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The Leonard Lopate Show

Friday, December 07, 2007
  • Orion Nebula (Joe DiNapoli)
    Orion Nebula (Joe DiNapoli)

    Stargazers

    Christopher Plummer has appeared in over 100 films! He talks about his latest, "The Man in the Chair." Also, a look at a new series that focuses on world literature -- one country at a time. We hear about the jinxed life of jazz vocalist Jackie Paris. And on Please Explain: find out how you can be an amateur astronomer!

Writers Around the World

A new anthology series features literature from around the world – one country at a time. Edward Hirsch edits The Writer’s World; Eavan Boland is editing the volume on Irish writers, and Margaret Sayers Peden is editing the volume on Mexican writers.

Event: Edward Hirsch, Eavan Boland, and Margaret Sayers Peden will be reading
Friday, December 7 at 7 pm
New York University
Greenberg Lounge, Vanderbilt Hall
40 Washington Square South

Weigh in: Tell us if there's a country whose literature you love and that you feel is ignored here in the U.S.

Christopher Plummer: "The Man in the Chair"

Christopher PlummerChristopher Plummer has played some memorable roles in over 100 films…including Captain von Trapp in "The Sound of Music." In his latest, "The Man in the Chair," he plays a retired film gaffer who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a troubled teen. It opens today at the AMC Empire 25 at 234 W. 42nd St.

Official website for "Man in the Chair"

Jazz Vocalist Jackie Paris

The late, great be-bop jazz singer Jackie Paris fell into near-total obscurity. Director Raymond de Felitta looks into how that happened in his new documentary, "’Tis Autumn." The film opens today, Fri. Dec. 7, at Cinema Village at 22 E. 12th St.

Website for "’Tis Autumn"
More about the film from cinemavillage.com

Please Explain: How to Be an Amateur Astronomer

Anyone can learn to be an amateur astronomist - even here in New York City, where you often can't see any stars!

Richard Rosenberg, President of the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York, tells us about the best spots for stargazing in the city. Bob Thompson, author of The Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders, explains the equipment, how to read star charts, and how to locate and identify objects in the night sky.

Events:
Stargazing at Inwood Hill Park
Co-hosted by the Manhattan Park Rangers and the AAA
Saturday, December 8, 6:30 to 10 pm
Enter at 218th Street and Indian Road
Free and open to the public.

Amateur Astronomers Association Lecture with Michael Allison, Emeritus Scientist at the Goddard Institute for Space Studies
"Planet: Time and Seasons-Space Clocks and Extraterrestrial Climates"
Friday, December 7 at 6:15 pm
Kaufmann Auditorium at the American Museum of Natural History
79th Street and Central Park West
Free and open to the public

Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders is available for purchase at amazon.com

Weigh in: Is there a particular constellation you'd like to learn to identify? Do you have a favorite place in New York City to see the stars?

See what's in space right now
Amateur Astronomers Association of New York website
Slideshow: Amateur Astronomers

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?