On Demand
The Leonard Lopate Show Archive
January 2003
Loss and Renewal
Friday, January 31, 2003
On September 11th Cantor Fitzgerald lost nearly 700 of its employees. Howard Lutnick, Cantor Fitzgerald's chair and CEO joins Tom Barbash to discuss the company’s loss and renewal after 9/11, On Top of the World. Plus, National Book Award Winner Sherwin Nuland shares his memoir, Lost in America. And Ed Sikov talks about the life of Peter Sellers, Mr. Strangelove.
The Accused
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Since the investigation into Wen Ho Lee’s involvement in the Chinese nuclear espionage scandal, Notra Trulock has been accused by many of racial bias in choosing Lee as the "only" suspect. He shares his side of the story, Code Name. Then, Oprah favorite, Wally Lamb, joins former inmates Tabatha Rowley and Robin Cullen to discuss their contributions to writings he gleaned from a workshop at Connecticut's York Correctional Institution, Couldn’t Keep it to Myself. Plus, Glyn Vincent explores the genius and madness of American painter R.A. Blakelock and Yale Strom discusses his new documentary, L’Chayim, Comrade Stalin.
Pass the Fat Please
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
The Atkins diet has sparked debate in the nutrition community, generating as many fans as it has skeptics. Weight loss guru, Dr. Robert Atkins discusses his controversial high protein/high fat/low carbohydrate diet. Plus, David Hilfiker explores the historical and sociological forces that have shaped inner cities. Suki Kim shares her debut novel, The Interpreter and Alexia Brue on her world-wide search for the perfect bath, Cathedrals of the Flesh.
A Few Dollars More
Tuesday, January 28, 2003
Jason Goodwin explores the role of the dollar in American history and discusses his book Greenback. Jazz and R&B sax legend Charles Lloyd talks about his life and career. And Michael D’Orso discusses the fragile beauty of the Galapagos Islands, Plundering Paradise.
Media Memoirs: From TV to the Printing Press
Monday, January 27, 2003
CBS reporter and moderator of Face of the Nation, Bob Schieffer shares his memoir, This Just In. Then, Washington Post correspondent Lynne Duke discusses her work in Africa, from the postcolonial wars in South Africa to Sierra Leone and the battle zones of Congo-Zaire, Mandela, Mobutu and Me. Plus, poet and essayist Judy Blunt shares her memoir about growing up in the wilds of Montana, Breaking Clean. And Sam Crane on his life with a profoundly disabled son, Aidan’s Way.
Live at BAM
Friday, January 24, 2003
Leonard Lopate hosts a live broadcast of his show at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Among his guests will be actors Emily Watson, Simon Russell Beale, Helen McCrory and Mark Strong. They’re currently in acclaimed productions of "Twelfth Night" and "Uncle Vanya," from London’s Donmar Warehouse. Also on the program are director-producer Spike Lee, who will discuss his new movie, "25th Hour," and historian, New Yorker contributor and BBC personality Simon Schama, with Volume III of his history of Britain, 1776-2000, "Fate of Empire."
Positive Influence
Thursday, January 23, 2003
Who influenced you most growing up? A parent, a teacher, a family friend? Matilda Raffa Cuomo, first lady of New York state and founder of Mentoring USA, joins writer, actor, and director Ossie Davis, to discuss National Mentor Month and the people who motivated them throughout their formative years. Then, Whitewater figure Susan McDougal explains why she placed herself in civil contempt and refused to answer Ken Starr’s lawyers in front of a Grand Jury. Plus, a conversation with Carmen Bambach, curator of the new show at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Leonardo da Vinci: Master Draftsman. And explorer and Tibetologist John Vincent Bellezza describes the little known ancient civilization in the upper reaches of the Himalayan Mountains.
The Full Rudy
Wednesday, January 22, 2003
In April 1999 citywide polls indicated that Rudy Giuliani only had a 40 percent approval rate. After September 11th, however, he was named Time magazine’s "Person of the Year" and honorary knight by the Queen of England. Emmy award-winning journalist Jack Newfield uncovers the man behind the legend. Then, Gregory Vistica, broke the news story of Lieutenant Kerrey’s scandalous 1969 raid on the Vietnamese hamlet of Thanh Phong, which resulted in the deaths of at least 21 unarmed women and children. He calls into question the ex-senator’s account of the raid. Plus a conversation with Japanese virtuoso violinist, Midori. And Colum McCann shares his latest novel, based on the life of ballet legend, Rudolf Nureyev, Dancer.
