Many of you have written or called to ask how we're doing in the wake of the layoffs at NPR, announced yesterday. We appreciate all of your good wishes and concern. We're obviously very distressed about the loss of two programs produced out of the West Coast--Day to Day and News & Notes. On top of the cancellation of Bryant Park earlier this year, it's been a tough year. But we want you to know that Tell Me More is still going strong and still committed to bringing you the kind of programming you've come to expect from us--stories that take a different angle, that explore the multicultural experience in America, that bring you voices you are not hearing on other programs, and where nothing is assumed. That's our motto, that's our mission, and we're going to keep doing it to the best of our ability.

To that end, we were excited to bring you some Christmas cheer -- an interview with John Leguizamo. He's an actor whose work I've admired over the year. When I was preparing for this interview I was saying to myself, 'Hey I've seen all his films', and then I double checked -- NOT.

As I told him, I am not sure he has seen all of his films. His IMDB profile shows nearly 80 film and TV roles, in addition to his standup comedy work, the autobiographical theater pieces he's written and produced and the films he's co produced. And the man has two young children. I would like to know where he gets his energy.

Anyway, he was here to talk about his new film Nothing Like the Holidays. It's set in Chicago and it tells the classic tale of a family gathering for the holidays. But it explores the scenario from the standpoint of a Puerto Rican family in Chicago. He'll tell you about it.

And today we have a very different story from Chicago. A real life drama happening in real time.

The ongoing drama surrounding Rod Blagojevich ... The Illinois governor had the sole authority to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. Blagojevich is accused, in essence, of trying to get people to pay him for it -- in campaign contributions, a nice job, and paying board seats for his wife. He was arrested Tuesday. Now Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., another important Chicago name and a huge supporter of Obama, has been implicated. Blagojevich is on tape saying someone acting on Jackson's behalf was willing to raise big money for Blagojevich's campaign and that is why Blagojevich was giving him more serious consideration.

Congressman Jackson vehemently denies that he sent any emissaries and says he is doing whatever he can to aid the investigation.

You can see his press conference below:

On the advice of counsel Jackson said he cannot answer questions right now. But another Congressman who wanted the seat did come by to give us his take: Rep. Danny K. Davis, as well as two reporters following the story.

Stay tuned. We expect to hear more from Obama today.

categories: More on Politics & Policy

3:13 - December 11, 2008

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