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The Leonard Lopate Show

Friday, January 11, 2008
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    Money Money Money

    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.

Mel Brooks’ "Young Frankenstein"

In the new Mel Brooks musical "Young Frankenstein," New York surgeon Frederick Frankenstein inherits a castle in Transylvania from his grandfather…and then must decide whether to move there and carry on his grandfather’s mad experiments. Roger Bart and Andrea Martin co-star. It’s now playing at the Hilton Theatre, at 213 West 42nd Street.

“Young Frankenstein” website, including ticket info

Padma Lakshmi: Tangy Tart Hot and Sweet

Actress, model, and food star Padma Lakshmi’s new cookbook is Tangy Tart Hot and Sweet: A World of Recipes for Every Day.

Padma's recipe for BBQ Korean Short Ribs
2 cups light soy sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon cayenne
2 cloves garlic, minced
1⁄2 teaspoon crushed Sichuan pepper (substitute plain black peppercorns in a pinch)
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons canola oil
1⁄2 cup chopped fresh chives
1⁄2 cup toasted sesame seeds
1 teaspoon dried mango powder
4 pounds beef short ribs

Mix all ingredients except the ribs in a large bowl. Combine well.
Place the ribs in a baking dish and pour the mixture over them.
Slather the ribs with your hands to coat them well and evenly with the sauce.
Marinate for 2 to 3 hours, covered, at room temperature.

Heat the grill. Place the ribs on the grill rack or barbecue when the coals are glowing red hot and white and the flames have died down, and baste with any leftover sauce.
Turn often to cook both sides, until the meat is brown, tender, and caramelized.
Serves 4–6

If you can't see the video click here

Padma Lakshmi’s website

Ian McShane in "The Homecoming"

Harold Pinter's 1967 Tony Award-winning play "The Homecoming" has returned to Broadway. Ian McShane of "Deadwood" stars as a difficult father.

"The Homecoming" website, including ticket info

Please Explain: The History of Money

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. Numismatist Douglas Mudd is the curator of The American Numismatic Association's Money Museum and author of All the Money in the World.

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?