Admired for his portrayal of FBI agent Stan Beeman on The Americans, Noah Emmerich didn’t intend to be an actor. He was a history major, studying the Constitution and headed for law school when something happened. A cheap tease, but a great story. Music from the Gregorio Uribe Trio, a great band. PERSON: Ron … Continue reading »
Monthly Archives: April 2018
Episode 211: Shira Scheindlin
In her 22 years as a federal judge, she became best known to civilians like me for striking down New York City’s stop-and-frisk policy. And now she can be known for this: she was gym-mates with Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Great legal minds on the treadmill. Not a figure of speech. PERSON: Ruth Bader Ginsburg … Continue reading »
Episode 210: Woodie King
A veteran of 60 years in the theater, he makes a counterintuitive – and sadly convincing – point: colorblind casting can mean more parts for white actors. On the one hand, every role should be open to every actor: you needn’t be a Dane to play Hamlet. On the other, an all-white Raisin in … Continue reading »
Episode 209: William Kennedy
The going price of a vote in the thirties? $5. How did they know you voted their way? By sandpapering the voting-both curtain so they could see through it. Forget it, Jake, it’s Albany. Tales of political corruption from the author of Ironweed and more. PERSON: Dan O’Connell PLACE: Times Union Building THING: the … Continue reading »
Episode 208: André Aciman
We all deceive ourselves, says the author of Call Me By Your Name, who provides a hierarchy of self-deception. “The most glaring one, the most painful one, is to imagine yourself being loved by some people who absolutely hate you.” How many really love you? Maybe 50%. “That’s a good number.” Hard truths and … Continue reading »