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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.

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.”

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.

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.

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?