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The Reagan presidency was famous for its declaration of morning in America, no matter what time of day it was. And the man in charge of reminding the public that the sun was always on the horizon was Reagan's longtime deputy chief of staff Michael Deaver. In early 2001, Deaver told Bob about the techniques he used to shape the media coverage of his boss.
This weekend marks the ten-year anniversary of the murders of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson, a crime that culminated in the century's last "Trial of the Century." The televised proceedings of O.J.'s murder trial mesmerized America for nine months. But Slate.com Senior Editor Dahlia Lithwick can't quite figure out why. She joins Brooke to discuss courtroom drama's perfect storm
Two more journalists have been subpoenaed in the federal investigation into the tip that led columnist Robert Novak to out CIA operative Valerie Plame. NBC’s Tim Russert and Time Magazine’s Matthew Cooper say they never received the tip, but they will fight the subpoenas anyway because journalists, if they want to remain journalists, do not reveal their sources. Lucy Dalglish is the Executive Director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. She joins Bob to explain reporters’ privilege and whether the law will protect these journalists this time.
Over 30 years ago, Al Primo changed local TV news forever when he created the 'Eyewitness News' format. Now he trolls for a different demographic…the Mary-Kate and Ashley type. 'Eyewitness Kids News' is currently on about 200 stations across the country. NPR's Mike Pesca spent some time with a news team whose major competition is Saturday morning cartoons
This week the annual Pulitzer prizes were awarded, and among the many worthy recipients, the unlikeliest was Dan Neil, car critic for the Los Angeles Times. Unlikely, because with one exception, the criticism award has always gone to critics of the arts. But also because auto reviews tend to be regarded with a certain suspicion, since most newspapers depend on the goodwill of car dealership advertisers. Brooke reflects on the business of car criticism with Dan Neil, the Oscar Wilde of auto reviewers.
Legendary broadcaster Alistair Cooke died this week at the age of 95. For most Americans, Cooke was known as the erudite host of the PBS series Masterpiece Theatre. But for his fellow Britons, Cooke was much more esteemed for his weekly radio dispatches from across the pond, in the BBC's "Letter from America." Brooke reflects on the life and legacy of Alistair Cooke.
When you spin the radio dial, you know when you've hit National Public Radio. Its particular voice has been loved, derided and parodied for years. This week, NPR announced that one of its signature voices will make way for a new one. After 25 years as host of Morning Edition, Bob Edwards will leave his post on April 30th. Bob takes a few minutes on the other side of the microphone to reflect on his departure with Brooke.
This week, one of television's formative personalities passed away. During his reign at the helm of the Tonight Show between 1957 and 1962, Jack Paar chatted with rising stars and established ones. In the process, he showed America the human side of some of the world's most famous and powerful people. Brooke reflects on the career of Jack Paar.
