Day to Day

History and Horror

Friday, Jan. 6, 2006

Summary Judgment: Hostel, Casanova, BloodRayne
Mark Jordan Legan reviews what movie critics are saying about this week’s new film releases: Hostel, Casanova, and BloodRayne. Listen to the segment.

Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006

Explainer: Rose Bowl Shirts Headed to Haiti Andy Bowers explains what will happen to the thousands of USC Rose Bowl championship T-shirts merchants had hoped to start selling after Wednesday night’s big game. The Trojans lost to the University of Texas Longhorns in an exciting finish capped by a rushing touchdown by Texas’ quarterback in the final seconds. Listen to the segment. Human Guinea Pig: Mascot for a Day
Emily Yoffe describes her recent experience as a college sports mascot—the inflatable, 10-foot-tall “Big George” mascot for George Washington University. Listen to the segment.

Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006

Politics: Who’s Worried in Washington?
John Dickerson talks with Alex Chadwick about who in the nation’s capital may be nervous following lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s agreement to cooperate with federal prosecutors and testify about his illegal dealings with lawmakers and their staffs. Abramoff lavished luxury perks on scores of lawmakers and built a political alliance with high-ranking Republicans.
Listen to the segment.

Ad Report Card: Drop Dead, Jaguar
Seth Stevenson reviews the new television ad campaign for the luxury car company Jaguar. The TV spots feature well-dressed, “gorgeous” people in exotic locations—and just a hint of elitism that targets middle-aged men looking to attract younger women. Listen to the segment.

Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006

Sports Nut: The Overrated USC Trojans
Is the University of Southern California’s undefeated football team as mighty as conventional wisdom suggests? On the eve of the Rose Bowl, Alex Chadwick talks with Jonathan Chait, senior editor at the New Republic, about whether the current Trojan lineup represents one of the greatest teams in college history. USC plays the University of Texas in Wednesday’s championship game. Both teams have been undefeated this season. Listen to the segment.

Explainer: Stealing Natural Gas From a Pipeline
Russia and the Ukraine continue to argue over increased fuel prices. If Russia cuts off its natural-gas supply to Ukraine, as it has threatened to do, things could get tense—Andy Bowers explains how to steal natural gas from a pipeline. Listen to the segment.

Jurisprudence: Judge Alito’s Paper Trail
Alex Chadwick talks with Dahlia Lithwick about the U.S. National Archives’ most recent release of documents concerning Judge Samuel Alito, nominated to replace Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court. The documents add to a lengthy paper trail detailing Alito’s judicial philosophy and will be a key part of his upcoming confirmation hearings in the U.S. Senate. Listen to the segment.

Monday, Jan. 2, 2006

Sports Nut: Rating College TV Ads
Mike DeBonis talks about commercials for colleges and universities that run during television broadcasts of college football games. Listen to the segment.