On Demand
The Leonard Lopate Show
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Changing the Tune
Ralph Stanley, known for his version of the song "Man of Constant Sorrow," talks about his life in music and the signature sound he helped create. Then, cultural critic David Lehman looks into the Jewish origins of much of the American songbook—from jazz standards to show-tunes to iconic love songs. Also, Kamila Shamsie talks about Burnt Shadows, her new novel. Plus, Sir Harold Evans on his life in journalism and how he developed his unique reportorial voice.
Come see Andre Agassi on the Leonard Lopate Show live in the Greene Space on November 11! Get tickets here!
Man of Constant Sorrow
Ralph Stanley looks back on his long career as the patriarch of old-time mountain music. In Man of Constant Sorrow, he tells the story of how music now popular around the world was created by two brothers from a dying southern mountain culture.
A Fine Romance
Poet, editor, and cultural critic David Lehman looks at the origins of the American songbook—jazz standards, iconic love songs, and famous movie sound tracks. In his book A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs, explores the fact that the majority of this music was written exclusively by Jews.
Event: David Lehman will be speaking and he’ll be joined by pianist Jonathan Breit and vocalists Thomas Dolan, Hannah Oberman-Breindel, and Megan Stern
Tuesday, November 10th, at 8:15 pm
The 92nd Street Y
1395 Lexington Avenue, at 92nd Street
Tickets $27. More information and tickets here. Or call 212-415-5500.
Burnt Shadows
Kamila Shamsie talks about her novel Burnt Shadows, an epic narrative of love and betrayal that spans more than half a century, from the bombing of Nagazaki, the partition of India, to the days after 9/11 in the United States and Afghanistan, and tells the story of two intertwined families.
Event: Kamila Shamsie will be in discussion with Hari Kunzru, moderated by Robert Polito
Tuesday, November 10, at 7:00 pm
Barnes & Noble, Union Square
33 East 17 Street
My Paper Chase
Sir Harold Evans recounts the tale of his life as a newspaperman, from his very first job, to becoming editor of the Sunday Times and The Times of London, and then his move into book publishing, becoming president and publisher of Random House. In My Paper Chase: True Stories of Vanished Times he discusses his crusading reporting style, his belief that journalism should improve the lives of those less fortunate, and his feuds with politicians, government, the court, and Rupert Murdoch.
Events: Harold Evans will be reading and signing books
Wednesday, November 11, at 7:00 pm
Barnes & Noble, Upper East Side
150 East 86th Street, at Lexington Avenue
He will also be reading and signing books
Thursday, November 19, at 7:00 pm
The Strand Bookstore
828 Broadway, at 12th Street
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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.
- Comments [1]
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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