WHYY - Fresh Air

For many years, U.S. immigration favored immigrants from ​​northern Europe. NPR correspondent Tom Gjelten explains how a 1965 law changed things — and led to the current debate about border security. His book is 'A Nation of Nations.' Also, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews two new interpretations of Thelonious Monk's complete works.

By his own count, Reilly has acted in almost 80 movies, including 'Boogie Nights,' 'Chicago,' 'Talladega Nights' and 'Walk Hard.' Now, he's co-starring with Steve Coogan as half of the iconic comedy duo Laurel and Hardy in 'Stan & Ollie.' Reilly talks about the extreme prosthetic makeup and bodysuit he wore for the role, physical comedy, and bonding with Joaquin Phoenix while filming 'The Sisters Brothers.' Also, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews 'Ghost Wall,' a slim and eerie novel by Sarah Moss.

Dr. Joshua Mezrich has performed hundreds of kidney, liver and pancreas transplants. He tells us about transplants that have gone gone wrong, talking to the families of donors, and how the definition of death has changed over time. His new book of stories from the operating room is 'When Death Becomes Life.' Also, Lloyd Schwartz reviews a new recording of 'Doctor Atomic,' an opera about the first atomic bomb test in New Mexico.

Kevin Hart said he's "over" talking about the homophobic jokes that cost him the Oscars gig — but then he and Terry Gross talked about it anyway. "The bad part about being a comedian is that sometimes you just aren't funny," he says. "Sometimes to grow as a comedian you got to go through the stupid part." Ben Stiller directed the Showtime series 'Escape at Dannemora,' which dramatizes the true story of two murderers' escape from a maximum security prison in 2015. "It seemed like such an old-fashioned sort of escape, and I thought, 'Wow, how can that happen in today's prison system?'" he says.

Critic David Bianculli offers an appreciation of the influential HBO drama. Plus, we listen back to archival interviews with series creator David Chase and Edie Falco, who played Carmela Soprano. Also, contributor Soraya Nadia McDonald reviews the new season of True Detective, starring Mahershala Ali.