On Demand
The Leonard Lopate Show Archive
December 2006
Mazes and Maintenance
Friday, December 29, 2006
New York Times journalist Jodi Kantor reports on the difficulties many black parents face while trying to hire a nanny. Then, director Guillermo del Toro tells us about his new film, "Pan's Labyrinth." And Emily Watson and director Chris Noonan talk about their new film about Beatrix Potter, of Peter Rabbit fame. Plus, two veteran supers answer your questions on the ins and outs of New York City buildings, on Please Explain.
Moving Pictures
Thursday, December 28, 2006
On today’s Underreported, we ask what the death of Turkmenistan's dictator may mean for the gas-rich country, and the entire region. Then, the founders of New Yorker Films talk about bringing the work of filmmakers from around the world to American moviegoers. And Mary Beth Hurt tells us about her role in "The Dead Girl." Plus, a look at 70 years of iconic images from Life magazine.
On the Rocks
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Glaciers, water, and geological activity shaped New York City’s landscape long before the buildings and pavement did. Find out what lies beneath the five boroughs, from boulders in Fort Greene to striations in Central Park. Also, Miles Davis’s son Gregory Davis details the Jekyll-and-Hyde personality of his jazz superstar father. A food writer explains how he discovered his love for food. Plus: the anti-Hitler movement within WWII Germany was more significant than most people realize. We’ll find out why the myth of the German monolith isn’t true.
Life in the Spotlight
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
During the final days of her husband's bid for Vice President, Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. She tells us about surviving personal tragedies in the public spotlight. Later on, ABC correspondent Lynn Sherr reflects on 40 years as a reporter. And critic Robert Hughes examines his own life in a new memoir. Plus, legendary record producer Phil Ramone stops by.
Christmas Gospel
Monday, December 25, 2006
Leonard starts today's show off with his annual Christmas Gospel Show. Later on, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward P. Jones (author of The Known World) tells us about his new collection of short stories. And we take a behind the scenes look at Evangelical America.
It's the Thought That Counts?
Friday, December 22, 2006
We start today’s show with a call-in on the worst presents you’ve ever received. Tell us what you got, and how you handled it. Then, a new documentary takes us behind the scenes of a prestigious competition for young pianists. And today’s Please Explain is all about Chanukah.
'Tis the Seasoning
Thursday, December 21, 2006
We start today’s show with two Underreported features. First, a look at keeping chickens in the city. Then, we look at some new markets for camel’s milk. Later on, we ask how the email fraud schemes originating in Nigeria work, and what’s being done to combat them. And NPR commentator Bonny Wolf talks about how the foods we eat bind us together. Plus chef Michael Lomonaco discusses the best dishes our listeners submitted to our Holiday Recipe Swap!
Generation to Generation
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Jack O’Brien tells us about the challenges of directing Tom Stoppard’s trilogy, The Coast of Utopia. Then, we find out how conditions like insomnia and mad cow disease can be passed down from generation to generation. And Fritz Weaver and Michael Stuhlbarg talk about their roles in the David Mamet adaptation of Harley Granville Barker’s play, The Voysey Inheritance. Plus: your calls to word maven Patricia T. O’Conner!
Impressive Journeys
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Donovan Hohn tells the unusual true story of where 28,800 plastic animals ended up after spilling from a freighter in the north Pacific in 1992. Later on, the legendary Eli Wallach tells us about his role in the new romantic comedy “The Holiday.” Plus, we talk to the publisher of the arts, culture, and politics magazine The Brooklyn Rail. And Ruth Reichl, editor in chief of Gourmet magazine, talks about hunger.
Uncovering the Truth
Monday, December 18, 2006
The Executive Director of the National Labor Committee reports that hundreds of children in Bangladesh are sewing clothing for Wal-Mart and other major U.S. companies. Then, celebrated jazz musicians Junior Mance and Bernard “Pretty” Purdie stop by. And we hear about a colorful new history of world exploration. Plus: a Latin scholar and a chef share some modern interpretations of ancient Roman recipes.
Dramatic Proposals
Friday, December 15, 2006
Dr. Jerome Groopman discusses the FDA's dramatic new proposal to make experimental drugs more readily available to seriously ill patients. Then, we talk to the writer and star of Broadway’s version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. And we talk to bounty hunter turned opera star Carl Tanner. Plus, the art of mingling, on Please Explain.
