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The Leonard Lopate Show

Friday, October 24, 2003
  • Sewage Systems, Bridge Spans, and Beds

    Urban adventurers L.B. Deyo and Lefty Leibowitz go where few other New Yorkers will go – into the subway tunnels, sewage systems, and onto bridge spans. They share their adventures as chronicled in their new book Invisible Frontier. And musical duo They Might Be Giants talk about their new kids’ book and CD, “Bed, Bed, Bed.”

Invisible Frontier

L.B. Deyo and Lefty Leibowitz have made a career out of ignoring “No Trespassing” signs. They’re the editors of an urban adventuring zine, Jinx Magazine, and their recent book is Invisible Frontier: Exploring the Tunnels, Ruins, and Rooftops of Hidden New York. They’re here to talk about condemned buildings, abandoned aqueducts, the “mole people” who live in train tunnels, and Roosevelt Island’s Smallpox Hospital.

  • Music: The Grifters Soundtrack composer Elmer Bernstein
  • Bed, Bed, Bed

    John Flansburgh and John Linnell of They Might Be Giants discuss their new kids’ book, illustrated by Marcel Dzama of McSweeney’s, and the accompanying CD, called “Bed, Bed, Bed.” (A warning: “Bed, Bed, Bed” might not actually make your kids want to go to bed.)

  • Music: They Might Be Giants Bed, Bed, Bed
  • Tributes: Jeanne-Claude

    The Leonard Lopate Show

    Jeanne-Claude created environmental works of art with her husband and fellow-conspirator/collaborator Christo. Together, they wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin, the Pont-Neuf in Paris, and created The Gates, with billowy orange drapes, in Central Park. Jeanne-Claude just died at the age of 74. You can hear Leonard Lopate’s last interview with them both, from July 19, 1999.

    Let’s Go Swimming!

    The Leonard Lopate Show

    According to the Centers for Disease Control, bacterial, viral, and parasitic organisms found in recreational water in the United States sicken thousands of people every year, and even result in deaths. We’ll speak with chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol about the protozoa, amoebas and other things that love to go swimming with us. Monona is also founder and President of Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety.

    Frank McCourt

    The Leonard Lopate Show

    Frank McCourt has been a guest many times on this show over the years, starting in 1996 for the memoir, Angela’s Ashes, that would earn him a Pulitzer Prize. Fame came to him late in life, after he’d retired at the age of 65 from teaching English and creative writing at public schools here in New York. He was a sweet, eloquent man who spoke with grace and humility; he just died at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. You can hear him speaking with Leonard Lopate for his Survival Kit in 2000, and in 2005, for his memoir, Teacher Man.

    Science and Faith

    The Leonard Lopate Show

    Earlier this week, Pres. Obama announced that he plans to nominate geneticist Dr. Francis Collins to lead the National Institutes of Health. You can listen to Leonard’s 2006 conversation with Dr. Collins about how he reconciles his personal faith with his professional scientific knowledge.

    FDA to Regulate Tobacco?

    The Leonard Lopate Show

    May 14, 2009
    Congress is getting ready to a vote on whether to make tobacco subject to FDA regulation. You can listen to a segment we did in May about the bill and what it would mean for the cigarette companies.

    Our 3-ingredient Challenge wins a James Beard Award

    The Leonard Lopate Show

    On May 3, the Lopate Show won its third James Beard Award for our 3-ingredient challenge. In August, we asked our listeners to call in and name 3 ingredients and then challenged New York chef and 3-ingredient expert Rozanne Gold to whip up a recipe! You can listen to the 3-ingredient challenge and get some inspiration for simple, delicious, and unexpected dishes.

    Leonard is on Facebook

    Now Leonard is on Facebook! We’re posting photos, status updates, links to notable interviews, and lots more. Check it out.

    Barack Obama, Circa 2004

    The Leonard Lopate Show

    Listen to President-Elect Barack Obama on the Leonard Lopate Show in November 2004. He had recently won a seat in the U.S. Senate, and only a few months before, his rousing speech during the 2004 Democratic National Convention catapulted him into the national spotlight.