On Demand
The Leonard Lopate Show Archive
March 2004
News from Hughes
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Psychologist Scott Lilienfeld debunks what he calls "pseudoscience," including some of the classics like Rorschach tests and repressed memories. Then Karen Hughes, President Bush's former advisor, is here to disprove claims made by yesterday’s guest, Richard Clarke, about Bush’s job performance. She says that Bush has been an excellent wartime president and that the fight against terrorism is going well. Russell Shorto talks about the history of Dutch Manhattan and its long-standing history as a place where men and women of different backgrounds can co-exist in relative peace. Plus, Justin Haythe on his debut novel The Honeymoon.
Tough on Terror
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
President Bush is calling himself a "war president," and his stance as a toughie on terrorism is one of his campaign platforms for the upcoming 2004 elections. But Richard Clarke, former counterterrorism chief, has testified before the 9/11 commission that the Bush administration actually took a rather blasé attitude towards the threat posed by Osama bin Laden. Then anthropologist Brian Fagan describes climactic changes over the last 15,000 years – and what might happen to us if global warming continues. Haitian-American writer Edwidge Danticat shares her third work of fiction, The Dew Breaker. And Li Cunxin, raised as a peasant in rural Maoist China, explains how he came to dance with the Houston Ballet and the Australian Ballet.
Ballot Bonanza
Monday, March 29, 2004
Michael Shnayerson, contributing editor of Vanity Fair looks into the latest in voting technologies, and whether machine-counted elections are a fool-proof solution or just a high tech way to commit voting fraud. Pulitzer Prize winner Ian Johnson with stories of resistance in Modern China, Wild Grass: Three Stories of Change in Modern China. Then, David Edmonds explains what the cold war, chess, and Bobby Fischer all have in common. And Leonard looks forward to national poetry month with two poets: Spencer Reece, "The Clerk’s Tale" and Michael Ryan "New and Selected Shorts."
Eight Ball in the Side Pocket
Friday, March 26, 2004
Jazz great Roy Haynes is back on the show to celebrate two things: his 79th birthday, and the release of his new album, "Fountain of Youth." Then Kate Wenner talks about her second novel, Dancing with Einstein. It’s about a woman who moves to New York City to start her "real life" at the age of thirty. And a discussion with writer Walter Abish. In 1938, he fled from Nazi-occupied Vienna to Italy, France, Shanghai, and finally to Israel. He describes revisiting Vienna as an adult.
Environment vs. Energy
Thursday, March 25, 2004
There's been a lot of upheaval at the Environmental Protection Agency during the current Bush administration. Investigative reporter Christopher Drew on how lobbyists from some of the nation's largest power companies won the battle of pollution control at the EPA. Then Leonard talks about social entrepreneurship with David Bornstein, Sara Horowitz, and Gillian Caldwell - three people who have all thought a lot about the importance of innovation in helping to fill societal needs. Opera star Thomas Hampson explains his current role in "Don Giovanni" at the Metropolitan Opera. And writer Luisita Lopez Torregrosa on her complex relationship with her Puerto Rican heritagel.
The Shah's Widow
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Farah Pahlavi is the widow of the Shah of Iran, whose campaign to modernize his country ended when he was overthrown in 1979 by Khomeini’s opposition. The Pahlavis have been in exile ever since. She’s here to look back on her eventful life. Then journalist Jennifer Gonnerman on one woman’s imprisonment and the effects of the Rockefeller drug laws on one New York family. Joseph Rodriguez talks about his photographic study of California’s juvenile court system. (Rodriguez is himself a former inmate.) And filmmaker Rory Kennedy shares her new documentary, "A Boy’s Life," about a troubled child from Mississippi and his emotionally dysfunctional family.
Opening Mexico
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Got a jiggly doorknob, a leaky roof, banging pipes? The gurus of how-to, Alvin and Larry Ubell, are here to take your calls and answer all your home repair questions. Then two journalists, Julia Preston and Samuel Dillon, go over the decline of the dictatorial Institutional Revolutionary Party in Mexico’s recent political history. Veteran singer Barbara Cook discusses the music from two decades of Broadway’s golden years, from 1951 to 1971. And theater professionals Doug Wright, Moises Kaufman, and Jefferson Mays on the life of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, an East German transvestite who managed to survive the Nazi regime.
