesses Wear Pants’
(Photo by Christopher Smith/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Christopher Smith/Invision/AP, File
20. Kennedy Center Honorees (LL Cool J, Gloria Estefan, Norman Lear, Lionel Richie, Carmen de Lavallade)
Five of the nation’s top artists were honored at the 40th annual Kennedy Center Honors in early December. Despite President Donald Trump’s absence at the accolades, the event marked a historic moment with television producer and writer Norman Lear being the oldest honoree and LL Cool J becoming the youngest honoree and the first-ever hip-hop artist to be honored.
Listen to the interview: LL Cool J, Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan receive annual Kennedy Center Honors
(Getty Images)
Getty Images
19. Frankie Valli
Frankie Valli’s falsetto graced the D.C. area this year at the Hippodrome in Baltimore and the Warner Theatre in D.C. The Newark, New Jersey, native spoke with Jason about forming The Four Seasons, going solo years later and having his entire life story become the Broadway hit “Jersey Boys.”
Listen to the interview: Frankie Valli croons into The Hippodrome, Warner Theatre
(Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File
18. Herbie Hancock
Jazz legend and 2013 Kennedy Center honoree Herbie Hancock stopped by the Kennedy Center in August for his international tour. Hancock spoke with Jason about joining the Miles Davis Quintet in 1963 and his musical experiments that led him to use synthesizers and turntables, one of the first jazz artists to do so.
Listen to the interview: From Miles to Snoop, Herbie Hancock continues evolution at Kennedy Center
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File
17. Ann Hornaday
The Washington Post’s chief film critic and 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalist Ann Hornaday June release of her book “Talking Pictures: How to Watch Movies” gives readers a look into the specifics of what a professional movie-watcher looks for in good films. Hornaday reflected on writing her very first review and how she has mastered her craft since then during her interview with Jason.
Listen to the interview: How to watch movies like a world-class critic
(Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)
Photo by Larry French/Getty Images
16. Ben Mankiewicz
D.C. native and Turner Classic Movies host previewed the films screening on TCM’s “Big Screen Classics.” “Some Like it Hot,” “Bonnie and Clyde” and “E.T.” were some of the movies screened as part of the monthly series. Mankiewicz discussed movies in the May interview with Jason.
Listen to the interview: ‘Godfather’ to ‘Casablanca’: Ben Mankiewicz presents TCM series
(Photo by Annie I. Bang /Invision/AP)
Photo by Annie I. Bang /Invision/AP
15. David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel and Martin Short
Former late-night talk show host David Letterman was honored with the Mark Twain Prize at the Kennedy Center in October. Fellow comedians Martin Short and Jimmy Kimmel celebrated alongside Letterman at the ceremony. In his interview with Jason, Letterman discussed how being a father changed him and why he didn’t think he was deserving of the prestigious honor.
Watch the interview: No joke: David Letterman receives Mark Twain Prize at Kennedy Center
16. John Cleese
D.C.’s Warner Theatre hosted a night of laughs in November with a special screening of “Monty Python & The Holy Grail” plus a question-and-answer session with British actor, writer and producer John Cleese. Cleese, who delivers some of the film’s funniest lines, talked about some of the most intrusive, rude and silly questions his fans have asked him about the comedy classic.
Listen to the interview: Q&A: John Cleese presents ‘Monty Python & Holy Grail’ at Warner Theatre
(Tobias Nokolai/Polfoto via AP)
Tobias Nokolai/Polfoto via AP
13. Jessica Chastain
Golden Globe winner Jessica Chastain starred as Antonina Zabinska in the “Zookeeper’s Wife,” a war drama film based on Diane Ackerman’s nonfiction novel. The movie follows the lives of two women who saved the lives of 300 Jews by sneaking them out of the Warsaw Ghetto and hiding them in the zoo after the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. Chastain discusses the film and how she prepared for her emotional role.
(Tobias Nokolai/Polfoto via AP)
12. Jake Gyllenhaal
“Nightcrawler” and “Donnie Darko” actor Jake Gyllenhaal took on the role of Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jeff Bauman in “Stronger.” Gyllenhaall discusses embodying the character of a survivor who helped authorities identify one of the bombers responsible for killing three people and injuring several hundred.
