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The Leonard Lopate Show

Thursday, January 29, 2009
  • Larry Wilmore

    Black Thoughts

    Larry Wilmore, senior black correspondent for "The Daily Show," explains why he'd like to replace the term "African-American" with "chocolate." Also, find out how robots are transforming modern combat. Plus, on Underreported: a look into Thailand’s complicated relationship with its royal family, and the ongoing political troubles there.

    Join us for a Leonard Lopate Show film screening! On Tues., Feb. 3, we'll watch Frank Capra's "American Madness." Find out more and RSVP.

Larry Wilmore's Black Thoughts

Larry Wilmore, senior black correspondent for "The Daily Show," shares his "Black Thoughts" - from why black people don't see UFOs, to his desire to replace the term "African-American" with "chocolate." His new book is I'd Rather We Got Casinos: And Other Black Thoughts.

Events:
Larry Wilmore will be speaking and signing books
Thursday Feb 12th at 7pm
BORDERS BOOKS/COLUMBUS CIRCLE
Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019

Robots on the Battlefield

Science fiction may be becoming a reality on the battlefield. Find out how robots are transforming modern combat. Military expert P.W. Singer’s latest book is Wired for War.

Events:
P.W. Singer will be speaking and signing books
Thursday Feb 5th at 7pm
Barnes & Nobel
82nd and Broadway

A Terrorist and an Author

Acclaimed writer Edmund White’s new play, "Terre Haute," premiering at 59E59 Theaters, explores the bond between a terrorist on death row and a famous writer. Peter Eyre and Nick Westrate co-star. It runs through February 15.

The Great Speciators

The bird family Zosteropidae – aka “White Eyes,” for the white feathers that frame their eyes – form new species at a rate faster than any other known bird, according to new research. Christopher Filardi, Biodiversity Scientist for the American Museum of Natural History, explains what these “Great Speciators” tell us about evolution and biodiversity.

Thai Royal Family

Underreported: Thailand’s Royal Family

Thailand recently banned the latest edition of the Economist magazine and jailed an Australian writer – both over negative comments about the Thai royal family. Brad Adams of Human Rights Watch tells us more about the Thai monarchy and press freedom, and gives us an update on the ongoing political troubles there.

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.