wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

On Demand

The Leonard Lopate Show

Tuesday, December 18, 2007
  • "Sunshine Razzle Dazzle" by Deborah Beck
    "Sunshine Razzle Dazzle" by Deborah Beck

    Tough it Out

    The cost of living in New York keeps climbing. How is that affecting the city's full-time artists? We look into whether staying in New York is worth the struggle. Also: James Lipton reveals the best – and worst – moments of "Inside the Actors Studio." Jim Knipfel on his latest novel. Plus, how British and American individualism has shaped the modern world.

    The Leonard Lopate Show is hosting a listener photo project! Send us a photo of a random object that has special meaning to you, and tell us the story behind the object. Find out how to submit here.

NYC Artists: Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?

As rents keep rising, New York is an increasingly difficult place to be a working artist --- let alone an aging working artist. We look into the pros and cons of staying and toughing it out, for artists of all ages. Artist Estelle Levy has decided to stay, while artist Deborah Beck has recently moved away. Professor Joan Jeffri is director of the Research Center for Arts and Culture at Columbia’s Teachers College.

Weigh in: We’d like to hear from current and former aging New York artists. Is it worth it to tough it out in New York? Are you glad you’ve stayed/left?

Slideshow: Aging Artists
Read "Above Ground," Joan Jeffri's study of aging New York artists

James Lipton: Best and Worst of "Inside the Actors Studio"

James Lipton recounts the best – and worst – moments of his 12 years hosting "Inside the Actors Studio." His new book is Inside Inside; Sidney Lumet says that "Lipton knows an awful lot about acting and all of it is in this book."

Inside Inside is available for purchase at amazon.com

Weigh in: If you were James Lipton, whom would you want to interview, and what would you ask?

If you can't see the video click here

"Inside the Actors Studio" website
James Lipton's bio

Jim Knipfel: Noogie’s Time to Shine

Jim Knipfel’s new novel, Noogie’s Time to Shine, is about a friendless ATM re-stocker and repairman who steals close to $5 million in $20 bills before going on a road trip with his cat, Dillinger.

Noogie’s Time to Shine is available for purchase at amazon.com

How British and American Individualism Shaped the Modern World

Foreign policy expert Walter Russell Mead says that British and American emphasis on individualism has allowed those countries to gain unprecedented power and prestige over the last few centuries. His new book is God and Gold: Britain, America, and the Making of the Modern World.

God and Gold is available for purchase at amazon.com

Tributes: Jeanne-Claude

The Leonard Lopate Show

Jeanne-Claude created environmental works of art with her husband and fellow-conspirator/collaborator Christo. Together, they wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin, the Pont-Neuf in Paris, and created The Gates, with billowy orange drapes, in Central Park. Jeanne-Claude just died at the age of 74. You can hear Leonard Lopate’s last interview with them both, from July 19, 1999.

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.