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The Leonard Lopate Show
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40 Ways to Look at JFKFine Lines
We'll look at the many faces of John F. Kennedy. Also Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott will be here to talk about his poetry and the New York City debut of his oil and watercolor paintings. And we’ll hear about the man who dreamed up the original King Kong. Plus: a psychoanalyst argues that while madness is fascinating, sanity requires more imagination.
Forty Ways to Look at JFK
What made John F. Kennedy such an icon? And why are so many people still fascinated with him today? Gretchen Rubin tackles the many contradictory sides of his public and private personalities in Forty Ways to Look at JFK.
Events:
Gretchen Rubin will be reading and signing books
Tuesday, Nov 22 at 7PM
Barnes & Noble at the Lincoln Triangle
Music:
JFK soundtrack, Tracks 16, 18, and 1

A Hairy Subject
Where did King Kong come from? Today, we’ll take a look at the life and adventures of filmmaker Merian C. Cooper, the man who dreamed up the idea of a giant ape, and brought him to life on the big screen. Documentary filmmaker Kevin Brownlow (“I’m King Kong”) and Dennis Doros, of Milestone Film and Video (which is releasing Cooper’s “Chang” and “Grass” on DVD and video), join us.
» Merian C. Cooper on Turner Classic Movies
» "Chang" and "Grass" from Milestone Film and Video
Music:
King Kong, the Complete 1933 Film Score
Tracks 1 and 22
Going Sane
In Going Sane, psychoanalyst Adam Phillips points out that while huge amounts of energy are spent on understanding madness, there’s still not a real definition of sanity. He’s here today to look at what separates sanity from insanity.
Events:
Adam Phillips will be giving a talk
Tuesday, Nov 22 at 7PM
42nd Street NY Public Library's South Court Auditorium
(Fifth Avenue and 42nd; entrance on 42nd Street)
$15 general admission; $10 library donors, seniors and students with identification
Call SmartTix: 212.868.4444
Music:
Mumford soundtrack, Tracks 8 and 7

Another Life
Derek Walcott, the 1992 Nobel Laureate in Literature, looks back on several decades of his poetry, and tells us about the first New York City exhibition of his paintings.
» Slideshow: Derek Walcott paintings -Another Life
Events:
Derek Walcott's paintings are on exhibit at the June Kelly Gallery
(591 Broadway, between Houston and Prince Street) through Dec. 30th. For more information, go to junekellygallery.com
Derek Walcott and Glyn Maxwell will be reading from and discussing their work
Tuesday, November 22nd at 7pm
Queens College
For more information call 718-997-4646, or click here
Music:
Piano Quartet No. 2 in G minor, op. 45
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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.”
- Comments [2]
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.
Video Pick: The J.D. Allen Trio
The Leonard Lopate Show
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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.
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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.
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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.
- Comments [9]
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.
- Comments [4]
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?