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The Leonard Lopate Show

Monday, July 17, 2006
  • whale

    Paths of Destruction

    Just days after Gettysburg, the bloodiest riots in American history broke out in New York City. On today’s show, a historian explains how the issues tearing the country apart nearly destroyed Manhattan. Also: Luke Wilson and director Ivan Reitman describe their new film: “My Super Ex-Girlfriend.” And Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson tell us about their prequel to Peter Pan. Plus: a look at whales on Please Explain!

My Super Ex-Girlfriend

Luke Wilson and director Ivan Reitman imagine the complications of breaking up with a super hero, in their new film: “My Super Ex-Girlfriend.”

Peter Pan Lives On

Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson tell us about Peter and the Shadow Thieves--their hilarious prequel to a story that never grows old: Peter Pan.

Available for purchase at amazon.com


Events: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson will appear
Monday, July 17th at 7 pm
Lincoln Square Barnes & Noble

The Largest Riots in American History

In The Devil’s Own Work, Barnet Schecter looks at the largest riots in American history: the draft riots that threatened to destroy New York City during the Civil War.

Available for purchase at amazon.com


Events: Barnet Schecter will be reading and signing books
Saturday, August 12th at 2:30 pm
Pershing Hall, Building 125 on Governor's Island
Take the 1 pm or 2 pm ferry from Manhattan
For more information, call 212-825-3045

Please Explain: Whales

Dr. Peter Tyack of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and author and artist (and self-described whale philosopher) Richard Ellis, answer your questions about whales on this week’s Please Explain.

Richard Ellis's Men and Whales is available for purchase at amazon.com

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.