On the Wire

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Arkansas is one of the nation's poorest states...and yet it’s produced some of our most successful politicians. On States of the Union, find out more about the unusual political climate in Arkansas. Also: 93-year-old showbiz legend Tony Martin. A panel discussion on how women make difficult reproductive choices. And a conversation with 3 actors from the hit HBO series "The Wire."

And join us for the next installment of Political Projections! On Tuesday, February 5th, we'll talk about how Hollywood has poked fun at politics over the years...and you can watch some films we've selected, and join in the conversation. Find out more here.

In the Kitchen

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

We look into the role of the kitchen in American homes...and what our kitchens and food choices reveal about ourselves. Also: why Newark Mayor Cory Booker has been called "a mayor of the post-racial generation." And an up-close look at what daily life in Iraq has been like since the 2003 invasion.

And join us for the next installment of Political Projections! On Tuesday, February 5th, we'll talk about how Hollywood has poked fun at politics over the years...and you can watch some films we've selected, and join in the conversation. Find out more here.

How to Make Money and Save the World

Monday, January 28, 2008

Can businesses make a greater profit and help save the planet at the same time? One successful businessman who says "Yes!" Also: the best of Russian film. A new novel set in 1970s Hollywood. Plus, a look at why Hillary Clinton provokes such a passionate response from many people – both for her and against her.

Check out the latest in our Political Projections election film series! We're hosting a FREE Feb. 4th special screening of the Marx Brothers' movie "Duck Soup." Space is limited. Find out more here.

Center Stage

Friday, January 25, 2008

Stock markets around the world have been on a roller coaster ride lately. Tune in to Please Explain to find out how the global financial system works, and why it's so interconnected. Also: Samuel Beckett’s "Happy Days" at BAM. The new Broadway hit "August: Osage County." And then the the director and the star of "4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days," a new Romanian film that's gotten great reviews.

Check out the latest in our Political Projections election film series! We're hosting a FREE Feb. 4th special screening of the Marx Brothers' movie "Duck Soup." Space is limited. Find out more here.

Spy Tales

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Leonard talks to former Russian spy Sergei Tretyakov, who ran Russia'€™s post-Cold War espionage program in America -- before he defected to the US. Also, the musical duo "They Might Be Giants." We hear about the rich tradition of bachata music from the Dominican Republic. And on Underreported: the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Check out the latest in our Political Projections election film series! On Feb. 5th, we'll talk about how Hollywood has poked fun at politics over the years. And find out more about our Feb. 4th special screening of the Marx Brothers' "Duck Soup" here.

Missing Link

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Nobel Prize winning economist Muhammad Yunus lays out the ways he thinks free market capitalism can be made more humane. Also, on States of the Union: the issues that matter to South Carolina's Democratic voters as they head into their primary. One man’s search to find the places in the world that make people happy. Plus: what can studying fish teach us about human evolution?

Check out the latest in our Political Projections election film series! On Feb. 5th, we'll talk about how Hollywood has poked fun at politics over the years. And find out more about our special Feb. 4 film screening here.

Social Skills

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

We look into President George W. Bush's family, friends, and advisors have shaped his presidency and America's fate. Also, superstar soprano Deborah Voigt. The life of "hipster visionary neo-prophet" Doc Humes. Plus: how Islamic rule shaped Europe.

Check out the latest in our Political Projections election film series! On Feb. 5th, we'll talk about how Hollywood has poked fun at politics over the years. You can watch the selected movies (either at home, or at our special Feb. 4th film screening) and join in on the conversation. Find out more here.

Soul Stirrers

Monday, January 21, 2008

Celebrate Martin Luther King Day with an hour of activist gospel music, from Mme. Edna Gallmon Cooke to the Rev. C.L. Franklin. Also, "punk ballerina" Karole Armitage returns to the Joyce Theatre. Merkin Concert Hall celebrates its reopening with the Grand Piano Marathon. And find out what the biggest threats to Earth's ecosystem are...and whether the planet will be habitable for humans in the future.

Check out the latest in our Political Projections election film series! On Feb. 5th, we'll talk about how Hollywood has poked fun at politics over the years. You can watch some of the selected movies (either at home, or at our special Feb. 4th film screening) and join in on the conversation. Find out more here.

Work for Change

Friday, January 18, 2008

The Israeli-Palestinian peace process has been badly derailed in recent years. Find out what went wrong: from Ariel Sharon's ascent to power, to the war in Lebanon. Also: States of the Union looks into the issues Nevada's voters care about as they head into their caucus. A new play, "Seven," about extraordinary women working for change. And Please Explain is all about our delegate system. Guest host Jonathan Capehart sits in for Leonard.

Woody Allen on Cassandra's Dream

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Woody Allen talks with guest host Julie Burstein about his new film, "Cassandra's Dream." Also: how the grueling first year of medical residency affects both doctors and patients. A new novel about Bangladesh's 1971 war for independence. And on Underreported, find out what we can learn by studying hippo sweat! And we hear about a controversial scientific theory on how to fight climate change.

