Weekend Edition Saturday

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Saturday

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Saturday

8:00 am

From civil wars in Bosnia and El Salvador, to hospital rooms, police stations, and America's backyards, National Public Radio's Peabody Award-winning correspondent Scott Simon brings a well-traveled perspective to his role as host of Weekend Edition Saturday.

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Saturday, December 3, 2011

Liz Taylor's Jewel-Dripping Collection On The Block

After a world tour, Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry, clothing and memorabilia is on view in New York City. After 10 days on display, some 2,000 objects from the film star's life will be up for auction, both at Christie's and online.

Herman Cain's Big Announcement

GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain has been dogged by allegations that he sexually harassed several women. This week, an Atlanta woman claimed she and Cain had a 13-year affair that ended earlier this year. Now Cain has scheduled an event Saturday afternoon, where he is expected to announce the future of his candidacy. Host Scott Simon talks with NPR's Don Gonyea.

Complicity In Crisis: Can We Trust Ratings Agencies?

The current world economic crisis has raised hard questions about the assessments made by the big three ratings firms, S&P, Moody's and Fitch. It's also brought charges that they not only missed the onset of financial crisis, but helped fuel it with faulty judgments. Host Scott Simon talks with Roben Farzad, a senior writer for Bloomberg-Businessweek.

Who Should Be The Next Celebrity Stamp?

The U.S. Postal Service has waived its rule banning someone from being honored on a stamp until he or she has been dead for at least five years. Host Scott Simon reports the Postal Service has received thousands of nominations from the public for new stamps to honor more recent celebrities, ranging from Billy Graham to Lady Gaga.

Russian Elections Not Expected To Settle Much

Russians vote in parliamentary elections on Sunday, but there's no doubt the ruling United Russia Party will get the most votes. With Vladimir Putin ruling Russia for more than a decade now, the political opposition has been emasculated. Yet Kremlin officials are worried about the size of United Russia's majority, and the growing numbers of Russians voicing dissatisfaction with corruption and a sluggish economy. Host Scott Simon speaks with reporter Julia Loffe in Moscow.

Clinton Tests Myanmar's Resolve Personally

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has just completed a trip to Asia, including a historic visit to Myanmar. That country, also known as Burma, has been subjected to international isolation for many years because of its brutal military dictatorship. Now there are signs that a new civilian regime is loosening the generals' grip. NPR's Michele Kelemen accompanied Clinton on her visit, and filed this Reporter's Notebook.

Bear Wants Hat Back; For More, See Kids Book

Jon Klassen's latest book, I Want My Hat Back, is the delightful story about a bear who loses, and then finds, his hat. Scott talks with Weekend Edition's ambassador to the world of children's literature, Daniel Pinkwater, about the story and the importance of art in children's books.

Eurozone's Rescue Plan Needs A Quick Fix

European leaders meet in Brussels next week with an urgent mission: Agree on a plan that to keep debt-ridden countries like Greece and Spain from default and save the euro. NPR's Eric Westervelt has the latest on efforts by European leaders.

Sports: Basketball Rebounds; An NFL Implosion

The NBA comes back on Christmas, and the NFL marches on to week 13. Will Americans tune in to basketball late, and will the Packers reach the end of the season without a loss? Scott Simon talks with ESPN's Howard Bryant about the week's sports.

Congress Tries, But Still Can't Save Payroll Tax Cuts

People who are lucky enough to have jobs could still see a cut in their paychecks next month unless Congress votes to extend a payroll tax cut. NPR's Scott Horlsey and Tamara Keith join host Scott Simon to talk about the status of the cut.

Shostakovich Didn't Want It, But Opera Debuts Anyway

A Shostakovich opera plucked from the Soviet composer's trash gets its world premier this weekend at the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Disney Hall. We hear from Gerard McBurney, the composer charged with fleshing out Shostakovich's lost work, Orango.

'Shakespeare On Demand' In Kabul

Tyrus Lemerande's one man show, Shakespeare on Demand has played to packed houses and won rave reviews internationally. Those audiences were filled with coalition troops, international diplomats and others working on a base in Afghanistan, where Lemerande's been deployed for the last six months. Host Scott Simon talks with Lemerande, a Navy Reserve officer and Shakespearian actor.

Herman Cain Decides Campaign's Future

Herman Cain announced that he is suspending his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination on Saturday. Host Scott Simon has the full story.

Cain Leaves Presidential Race

Herman Cain has suspended his presidential campaign. Host Scott Simon gets the story from NPR's Don Gonyea

Saturday, November 26, 2011

New Liturgy Reanimates Catholic Music

When Catholics arrive at church for the beginning of Advent this weekend, they may find themselves stumbling over not only the words, but also the music. The Vatican has changed the English-speaking Mass to make it more faithful to the Latin. Some see that as a renaissance for composers and for the music publishing business.

Pages

Arts & Culture

NPR

Book News: Judge's Comments Bruising To Apple's Price-Fixing Case

Also: Mary Karr on addiction and David Foster Wallace; Maria Semple calls Jonathan Franzen her "big daddy."

Food

NPR

Guava Paste And Tamarind? What To Do With Weird Food Gifts

Have a food that has you stumped? Submit a photo and we'll ask chefs about our favorites!

Politics

NPR

Political Attacks Ramp Up In U.S. Senate Race In Mass.

In Massachusetts, what's been a relatively lackluster campaign to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Secretary of State John Kerry is heating up. Veteran Democratic Rep. Ed Markey is running against Republican Gabriel Gomez, a businessman and former Navy SEAL. Gomez is a political newcomer.

Technology

NPR

Viewers To Decide If Amazon's Sample Shows Make The Cut

Amazon is piloting 14 possible shows for its streaming video service. The audience will vote on which shows it likes best. TV critic Eric Deggans says the process and the shows would like to be breaking ground for a new media — but they aren't.

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Weekend Edition Saturday

Arts & Culture

Book News: Judge's Comments Bruising To Apple's Price-Fixing Case

Food

Guava Paste And Tamarind? What To Do With Weird Food Gifts

Politics

Political Attacks Ramp Up In U.S. Senate Race In Mass.

Technology

Viewers To Decide If Amazon's Sample Shows Make The Cut

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