Weekend America | About


About Stations Past Shows Podcast	Contact Us Newsletter RSS Feed Pitch a Story

How did your life collide with the headlines in 2007?
Iraq, the subprime crisis, Facebook, immigration, oil prices - 2007 had no shortage of hefty headlines. We'd like to hear about how these and other major news events of the past year affected you. Where did your life collide with the news in 2007?

What's your holiday performance story?
The office talent show, the neighborhood caroling posse, the school pageant ... At holiday time we often sing, dance, and dress as shepherds. Did you bloom in the warmth of your audience's adulation, or freeze up like the snowman you'd rather be building? Did your holiday performance change your life or that of someone close to you?

» About the Show
» Staff
» Careers
» Internships
» Pitch a Story

Pilots

RECENTLY PRODUCED
Program segments from April 24, 2004

"Good Morning Iraq"
RealAudio
Remember the movie "Good Morning Vietnam?" Well, military deejays are still talking to troops, and we wanted to know what it's like behind the microphone in Baghdad. For the last several months Sergeant Sandra Mercado (AKA "Nikki Cage") has been hosting the morning show on Freedom Radio, broadcasting to soldiers around Iraq, from Baghdad to Tikrit to Mosul. We gave her a call, and surprised her with a special guest: Adrian Cronauer, the former Army deejay of "Good Morning Vietnam" fame. (April 24, 2004)

Transgender Voices Festival

RealAudio
There's a choir, a cabaret, voice instruction...and we go live to the event to hear all about it. (April 24, 2004)

Program segments from April 17, 2004

K. Switzer

Running While Female

RealAudio
Think running 26 miles is tough? Back in 1967, it was almost impossible - for a woman, that is. Contributor Ian Chillag brings us the story of Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with an official bib number, and the people who tried to stop her. (April 17, 2004)

"Driving Mr. Wouk"

RealAudio
You know those cool hybrid cars we're seeing on the nation's highways and byways? The technology for these enviro-friendly wheels was first developed way back in the 1970s by Dr. Victor Wouk. Host Barbara Bogaev and Dr. Wouk go for a ride. (April 17, 2004)

B. Charles

Interview: Bobby Charles

RealAudio
Bobby Charles: You might not know the name, but you know his songs. Bobby Charles is the mind behind tunes like Bill Haley's "See You Later Alligator" and Fats Domino's "Walking to New Orleans." He was also the first white artist to be picked up by the Chess label. Bobby hasn't performed live in years, but he'll be the headliner at this year's at the Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans, April 27 and 28. Host Marco Werman chats with him at his home on the Louisiana shore.(April 17, 2004)

Program segments from April 10, 2004

Patricia Murphy

Taming the Snake

RealAudio
Every once in a while we come across a colleague working on something so wonderful, we get impatient waiting for the tape to come in. That's the case this week. This work-in-progress is a documentary about heroin addiction and treatment, from Patricia Murphy at KUOW in Seattle, Washington. She's calling it "Taming the Snake." In drug culture, heroin is often referred to as a snake that always needs to be fed. Two of Patricia's close friends were addicts. One is in a sober house, the other, Pete, committed suicide two years ago. (April 10, 2004)

Training Material #1 - Work-in-Progress

Faith
RealAudio
This weekend is holy for a number of faiths; this year even Greek, Russian and Eastern Orthodox Easters coincide with the traditional Easter weekend, which doesn't usually happen. We listen to a Greek Orthodox service which Web casts the liturgy live. Japanese Buddhists also celebrate this day, and in Iraq, Muslims are celebrating a Shiite pilgrimage holiday, Arbaeen. We close the hour with a sound portrait of how Americans are celebrating now. (April 10, 2004)

PILOT, VOLUME 2
August, 2003
Introduction From Jim Russell, PRW Executive Producer

RealAudio

MP3

Good Morning, Mr. President
RealAudio
MP3
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be in the Oval Office when the president gets his national security briefings? This segment is a simulated national security briefing. But, here's the twist. The "actors" are real! The fellow doing the briefing is former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger. And the guy being briefed is former presidential press secretary Ron Nessen. (Inventor: Jim Russell; Producers: Ron Nessen and Jim Russell)

Picking up the thread of a story
RealAudio
MP3
Iraqi Playing Cardswhose idea were they anyway? What were they designed to accomplish and ... did they? (Inventor: Martha Little; Producer: Jon Beaupre; Editor: Tim Owens)

