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Millions of New Yorkers of every race and religion live, work, and commute in close quarters (cb-photography/flickr)Race Matters
On today's show: three journalists from TimeOut New York will take your calls for a discussion of how much race matters in New York City. Later, two filmmakers explore the attitudes that Europeans have toward the United States. Also, author Mary Gordon shares the story of her late mother's eventful life. And for the latest installment of our Underappreciated Literature series, we'll learn about seminal Japanese novelist Junichiro Tanizaki.
Race Matters
Does race matter in New York? Today we'll speak with three journalists from TimeOut New York who just took this question to the streets. Nicole Blades, an African-American reporter, visited Asian restaurants and comic book stores in Flushing, Queens; Helen Yun, an Asian-American reporter, went to casitas in the Bronx; and Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, an Arab-American journalist, checked out the white, Irish neighborhood of Woodlawn. They'll tell us what they found.
Tell us what you think about race in New York City. Call us live on the air at 212-433-9692 or post your questions and comments here.
Weigh in: How much does race matter in New York today?
Underappreciated: Junichiro Tanizaki
In the rigid literary society of Japan, Junichiro Tanizaki stood out by constructing long narratives whose imaginative content, amplitude, and structure can rightly be called novelistic. He eschewed shishosetsu - the Japanese genre that most closely resembles the novel but includes autobiographical details - choosing instead to call attention to the fictionality of his texts. Translator Anthony Chambers will tell us why Tanizaki is considered one of the most important Japanese writers of the 20th century.
Purchase Tanizaki's Some Prefer Nettles and The Makioka Sisters at amazon.com.
Circling My Mother
In her latest book, writer Mary Gordon describes the most important woman in her life: her mother, Anna. A widow and single parent, she lived to the age of 94 despite struggles with poverty, polio, depression, alcoholism, and senile dementia, inspiring her daughter with her strength and determination.
Mary Gordon will be reading tonight at 7 pm at Barnes and Noble Lincoln Center, 1972 Broadway at 66th Street.
Purchase Circling My Mother: A Memoir at amazon.com.
The Anti-Americans
For their new film for the PBS series America at a Crossroads, producers Andrew Kolker and Louis Alvarez went to France, Great Britain, and Poland to explore the complicated attitudes that many Europeans have about the United States.
The Anti-Americans airs tonight on PBS stations, check local listings.
Visit the show's website via America at a Crossroads.
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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.”
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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.
- Comments [33]
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.
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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?
