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The Leonard Lopate Show

Wednesday, July 23, 2008
  • scantron
    (peater/flickr)

    Testing, Testing

    Students, schools, and teachers are often judged by their standardized test scores. What do tests like the MCAT and the SATs really measure, and how often are they misunderstood and misused? Also: hear the story of the small-time Dutch painter who successfully forged Vermeers. Independent filmmaker David Gordon Green. And former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel talks about his long political career devoted to fighting the rise of American militarism.

    We're hosting another FREE Lopate Show film screening on Monday, August 4! We'll be watching the 1972 film "The Candidate." Seats are limited, so RSVP soon. Find out more.

Mike Gravel’s Political Odyssey

From his release of the Pentagon Papers in 1971, to his recent shoestring campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel has devoted much of his long career in politics to fighting the rise of American militarism. His new memoir, co-written with Joe Lauria, is A Political Odyssey: The Rise of American Militarism and One Man’s Fight to Stop It.

Art Hoax

During WWII, a small-time Dutch painter Han van Meegeren managed to pass off his own paintings as those of Johannes Vermeer. Edward Dolnick’s new book about what’s been called the greatest art hoax of the twentieth century is The Forger’s Spell.

Event: Edward Dolnick will be speaking and signing books
Wednesday, July 23 at 7 pm
Barnes & Noble Upper West Side
2289 Broadway (at 82nd Street)

The Films of David Gordon Green

David Gordon Green has been called “one of the most interesting and idiosyncratic independent filmmakers of the last decade.” BAM is hosting a retrospective of films called "All the Real Americans: The World of David Gordon Green." It runs through July 24 and the films include “The Gravy Train” (1974) and “Tango and Cash” (1989).

Events:
David Gordon Green will be at BAM (30 Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn)
Wednesday July 23 at 6:50 pm
to introduce the film "The Gravy Train"
and
Thursday July 24 at 7:30 pm
for a Q&A following his latest work "The Pineapple Express"

What Educational Testing Really Tells Us

Students, schools, and teachers are often judged by their standardized test scores. Find out what tests like the MCAT and the SATs really measure, and how often are they misunderstood and misused. Daniel Koretz is author of Measuring Up.

Do you think your standardized test scores have been an accurate reflection of your abilities? Do the test results get too much emphasis?

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?