Best of Public Radio

On Saturdays at 4 pm, NHPR presents documentaries, special reports and features. Tune in for a sampling of the very best in public radio.

April-June 2008

Whole Lotta Shakin'
is an exciting documentary series of 10 hour-long programs that explores rockabilly, the brash, fast-paced 1950s mix of blues, gospel, jazz, country and popular music that is a foundation of rock and roll. Hosted by Rosie Flores, the series visits the cradle of rockabilly, Memphis, and presents the music's female stars. It profiles the influential radio program, "The Louisiana Hayride" and explores the rockabilly sounds of California.  In an era when America was tuning into Patti Page and Mitch Miller, rockabilly was a bold, young upstart.  "Whole Lotta Shakin'" profiles the stars of the genre, including Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Buddy Holly, and shares the stories of the period's best-loved songs, from "Rave On" to "I Walk the Line."  

Past Programs (for more: see Best of Public Radio 2007)

   
   
March-April 2008 Radio Lab
  Radio Lab returns for its fourth season with five new programs.  This season includes stories about deception, ear worms, and the borders of life.  Radio Lab is an experiential investigation that explores themes and ideas through a patchwork of people, sounds, and stories. In each episode, Radio Lab experiments with sound and style allowing science to fuse with culture and information to sound like music.  Hosted by Jad Abumrad with co-host Robert Krulwich, Radio Lab is designed for listeners who demand skepticism but appreciate wonder; who are curious about the world, but also want to be moved and surprised.
  April 5: (So Called) Life
  March 29: Love
  March 22: Pop Music
  March 15: War of the Worlds
  March 8: Deception
  March 1: Laughter
   
February 23 Swingtime
  During the 1930s and 1940s, many black schools in the U.S. fielded traveling swing bands to keep their doors open during the Depression. Narrator Tonea Stewart profiles three of the era's most famous bands in "Swingtime," an hour-long showcase of the Bama State Collegians, the Prairie View Co-eds and the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.  The traveling ensembles influenced mainstream music on a grand scale. Harlem's top jazz orchestras pulled talent from these bands, whose members made enduring contributions to American culture.  Stewart artfully weaves the era's music around interviews with surviving band members, scholarly commentary and archival sound from now-deceased band members, including the great Erskine Hawkins. 
   
February 16 Memories of the Movement
  The years of the Civil Rights Movement are counted among the most volatile yet vibrant times in American history. The people and events that shaped this period range from charismatic preachers and actors to students and domestic workers.  To celebrate the courage, conviction and commitment of the everyday people who made extraordinary contributions to American social progress, Tavis Smiley presents "Memories of the Movement."  This powerful special features the poignant, humorous, unheard, or little known stories and anecdotes from living civil rights icons like actors Harry Belafonte and Ruby Dee, preachers like Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Amos Brown, Editor Emeritus of "Ebony" magazine Lerone Bennett Jr., folk singer Odetta, Asian activist Yuri Kochiyama and a host of others. 
   
February 9 The Little Rock Nine
  On September 25, 1957, nine black students entered racially segregated Central High School in Little Rock, Ark. Their goal was to receive the same quality education afforded their white counterparts.  Who were the history-making, tradition-breaking Little Rock Nine? Most Americans only knew of the social and political upheaval their efforts caused.  They did not know Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Dr. Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Minnijean Brown Trickey, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed-Wair and Melba Pattillo Beals.  Using radio drama and interview, host Donnie L. Betts profiles these extraordinary students and in the process examines why they succeeded where other did not. He talks at length with Carlotta Walls LaNier, a member of the Little Rock Nine, considers whether American schools are now re-segregating and features music by jazz great Rene Marie.  
   
February 2 The Last Letter Home
 

"The Last Letter Home" is a poignant retelling in radio drama and interview of the experience during World War II of the 332nd fighter group, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Producer and host Donnie L. Betts recreates this powerful tale through the fictionalized writing of a fighter pilot, who in a letter to his mother, describes how he hopes to drop "Mein Kampf" on Hitler's office in Berlin as the U.S. bombs the city.  In fact, the Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II. They proved conclusively that African Americans could fly and maintain sophisticated combat aircraft, a truth doubted by many in the military. The 332nd fighter group never lost a plane it was protecting to air fire, only to assaults from the ground. "The Last Letter Home" also features an interview with retired Lt. Col. John Mosley, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, as well as period music by the award-winning composer Joe Bonner.  
   
January 26 Humankind: Barely Getting By -- Stories of America's Working Poor
  In a country as wealthy as the United States, "working poor" should be a contradiction in terms.  But tens of millions of Americans fall into that category - affecting a growing population of children.  What's it like for people in low-paying fulltime jobs, with no savings, falling behind on their bills, sometimes lining up at food pantries, even shelters? And how does this affect the rest of society?  In this documentary, we listen to a former police officer, a hospital worker, a nursing home assistant and others who are barely getting by. And we hear the insights of David K. Shipler, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Working Poor”, Dr. Nancy Cauthen, of Columbia University's National Center for Children in Poverty and others. 
   
January 19 Humankind: Meeting Hate with Love -- Stories of King and Gandhi
  In this documentary, Humankind explores the philosophical and historical roots of Dr. Martin Luther Kind’s non-violent movement. Interviews include Dr. Arun Ghandi, grandson of Mahatma Ghandi, who as a troubles teenager was tutored by his grandfather and gained an intimate glimpse into the life and beliefs of this remarkable 20th century figure. 
   
January 12 Humankind: A Union of Citizens
  In a country by the people, of the people and for the people, who do so many Americans feel alienated from our democratic process?  What does it mean to be an actively engaged citizen and how can we stimulate more critical thinking and a more deliberate approach by the citizenry?  Humankind presents interviews with U.S. Representative John Lewis, a 20 year member of congress and former civil rights activist, historian and best selling author Kevin Phillips and voices of citizens recorded at the Lincoln Memorial, the National Constitution Center and other historical points of interest.  
   
January 5 Aid to the Undecideds: A Primary Primer
  Granite State voters have had almost a year to get to know all the candidates and where they stand on the issues. But still, with the New Hampshire primary only days away, many people still don’t know who they’ll choose when they head to the polls on Tuesday. Over the next hour, we’re going to see if we can help. On this special program, we’ll try to put politics aside and focus on the main issues that have dominated the campaigns so far.
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