The Next Big Thing unveils our new Department of Transportation, a series featuring stories, music, urban myths and truths about the New York Subway. We begin the series with an investigation of controversial social psychologist Stanley Milgram's little known "Subway Experiment." Also, a whirlwind of rhythmic brass with Romani flourishes from the Boban Markovic Orkestar, straight out of Serbia, and the latest collection of story-worthy noises for this month's Five Sounds in Search of an Author contest.
Subway Strip
It's not unusual to see someone on the subway applying some lipstick or tying their necktie. But a complete makeover? According to Michelle Rosen, it's been done.
Pardon Me, May I Have Your Seat?
You may be familiar with Stanley Milgram's controversial Obedience Experiment. Performed in the 1960s, it measured people's willingness to inflict pain on a stranger, if told to do so by someone in a position of authority. Less known is another unusual experiment Milgram conducted, on the New York City subway. To inaugurate our Department of Transportation, Next Big Thing producer Curtis Fox talks to former Milgram students about the unexpected results of Milgram's Subway Experiment.
Subway Manicure
When the subway is crowded, it's understood that passengers will have to shrink their space requirements. But what about when the subway's virtually empty? Lyla Kan finds that a cleaver can come in handy when late night revellers invade her personal space.
The Other Brother
Recently, it was revealed that President Bush has yet another brother - Basil Mortimer Bush. Why have we never heard of him before? Our favorite unreliable narrator, Alice Furlaud, gives us the lowdown on this mysterious figure of the Bush dynasty.
Tandoori Kielbasa
What happens when you cross a Polish diner with an Indian snack shop? Culinary timesharing! Chowhound Jim Leff has discovered a new phenomenon and, as usual, he's got more to say about it than can easily fit on the message machine.
Balkan Brass
Backstage at the Bohemian Hall in Astoria, Queens, Next Big Thing host Dean Olsher meets up with Boban Markovic and the Boban Markovic Orkestar. Their wildly rhythmic brass band music has been compared to all kinds of American genres, but they come to us from Romani (Gypsy) Serbia. In the U.S. for the first time, they are best known for their music in Emir Kusturica's film "Underground." Their performance was recorded live at the "Music around the Mediterranean" concert, sponsored by the Center for Traditional Music and Dance and the World Music Institute.
Heard on the Street
Wednesday afternoon, just off the main drag in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. Ocean Express Car Service. You do the translation.
Five Sounds in Search of an Author
In between these sounds is a story and it's up to you to write it. Once again, The Next Big Thing is inviting your ideas on ways to weave a plot out of seemingly unrelated sounds. Author and Next Big Thing contributor Jesse Green will choose a winner to read his or her story on our show. You'll hear the results next week. Email your stories by Monday, Sept. 30, 2002, and remember, the time it takes to read them should come close to the time it takes to hear the sounds (about 30 seconds). Good luck!
Shelf Life
Producer Chelsea Merz knows that one way into a person's world is through his library. Today she visits the bookshelf of Alice Smythe, a woman of many lives who has an unusual relationship to the act of book purchasing.
May I Help You?
Looking for lingerie? Shoes? Towels? Then Edith Medvin is the woman for you. For fifty years, she's worked at Macy's department store in Herald Square, Manhattan, and she'll answer every question you've got. This week, on the occasion of Macy's 100th anniversary, we tip our hats to one of their most venerable employees, the Information Lady.
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