Lessons of History
RealAudio
MP3
He who does not learn from history is doomed to repeat it. Where exactly has the United States successfully "imposed" democracy? A fascinating in-depth analysis of why our history of democracy building isn't anything to write home about. (Inventor and Producer: John Barth; Editor: Tim Owens)

Topical Humor
RealAudio
MP3
Standup comedian Tim Bedore analyzes the humor of "topical barometers" Leno, Letterman and Jon Stewart. What worked and why? (Inventor: Laurie Selik; Producers: Tim Bedore, Tim Owens, Laurie Selik)

Listening Posts #1:
RealAudio
MP3
What's the buzz around the country? We ask local talk show hosts what people are talking about. (Producers Tim Owens with Steve Scher (KUOW, Seattle); Angie Coiro (KQED, San Francisco); Maxine Humphreys (WGRV, Greenville, TN) (Inventor: Dennis Hamilton; Producer: Jon Beaupre, Editor Tim Owens)

Space Shuttle
RealAudio
MP3
How would Public Radio Weekend deal with breaking hard news? Here's a perfect (telescoped) example of what PRW would have sounded like if it had been on the air during the Columbia disaster. David Brown and Pat Duggins (WMFE, Orlando). (Producer: Tim Owens)

Fusion Art
RealAudio
MP3
Is it a new art form, or a merger of old art forms? Is it good art, bad art, or just innovative art? And, what does it tell us that the Japanese concertmeister speaks English, French, and German—but not Japanese? Nicole Sawaya profiles Japanese-American conductor Kent Nagano. (Inventor and Producer: Nicole Sawaya; Editor: Tim Owens)

Critically Thinking
RealAudio
MP3
Our weekly arts panel—publisher Doug McLennan, former NEH Chairman Bill Ferris and visual arts critic Regina Hackett—reviews the top arts cities in America and asks why these cities excel? (Inventor: Doug McLennan; Producers: Doug McLennan and Laurie Selik)

Moon Pie Festival
RealAudio
MP3
Let's go do a weekend activity. How about the RC Cola and Moon Pie Festival in Bell Buckle, Tennessee? Very tasty and very sticky. Hal Humphreys reports. (Producer: Tim Owens)

Moon Pie Festival #2
RealAudio
MP3
Web Exclusive!
PRW returns live to the RC Cola and Moon Pie Festival in Bell Buckle, TN for a hula hoop contest and a taste treat with reporter Hal Humphries. (Producer: Tim Owens)

How to Outsmart Telemarketers
RealAudio
MP3
Don't get mad, get even. Getting even is so sweet. How do you get even with those intruders who disrupt every quiet meal? (Producer: Doug Everett, KXJZ)

Listening Posts #2
RealAudio
MP3
Another in our weekly series of monitoring the buzz through the ears of local talk show hosts. Brian Lehrer (WNYC, New York); Rachel Goodman (KUSP, Santa Cruz); and Vangie Vigil-Piñón (KTRK, Houston) (Inventor: Dennis Hamilton; Producer: Jon Beaupre; Editor: Tim Owens)

Adam Borstein
RealAudio
MP3
Web Exclusive!
Have you ever had a problem that you couldn't solve when finally ask yourself, What would someone else do if they had your dilemma? Commentator Adam Borstein wonders, What George Bush would do? (Producer: Adam Borstein)

Look, This Works: Health Assist
RealAudio
MP3
Web Exclusive!
This segment explores grassroots, community solutions that really work and that could serve as models for other communities. Reporter Leda Hartman looks at the Health Assist project in western North Carolina. (Inventor: Bill Siemering; Producer: Leda Hartman; Editor: Tim Owens)

Learn about the pilot, or listen and send your thoughts in an e-mail to mail@publicradioweekend.org.

Audition the pilot here on the Web (and enjoy the bonus cuts too!)

Listen to a 12-minute sample:
RealAudio | MP3

Listen to the whole show:
Hour 1 | Hour 2 (RealAudio)
or listen to show segments below.

Part 1 (Duration: 15:00)

Humor Roundtable: Comedians Patton Oswald, Dana Gould, and Jerry Minor satirize coverage of the Iraq situation.

Peter Jennings on his book In Search of America

Part 2 (Duration: 9:30)

We ask: Who would you like to spend your weekend with?

Jason Fine's top five music picks

Eavesdropping: We listen in as a client of Artistic Demographics tattoo studio stays cool and calm while getting his first tattoo.

