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The Leonard Lopate Show

Friday, September 07, 2007
  • Michael Douglas in "King of California"
    Michael Douglas in "King of California" (First Look)

    Hollywood Royalty

    On today's show: Academy Award winner Michael Douglas joins us to discuss his latest film, King of California. Then director Michael Verhoeven describes his new documentary about Germany's continuing struggle to understand Nazi atrocities. Also, a Newsweek writer explains how luxury goods became a $157 billion global industry. And on today's Please Explain, we’ll learn all about over-the-counter painkillers.

King of California

Michael Douglas has gotten rave reviews for his role in the dark comedy King of California. He plays Charlie, a man just off a two-year stint in a mental institution trying to reconnect with his long-suffering teenage daughter. His schemes to reverse the family's fortunes bring them together, for better or worse.

King of California opens on September 14 at the Lincoln Square Cinemas and the Angelika Film Center.

If you can't see the video click here

The Unknown Soldier

From 1999 to 2004, the Wehrmacht-Exhibition toured eleven German cities, reaching an audience of more than 500,000. The show shocked the nation by presenting documentary evidence that a large number of ordinary army soldiers, not just a fanatical minority in notorious SS units, were behind Nazi atrocities during World War II. Director Michael Verhoeven's new film, The Unknown Soldier, explores reactions to the controversial exhibition from historians, critics, and many Germans who attended it.

The Unknown Soldier opens on September 7 at Quad Cinema.

Weigh in: Have you seen the Wehrmacht-Exhibition?

Deluxe

In Deluxe, Newsweek writer Dana Thomas tells the stories behind the world's most famous luxury labels: how they came to be, why consumers love them, and where they fit in today's global economy.

Purchase Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster at amazon.com.

Weigh in: Have luxury goods lost their luster?

asprin

Please Explain: Over-the-Counter Painkillers

Americans spend more than $2 billion annually on non-prescription pain relievers. Today we'll find out what they are, how they work, how they differ from one another and from prescription drugs, what side effects they cause, and more. Rear Admiral Sandra Kweder, MD, deputy director of the Food and Drug Administration's Office of New Drugs, is here to answer your questions on aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and all the rest.

Call us at 212-433-WNYC or post your questions and comments here.

Tributes: Kate McGarrigle

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Folk singer Kate McGarrigle, who gained acclaim for a series of projects with her sister Anna, died Monday, Jan. 18, from a rare form of cancer. She left behind a family of talented musicians, including her sister, son Rufus Wainwright, and daughter Martha Wainwright. McGarrigle appeared on The Leonard Lopate show with her sister in December 2005, ahead of their holiday show at Carnegie Hall.

Monona Rossol on 50 Million Chemicals

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On September 7, 2009, scientists working for the Chemical Abstract Service (which assigns identification numbers to all new chemicals) entered the 50-millionth chemical substance into their Registry. Chemist and industrial hygienist Monona Rossol, President and Founder of Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, took a look at what all these new substances are, where they are coming from, and how they affect our health. Rossol also responded to listener comments and questions. You can read her answers here.

Alan Alda on What Makes Us Human

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Barbara Demick on Ordinary Lives in North Korea

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Lucien Castaing-Taylor on "Sweetgrass"

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Michael Pollan on Food in 2010

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Atul Gawande on The Checklist Manifesto

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Christopher Kimball on Surviving Holiday Cooking Disasters

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Lidia Bastianich on Cooks from the Heart of Italy

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Neil deGrasse Tyson on Pluto

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National Book Award Winners

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A number of this year’s National Book Award winners have appeared on The Leonard Lopate Show. Click here to see the list!

Our 3-ingredient Challenge wins a James Beard Award

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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.