Episode

John Waters, 'Pope of Trash,' turns 80!

Podcast: Fresh Air
Published: Apr 17, 2026
Duration seconds: 2814
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Canonical source: https://www.npr.org/2026/04/17/nx-s1-5788823/john-waters-pope-of-trash-turns-80
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Summary

We celebrate the 80th birthday of the filmmaker known as ‘The Pope of Trash’ and ‘The Prince of Puke,’ John Waters. He's spent a career violating taboos and pushing boundaries. His films include the cult classic ‘Pink Flamingos’ and the relatively mainstream ‘Hairspray,’ which was adapted into a hit Broadway musical. He spoke with Terry Gross in 2014 and 2019. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy