NPR: Iraq, a Ramble, a Mob Trial: BPP's Pilot 22

Iraq, a Ramble, a Mob Trial: BPP's Pilot 22

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We've done twenty-two pilots, people, and we are exhausted. The good news, though, is we've set up highly sophisticated behind-the-scenes systems that are going to make this thing run like butter. That, in turn, will make us less exhausted and better equipped to provide you the news, information and YouTube trends that your mind grapes so desperately crave.

On today's show:

-- A preview of this evening's national address by President Bush.

-- We do "The Ramble" on national security snafus, the kilogram losing weight (it's complicated and worth the listen), also -- the White Stripes and Led Zeppelin, and James Fry gets a book deal, though it could be fake.

-- Two trials intrigued us today: The mob trial in Chicago and the ongoing Phil Spector trial. We talk to reporters covering both of those cases.

-- We break out our patented "Make Me Care" segment -- today, it's all about the man who helped raise $850,000 in campaign donations for Senator Hillary Clinton: Norman Hsu. She returned the money, so why should we care? NPR's very own Peter Overby follows the money and politics in Washington, he'll give us the lowdown.

-- Authorities in West Virginia are dealing with a strange and, frankly, disgusting crime. A 20-year-old woman was held captive for about a week in a mobile home and allegedly tortured by six people in all kinds of brutal ways. We have Gary Harki, police reporter for the Charleston Gazette.

-- Also on the show: A new book for kids that helps quell any fear kids might have over parental tattoos and we talk sports with Sam Farmer from The Los Angeles Times.

Matt Martinez

1:01 PM ET | 09-13-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Who cares about Norman Hsu? (Ok, I do.) Make me care about President Bush's speech tonight. Ever since his "Surge" announcement, 2007 State of the Union Address, and 2007 State of the Economy speech, I've ignored any major press event involving the President since we all know days before what he is going to say so that we already have opinions before the actual speech. Further, all these presidential debates, forums, and campaign events don't pique my interest since we also know what the candidates are going to say or do anyways. Make me care about events in which we already know what is going occur!

As much as I want hard news, this hour wasn't the most compelling BPP pilot so far. Most of the segments were about news stories that were presented in a similar way that I would hear elsewhere.

The one segment that stuck was the tattoo kids book. Is it unusual? Yes. Is it hard news? Probably no. However, does it lend itself well to interesting conversation? Yes. BPP, don't fret about devoting several segments to things other than hard news as long as the segments are interesting and explore an interesting aspect of a culture. The Bling H2O story serves as another interesting story that isn't hard news or earth shattering.

While we're talking about tattoos, since when does The Learning Channel consider shows like Miami Ink and LA Ink conducive to "learning?" I'm not trying to protest these shows, but is the channel offering an educational experience by delving into the realm of tattoo artists?

Sent by Steve Petersen | 10:02 PM ET | 09-13-2007

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