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The Leonard Lopate Show
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Around the World in G8 Days
We’ll get an update on the G8 summit in Italy from John Peet, editor of the Economist, followed by a look at President Obama's trip to Russia. The co-writers of "Shrek the Musical" talk about adapting a hit movie franchise into a Broadway show. Then, the story of Pyotr Smirnov, an uneducated serf in Czarist Russia who founded a vodka distillery and became one of country's wealthiest and most prominent merchants. Plus, this week’s Underreported looks at Pakistan's refugee crisis and Backstory goes over the history of coups in Central America.
G8 Expectations
The leaders of the world's richest economies have gathered in L'Aquila, Italy to discuss problems they all face, including the economic slump and climate change. John Peet, European editor of the Economist, joins us to look at what’s come out of the G8 meeting so far and what we can expect on the summit's final day.
From Russia with Love
Before President Obama went to Italy, he headed to Russia. We look at what came out of Obama's visit and what the meeting means for both countries with Steven Cohen, contributing editor to the Nation and author of Soviet Fates and Lost Alternatives: From Stalinism to the Cold War. Plus, we'll find out the role that Russia is playing the ongoing G8 summit.
Shrek the Musical
David Lindsay-Abaire, who wrote the book and lyrics, and Jeanine Tesori, who wrote the music for "Shrek the Musical," talk about the Broadway production, based on the story and characters from William Steig's book Shrek!, as well as the DreamWorks Animation film "Shrek," the first of the "Shrek" movie series. "Shrek the Musical" is playing at the Broadway Theatre. More information and tickets here.
King of Vodka
Linda Himelstein depicts Russia's golden age through the eyes of the former serf-turned vodka entrepreneur, Pyotr Arsenievich Smirnov. Her book King of Vodka: The Story of Pyotr Smirnov and the Upheaval of an Empire tells his story, from his early days as a small-time liquor peddler to one of Russia's richest men.
Underreported: Pakistan's Humanitarian Crisis
The Pakistani government's campaign against Taliban insurgents has created over 2 million internally displaced refugees in Pakistan. On today's Underreported we'll speak with Dominic MacSorley, who recently returned from Mardan District in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province. He is Director of Operations of Concern Worldwide USA.
Backstory: Coups in Central America
Though the recent coup in Honduras is the first to take place in Central America since the end of the Cold War, the incident is part of a long history of political upheaval and military-sponsored coups in the region. On today's Backstory we'll put the turmoil in Honduras into historical and political context with Stephen Schlesinger. He’s an adjunct fellow at the Century Foundation and the former Director of the World Policy Institute at the New School.
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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.
Video Pick: David Chang on Momofuku
The Leonard Lopate Show
Recent Videos:
- Arthur Schwartz on The Southern Italian Table
- David Plouffe on The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama’s Historic Victory
- Ken Auletta on Googled: The End of the World as We Know It
- Paul Shaffer on We’ll Be Here for the Rest of Our Lives: A Swingin' Show-Biz Saga
- George Steel on the New York City Opera’s new season
- Gail Collins on When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of Women from 1960 to the Present
- Comments [1]
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.
- Comments [33]
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.
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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.
- Comments [9]
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.
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