Music Man
Monday, March 22, 2004
Walter Yetnikoff, the former president of CBS Records, calls himself a "Monstrous Music Mogul." He joins Leonard today to talk about his years of hard partying and working with the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Barbra Streisand. Then David Leveaux and Joe Stein revisit Anatevka in their new production of "Fiddler on the Roof." They’re calling it a revisitation, or a rediscovery, rather than a revival. Novelist Chris Abani talks about coming of age in Nigeria in the late 1970s and early 1980s. And Helene Stapinski describes the difficulties of balancing a freelance writing career, her marriage, and playing in a rock band.
Fraud
Friday, March 19, 2004
Marty Goldensohn is sitting in as host for Leonard today. First he talks with Paul Waldman, a political and media analyst. Mr. Waldman explains why he thinks the Bush administration has been craftily manipulating the American press since day one. Then Samantha Gillison talks about her second novel, The King of America, set in Papua New Guinea. And French actress Virginie Ledoyen on her role in the new film "Bon Voyage."
Remembering Balanchine
Thursday, March 18, 2004
George Balanchine is regarded as the foremost contemporary choreographer in the world of ballet. Arthur Mitchell, founder and artistic director of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Lourdes Lopez, executive director of the George Balanchine Foundation, and Robert Gottlieb remember George Balanchine. Then, Patrick K. O’Donnell talks about the unknown story of the men and women of WWII’s OSS(Operatives, Spies, and Saboteurs). Former foreign correspondent Christopher Wren embraces retirement by setting out alone on foot for nearly four hundred miles. He discusses his book Walking to Vermont, on his homeward saunter from Times Square to the Green Mountains. And Jasper Fforde shares his novel, The Well of Lost Plots.
'Tis Herself
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Word maven Patricia T. O’Conner is back to answer your questions about the English language. Then, the amazing legendary Hollywood actress Maureen O'Hara looks back on her career. She made some of her most memorable films under the director John Ford, including "How Green Was My Valley" and "The Quiet Man." Susan Cheever talks about the life of Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. And Vyvyane Loh shares her debut novel, Breaking the Tongue.
House of Bush, House of Saud
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
In the 1970s, the House of Saud (which includes members of Osama bin Laden's immediate family) began courting American politicians in a bid for political influence, military protection, and investment opportunity for their rich oil resources. Since then, they’ve enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with President Reagan, President George H.W. Bush, and current President George W. Bush. Craig Unger looks into the ties between the Bushes and the Saudis. Then, sociologist Dalton Conley on the pecking order among siblings. He thinks that whether or not a child is first-born, the youngest, or in the middle is less important than many researchers have claimed. Nicholson Baker talks about his most recent novel, A Box of Matches. And Yeardley Smith (a.k.a. Lisa Simpson) is here for her new one-woman show at the Union Square Theatre. It's called "Yeardley Smith: More."
Japan Unbound
Monday, March 15, 2004
Right now, Japan is stuck in its longest recession since World War II. UC Santa Barbara professor John Nathan explains how the ongoing economic difficulties are bringing to the surface Japan’s cultural upheaval and struggle to forge a national identity. Then Security Consultant in Baghdad and former Special Forces soldier Mark Vargas describes the capture and imprisonment of Saddam Hussein. Brad Land recounts the horrendous hazing he went through as a fraternity pledge. And Doris Lessing, one of our most prolific writers, on her latest, The Grandmothers. It’s a collection of four short novels.
Living on Earth
Friday, March 12, 2004
Don’t know whom to believe when it comes to the severity of the current global environmental crisis? Tune in to hear the opinion of someone who thinks that we’re in big trouble, but that it’s not too late to avert disaster. James Gustave Speth is here; he’s co-founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council, founder of the World Resources Institute and an adviser on environmental issues for presidents Carter and Clinton. Then Israeli director Nir Bergman on his film, "Broken Wings." It’s about an ordinary Israeli family trying to cope with everyday life. And journalist Kim Larsen and Dr. David Wilkie talk about the poaching problem in the Congo.
The Living Room Candidates
Thursday, March 11, 2004
David Schwartz, chief curator of Film at the American Museum of the Moving Image, discusses presidential ads and living room candidates. Then Joel Bakan, law professor and author of The Corporation, talks about the pathological pursuit of profit and power. Thomas Mallon shares his new novel, Bandbox. And jazz pianist George Shearing with his autobiography, Lullaby at Birdland.
