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The Leonard Lopate Show

Tuesday, November 25, 2003
  • US helicopter in Iraq, credit:  Al-Jazeera
    The New Iraq: Grim, Hopeful and Still Scary

    Grim, Hopeful, and Still Scary

    New York Times reporter John F. Burns describes his recent experiences in wartime Iraq. Then essayist, poet and cultural critic Phillip Lopate talks about his recent book, Getting Personal, and revisits some scenes from his past. (Yes, Phillip is Leonard’s brother.) Richard Heffner uses conversations with the likes of William F. Buckley, Jr., Mario Cuomo, and Gloria Steinem as a means to understand American history. And William H. Macy and Alec Baldwin discuss “Cooler,” their new movie.

John F. Burns

John F. Burns’s November 16th article in the New York Times was called “The New Iraq is Grim, Hopeful, and Still Scary.” He’s been reporting from Iraq throughout the war, and was accused by officials in Saddam Hussein’s information ministry of being “the most dangerous man in Iraq” because of his articles about the regime’s brutality.

  • Music: Instrumental Tracks "Destiny/Zero Seven" "Escalator/Bang on a Can All Stars"
  • Phillip Lopate

    Phillip Lopate is a master of the art of the personal essay. His recent book is Getting Personal.

  • Music: Thelonius Monk with John Coltrane "Ruby My Dear" "Trinkle, Tinkle" "Nutty"
  • Richard Heffner

    A Conversational History of Modern America is a collection of discussions author Richard Heffner has had with some American notables during the course of 47 years of his television show, “The Open Mind.”

  • Music: Bach's Fight for Freedom "Overture No. 2 in B minor" "Overture No. 3 in D Major"
  • Alec Baldwin and William H. Macy

    Alec Baldwin and William H. Macy star in the new film “The Cooler.” It’s a story of love and luck (or lack thereof) in Las Vegas.

    Patrick Swayze

    The Leonard Lopate Show

    Patrick Swayze mixed grace with athleticism in his movies – and rose to stardom with roles in “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost.” He died just recently after a battle with pancreatic cancer. And you can hear his interview with Leonard Lopate from July 16, 2002, when he came by to discuss appearing in the film, “Green Dragon.”

    The Silver Anniversary of the Silver Palate

    The Leonard Lopate Show

    Sheila Lukins was one half of a partnership that helped popularize gourmet cooking throughout America – first, through their gourmet food shop in New York City and then with the cookbook, The Silver Palate, which remains one of the top-selling cookbooks of all time. She collaborated on 2 other cookbooks that simplified gourmet cooking for the home cook. She died recently from brain cancer at the age of 66, and you can listen to her 2007 conversation with Leonard Lopate and her business partner Julee Rosso about the 25th Anniversary of the publication of The Silver Palate.

    Dominick Dunne

    The Leonard Lopate Show

    Dominick Dunne was a famous novelist and Hollywood producer. But he may be best remembered for covering trials of the rich and famous – from Claus von Bulow to O. J. Simpson. He died just recently at the age of 83. But you can still hear his interview with Leonard from November 23, 2001, when he was discussing crimes, trials, and punishments.

    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.

    Guest Picks

    The Leonard Lopate Show

    Find out surprising facts about some recent guests on the Leonard Lopate Show. Check out our Guest Picks section! Did you know that football star Herschel Walker loves Judge Judy, Laurie Anderson is a big fan of agility training for dogs, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi likes Johnny Depp?