Everybody in the Booth!
Some very persuasive arguments about why you should vote, from people who should know - Mario Cuomo and Aunt Alice, among others. Plus a walk around the rock and roll block with record producer Jim Dickinson, and another round of "What's Your Word" with word diva Erin McKean.
Why Vote?
It's a question a lot of us asked ourselves after the Florida fiasco last time around. For an answer, host Dean Olsher looks to a man for whom the democratic process is practically religion - Mario Cuomo.
A Vigorous Democracy, Jersey Style
Between the two of them they've voted in 35 presidential elections and over 40 senate races — in many cases canceling out each other's votes. You'd think at this point they'd save themselves the trip, but then, you don't know Next Big Thing producer Amanda Aronczyk's grandma, or her great aunt Alice.
It's Your Right
The year is 1944. Franklin Delano Roosevelt is running for an unprecedented fourth term as president. We now bring you this public service announcement from the WNYC archives.
What's Your Word?
Erin McKean, editor of the New Oxford American Dictionary, fields calls from ambitious listeners who want to get a new word into circulation. Under consideration today: gump, extra-bardic, flenyore, and hognacious.
Guitar Shopping with Jim Dickinson
Jim Dickinson may not be a household name, but he's produced albums that can be found in virtually every American household, by Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, Aretha Franklin, the Replacements, and many others. He's also a musician in his own right. But today is a day off, and he's talking shop — while poking around the Carmine Street Guitar Shop — with host Dean Olsher.
From Tirana to Bohemia Hall, Queens
Merita Halili left Albania in 1995, but she continues to perform the central Albanian urban folk songs for which she's famous there. This performance with the Raif Hyseni Ensemble was recorded at the Bohemian Hall and Garden in Queens during the recent New York World Festival.
Hypochondria
Meg Wolitzer has an unconventional hobby, founded on the notion that no blemish is a good blemish, no symptom a good symptom. And she's not alone. Her dramatic meditation on hypochondria features Mary Testa, Jonathan Freeman, Robert Stanton, and Gabriel and Charlie Panek. Meg Wolitzer plays herself. Produced by Curtis Fox.
The Great PUPkin Contest
Heard on the street... and then some. Next Big Thing producer Julie Subrin discovers an annual Halloween tradition in Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn,involving dogs, Halloween costumes, and a very enthusiastic crowd. More photos here.
WNYC archives id: 29810
