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The Leonard Lopate Show

Tuesday, October 12, 2004
  • bandaid

    Prescribing a Remedy

    Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalists Donald Barlett and James Steele criticize the state of America’s health-care system in Critical Condition: How Health Care in America Became Big Business--and Bad Medicine. Next up, Senegalese writer and director Ousmane Sembene. He’s considered one of the most influential filmmakers in sub-Saharan Africa. Then, Ron Nyswaner, author of the screenplay for Philadelphia. His memoir explores a passionate, tumultuous gay love affair in Blue Days, Black Nights. Finally, Russell Banks shares his new novel, The Darling. The book’s narrator reflects back on the radicalism of her personal and political life as she fled the FBI and moved to West Africa because of her involvement with the Weather Underground.

Donald Barlett and James Steele

Donald Barlett and James Steele on health care as big business: Critical Condition.

» More on the book

Music: "Destiny" by Zero Seven
"Betty’s Lament" by Isan

Ousmane Sembene

Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembene on his distinguished and prolific career, as well as his latest film: Moolaadé.

Music: African Voices: Sounds of Life: "Ondiek" by Ayub Ogada / "Woza Azania" by Kevin Nathaniel

Ron Nyswaner

Ron Nyswaner on his new book Blue Days, Black Nights.

» Read an excerpt of Nyswaner's book in the Reading Room
» More on the book

Events:
Ron Nywswaner will be appearing on:
Wednesday, October 13th at 8pm
In conversation with B.J. Sigesmund
McBurney YMCA (ground floor)
125 West 14th Street (between 6th and 7th)

Friday, October 15th at 7pm
Barnes & Noble
675 6th Avenue (at 22nd St)

Music: Soundtrack to The Ice Storm, music by Mychael Danna: "Finale" / "Shoplift"

Russell Banks

Russell Banks on his first in six years, The Darling.

» Read an excerpt of The Darling in the Reading Room
» More on the book

Events:
Russell Banks will be speaking on:
Tuesday, October 12th at 7:30 pm
Cue Art Foundation
511 West 25th Street (between 10th Ave. and 11th Ave.)
Russell Banks will be reading on:
Thursday, October 21st at 7:30 pm
Barnes & Noble at 82nd and Broadway

Music: Soundtrack to A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries, music by Richard Robbins: "A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries"

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.