Goofus and Gallant
Tuesday, January 21, 2003
At the end of the 2000 Presidential Campaign, the Annenberg 2000 survey, which interviewed more than 100,000 people, indicated that many Americans felt Al Gore was an uptight, humorless, know-it-all while George W. Bush wasn’t the brightest bulb on the tree, but someone you could invite to the family barbecue. Paul Waldman explains how the press often colors our perceptions of politics. Then, Corey Powell offers an alternative religion, sci/religion with Einstein as God, God in the Equation. Plus, curator Michael Scherer talks about the Einstein exhibit at the Museum of Natural History. And Robert Moore shares the untold story of the Kursk tragedy, A Time to Die.
Martin Luther King Jr. Remembered
Monday, January 20, 2003
Each year the Leonard Lopate Show honors Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a special presentation of some of the greatest and rarest gospel recordings of all time. Leonard will discuss the impact these gospel recordings had on the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as American culture. Then, many have declared that Harlem is in the midst of a second Renaissance. Journalist Peter Hellman discusses the varying attitudes towards Harlem’s revival. And a conversation about racism throughout the world. Editors Kevin Reilly, Stephen Kaufman, and Angelo Bodino talk about a new collection of essays, Racism: A Global Reader.
Supersize It!
Friday, January 17, 2003
You might want to think twice about super sizing that value meal. Recent studies have shown that 61 percent of Americans are overweight and 26 percent are obese. Greg Critser examines the social and economic factors that have led to America’s struggle with obesity in his book Fat land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World. Plus, John Taliaferro shares his account of the sculpting of one of America’s great monuments in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Great White Fathers. And curator Melissa Harris joins award-winning photographers Mary Ellen Mark and Donna Ferrato to discuss the exhibit celebrating Aperture’s 50th Anniversary, "Photography Past/Forward: Aperture at 50".
Which Democrat would you vote for?
Thursday, January 16, 2003
Listeners call in to discuss which Democrat they would vote for in the upcoming Presidential elections. Bill Gates, Sr. may be father to the richest man in America, but he refuses to play favorites. He joins Chuck Collins to explain why the government should continue to levy estate taxes on the fortunes of America's wealthiest citizens. Plus, Dao Strom shares his debut novel centered on a Vietnamese family in the California gold country, Grass Roof, Tin Roof. And singer Curtis Streetman explores the life of the famous diarist Samuel Pepys.
Channel Surfing
Wednesday, January 15, 2003
Laureen Ong, president of the National Geographic Channel, joins host of "National Geographic Today," Laura Greene and reptile expert Dr. Brady Barr to talk about a new station for nature lovers. Word maven Patricia T. O’Conner takes listeners calls about grammar. Plus, literary legend Doris Lessing shares her latest novel, The Sweetest Dream. And Nikki Giovanni, one of the most influential poets from the Civil Rights and Black Arts movement discusses her latest collection of poems, Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea.
Movie Scores
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
Academy award winning composer Elmer Bernstein has made music for over 200 major film and television scores. He talks about his celebrated career. Alice McDermott shares her latest novel, Child of My Heart. Plus, seeing an Ed Schmidt play is a unique experience. Not only does he perform in his Park Slope kitchen, but he also prepares dinner for the audience as he acts. He discusses his very unconventional one-man show, The Last Supper. Ernest Hemingway’s granddaughter Mariel Hemingway, known for her heartbreaking role as the experienced teenager in Woody Allen’s Manhattan shares her memoir, Finding My Balance.
Space Odyssey
Monday, January 13, 2003
Scott Carpenter, one of the seven original Right Stuff astronauts, talks about his world famous orbit, and his experiences on the Mercury Mission, For Spacious Skies. Plus, British historian David Cannadine explains how three of Britain's leading modern politicians struggled to reconcile a glorious view of Britain's past with a less glorious present. New York Times columnist, Verlyn Klinkenborg documents the daily challenges of life in the country, and one farm in particular. And Tatyana Tolstaya acclaimed journalist, short story writer and the great-grandniece of Leo Tolstoy shares her debut novel, The Slynx.