Remembering Spalding
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
As a way of marking Spalding Gray's sad passing, the Lopate Show reairs an entire interview he did with Leonard on November 27th, 1990. Gray discusses his show, "Monster in a Box," the perils of writing a novel, and other digressions. Then Ruth O'Brien, editor of Voices from the Edge, on why the Americans with Disabilities Act is in jeopardy. Has the ADA really helped to improve the lives of disabled people? O'Brien is joined by contributor Achim Nowak, who's written about HIV and discrimination, and Arlene Mayerson, one of the nation's leading experts in disability rights law and directing attorney of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) . Then Jerome Charyn describes New York City in the Jazz Age. And ex-cop Laurie Lynn Drummond explains why she's chosen a career in writing over law enforcement.
Rice, Beans, and Vulcans
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Tacos, rice and beans, enchiladas, burritos – they've all become an everyday part of American eating habits. Ruth Reichl, editor of Gourmet magazine, is here with novelist Francisco Goldman to talk about Latin American culinary influence. James Mann looks into President Bush's campaign promise to surround himself with people who know more about foreign policy than he does. The resulting group, called the "Vulcans" - Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Armitage, and Condoleezza Rice – has had an enormous impact on the Bush presidency. Then writers Ian Rankin and George Pelecanos compare notes on the craft of writing mystery novels. And opera star Shirley Verrett details her dramatic life story and successful career.
In Defense of Globalization
Monday, March 08, 2004
Jagdish Bhagwati presents arguments in defense of globalization. Staff writer for the New Yorker, William Finnegan looks into the upcoming election and how the decisive Cuban exile vote, courted so vigorously by Jeb Bush, will affect the outcome in Florida. Then, a conversation with Rita Moreno, the only female artist ever to win the four major entertainment awards: the Oscar, the Tony, the Grammy, and the Emmy. And Kate Christensen shares her novel The Epicure's Lament.
An Empire State
Friday, March 05, 2004
Like it or not, the United States is, for all intents and purposes, now an empire. William Odom, former head of the National Security Agency, along with co-author Robert Dujarric, examine America’s unprecedented power and how its position can best be maintained. Then filmmaker Ra'anan Alexandrowicz and actor Siyabonga Melonga on their new film, "James' Journey to Jerusalem." And Sarah Dunant shares her new novel, The Birth of Venus. It's about a young woman pursuing both art and love in 15th c. Florence.
Dreamtime
Thursday, March 04, 2004
Ever wonder why your dreams are often so hard to remember? or whether or not your craziest dreams relate to your waking life? Medical and science reporter Andrea Rock is here to explain recent breakthroughs in the science of the dreaming mind. Then Michael Kruger will be discussing his novel The Cello Player. Lisa Jardine on Robert Hooke, the English scientist who measured London in 1600s but is perhaps best known for feuding with Sir Isaac Newton. And James McManus describes the allure of Vegas casino life.
Germs in Our Midst
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
Plum Island lies two miles off of Long Island and 85 miles from New York City, and it houses a U.S. government biological research center where scientists study exotic diseases and viruses. New York lawyer Michael C. Carroll is on the Leonard Lopate Show today to share his concerns that the research facility is dangerously insecure. He thinks that there might even be a link between Plum Island research and outbreaks of Lyme disease and the West Nile virus. Next is a discussion with The Atlantic Monthly's James Fallows on why post-war planning in Iraq isn’t going very smoothly. Then Jay Griffiths tells why there’s more to time than clocks. And prolific writer Jim Shepard shares his new novel and his new short story collection.
Toeing the Line
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Millions of Americans live so close to the poverty line that even the smallest setback can be catastrophic. Pulitzer Prize-winner and former New York Times reporter David Shipler explains why so many of the United States' working poor are stuck in dead-end jobs with little opportunity for advancement. Then foreign correspondent Neely Tucker and his wife, Vita, talk about adopting their Zimbabwean daughter, Chipo, while Neely was covering the wars and AIDS epidemic in Africa. Sam Kashner shares his experience of being the lone student at the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics in 1976. And Richard Pollak reveals the often-unappreciated romance of container ships. Why should cruise ships and sailboats get all the attention?
Ghost Wars
Monday, March 01, 2004
Washington Post managing editor Steve Coll looks into covert CIA operations in Afghanistan and how they may have aided the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks. Then Kieran Crawley, director of Concern Haiti, talks about the mounting political crisis in Haiti. Actress Isabelle Huppert on her latest film, "The Vie Promise" ("The Promised Life"). In it she plays the role of Sylvia, a prostitute from Nice. And British comedy producer Danny Wallace explains his mysterious "Join Me!" internet campaign.
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