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The Leonard Lopate Show

Friday, August 26, 2005
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    Disturbing Leads

    David Kirby explores whether the use of vaccines containing mercury can be connected to a surge in the reported cases of autism in America in the 1990s. Next, Michael Showalter tells us about his new romantic comedy “The Baxter.” Then, Joel Lobenthal looks at the raucous life of leading lady Tallulah Bankhead. And finally, Anne Marie Oliver and Paul Steinberg use years of research to reveal the inner world of suicide bombers in The Road to Martyrs' Square.

Bad Medicine?

David Kirby investigates the side effects of thimerosal--a preservative used in vaccines that contains mercury. Noting that the use of this preservative coincided with an upsurge of reported cases of autism amongst American children in the 1990s, he looks into whether these vaccines directly hurt children, and who should be held accountable if they did, in Evidence of Harm.

Music: Soundtrack to “The Secret Agent,” music by Philip Glass: “The First Meridian” / “Simple”

The Baxter

Michael Showalter is the writer, director, and star of the new romantic comedy “The Baxter.” He plays a nice guy accountant who’s never been the leading man, but realizes he’s got a chance to win the girl of his dreams when he turns to a cute temp worker for love advice.

» More on "The Baxter"

A Royal Scandal

Biographer Joel Lobenthal looks at the scandals, intrigues, and insecurities of Tallulah Bankhead's very public life in Tallulah: The Life and Times of a Leading Lady.

Music: Keyboard Wizards III—Arden and Ohman: "Dancing the Devil Away"

The Road to Martyrs' Square

Anne Marie Oliver and Paul Steinberg describe their journey into the world of the suicide bomber: The Road to Martyrs’ Square.

Music: Soundtrack to Die Hard with a Vengeance, music by Michael Kamen: "Goodbye Bonwits"

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.