Wheel of Fortune
Friday, January 10, 2003
Merv Griffin is well known for his Emmy award winning talk show as well as his popular game shows, "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune". He talks about how he hit the jackpot in his own life and became a multibillionaire businessman and his new book, Merv Griffin: Making the Good Life Last. Stephan Talty, a culture writer for the New York Times Magazine, Spin and Vibe examines encounters between white and black America that created what he labels a "mulatto culture," from the slave trade to the present day Hip-hop culture, Mulatto America.
Controversial Artists
Thursday, January 09, 2003
Greek writer and director Costa-Gavras, responsible for the controversial films Missing, Betrayed, and Music Box tackles the Vatican. He also discusses his latest film about the Pope’s refusal to condemn the Holocaust, Amen. Brooklyn film actress Rosie Perez hits Broadway and talks about her new role in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. Richard Price, known for his novel Clockers shares his latest urban novel, Samaritin. And a conversation with the controversial performance artist William Pope.
Wordplay
Wednesday, January 08, 2003
Linguistics expert John McWhorter examines the history of language; from the first words spoken by humans 150,000 years ago to the present, The Power of Babel. Fix-it gurus Ubell and Son take listeners’ calls about home repair. Peter Hamill shares his latest novel about an Irish immigrant and the cost of immortality, Forever. And Chip Taylor, responsible for the classic Troggs song "Wild Thing" joins singer and fiddle player Carrie Rodriguez to talk about their country inspired collaboration.
The Nina, The Pinta, and the Ming Treasure Ship?
Tuesday, January 07, 2003
British historian Gavin Menzies counters the popular belief that Europeans were the first maritime explorers and claims the Chinese were actually the first to land in the New World, 1421: The Year China Discovered America. Antwone Fisher went from being a disgruntled Navy sailor to an acclaimed writer and Hollywood producer. He discusses Denzel Washington’s directorial debut and the film based on his life story. Plus, David Carlyon talks about the once legendary and now forgotten Dan Rice, a circus clown and presidential candidate. And Lewis Robinson shares his debut collection of 11 stories set in and around the seaside town of Point Allison, Maine, Officer Friendly.
The Cost of Beauty
Monday, January 06, 2003
Mary Lisa Gavenas former Glamour, Mirabella and InStyle beauty editor shares the tricks of her trade, from the runway to the make-up counter, Color Stories. Financial advisor Nancy Dunnan takes listeners’ calls on everything from retirement plans to maintaining good credit. Paleontologist Mark Norell and Discover Magazine’s associate editor, Kathy Svitil, discuss the top science stories of 2002 and the implications of discovering a dinosaur with feathers. And founding editor of New York Woman, Betsy Carter, talks about the highs and lows of her New York life, Nothing to Fall Back On.
The Words of War
Friday, January 03, 2003
Turn on the nightly news and you’re bound to hear one of the following words, "terrorism", "jihad, "homeland security" or "new war". John Collins and Ross Glover examine the political language that has been used to describe the United States’ actions since September 11th, Collateral Language. Plus, Leif Ueland, a once shy and struggling, journalist talks about the months he spent aboard the Playboy Miss Millennium bus, searching the nation for the ultimate Playmate, Accidental Playboy. And Newsweek journalist Bill Powell discusses how he an unexpected visit from a top Soviet spy led him to the capture of CIA double agent Robert Hanssen, Treason.
The Best Films of 2002
Thursday, January 02, 2003
Golden Globe nominations are out and the Academy Awards are just around the corner. US Magazine film critic, Thelma Adams joins Chairman of The New York Film Critics Circle, Marshall Fine to share thoughts on the best films of 2002. New York Times reporter Chris Hedges, Bishop George Packard, and Rabbi Harvey Tattebaum discuss the relevance of the Ten Commandments in the modern world, and The New York Times series, The 10 Commandments Revisited. Plus Kim Dietch shares her graphic novel, The Boulevard of Broken Dreams and photographer Steve Gottlieb shares his photographs of Abandoned America, from rusted autos to dilapidated barns and vacant factories.
SUVs: The World’s Deadliest Vehicles?
Wednesday, January 01, 2003
New York Times reporter Keith Bradsher explains how the auto industry's grip on Congress got SUVs exempted from federal safety, fuel efficiency and pollution requirements. He discusses his expose on these large and potentially deadly vehicles. Plus, former National Security Council staffer, Charles Kupchan explains why the European Union and the emergence of a strengthened Asia pose a serious threat to America’s political standing. Former U.S. Senator and Presidential candidate, Gary Hart talks about ensuring homeland security and his new book Restoration of the Republic.
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