Throughout her career, Barbra Streisand's mother would send her bad reviews of her performances. The intention was to prevent her daughter from getting a "swelled head," but they also served as fuel for a woman who was determined to be a star — despite all the forces in her life telling her no. "I don't know if it was like, 'I'll prove you wrong,' because [my mother] kept telling me to get a job as a secretary," Streisand says. "I just somehow always saw my future." The EGOT icon spoke with Terry Gross about her career and her memoir, My Name is Barbra. Also, John Powers reviews the new Australian romantic comedy series Colin from Accounts on Paramount+. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
On the Ted Radio hour, linguist Ann Curzan says she gets a lot of complaints about people using the pronoun they to refer to one person.
I sometimes get into arguments with people where they will say to me, but it can't be singular.
And I will say, but it is.
The history behind words causing a lot of debate.
That's on the Ted radio hour from NPR.
This is FRESH AIR.
I'm Terry Gross.
Before the Broadway musical Funny girl turned my guest Barbra Streisand into a star, she was getting a lot of attention in 1962 for her nightclub act and for her show stopping comedic number in the then new Broadway musical I can get it for you wholesale.
That led to her being booked on the Gary Moore show, which at the time was a popular tv variety show.
Here's how she was introduced by Gary Moore in 1962.
You know, one of the biggest thrills for a guy who's been around this business as long as I have is the advent of a bright new young star.
Several weeks ago, a very talented 19 year old newcomer named Barbara Streisand did a comedy song in the Broadway musical I can get it for your wholesale, and she stopped the show cold.
Also in addition to that, she appears nightly at the bon soir and kills the people there.
But I was delighted to learn during rehearsals this week that she is equally effective in straight numbers as she is when she's being zany.
Here then is Miss Barbara Streisand.
After that introduction, Streisand performed what became one of her signature songs, happy Days.
I hear again the skies above are clear again.
Let us sing a song of cheer again.
Happy Days are here again.
Barbra Streisand has a new memoir called my Name is Barbara.