Spelling Bee Heads to Last Word May 30, 2008 • The Scripps National Spelling Bee concludes Friday. The 81st edition of the competition began Thursday with a record 288 contestants. Spelling Bee Heads to Last Word Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91007311/91007277" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Spelling Bee Heads to Last Word Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91007311/91007277" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
From Our Listeners Satirical Song Pokes Fun at Graduation Speeches May 30, 2008 • Barry Levy, a doctor who moonlights as a musical satirist, wrote lyrics about graduation speeches and set them to the music of Mozart. Graduating senior and former NPR intern Tara Tisch-Wallace sings the lyrics. Satirical Song Pokes Fun at Graduation Speeches Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91000867/91002435" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Satirical Song Pokes Fun at Graduation Speeches Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/91000867/91002435" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Diversions The Joy of Bragging Rights at the Bid Whist Table May 26, 2008 • Bid whist is the African-American community's grand elder to the common card game "spades." Whist is all about art, style, tradition — and smack talking. It's also a gathering point for friends and family as they throw down at the card table. The Joy of Bragging Rights at the Bid Whist Table Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90828084/90828051" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
The Joy of Bragging Rights at the Bid Whist Table Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90828084/90828051" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Sunday Puzzle I-O You a Clue May 25, 2008 • In this week's on-air puzzle, every answer is a compound word or a familiar two-word phrase in which the first part has a long I vowel sound and the second part has a long O sound. Both parts have just one syllable. For example, given "a small pink flower growing in a field," the answer would be "wild rose." I-O You a Clue Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90790377/90812299" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
I-O You a Clue Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90790377/90812299" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Culture At Velvet Museum, Get in Touch with Kitsch May 22, 2008 • There are no velvet ropes at the Velveteria in Portland, Ore., where visitors can rub velvet — or velveteen — art, including portraits of Jesus, Elvis, Liberace and Michael Jackson. At Velvet Museum, Get in Touch with Kitsch Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90541936/90713753" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
At Velvet Museum, Get in Touch with Kitsch Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90541936/90713753" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Sunday Puzzle Fill in the Blanks: Going Up, Anyone? May 18, 2008 • In this week's on-air puzzle, you are given two sentences. Each sentence has two blanks. A word starting with "UP" goes in the first blank. Move the "UP" to the end, and you'll get a familiar two-word phrase that goes in the second blank to complete the sentence. Fill in the Blanks: Going Up, Anyone? Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90559318/90570190" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Fill in the Blanks: Going Up, Anyone? Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90559318/90570190" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music News Fans Audition for 'Ball Game' Anniversary May 17, 2008 • To celebrate the 100th anniversary of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," Major League Baseball teams are auditioning fans to find the most talented performers of that iconic song. At Atlanta's Turner Field, home of the Braves, the search has taken on American Idol proportions. Fans Audition for 'Ball Game' Anniversary Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90482845/90554026" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Fans Audition for 'Ball Game' Anniversary Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90482845/90554026" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music Interviews Lorraine Feather: Songs for the Little Things May 17, 2008 • The daughter of famed jazz journalist and producer Leonard Feather first tried to make a career as a stage actress. That's when she started to translate her minor aggravations into song lyrics — and singing them. Lorraine Feather: Songs for the Little Things Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90525180/90554157" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Lorraine Feather: Songs for the Little Things Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90525180/90554157" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Business Kraft Launches Oreo Ad Blitz in Land of Biscuits May 15, 2008 • Kraft, the maker of Oreos, is unveiling a big advertising campaign in Britain. Stuart Payne runs the Web site Nice Cup of Tea and a Sit Down, where he reviews cookies (or "biscuits" in the Queen's English). He tells Michele Norris the Oreo may have a hard time in Britain. Kraft Launches Oreo Ad Blitz in Land of Biscuits Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90483762/90483743" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Kraft Launches Oreo Ad Blitz in Land of Biscuits Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90483762/90483743" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Opinion The Unger Report The Insatiable SUV May 12, 2008 • Millions of Americans are faced with a dilemma: What to do with that nice, big, comfortable and highly inefficient SUV? You could continue to drain your bank account to fill the thing with gas, or you could try a few other suggestions. The Insatiable SUV Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90371604/90372856" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
The Insatiable SUV Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90371604/90372856" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Politics Political Comebacks: The Art of the Putdown May 12, 2008 • Politicians are known for delivering a scripted message. Those who stray far from their prepared remarks often find themselves in trouble. But a select few who dare — think Winston Churchill or Daniel Webster — can make a point with their quick wit. Political Comebacks: The Art of the Putdown Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90337494/90366246" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Political Comebacks: The Art of the Putdown Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90337494/90366246" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Sunday Puzzle Ode (Owed?) to Ma May 11, 2008 • In this week's on-air puzzle, you are given clues for six-letter words, each containing the consecutive letters M-A. Remove the M-A, and the remaining four letters, in order, will spell a word answering the second clue. Ode (Owed?) to Ma Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90338834/90354909" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Ode (Owed?) to Ma Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90338834/90354909" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Opinion From Our Listeners Homework: Economic Stimulus Checks May 10, 2008 • Listeners talk about how they plan to use rebate checks sent out by the IRS. Many said they'd go shopping or take a vacation. One listener is buying a pair of roller skates. For next week's assignment, send us stories of voicemail messages you just can't erase. Homework: Economic Stimulus Checks Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90348220/90348192" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Homework: Economic Stimulus Checks Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90348220/90348192" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Diversions All Night Long: Road Trip Guys Still Trucking May 7, 2008 • Joey Stocking and two friends from Utah are trying to set a speed record for driving through the lower 48 states, crossing into each one. They take turns sleeping, driving and navigating the highways. All Night Long: Road Trip Guys Still Trucking Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90245736/90245706" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
All Night Long: Road Trip Guys Still Trucking Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90245736/90245706" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Sunday Puzzle Rhyme Three Times May 4, 2008 • In this week's on-air puzzle, you are given three words that rhyme with three things that start with the same letter and are in the same category. For example, given "soxer," "facet" and "regal," the answer would be "boxer, "basset" and "beagle." Rhyme Three Times Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90159824/90167592" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Rhyme Three Times Listen Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/90159824/90167592" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript