|
November 20 - 24, 2006
Monday, Nov. 20
Ten Dead, Five Years Probation
(Listen)
89-year old George Weller was convicted of 10 counts of vehicular manslaughter after he drove his car through a crowded block Santa Monica farmer's market. Today, Weller was sentenced to probation by a judge who said he believed the crime deserved imprisonment but the defendant was too sick to serve time. We'll hear from the emotional courtroom scene, as well as from a legal expert on how this sentence fits the crime.
Spoiled Rotten America
(Listen)
In an insightful and humorous book, actor and comedian Larry Miller explores and evaluates the everyday absurdities of American life. Spoiled Rotten America- Outrages of American Life (Harper Collins) contains seventeen comical essays and meditations on topics ranging from the plights of middle-aged drinking to the excesses of our eating habits.
- Larry Miller, Author, Spoiled Rotten America: Outrages of Everyday Life
Tuesday, Nov. 21
Director Robert Altman dies
(Listen)
Robert Altman, the five-time Academy award nominated director who received a lifetime achievement Oscar this year and gave movie audiences MASH, Nashville, The Player and Gosford Park, has died at 81. Actors Henry Gibson, who played Haven Hamilton in Nashville (1975), and Elliot Gould, who starred in MASH (1970), reminisce about the acclaimed filmmaker.
- Henry Gibson, actor who appeared in a number of Altman films, including Nashville
- Elliot Gould, actor who appeared in three Altman films, including a starring role in MASH
Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg
(Listen)
Over the course of her political career, Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles) has been elected to many positions including two terms with the LAUSD Board, two terms in the L.A. City Council, and three two-year terms in the State Assembly. After serving 23 years as an elected official, she's planning on going back to her original job as a teacher and is considering a return to where she began, in the school district of Compton. Jackie Goldberg joins Patt as she winds up her political career - from the free speech movement to the state legislature, love her or hate her, no one's been indifferent to her.
Isabel Allende - Inès of My Soul
(Listen)
In a new book by the author of The House of Spirits and Daughter of Fortune, Isabel Allende creates a fictional account of the life of a real conquistadora, Inès Suarez. Set against the backdrop of the Spanish conquest of South America, Inès of My Soul (Harper Collins), blends fact and fantasy into an unique narrative of Latin American history.
Ms. Allende will be giving a talk and signing books at Borders in Northridge, 9301 Tampa Ave. on Nov 27 at 7 pm, and at Writer's Bloc at the Skirball Cultural Center on Nov. 28 at 7:30 pm.
Wednesday, Nov. 22
How to Avoid a Jerry Springer Thanksgiving
(Listen)
The country is divided between Red States and Blue States. Those same political cleavages crop up in many American families. Bring everybody together for Thanksgiving and polite dinner conversations can quickly get nasty, especially if politics are on the table along with the cranberry sauce. How did the debate get so rancorous? Patt talks with Pierre Massimo Forni, Professor of Italian Literature and directory of the "Civility Initiative" at Johns Hopkins. The Civility Initiative aims to assess the significance of civility, manners and politeness in contemporary society. He's also author of Choosing Civility: The 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct.
I Could Have Sung All Night
(Listen)
She has a voice heard by millions, but a face recognized by few. Her name is Marni Nixon and she sang the songs that appeared in many of America's favorite movie musicals. During her career, Nixon dubbed lyrics for Deborah Kerr in The King and I, Natalie Wood in West Side Story and Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. Now she steps out of the shadows with the release her memoir, I Could Have Sung All Night.
- Marni Nixon, Author, I Could Have Sung All Night (Billboard Books)
Thursday, Nov. 23
Life Turns 70
(Listen)
Life magazine, best known for its unrivalled collection of photojournalism, is celebrating its 70th anniversary by releasing its most famous pictures - from world wars to Hollywood celebrities - in a coffee-table book. Robert Sullivan, Executive Editor of Life, speaks about the magazine's panoramic legacy.
- Robert Sullivan, Executive Editor of Life
Hospitality Under the Influence
(Listen)
In a book overflowing with recipes, craft ideas and advice, Amy Sedaris guides the reader through entertaining in her new book, I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence (Warner Books). Whether it's a first date or ladies' night, children's parties or a funeral, this book is sure to help you survive any social situation with a sense of humor.
Friday, Nov. 24
The Somewhat Private Life of Allen Ginsberg
(Listen)
In anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the publication of Allen Ginsberg's Howl and Other Poems, two new works have been released which detail the trials and tribulations the beatnik poet experienced throughout his life and career. I Celebrate Myself: The Somewhat Private Life of Allen Ginsberg (Viking) is an in-depth biography of Ginsberg's professional and personal life. The second book, Howl On Trial: The Battle for Free Expression (City Lights Publishers) recounts the story of editing, publishing, and defending the landmark poem while also providing an examination of obscenity issues and censorship of literary works.
- Bill Morgan, Author of I Celebrate Myself: The Somewhat Private Life of Allen Ginsberg (Viking), and Editor of Howl On Trial: The Battle for Free Expression (City Lights Publishers)
Master Filmmakers in Their Own Words
(Listen)
In Conversations with the Great Moviemakers of Hollywood's Golden Age, George Stevens, Jr. has brought together a collection of master filmmaker interviews from the American Film Institute's Harold Lloyd Master Seminar series. He opens each chapter with an entertaining description of the artist and his or her work, followed by the words of veteran directors, producers, cinematographers, and writers.
From Newsman to Movie star?
(Listen)
The BBC's Los Angeles correspondent David Willis spent the last six months trying to break into the movie business. He experienced some success, but more failure, all the while chronicling his adventures with head shots and auditions on the BBC's web site. Today he tells Patt his story.
- David Willis, BBC's Los Angeles Correspondent
|