Part 3 (Duration: 9:30)

Social Guidance Films: Eric Nuzum takes us back to a moral world that never really existed.

Part 4 (Duration: 11:00)

Mr. Saturday Night: Check out what's happening from New York to California, from dive bars to opera houses.

A recipe from Alex Chadwick

Part 5 (Duration: 9:00)

60 Seconds in Cars: Andrew Prieboy gives tips on how to enhance your image with a weekend rent-a-car.

Penn Jillette on Bruce Springsteen: You can be like the Boss, as Jillette demonstrates in a karaoke "Born to Run."

Part 1 (Duration: 15:00)

Call Out: Coffeehouse patrons in Ohio share thoughts about going to war with Iraq.

Scott Simon: The NPR journalist demonstrates his personalizing approach to stories in interviews with an ex-firefighter and a tavern owner in New York.

Five essential movies: Film historian and critic Leonard Maltin offers his choices for every home video collection.

Part 2 (Duration: 9:30)

Backstage with Lyle Lovett And Bonnie Raitt: Producer Molly Murphy talks with country stars Lyle Lovett and Bonnie Raitt at Chicago's Ravinia Festival.

My First Time: A variety of people share the sensual - and sometimes awkward - moments from their first time.

Part 3 (Duration: 9:30)

E Jean Carroll: Elle Magazine's lady of love, E Jean Carroll, addresses the traditional issues of finding Mr./Mrs. Right.

60 Seconds with Sue: Bluff your way through sports!

Part 4 (Duration: 11:00)

Behind the Scenes of "The Bernie Mac Show:" Head writer Larry Wilmore leads us into the writers' room to discover what makes an award-winning sitcom.

Love and Music: Writer Ann Randolph went online searching for the perfect mate.

Part 5 (Duration: 7:30)

Stupid Pet Songs: Former Devo drummer David Kendrick and Wall of Voodoo musician/playwright Andrew Prieboy share their silly - yet still musical - Stupid Pet Songs.

We have more great listening than we could possibly squeeze into two short hours. Enjoy these bonus cuts.

Air Quality (Duration: 4:55)
Music critic Christian Bordal and longtime Los Angeles DJ Jed the Fish discuss how radio industry consolidation has affected listening.

Lying to Parents (Duration: 4:50)
Youth Radio looks at the issue of teens lying to their parents from both the teens' and parents' point of view.

Stump the Chef I (Duration: 4:33)
Splendid Table host Lynne Rossetto Kasper is challenged to create a recipe from what Whad'Ya Know host Michael Feldman has in his refrigerator.

Stump the Chef II (Duration: 4:29)
This time Lynne conjures up a recipe for NPR's JazzSet host Dee Dee Bridgewater.

Ethnic Chow (Duration: 2:00)
Jim Leff, the Chowhound at Chowhound.com, talks about ethnic foods, ethnic music, and what makes it authentic.

Dining with Baby (Duration: 2:52)
Eve Epstein longs for a time before children, when dining out with her husband was romantic.

On the Grill (Duration: 2:39)
Maria Hinojosa of Public Radio's Latino USA describes her favorite recipes for the grill.

Afropop Pick (Duration: 2:00)
Afropop Worldwide producer Sean Barlow discusses the influence of New Orlean's jazz and world music on one group of performers.

Women's Music (Duration: 4:38)
Music critic Christian Bordal visits a "Chick Singers Night" in Hollywood where women take to the stage and try out their talent.

Echoes Pick (Duration: 2:00)
Echoes' John Dileberto explores the resurrection of psychedelic music in London and examines a new CD by Isthmus.

Comedy Classics (Duration: 5:37)
Murray Horwitz and Merrill Markoe review the life and comedy of stand-up comedian Redd Foxx.

The Trades with Harry Shearer (Duration: 3:25)
The comedian talks about a new wave of advertising tactics.

The Swimmer (Duration: 3:03)
Teresa McHeather talks about her love of ocean swimming in Southern California.

Over the Transom (Duration: 4:55)
Jeremy Hobson talks with veteran public radio producer Jay Alison about his compelling radio Web site, transom.org.

Public Radio Mentors (Duration: 3:16)
Jeremy Hobson talks with ABC-TV's Robert Krulwich about discovering new talent.

Public Radio Mix (Duration: 2:33)
A compressed version of some of public radio's better-known programs including A Prairie Home Companion, Marketplace, Whad'Ya Know and Morning Edition.