Surviving Foster Care

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Ashley Rhodes-Courter spent much of her childhood bouncing among fourteen different foster homes. She explains how the system failed her, and what she’s doing now to help out today’s foster kids and parents. Also: artist Maira Kalman. Word maven Patricia T. O’Conner. And writers Zadie Smith, Vendela Vida, and George Saunders talk about creating characters in their fiction.

Starring Stem Cells

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The debate over stem cell research became very personal for Dr. Jack Kessler when his own daughter became paralyzed in an accident. Find out why he believes that stem cells are the best hope for his daughter’s recovery. Also: how Hollywood created some of its biggest stars. We hear about a new Mark Twain comedy, "Is He Dead?" And a look at how lives are changed by money - whether it's through a sudden windfall, or a massive debt.

A Common Secret

Monday, January 14, 2008

An abortion doctor talks about her own difficult abortion at a young age and why she then chose a career on the front lines of the war over reproductive rights. She has to wear a bulletproof vest, and carries a .38 caliber revolver. Also: find out about the struggle to save Nepal’s endangered rhinos. Amy Silverstein talks about her 17+ years as a heart transplant patient. And a sociologist shares an insider's perspective on life in a crack-dealing gang. Guest host Lisa Birnbach sits in for Leonard.

Money Money Money

Friday, January 11, 2008

The first coins were invented in the seventh century BC. Please Explain looks into the history of money...from the earliest lumps of metal, to modern-day virtual money. Also: two new Broadway productions: Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" and Harold Pinter's "The Homecoming." and Padma Lakshmi on her new cookbook, Tangy Tart Hot and Sweet.

On the Trail

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Michigan has more electoral votes than Iowa and New Hampshire combined. On States of the Union: why Michigan's primary hasn't gotten more media attention...and why most of the Democratic candidates won't even appear on the ballot. Underreported looks at trouble within the Federal Election Commission, and how that could affect the upcoming election. Plus, NPR’s Daniel Schorr and a collection of great love stories, from Chekhov to Munro.

What to Eat

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Michael Pollan, author of Omnivore's Dilemma, shares his advice for eaters: "Don't eat anything that your great-great grandmother would not recognize as food." Also: what evolution reveals about human economics. Geraldine Brooks on her new novel. And the gurus of how-to, Al and Larry Ubell!

Political Projections

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

America's standing in the world has become a major campaign issue. Madeleine Albright gives advice to our next president on how the U.S. can regain the world's trust. Also: the first in our new Political Projections film series looks at how Hollywood has portrayed campaigns! And we look into how people learn to live with chronic, severe illness.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Monday, January 07, 2008

More children are using powerful psychiatric drugs than ever before. We examine whether these medications are safe. Also, a look at affordable housing that actually improves people’s lives. And one woman’s yearlong experiment consulting with ten self-help gurus. Plus, how Napoleon’s scientists opened up Egypt to the West.

Find out how you can participate in our new film series, Political Projections. You can watch a few selected movies about campaigns, and then tune in tomorrow, Jan. 8, for a discussion.

Misunderstandings

Friday, January 04, 2008

Using antibacterial soap may not be a good idea. A science writer explains why some germs are necessary for our survival. Plus, why a child may suddenly lose the ability to understand or use language. And Judith Thurman shares her best essays from 20-plus years at the New Yorker. And Please Explain is all about anger and aggression!

Stories You Don’t Hear

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Have you ever traveled to a destination only to find out it’s nothing like what you expected? A veteran travel writer shares what the major guidebooks aren’t telling you. Also: one man’s ten year quest to find a cure for cancer. And David Morse and Jim Norton discuss starring in the celebrated Broadway play, “The Seafarer.” Plus, Underreported looks at the year’s overlooked humanitarian stories.

Storytellers

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

We say goodbye to 2007 with a look at the past year's most overrated movies....then welcome in 2008 with some predictions for the world in the year ahead. Also: a journalist explains why she thinks the risks of fatal food allergies have been greatly exaggerated. And find out how political narratives are created for the candidates.

Be sure to check out our new film series Political Projections! We're asking you to watch a few movies about campaigns, and then tune in on Jan. 8 to contribute to the discussion.

The Reading Brain

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Find out how the human brain learns to read - and why some people have a hard time learning to read, as can be the case with dyslexics. Also: the story of an Ethiopian woman's mission to help AIDS orphans in her country. Junot Diaz talks about his hit novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. And the history of how the AP covers breaking news.

If you're wondering what to eat over the New Year's holiday, check out our recent New Year's food show.

And find out how you can participate in our new film series, Political Projections. We're asking you to watch a few movies about campaigns, and then tune in on Jan. 8 for a discussion.