Looking Forward
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Two HIV-positive Brooklyn teens join us to talk about their recent trip to Ethiopia, and the toll AIDS takes on children here and there. Later on, an in-depth look at the life of Madame Chiang Kai-shek, and how she became one of China’s most powerful and controversial women. And Katherine Min shares her debut novel about one Korean-American girl’s unsettling teenage struggles. Plus, the executive editor of The Economist makes some predictions about the world in 2007.
Stature and Success
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
A science reporter explores the stigma against being short, and explains how physical size and childhood growth shape our adult lives. Then, we hear a live performance from neo-klezmer, bluegrass mandolinist and clarinetist Andy Statman. Plus, we find out how the Yiddish Theater influenced American entertainment at the turn of the 20th century. And Al and Larry Ubell answer your home repair questions.
Hope for the Future
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Former President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter tells us what he believes must be done to achieve permanent peace in the Middle East. But first, some advice on eco-friendly living. Then, we explore Dubai on Backstory. And we look at one architectural firm that built some of New York’s most distinctive buildings.
Modern Histories
Monday, December 11, 2006
Legendary Knicks point guard Walt Frazier talks about how basketball has changed since he retired in 1979. Then, the daughter of muckraking journalist Jessica Mitford tells us about a new collection of her mother’s letters. Plus, Jay Bakker—son of Jim and Tammy Faye—reflects on the challenges of running an alternative, punk ministry. And we look at the modern history of Burma…and its ongoing 60-year civil war.
Intrigue and Investigations
Friday, December 08, 2006
The poisoned ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko was buried in London yesterday. Two journalists bring us up to date on his murder investigations. Later on, Roz Chast talks about turning everyday worries into amusing New Yorker cartoons. Plus, actor and playwright Tim Crouch tells us about his unusual two-person play an oak tree. And this week’s Please Explain is all about antibiotics.
Pop Questions
Thursday, December 07, 2006
On today’s Underreported, we discuss Cuba’s foreign relations, and ask how investments from China and Latin America may affect Cuba after Fidel Castro's death. Then, Novelist Nick Hornby and playwright David Lindsay-Abaire talk about bringing High Fidelity—about the romantic struggles of a clueless pop music fanatic—to Broadway as a musical. Plus, Darlene Love, one of the bestselling pop singers from the 1960s. And we explore the real story behind “blood diamonds.”
Stories of Recovery
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Reporter Adam LeBor argues that the United Nations has repeatedly failed to confront genocide. Then, William Cope Moyers—son of Bill Moyers—shares his story of addiction and recovery. Plus, a tribute to the largely forgotten art of sentence diagramming. And we revisit the influential lives of nine Hungarian Jews who fled from Hitler.
Past, Present, and Future
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Voluntary school integration is at the heart of two cases currently being heard by the Supreme Court. Newsweek contributing editor and columnist Ellis Cose joins us for a talk about the importance of these cases, and the role of affirmative action today. Later on, Frank Capra, Jr. tells us about a new collection of his father’s masterpieces. And acclaimed novelist Paula Fox talks about her new memoir about her life in post-War Europe. Plus, the true story of two NYPD detectives who were found guilty of working for the mafia.
Lessons from Legends
Monday, December 04, 2006
We look at a new collection of formative films Ernst Lubitsch directed in Berlin. Then, a talk with the legendary Lauren Bacall! Plus, Swanee Hunt talks about her work as a progressive philanthropist. And celebrity chefs Daniel Boulud, David Chang, and Gabrielle Hamilton recount some of their early misadventures learning to cook.
The Mind's Eye
Friday, December 01, 2006
On today’s Please Explain, we’ll tackle an all-American topic: NFL quarterbacks. Also, a new biography explores the life of the influential psychologist and philosopher William James. Plus, Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt talks about his acclaimed career. And to start it all off, Morgan Freeman!
- About This Program »
- Staff Bios »
- Contact Us »
- Guest Hosts »
- Guest Picks »
- Latest Show »
- Tapes & Transcripts »
- Show Archive »
Features & Series
Podcast
Stay up to date.
Subscribe to the Podcast
Shop at Amazon!
Leonard Lopate Show picks
Start your Amazon shopping on WNYC.org and a portion of your total purchase goes to WNYC.
More
