Top Picks: 'Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Live,' a documentary on William Randolph Hearst, and more
The bard and the king
Many Bard lovers think Shakespeare flowered not only under Queen Elizabeth I, but also under the king who succeeded her, James I. Shakespeare: The King鈥檚 Man (Acorn Media) is a 2012 documentary on DVD that explores the dark, complex plays of Shakespeare鈥檚 last decade. Dig into 鈥�King Lear,鈥� 鈥淢acbeth,鈥� and 鈥淭he Tempest,鈥� which mirrored both royal life and the era鈥檚 profound social changes. A bonus disc features the BBC鈥檚 1983 production of 鈥淢acbeth.鈥�
Quiz-show theater
If you are a regular fan of listening to 鈥檚 Peabody Award-winning quiz show, now you can watch the action unfold in Wait Wait 鈥� Don鈥檛 Tell Me! 鈥� Live. It has been adapted for the stage and will be broadcast live on the big screen in select US movie theaters. Host Peter Sagal is accompanied by panelists Paula Poundstone, Mo Rocca, and Tom Bodett as they play the game in front of an audience at New York University鈥檚 Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, Thursday, May 2, at 8 p.m. For tickets and more info, go to .
Elephant love
Timed to Earth Day on April 22, presents An Apology to Elephants, narrated by Lily Tomlin. Few animals match the affection and fascination this pachyderm holds for most 鈥� yet it has been poached, captured, and abused by many cultures for centuries. The film is infused with Ms. Tomlin鈥檚 gentle wit and her passion for the humane treatment and preservation of this animal. Viewers should note there is graphic material in this film.
Hearst鈥檚 empire
Lift the curtain on William Randolph Hearst, the man portrayed in 鈥�Citizen Kane.鈥� This documentary on the channel explores the 125-year history of his media empire, including the financial success that led him to build Hearst Castle, near San Simeon, Calif., and hold lavish parties during the Great Depression. William H. Macy narrates the details of Hearst鈥檚 career, including his rivalry with Joseph Pulitzer鈥檚 New York World, and his talent for steering public opinion and staying on the cutting edge. Citizen Hearst airs Tuesday, April 23, at 8 p.m.
Pocket weather reporter
April showers are back, but you can stay dry with Dark Sky, which offers 颅hyperlocalized weather reports, including minute-by-minute rain forecasts for your exact location. If you don鈥檛 own an iPhone or iPad, the company behind Dark Sky also runs the excellent website .
Vintage modern
Taylor Goldsmith is not shy. The lead singer and principal songwriter for is the aural focal point on every track of his band鈥檚 fine new album, Stories Don鈥檛 End. Mr. Goldsmith鈥檚 sometimes awkward but brave lyrics are delivered in a plaintive tenor with minimal backing and passionate supporting harmonies by his talented ensemble. The opening track, 鈥淛ust Beneath the Surface,鈥� sets a high bar that the rest of the record soars over.
