On Demand
The Leonard Lopate Show Archive
January 2006
Signs of the Times
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
On today's show, Mike Wallace shares some of the highlights of his 60-year career in broadcast journalism. And former NPR correspondent Sarah Chayes gives us an update on the political climate in Afghanistan. Also on the show: blues musician James Blood Ulmer, and some left-leaning comedy!
Speaking Up, and Speaking Out
Monday, January 30, 2006
In the summer of 1974, Elizabeth Holtzman voted to impeach Richard Nixon. Now, the former Congresswoman is calling for the impeachment of President Bush. She’ll tell us why. And later on the show, the former vocal coach of the Royal Shakespeare Company gives us some pointers on delivering the bard’s lines. Plus, Julian Barnes discusses his new novel. And Margo Jefferson analyzes Michael Jackson as a cultural icon.
Bridging the Gaps
Friday, January 27, 2006
On today’s show, a history of happiness…and how it came to be seen as a fundamental right in America. Also on the show: a celebration of 100 years of Catalan Cinema. And we’ll pay tribute to 50 years of the Public Theater. Plus, this week’s Please Explain is all about bridges. And we’ll end the show with our latest Past Present feature from the WNYC Archives.
Healing Balms?
Thursday, January 26, 2006
What’s really in anti-wrinkle creams? On today’s Underreported feature, we’ll ask who’s regulating cosmeseuticals, or cosmetics that claim to have therapeutic benefits. Also on the show, philosopher and journalist Bernard Henri-Levy on what it means to be an American. And a clinical psychologist explains why and how people decide to commit suicide.
Engendering Debate
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Are men and women different on a neurological level? On today's show, a doctor describes the chemical and structural differences between male and female brains. And later on the show, we’ll find out what one woman discovered by disguising herself as a man for a year and half. Plus, James Carville and Paul Begala offer their advice on empowering the Democratic Party. And poet Nick Laird, Zadie Smith’s husband, joins us with his debut novel.
Battle Scars
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
On today’s show, we’ll talk to the CIA Field Commander who led the attack against Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan’s Tora Bora mountains. Later on the show, a doctor recounts his struggle to save lives in the midst of war zones—from Eritrea to Baghdad. And Lisa Fugard—the daughter of South African playwright Athol Fugard—shares her first novel. Plus, jazz trumpeter Charles Tolliver will be here.
Change or Progress?
Monday, January 23, 2006
On today’s show: guest host Julie Burstein talks to Congressman Barney Frank. Later on, we’ll ask how Wal-Mart is changing America’s economy. Plus, a new book that laments the destructive nature of progress. And we’ll find out why one man went on a quest to experience springtime in different parts of the country.
Free Spirits
Friday, January 20, 2006
On today’s show, guest host Danyel Smith discusses civil liberties with Kenji Yoshino…a Yale Law professor and a gay, Asian-American man. Also on the show, Melvin Van Peebles--the man whose 1971 film "Sweet Sweetback's Baad Asssss Song" kicked off a whole new genre: blaxploitation. And on the latest edition of Please Explain, the age-old tradition of brewing a good beer.
Uncertain Boundaries
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Last month, UN troops from Europe, the US, and Canada were pulled out of the disputed border zone between Eritrea and Ethiopia. On today’s Underreported feature, guest host Philip Gourevitch asks if a crisis is looming. Later in the show, a look at the life of photographer and model Lee Miller. Plus, a new documentary about the economic reasons behind war. And we’ll take your calls on the line between embellishment and fabrication in memoirs.
Weathering the Storm
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Guest host Philip Gourevitch talks to Ambassador Paul Bremer about his 14 months in charge of Iraq. Then, Woody Guthrie’s daughter Nora will be here with a look at the first-ever collection of her father’s artwork. And Andrew Delbanco shares his new biography of Herman Melville.
Protection or Restriction?
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Guest host Jeffrey Toobin examines the battle over New York City gun litigation, and why Mayor Bloomberg and the NRA are butting heads over the best way to keep illegal guns off the streets. Next, Jeffrey Goldberg analyzes the current political situation in Israel. And to start it all off, word maven Patricia T. O’Conner takes your calls on the oddities of the English language.
