The Next Big Thing
Taking Sides
Show #440
Friday, June 04, 2004
A look at things from all sides. At a time when American politics are radically polarized, TNBT’s Amanda Aronczyk talks to voters who have changed their party allegiances. In the world of baseball, we bring you Boston writer Steve Almond with a note of warning to Red Sox fans, and then our own Red Sox fan Michael Kavanagh, who takes us behind the scoreboard at Fenway Park. Also this week, historian Josh Freeman on class mobility and immobility on the New York subway. And a surreal audio postcard that may or may not be from Spain, by Natalie Kestecher.
When Worlds Collide
A romantic comedy about ex-lovers who haven’t seen each other for trillions of years. Written and performed by Mark O’Donnell with Mary Purdy. Produced by Curtis Fox.
30-Second Biography
Wherever he goes, reporter Josh Chaffin likes to put this question to the people he encounters: what’s your life story – in 30 seconds? The answers are rarely what you’d expect. Produced by Michael Kavanagh.
Cross-Class Express
Host Dean Olsher and historian Joshua Freeman, of Queens College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, take the 4 train from the Bronx all the way down to Wall Street – a ride that tells an interesting story about class in the city.
Giving Thanks
A true story about a panhandler who’s turned a corner, as witnessed by New York-based actress and subway rider, Sheila Head.
She’s Out
Women umpires are not allowed to officiate major league games, but that’s not for lack of interest on their part. Dean gets the score from Perry Lee Barber. She’s been restricted to the unaffiliated minor leagues for over twenty years, but is determined to get off the bench. Produced by Amanda Aronczyk.
Baseball in Numbers
Baseball has turned into a geek's game of percentages, averages, and probabilities. But inside the scoreboard of Fenway Park's iconic left field wall they're still keeping score the same way they were the last time the Red Sox won the World Series, eighty-six years ago. WBUR’s April Peavey goes behind the Green Monster and TNBT's Michael Kavanagh tells the story.
Message to Red Sox Nation
Although poet and writer Steve Almond lives in Boston, he does not share fellow Beantown residents’ love/hate feelings for the home team. In fact, he’d like to put forth this gentle admonition, as playoff season reaches fever pitch. Produced by Julie Subrin.
Steve Almond has kinder words for Fenway Park than he does for the fans that gather there. He put them in a poem called "Fen." Listen.
Party Hopping
Seven reasons why people switch political parties – ranging from exasperation to calculation. Next Big Thing’s Amanda Aronczyk offers this primer on American political mobility.
Not Spain
Postcards from Spain, or from a place that sounds like Spain. Sent to us by Natalie Kestecher, who wrote and produced the piece for the Australian Broadcasting Company’s series "Radio Eye." The male voice belongs to Javier LaTorre. Sound by Roi Huberman and Judy Rapely. Poetry by Pablo Neruda.
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