Friday, June 18, 2004

Dispatches: Undercover at a High-School Prom
Twentysomething writer David Amsden goes the extra mile when investigating America's obsession with youth for Slate—he goes undercover at a high-school prom, with a 17-year-old young woman as his date. And he swears it's more absurd than titillating. Listen to the segment.

Explainer: Byline Strike at the Wall Street Journal
Andy Bowers explains why some Wall Street Journal reporters withheld their bylines from stories for several days this week. It was a "byline strike"—a mild form of labor action designed to get management's attention. Listen to the segment.

Summary Judgment: The Terminal, Dodgeball, Around the World in 80 Days
If you are thinking of seeing a movie this weekend, you may want to hear what Ben Williams has to say about Tom Hanks in The Terminal, Ben Stiller in Dodgeball and Jackie Chan in Around the World in 80 Days. Listen to the segment.

Thurday, June 17, 2004

Swingers: Missouri, the "Show Me" State
Day to Day and Slate debut an occasional series of profiles of so-called "swing states" in the 2004 presidential election—states that are not strongly leaning to either candidate or political party. Chris Suellentrop talks with NPR's Madeleine Brand about the first featured state, Missouri. Listen to the segment.

Moneybox: U.S. Bonds a Poor Investment
Dan Gross explains why so many foreigners are buying U.S. government bonds—and why it's not such a good investment. Listen to the segment.

Jurisprudence: Steven Oken's Death Sentence
NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to Dahlia Lithwick about the Steven Oken death penalty case, the reversal of Oken's stay of execution and whether the execution is likely to proceed as scheduled. Listen to the segment.

Wednesday, June 16, 2004

Ad Report Card: Awards Honor Artistic Ads
Seth Stevenson sends an audio dispatch from an awards show that honors commercials not for their ability to sell things, but for their artistic merit. Listen to the segment.