The Gospel Truth
Monday, January 16, 2006
Today we celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. We begin with a full hour of some of the great gospel recordings made during his lifetime. And Taylor Branch tells us about the final volume of his monumental biography of Dr. King. Plus, novelist Caryl Phillips discusses the life of the black Vaudeville star Bert Williams.
Posing a Threat?
Friday, January 13, 2006
On today’s show, we'll ask about the likelihood of a nuclear showdown with North Korea. Then, a mystery writer describes the real-life murder of her childhood neighbor. And one of the most celebrated drummers in jazz—Jack de Johnette—stops by. Plus, a lesson on anesthesia in this week’s edition of Please Explain.
Tradition and Transition
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Throughout the world, Jews of color work to maintain the religion and culture of their ancestors. On today's edition of our regular Underreported feature, we'll explore some of the challenges these communities face in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Later on, Gail Sheehy explores how modern society is changing the romantic lives of middle-aged women. And we'll examine the impact Baby Boomers have had on America. Plus, a look at the highly-sexualized work of Viennese artist Egon Schiele.
Getting Affairs in Order
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Lee Eisenberg, former Editor-in-Chief of Esquire, is here to tackle the anxiety-inspiring subject of how to go about preparing for a comfortable retirement. Plus, the son of an early FBI hero explains why he feels that J. Edgar Hoover tried to ruin his father’s reputation. Jazz composer and pianist Randy Weston joins us for a live performance. And Al and Larry Ubell answer your home repair questions.
Experts in the Field
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
On today’s show, we’ll ask Ruth Riechl, editor in chief of Gourmet magazine, and several food bloggers what it takes to be a good food critic. Then, chefs Jacques Pepin and Alain Sailhac discuss the 25-year history of Macy's De Gustibus Cooking School with its founder, Arlene Sailhac. Next, Temple Grandin describes how her autism affects the way she sees the world. Plus, two new documentaries about Peru’s battle against terrorism…and the toll this battle took on the country’s democracy.
For Everything There Is a Season?
Monday, January 09, 2006
On today's show, a biblical scholar explains how scribes altered the New Testament for 15 centuries before the arrival of the printing press. Later in the show, we'll hear the true story of a notorious leprosy colony on Hawaii’s Molokai Island. And we'll pay tribute to Vaudeville's heyday, as well as its legacy in modern entertainment. Plus, our favorite horticulturalist, Gerard Lordahl, tells us what to do to help our plants thrive throughout the winter.
On the Record
Friday, January 06, 2006
Robert Redford joins us to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sundance Film Festival. Then, two editors from The New York Times discuss how the paper covers culture in its Arts and Leisure weekend section. Jennifer Jason Leigh tells us about her role in the off Broadway production Abigail’s Party. And on the latest edition of Please Explain, we learn about the evolution of sound recording technology.
What Ails Us?
Thursday, January 05, 2006
On today's edition of our regular Underreported feature, we’ll find out how modern medicine may be contributing to racial inequality. Later in the show, we’ll talk to the stars of the Broadway revival of Trip to Bountiful: Lois Smith and Hallie Foote. Then, Pierce Brosnan and Hope Davis describe their new comedy-thriller, “The Matador.” And we'll open up the phones to get your thoughts on whether or not acting and politics should mix.
Ways of the World
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
On today’s show, two film critics give us a rundown of 2005’s must see films, and we’ll ask you to weigh in with your picks and pans. Then, journalist Bruce Feiler describes his 10,000-mile trek to visit Biblical sites across the Middle East. Plus: Tony Award-winning actor Bill Irwin on his Metropolitan Opera debut, and star sportscaster Len Berman.
On the Trail
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Russ Buettner and Rick Pienciak of the Daily News investigate where the billions of tax dollars allocated to 9/11 recovery really went. Then, we'll preview the Whitney's Oscar Bluemner retrospective, and talk to the 2004 U.S. Women’s Chess champion. Plus, a look at why increasing numbers of European women are converting to Islam...and why it's troubling antiterrorist authorities.
Forms and Functions
Monday, January 02, 2006
Christopher Andrew tells us about his history of the KGB’s secret operations in the Third World during the Cold War. Next, David Bodanis celebrates the 100th anniversary of E=MC2 by explaining what the famous equation means. Next, we’ll get a tutorial on how to cheat your friends at poker from Penn Jillette. And historian Sean Wilentz looks at how American democracy was forged in the days between the Revolution and the Civil War.
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