The Next Big Thing Archive

2006
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2005
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2004
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2003
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2002
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

August 2004

Representing

Friday, August 27, 2004

Stories of Republicans making their way to New York City, cricket players taking over the baseball diamond, and a 1968 Olympic track and field gold medalist helping to bring African runners up to speed. Also, Erin McKean goes to bat for the English language, and host Dean Olsher questions how representative a two-party system really is.

Listen to the whole show

Unsentimental Journey
Show #451

Friday, August 20, 2004

We look back at the many careers of a taxi driver, and at the remnants of two very different singing careers – one belonging to comedian Jonathan Katz, the other belonging to jazz violinist Matt Glaser’s mom. Also, a journey to a Drive-In movie theater in Vermont which doubles as a motel. Travels with wild plants and animals, low to the ground. And finally, a visit with a fictional character overwhelmed by domesticated animals, and domestic life more generally, performed by Steve Buscemi.

Listen to the whole show

On and On

Friday, August 13, 2004

Some things are seemingly endless - the minutiae of tax law, the training that goes into becoming a professional body builder, or that now-famous vocal interlude that launched Donna Summer to the top of the charts. And then there are things that ARE endless. Like infinity. This week, we dissect all that goes on and on, with the help of astrophysicist Janna Levin, writer Sven Lindqvist, and voice coach Betsy Parrish.

Listen to the whole show

A Careful Study

Friday, August 06, 2004

Profiles of people who are expert at paying very close attention –anthropologist Sherry Ortner, whose most recent subjects were fellow graduates of a New Jersey high school; pianist Jeremy Denk, who can spend months mastering a single composition; and Joanne Karpowitz, who years ago learned to "hear" the people around her just by watching them. Also this week, the sounds of old Penn Station, and of an extremely disgruntled housewife.