Friday, Dec. 30, 2005
Culturebox: A Dinner for One Tradition
Farai Chideya talks to Jude Stewart, reporting from Berlin, about an unexpected New Year’s Eve tradition in Germany. Every year, tens of millions watch an old British television comedy sketch called Dinner for One. Listen to the segment.
Summary Judgment: Munich, The Matador, Match Point
Mark Jordan Legan surveys what film critics are saying about major movie releases this week: Steven Spielberg’s controversial film Munich, The Matador with Pierce Brosnan in a comedic turn, and Woody Allen’s Match Point. Listen to the segment.
Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005
Explainer: Inmates on Suicide Watch
Andy Bowers explains what happens when an inmate is placed on “suicide watch.” The increased monitoring of prisoners behind bars typically occurs in the days and hours before an inmate is scheduled to be executed. Listen to the segment.
Jurisprudence: The Year In Law
Farai Chideya talks with Dahlia Lithwick about the year in law, including the controversies over President Bush’s power to conduct wiretaps and detain suspects without access to courts in the so-called “war on terror.” Listen to the segment.
Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2005
Culturebox: Rapping to Chronicles of Narnia
Farai Chideya talks to Josh Levin about a recent Saturday Night Live rap parody called “Lazy Sunday” that follows two SNL stars as they wake up late, get cupcakes, and go see a movie—all to a hard-core hip-hop beat. The video has been a popular download on the Web, and Levin says it’s evidence the rap music industry may need to re-evaluate its direction. Listen to the segment.Ad Report Card: The Gap’s Slick Campaign
Seth Stevenson dissects a new Gap ad the company developed to explain upcoming store renovations in certain cities. Stevenson says the company missed an opportunity to poke fun at its image troubles by using a big-budget, well-directed ad. Listen to the segment.Explainer: Adding a “Leap Second” to 2005
Andy Bowers explains why U.S. atomic clocks are adding a “leap second” on New Year’s Eve. The extra second is needed to match clocks with the gradual slowing of the Earth’s rotation. Listen to the segment.
