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The Brian Lehrer Show / January 18, 2006

The Brian Lehrer Show

Wednesday, January 18, 2006
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  • Actors Heath Ledger (L) and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain.
    Actors Heath Ledger (L) and Jake Gyllenhaal in Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain. (Focus Features)

    But is it a Gay Movie?

    It has sex between two matinee idols in a tent, but is Brokeback Mountain really a gay movie? Many critics think it isn’t. But—pardon the expression—how can you tell? And could Brokeback just be a Priscilla, Queen of the Desert for the 21st century? Also: NJ politics, suing the government and juicy supreme court decisions.

Mr. New Jersey

Bob Hennelly, WNYC reporter
- on the inauguration of Jon Corzine yesterday

But is it a Gay Movie?

Harry Benshoff, assistant professor in the Department of Radio, Television and Film at the University of North Texas in Denton,
- on Brokeback Mountain's place in gay cinema

» Harry Benshoff (University of North Texas)
» Brokeback Mountain (official movie site)

Crossed Wires

Christopher Hitchens, contributing editor to Vanity Fair
and
Arsalan Istikahar, legal director of the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR)
- are suing the Bush administration to find out if the NSA monitored their communications

» "Two Groups Planning to Sue Over Federal Eavesdropping" by Eric Lichtblau in The New York Times (free for one week from publishing date)
» Christopher Hitchens statement (ACLU)
» CAIR

Supreme Court Skinny

Emily Bazelon, senior editor of Slate
-on assisted suicide, parental controls on abortion and the lawsuits against the Bush administration

» Slate Magazine

Open Phones

Listeners talk about their conflicted opinions on the issues

30 issues in 30 days graphic

30 Issues in 30 Days

The Brian Lehrer Show

Once again, 30 Issues in 30 Days is taking on the election season by going beyond the horse race and examining the real issues that are at stake for the people of New York and New Jersey in the Mayoral and Gubernatorial contest. See the schedule and help craft the segments at the 30 Issues Wiki!

Michael Moore on Brian's 20th Anniversary

The Brian Lehrer Show

Live from the Greene Space: Michael Moore talks about his new documentary, Capitalism: A Love Story and Brian celebrates the 20 year anniversary of The Brian Lehrer Show.

A person dressed as a bear to represent a bear market performs outside the New York Stock Exchange on October 6, 200 in New York. Wall Street tumbled after the opening bell as fallout from the credit crisis triggered concerns about the economy and the Dow fell below 10,000 for the first time in four years.

Uncommon Indicators

The Brian Lehrer Show

The Brian Lehrer Show wants to hear how the economy is affecting the little things in your daily life. Share your stories and photos of the downturn.

Help us map abandoned lots, stalled construction and unsold condos.

Digesting Politics

Brian, Bob, and Andrea

WNYC's political team of Brian Lehrer, Bob Hennelly, and Andrea Bernstein talk politics and more over lunch each week. Hear the latest episode and subscribe to the podcast here!

Video Picks

The Brian Lehrer Show

Check out some recent video clips of interviews with guests and Brian Lehrer's weekly Web video picks.