Listen to the interview: Q&A: Jake Gyllenhaal plays Boston Marathon bomb survivor in ‘Stronger’
(Tobias Nokolai/Polfoto via AP)
11. Idina Menzel
“Rent,” “Wicked” and “Frozen” star Idina Menzel brought her vocal chops to MGM National Harbor in July. In her interview with Jason she discussed her past roles, growing up blocks away from one of her co-stars and even mentioned the infamous John Travolta name-flub.
Listen to the interview: ‘Wickedly’ talented Idina Menzel ready to ‘Let It Go’ at MGM National Harbor
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File
10. Jerry Seinfeld, Kesha, Hugh Jackman and Katie Couric
WTOP captured the viral moment when comedian Jerry Seinfeld rejected a hug from singer, songwriter Kesha back in June at the Kennedy Center’s “Night of Laughter & Song.” Aside from the cringe-worthy moment, Jay Leno, Margaret Cho, Hugh Jackman and Katie Couric were also among the celebrities who attended the event that benefited the David Lynch Foundation.
Listen to the interview: Videos: Seinfeld headlines ‘Night of Laughter & Song’ at Kennedy Center
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
9. Keith Urban
Keith Urban has earned four Grammys, rattled off 22 No. 1 hits, landed five platinum albums, and fostered new voices as a judge on “American Idol.” And in April, he was honored at the Recording Academy’s annual Grammys on the Hill event at The Hamilton.
Listen to the interview: Keith Urban honored at Hamilton for annual Grammys on the Hill
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
8. Ann Wilson
Heart frontwoman Ann Wilson brought the classics and some covers to The Birchmere in March. The musician spoke with Jason about performing for Led Zeppelin and former president and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors, forming Heart and stepping out by herself as a solo artist.
Listen to the interview: Heart rocker Ann Wilson brings Hall of Fame pipes to Birchmere
(AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)
AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File
7. Rita Moreno
Oscar winner and 2015 Kennedy Center honoree Rita Moreno hosted a Q&A session with Kennedy Center board chairman David M. Rubenstein in April, launching his sit-down series “Profiles in Creativity.” In her interview with Jason, Moreno talked about her move from Puerto Rico to the United States and her Broadway journey.
Listen to the interview: Rita Moreno returns to Kennedy Center to kick off new Q&A series
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
6. Jay Leno
Former late-night talk show host Jay Leno returned to his stand-up comedy roots for his March Kennedy Center show. In his interview with Jason, Leno talked about the “Tonight Show,” embracing advice from Johnny Carson and some of his favorite interviews with celebrities.
Listen to the interview: Jay Leno returns to Kennedy Center for stand-up comedy
(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File
5. Liv Ullmann
Norwegian actress and film director Liv Ullmann presented “Private Confessions” early December at the Kennedy Center, a part of a larger “Bergman 100” centennial marking 100 years since Ingmar Bergman’s birth in 1918 Sweden. Ullman discussed her close relationship with the director, from their daughter to their 12 films, in her interview with Jason.
Listen to the interview: Liv Ullmann gives ‘Private Confessions’ during Kennedy Center’s ‘Bergman 100’
(AP Photo/Jerry Mosey)
2. Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig discussed her directorial debut “Lady Bird” with Jason during her visit to the 2017 Middleburg Film Festival in Middleburg, Virginia.
Listen to the interview: Q&A: Greta Gerwig talks ‘Lady Bird,’ a modern coming-of-age masterpiece
(Photo by Scott Gries/Invision/AP)
Photo by Scott Gries/Invision/AP
1. Justin Hurwitz
“La La Land” racked up multiple prizes during the award season. The musical’s composer, Justin Hurwitz, spoke with Jason about the inspiration behind the melody for “City of Stars” and his journey from a 6-year-old pianist to studying music at Harvard.
Listen to the interview: ‘La La Land’ composer Justin Hurwitz goes behind the music
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Hailed by The Washington Post for “his savantlike ability to name every Best Picture winner in history," Jason Fraley began at WTOP as Morning Drive Writer in 2008, film critic in 2011 and Entertainment Editor in 2014, providing daily arts coverage on-air and online.
