On Demand
The Next Big Thing
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Representing
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.
Party Preparations
You might expect Republican National Convention delegates to express reservations about playing guest to a not entirely welcoming host city. These delegates from Vermont, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin suggest otherwise. Produced by Matt Lieber and Emily Botein.
Political Parties: Who Needs Them?
Host Dean Olsher poses the question to three men who have spent a lot of time thinking about this sort of thing: Gordon S. Wood, a professor of history at Brown University; Stephen Coleman, a professor of eDemocracy at the Oxford Internet Institute; and Michael Munger, a professor of political science, economics, and public policy at Duke University. Produced by Matt Lieber.
Domesticated Cricket
What takes three hours, is played on a diamond-shaped field and features a designated hitter? Nope, not baseball. It’s ProCricket, an Americanized version of cricket that some diehard immigrant cricket players hope will take hold. They introduced Next Big Thing contributor Blake Eskin to the sport. Produced by Emily Botein.
Thinking about Your Race
At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Lee Evans and his track and field teammates gained renown for their medal-winning races, and also for their Black Power political gestures on the medal stand. Since then, that moment of glory (and controversy) has faded. But as contributor Anderson Allen tells us, Evans has continued to make his mark in quieter ways, on and off the track. Produced by Jamie York.
“When There’s Things That Have Need of Affixing…”
Those who are loath to pick up a dictionary might change their minds after they hear what Chris Strolin has done with it. Strolin is editor of the OEDILF (Omnificent English Dictionary in Limerick Form), which will render all words in the English language in clever verse. Working alphabetically, he and his team are up to words beginning with “ah.” Produced by Jill Krauss.
» For more information, go to OEDILF
Novelist to the Rescue, Part I
Dictionary editor Erin McKean is a woman with a mission: to save disappearing words from extinction. This week, she attempts to recruit novelist Meg Wolitzer as a frontline soldier in her cause. Produced by Julie Subrin.
Farewell to a Composer
Few know the name David Raksin, but the music he wrote for the film “Laura” has been re-visited by many musicians over the years. Host Dean Olsher met Raksin, and remembers a particularly moving exchange.
Protest Songs
Heard in Central Park, at the Delacorte Theater, a week before protests are underway: the politically charged lyrics of Antibalas, a Nigerian group that takes as its inspiration Fela Kuti, the late musical giant. Produced by Sherre Delys.
» For more information, Go to Antibalas
