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The Leonard Lopate Show

Tuesday, December 14, 2004
  • Witness

    Truth and Reconciliation

    Filmmaker Gillian Caldwell and South African human rights lawyer Howard Varney discuss the lasting effects of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war, and the importance of creating historical accountability for the atrocities committed. Next, we talk to several ghostwriters about the adventures of documenting the stories of sports heroes. We’re joined by James Kaplan (who has worked with John McEnroe and Brad Gilbert), Charley Rosen (who wrote with Darryl Dawkins), and Dan Markowitz (who has worked with John Starks and Walt Frazier). Then, David Lang and Phil Kline re-imagine Handel with their Messiah Remix. Finally, Chip Kidd and Les Daniels look back at The Golden Age of DC Comics, from Superman to Wonder Woman and Batman.

Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Filmmaker Gillian Caldwell and South African human rights lawyer Howard Varney on documenting the atrocities committed during Sierra Leone’s civil war.

» More on Witness and the film Witness to Truth: A Video Report and Recommendations to the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Music: Soundtrack to Meet Joe Black, music by Thomas Newman: "Someone Else" / "Yes"

Writing with Sports Legends

Sports ghostwriters James Kaplan, Charley Rosen, and Dan Markowitz give us a behind-the-scenes look at helping sports figures write their own stories.

Music: M2, Marcus Miller: "Burning Down the House" / "Power"

A New Spin on Handel

David Lang and Phil Kline on some unusual modern reinterpretations of Handel’s classic work: Messiah Remix.

» More about David Lang
» More about Cantaloupe Music
» Go to Phil Kline's website

Events: "Unsilent Night 2004"
Sat., Dec. 18th, at 7 pm.
To RSVP, e-mail boombox@mindspring.com
or call 212-227-6255

Music: Messiah Remix: "Hallelujah!," Phil Kline
Unsilent Night, Phil Kline: "Angels of Avenue A"

Classic Superheroes

Chip Kidd and Les Daniels on The Golden Age of DC Comics.

Events: Chip Kidd will be speaking and signing books on:
Thursday, December 16th, at 5pm
Jim Hanley's Universe
4 West 33rd Street (across from the Empire State Building)

Music: John Williams' Greatest Action Hits, London Symphony Orchestra: "Superman Suite"

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.